Generalized Anxiety Disorder Is Chronic, Pervasive, and Debilitating1
Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is characterized by persistent, excessive worry about routine life circumstances (eg, work performance, health, finances) that are difficult to control. These symptoms occur most days and may continue for months or years, even with treatment.1
GAD is defined by worry and 3 or more physical or psychological symptoms1
Worry in GAD must meet each of these characteristics1:
Excessive
Patient worries about a number of events or activities
Difficult to control
Patient finds the worry difficult to control
Persistent
The worry occurs more days than not for at least 6 months
GAD also requires 3 or more of these symptoms1*:
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- Being easily fatigued
- Irritability
- Sleep disturbance
- Restlessness or feeling on edge
- Difficulty concentrating/mind going blank
- Muscle tension
*At least some symptoms are persistent (occurring most days for ≥6 months).1
These symptoms cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.1 Get additional detailed information on symptoms and diagnoses.
See the DSM-5-TR diagnostic criteriaFor the full diagnostic criteria for GAD, see the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-5-TR).
Reference
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- American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 5th ed, text rev. American Psychiatric Association; 2022.