The burden of generalized anxiety disorder in Canada

Abstract

Introduction: Although generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is common and disabling, there are few Canadian studies on this mental illness. We compared the characteristics, health status, health services use and health care needs of Canadians with GAD to those with depression.

The 2014 Survey on Living with Chronic Diseases in Canada on Mood and Anxiety Disorders: a methodological overview

“…46 Just over half of those in our study were married or in a common-law relationship, which is slightly higher than those found in other Canadians studies. 38,39 It is worth noting that these other studies further demonstrate that those with mood and anxiety disorders were less likely to be married or in a commonlaw relationship than those unaffected by these disorders.…”

“…47 The proportion of those with post-secondary education in our study was similar to the findings from other Canadian studies. 38,39,48 All aforementioned studies found people with mood and anxiety disorders completed post-secondary education in the same proportion as those without these disorders. 38,39 However, when broken down by type of post-secondary education attained, people with these disorders were less likely to have a post-secondary education at the Bachelor level or above than those who were not affected.…”

“…With respect to sex, mood and anxiety disorders have consistently been shown to be more common among females than males. 38,39 Many factors may explain this, including behavioural (women have been shown to have more positive help-seeking attitudes than men), 40 biological (hormonal fluctuations related to various aspects of reproductive function are thought to predispose women to depression), 41 and sociocultural (women report experiencing stress related to work and family responsibilities more frequently than men). 42 Studies carried out on populations with mood or anxiety disorders using a similar age range (18 years and older) have also shown that the age distribution of these disorders peaks in middle-age and declines in older age.…”

“…42 Studies carried out on populations with mood or anxiety disorders using a similar age range (18 years and older) have also shown that the age distribution of these disorders peaks in middle-age and declines in older age. 38,39,43 The higher proportion of respondents in the middle-aged group may relate, in part, to the unique challenges that these individuals often face, such as stress associated with an imbalance between work and personal or family life. Marital status is a key determinant of health and it is widely acknowledged that married individuals report better health outcomes and a lower risk for mortality than those who are not married, particularly men.…”

Editorial - The weight of our nation

“…Pelletier and coauthors 2 estimate that 700 000 Canadians report symptoms consistent with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and that 30% of these individuals' needs for health care are not being met. Amankwah The focus on the relationship between diabetes and excess weight by Bilandzic and Rosella is appropriate as we estimate that 62% of type 2 diabetes in Canada is attributable to excess weight.…”