The DSM-5 requires a minimum duration of how many months for these anxiety disorders, across all ages?

The DSM-5 requires a minimum duration of how many months for these anxiety disorders, across all ages?

• A. 3 months
• B. 6 months
• C. 12 months
• D. 24 months

Answer: (B)

The key idea here is persistence. In DSM-5, many anxiety disorders are diagnosed only when symptoms are present for a substantial period, which helps distinguish a lasting problem from temporary worry or fear. For generalized anxiety disorder, the excessive worry and accompanying signs must occur more days than not for at least six months. For social anxiety disorder, the fear or anxiety about social or performance situations must last six months or longer. When you look across different ages, the duration criterion for separation anxiety disorder differs by age (shorter in children, longer in adults), but six months is the common threshold used to denote a persistent pattern in adults and in the overall approach to these disorders. Because six months best captures ongoing, clinically significant anxiety across ages, it is the correct minimum duration.

The key idea here is persistence. In DSM-5, many anxiety disorders are diagnosed only when symptoms are present for a substantial period, which helps distinguish a lasting problem from temporary worry or fear. For generalized anxiety disorder, the excessive worry and accompanying signs must occur more days than not for at least six months. For social anxiety disorder, the fear or anxiety about social or performance situations must last six months or longer. When you look across different ages, the duration criterion for separation anxiety disorder differs by age (shorter in children, longer in adults), but six months is the common threshold used to denote a persistent pattern in adults and in the overall approach to these disorders. Because six months best captures ongoing, clinically significant anxiety across ages, it is the correct minimum duration.