Generalized anxiety disorder epidemiology

Epidemiological studies in which age of first manifestation of anxiety was investigated consistently show that, with the exception of panic disorder and generalized anxiety disorder, anxiety disorders seem to start early in life, in the first and second decade of life. 

Anxiety disorders and insomnia represent relatively common medical problems within the general population. These problems typically recur over a person s lifetime (3,4). Epidemiological studies in the United States indicate that the lifetime prevalence for significant anxiety disorders is about 15%. Anxiety disorders are serious medical problems affecting not only quaUty of life, but additionally may indirecdy result in considerable morbidity owing to association with depression, cardiovascular disease, suicidal behavior, and substance-related disorders. 

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