Misplaced Pages

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a mental and behavioral disorder, specifically an anxiety disorder characterized by excessive, uncontrollable and often irrational worry about events or activities. Worry often interferes with daily functioning, and individuals with GAD are often overly concerned about everyday matters such as health, finances, death, family, relationship concerns, or work difficulties. Symptoms may include excessive worry, restlessness, trouble sleeping, exhaustion, irritability, sweating, and trembling.

Symptoms must be consistent and ongoing, persisting at least six months, for a formal diagnosis of GAD. Individuals with GAD often have other disorders including other psychiatric disorders (e.g., major depressive disorder), substance use disorder, obesity, and may have a history of trauma or family with GAD. Clinicians use screening tools such as the GAD-7 and GAD-2 questionnaires to determine if individuals may have GAD and warrant formal evaluation for the disorder. Additionally, sometimes screening tools may enable clinicians to evaluate the severity of GAD symptoms.

GAD is believed to have a hereditary or genetic basis (e.g., first-degree relatives of an individual who has GAD are themselves more likely to have GAD), but the exact nature of this relationship is not fully appreciated. Genetic studies of individuals who have anxiety disorders (including GAD) suggest that the hereditary contribution to developing anxiety disorders is only approximately 30–40%, which suggests that environmental factors may be more important to determining whether an individual develops GAD. There is a strong overlapping relationship between GAD and major depressive disorder (MDD), with 72% of those with a lifelong diagnosis of GAD also being diagnosed with MDD at some point in their lives.

The pathophysiology of GAD implicates several regions of the brain that mediate the processing of stimuli associated with fear, anxiety, memory, and emotion (i.e., the amygdala, insula, and the frontal cortex). The amygdala is part of the brain that is associated with experiencing emotions. In the amygdala, the basolateral amygdala complex recognizes sensory information and activates GABAergic neurons which can cause somatic symptoms of anxiety. GABAergic neurons control the nervous system by reducing feelings of stress, anxiety, and fear. When there is an inadequate number of GABAergic neurons, those negative feelings become apparent and can release somatic responses of stress. It has been suggested that individuals with GAD have greater amygdala and medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) activity in response to stimuli than individuals who do not have GAD. However, the relationship between GAD and activity levels in other parts of the frontal cortex is the subject of ongoing research with some literature suggesting greater activation in specific regions for individuals who have GAD but where other research suggests decreased activation levels in individuals who have GAD as compared to individuals who do not have GAD.

Treatment includes psychotherapy (e.g., cognitive behavioral therapy or metacognitive therapy) and pharmacological intervention. CBT and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) antidepressants (e.g., escitalopram, sertraline, and fluoxetine) are first-line psychological and pharmacological treatments; other options include serotonin–norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRI) antidepressants (e.g., duloxetine and venlafaxine). In more severe, last resort cases, potent anxiolytics such as diazepam, clonazepam, and alprazolam are used, though not as first-line drugs as benzodiazepines are frequently abused and habit forming. In Europe, pregabalin is also used. The positive effects (if any) of complementary and alternative medications (CAMs), exercise, therapeutic massage and other interventions have been studied.

Estimates regarding prevalence of GAD or lifetime risk (i.e., lifetime morbid risk ) for GAD vary depending upon which criteria are used for diagnosing GAD (e.g., DSM-5 versus ICD-10) although estimates do not vary widely between diagnostic criteria. In general, ICD-10 is more inclusive than DSM-5, so estimates regarding prevalence and lifetime risk tend to be greater using ICD-10. In regard to prevalence, in a given year, about two (2%) percent of adults in the United States and Europe have been suggested to have GAD. However, the risk of developing GAD at any point in life has been estimated at 9.0%. Although it is possible to experience a single episode of GAD during one's life, most people who experience GAD experience it repeatedly over the course of their lives as a chronic or ongoing condition. GAD is diagnosed twice as frequently in women as in men.

Diagnosis

DSM-5 criteria

The diagnostic criteria for GAD as defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM-5 (2013), published by the American Psychiatric Association, are paraphrased as follows:

1. "Excessive anxiety or worry" experienced most days over at least six months and which involve a plurality of concerns.
2. Inability to manage worry.
3. At least three of the following occur:
   1. Restlessness
   2. Fatigability
   3. Problems concentrating
   4. Irritability
   5. Muscle tension
   6. Difficulty with sleep
   Note that in children, only one of the above items is required.
4. One experiences significant distress in functioning (e.g., work, school, social life).
5. Symptoms are not due to a substance use disorder, prescription medication, or other medical condition(s).
6. Symptoms do not fit better with another psychiatric condition such as panic disorder.

No major changes to GAD have occurred since publication of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (2004); minor changes include wording of diagnostic criteria.

ICD-10 criteria

The 10th revision of the International Statistical Classification of Disease (ICD-10) provides a different set of diagnostic criteria for GAD than the DSM-5 criteria described above. In particular, ICD-10 allows diagnosis of GAD as follows:

1. A period of at least six months with prominent tension, worry, and feelings of apprehension, about everyday events and problems.
2. At least four symptoms out of the following list of items must be present, of which at least one from items (1) to (4).

   Autonomic arousal symptoms

   (1) Palpitations or pounding heart, or accelerated heart rate.

   (2) Sweating.

   (3) Trembling or shaking.

   (4) Dry mouth (not due to medication or dehydration).

   Symptoms concerning chest and abdomen

   (5) Difficulty breathing.

   (6) Feeling of choking.

   (7) Chest pain or discomfort.

   (8) Nausea or abdominal distress (e.g., churning in the stomach).

   Symptoms concerning brain and mind

   (9) Feeling dizzy, unsteady, faint or light-headed.

   (10) Feelings that objects are unreal (derealization), or that one's self is distant or "not really here" (depersonalization).

   (11) Fear of losing control, going crazy, or passing out.

   (12) Fear of dying.

   General symptoms

   (13) Hot flashes or cold chills.

   (14) Numbness or tingling sensations.

   Symptoms of tension

   (15) Muscle tension or aches and pains.

   (16) Restlessness and inability to relax.

   (17) Feeling keyed up, or on edge, or of mental tension.

   (18) A sensation of a lump in the throat or difficulty with swallowing.

   Other non-specific symptoms

   (19) Exaggerated response to minor surprises or being startled.

   (20) Difficulty in concentrating or mind going blank, because of worrying or anxiety.

   (21) Persistent irritability.

   (22) Difficulty getting to sleep because of worrying.

3. The disorder does not meet the criteria for panic disorder (F41.0), phobic anxiety disorders (F40.-), obsessive-compulsive disorder (F42.-) or hypochondriacal disorder (F45.2).
4. Most commonly used exclusion criteria: not sustained by a physical disorder, such as hyperthyroidism, an organic mental disorder (F0) or psychoactive substance-related disorder (F1), such as excess consumption of amphetamine-like substances, or withdrawal from benzodiazepines.

See ICD-10 F41.1 Note: For children different ICD-10 criteria may be applied for diagnosing GAD (see F93.80).

History of diagnostic criteria

The American Psychiatric Association introduced GAD as a diagnosis in the DSM-III in 1980, when anxiety neurosis was split into GAD and panic disorder. The definition in the DSM-III required uncontrollable and diffuse anxiety or worry that is excessive and unrealistic and persists for 1 month or longer. High rates in comorbidity of GAD and major depression led many commentators to suggest that GAD would be better conceptualized as an aspect of major depression instead of an independent disorder. Many critics stated that the diagnostic features of this disorder were not well established until the DSM-III-R. Since comorbidity of GAD and other disorders decreased with time, the DSM-III-R changed the time requirement for a GAD diagnosis to 6 months or longer. The DSM-IV changed the definition of excessive worry and the number of associated psychophysiological symptoms required for a diagnosis. Another aspect of the diagnosis the DSM-IV clarified was what constitutes a symptom as occurring "often". The DSM-IV also required difficulty controlling the worry to be diagnosed with GAD. The DSM-5 emphasized that excessive worrying had to occur more days than not and on a number of different topics. It has been stated that the constant changes in the diagnostic features of the disorder have made assessing epidemiological statistics such as prevalence and incidence difficult, as well as increasing the difficulty for researchers in identifying the biological and psychological underpinnings of the disorder. Consequently, making specialized medications for the disorder is more difficult as well. This has led to the continuation of GAD being medicated heavily with SSRIs.

Risk factors

Genetics, family and environment

The relationship between genetics and anxiety disorders is an ongoing area of research. It is broadly understood that there exists a hereditary basis for GAD, but the exact nature of this hereditary basis is not fully understood.  While investigators have identified several genetic loci that are regions of interest for further study, there is no singular gene or set of genes that have been identified as causing GAD.  Nevertheless, genetic factors may play a role in determining whether an individual is at greater risk for developing GAD, structural changes in the brain related to GAD, or whether an individual is more or less likely to respond to a particular treatment modality.  Genetic factors that may play a role in development of GAD are usually discussed in view of environmental factors (e.g., life experience or ongoing stress) that might also play a role in development of GAD. The traditional methods of investigating the possible hereditary basis of GAD include using family studies and twin studies (there are no known adoption studies of individuals who have anxiety disorders, including GAD). Meta-analysis of family and twin studies suggests that there is strong evidence of a hereditary basis for GAD in that GAD is more likely to occur in first-degree relatives of individuals who have GAD than in non-related individuals in the same population. Twin studies also suggest that there may be a genetic linkage between GAD and major depressive disorder (MDD), which may explain the common occurrence of MDD in individuals who have GAD (e.g., comorbidity of MDD in individuals with GAD has been estimated at 60%). When GAD is considered among all anxiety disorders (e.g., panic disorder, social anxiety disorder), genetic studies suggest that hereditary contribution to the development of anxiety disorders amounts to only approximately 30–40%, which suggests that environmental factors are likely more important to determining whether an individual may develop GAD. In regard to environmental influences in the development of GAD, it has been suggested that parenting behaviour may be an important influence since parents potentially model anxiety-related behaviours. It has also been suggested that individuals with GAD have experienced a greater number of minor stress-related events in life and that the number of stress-related events may be important in development of GAD (irrespective of other individual characteristics).

Studies of possible genetic contributions to the development of GAD have examined relationships between genes implicated in brain structures involved in identifying potential threats (e.g., in the amygdala) and also implicated in neurotransmitters and neurotransmitter receptors known to be involved in anxiety disorders. More specifically, genes studied for their relationship to development of GAD or demonstrated to have had a relationship to treatment response include:

• PACAP (A54G polymorphism): remission after 6-month treatment with Venlafaxine suggested to have a significant relationship with the A54G polymorphism (Cooper et al. (2013))
• HTR2A gene (rs7997012 SNP G allele): HTR2A allele suggested to be implicated in a significant decrease in anxiety symptoms associated with response to 6 months of Venlafaxine treatment (Lohoff et al. (2013))
• SLC6A4 promoter region (5-HTTLPR): Serotonin transporter gene suggested to be implicated in significant reduction in anxiety symptoms in response to 6 months of Venlafaxine treatment (Lohoff et al. (2013))

Problematic digital media use

In April 2018, the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health published a systematic review of 24 studies researching associations between internet gaming disorder (IGD) and various psychopathologies that found a 92% correlation between IGD and anxiety and a 75% correlation between IGD and social anxiety. In August 2018, Wiley Stress & Health published a meta-analysis of 39 studies comprising 21,736 subjects that found a small-to-medium association between smartphone use and anxiety.

