Epidemiology of Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a mental disease with an impairing and chronic course. It is one of the most common mental disorders although often not recognized. This chapter deals with diagnostic criteria of GAD and with its epidemiological features in terms of prevalence, in that number of people affected, risk factors, conditions associated and natural course of the disease. With respect to this latter, the chapter reports evidence on risk for other medical conditions and suicide as well as on economic burden of the disease. The chapter has been drafted on the basis of literature reviews and takes into consideration evidence from systematic reviews as well as primary studies carried out worldwide.