Am J Psychiatry 1986; 143:40-44
Copyright © 1986 by American Psychiatric Association
Generalized anxiety and generalized anxiety disorder: description and reconceptualization
DH Barlow, EB Blanchard, JA Vermilyea, BB Vermilyea and PA DiNardo
One hundred eight patients complaining of anxiety were diagnosed using the
Anxiety Disorders Interview Schedule and classified into the various
anxiety disorder categories as well as major depression. Although patients
with a primary diagnosis of generalized anxiety disorder were more chronic
than were panic disorder patients, most patients in each category met the
DSM-III criteria for generalized anxiety disorder with the exception of
simple phobic patients. On the basis of these data, it would seem that
generalized anxiety disorder is a residual category within the anxiety
disorders, since generalized anxiety disorder symptoms are almost always
present. But if one distinguishes anticipatory anxiety, which is often part
of panic or phobic disorders, from generalized anxiety, an independent
anxiety disorder category emerges. This category is characterized by
apprehensive expectation or chronic worry focused on multiple life
situations.
