Find out which option is the best for you.
Symptoms of GAD
TheDSM-5-TRoutlines specific criteria to help professionals diagnose generalized anxiety disorder.
Someone struggling with GAD experiences a high percentage of their waking hours worrying about something.
Verywell / Cindy Chung
The worry may be accompanied by reassurance-seeking from others.
Many people with GAD also experience symptoms such as sweating, nausea, or diarrhea.
The anxiety, worry, and other associated symptoms make it hard to carry out day-to-day activities and responsibilities.
Get our printable guide to help you ask the right questions at your next doctor’s appointment.
They may causeproblems in relationships, at work, or in other important areas of life.
In this case, your clinician conducts a semi-structured interview.
These interviews also evaluate the presence of other associated conditions such asdepression.
Get our printable guide to help you ask the right questions at your next doctor’s appointment.
Reaching out for a diagnosis can feel challenging, especially when anxiety feels so constant and widespread.
Only around 20% of people who have symptoms of anxiety seek treatment.
They may even be told this by others when seeking reassurance or trying to find comfort.
Additionally, take note of the physical symptoms that are accompanying your worry.
Primary care physicians can often provide referrals to trusted and specialized mental health providers.
Another option is totry an online therapy program.
To give adifferential diagnosismeans to distinguish one condition from another when there are symptoms that overlap.
There can be other behaviors and symptoms that can be present with anxiety.
Sitting with a qualified professional to determine an accurate diagnosis is key.
Keep in Mind
Remember: GAD is a treatable condition.
There is no need for you (or your child) to worry in silence.
There are alsomedicationsthat can help.
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Bandelow B, Michaelis S, Wedekind D.Treatment of anxiety disorders.Dialogues Clin Neurosci.
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Yoon KL, Zinbarg RE.Generalized anxiety disorder and entry into marriage or a marriage-like relationship.J Anxiety Disord.
Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA).Screening for Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD).
Washington, DC; 2013.
American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (Fifth Edition).
Washington, D.C.: American Psychiatric Association; 2013.
Brown, TA, Barlow DH.Treatments That Work: Anxiety and Related Disorders Interview Schedule for DSM-5.
New York: Oxford University Press, 2014.
Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Association Publishing; 2016.
