Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 12, 2026

04:20
Social Isolation Model: A Noninvasive Rodent Model of Stress and Anxiety
Published on: November 11, 2022
Generalized anxiety disorder publications: where do we stand a decade later?
Michel J Dugas1, Kristin G Anderson, Sonya S Deschenes
1Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Canada. Michel.Dugas@concordia.ca
Journal of Anxiety Disorders
|June 18, 2010
Summary
Research on generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) lags behind other anxiety disorders, with GAD publications increasing but remaining consistently low. Most GAD research focuses on treatment rather than descriptive aspects.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Psychology
- Bibliometrics
Background:
- Anxiety disorders represent a significant area of clinical and research focus.
- Previous work has examined publication trends in anxiety disorders.
- Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a prevalent anxiety disorder requiring further research attention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze publication rates and trends for all anxiety disorders from 1998 to 2008.
- To investigate the specific publication output and thematic focus of research on generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).
- To compare research progress on GAD with other anxiety disorders using publication data.
Main Methods:
- Bibliometric analysis of publications indexed in MEDLINE and PsycINFO databases.
- Data collection covered the period from 1998 to 2008.
- Categorization of GAD publications by research topic (treatment, descriptive, process, reviews).
Main Results:
- A significant annual increase in publications was observed for most anxiety disorders, excluding panic disorder.
- Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) consistently showed the second-lowest annual publication rate, never exceeding 8% of total anxiety disorder publications.
- GAD research predominantly focused on treatment (44%), followed by descriptive issues (26%), process issues (22%), and general reviews (8%).
Conclusions:
- Despite an increase in publication volume, research on generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) significantly lags behind that of most other anxiety disorders.
- The focus on treatment in GAD research suggests a potential gap in understanding its descriptive and process-related aspects.
- Citation analysis indicates that GAD research progress may be slower compared to other anxiety disorders.
Related Concept Videos
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is a chronic condition characterized by excessive and uncontrollable worry that persists for at least six months, significantly interfering with daily functioning. Unlike situational anxiety, which arises in response to specific stressors, GAD often occurs without a clear cause. Individuals may experience disproportionate worry about work, health, or relationships. For instance, a person might continuously fear poor health despite normal medical evaluations or...
Anxiety: Overview
Anxiety is a common mental disorder featuring excessive worry, fear, and apprehension, significantly affecting daily life. People with anxiety disorders experience persistent and intense anxiety, interrupting their everyday functioning.
Individuals with anxiety often experience a range of physical and emotional symptoms, including sweating, trembling, tachycardia, and disturbances in sleep patterns. These symptoms vary in intensity and frequency but are generally disruptive and distressing.
Individuals with anxiety often experience a range of physical and emotional symptoms, including sweating, trembling, tachycardia, and disturbances in sleep patterns. These symptoms vary in intensity and frequency but are generally disruptive and distressing.
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) serves as the primary classification system for mental health disorders, providing standardized diagnostic criteria for clinicians and researchers. First published by the American Psychiatric Association (APA) in 1952, the DSM has undergone several revisions to reflect evolving psychiatric understanding. The fifth edition, DSM-5, released in 2013, introduced key updates that expanded diagnostic categories and modified diagnostic...
Panic Disorder
Panic disorder is an anxiety disorder characterized by recurrent and sudden minutes-long episodes of intense fear, known as panic attacks. These attacks may feel like heart attacks and often happen without warning or a specific cause. They can include symptoms such as rapid heart rate, shortness of breath, chest pain, trembling, sweating, dizziness, and a sense of helplessness. During a panic attack, individuals may feel as though they are experiencing a heart attack or are in a...
Social Anxiety Disorder
Social anxiety disorder, also known as social phobia, is characterized by an intense fear of social situations where one might face humiliation, rejection, embarrassment, or negative evaluation. This disorder leads individuals to avoid activities like casual conversations, public speaking, or seemingly simple tasks such as eating, signing documents, or swimming, in public settings. Its impact extends beyond discomfort, often significantly interfering with daily functioning and quality of life.
Anxiolytic Drugs: Overview
Anxiolytic drugs are vital in managing anxiety disorders by effectively alleviating symptoms such as excessive fear, tachycardia, and tremors. There are several classes of anxiolytic medications, each with unique mechanisms of action and potential side effects.
Primary Types of Anxiolytic Drugs
1. Benzodiazepines:
Benzodiazepines bind to the GABA-A receptor in the brain, enhancing GABA's interaction. This action reduces neurotransmission, effectively blocking anxiety-associated limbic circuitry.
Primary Types of Anxiolytic Drugs
1. Benzodiazepines:
Benzodiazepines bind to the GABA-A receptor in the brain, enhancing GABA's interaction. This action reduces neurotransmission, effectively blocking anxiety-associated limbic circuitry.
