Overview
Introduction
Persistent worry becomes a disorder when it is broad, difficult to control, present for months, and disruptive to daily life.
Persistent worry becomes a disorder when it is broad, difficult to control, present for months, and disruptive to daily life. A person with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) may present with insomnia, muscle tension, fatigue, gastrointestinal discomfort, or repeated reassurance seeking rather than saying, “I am anxious.” The RPN’s first task is not to reassure or label the presentation. It is to identify the pattern, assess immediate safety, look for medical or substance-related explanations, and communicate findings so that treatment can be matched to the patient’s needs.