Generalized anxiety disorder: issues in epidemiology.

Despite the considerable attention that has been focused on the anxiety disorders by the medical and research communities over the last decade, relatively little attention has been devoted to the investigation of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). However, the available population-based studies have provided clinically relevant information about this disorder. The emerging picture is that GAD is a common and chronic disorder, affecting primarily women, and one that leads to significant distress and impairment. Subjects with GAD frequently utilize health care services and require medication treatment. Since a major portion of health care services is consumed by a small fraction of patients, early detection and effective intervention may reduce unnecessary and costly health care.