Generalized Anxiety Disorder Overview

A brief initial screening tool for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) consisting of two questions, evaluating nervousness/anxiety and uncontrollable worrying. A score of 3 or more points suggests further evaluation with DSM-5/ICD-11 criteria.

A questionnaire used to diagnose and monitor the severity of GAD, providing a score out of 21. It covers various GAD symptoms like nervousness, worry, restlessness, and fear.

A common feature of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) characterized by persistent, excessive worry about everyday things. This worry is often difficult to control and can interfere with daily activities.

A symptom of GAD where an individual struggles to relax and is often restless, unable to sit still for extended periods.

A symptom of GAD marked by a feeling of apprehension or dread, typically accompanied by physical symptoms such as increased heart rate, rapid breathing, and sweating.

A common symptom of GAD characterized by irritability, impatience, and a short fuse. Easily becoming annoyed or angered.

A symptom of GAD where individuals have difficulties calming down or finding peace, often feeling mentally and physically tense.

A key feature of GAD that involves intense and frequent mental rumination over various concerns, often perceived as excessive and uncontrollable.

A symptom of GAD characterized by a sense of being on edge, feeling uneasy, and having a heightened sense of nervousness.

A symptom of GAD where individuals struggle to control or stop their worrying thoughts, feeling overwhelmed and unable to dismiss them.

A mental health condition marked by excessive worry that lasts for at least 6 months, causing significant distress and impairment in daily life.

The worry is not specifically tied to a particular event, object, or situation, but rather a general, pervasive feeling of anxiety.

The worry must be difficult to control and not a side effect of another medical condition, substance use, or other mental disorder.

At least three of six specific symptoms must be present for at least six months, including restlessness, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, irritability, muscle tension, and sleep problems.

The symptoms of GAD must cause significant distress or interfere with social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.

The main treatment approaches for GAD are psychotherapy, especially Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), serotonergic antidepressants, or a combination of both.

A widely used diagnostic tool for GAD is the DSM-5 criteria, which outlines specific criteria for diagnosis.

Another diagnostic criteria for GAD is the ICD-11, which includes similar but slightly different criteria compared to the DSM-5.

The ICD-11 emphasizes the persistent presence of general apprehension or excessive worry about everyday events like family, health, finances, and work.

The ICD-11 also includes symptoms like muscular tension, restlessness, sympathetic autonomic overactivity, difficulty concentrating, irritability, and sleep disturbance.