In December 2018, Frontiers in Psychiatry published a systematic review of 9 studies published after 2014 investigating associations between problematic social networking sites (SNS) use and comorbid psychiatric disorders that found a positive association between problematic SNS use and anxiety. In March 2019, the International Journal of Adolescence and Youth published a systematic review of 13 studies comprising 21,231 adolescent subjects aged 13 to 18 years that found that social media screen time, both active and passive social media use, the amount of personal information uploaded, and social media addictive behaviors all correlated with anxiety. In February 2020, Psychiatry Research published a systematic review and meta-analysis of 14 studies that found positive associations between problematic smartphone use and anxiety and positive associations between higher levels of problematic smartphone use and elevated risk of anxiety, while Frontiers in Psychology published a systematic review of 10 studies of adolescent or young adult subjects in China that concluded that the research reviewed mostly established an association between social networks use disorder and anxiety among Chinese adolescents and young adults.

In April 2020, BMC Public Health published a systematic review of 70 cross-sectional and longitudinal studies investigating moderating factors for associations for screen-based sedentary behaviors and anxiety symptoms among youth that found that while screen types was the most consistent factor, the body of evidence for anxiety symptoms was more limited than for depression symptoms. In October 2020, the Journal of Behavioral Addictions published a systematic review and meta-analysis of 40 studies with 33,650 post-secondary student subjects that found a weak-to-moderate positive association between mobile phone addiction and anxiety. In November 2020, Child and Adolescent Mental Health published a systematic review of research published between January 2005 and March 2019 on associations between SNS use and anxiety symptoms in subjects between ages of 5 to 18 years that found that increased SNS screen time or frequency of SNS use and higher levels of investment (i.e. personal information added to SNS accounts) were significantly associated with higher levels of anxiety symptoms.

In January 2021, Frontiers in Psychiatry published a systematic review of 44 studies investigating social media use and development of psychiatric disorders in childhood and adolescence that concluded that the research reviewed established a direct association between levels of anxiety, social media addiction behaviors, and nomophobia, longitudinal associations between social media use and increased anxiety, that fear of missing out and nomophobia are associated with severity of Facebook usage, and suggested that fear of missing out may trigger social media addiction and that nomophobia appears to mediate social media addiction. In March 2021, Computers in Human Behavior Reports published a systematic review of 52 studies published before May 2020 that found that social anxiety was associated with problematic social media use and that socially anxious persons used social media to seek social support possibly to compensate for a lack of offline social support. In June 2021, Clinical Psychology Review published a systematic review of 35 longitudinal studies published before August 2020 that found that evidence for longitudinal associations between screen time and anxiety among young people was lacking. In August 2021, a meta-analysis was presented at the 2021 International Conference on Intelligent Medicine and Health of articles published before January 2011 that found evidence for a negative impact of social media on anxiety.

In January 2022, The European Journal of Psychology Applied to Legal Context published a meta-analysis of 13 cross-sectional studies comprising 7,348 subjects that found a statistically significant correlation between cybervictimization and anxiety with a moderate-to-large effect size. In March 2022, JAMA Psychiatry published a systematic review and meta-analysis of 87 studies with 159,425 subjects 12 years of age or younger that found a small but statistically significant correlation between screen time and anxiety in children, while Adolescent Psychiatry published a systematic review of research published from June 2010 through June 2020 studying associations between social media use and anxiety among adolescent subjects aged 13 to 18 years that established that 78.3% of studies reviewed reported positive associations between social media use and anxiety. In April 2022, researchers in the Department of Communication at Stanford University performed a meta-analysis of 226 studies comprising 275,728 subjects that found a small but positive association between social media use and anxiety, while JMIR Mental Health published a systematic review and meta-analysis of 18 studies comprising 9,269 adolescent and young adult subjects that found a moderate but statistically significant association between problematic social media use and anxiety.

In May 2022, Computers in Human Behavior published a meta-analysis of 82 studies comprising 48,880 subjects that found a significant positive association between social anxiety and mobile phone addiction. In August 2022, the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health published a systematic review and meta-analysis of 16 studies comprising 8,077 subjects that established a significant association between binge-watching and anxiety. In November 2022, Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking published a systematic review of 1,747 articles on problematic social media use that found a strong bidirectional relationship between social media use and anxiety. In March 2023, the Journal of Public Health published a meta-analysis of 27 studies published after 2014 comprising 120,895 subjects that found a moderate and robust association between problematic smartphone use and anxiety. In July 2023, Healthcare published a systematic review and meta-analysis of 16 studies that established correlation coefficients of 0.31 and 0.39 between nomophobia and anxiety and nomophobia and smartphone addiction respectively.

Pathophysiology

The pathophysiology of GAD is an active and ongoing area of research often involving the intersection of genetics and neurological structures. Generalized anxiety disorder has been linked to changes in functional connectivity of the amygdala and its processing of fear and anxiety. Sensory information enters the amygdala through the nuclei of the basolateral complex (consisting of lateral, basal and accessory basal nuclei). The basolateral complex processes the sensory-related fear memories and communicates information regarding threat importance to memory and sensory processing elsewhere in the brain, such as the medial prefrontal cortex and sensory cortices. Neurological structures traditionally appreciated for their roles in anxiety include the amygdala, insula and orbitofrontal cortex (OFC). It is broadly postulated that changes in one or more of these neurological structures are believed to allow greater amygdala response to emotional stimuli in individuals who have GAD as compared to individuals who do not have GAD.

Individuals with GAD have been suggested to have greater amygdala and medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) activation in response to stimuli than individuals who do not have GAD. However, the exact relationship between the amygdala and the frontal cortex (e.g., prefrontal cortex or the orbitofrontal cortex ) is not fully understood because there are studies that suggest increased or decreased activity in the frontal cortex in individuals who have GAD. Consequently, because of the tenuous understanding of the frontal cortex as it relates to the amygdala in individuals who have GAD, it's an open question as to whether individuals who have GAD bear an amygdala that is more sensitive than an amygdala in an individual without GAD or whether frontal cortex hyperactivity is responsible for changes in amygdala responsiveness to various stimuli. Recent studies have attempted to identify specific regions of the frontal cortex (e.g., dorsomedial prefrontal cortex ) that may be more or less reactive in individuals who have GAD or specific networks that may be differentially implicated in individuals who have GAD. Other lines of study investigate whether activation patterns vary in individuals who have GAD at different ages with respect to individuals who do not have GAD at the same age (e.g., amygdala activation in adolescents with GAD).

Treatment

Traditional treatment modalities broadly fall into two categories, i.e., psychotherapeutic and pharmacological intervention. In addition to these two conventional therapeutic approaches, areas of active investigation include complementary and alternative medications (CAMs), brain stimulation, exercise, therapeutic massage and other interventions that have been proposed for further study. Treatment modalities can, and often are, utilized concurrently so that an individual may pursue psychological therapy (i.e., psychotherapy) and pharmacological therapy. Both cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and medications (such as SSRIs) have been shown to be effective in reducing anxiety. A combination of both CBT and medication is generally seen as the most desirable approach to treatment. Use of medication to lower extreme anxiety levels can be important in enabling patients to engage effectively in CBT.

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapeutic interventions include a plurality of therapy types that vary based upon their specific methodologies for enabling individuals to gain insight into the working of the conscious and subconscious mind and which sometimes focus on the relationship between cognition and behavior. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is widely regarded as the first-line psychological therapy for treating GAD. Additionally, many of these psychological interventions may be delivered in an individual or group therapy setting. While individual and group settings are broadly both considered effective for treating GAD, individual therapy tends to promote longer-lasting engagement in therapy (i.e., lower attrition over time).

Psychodynamic therapy

Psychodynamic therapy is a type of therapy premised upon Freudian psychology in which a psychologist enables an individual explore various elements in their subconscious mind to resolve conflicts that may exist between the conscious and subconscious elements of the mind. In the context of GAD, the psychodynamic theory of anxiety suggests that the unconscious mind engages in worry as a defense mechanism to avoid feelings of anger or hostility because such feelings might cause social isolation or other negative attribution toward oneself. Accordingly, the various psychodynamic therapies attempt to explore the nature of worry as it functions in GAD in order to enable individuals to alter the subconscious practice of using worry as a defense mechanism and to thereby diminish GAD symptoms. Variations of psychotherapy include a near-term version of therapy, "short-term anxiety-provoking psychotherapy (STAPP).

Behavioral therapy

Behavioral therapy is therapeutic intervention premised upon the concept that anxiety is learned through classical conditioning (e.g., in view of one or more negative experiences) and maintained through operant conditioning (e.g., one finds that by avoiding a feared experience that one avoids anxiety). Thus, behavioral therapy enables an individual to re-learn conditioned responses (behaviors) and to thereby challenge behaviors that have become conditioned responses to fear and anxiety, and which have previously given rise to further maladaptive behaviors.

Cognitive therapy

Cognitive therapy (CT) is premised upon the idea that anxiety is the result of maladaptive beliefs and methods of thinking. Thus, CT involves assisting individuals to identify more rational ways of thinking and to replace maladaptive thinking patterns (i.e., cognitive distortions) with healthier thinking patterns (e.g., replacing the cognitive distortion of catastrophizing with a more productive pattern of thinking). Individuals in CT learn how to identify objective evidence, test hypotheses, and ultimately identify maladaptive thinking patterns so that these patterns can be challenged and replaced.

Acceptance and commitment therapy

Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) is a behavioral treatment based on acceptance-based models. ACT is designed with the purpose to target three therapeutic goals: (1) reduce the use of avoiding strategies intended to avoid feelings, thoughts, memories, and sensations; (2) decreasing a person's literal response to their thoughts (e.g., understanding that thinking "I'm hopeless" does not mean that the person's life is truly hopeless), and (3) increasing the person's ability to keep commitments to changing their behaviors. These goals are attained by switching the person's attempt to control events to working towards changing their behavior and focusing on valued directions and goals in their lives as well as committing to behaviors that help the individual accomplish those personal goals. This psychological therapy teaches mindfulness (paying attention on purpose, in the present, and in a nonjudgmental manner) and acceptance (openness and willingness to sustain contact) skills for responding to uncontrollable events and therefore manifesting behaviors that enact personal values.

Intolerance of uncertainty therapy

Intolerance of uncertainty (IU) refers to a consistent negative reaction to uncertain and ambiguous events regardless of their likelihood of occurrence. Intolerance of uncertainty therapy (IUT) is used as a stand-alone treatment for GAD patients. Thus, IUT focuses on helping patients in developing the ability to tolerate, cope with and accept uncertainty in their life in order to reduce anxiety. IUT is based on the psychological components of psychoeducation, awareness of worry, problem-solving training, re-evaluation of the usefulness of worry, imagining virtual exposure, recognition of uncertainty, and behavioral exposure. Studies have shown support for the efficacy of this therapy with GAD patients with continued improvements in follow-up periods.

Motivational interviewing

A promising innovative approach to improving recovery rates for the treatment of GAD is to combine CBT with motivational interviewing (MI). Motivational interviewing is a strategy centered on the patient that aims to increase intrinsic motivation and decrease ambivalence about change due to the treatment. MI contains four key elements: (1) express empathy, (2) heighten dissonance between behaviors that are not desired and values that are not consistent with those behaviors, (3) move with resistance rather than direct confrontation, and (4) encourage self-efficacy. It is based on asking open-ended questions and listening carefully and reflectively to patients' answers, eliciting "change talk", and talking with patients about the pros and cons of change. Some studies have shown the combination of CBT with MI to be more effective than CBT alone.

