[Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)--diagnosis and therapy]

The GAD is an important psychiatric disorder with high comorbidity and often chronic course. The differentiation against depression is not easy. In this review evidence based standards of therapy are discussed. The complex etiology and pathogenesis give a rationale for an integrative therapeutic approach, but this does not necessarily mean a combination of pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy for every patient. The pharmacotherapy with SSRI, SNRI, opipramol, buspirone and pregabalin allows an effective treatment. The empirical validated behaviour therapy is alternatively possible. Both approaches include a respectable number of therapy non-responders.