Generalized Anxiety Disorder – Diagnostic Interview
- Are you a worrier? (patient may have an anxious temperament)
- What do you worry about?
- Have you been worrying about simple things you shouldn’t be worrying about?
- Can you tell me your specific thoughts?
- How long have you had these worries? (at least 6 months to satisfy criteria)
- Over the past few months of worrying, have you noticed that you have been jittery, on edge? Irritable?
- Headaches, or tension in your head and neck?
- What has your sleep been like? (Initial and middle insomnia or restless unsatisfying sleep)
- Do you have problems concentrating?
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IMPORTANT POINTS IN CLINICAL PRACTICE
Clinically it can be difficult to differentiate between agitation and anxiety. This difference is important as some antidepressants may worsen agitation. Agitation is a risk factor for suicide. Presence of agitation may require augmentation treatment with Antipsychotics.
Agitation is often accompanied by other mixed features.
Features that point to agitation include:
- Racing thoughts
- Pressure of speech
- Presence of overvalued or delusional thoughts (indicates psychosis and not anxiety disorder)
- Pacing, wringing of hands
- Impulsive behaviour
Learn about the diagnosis and management of generalized anxiety disorder in more detail.
Prof Sean Hood talks about Anxiety disorders
American Psychiatric Association: Desk Reference to the Diagnostic Criteria From DSM-5.Arlington, VA, American Psychiatric Association, 2013