Cognitive behavioral therapy

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is an evidence-based type of psychotherapy that demonstrates efficacy in treating GAD and which integrates the cognitive and behavioral therapeutic approaches. The objective of CBT is to enable individuals to identify irrational thoughts that cause anxiety and to challenge dysfunctional thinking patterns by engaging in awareness techniques such as hypothesis testing and journaling. Because CBT involves the practice of worry and anxiety management, CBT includes a plurality of intervention techniques that enable individuals to explore worry, anxiety and automatic negative thinking patterns. These interventions include anxiety management training, cognitive restructuring, progressive relaxation, situational exposure and self-controlled desensitization. Several modes of delivery are effective in treating GAD, including internet-delivered CBT, or iCBT.

Emotion-focused therapy

Emotion-focused therapy (EFT) is a short-term psychotherapy that is focused on humanistic needs of emotions when treating individuals with GAD. EFT can incorporate numerous practices such as experimental therapy, systemic therapy, and elements of CBT to allow individuals to work through difficult emotional states. The primary goal of EFT is assisting individuals in living with their vulnerable emotions and overcoming avoidance so that adaptive experiences such as compassion and protective anger can be generated in response to the emotional needs that are embedded in core emotional vulnerability.

Sandplay therapy

Sandplay therapy (SPT) is an intervention based on nonverbal therapeutic practices. The main objective of SPT is to allow the individual the ability to work through their emotional problems from childhood traumas (CT) through play using sand and toy figures. Although the therapy is mainly focused on nonverbal cues, verbal cues are also observed and documented during the rehabilitation process of the individual. SPT allows a multi-sensory experience through a safe and protected space allowing the individual the opportunity to regulate their mind and emotions. This therapeutic practice is offered in both adults and children.

Exposure therapy

There is empirical evidence that exposure therapy can be an effective treatment for people with GAD, citing specifically in vivo exposure therapy (exposure through a real-life situation), which has greater effectiveness than imaginal exposure in regards to generalized anxiety disorder. The aim of in vivo exposure treatment is to promote emotional regulation using systematic and controlled therapeutic exposure to traumatic stimuli. Exposure is used to promote fear tolerance.

Exposure therapy is also a preferred method for children who struggle with anxiety.

Other forms of psychological therapy

• Relaxation techniques (e.g., relaxing imagery, meditational relaxation)
• Metacognitive therapy (MCT): The objective of MCT is to alter thinking patterns regarding worry so that worry is no longer used as a coping strategy. It has promising results in treatment of GAD as well as other mental issues.
• Mindfulness based stress reduction (MBSR)
• Mindfulness based cognitive therapy (MBCT): The goal of MBCT is to be used as an alternative or adjunctive to Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT).
• Supportive therapy: This is a Rogerian method of therapy in which subjects experience empathy and acceptance from their therapist to facilitate increasing awareness. Variations of active supportive therapy include Gestalt therapy, Transactional analysis and Counseling.
• Internet-delivered interpretation training: The focus of this training is to reduce worry and anxiety while promoting positive outcomes and positive interpretations.

Pharmacotherapy

Medications that have been studied were reviewed in a recent network meta-analysis that compared all studied medications with placebo and also with each other and another compared the rates of remission between different medications. Benzodiazepines (BZs) have been used to treat anxiety starting in the 1960s. There is a risk of dependence and tolerance to benzodiazepines. BZs have a number of effects that make them a good option for treating anxiety including anxiolytic, hypnotic (induce sleep), myorelaxant (relax muscles), anticonvulsant, and amnestic (impair short-term memory) properties. While BZs work well to alleviate anxiety shortly after administration, they are also known for their ability to promote dependence and are frequently used recreationally or non-medically. Antidepressants (e.g., SSRIs / SNRIs) have become a mainstay in treating GAD in adults. First-line medications from any drug category often include those that have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or other similar regulatory body such as the EMA or TGA for treating GAD because these drugs have been shown to be safe and effective.

FDA-approved medications for treating GAD

FDA-approved medications for treating GAD include:

1. SSRIs
   1. Paroxetine
   2. Escitalopram
2. SNRIs
   1. Venlafaxine
   2. Duloxetine
3. Benzodiazepines
   1. Alprazolam
4. Azapirones
   1. Buspirone
   
   

Non-FDA approved medications

While certain medications are not specifically FDA approved for treatment of GAD, there are a number of medications that historically have been used or studied for treating GAD. Other medications that have been used or evaluated for treating GAD include:

• SSRIs (antidepressants)
  • Citalopram
  • Fluoxetine
  • Sertraline
  • Fluvoxamine
• Benzodiazepines
  • Clonazepam
  • Lorazepam
  • Diazepam
• GABA analogs
  • Pregabalin
  • Tiagabine
• Second-generation antipsychotics (SGAs)
  • Olanzapine (evidence of effectiveness is merely a trend)
  • Ziprasidone
  • Risperidone
  • Aripiprazole (studied as an adjunctive measure in concert with other treatment)
  • Quetiapine (atypical antipsychotic studied as an adjunctive measure in adults and geriatric patients)
• Antihistamines
  • Hydroxyzine (H₁ receptor antagonist)
• Vilazodone (atypical antidepressant)
• Agomelatine (antidepressant, MT1/2 receptor agonist, 5-HT_2C antagonist)
• Clonidine (noted to cause decreased blood pressure and other AEs)
• Guanfacine (α_2A receptor agonist, studied in pediatric patients with GAD)
• Mirtazapine (atypical antidepressant having 5-HT_2A and 5-HT_2C receptor affinity)
• Vortioxetine (multimodal antidepressant)
• Eszopiclone (non-benzodiazepine hypnotic)
• Tricyclic antidepressants
  • Amitriptyline
  • Clomipramine
  • Doxepin
  • Imipramine
  • Trimipramine
  • Desipramine
  • Nortriptyline
  • Protriptyline
• Opipramol (atypical TCA)
• Trazodone
• Monamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)
  • Tranylcypromine
  • Phenelzine
• Homeopathic preparations (discussed below, see complementary and alternative medications )

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors

Pharmaceutical treatments for GAD include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). SSRIs increase serotonin levels through inhibition of serotonin reuptake receptors.

FDA approved SSRIs used for this purpose include escitalopram and paroxetine. However, guidelines suggest using sertraline first due to its cost-effectiveness compared to other SSRIs used for generalized anxiety disorder and a lower risk of withdrawal compared to SNRIs. If sertraline is found to be ineffective, then it is recommended to try another SSRI or SNRI.

Common side effects include nausea, sexual dysfunction, headache, diarrhea, constipation, restlessness, increased risk of suicide in young adults and adolescents, among others. Sexual side effects, weight gain, and higher risk of withdrawal are more common in paroxetine than escitalopram and sertraline. In older populations or those taking concomitant medications that increase risk of bleeding, SSRIs may further increase the risk of bleeding. Overdose of an SSRI or concomitant use with another agent that causes increased levels of serotonin can result in serotonin syndrome, which can be life-threatening.

Serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors

First line pharmaceutical treatments for GAD also include serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). These inhibit the reuptake of serotonin and noradrenaline to increase their levels in the CNS.

FDA approved SNRIs used for this purpose include duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor). While SNRIs have similar efficacy as SSRIs, many psychiatrists prefer to use SSRIs first in the treatment of Generalized Anxiety Disorder. The slightly higher preference for SSRIs over SNRIs as a first choice for treatment of anxiety disorders may have been influenced by the observation of poorer tolerability of the SNRIs in comparison to SSRIs in systematic reviews of studies of depressed patients.

Side effects common to both SNRIs include anxiety, restlessness, nausea, weight loss, insomnia, dizziness, drowsiness, sweating, dry mouth, sexual dysfunction and weakness. In comparison to SSRIs, the SNRIs have a higher prevalence of the side effects of insomnia, dry mouth, nausea and high blood pressure. Both SNRIs have the potential for discontinuation syndrome after abrupt cessation, which can precipitate symptoms including motor disturbances and anxiety and may require tapering. Like other serotonergic agents, SNRIs have the potential to cause serotonin syndrome, a potentially fatal systemic response to serotonergic excess that causes symptoms including agitation, restlessness, confusion, tachycardia, hypertension, mydriasis, ataxia, myoclonus, muscle rigidity, diaphoresis, diarrhea, headache, shivering, goose bumps, high fever, seizures, arrhythmia and unconsciousness. SNRIs like SSRIs carry a black box warning for suicidal ideation, but it is generally considered that the risk of suicide in untreated depression is far higher than the risk of suicide when depression is properly treated.

Pregabalin and gabapentin

Pregabalin (Lyrica) is effective for treating GAD. It acts on the voltage-dependent calcium channel to decrease the release of neurotransmitters such as glutamate, norepinephrine and substance P. Its therapeutic effect appears after 1 week of use and is similar in effectiveness to lorazepam, alprazolam and venlafaxine but pregabalin has demonstrated superiority by producing more consistent therapeutic effects for psychic and somatic anxiety symptoms. Long-term trials have shown continued effectiveness without the development of tolerance and additionally, unlike benzodiazepines, it does not disrupt sleep architecture and produces less severe cognitive and psychomotor impairment. It also has a low potential for misuse and dependency and may be preferred over the benzodiazepines for these reasons. The anxiolytic effects of pregabalin appear to persist for at least six months continuous use, suggesting tolerance is less of a concern; this gives pregabalin an advantage over certain anxiolytic medications such as benzodiazepines.

Gabapentin (Neurontin), a closely related medication to pregabalin with the same mechanism of action, has also demonstrated effectiveness in the treatment of GAD, though unlike pregabalin, it has not been approved specifically for this indication. Nonetheless, it is likely to be of similar usefulness in the management of this condition, and by virtue of being off-patent, it has the advantage of being significantly less expensive in comparison. In accordance, gabapentin is frequently prescribed off-label to treat GAD.

Complementary and alternative medicines studied for potential in treating GAD

Complementary and alternative medicines (CAMs) are widely used by individuals with GAD despite having no evidence or varied evidence regarding efficacy. Efficacy trials for CAM medications often have various types of bias and low quality reporting in regard to safety. In regard to efficacy, critics point out that CAM trials sometimes predicate claims of efficacy based on a comparison of a CAM against a known drug after which no difference in subjects is found by investigators and which is used to suggest an equivalence between a CAM and a drug. Because this equates a lack of evidence with the positive assertion of efficacy, a "lack of difference" assertion is not a proper claim for efficacy. Moreover, an absence of strict definitions and standards for CAM compounds further burdens the literature regarding CAM efficacy in treating GAD. CAMs academically studied for their potential in treating GAD or GAD symptoms along with a summary of academic findings are given below. What follows is a summary of academic findings. Accordingly, none of the following should be taken as offering medical guidance or an opinion as to the safety or efficacy of any of the following CAMs.

