What is the typical duration criterion for Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)?

• A. Worry for 2 years.
• B. Worry for 2 days.
• C. Worry for 2 weeks.
• D. At least 6 months of excessive worry on multiple domains.

Answer: (D)

The key idea is how long GAD must persist to meet the criteria. Generalized Anxiety Disorder is defined by chronic, excessive worry that occurs most days and is difficult to control, and importantly it lasts for a substantial period—at least six months. The worry typically spans multiple areas of life (work, health, finances, relationships) rather than being about a single issue. Shorter durations, like a few days or a couple of weeks, aren’t enough to diagnose GAD. Longer durations, such as several years, do meet the minimum six-month threshold, but the standard, minimum duration clinicians look for is six months of persistent, pervasive worry.