Prevalence, characteristics and comorbidities of anxiety disorders in France: Results from the “Mental Health in General Population” Survey (MHGP)

AbstractPurposeOnly a few European countries have carried out large, community-based, national surveys about psychiatric morbidity. Here is presented the first national French survey, aiming to estimate the prevalence of anxiety disorders and associated comorbidities according to sociodemographic characteristics.Materials and methodsThe Mental Health in General Population (MHGP) database is derived from a representative national survey of the French adult population (n = 36,105), conducted between 1999 and 2003. Data collection was done using an anonymous face-to-face interview. The presence of anxiety disorders (generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, agoraphobia, social phobia and post-traumatic stress disorder) was assessed using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview.ResultsThe overall prevalence of anxiety disorders was estimated to be 21.6%, generalized anxiety disorder being the most prevalent one (12.8%). Women, young people, and people earning low income were identified as the more at risk. Major depressive episode, alcohol abuse and drug addiction frequently co-occur with anxiety disorders (28.3, 4.4 and 2.8% respectively).ConclusionsThe MHGP study showed that anxiety disorders are highly prevalent in France with a high frequency of comorbidities. Our results highlight the need for considering anxiety disorders as a public health priority in France as well as in other European countries.

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Clinical correlation between Migraine and Generalized Anxiety Disorders: a literature review

10.5327/1516-3180.154 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Samantha Lia Ziotti Bohn Gonçalves Soares ◽

Letícia Santana Ferreira Gonçalves ◽

Emily Thauara de Souza ◽

Pollyana Yuri Salles Suguinoshita ◽

Luana Isla Rocha Alves ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Anxiety Disorder ◽

Anxiety Disorders ◽

Generalized Anxiety Disorder ◽

Low Income ◽

Epidemiological Studies ◽

Generalized Anxiety ◽

Epidemiological Factors ◽

Painful Sensation ◽

Generalized Anxiety Disorders ◽

History Of

Background: Migraine and anxiety are common neuro-psychiatric disorders in clinical practice, sharing symptoms and epidemiological factors among themselves. The presence of both pathologies in the same individual is frequently reported in the literature. Objectives: To report the clinical and epidemiological correlations established between generalized anxiety disorder and migraine. Methodology: Systematic review of studies published between 2016 and 2021, exploring the association between generalized anxiety disorders and Migraine. The descriptors “association”, “Migraines” and “Generalized Anxiety Disorder” were used in the LILACS, SCIELO and PUBMED databases. Fourteen articles were selected, mostly dealing with epidemiological studies. Results: Evidence suggests that these pathologies are associated and share common symptoms, pathophysiology and epidemiological factors. Studies corroborate that anxiety and painful sensation are more strongly associated with migraine than with other psychiatric illnesses. It has also demonstrated some characteristics of patients who are predisposed to develop both comorbidities such as smoke, low income and a history of other previous diseases. Common triggering factors such as pain, sleep disorders and stress can also contribute to the association between pathologies. Conclusions: Based on the studies analyzed in full, the high prevalence of both diseases in the same individual highlights the importance of research on the cause and consequence relationship between Anxiety and Migraine, since this is not yet clarified in the medical literature. In addition, paying attention to migraine correlation to generalized anxiety disorder increases the quality of life of the patient in the short and long term, as well as help in the choice of better treatments.

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Impact of Changed Use of Greenspace during COVID-19 Pandemic on Depression and Anxiety

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18115842 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (11) ◽

pp. 5842

Author(s):

