Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Psychological treatments of GAD have similar benefits to

drugs

Psychological treatments of GAD have better

long term results

Cognitive Behavioral Treatments

Exposure to worry process

Confronting anxiety-provoking images

Coping strategies

Pharmacological treatments of GAD

Benzodiazepines

Antidepressants

A cause of GAD is inherited

tendency to become anxious

A cause of GAD is less

responsiveness - “autonomic restrictors”

A cause of GAD is threat

sensitivity

A cause of GAD is frontal lobe

activation (left vs right)

Elderly with GAD worry about

failing health, loss

Up to 10% prevalence in

GAD in the elderly

Use of minor tranquilizers for GAD in the elderly:

17%-50%

Minor tranquilizers are sometimes prescribed for

medical problems or sleep problems

Minor tranquilizers increase risk for

falls and cognitive impairments

To be diagnosed with GAD, children need

only one symptom

Children with GAD worry about

academic, social, athletic performance

People with GAD shift from

possible crisis to crisis

People with GAD worry about

minor, everyday concerns (Job, family, chores, appointments)

GAD is accompanied by symptoms such as

sleep disturbance and irritability

GAD leads to behaviors like

procrastination, overpreparation

Diagnostic Criteria: Excessive anxiety and worry occurring

more days than not for at least 6 months

Diagnostic Criteria: Difficulty controlling

the worry

Diagnostic Criteria: Anxiety and worry associated with

other physical symptoms

Diagnostic Criteria: Anxiety causes clinically significant

distress or impairment

Diagnostic Criteria: Not due to

substance use or medical condition

Diagnostic Criteria: Not better explained by

another mental disorder