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Symptoms And Symptoms Of Generalized Anxiety Disorder

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Brief diagnosis of case
Based on the information provided, Mary meets diagnostic criteria for Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition (DSM-5) (APA, 2013). Mary experiences excessive anxiety and worry, occurring more days than not for at least six months, about a number of events (work, friends, health). Mary reported that it is difficult to control the worry. The anxiety and worry are associated with the following symptoms, which are present for more days than not: difficulty concentrating or mind going blank, irritability, and sleep disturbance. The anxiety, worry, or physical symptoms cause significant distress or impairment in Mary’s social and …show more content…

It is believed that these experiences become learned behaviors through the modeling of their parents. It is also common to see children diagnosed with GAD where parents had either an anxiety disorder or major depression. Other factors associated with the diagnosis of GAD are age, gender, marital status, and stressful life events. In general, through adolescents and young adulthood (13-32 years of age) is the accepted age of onset for anxiety disorders (Dogan, 2012). This has also been found to be true of GAD specifically. In the case of both anxiety disorders in general and GAD specifically, there are a higher percentage of women than men diagnosed (Dogan, 2012). More precisely, women are twice as likely than men to experience GAD according to the DSM-5 (APA, 2013). A study published by Dogan (2012), reported that those who are single, divorced, separated, or widowed experience higher rates of GAD. This is also true for individuals who experience stressful life events in both childhood and adulthood (Dogan, 2012). It has also been found that individuals of European descent experience GAD more frequently than other individuals (APA, 2013).
Summary of Literature on Effective Treatments One of the most effective evidence-based treatments offered for GAD includes cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). The goal of

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