Statistics about generalized anxiety disorder
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Statistics About Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
Global Prevalence of Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is a significant mental health issue worldwide, with varying prevalence rates across different regions. According to a comprehensive study using data from the World Health Organization World Mental Health Survey Initiative, the lifetime prevalence of GAD is 3.7%, with a 12-month prevalence of 1.8% and a 30-day prevalence of 0.8% . The prevalence is notably higher in high-income countries (5.0%) compared to middle-income (2.8%) and low-income countries (1.6%) .
Prevalence in Specific Populations
Older Adults
In a national sample of older adults in the United States, the past-year prevalence of GAD was found to be 2.80% . This study highlighted that GAD in older adults is often comorbid with other psychiatric disorders, such as mood and anxiety disorders, and is associated with a reduced quality of life .
Children and Adolescents
Among children and adolescents in Iran, the lifetime prevalence of GAD was reported to be 2.6% . The study identified several predictors for GAD, including age, sex, maternal psychiatric history, maternal education, and place of residence .
Urban China
In urban China, the prevalence of GAD was found to be 5.3%, with only 0.5% of individuals reporting a diagnosis . This indicates a significant under-diagnosis of GAD in this population, despite its substantial impact on health-related quality of life and productivity .
Scandinavian Countries
In Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden, the prevalence of GAD among general practice patients ranged from 4.1% to 6.0% for males and 3.7% to 7.1% for females . The study also found that general practitioners recognized only one-third to one-half of GAD cases .
Comorbidity and Impact
GAD is frequently comorbid with other psychiatric disorders. In a study of 75-year-olds in Gothenburg, Sweden, 84.4% of those with DSM-IV GAD also had depression . Similarly, in older adults in the United States, the majority of individuals with GAD had mood or other anxiety disorders, and approximately one-quarter had a personality disorder .
In children and adolescents, the highest comorbidity rate of psychiatric disorders with GAD was 57.6% for anxiety disorders . In coronary heart disease patients, the prevalence of GAD was 10.94%, with a significant comorbidity with depression .
Socio-Demographic Correlates
Several socio-demographic factors are associated with GAD. In the Australian National Survey of Mental Health and Well-Being, GAD was significantly associated with being younger to middle-aged, separated, divorced, or widowed, and unemployed . In India, the National Mental Health Survey 2016 found that urban metro residents and married individuals had higher odds of having GAD, while males and those with higher education had lower odds .
Treatment and Help-Seeking
Despite the high prevalence and significant impact of GAD, treatment rates remain low. In the United States, only 18% of older adults without comorbid Axis I disorders and 28.3% with comorbid disorders sought professional help for GAD in the past year . In urban China, the treatment gap for GAD was 75.7%, indicating a substantial need for increased healthcare resources to address this disorder .
Conclusion
Generalized Anxiety Disorder is a prevalent and impactful mental health condition across various populations worldwide. It is often comorbid with other psychiatric disorders and significantly affects quality of life. Despite its prevalence, GAD remains under-diagnosed and under-treated, highlighting the need for improved recognition and treatment strategies globally.
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