Generalized anxiety disorder (psych notes continue-abnormal psychology)

Diagnostic Criteria - Excessive anxiety and worry (apprehensive expectation) , occurring more days than not for at least six months, about a number of events or activities (such as work or school performance). the person finds it difficult to control the worry. the anxiety and worry are associated with 3 (or more of the following six symptoms (with some at least six symptoms present for more days than not for the past 6 months: Note only one item is required in children. 1. restlessness or feeling keyed up or on edge. 2. being easily fatigued. 3. difficulty in concentrating or mind going blank at times. 4. irritability 5. muscle tension 6. sleep disturbance (difficulty falling or staying asleep, a restless unsatisfying sleep). the focus of the anxiety and worry is not confined to features of an AXIS 1 disorder eg. the anxiety or worry is not having a panic attack (as in panic disorder) being embarrassed in public (as in social phobia) being contaminated (as in obsessive compulsive disorder) being away from home or close relatives (as in separation anxiety, gaining weight as in anorexia nervosa) having multiple physical complaints (as in somatization disorder)or having a serious illness (as in hypochondriasis and the anxiety and worry do not occur exclusively during PTSD. the anxiety worry or physical symptoms cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social occupational or other important areas of functioning. the disturbance is not due to the direct (dsm 1v) physiological effects of a substance (eg. a drug of abuse, a medical condition eg. hyperthyroidism and does not exclusively during a mood disorder, a psychotic disorder or et…(note to self: know differences between disorders). Next: Social phobia