What is the typical onset age range for Generalized Anxiety Disorder?

• A. Usually in late adolescence to early adulthood; onset can be before age 30.
• B. Onset after age 60.
• C. Onset only in childhood.
• D. Onset only in middle age.

Answer: (A)

Generalized Anxiety Disorder typically begins in late adolescence to early adulthood, often before age 30. This is supported by epidemiological data showing many people first develop symptoms during the teen to young adult years, making that window the most common onset period. While anxiety disorders can appear at other ages, a late-adolescent to early-adult onset is much more characteristic than onset solely in childhood or solely in middle age, and much more common than onset after age 60. If someone does present for the first time in older adulthood, clinicians still consider GAD, but it’s less typical as a first presentation and often requires careful evaluation for other medical or psychosocial factors.