Which mental health condition is characterized by intense fear and anxiety?

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is characterized by persistent and excessive worry about a variety of different things. Individuals with GAD often struggle to control their anxiety and experience intense fear and apprehension, particularly in response to everyday situations. This pervasive anxiety affects their ability to function in daily life and can lead to physical symptoms such as restlessness, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and sleep disturbances.

In contrast, while depression is marked by feelings of sadness and a lack of interest in activities, it does not primarily revolve around fear and anxiety. Bipolar disorder involves mood swings between depressive episodes and periods of mania or hypomania, which may include impulsivity and high energy levels but does not specifically focus on persistent fear and anxiety. Schizophrenia is a severe mental health disorder characterized by distortions in thinking, perception, and emotions, typically involving symptoms such as delusions and hallucinations rather than anxiety as the central feature.