How to Diagnose General Anxiety Disorder

Professional diagnosis of generalized anxiety disorder, also known as generalized anxiety disorder, is generally made by a psychiatrist after a complete psychiatric exam and evaluation that covers the nature and term of psychological symptoms, the effects that anxiety may have had on work, social and general life functioning and the possibility that other psychiatric illnesses or disorders may be present.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Psychiatrist
• Primary care physician

Prepare to Diagnose General Anxiety Disorder

1. Make a list, with dates of onset, of your physical symptoms that may signal general anxiety disorder. These may include chest pains, palpitations and rapid pulse, breathing difficulties, abdominal or gastrointestinal problems, menstrual irregularities, body temperature issues and problems in sexual function.
2. Consider seeing your PCP (primary care physician) or a psychiatrist about general anxiety disorder if you have experienced excessive and uncontrollable anxiety or worry for at least 6 months and you are finding it hard to function in your personal, work or social life.
3. Speak to your PCP about your physical symptoms that may be associated either with other medical issues or with general anxiety disorder. Your doctor may perform medical evaluations and tests, review your history and consider making a referral to a psychiatrist or other therapist.
4. Follow a direct chain of referrals and appointments from your PCP to a licensed psychiatrist so that your diagnosis and treatments will be covered, if possible, by insurance.

Ask Your Psychiatrist to Diagnose General Anxiety Disorder

5. Make an appointment and ask your psychiatrist to diagnose the nature and causes of the medical and psychiatric symptoms that you believe may be caused by generalized anxiety disorder.
6. Review your current or recent medications, use of alcohol or other drugs and recent stressful incidents with your psychiatrist to check for any factors that may contribute to anxiety.
7. Inform your psychiatrist of any medical diagnostic tests that may have already been completed by your PCP. This may save time and expense by avoiding duplicative testing.
8. Communicate effectively with your psychiatrist to make sure you understand the exact nature of the diagnosis and the likely prognosis based on different treatment approaches and strategies.

Tips & Warnings

• Once a formal diagnosis has been made by a professional psychiatrist, you may continue seeing the diagnosing psychiatrist or consider other therapeutic options. The psychiatrist's formal diagnosis may be necessary for insurance coverage or the prescription of medications to treat your disorder.
• Don't feel that you have to wait 6 months to get help or receive a diagnosis if your symptoms are interfering seriously with your ability to function.