What is the minimum duration of anxiety for a diagnosis of Generalized Anxiety Disorder?

For a diagnosis of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), the minimum duration of anxiety symptoms is 6 months. This timeframe is established in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), which describes GAD as involving excessive anxiety and worry occurring more days than not for at least 6 months about a number of events or activities. This duration is significant because it helps distinguish GAD from situations of transient anxiety that can occur due to life stressors or situational factors. Shorter periods of anxiety are often more indicative of adjustment disorders or other anxiety-related conditions. Thus, the 6-month criterion is critical to ensure that the anxiety is persistent and not just a temporary response to a specific situation, helping clinicians accurately diagnose and treat GAD.