J Korean Acad Fam Med.  2005 Sep;26(9):517-526.

Diagnosis, and Treatment of Generalized Anxiety Disorder in Primary Practice

• Song JM
• Chae JH

Abstract

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is highly prevalent psychiatric disorder in primary care population and is a source of major morbidity. However, the underawareness and undertreatment of GAD, which is due to insufficient knowledge about the disorder, often hinder the proper management of this chronic condition. Other characteristic features such as chronic course of GAD, frequent comorbidity with other anxiety and depressive disorders, and the controversy regarding the best diagnostic criteria should be fully discussed. First of all, proper and accurate diagnosis is crucial for an appropriate management. Primary care management of GAD and associated comorbidities includes education about the nature of GAD and counseling about treatment alternatives and coping strategies is an important first step. The most effective treatment of GAD is combined psychotherapeutic and pharmacotherapeutic approach. The major psychotherapeutic approaches to GAD are cognitive-behavioral therapy with relaxation techniques. Pharmacological treatment for GAD includes benzodiazepine, buspirone, and antidepressants. In this review, these combined treatment at the view point of primary practitioners was described.

Keyword

generalized anxiety disorder; primary care; diagnosis; treatment

MeSH Terms

Antidepressive Agents
Anxiety Disorders*
Anxiety*
Benzodiazepines
Buspirone
Comorbidity
Counseling
Depressive Disorder
Diagnosis*
Education
Primary Health Care
Relaxation Therapy
Antidepressive Agents
Benzodiazepines
Buspirone