Criteria Guide
Generalized Anxiety Disorder DSM Criteria Guide
Use this page when the goal is to focus quickly on the DSM-style structure for Generalized Anxiety Disorder.
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Criterion A
- Excessive anxiety and worry occur more days than not for at least 6 months about a number of events or activities.
Criterion B
- The individual finds it difficult to control the worry.
Criterion C
- The anxiety and worry are associated with at least 3 of the following 6 symptoms, with at least some symptoms present for more days than not during the past 6 months.
- In children, only 1 associated symptom is required.
Criterion C symptom list
- Restlessness or feeling keyed up or on edge.
- Being easily fatigued.
- Difficulty concentrating or the mind going blank.
- Irritability.
- Muscle tension.
- Sleep disturbance, including difficulty falling asleep, difficulty staying asleep, or restless unsatisfying sleep.
Criterion D
- The anxiety, worry, or physical symptoms cause clinically significant distress or impairment.
Criterion E
- The disturbance is not attributable to a substance or another medical condition.
Criterion F
- The disturbance is not better explained by another mental disorder such as panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, OCD, separation anxiety disorder, anorexia nervosa, or PTSD.