Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Alternate Names : Chronic Worry, GAD
How is the condition diagnosed?
Physicians or mental healthcare providers usually diagnose an anxiety
disorder. They will review the person's symptoms and conduct a complete mental health
history and physical exam. This will help them rule out a physical cause. The doctor
will also discuss lifestyle factors such as alcohol or drug use, stresses, recent life
changes, medical illnesses, or relationship factors. To be diagnosed with the disorder,
a person must have had symptoms of GAD most days for the past 6 months.
A thorough exam should include questions about the issues and events
that increase the individual's anxiety. For example, the doctor may ask questions such as these:
What does the anxiety feel like?
How intense is it?
When and how often do feelings of anxiety occur?
What triggers the anxiety or aggravates it?
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