BMJ  2007;334:579-581 (17 March), doi:10.1136/bmj.39133.559282.BE

Clinical Review

Generalised anxiety disorder

¹ Department of Psychological Medicine, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, PO Box 913, Dunedin, New Zealand, and Mental Health Services, Otago District Health Board, Dunedin, ² Department of Psychological Medicine, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, PO Box 913, Dunedin, New Zealand, and Psychology Associates, Dunedin

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

Generalised anxiety disorder is a syndrome of ongoing anxiety and worry about many events or thoughts that the patient generally recognises as excessive and inappropriate. However, the nature of "generalised worry" has been hard to describe in a categorical manner. The criteria required for making a diagnosis are evolving: these criteria clearly increase or decrease markedly the threshold for diagnosis.¹

SUMMARY POINTS Generalised anxiety disorder is a syndrome of ongoing anxiety and worry about many events or thoughts that the patient generally recognises as excessive and inappropriate Most people with generalised anxiety disorder also have other mood and anxiety disorders Several treatment efficacy trials have been conducted but few effectiveness trials with generally representative samples Cognitive behaviour therapy is more efficacious than non-directive psychotherapy or no treatment Anxiety management treatment is also better than no treatment and its efficacy may equal that of cognitive behaviour therapy Antidepressants, benzodiazepines, buspirone, and kava are . . . [Full text of this article]

Sources and selection criteria

Who is likely to get generalised anxiety disorder?

Current diagnostic criteria for generalised anxiety disorder
Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (DSM-IV-TR)
International statistical classification of disease and related health problems, 10th revision (ICD-10)
Autonomic arousal symptoms
Symptoms involving chest and abdomen
Symptoms involving mental state
General symptoms
Other non-specific symptoms
Exclusions

How do people with the disorder pesent?

How can the effect of treatment be measured?

What is the outcome for patients?

Which psychological treatments can help?

Which drug treatments can help?

A patient's perspective

What further research should be done?

ADDITIONAL EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES
Resources for health professionals
Resources for patients

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