Very low urgency
Very common-
A persistent state of excessive worry or nervousness that is difficult to control and interferes with normal daily activities. It accounts for most consultations for mental disorders in primary care centres and is more common in women.
The cause is unknown, but genetic and environmental factors are involved.
The main symptom is worry, but it is accompanied by fatigue, irritability, difficulty falling asleep, or non-restorative sleep.
The diagnosis is clinical, based on questioning that confirms the existence of symptoms for at least 6 months.
The treatment of choice in the acute phase is anti-anxiety medication. Both psychotherapy and regular lifestyle habits can speed up the resolution of symptoms and help prevent new episodes.
- Brevario DSM-III-R. Criterios diagnósticos. Trastorno por ansiedad excesiva (“Overanxious disorder”). Masson 58:59.
- Kessler RC, Berglund P, Demler O, et al. Lifetime prevalence and age-of-onset distributions of DSM-IV disorders in the National Comorbidity Survey Replication. Arch Gen Psychiatry 2005; 62:593.
- David Baldwin, DM. Generalized anxiety disorder in adults: Epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, course, assessment, and diagnosis. UpToDate. Apr 12, 2016.
- Lenze EJ. Anxiety disorders in the elderly. In: Textbook of Anxiety Disorders, 2nd ed, Stein DJ, Hollander E, Rothbaum BO. (Eds), American Psychiatric Publishing, Inc, Washington, DC 2010. p.651.
Dr. Oscar Garcia-Esquirol
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