Some patients with anxiety disorders, e.g. patients with generalized anxiety disorder, may be experiencing persistent anxiety without a precipitating stressor; subsequently, a stressor may exacerbate this baseline level of anxiety.4 This phenomenon is called ‘double anxiety’ (i.e., acute anxiety superimposed on persistent anxiety).4,5
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2. Nierenberg AA, Petersen TJ, Alpert JE. Prevention of relapse and recurrence in depression: the role of long-term pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy. J Clin Psychiatry 2003; 64 (Suppl 15): 13–17.
3. Riso LP, Thase ME, Howland RH, et al. A prospective test of criteria for response, remission, relapse, recovery, and recurrence in depressed patients treated with cognitive behavior therapy. J Affect Disord 1997; 43 (2): 131–142.
4. Gliatto MF. Generalized anxiety disorder. Am Fam Physician 2000; 62 (7): 1591–1600.
5. Rickels K, Rynn MA. What is generalized anxiety disorder? J Clin Psychiatry 2001; 62 (Suppl 11): 4–12.
