Diagnosis of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

Initial Assessment

The doctor will ask about worries, anxiety, “nerves,” stress, and other symptoms. The person will be asked how often they have had symptoms.

Acute anxiety lasts from hours to weeks. It is often linked to a specific problem. Chronic anxiety lasts from months to years. It may be considered a part of someone's personality. This type of anxiety is not often connected to a particular event.

Evaluation of Health Problems

The doctor will look for other health problems that can cause anxiety, such as:

• Hypoglycemia—low blood sugar
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Chronic pain conditions
• Hyperthyroidism
• Cushing disease
• Mitral valve prolapse
• Carcinoid syndrome
• Hypocalcemia
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Heart failure
• Tourette syndrome
• Pheochromocytoma

The doctor may also ask about medicine, herbal supplements , and vitamins. The person may be asked to stop taking them for a while. This is to see if they may be causing the symptoms. Medicines that may cause or worsen anxiety include:

• Steroids
• Over-the-counter cold remedies and diet pills
• Antidepressants
• Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors
• Digoxin
• Thyroxine
• Theophylline

Evaluation for Substance Abuse

Evaluation of Other Psychiatric Disorders

Anxiety may be a symptom of another mental health illness. Another illness may also exist with GAD. The person may be screened for:

• Depression
• Panic disorder
• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• Social phobia
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder
• Social anxiety disorder
• Other mental health problems that often occur with GAD