1. Kava Kava (Piper methysticum) extracts: Meta analysis does not suggest efficacy of Kava extracts due to few data available yielding inconclusive results or non-statistically significant results. Nearly a quarter (25.8%) of subjects experienced adverse effects (AEs) from Kava Kava extracts during six trials. Kava Kava may cause liver toxicity.
2. Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) extracts: Small and varied studies may suggest some level of efficacy as compared to placebo or other medication; claims of efficacy are regarded as needing further evaluation. Silexan is an oil derivative of Lavender studied in pediatric patients with GAD. Concern exists regarding the question as to whether Silexan may cause unopposed estrogen exposure in boys due to disruption of steroid signaling.
3. Galphimia glauca extracts: While Galphima glauca extracts have been the subject of two randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing Galphima glauca extracts to lorazepam, efficacy claims are regarded as "highly uncertain."
4. Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) extracts: Poor quality trials have trends that may suggest efficacy but further study is needed to establish any claim of efficacy.
5. Crataegus oxycantha and Eschscholtzia californica extracts combined with magnesium: A single 12-week trial of Crataegus oxycantha and Eschscholtzia californica compared to placebo has been used to suggest efficacy. However, efficacy claims require confirmation studies. For the minority of subjects who experienced AEs from extracts, most AEs implicated gastrointestinal tract (GIT) intolerance.
6. Echium amoneum extract: A single, small trial used this extract as a supplement to fluoxetine (vs using a placebo to supplement fluoxetine); larger studies are needed to substantiate efficacy claims.
7. Gamisoyo-San: Small trials of this herbal mixture compared to placebo have suggested no efficacy of the herbal mixture over placebo but further study is necessary to allow definitive conclusion of a lack of efficacy.
8. Passiflora incarnata extract: Claims of efficacy or benzodiazepam equivalence are regarded as "highly uncertain."
9. Valeriana extract: A single 4-week trial suggests no effect of Valeriana extract on GAD but is regarded as "uninformative" on the topic of efficacy in view of its finding that the benzodiazepine diazepam also had no effect. Further study may be warranted.

Other possible modalities discussed in literature for potential in treating GAD

Other modalities that have been academically studied for their potential in treating GAD or symptoms of GAD are summarised below. What follows is a summary of academic findings. Accordingly, none of the following should be taken as offering medical guidance or an opinion as to the safety or efficacy of any of the following modalities.

1. Acupuncture: A single, very small trial revealed a trend toward efficacy but flaws in the trial design suggest uncertainty regarding efficacy.
2. Balneotherapy: Data from a single non-blinded study suggested possible efficacy of balneotherapy as compared to paroxetine. However, efficacy claims need confirmation.
3. Therapeutic massage: A single, small, possibly biased study revealed inconclusive results.
4. Resistance and aerobic exercise: When compared to no treatment, a single, small, potentially unrepresentative trial suggested a trend toward GAD remission and reduction of worry.
5. Chinese bloodletting: When added to paroxetine, a single, small, imprecise trial that lacked a sham procedure for comparison suggested efficacy at 4-weeks. However, larger trials are needed to evaluate this technique as compared to a sham procedure.
6. Floating in water: When compared to no treatment, a single, imprecise, non-blinded trial suggested a trend toward efficacy (findings were statistically insignificant).
7. Swedish massage: When compared to a sham procedure, a single trial showed a trend toward efficacy (i.e., findings were statistically insignificant).
8. Ayurvedic medications: a single non-blinded trial was inconclusive as to whether Ayurvedic medications were effective in treating GAD.
9. Multifaith spiritually-based intervention: a single, small, non-blinded study was inconclusive regarding efficacy.

Lifestyle

Lifestyle factors including: stress management, stress reduction, relaxation, sleep hygiene, and caffeine and alcohol reduction can influence anxiety levels. Physical activity has shown to have a positive impact whereas low physical activity may be a risk factor for anxiety disorders.

There has also been increasing evidence behind exercise substantially alleviating anxiety.

Early primates, such as the Homo Erectus, developed Achilles tendons and foot arches from its earlier ancestor, the tree-swinging Austrlopithecus. These features allowed the Homo Erectus to run and compete against other carnivores also scavenging for meat. Additionally, in a study examining humans and primates, scientists found how evolution has favored low levels of the alpha-2C adrenergic receptor. This protein coding gene helps inhibit the sympathetic nervous system, simultaneously suppressing anxiety. However, humans and their living ancestors, chimpanzees, lacked this gene. This led to a more active nervous system needed for fight-or-flight behavior in ancestral scavenging techniques and for fleeing predators.

Substances and anxiety in GAD

While there are no substances that are known to cause generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), certain substances or the withdrawal from certain substances have been implicated in promoting the experience of anxiety. For example, even while benzodiazepines may afford individuals with GAD relief from anxiety, withdrawal from benzodiazepines is associated with the experience of anxiety among other adverse events like sweating and tremor.

Tobacco withdrawal symptoms may provoke anxiety in smokers and excessive caffeine use has been linked to aggravating and maintaining anxiety.

Comorbidity

Depression

A longitudinal cohort study found 12% of 972 participants had GAD comorbid with major depressive disorder. 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.

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. However, dysthymia is the most prevalent comorbid diagnosis of GAD clients. Patients can also be categorized as having mixed anxiety-depressive disorder, though this is an unstable diagnosis that typically either goes away or shifts to a different diagnosis later on.

Various explanations for the high comorbidity between GAD and depressive disorders have been suggested, ranging from genetic pleiotropy (i.e., GAD and nonbipolar depression might represent different phenotypic expressions of a common etiology ) to impaired executive control or sleep problems and fatigue as potential bridging mechanisms between the two disorders.

Comorbidity and treatment

Therapy has been shown to have equal efficacy in patients with GAD and patients with GAD and comorbid disorders. Patients with comorbid disorders have more severe symptoms when starting therapy but demonstrated a greater improvement than patients with simple GAD.

Pharmacological approaches, i.e., the use of antidepressants, must be adapted for different comorbidities. For example, serotonin reuptake inhibitors and short-acting benzodiazepines (BZDs) are used for depression and anxiety. However, for patients with anxiety and a substance use disorder, BZDs should be avoided due to their addictive properties. CBT has been found an effective treatment since it improves symptoms of GAD and substance use.

Compared to the general population, patients with internalizing disorders such as depression, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have higher mortality rates, but die of the same age-related diseases as the population, such as heart disease, cerebrovascular disease and cancer.

GAD often coexists with conditions associated with stress, such as muscle tension and irritable bowel syndrome.

Patients with GAD can sometimes present with symptoms such as insomnia or headaches as well as pain and interpersonal problems.

There is also observed comorbidity between GAD and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Anxiety disorders and major depressive disorder occur in a minority of individuals with ADHD, but more often than in the general population. Further research suggests that about 20 to 40 percent of individuals with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder have comorbid anxiety disorders, with GAD being the most prevalent.

Those with GAD have a lifetime comorbidity prevalence of 30% to 35% with alcohol use disorder and 25% to 30% for another substance use disorder. People with both GAD and a substance use disorder also have a higher lifetime prevalence for other comorbidities. A study found that GAD was the primary disorder in slightly more than half of the 18 participants that were comorbid with alcohol use disorder.

Epidemiology

GAD is often estimated to affect approximately 3–6% of adults and 5% of children and adolescents. Although estimates have varied to suggest a GAD prevalence of 3% in children and 10.8% in adolescents. When GAD manifests in children and adolescents, it typically begins around 8 to 9 years of age.

Estimates regarding prevalence of GAD or lifetime risk (i.e., lifetime morbid risk ) for GAD vary depending upon which criteria are used for diagnosing GAD (e.g., DSM-5 vs ICD-10) although estimates do not vary widely between diagnostic criteria. In general, ICD-10 is more inclusive than DSM-5, so estimates regarding prevalence and lifetime risk tend to be greater using ICD-10. In regard to prevalence, in a given year, about two (2%) percent of adults in the United States and Europe have been suggested to have GAD. However, the risk of developing GAD at any point in life has been estimated at 9.0%. Although it is possible to experience a single episode of GAD during one's life, most people who experience GAD experience it repeatedly over the course of their lives as a chronic or ongoing condition. GAD is diagnosed twice as frequently in women as in men and is more often diagnosed in those who are separated, divorced, unemployed, widowed or have low levels of education, and among those with low socioeconomic status. African Americans have higher odds of having GAD and the disorder often manifests itself in different patterns. It has been suggested that greater prevalence of GAD in women may be because women are more likely than men to live in poverty, are more frequently the subject of discrimination, and be sexually and physically abused more often than men. In regard to the first incidence of GAD in an individual's life course, a first manifestation of GAD usually occurs between the late teenage years and the early twenties with the median age of onset being approximately 31 and mean age of onset being 32.7. However, GAD can begin or reoccur at any point in life. Indeed, GAD is common in the elderly population.

United States

United States: Approximately 3.1 percent of people age 18 and over in a given year (9.5 million).

UK

5.9 percent of adults were affected by GAD in 2019.

Other

• Australia: 3 percent of adults
• Canada: 2.5 percent
• Italy: 2.9 percent
• Taiwan: 0.4 percent

See also

• Daily Assessment of Symptoms – Anxiety
• Mental health
• Mental health professional
• Psychotherapy
• Psychiatry

