Generalized Anxiety Disorder requires symptoms to be present for at least how long in adults?

• A. 1 month
• B. 3 months
• C. 6 months
• D. 12 months

Answer: (C)

The key idea is how long the symptoms must persist to meet the diagnosis. In adults, Generalized Anxiety Disorder is identified when excessive anxiety and worry occur most days for at least six months, about multiple events or activities, and are present with accompanying symptoms such as restlessness, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, irritability, muscle tension, or sleep disturbance. This six-month duration marks the minimum period needed to confirm a pattern of chronic worry rather than a短-term or situational spike in anxiety. Shorter durations, like one or three months, wouldn’t meet the threshold, while a longer duration, such as twelve months, would still satisfy the requirement but isn’t the minimum.