ance flaws in body dysmorphic disorder, having a serious illness in illness anxiety
disorder, or the content of delusional beliefs in schizophrenia or delusional disorder).
Diagnostic Features
The essential feature of generalized anxiety disorder is excessive anxiety and worry (ap-
prehensive expectation) about a number of events or activities. The intensity, duration, or
frequency of the anxiety and worry is out of pr oportion to the actual likelihood or impact
of the anticipated event. The individual finds it difficult to control the worry and to keep
worrisome thoughts from interfering with attention to tasks at hand. Adults with gener-
alized anxiety disorder often worry about everyday, routine life circumstances, such as
possible job responsibilities, health and fina nces, the health of family members, misfor-
tune to their children, or minor matters (e.g.,  doing household chores or being late for ap-
pointments). Children with generalized anxiet y disorder tend to worry excessively about
their competence or the quality of their perf ormance. During the co urse of the disorder,
the focus of worry may shift from one concern to another.
Several features distinguish generalized anxi ety disorder from no npathological anxiety.
First, the worries associated with  generalized anxiety disorder are excessive and typically in-
terfere significantly with psychosocial functi oning, whereas the worries of everyday life
are not excessive and are perceived as more  manageable and may be put off when more
pressing matters arise. Second, the worries associated with generalized anxiety disorder are