References

1. American Psychiatric Association (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders: DSM-5 (5th ed.). Washington: American Psychiatric Association. doi:10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596. ISBN 978-0-89042-555-8.
2. ^ "Generalized Anxiety Disorder: When Worry Gets Out of Control". NIMH. Retrieved 30 May 2019.
3. DeMartini J, Patel G, Fancher TL (2 April 2019). "Generalized Anxiety Disorder". Annals of Internal Medicine. 170 (7): ITC49–ITC64. doi:10.7326/AITC201904020. PMID 30934083. S2CID 91187957.
4. Craske MG, Stein MB (24 June 2016). "Anxiety". The Lancet. 388 (10063): 3048–3059. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(16)30381-6. PMID 27349358. S2CID 208789585.
5. Drs; Sartorius N, Henderson A, Strotzka H, Lipowski Z, Yu-cun S, You-xin X, et al. "The ICD-10 Classification of Mental and Behavioural Disorders Clinical descriptions and diagnostic guidelines" (PDF). www.who.int World Health Organization. Microsoft Word. bluebook.doc. pp. 115–6. Retrieved 23 June 2021 – via Microsoft Bing.
6. ^ Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders: DSM-5 (5th ed.). Washington, D.C.: American Psychiatric Association. 2013. p. 222. ISBN 978-0-89042-554-1.
7. ^ "What Is Generalized Anxiety Disorder?", National Institute of Mental Health. Accessed 28 May 2008.
8. Torpy JM, Burke AE, Golub RM (2011). "Generalized Anxiety Disorder". JAMA. 305 (5): 522. doi:10.1001/jama.305.5.522. PMID 21285432.
9. ^ Stern TA (13 February 2015). "Anxiety Disorders (chapter 32)". Massachusetts General Hospital comprehensive clinical psychiatry. Massachusetts General Hospital (Second ed.). London: Elsevier. ISBN 978-0-323-32899-9. OCLC 905232521.
10. Spitzer RL, Kroenke K, Williams JB, Löwe B (2006). "A Brief Measure for Assessing Generalized Anxiety Disorder". Archives of Internal Medicine. 166 (10): 1092–7. doi:10.1001/archinte.166.10.1092. PMID 16717171.
11. Schalet BD, Cook KF, Choi SW, Cella D (January 2014). "Establishing a common metric for self-reported anxiety: linking the MASQ, PANAS, and GAD-7 to PROMIS Anxiety". Journal of Anxiety Disorders. 28 (1): 88–96. doi:10.1016/j.janxdis.2013.11.006. ISSN 1873-7897. PMC 4046852. PMID 24508596.
12. ^ Hettema JM, Neale MC, Kendler KS (October 2001). "A review and meta-analysis of the genetic epidemiology of anxiety disorders". The American Journal of Psychiatry. 158 (10): 1568–1578. doi:10.1176/appi.ajp.158.10.1568. ISSN 0002-953X. PMID 11578982.
13. ^ Strawn JR, Geracioti L, Rajdev N, Clemenza K, Levine A (July 2018). "Pharmacotherapy for generalized anxiety disorder in adult and pediatric patients: an evidence-based treatment review". Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy. 19 (10): 1057–1070. doi:10.1080/14656566.2018.1491966. ISSN 1744-7666. PMC 6340395. PMID 30056792.
14. ^ Craske MG, Stein MB (December 17, 2016). "Anxiety". Lancet. 388 (10063): 3048–3059. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(16)30381-6. ISSN 1474-547X. PMID 27349358. S2CID 208789585.
15. Moffitt TE, Harrington H, Caspi A, Kim-Cohen J, Goldberg D, Gregory AM, et al. (2007). "Depression and Generalized Anxiety Disorder". Archives of General Psychiatry. 64 (6): 651–660. doi:10.1001/archpsyc.64.6.651. PMID 17548747.
16. ^ Etkin A, Prater KE, Schatzberg AF, Menon V, Greicius MD (2009). "Disrupted Amygdalar Subregion Functional Connectivity and Evidence of a Compensatory Network in Generalized Anxiety Disorder". Archives of General Psychiatry. 66 (12): 1361–72. doi:10.1001/archgenpsychiatry.2009.104. PMID 19996041.
17. Saha S, Batten TF, Henderson Z (2000-08-23). "A GABAergic projection from the central nucleus of the amygdala to the nucleus of the solitary tract: a combined anterograde tracing and electron microscopic immunohistochemical study". Neuroscience. 99 (4): 613–626. doi:10.1016/S0306-4522(00)00240-2. ISSN 0306-4522. PMID 10974425. S2CID 1926839.
18. ^ Patel G, Fancher TL (2013-12-03). "In the clinic. Generalized anxiety disorder". Annals of Internal Medicine. 159 (11): ITC6–1, ITC6–2, ITC6-3, ITC6-4, ITC6-5, ITC6-6, ITC6-7, ITC6-8, ITC6-9, ITC6-10, ITC6-11, quiz ITC6-12. doi:10.7326/0003-4819-159-11-201312030-01006. ISSN 1539-3704. PMID 24297210. S2CID 42889106.
19. European Medicines Agency. EPAR summary for the public (Lyrica/pregabalin) EMA/229012/2010.
20. Barić H, Đorđević V, Cerovečki I, Trkulja V (March 2018). "Complementary and Alternative Medicine Treatments for Generalized Anxiety Disorder: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials". Advances in Therapy. 35 (3): 261–288. doi:10.1007/s12325-018-0680-6. ISSN 0741-238X. PMID 29508154. S2CID 3939726.
21. ^ Kessler RC, Petukhova M, Sampson NA, Zaslavsky AM, Wittchen HU (September 2012). "Twelve-month and lifetime prevalence and lifetime morbid risk of anxiety and mood disorders in the United States". International Journal of Methods in Psychiatric Research. 21 (3): 169–184. doi:10.1002/mpr.1359. ISSN 1557-0657. PMC 4005415. PMID 22865617.
22. ^ "The Numbers Count" Archived 2014-07-28 at the Wayback Machine, National Institute of Mental Health. Accessed 28 May 2007.
23. ^ Lieb R, Becker E, Altamura C (2005). "The epidemiology of generalized anxiety disorder in Europe". European Neuropsychopharmacology. 15 (4): 445–52. doi:10.1016/j.euroneuro.2005.04.010. hdl:2066/54596. PMID 15951160. S2CID 19888900.
24. ^ Geddes J, Price J, Gelder RM, Mayou R (2012). Psychiatry (4th ed.). Oxford: Oxford University Press. p. 287. ISBN 978-0-19-923396-0.
25. Möller HJ, Bandelow B, Bauer M, Hampel H, Herpertz SC, Soyka M, et al. (26 August 2014). "DSM-5 reviewed from different angles: goal attainment, rationality, use of evidence, consequences—part 2: bipolar disorders, schizophrenia-spectrum disorders, anxiety disorders, obsessive–compulsive disorders, trauma- and stressor-related disorders, personality disorders, substance-related and addictive disorders, neurocognitive disorders". European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience. 265 (2): 87–106. doi:10.1007/s00406-014-0521-9. PMID 25155875. S2CID 24165894.
26. International Classification of Diseases) ICD-10
27. "The ICD-10 Classification of Mental and Behavioural Disorders" (PDF). WHO.
28. ^ Crocq MA (June 1, 2017). "The History of Generalized Anxiety Disorder as a Diagnostic Category". Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience. 19 (2): 107–116. doi:10.31887/DCNS.2017.19.2/macrocq. PMC 5573555. PMID 28867935.
29. ^ Kessler RC, Keller MB, Wittchen HU (1 March 2001). "The Epidemiology of Generalized Anxiety Disorder". Psychiatric Clinics of North America. 24 (1): 19–39. doi:10.1016/S0193-953X(05)70204-5. PMID 11225507.
30. ^ Craighead WE (2013). Psychopathology: History, Diagnosis, and Empirical Foundations. John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
31. Breslau N, Davis GC (July 1985). "DSM-III generalized anxiety disorder: An empirical investigation of more stringent criteria". Psychiatry Research. 15 (3): 231–238. doi:10.1016/0165-1781(85)90080-0. PMID 3875873. S2CID 23120081.
32. Wittchen HU, Kessler RC, Zhao S, Abelson J (March–April 1995). "Reliability and clinical validity of UM-CIDI DSM-III-R generalized anxiety disorder". Journal of Psychiatric Research. 29 (2): 95–110. doi:10.1016/0022-3956(94)00044-R. PMID 7666382.
33. ^ Bui E, Charney ME, Baker AW, eds. (2020). Clinical Handbook of Anxiety Disorders: From Theory to Practice. Current Clinical Psychiatry. Cham: Springer International Publishing. doi:10.1007/978-3-030-30687-8. ISBN 978-3-030-30686-1. S2CID 209509839.
34. ^ Perna G, Alciati A, Riva A, Micieli W, Caldirola D (March 2016). "Long-Term Pharmacological Treatments of Anxiety Disorders: An Updated Systematic Review". Current Psychiatry Reports. 18 (3): 23. doi:10.1007/s11920-016-0668-3. ISSN 1535-1645. PMID 26830881. S2CID 24141971.
35. Hall J, Kellett S, Berrios R, Bains MK, Scott S (November 2016). "Efficacy of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Generalized Anxiety Disorder in Older Adults: Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis, and Meta-Regression" (PDF). The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry. 24 (11): 1063–1073. doi:10.1016/j.jagp.2016.06.006. ISSN 1545-7214. PMID 27687212.
36. Kessler RC, DuPont RL, Berglund P, Wittchen HU (December 1999). "Impairment in pure and comorbid generalized anxiety disorder and major depression at 12 months in two national surveys". The American Journal of Psychiatry. 156 (12): 1915–1923. doi:10.1176/ajp.156.12.1915. ISSN 0002-953X. PMID 10588405. S2CID 6527201.
37. González-Bueso V, Santamaría JJ, Fernández D, Merino L, Montero E, Ribas J (2018). "Association between Internet Gaming Disorder or Pathological Video-Game Use and Comorbid Psychopathology: A Comprehensive Review". International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 15 (4). MDPI: 668. doi:10.3390/ijerph15040668. PMC 5923710. PMID 29614059.
38. Vahedi Z, Saiphoo A (2018). "The association between smartphone use, stress, and anxiety: A meta-analytic review". Stress & Health. 34 (3). Wiley: 347–358. doi:10.1002/smi.2805. PMID 29673047.
39. Hussain Z, Griffiths MD (2018). "Problematic Social Networking Site Use and Comorbid Psychiatric Disorders: A Systematic Review of Recent Large-Scale Studies". Frontiers in Psychiatry. 9. Frontiers Media: 686. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2018.00686. PMC 6302102. PMID 30618866.
40. Keles B, McCrae N, Grealish A (2019). "A systematic review: the influence of social media on depression, anxiety and psychological distress in adolescents". International Journal of Adolescence and Youth. 25 (1). Taylor & Francis: 79–93. doi:10.1080/02673843.2019.1590851.
41. Jiaxin Y, Xi F, Xiaoli L, Yamin L (2020). "Association of problematic smartphone use with poor sleep quality, depression, and anxiety: A systematic review and meta-analysis". Psychiatry Research. 284. Elsevier: 112686. doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2019.112686. PMID 31757638. S2CID 207974088.
42. Hussain Z, Wegmann E, Yang H, Montag C (2020). "Social Networks Use Disorder and Associations With Depression and Anxiety Symptoms: A Systematic Review of Recent Research in China". Frontiers in Psychology. 11. Frontiers Media: 211. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2020.00211. PMC 7046800. PMID 32153455.
43. Zink J, Belcher BR, Imm K, Leventhal AM (2020). "The relationship between screen-based sedentary behaviors and symptoms of depression and anxiety in youth: a systematic review of moderating variables". BMC Public Health. 20 (1). BioMed Central: 472. doi:10.1186/s12889-020-08572-1. PMC 7147040. PMID 32272906.
44. Li Y, Li G, Liu L, Wu H (2020). "Correlations between mobile phone addiction and anxiety, depression, impulsivity, and poor sleep quality among college students: A systematic review and meta-analysis". Journal of Behavioral Addictions. 9 (3). Akadémiai Kiadó: 551–571. doi:10.1556/2006.2020.00057. PMC 8943681. PMID 32903205.
45. Piteo EM, Ward K (2020). "Review: Social networking sites and associations with depressive and anxiety symptoms in children and adolescents – a systematic review". Child and Adolescent Mental Health. 25 (4). Wiley-Blackwell: 201–216. doi:10.1111/camh.12373. PMID 33118256.
46. Cataldo I, Lepri B, Neoh MJ, Esposito G (2021). "Social Media Usage and Development of Psychiatric Disorders in Childhood and Adolescence: A Review". Frontiers in Psychiatry. 11. Frontiers Media. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2020.508595. PMC 7838524. PMID 33519535.
47. O'Day EB, Heimberg RG (2021). "Social media use, social anxiety, and loneliness: A systematic review". Computers in Human Behavior Reports. 3. Elsevier: 100070. doi:10.1016/j.chbr.2021.100070.
48. Tang S, Werner-Seidler A, Torok M, Mackinnon AJ, Christensen H (2021). "The relationship between screen time and mental health in young people: A systematic review of longitudinal studies". Clinical Psychology Review. 86. Elsevier: 102021. doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2021.102021. PMID 33798997.
49. Ma J (2022). "A Meta-Analysis of Social Media Usage with Stress, Anxiety, and Depression". Proceedings of the 2021 International Conference on Intelligent Medicine and Health. Vol. 2021. Association for Computing Machinery. pp. 125–129. doi:10.1145/3484377.3487041. ISBN 978-1-4503-8590-9.
50. Molero MM, Martos Á, Barragán AB, Pérez-Fuentes MC, Gázquez JJ (2022). "Anxiety and Depression from Cybervictimization in Adolescents: A Metaanalysis and Meta-regression Study". The European Journal of Psychology Applied to Legal Context. 14 (1). Madrid Regional Association of Psychology: 42–50. doi:10.5093/ejpalc2022a5.
51. Eirich R, McArthur BA, Anhorn C, McGuinness C, Christakis DA, Madigan S (2022). "Association of Screen Time With Internalizing and Externalizing Behavior Problems in Children 12 Years or Younger: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis". JAMA Psychiatry. 79 (5). American Medical Association: 393–405. doi:10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2022.0155. PMC 8928099. PMID 35293954.
52. Damodar S, Lokemoen C, Gurusamy V, Takhi M, Bishev D, Parrill A, et al. (2022). "Trending: A Systematic Review of Social Media Use's Influence on Adolescent Anxiety and Depression". Adolescent Psychiatry. 12 (1). Bentham Science Publishers: 11–22. doi:10.2174/2210676612666220225122720.
53. Hancock J, Liu SX, Luo M, Mieczkowski H (2022). "Psychological Well-Being and Social Media Use: A Meta-Analysis of Associations between Social Media Use and Depression, Anxiety, Loneliness, Eudaimonic, Hedonic and Social Well-Being". doi:10.2139/ssrn.4053961. SSRN 4053961.
54. Shannon H, Bush K, Villeneuve P, Hellemans K, Guimond S (2022). "Problematic Social Media Use in Adolescents and Young Adults: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis". JMIR Mental Health. 9 (4). JMIR Publications: e33450. doi:10.2196/33450. PMC 9052033. PMID 35436240.
55. Ran G, Li J, Zhang Q, Niu X (2022). "The association between social anxiety and mobile phone addiction: A three-level meta-analysis". Computers in Human Behavior. 130. Elsevier: 107198. doi:10.1016/j.chb.2022.107198.
