Stability of prevalence. Depression and anxiety disorders.

Information about point prevalence of depression and anxiety disorders from two cross-sectional surveys in Stirling County (Canada) indicates that an overall prevalence rate of 12.5% characterized a year close to midcentury and a prevalence rate of 12.7% characterized another year toward the end of the century's third quarter. The stability of the prevalence rates contrasts sharply with the fact that numerous social changes took place over this period of time in this place of study. There were, however, small trends in the distribution of depression and anxiety by sex and age, especially an increased similarity in the overall rates for men and women in the age range of 40 to 69 years. Hypotheses are offered about social circumstances that may have influenced the diminishing difference between the sexes.