Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Mary Kimmel, M.D., Claire Zachik, Traci Speed, M.D., Ph.D.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder is a topic covered in the Johns Hopkins Psychiatry Guide.

To view the entire topic, please or .

Official website of the Johns Hopkins Antibiotic (ABX), HIV, Diabetes, and Psychiatry Guides, powered by Unbound Medicine. Johns Hopkins Guide App for iOS, iPhone, iPad, and Android included. Explore these free sample topics:

-- The first section of this topic is shown below --

DEFINITION

  • Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is defined as persistent excessive free-floating anxiety and worry about multiple general aspects of life (e.g., family/relationships, school/work, and health).
  • Anxiety and worry are normal phenomena in response to stress.
  • The anxiety and worry associated with GAD is:
    • Out of proportion to the actual likelihood or impact of the anticipated event, activity, or situation
    • Difficult to control
    • Causes significant distress, with associated physical symptoms
    • Interferes with psychosocial functioning
  • The etiology of GAD is not completely understood, but biological and psychosocial factors appear to contribute
    • One third of the risk of experiencing GAD appears due to genetic causes

-- To view the remaining sections of this topic, please or --

DEFINITION

  • Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is defined as persistent excessive free-floating anxiety and worry about multiple general aspects of life (e.g., family/relationships, school/work, and health).
  • Anxiety and worry are normal phenomena in response to stress.
  • The anxiety and worry associated with GAD is:
    • Out of proportion to the actual likelihood or impact of the anticipated event, activity, or situation
    • Difficult to control
    • Causes significant distress, with associated physical symptoms
    • Interferes with psychosocial functioning
  • The etiology of GAD is not completely understood, but biological and psychosocial factors appear to contribute
    • One third of the risk of experiencing GAD appears due to genetic causes

There's more to see -- the rest of this topic is available only to subscribers.

Last updated: June 10, 2017