Phenomenology and Course of Generalised Anxiety Disorder

Abstract

This prospective study confirms the chronicity associated with GAD and extends this finding to define the one and two year remission rates for the disorder. Likelihood of remission for GAD and any other comorbid condition after one year was half the annual remission rate for GAD alone.

Why does the burden of disease persist? Relating the burden of anxiety and depression to effectiveness of treatment

“…Follow-up studies are short and chronicity is marked, even in the face of treatment. In a 2-year follow-up of a specialist clinical sample, 88% stayed at the same symptom level over the first 6 months and only 25% experienced a period of remission exceeding 8 weeks during the follow-up period despite virtually all patients being actively treated (17). In a 5-year follow-up only 18% of another specialist clinical sample had no symptoms and 46% still met full criteria (18).…”

Well-Being and Generalized Anxiety in Japanese Undergraduates: A Prospective Cohort Study

“…Recent research has shown that suffering from GAD is related to increased suicidal ideations or attempts, even after symptoms of comorbid Axis I disorders and stressful life events are statistically controlled (Boden et al 2007). The typical age of onset for GAD occurs in adolescence and early adulthood (Kessler et al 2007;Yonkers et al 1996). The clinical course of the disorder is considered to be chronic because most patients are still affected 6-12 years after the initial diagnosis (Yonkers et al 2000).…”

Factor structure and construct validity of the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD-7) among Portuguese college students

“…Generalized anxiety disorder seems to be one of the most frequent diagnoses 5,6 and its chronic course 7 and negative impact on quality of life is recognized 8 . Some studies using epidemiologic samples indicate that this specific disorder and alcohol or drug use co-occur and are associated 9,10 .…”