BACKGROUND: This study questions the 6-month duration criterion for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) used in DSM-III-R and DSM-IV. METHOD: In adults from age 20/21 to 40/41 in the prospective Zurich Cohort Study, four groups of generalized anxiety syndromes defined by varying duration (2 weeks, 1 month, 3 months and 6 months) were compared. RESULTS: Applying DSM-III (1979-1999) and DSM-III-R (1986-1999) criteria, there were no significant differences between the four groups in terms of family history of anxiety, work impairment, distress, treatment rates or co-morbidity with major depressive episodes (MDEs), bipolar disorder or suicide attempts. Only social impairment related to the length of episodes. The 6-month criterion of DSM-III-R and DSM-IV GAD would preclude this diagnosis in about half of the subjects treated for generalized anxiety syndromes. CONCLUSIONS: In this epidemiological sample, the 6-month duration criterion for GAD could not be confirmed as clinically meaningful. GAD syndromes of varying duration form a continuum with comparable clinical relevance.
BACKGROUND: This study questions the 6-month duration criterion for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) used in DSM-III-R and DSM-IV. METHOD: In adults from age 20/21 to 40/41 in the prospective Zurich Cohort Study, four groups of generalized anxiety syndromes defined by varying duration (2 weeks, 1 month, 3 months and 6 months) were compared. RESULTS: Applying DSM-III (1979-1999) and DSM-III-R (1986-1999) criteria, there were no significant differences between the four groups in terms of family history of anxiety, work impairment, distress, treatment rates or co-morbidity with major depressive episodes (MDEs), bipolar disorder or suicide attempts. Only social impairment related to the length of episodes. The 6-month criterion of DSM-III-R and DSM-IV GAD would preclude this diagnosis in about half of the subjects treated for generalized anxiety syndromes. CONCLUSIONS: In this epidemiological sample, the 6-month duration criterion for GAD could not be confirmed as clinically meaningful. GAD syndromes of varying duration form a continuum with comparable clinical relevance.
Authors: Jonathan S Comer; Kaitlin P Gallo; Priya Korathu-Larson; Donna B Pincus; Timothy A Brown Journal: Depress Anxiety Date: 2012-07-16 Impact factor: 6.505
Authors: E B Ansell; A Pinto; M O Edelen; J C Markowitz; C A Sanislow; S Yen; M Zanarini; A E Skodol; M T Shea; L C Morey; J G Gunderson; T H McGlashan; C M Grilo Journal: Psychol Med Date: 2010-09-14 Impact factor: 7.723
Authors: S Lee; A Tsang; A M Ruscio; J M Haro; D J Stein; J Alonso; M C Angermeyer; E J Bromet; K Demyttenaere; G de Girolamo; R de Graaf; O Gureje; N Iwata; E G Karam; J-P Lepine; D Levinson; M E Medina-Mora; M A Oakley Browne; J Posada-Villa; R C Kessler Journal: Psychol Med Date: 2008-12-18 Impact factor: 7.723
Authors: Enrique Alvarez; Jose L Carrasco; José M Olivares; Vanessa López-Gómez; Inma Vilardaga; María Perez Journal: Clin Pract Epidemiol Ment Health Date: 2012-11-16