Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

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The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders (DSM-5), fifth edition, delineates the subsequent diagnostic criteria for Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD):

A.

Persistent and heightened apprehension, characterized by frequent worry and unease, lasting for a minimum of six months, regarding various events or tasks, such as job or academic performance.

B.

Struggles to manage or regulate the excessive worrying.

C.

The anxiety and concern are linked with three or more of the subsequent six symptoms (with at least some symptoms persisting for more days than not over the preceding six months):

(Note: In children, only one symptom is necessary).

• Feeling restless or constantly keyed up.

• Experiencing frequent fatigue.

• Struggling with concentration or experiencing mental blankness.

• Demonstrating irritability.

• Experiencing muscle tension.

• Disrupted sleep patterns (difficulty falling or remaining asleep, or experiencing restless and unsatisfying sleep).

D.

The anxiety, worry, or physical manifestations result in noticeable distress or interference with social, work-related, or other essential aspects of functioning.

E.

The disruption cannot be attributed to the physiological impacts of a substance (such as drug abuse or medication) or another medical condition (like hyperthyroidism).

F.

The disruption cannot be more adequately accounted for by another mental disorder.

Reference:

American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596