Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

Neuropsychological assessment of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) involves evaluating cognitive, emotional, and behavioral aspects related to anxiety symptoms. GAD involves heightened emotional reactivity to perceived threats and difficulties with emotion regulation and occurs in 3 to 10% of children and adolescents. The neuropsychological evaluation process entails a detailed clinical interview conducted with parents and the individual to better understand the individual’s general development, psychiatric history, onset of symptoms, degree of impairment, comorbid conditions and psychosocial factors. The interview explores specific worries, fears, and triggers associated with generalized anxiety.

 

The individual typically completes self-report questionnaires or rating scales designed to assess the severity of generalized anxiety symptoms, worry frequency and intensity, physiological symptoms of anxiety (e.g., muscle tension, restlessness), and associated constructs such as intolerance of uncertainty and perfectionism. Neuropsychological tests are used to evaluate cognitive functioning, including attention, memory, executive functions, and information processing. The results of the assessment are integrated to develop a comprehensive understanding of the individual's cognitive, emotional, and behavioral profile in the context of generalized anxiety. This information guides treatment planning and may inform the selection of evidence-based interventions, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), relaxation techniques, mindfulness-based interventions, and pharmacotherapy.