What is one diagnostic criterion for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)?

One of the diagnostic criteria for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is characterized by excessive anxiety and worry occurring more days than not for a duration of at least six months. This criterion highlights that individuals with GAD experience ongoing and pervasive anxiety that is not limited to specific situations or events, unlike some other anxiety disorders. The six-month timeframe ensures that the anxiety is chronic rather than a reaction to a temporary stressor.

In contrast, experiencing panic attacks only is not indicative of GAD as this is more aligned with panic disorder. Feeling anxious only in social situations points more towards social anxiety disorder, where anxiety is typically restricted to social contexts rather than being generalized across various situations. Having a fear of flying is specific to a phobia and does not encompass the broader, more generalized anxiety that characterizes GAD.