Generalized Anxiety Disorder Tests and Diagnosis
To help diagnose generalized anxiety disorder, mental health providers perform a thorough psychological evaluation. They ask many questions about your worries, fears and emotional well-being. They may also ask about any obsessions, to make sure that you don't have obsessive-compulsive disorder. You may also fill out psychological questionnaires. And you may have a physical exam to check for any other health problems that may be causing generalized anxiety disorder symptoms.
To be diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder, someone must meet criteria spelled out in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). This manual is published by the American Psychiatric Association and is used by mental health professionals to diagnose mental conditions and by insurance companies to reimburse for treatment.
For generalized anxiety disorder to be diagnosed, someone must meet these criteria:
Excessive anxiety and worry every day for at least six months
Difficulty managing anxiety
Anxiety that is associated with several specific symptoms, such as feeling keyed up, difficulty concentrating, muscle tension and sleep disturbances
Anxiety that causes significant distress or impairment in your daily life
Anxiety that isn't related to another condition, such as panic attacks or substance abuse
Generalized anxiety disorder does more than make you worry. It can also lead to or worsen a variety of potentially serious conditions, including:
Depression
Substance abuse
Insomnia
Digestive or bowel problems
Headache
Teeth grinding (bruxism)
Keep on checking back as next we will explore treatments and drugs for GAD.
Resource: Mayo Staff
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