Generalized anxiety disorder

Common condition defined as chronic, excessive worry for at least 6 months that causes distress or impairment.

At least three key symptoms out of a possible six are required to make a diagnosis according to the Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, fifth edition, (DSM-5) criteria. These include restlessness or nervousness, being easily fatigued, poor concentration, irritability, muscle tension, and/or sleep disturbance.

It is in part a diagnosis of exclusion: physical health conditions, other mental health disorders, and medications or other substances should be ruled out as a primary cause. 

Physical examination and laboratory studies are generally normal if no co-existing physical or mental health conditions or substance abuse issues exist. 

Treatment is primarily with cognitive therapy, serotonergic antidepressants, psychotherapy, or a combination of these approaches.

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is defined as at least 6 months of excessive worry about everyday issues that is disproportionate to any inherent risk, causing distress or impairment. The worry is not confined to features of another mental health disorder, a result of substance abuse, or relating only to a physical health condition.

At least three of the following symptoms are present most of the time: restlessness or nervousness, being easily fatigued, poor concentration, irritability, muscle tension, or sleep disturbance.[1]American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, 5th ed., (DSM-5). Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Publishing; 2013. Other common complaints are autonomic in nature, such as sweating, lightheadedness, palpitations, dizziness, and epigastric discomfort.[2]World Health Organization. International classification of diseases, tenth revision. 2010 [internet publication]. http://apps.who.int/classifications/icd10/browse/2010/en Anxiety may be "free-floating" (i.e., not restricted to, or even strongly predominating in, any particular environmental circumstances).[2]World Health Organization. International classification of diseases, tenth revision. 2010 [internet publication]. http://apps.who.int/classifications/icd10/browse/2010/en Examples of worries include fears that the patient or a relative will shortly become ill or have an accident.