Generalized anxiety disorder history and symptoms

Generalized anxiety disorder Microchapters
Home
Patient Information
Overview
Historical Perspective
Classification
Pathophysiology
Differentiating Generalized anxiety disorder from other Disorders
Epidemiology and Demographics
Risk Factors
Natural History, Complications and Prognosis
Diagnosis
Diagnostic Criteria
History and Symptoms
Laboratory Findings
Other Imaging Findings
Other Diagnostic Studies
Treatment
Medical Therapy
Psychotherapy
Brain Stimulation Therapy
Case Studies
Case #1
Generalized anxiety disorder history and symptoms On the Web
Most recent articles
Most cited articles
Review articles
CME Programs
Powerpoint slides
Images
American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Generalized anxiety disorder history and symptoms All Images X-rays Echo & Ultrasound CT Images MRI
Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov
US National Guidelines Clearinghouse
NICE Guidance
FDA on Generalized anxiety disorder history and symptoms
CDC on Generalized anxiety disorder history and symptoms
Generalized anxiety disorder history and symptoms in the news
Blogs on Generalized anxiety disorder history and symptoms
Directions to Hospitals Treating Generalized anxiety disorder
Risk calculators and risk factors for Generalized anxiety disorder history and symptoms

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Irfan Dotani

Overview

There are several disorders that have a tendency to co-occur with generalized anxiety disorder. These include; major depressive disorder, panic disorder, social phobia, agoraphobia, substance abuse, irritable bowel syndrome and sleep disorders.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Comorbid Depression

• In the National Comorbidity Survey (2005), 58% of patients diagnosed with major depression were found to have an anxiety disorder.
  • Among these patients, the rate of comorbidity with GAD was 17.2%, and with panic disorder, 9.9%.
• Patients with a diagnosed anxiety disorder also had high rates of comorbid depression, including 22.4% of patients with social phobia, 9.4% with agoraphobia, and 2.3% with panic disorder.
  • For many, the symptoms of both depression and anxiety are not severe enough (i.e. are subsyndromal) to justify a primary diagnosis of either major depressive disorder (MDD) or an anxiety disorder.

• Patients can also be categorized as having mixed anxiety-depressive disorder, and they are at significantly increased risk of developing full-blown depression or anxiety.
• Appropriate treatment is necessary to alleviate symptoms and prevent the emergence of more serious disease.

• Accumulating evidence indicates that patients with comorbid depression and anxiety tend to have greater illness severity and a lower treatment response than those with either disorder alone.
  • In addition, social function and quality of life are more greatly impaired.

• In addition to coexisting with depression, research shows that GAD often coexists with substance abuse or other conditions associated with stress, such as irritable bowel syndrome.
• Patients with physical symptoms such as insomnia or headaches should also tell their doctors about their feelings of worry and tension.
  • This will help the patient's health care provider to recognize whether the person is suffering from GAD.