56. Alimoradi Z, Jafari E, Potenza MN, Lin CY, Wu CY, Pakpour AH (2022). "Binge-Watching and Mental Health Problems: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis". International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 19 (15). MDPI: 9707. doi:10.3390/ijerph19159707. PMC 9368441. PMID 35955069.
57. Lopes LS, Valentini JP, Monteiro TH, de Freitas Costacurta MC, Soares LO, Telfar-Barnard L, et al. (2022). "Problematic Social Media Use and Its Relationship with Depression or Anxiety: A Systematic Review". Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking. 25 (11). Mary Ann Liebert: 691–702. doi:10.1089/cyber.2021.0300. PMID 36219756.
58. Augner C, Vlasak T, Aichhorn W, Barth A (2023). "The association between problematic smartphone use and symptoms of anxiety and depression—a meta-analysis". Journal of Public Health. 45 (1). Oxford University Press: 193–201. doi:10.1093/pubmed/fdab350. PMID 34585243.
59. Daraj LR, AlGhareeb M, Almutawa YM, Trabelsi K, Jahrami H (2023). "Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Correlation Coefficients between Nomophobia and Anxiety, Smartphone Addiction, and Insomnia Symptoms". Healthcare. 11 (14). MDPI: 2066. doi:10.3390/healthcare11142066. PMC 10380081. PMID 37510507.
60. Ding H, Cao B, Sun Q (2023). "The association between problematic internet use and social anxiety within adolescents and young adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis". Frontiers in Public Health. 11. Frontiers Media. doi:10.3389/fpubh.2023.1275723. PMC 10570444. PMID 37841708.
61. Hilty DM, Stubbe D, McKean AJ, Hoffman PE, Zalpuri I, Myint MT, et al. (2023). "A scoping review of social media in child, adolescents and young adults: research findings in depression, anxiety and other clinical challenges". BJPsych Open. 9 (5). Cambridge University Press: e152. doi:10.1192/bjo.2023.523. PMC 10594088. PMID 37563766.
62. Godard R, Holtzman S (2024). "Are active and passive social media use related to mental health, wellbeing, and social support outcomes? A meta-analysis of 141 studies". Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication. 29 (1). Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/jcmc/zmad055.
63. Wu W, Huang L, Yang F (2024). "Social anxiety and problematic social media use: A systematic review and meta-analysis". Addictive Behaviors. 153. Elsevier: 107995. doi:10.1016/j.addbeh.2024.107995. PMID 38401423.
64. Abbouyi S, Bouazza S, El Kinany S, El Rhazi K, Zarrouq B (2024). "Depression and anxiety and its association with problematic social media use in the MENA region: a systematic review". The Egyptian Journal of Neurology, Psychiatry and Neurosurgery. 60. Springer: 15. doi:10.1186/s41983-024-00793-0.
65. ^ Barić H, Đorđević V, Cerovečki I, Trkulja V (2018-03-01). "Complementary and Alternative Medicine Treatments for Generalized Anxiety Disorder: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials". Advances in Therapy. 35 (3): 261–288. doi:10.1007/s12325-018-0680-6. ISSN 1865-8652. PMID 29508154. S2CID 3939726.
66. ^ Hunot V, Churchill R, Silva de Lima M, Teixeira V (2007-01-24). "Psychological therapies for generalised anxiety disorder". The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2007 (1): CD001848. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD001848.pub4. ISSN 1469-493X. PMC 7025441. PMID 17253466.
67. ^ "Pharmacotherapy of Anxiety Disorders: Current and Emerging Treatment Options". Journal of Health & Wellness. 13 July 2023.
68. Bandelow B, Sher L, Bunevicius R, Hollander E, Kasper S, Zohar J, et al. (June 2012). "Guidelines for the pharmacological treatment of anxiety disorders, obsessive–compulsive disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder in primary care" (PDF). International Journal of Psychiatry in Clinical Practice. 16 (2): 77–84. doi:10.3109/13651501.2012.667114. PMID 22540422. S2CID 16253034. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 April 2018. Retrieved 24 November 2015.
69. ^ Bui E, Charney, Meredith E, Baker, Amanda W (2020). Clinical handbook of anxiety disorders: from theory to practice. Cham: Humana Press. ISBN 978-3-030-30687-8. OCLC 1134852696.
70. Wehry AM, Beesdo-Baum K, Hennelly MM, Connolly SD, Strawn JR (July 2015). "Assessment and treatment of anxiety disorders in children and adolescents". Current Psychiatry Reports. 17 (7): 52. doi:10.1007/s11920-015-0591-z. ISSN 1535-1645. PMC 4480225. PMID 25980507.
71. Roemer L, Orsillo SM (2006). "Expanding Our Conceptualization of and Treatment for Generalized Anxiety Disorder: Integrating Mindfulness/Acceptance-Based Approaches with Existing Cognitive-Behavioral Models". Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice. 9: 54–68. doi:10.1093/clipsy.9.1.54. S2CID 33507029.
72. Smout M (2012). "Acceptance and commitment therapy - pathways for general practitioners". Australian Family Physician. 41 (9): 672–6. PMID 22962641.
73. ^ Hoyer J, van der Heiden C, Portman ME (February 2011). "Psychotherapy for Generalized Anxiety Disorder". Psychiatric Annals. 41 (2): 87–94. doi:10.3928/00485713-20110203-07.
74. ^ Gould RA, Otto MW, Pollack MH, Yap L (1997). "Cognitive behavioral and pharmacological treatment of generalized anxiety disorder: A preliminary meta-analysis". Behavior Therapy. 28 (2): 285–305. doi:10.1016/S0005-7894(97)80048-2.
75. Ritola V, Lipsanen JO, Pihlaja S, Gummerus EM, Stenberg JH, Saarni S, et al. (2022). "Internet-Delivered Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Generalized Anxiety Disorder in Nationwide Routine Care: Effectiveness Study". Journal of Medical Internet Research. 24 (3): e29384. doi:10.2196/29384. PMC 8990365. PMID 35323119.
76. Timulak L, Keogh D, Chigwedere C, Wilson C, Ward F, Hevey D, et al. (March 2022). "A comparison of emotion-focused therapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy in the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder: Results of a feasibility randomized controlled trial". Psychotherapy. 59 (1): 84–95. doi:10.1037/pst0000427. hdl:2262/98065. ISSN 1939-1536. PMID 35113639. S2CID 246530249.
77. Foo M, Freedle LR, Sani R, Fonda G (October 2020). "The effect of sandplay therapy on the thalamus in the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder: A case report". International Journal of Play Therapy. 29 (4): 191–200. doi:10.1037/pla0000137. ISSN 1939-0629. S2CID 224903536.
78. Foo M, Pratiwi A (July 2021). "The effectiveness of sandplay therapy in treating generalized anxiety disorder patients with childhood trauma using magnetic resonance spectroscopy to examine choline level in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and centrum semiovale". International Journal of Play Therapy. 30 (3): 177–186. doi:10.1037/pla0000162. ISSN 1939-0629. S2CID 236233712.
79. Kaplan JS, Tolin DF (6 September 2011). "Exposure Therapy for Anxiety Disorders". Psychiatric Times. 28 (9). Retrieved 2021-09-22.
80. Parsons TD, Rizzo AA (September 2008). "Affective outcomes of virtual reality exposure therapy for anxiety and specific phobias: a meta-analysis". Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry. 39 (3): 250–261. doi:10.1016/j.jbtep.2007.07.007. PMID 17720136. S2CID 6688068.
81. "Instead of teaching patients to resist, control or "fix" their fear or anxiety, exposure is used to promote 'fear tolerance' given that fear and anxiety are universal, inevitable and safe." Exposure Therapy for Anxiety, Second Edition (2019), p18, Abramowitz, Deacon and Whiteside
82. Whiteside SP, Deacon BJ, Benito K, Stewart E (May 2016). "Factors associated with practitioners' use of exposure therapy for childhood anxiety disorders". Journal of Anxiety Disorders. 40: 29–36. doi:10.1016/j.janxdis.2016.04.001. PMC 4868775. PMID 27085463.
83. Behar E, DiMarco ID, Hekler EB, Mohlman J, Staples AM (December 2009). "Current theoretical models of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD): conceptual review and treatment implications". Journal of Anxiety Disorders. 23 (8): 1011–1023. doi:10.1016/j.janxdis.2009.07.006. ISSN 1873-7897. PMID 19700258. S2CID 10962212.
84. Evans S (2016). "Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Generalized Anxiety Disorder". Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy. Cham: Springer. pp. 145–154. doi:10.1007/978-3-319-29866-5_13. ISBN 978-3-319-29864-1.
85. Hirsch CR, Krahé C, Whyte J, Krzyzanowski H, Meeten F, Norton S, et al. (July 2021). "Internet-delivered interpretation training reduces worry and anxiety in individuals with generalized anxiety disorder: A randomized controlled experiment". Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology. 89 (7): 575–589. doi:10.1037/ccp0000660. ISSN 1939-2117. PMID 34383532. S2CID 236998717.
86. Slee A, Nazareth I, Bondaronek P, Liu Y, Cheng Z, Freemantle N (2019). "Pharmacological treatments for generalised anxiety disorder: a systematic review and network meta-analysis". Lancet. 393 (10173): 768–777. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(18)31793-8. PMID 30712879. S2CID 72332967.
87. Kong W, Deng H, Wan J, Zhou Y, Zhou Y, Song B, et al. (2019). "Comparative Remission Rates and Tolerability of Drugs for Generalised Anxiety Disorder: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis of Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trials". Front Pharmacol. 11 (11): 580858. doi:10.3389/fphar.2020.580858. PMC 7741609. PMID 33343351.
88. Cooper A (16 November 2013). "An Anxious History of Valium". Wall Street Journal.
89. ^ Ashton H (May 2005). "The diagnosis and management of benzodiazepine dependence". Current Opinion in Psychiatry. 18 (3): 249–255. doi:10.1097/01.yco.0000165594.60434.84. ISSN 0951-7367. PMID 16639148. S2CID 1709063.
90. Escitalopram Oxalate: Mechanism of Action. (2020). In Micromedex for iOS (Version No. 1.81.0b3005) . Retrieved 8 November 2020.
91. Venlafaxine Hydrochloride: Mechanism of Action. (2020). In Micromedex for iOS (Version No. 1.81.0b3005) . Retrieved 8 November 2020.
92. ^ Hidalgo RB, Tupler LA, Davidson JR (November 2007). "An effect-size analysis of pharmacologic treatments for generalized anxiety disorder". Journal of Psychopharmacology. 21 (8): 864–872. doi:10.1177/0269881107076996. ISSN 0269-8811. PMID 17984162. S2CID 27127585.
93. ^ Strawn JR, Geracioti TD (April 2007). "The treatment of generalized anxiety disorder with pregabalin, an atypical anxiolytic". Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment. 3 (2): 237–243. doi:10.2147/nedt.2007.3.2.237. ISSN 1176-6328. PMC 2654629. PMID 19300556.
94. Generoso MB, Trevizol AP, Kasper S, Cho HJ, Cordeiro Q, Shiozawa P (January 2017). "Pregabalin for generalized anxiety disorder: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis%2FYIC.0000000000000147". International Clinical Psychopharmacology. 32 (1): 49–55. doi:10.1097/YIC.0000000000000147. ISSN 0268-1315. PMID 27643884. S2CID 29623356.
95. De Berardis D, Conti CM, Marini S, Ferri F, Iasevoli F, Valchera A, et al. (2013). "Is there a role for agomelatine in the treatment of anxiety disorders?A review of published data". International Journal of Immunopathology and Pharmacology. 26 (2): 299–304. doi:10.1177/039463201302600203. PMID 23755745. S2CID 40152863.
96. Stein DJ, Ahokas A, Márquez MS, Höschl C, Seob Oh K, Jarema M, et al. (2014). "Agomelatine in generalized anxiety disorder: an active comparator and placebo-controlled study". Journal of Clinical Psychiatry. 75 (4): 362–8. doi:10.4088/JCP.13m08433. PMID 24569045. S2CID 24860538.
97. Stein DJ, Khoo JP, Picarel-Blanchot F, Olivier V, Van Ameringen M (2021). "Efficacy of Agomelatine 25-50 mg for the Treatment of Anxious Symptoms and Functional Impairment in Generalized Anxiety Disorder: A Meta-Analysis of Three Placebo-Controlled Studies". Advances in Therapy. 38 (3): 1567–1583. doi:10.1007/s12325-020-01583-9. PMC 7932987. PMID 33537871.
98. Stein DJ, Ahokas AA, de Bodinat C (2008). "Efficacy of agomelatine in generalized anxiety disorder: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study". Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology. 28 (5): 561–566. doi:10.1097/JCP.0b013e318184ff5b. PMID 18794654. S2CID 5569226.
99. Stein DJ, Ahokas AA, Jarema M, Avedisova AS, Vavrusova L, Chaban O, et al. (2017). "Efficacy and safety of agomelatine (10 or 25 mg/day) in non-depressed out-patients with generalized anxiety disorder: A 12-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled study". European Neuropsychopharmacology. 27 (5): 526–537. doi:10.1097/JCP.0b013e318184ff5b. PMID 28298261. S2CID 5569226.
100. Hood SD, Melichar JK, Taylor LG, Kalk N, Edwards TR, Hince DA, et al. (January 2011). "Noradrenergic function in generalized anxiety disorder: impact of treatment with venlafaxine on the physiological and psychological responses to clonidine challenge". Journal of Psychopharmacology. 25 (1): 78–86. doi:10.1177/0269881109359099. ISSN 1461-7285. PMID 20093317. S2CID 7739929.
101. "Generalized anxiety disorder", Mayo Clinic. Accessed 29 May 2007.
102. Carrasco JL, Sandner C (December 2005). "Clinical effects of pharmacological variations in selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors: an overview". International Journal of Clinical Practice. 59 (12): 1428–1434. doi:10.1111/j.1368-5031.2005.00681.x. ISSN 1368-5031. PMID 16351675. S2CID 13336009.
103. Bech P, Lönn SL, Overø KF (2010). "Relapse prevention and residual symptoms: a closer analysis of placebo-controlled continuation studies with escitalopram in major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder". Journal of Clinical Psychiatry. 71 (2): 121–9. doi:10.4088/JCP.08m04749blu. PMID 19961809.
104. Wagstaff AJ, Cheer SM, Matheson AJ, Ormrod D, Goa KL (2002-01-01). "Paroxetine: an update of its use in psychiatric disorders in adults". Drugs. 62 (4): 655–703. doi:10.2165/00003495-200262040-00010. ISSN 0012-6667. PMID 11893234. S2CID 195692589.
105. ^ "Generalised anxiety disorder and panic disorder in adults: management | Guidance and guidelines | NICE". www.nice.org.uk. 26 January 2011. Retrieved 2018-11-02.
106. "Antidepressant Medications for Children and Adolescents: Information for Parents and Caregivers". National Institute of Mental Health. Archived from the original on 1 March 2010. Retrieved 1 September 2015.
