Calculators & Tools

Generalized Anxiety Disorder

DSM-5 criteria - excessive anxiety and worry, more days than not, ≥6 months.

1 What is the Generalized Anxiety Disorder?

The Generalized Anxiety Disorder is a psychosocial scoring tool used in paediatric practice. DSM-5 criteria - excessive anxiety and worry, more days than not, ≥6 months. It scores 6 criteria and interprets the total across 2 bands, so the number always arrives with the severity it implies rather than on its own. In PediAid each criterion is shown as a labelled option with the weight it carries, so the total can be checked rather than taken on trust.

2 When to use it

  • Grading severity at the bedside in psychosocial
  • Recording an objective severity band in the case notes
  • Deciding when a total crosses the threshold for escalation
  • Re-scoring to track whether a child is improving or deteriorating
  • Checking the exact criteria of a score used infrequently

3 Formula & method

The score sums 6 criteria: Restlessness or feeling keyed up / on edge; Being easily fatigued; Difficulty concentrating or mind going blank; Irritability; Muscle tension; Sleep disturbance (difficulty falling/staying asleep, restless sleep). Totals are then banded: any score - Below threshold: no associated symptom endorsed; 1 criteria met or more - Threshold met: cHILDREN need only 1 of these 6 symptoms (adults need 3), with excessive worry that is difficult to control on more days than not for ≥6 months.
  • DSM-5 threshold: 1 or more of the 6 criteria listed.
  • A diagnosis also requires clinically significant distress or impairment, the required duration, and exclusion of substance use or another condition. Screening aid only - not a diagnosis.
  • Threshold shown is the paediatric one (1 symptom). Adults require ≥3.

4 Frequently asked questions

How many criteria does the Generalized Anxiety Disorder use?

6. They are Restlessness or feeling keyed up / on edge; Being easily fatigued; Difficulty concentrating or mind going blank; Irritability; Muscle tension; Sleep disturbance (difficulty falling/staying asleep, restless sleep).

What do the bands of the Generalized Anxiety Disorder mean?

The total is interpreted as: any score - Below threshold: no associated symptom endorsed; 1 criteria met or more - Threshold met: cHILDREN need only 1 of these 6 symptoms (adults need 3), with excessive worry that is difficult to control on more days than not for ≥6 months.

Does the score replace clinical judgement?

No. It is a structured way to record and communicate severity. A clinician concerned about a child should act on that concern regardless of the total.

Where does this score come from?

DSM-5 threshold: 1 or more of the 6 criteria listed.

Does it work offline?

Yes. Score definitions are bundled with the PediAid app, so the score computes without a connection.

For qualified clinicians. This page and the PediAid app are a clinical aid only. Calculations and reference data must be verified against the patient's clinical context, the source guideline and your local protocols before any treatment decision is made.