title: Generalized worry disorder: a review of DSM-IV generalized anxiety disorder and options for DSM-V.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) has undergone a series of substantial classificatory changes since its first inclusion in DSM-III. The majority of these revisions have been in response to its poor inter-rater reliability and concerns that it may lack diagnostic validity. This article provides options for the revision of the DSM-IV GAD criteria for DSM-V.
  
  
  METHODS
  First, searches were conducted to identify the evidence that previous DSM Work Groups relied upon when revising the DSM-III-R GAD and the overanxious disorder classifications. Second, the literature pertaining to the DSM-IV criteria for GAD was examined.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The review presents a number of options to be considered for DSM-V. One option is for GAD to be re-labeled in DSM-V as generalized worry disorder. This would reflect its hallmark feature. Proposed revisions would result in a disorder that is characterized by excessive anxiety and worry generalized to a number of events or activities for 3 months or more. Worry acts as a cognitive coping strategy that manifests in avoidant behaviors. The reliability and validity of the proposed changes could be investigated in DSM-V validity tests and field trials.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Research Unit for Anxiety and Depression, School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia. gavina@unsw.edu.au
authors.forename: Gavin
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Andrews
authors.forename: Megan J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Hobbs
authors.forename: Thomas D
authors.initials: TD
authors.lastname: Borkovec
authors.forename: Katja
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Beesdo
authors.forename: Michelle G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Craske
authors.forename: Richard G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Heimberg
authors.forename: Ronald M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Rapee
authors.forename: Ayelet Meron
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Ruscio
authors.forename: Melinda A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Stanley
mesh_terms: D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D006801:Humans