The prevalence of mental disorders is high with reports of up to 30% in general populationin which anxiety disorders are the most prevalent with a range from 15% to 25%.
With a life time prevalence of 4 7%in general population, GAD is the most prevalent anxiety disorder in the primary care setting. Data from the epidemiological catchment area (ECA) using DSM III diagnostic criteria showed one year prevalence rate of 2.0 % to 3.5% and life time prevalence rate of 4.1% to 6.6%. Data from national comorbidity survey (NCS) using DSM III TR criteria observed similar prevalence rate i.e., 3.1% one year prevalence and 5.1% life time prevalence. Consistently community survey indicates a 2:1 female to male preponderance of GADwith highest incidence in black females. The incidence is more common among unmarried than married people, among racial minorities than member of majority groups and among respondent with low socioeconomic status (S.E.S) than middle or high SES respondents.
Patients with GAD tend to have poor social functioning. In the Harvard Brown research programme (HARP) study, more than one third of the patients with GAD never married, . Patients were also under employed, compared with the general population.
COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH GAD
Anxiety disorders cost billions of dollars each year. The annual cost of anxiety disorders in the United States estimated to be US $ 42.3 billion in 1990 and US $ 65 billion in 1994. In Germany the estimated per patient cost of GAD in 2004 was 2728, which is considerably higher than per patient cost of any other anxiety disorder examined.
Occupational impairments are commonly observed in people with GAD and also have serious impairment in psychosocial functioning. In a study GAD was significantly associated with having at least 6 days in the past month in which normal activities had to be limited or could not be performed because of symptoms. It is one of the leading causes of work place disability in the United States. In one survey 27% of respondents were receiving disability payments and only 50% were able to work full time