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Generalized anxiety disorder: nature and course
1Institute of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Technical University of Dresden, Germany. wittchen@mpipsykl.mpg.de
The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry
|June 21, 2001
Summary
Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a common psychiatric condition. Despite its prevalence, GAD is often underrecognized, impacting adults and particularly women, leading to significant disability.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Epidemiology
- Clinical Psychology
Background:
- Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a chronic and highly prevalent condition.
- GAD is characterized by excessive worrying, anxiety, and hypervigilance.
- Despite characteristic symptoms, GAD is often poorly understood and underrecognized by clinicians.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the epidemiology and clinical characteristics of Generalized Anxiety Disorder.
- To highlight the prevalence and risk factors associated with GAD.
- To underscore the distinct nature and impact of GAD as a psychiatric disorder.
Main Methods:
- Review of epidemiological studies on Generalized Anxiety Disorder prevalence.
- Analysis of diagnostic criteria and age of onset for GAD.
- Examination of demographic and clinical correlates of GAD.
Main Results:
- Lifetime prevalence of GAD is 5%, with higher rates in women (up to 10% over 40).
- Primary care prevalence is approximately 8%, making GAD the most common anxiety disorder in this setting.
- GAD onset increases with age, and risk factors include female gender, unemployment, and chronic medical illness.
Conclusions:
- GAD is a highly prevalent anxiety disorder with a distinct epidemiological profile.
- The disorder is frequently comorbid with depression and other psychiatric conditions.
- GAD leads to significant disability, even in the absence of comorbidities.