Editorial: U.S. Is Playing Catch-up on Anxiety Treatment

The idea of preventing anxiety disorders is an area of research that seems to be gaining attention. Researchers in Australia have looked at this issue by examining which populations might benefit most from prevention programs (Curr. Psychiatry Rep. 2011;April 12 [Epub ahead of print]). This is an exciting area of research.

I’m glad to see that the current thinking of the DSM-5 Anxiety, Obsessive-Compulsive Spectrum, Posttraumatic and Dissociative Disorders Work Group is that GAD needs an overhaul. It has been suggested the name be changed to "generalized worry disorder," a change that would recognize worry as the main feature of the disorder.

Woody Allen’s preoccupation with worry in his films suggests that he gets it, and I’m heartened to see that the DSM-5 might catch up. Maybe the DSM-6 will reinvent the concept of neurosis.

Dr. London, a psychiatrist with New York University Langone Medical Center, has no disclosures.