Differentiating generalized anxiety disorder from anxiety disorder not otherwise specified.

The diagnostic criteria for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) have elicited numerous criticisms and suggestions for revision. Several researchers have noted that many patients fail to meet full criteria for the disorder, but nevertheless experience clinically significant symptoms. These "subsyndromal" cases are labeled anxiety disorder not otherwise specified (AnxNOS) under the current diagnostic system. The purpose of the this study was to determine the diagnostic criteria most often "missed" in cases that resemble GAD, but do not meet full criteria for the diagnosis. Individuals diagnosed with AnxNOS (n = 146) were compared with those diagnosed with GAD (n = 146) and other anxiety disorders (n = 146) on self-report measures, clinician ratings, and rates of comorbidity. Although individuals with AnxNOS reported clinically significant symptoms, they reported less worry, negative affect, depression, and comorbidity than individuals diagnosed with GAD. Findings are discussed with regard to their implications for revisions to the diagnostic criteria for GAD.