Generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) is a mental health condition that causes excessive and disproportional anxiety and worry that negatively impacts the persons everyday activity. Symptoms are present on a daily basis for months at a time.
Assessment
- The GAD-7 anxiety questionnaire can help establish the severity of the diagnosis
- Assess for co-morbid mental health problems, such as depression and obsessive compulsive disorder
- Assess for environmental triggers and contributors, such as family relationships, friendships, bullies, school pressures, alcohol and drug use
Management
Mild anxiety can be managed with watchful waiting and advice about self-help strategies (e.g. meditation), diet, exercise and avoiding alcohol, caffeine and drugs.
Moderate to severe anxiety can be referred to CAMHS services to initiate:
- Counselling
- Cognitive behavioural therapy
- Medical management. Usually an SSRI such as sertraline is considered.
Last updated January 2020