Studied by 5 people
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