107. Ferguson JM (February 2001). "SSRI Antidepressant Medications: Adverse Effects and Tolerability". Primary Care Companion to the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry. 3 (1): 22–27. doi:10.4088/PCC.v03n0105. ISSN 1523-5998. PMC 181155. PMID 15014625.
108. Baldwin DS, Anderson IM, Nutt DJ, Allgulander C, Bandelow B, den Boer JA, et al. (May 2014). "Evidence-based pharmacological treatment of anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder: a revision of the 2005 guidelines from the British Association for Psychopharmacology". Journal of Psychopharmacology. 28 (5): 403–39. doi:10.1177/0269881114525674. PMID 24713617. S2CID 28893331. Archived from the original on 2020-06-09. Retrieved 2019-12-02.
109. Sansone RA, Sansone LA (March 2014). "Serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors: a pharmacological comparison". Innovations in Clinical Neuroscience. 11 (3–4): 37–42. PMC 4008300. PMID 24800132.
110. Baldwin DS, Anderson IM, Nutt DJ, Allgulander C, Bandelow B, den Boer JA, et al. (2014-04-08). "Evidence-based pharmacological treatment of anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder: A revision of the 2005 guidelines from the British Association for Psychopharmacology" (PDF). Journal of Psychopharmacology. 28 (5): 403–439. doi:10.1177/0269881114525674. ISSN 0269-8811. PMID 24713617. S2CID 28893331.
111. Baldwin D, Woods R, Lawson R, Taylor D (2011-03-11). "Efficacy of drug treatments for generalised anxiety disorder: systematic review and meta-analysis". BMJ. 342: d1199. doi:10.1136/bmj.d1199. ISSN 0959-8138. PMID 21398351.
112. Baldwin DS, Allgulander C, Bandelow B, Ferre F, Pallanti S (October 2012). "An international survey of reported prescribing practice in the treatment of patients with generalised anxiety disorder". The World Journal of Biological Psychiatry. 13 (7): 510–516. doi:10.3109/15622975.2011.624548. ISSN 1814-1412. PMID 22059936. S2CID 35359537.
113. Baldwin DS, Anderson IM, Nutt DJ, Allgulander C, Bandelow B, den Boer JA, et al. (2014-04-08). "Evidence-based pharmacological treatment of anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder: A revision of the 2005 guidelines from the British Association for Psychopharmacology" (PDF). Journal of Psychopharmacology. 28 (5): 403–439. doi:10.1177/0269881114525674. ISSN 0269-8811. PMID 24713617. S2CID 28893331.
114. Katzman MA, Bleau P, Blier P, Chokka P, Kjernisted K, Van Ameringen M, et al. (2014). "Canadian clinical practice guidelines for the management of anxiety, posttraumatic stress and obsessive-compulsive disorders". BMC Psychiatry. 14 (Suppl 1): S1. doi:10.1186/1471-244X-14-S1-S1. ISSN 1471-244X. PMC 4120194. PMID 25081580.
115. Baldwin DS, Anderson IM, Nutt DJ, Allgulander C, Bandelow B, den Boer JA, et al. (2014-04-08). "Evidence-based pharmacological treatment of anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder: A revision of the 2005 guidelines from the British Association for Psychopharmacology" (PDF). Journal of Psychopharmacology. 28 (5): 403–439. doi:10.1177/0269881114525674. ISSN 0269-8811. PMID 24713617. S2CID 28893331.
116. Schueler YB, Koesters M, Wieseler B, Grouven U, Kromp M, Kerekes MF, et al. (April 2011). "A systematic review of duloxetine and venlafaxine in major depression, including unpublished data". Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica. 123 (4): 247–265. doi:10.1111/j.1600-0447.2010.01599.x. ISSN 1600-0447. PMID 20831742. S2CID 2262158.
117. Cipriani A, Purgato M, Furukawa TA, Trespidi C, Imperadore G, Signoretti A, et al. (2012-07-11). "Citalopram versus other anti-depressive agents for depression". The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 7 (7): CD006534. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD006534.pub2. ISSN 1469-493X. PMC 4204633. PMID 22786497.
118. ^ Santarsieri D, Schwartz TL (2015). "Antidepressant efficacy and side-effect burden: a quick guide for clinicians". Drugs in Context. 4: 212290. doi:10.7573/dic.212290. ISSN 1745-1981. PMC 4630974. PMID 26576188.
119. Baldwin DS, Anderson IM, Nutt DJ, Allgulander C, Bandelow B, den Boer JA, et al. (May 2014). "Evidence-based pharmacological treatment of anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder: a revision of the 2005 guidelines from the British Association for Psychopharmacology" (PDF). Journal of Psychopharmacology. 28 (5): 403–439. doi:10.1177/0269881114525674. ISSN 1461-7285. PMID 24713617. S2CID 28893331.
120. Chow RM, Issa M (2017), "Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors", Pain Medicine, Springer International Publishing, pp. 169–170, doi:10.1007/978-3-319-43133-8_44, ISBN 978-3-319-43131-4
121. Baldwin DS, Anderson IM, Nutt DJ, Allgulander C, Bandelow B, den Boer JA, et al. (2014-04-08). "Evidence-based pharmacological treatment of anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder: A revision of the 2005 guidelines from the British Association for Psychopharmacology" (PDF). Journal of Psychopharmacology. 28 (5): 403–439. doi:10.1177/0269881114525674. ISSN 0269-8811. PMID 24713617. S2CID 28893331.
122. Jurek L, Nourredine M, Megarbane B, d'Amato T, Dorey JM, Rolland B (2018-09-19). "". La Revue de Médecine Interne. 40 (2): 98–104. doi:10.1016/j.revmed.2018.08.010. ISSN 1768-3122. PMID 30243558. S2CID 196505807.
123. Bitter I, Filipovits D, Czobor P (November 2011). "Adverse reactions to duloxetine in depression". Expert Opinion on Drug Safety. 10 (6): 839–850. doi:10.1517/14740338.2011.582037. ISSN 1744-764X. PMID 21545241. S2CID 207487375.
124. "Review finds little evidence to support gabapentinoid use in bipolar disorder or insomnia". NIHR Evidence (Plain English summary). National Institute for Health and Care Research. 2022-10-17. doi:10.3310/nihrevidence_54173. S2CID 252983016.
125. Hong JS, Atkinson LZ, Al-Juffali N, Awad A, Geddes JR, Tunbridge EM, et al. (March 2022). "Gabapentin and pregabalin in bipolar disorder, anxiety states, and insomnia: Systematic review, meta-analysis, and rationale". Molecular Psychiatry. 27 (3): 1339–1349. doi:10.1038/s41380-021-01386-6. PMC 9095464. PMID 34819636.
126. Bandelow B, Wedekind D, Leon T (2007). "Pregabalin for the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder: A novel pharmacologic intervention". Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics. 7 (7): 769–81. doi:10.1586/14737175.7.7.769. PMID 17610384. S2CID 6229344.
127. Owen RT (2007). "Pregabalin: Its efficacy, safety and tolerability profile in generalized anxiety". Drugs of Today. 43 (9): 601–10. doi:10.1358/dot.2007.43.9.1133188. PMID 17940637.
128. Wensel TM, Powe KW, Cates ME (2012). "Pregabalin for the Treatment of Generalized Anxiety Disorder". Annals of Pharmacotherapy. 46 (3): 424–9. doi:10.1345/aph.1Q405. PMID 22395254. S2CID 26320851.
129. Rif S. El-Mallakh, S. Nassir Ghaemi (2 April 2007). Bipolar Depression: A Comprehensive Guide. American Psychiatric Pub. p. 158. ISBN 978-1-58562-651-9.
130. Stephen M. Stahl, Bret A. Moore (13 February 2013). Anxiety Disorders: A Guide for Integrating Psychopharmacology and Psychotherapy. Routledge. p. 65. ISBN 978-1-136-44588-0.
131. D. John Reynolds, Jamie Coleman, Jeffrey Aronson (10 November 2011). Oxford Handbook of Practical Drug Therapy. Oxford University Press. p. 765. ISBN 978-0-19-956285-5.
132. Boschloo L (2014). "The impact of lifestyle factors on the 2-year course of depressive and/or anxiety disorders". Journal of Affective Disorders. 159: 73–9. doi:10.1016/j.jad.2014.01.019. PMID 24679393.
133. Owen, J (2007). "Humans Were Born to Run, Fossil Study Suggests". National Geographic. Website. Retrieved 25 February 2024.
134. Lee KS, Chatterjee P, Choi EY, Sung MK, Oh J, et al. (2018) Selection on the regulation of sympathetic nervous activity in humans and chimpanzees. PLOS Genetics 14(4): e1007311. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgen.1007311.
135. Morissette SB, Tull MT, Gulliver SB, Kamholz BW, Zimering RT (March 2007). "Anxiety, anxiety disorders, tobacco use, and nicotine: a critical review of interrelationships". Psychological Bulletin. 133 (2): 245–72. doi:10.1037/0033-2909.133.2.245. PMID 17338599.
136. Bruce M. S., Lader M., Lader (2009). "Caffeine abstention in the management of anxiety disorders". Psychological Medicine. 19 (1): 211–4. doi:10.1017/S003329170001117X. PMID 2727208. S2CID 45368729.
137. Moffitt TE, Harrington H, Caspi A, Kim-Cohen J, Goldberg D, Gregory AM, et al. (2007). "Depression and Generalized Anxiety Disorder". Archives of General Psychiatry. 64 (6): 651–60. doi:10.1001/archpsyc.64.6.651. PMID 17548747.
138. Wolitzky-Taylor KB, Castriotta N, Lenze EJ, Stanley MA, Craske MG (2010). "Anxiety disorders in older adults: A comprehensive review". Depression and Anxiety. 27 (2): 190–211. doi:10.1002/da.20653. PMID 20099273. S2CID 12981577.
139. Barkow K, Heun R, Wittchen HU, Üstün TB, Gänsicke M, Maier W (April 2004). "Mixed anxiety–depression in a 1 year follow-up study: shift to other diagnoses or remission?". Journal of Affective Disorders. 79 (1–3): 235–239. doi:10.1016/S0165-0327(02)00343-9. PMID 15023500.
140. Coussement C, De Longueville X, Heeren A (2022). "Attentional networks in co-occurring generalized anxiety disorder and major depression disorder: Towards a staging approach to the executive control deficits". Comprehensive Psychiatry. 113: 152294. doi:10.1016/j.comppsych.2021.152294. PMID 34942482.
141. Coussement C, Heeren A (2022). "Sleep problems as a transdiagnostic hub bridging impaired attention control, generalized anxiety, and depression". Journal of Affective Disorders. 296: 305–308. doi:10.1016/j.jad.2021.09.092. PMID 34606807. S2CID 238357084.
142. Back SE, Brady KT (November 2008). "Anxiety Disorders with Comorbid Substance Use Disorders: Diagnostic and Treatment Considerations". Psychiatric Annals. 38 (11): 724–729. doi:10.3928/00485713-20081101-01. PMC 2921723. PMID 20717489.
143. Shalev I, Moffitt TE, Braithwaite AW, Danese A, Fleming NI, Goldman-Mellor S, et al. (2014-01-14). "Internalizing disorders and leukocyte telomere erosion: a prospective study of depression, generalized anxiety disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder" (PDF). Molecular Psychiatry. 19 (11): 1163–1170. doi:10.1038/mp.2013.183. PMC 4098012. PMID 24419039. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-04-23. Retrieved 21 April 2014.
144. Lee S, Wu J, Ma YL, Tsang A, Guo WJ, Sung J (2009). "Irritable bowel syndrome is strongly associated with generalized anxiety disorder: A community study". Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics. 30 (6): 643–651. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2036.2009.04074.x. PMID 19552631. S2CID 205245384.
145. American Psychiatric Association (2013-05-22). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (Fifth ed.). American Psychiatric Association. doi:10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596. ISBN 978-0-89042-555-8.
146. "Access". Medscape. Retrieved 2013-01-15.
147. ^ Scott, E. L. (2011, September 6). Anxiety Disorders With Comorbid Substance Abuse. Psychiatric Times. Retrieved July 1, 2013, from http://www.psychiatrictimes.com/anxiety/anxiety-disorders-comorbid-substance-abuse Archived 2019-12-12 at the Wayback Machine
148. Smith JP, Book SW (2010). "Comorbidity of generalized anxiety disorder and alcohol use disorders among individuals seeking outpatient substance abuse treatment". Addictive Behaviors. 35 (1): 42–5. doi:10.1016/j.addbeh.2009.07.002. PMC 2763929. PMID 19733441.
149. Albano AM, Chorpita BF, Barlow DH (2003). "Childhood Anxiety Disorders". In Mash EJ, Barkley RA (eds.). Child Psychopathology (2nd ed.). New York: Guilford Press. pp. 279–329. ISBN 978-1-57230-609-7.
150. Keeton CP, Kolos, AC, Walkup, JT (2009). "Pediatric generalized anxiety disorder: epidemiology, diagnosis, and management". Paediatric Drugs. 11 (3): 171–83. doi:10.2165/00148581-200911030-00003. PMID 19445546. S2CID 39870253.
151. Ansseau M, Fischler B, Dierick M, Albert A, Leyman S, Mignon A (26 June 2007). "Socioeconomic correlates of generalized anxiety disorder and major depression in primary care: The GADIS II study (Generalized Anxiety and Depression Impact Survey II)". Depression and Anxiety. 25 (6): 506–513. doi:10.1002/da.20306. PMID 17595015. S2CID 38539957.
152. Soto JA, Dawson-Andoh NA, Belue R (March 2011). "The relationship between perceived discrimination and Generalized Anxiety Disorder among African Americans, Afro Caribbeans, and non-Hispanic Whites". Journal of Anxiety Disorders. 25 (2): 258–265. doi:10.1016/j.janxdis.2010.09.011. PMC 3053120. PMID 21041059.
153. Neal AM, Turner SM (May 1991). "Anxiety disorders research with African Americans: Current status". Psychological Bulletin. 109 (3): 400–410. doi:10.1037/0033-2909.109.3.400. PMID 2062979.
154. Schacter DL, Gilbert DT, Wegner DM (2011). "Generalized Anxiety Disorders". Psychology (2nd ed.). New York: Worth, Incorporated. pp. 559–560.
155. Kessler RC, Chiu WT, Demler O, Merikangas KR, Walters EE (2005). "Prevalence, Severity, and Comorbidity of 12-Month DSM-IV Disorders in the National Comorbidity Survey Replication". Archives of General Psychiatry. 62 (6): 617–27. doi:10.1001/archpsyc.62.6.617. PMC 2847357. PMID 15939839.
156. Grant BF, Hasin DS, Stinson FS, Dawson DA, June Ruan W, Goldstein RB, et al. (2005). "Prevalence, correlates, co-morbidity, and comparative disability of DSM-IV generalized anxiety disorder in the USA: Results from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions". Psychological Medicine. 35 (12): 1747–59. doi:10.1017/S0033291705006069. PMID 16202187. S2CID 28490763.
157. Cameron A (2004). Crash Course Psychiatry. Elsevier Ltd. ISBN 978-0-7234-3340-8.
158. "Statistics". Mental Health Foundation. Retrieved 2018-12-19.
159. "Relating the burden of anxiety and depression to effectiveness of treatment", World Health Organization.
160. Canada PH (2017-01-31). "The burden of generalized anxiety disorder in Canada - HPCDP: Volume 37-2, February 2017". aem. Retrieved 2018-12-19.
161. ^ "Anxiety Disorders: Background, Anatomy, Pathophysiology". Medscape. 1 December 2016.

