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Encyclopedia of Psychopharmacology pp 699–702Cite as

Generalized Anxiety Disorder

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Synonyms

Anxiety neurosis; Free-floating anxiety; GAD

Definition

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is characterized by an excessive and inappropriate worrying that is persistent and not restricted to particular circumstances. Patients have physical anxiety symptoms (such as tachycardia and tremor) and key psychological symptoms, including restlessness, fatigue, difficulty in concentrating, irritability, and disturbed sleep. The disorder is common and disabling; a recent review of epidemiological studies in Europe suggests a 12-month prevalence of between 1.7 % and 3.75 % (being more common in old age), and the associated functional impairment is similar to that with major depression. However, many of those who might benefit from treatment are not recognized or treated, which is disappointing, as a broad range of evidence-based treatments is available.

Role of Pharmacotherapy

Efficacy in Acute Treatment

Current evidence-based guidelines for the pharmacological management of patients...

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, Denmark Hill, De Crespigny Park, London, UK

    Malcolm Lader

Authors
  1. Malcolm Lader
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Malcolm Lader .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Section of Behavioural Pharmacology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, UK

    Ian P. Stolerman

  2. Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Butler Hospital, Providence, RI, USA

    Lawrence H. Price

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© 2015 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

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Lader, M. (2015). Generalized Anxiety Disorder. In: Stolerman, I.P., Price, L.H. (eds) Encyclopedia of Psychopharmacology. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-36172-2_317

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