Anxiety Disorder, Generalized


Related Terms

  • GAD
  • Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Differential Diagnoses

Specialists

  • Clinical Psychologist
  • Internal Medicine Physician
  • Psychiatrist

Comorbid Conditions

  • Alcohol/substance abuse
  • Cardiovascular conditions
  • Irritable bowel syndrome
  • Major depressive disorder
  • Psychiatric illnesses
  • Sleep disorders

Factors Influencing Duration

The severity of the symptoms, response to treatment, coexistence of substance abuse (especially alcohol dependence), other psychological disorders, underlying medical condition(s), ego strength of the individual, and the individual's social support system can affect the length of disability.

Medical Codes

ICD-9-CM:
300.00 - Anxiety State, Unspecified; Neurosis, Reaction, State (Neurotic), Atypical Anxiety Disorder
300.02 - Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Failure to Recover

If an individual fails to recover within the expected maximum duration period, the reader may wish to consider the following questions to better understand the specifics of an individual's medical case.

Regarding diagnosis:

  • Was diagnosis confirmed?
  • Does individual fit the criteria of at least 6 months of chronic exaggerated worry that is unfounded or much more severe than the normal anxiety most individuals experience?
  • Have other psychological disorders been excluded (generalized anxiety disorder symptoms must not be part of another mental disorder)?
  • Were direct physiological effects of a substance, medication, or a general medical condition ruled out as the cause of the generalized anxiety symptoms?
  • Were symptoms severe enough to cause significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, educational, or other important areas of functioning?
  • Was functional impairment evident to others or self-reported by individual?

Regarding treatment:

  • Has drug therapy been effective in relieving anxiety symptoms?
  • What other medication options may now be appropriate?
  • Is individual taking medication properly?
  • As treatment nears its end and physician gradually tapers the dosage, is individual able to understand directions and comply with a graduated dose schedule? If not, is another available individual who can supervise the medication regimen?
  • Is individual currently involved in a cognitive-behavioral type therapy that teaches individual to react differently to situations and physical sensations that trigger panic attacks or other anxiety symptoms? If not, would addition of this type of therapy be appropriate in the overall treatment plan?
  • Would individual benefit from involvement in a therapy group that discusses progress, offers encouragement, and receives guidance from a therapist?
  • What other forms of personal support are available for individual?

Regarding prognosis:

  • Is an acute life stress interfering with individual's recovery?
  • What type of coping skills does individual have or need to learn?
  • Would individual benefit from additional counseling?

Source: Medical Disability Advisor


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