Generalized Anxiety Disorder — How to Recognize GAD and What to Do
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is one of the most common mental health conditions. Learn the 7 GAD symptoms per DSM-5, the GAD-7 screening tool, and effective coping strategies.
What is Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)?
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) affects approximately 3–5% of the population and is one of the most common mental health conditions. It's characterized by excessive, difficult-to-control worry about multiple areas of life, lasting at least 6 months.
7 GAD Symptoms (DSM-5)
In addition to excessive worry, GAD diagnosis requires at least 3 of:
- Restlessness or feeling on edge
- Fatigue
- Difficulty concentrating (mind going blank)
- Irritability
- Muscle tension
- Sleep disturbance
- Catastrophic thinking
The GAD-7 Screening Tool
The GAD-7 (Spitzer et al., 2006) is a validated 7-item questionnaire recommended by major health authorities for primary care screening.
Score interpretation:
- 0–4: Minimal anxiety
- 5–9: Mild anxiety
- 10–14: Moderate anxiety — consultation recommended
- 15–21: Severe anxiety — urgent consultation advised
Evidence-Based Treatments
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT): First-line psychological treatment. Targets catastrophic thinking patterns and avoidance behaviors.
Mindfulness-Based Therapy: Cognitive defusion techniques — observing thoughts without identifying with them.
Lifestyle: 30 min exercise daily, limit caffeine and alcohol, breathing techniques (box breathing or cardiac coherence).
Medication: SSRIs/SNRIs for severe GAD — requires medical decision.
Related tests: GAD-7 Anxiety Test · Burnout MBI Test
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