Generalized Anxiety Disorder: Symptoms

[yellodolphin]

Hey,

I am convinced my mother has an anxiety disorder. everyday she clearly has excessive anxiety and worries constantly about nothing. Ive told her i think she has it but she wont listen to me. people can be so attached to thier self concept no matter how far it is from reality i suppose. So can someone let me know what some general and basic symptoms are of this preferably from those who have experienced this disorder. Also if someone can write generally what it is like to have this disorder, i jus hope she will read this and realize she has it so she can get help.

 

[ThatLady]

Re: generalized anxiety disorder symptoms

Here's something to get you/her started:

http://forum.psychlinks.ca/index.php?topic=217.0

 

[David Baxter PhD]

And from DSM-IV-TR:

Diagnostic criteria for 300.02 Generalized Anxiety Disorder

A. Excessive anxiety and worry (apprehensive expectation), occurring more days than not for at least 6 months, about a number of events or activities (such as work or school performance).

B. The person finds it difficult to control the worry.

C. The anxiety and worry are associated with three (or more) of the following six symptoms (with at least some symptoms present for more days than not for the past 6 months). Note: Only one item is required in children.
[list type=decimal]
[*]restlessness or feeling keyed up or on edge
[*]being easily fatigued
[*]difficulty concentrating or mind going blank
[*]irritability
[*]muscle tension
[*]sleep disturbance (difficulty falling or staying asleep, or restless unsatisfying sleep)
[/list]

D. The focus of the anxiety and worry is not confined to features of an Axis I disorder, e.g., the anxiety or worry is not about having a Panic Attack (as in Panic Disorder), being embarrassed in public (as in Social Phobia), being contaminated (as in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder), being away from home or close relatives (as in Separation Anxiety Disorder), gaining weight (as in Anorexia Nervosa), having multiple physical complaints (as in Somatization Disorder), or having a serious illness (as in Hypochondriasis), and the anxiety and worry do not occur exclusively during Posttraumatic Stress Disorder.

E. The anxiety, worry, or physical symptoms cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.

F. The disturbance is not due to the direct physiological effects of a substance (e.g., a drug of abuse, a medication) or a general medical condition (e.g., hyperthyroidism) and does not occur exclusively during a Mood Disorder, a Psychotic Disorder, or a Pervasive Developmental Disorder.