The generalized anxiety disorder is characterized by excessive worrying or anxiety and enormous difficulty in controlling it. These worries impair social, academic, and occupational functioning of children and adolescents. The disorder is associated with apprehension and doubt, weariness, fatigue, muscular tension, disturbed sleep, difficulty to concentrate, and irritability.

Children with generalized anxiety disorder show great worry regarding future events such as tests, relationship with friends, and acceptance among peers. These children are usually worried about many things at the same time, as if the world was crammed with dangers and problems. They overestimate problems, have a negative mindset, and seem to be expecting a tragedy at any given moment.