Increasing the Recognition of Generalized Anxiety Disorder in Primary Care

Rosner, Sarah

Item

Increasing the Recognition of Generalized Anxiety Disorder in Primary Care

Rosner, Sarah

License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Abstract

National Comorbidity Survey has shown that anxiety disorders are the most frequent disorders in the population, with a lifetime prevalence of 28.8%, and a 5.7% lifetime prevalence of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) specifically. The presence of anxiety disorders contribute in an additive fashion to poor function, reduced quality of life, and more sick days from work. Despite being as common and impairing as depressive disorders, anxiety disorders have received much less attention in terms of the media, research, and public health efforts, and are often undetected and undertreated. Only a minority of patients with anxiety, 15-36%, are recognized in primary care. Without proper diagnosis, there can’t be sufficient treatment.