Anxiety Diagnostic Criteria

It is estimated that thirteen percent of all individuals suffer from some form of an anxiety disorder. In many cases anxiety disorders can be difficult to diagnose as most individuals do not suspect they have a mental disorder, but think they are just prone to worry so they do not discuss their symptoms with their doctor as they do not believe that this is something that can be helped with medical treatment. 

Anxiety symptoms can also be very similar to many other serious medical conditions and the physician may be looking for other causes overlooking the possibility of a mental disorder and - as a result - often times a diagnosis of an anxiety disorder is totally missed or not made for many months or even years.

Criteria for Diagnosing a General Anxiety Disorder

In cases where the physician does suspect that the condition of an anxiety disorder may be present, they will attempt to make a proper diagnosis based on the diagnostic criteria found in the "DSM" or "The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders".

In order for a diagnosis of a general anxiety disorder to be made the primary condition which must be present is that the individual has been experiencing excessive feelings of anxiety and worry for at least a period of six months and that this anxiety is present on more of these days than not. Another criterion that must be met is that the individual has great difficulty controlling or is unable to control these feelings of anxiety or worry.

There are six other symptoms which are used to make a diagnosis of an anxiety disorder along with the previous symptoms mentioned and three of these six must be present in adults to confirm a diagnosis of general anxiety disorder which include: 

• A feeling of being on edge, restlessness, or "keyed up". 

• Muscle tension 

• Irritability 

• Easily Fatigued 

• Difficulty with concentration or the feeling of the mind going blank. 

• Sleep disturbances which include the inability to fall asleep, stay asleep, restless or unsatisfying sleep. 

Note: In cases where anxiety is suspected in children, only one of the above six conditions is needed to confirm a diagnosis. 

Other Types of Anxiety Disorders which are confined must be Ruled Out 

In order for a diagnosis of "GAD" or "general anxiety disorder" to be made, other types of anxiety disorders may be present, however, it must be determined whether or not they coexist with GAD or are the sole cause of the anxiety on their own. For instance, with the condition known as "OCD" or "obsessive compulsive disorder", the symptoms may mimic that of "GAD", but the diagnosis made would be that of "OCD" and not "GAD". 

The physical and emotional symptoms of anxiety must also cause a significant impairment of normal activities including those at home, work, or social activities to meet the criterion for an anxiety disorder. 

Finally, any psychological effects that are caused by other conditions or disturbances must be ruled out.  These include that of substance abuse which can cause symptoms of anxiety such as illicit drugs, alcohol, or medications, other medical conditions such as hyperthyroidism, or prescribed medications.

An anxiety disorder must be ruled out as well when the symptoms only occur during episodes of other mental illnesses such as a psychotic disorder, mood disorder, or the condition of a pervasive developmental disorder.