The epidemiology of anxiety disorders: rates, risks and familial patterns

This paper reviews what we know about the epidemiology and familial patterns of anxiety disorders. Focus is on the current studies based on specified diagnostic criteria. Data are presented, when available, on the subclassifications of the anxiety disorders. Data from epidemiologic and family studies support the notion that anxiety disorders have a relatively high prevalence and are familial, that they are heterogeneous, and that some are related to depression. It suggests that there is an increased probability that a person with one anxiety disorder will have another or will have a major depression during his or her lifetime. Data also suggest that panic disorder has the most severe consequence in terms of morbid risk to first-degree relatives, particularly risk to children, and that there may be a relationship between adult and childhood anxiety disorders. Potential research areas are given.