What are the main features of generalized anxiety disorder per DSM-5-TR?

What are the main features of generalized anxiety disorder per DSM-5-TR?

• A. Panic attacks with avoidance behaviors.
• B. Excessive anxiety and worry about multiple events for at least 6 months, plus symptoms such as restlessness, muscle tension, fatigue, concentration problems, irritability, and sleep disturbance.
• C. Obsessions and compulsions.
• D. Persistent avoidance of social situations.

Answer: (B)

Generalized anxiety disorder is defined by excessive and pervasive worry about many events or activities, occurring most days for at least six months, with difficulty controlling the worry. In addition, there are multiple accompanying symptoms—typically at least three of the following: restlessness, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, irritability, muscle tension, and sleep disturbance. This combination leads to clinically significant distress or impairment and is not better explained by another medical condition or substance. Why this fits the best: the description captures both the chronic duration (at least six months) and the broad scope of worry, plus the key cluster of associated symptoms that must accompany the worry to meet DSM-5-TR criteria. The other options describe different disorders—panic attacks with avoidance point to panic disorder, obsessions and compulsions to OCD, and persistent avoidance of social situations to social anxiety disorder—rather than the broad, chronic worry plus the specific symptom pattern that defines generalized anxiety disorder.

Generalized anxiety disorder is defined by excessive and pervasive worry about many events or activities, occurring most days for at least six months, with difficulty controlling the worry. In addition, there are multiple accompanying symptoms—typically at least three of the following: restlessness, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, irritability, muscle tension, and sleep disturbance. This combination leads to clinically significant distress or impairment and is not better explained by another medical condition or substance.

Why this fits the best: the description captures both the chronic duration (at least six months) and the broad scope of worry, plus the key cluster of associated symptoms that must accompany the worry to meet DSM-5-TR criteria. The other options describe different disorders—panic attacks with avoidance point to panic disorder, obsessions and compulsions to OCD, and persistent avoidance of social situations to social anxiety disorder—rather than the broad, chronic worry plus the specific symptom pattern that defines generalized anxiety disorder.