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2. Diagnosing GAD (Node 1) David N. Osser, MD,
Associate Professor of Psychiatry
Harvard Medical School
Brockton Division of the VA Boston Healthcare System
General Editor - Psychopharmacology Algorithm Project
Harvard South Shore Residency Training Program

3. Algorithm based on studies meeting DSM criteria
Node 1: DSM Criteria
DSM
Algorithm based on studies meeting DSM criteria
Note comorbid
diagnoses
Reinhold, J. A., Mandos, L. A., Rickels, K., & Lohoff, F. W. (2011). Pharmacological treatment of generalized anxiety disorder. Expert opinion on pharmacotherapy, 12(16),
Huh, J., Goebert, D., Takeshita, J., Lu, B. Y., & Kang, M. (2011). Treatment of generalized anxiety disorder: a comprehensive review of the literature for psychopharmacologic alternatives to newer antidepressants and benzodiazepines. The Primary Care Companion to CNS Disorders, 13(2).

4. GAD in DSM III, DSM–IV, and DSM 5
DSM III, and III-R
Autonomic, motor, somatic manifestations
of anxiety
Under other “anxiety or somatic symptom disorders” in DSM IV & DSM-5
Not relevant to current GAD
DSM–IV, and DSM-5
Core problem: excessive worrying
Difficult to control, functional impairment
Brown, T. A., Barlow, D. H., & Liebowitz, M. R. (1994). The empirical basis of generalized anxiety disorder. The American journal of psychiatry.
Goldberg D, Kindler KS, Sirovatka PJ, Regier DA (2010) eds. Diagnostic issues in depression and generalized anxiety disorder.Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing,

5. Key Points
Medication trial results with DSM-III GAD patients may not be
that applicable to patients meeting the current DSM-5 criteria

6. Next Presentation- Comorbidity & Special Populations (Node 2)