Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Excerpt

Generalized anxiety disorder is 1 of the most common mental disorders. Up to 20% of adults are affected by anxiety disorders each year. Generalized anxiety disorder produces fear, worry, and a constant feeling of being overwhelmed. Generalized anxiety disorder is characterized by persistent, excessive, and unrealistic worry about everyday things. This worry could be multifaceted, including financial, family, health, and future concerns. It is excessive, difficult to control, and is often accompanied by many nonspecific psychological and physical symptoms. Excessive worry is the central feature of generalized anxiety disorder.

Diagnostic criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (DSM-5) include the following:

1. Excessive anxiety and worry for at least 6 months

2. Difficulty controlling the worrying

3. The anxiety is associated with 3 or more of the following symptoms for at least 6 months:

   1. Restlessness, feeling keyed up or on edge

   2. Being easily fatigued

   3. Difficulty in concentrating or mind going blank, irritability

   4. Muscle tension

   5. Sleep disturbance

   6. Irritability

4. The anxiety results in significant distress or impairment in social and occupational areas

5. The anxiety is not attributable to any physical cause