Anxiety and worry concern several activities or events and occur more days than not for at least six months.
DSM-5-TR · anxiety disorder
Could I have generalized anxiety disorder?
Generalized anxiety disorder is excessive, difficult-to-control worry across several areas of life, present more days than not for at least six months. Diagnosis is not based on one isolated impression: DSM-5-TR requires a specific pattern of symptoms, sufficient duration and clinically significant distress or impairment.
≥ 6 months + 3/6
DSM-5-TR
What are the DSM-5-TR criteria?
The points below summarise the diagnostic requirements that define the disorder.
Diagnostic criteria — paraphrased
The person finds it difficult to control the worry.
Adults have at least three of the six associated symptoms; in children, one symptom is sufficient.
Anxiety, worry or physical symptoms cause significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, school or family functioning.
The presentation is not attributable to a substance, medication or medical condition.
The symptoms are not better explained by another mental disorder.
Diagnostic reference: DSM-5-TR (American Psychiatric Association, 2022). Wording intentionally paraphrased and concise.
The 6 associated symptoms
Adults need at least three; in children, one is sufficient.
Restlessness, feeling keyed up or on edge.
Being easily fatigued.
Difficulty concentrating or the mind going blank.
Irritability.
Muscle tension.
Sleep disturbance.
Differential diagnosis
Generalized anxiety disorder or normal worry?
Occasional worry is normal. In generalized anxiety disorder, worry is broader, more persistent, difficult to control and spans several areas of life. Differential diagnosis also considers panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, OCD, depression, and medical or medication-related causes.
Clinical assessment
How is the diagnosis made?
Diagnosis is based on clinical interviewing, the history of symptoms, their frequency and duration, the situations that trigger them, and their functional impact. It is also important to determine whether another mental disorder, a substance, medication or medical condition better explains the presentation. Standardised questionnaires can support the assessment.
Anxiety disorders
Explore the other anxiety disorders
Anxiety symptoms can look similar across disorders. A central question is often what triggers the fear and what the person is actually afraid will happen.
Are you trying to understand the nature of your anxiety?
An emotional and personality assessment can help clarify the type and intensity of anxiety, conditions that may look similar, and the most appropriate next steps.