Sources

• McLean CP, Asnaani A, Litz BT, Hofmann SG (August 2011). "Gender differences in anxiety disorders: Prevalence, course of illness, comorbidity and burden of illness". Journal of Psychiatric Research. 45 (8): 1027–1035. doi:10.1016/j.jpsychires.2011.03.006. PMC 3135672. PMID 21439576.

Further reading

• Brown, T. A., O'Leary, T. A., & Barlow, D. H. (2001). "Generalised anxiety disorder". In D. H. Barlow (ed.), Clinical handbook of psychological disorders: A step-by-step treatment manual (3rd ed.). New York: Guilford Press.
• Barlow, D. H., & Durand, V. M. (2005). Abnormal psychology: An integrative approach. Australia; Belmont, Calif.: Wadsworth.
• Tyrer P, Baldwin D (2006). "Generalised anxiety disorder". The Lancet. 368 (9553): 2156–66. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(06)69865-6. PMID 17174708. S2CID 18959359.

External links

• Mayo Clinic – Information on diagnosis and treatment for GAD
• WebMD – Information on symptoms and causes of GAD
• Anxiety Disorders Association of America – Information for families, clinicians, and researchers
• National Institute of Mental Health, Generalized Anxiety Disorder: When Worry Gets Out of Control
• National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, Anxiety and Complementary Health Approaches

• Anxiety disorders