Seulkee Heo ◽

Miraj U. Desai ◽

Sarah R. Lowe ◽

Michelle L. Bell

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Anxiety Disorder ◽

Generalized Anxiety Disorder ◽

Low Income ◽

Online Survey ◽

Psychological Symptoms ◽

Poor Mental Health ◽

Generalized Anxiety ◽

Patient Health ◽

Financial Issues

The COVID-19 pandemic has had devastating consequences for health, social, and economic domains, but what has received far less focus is the effect on people’s relationship to vital ecological supports, including access to greenspace. We assessed patterns of greenspace use in relation to individual and environmental factors and their relationship with experiencing psychological symptoms under the pandemic. We conducted an online survey recruiting participants from social media for adults in Korea for September–December 2020. The survey collected data on demographics, patterns of using greenspace during the pandemic, and major depression (MD) and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) symptoms. The Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 2-item (GAD-2) were applied to identify probable cases of MD and GAD. A logistic regression model assessed the association decreased visits to greenspace after the outbreak compared to 2019 and probable MD and GAD. Among the 322 survey participants, prevalence of probable MD and GAD were 19.3% and 14.9%, respectively. High rates of probable MD (23.3%) and GAD (19.4%) were found among persons currently having job-related and financial issues. Of the total participants, 64.9% reported decreased visits to greenspace after the COVID-19 outbreak. Persons with decreased visits to greenspace had 2.06 higher odds (95% CI: 0.91, 4.67, significant at p < 0.10) of probable MD at the time of the survey than persons whose visits to greenspace increased or did not change. Decreased visits to greenspace were not significantly associated with GAD (OR = 1.45, 95% CI: 0.63, 3.34). Findings suggest that barriers to greenspace use could deprive people of mental health benefits and affect mental health during pandemic; an alternative explanation is that those experiencing poor mental health may be less likely to visit greenspaces during pandemic. This implies the need of adequate interventions on greenspace uses under an outbreak especially focusing on how low-income populations may be more adversely affected by a pandemic and its policy responses.

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A Brief Online and Offline (Paper-and-Pencil) Screening Tool for Generalized Anxiety Disorder: The Final Phase in the Development and Validation of the Mental Health Screening Tool for Anxiety Disorders (MHS: A)

Frontiers in Psychology ◽

10.3389/fpsyg.2021.639366 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Shin-Hyang Kim ◽

Kiho Park ◽

Seowon Yoon ◽

Younyoung Choi ◽

Seung-Hwan Lee ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Anxiety Disorder ◽

Anxiety Disorders ◽

Generalized Anxiety Disorder ◽

Internal Consistency ◽

Screening Tool ◽

Health Screening ◽

Mental Health Screening ◽

Generalized Anxiety ◽

Paper And Pencil

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) can cause significant socioeconomic burden and daily life dysfunction; hence, therapeutic intervention through early detection is important. This study was the final stage of a 3-year anxiety screening tool development project that evaluated the psychometric properties and diagnostic screening utility of the Mental Health Screening Tool for Anxiety Disorders (MHS: A), which measures GAD. A total of 527 Koreans completed online and offline (i.e., paper-and pencil) versions of the MHS: A, Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), and Penn State Worry Questionnaire (PSWQ). The participants had an average age of 38.6 years and included 340 (64.5%) females. Participants were also administered the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI). Internal consistency, convergent/criterion validity, item characteristics, and test information were assessed based on the item response theory (IRT), and a factor analysis and cut-off score analyses were conducted. The MHS: A had good internal consistency and good convergent validity with other anxiety scales. The two versions (online/offline) of the MHS: A were nearly identical (r = 0.908). It had a one-factor structure and showed better diagnostic accuracy (online/offline: sensitivity = 0.98/0.90, specificity = 0.80/0.83) for GAD detection than the GAD-7 and BAI. The IRT analysis indicated that the MHS: A was most informative as a screening tool for GAD. The MHS: A can serve as a clinically useful screening tool for GAD in Korea. Furthermore, it can be administered both online and offline and can be flexibly used as a brief mental health screener, especially with the current rise in telehealth.

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When Anxiety Actually Hides an Overdose of Missing. The Therapeutic Approach of a Transgenerational Journey

BRAIN. BROAD RESEARCH IN ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND NEUROSCIENCE ◽

10.18662/brain/11.3sup1/121 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 11 (3sup1) ◽

pp. 48-53

Author(s):

Mioara Grigoraş ◽

Keyword(s):

Anxiety Disorder ◽

General Population ◽

Anxiety Disorders ◽

Generalized Anxiety Disorder ◽

Stressful Life Events ◽

Early Adulthood ◽

Panic Attacks ◽

Generalized Anxiety ◽

Cultural Aspects ◽

Unrealistic Expectations

Many people suffer from anxiety and panic attacks, statistics showing that 1 in 3 people have their lives affected because of these worrying and annoying symptoms. One of the most common anxiety disorders observed in general medical practice and in the general population is the generalized anxiety disorder. In about 85% of cases, generalized anxiety does not appear alone, but is accompanied by other psychological problems, of which the most common are: depression, other anxiety disorders, substance abuse, digestive problems, etc. The patient diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) usually has suffered from severe anxiety and worries about several different areas of their life for at least six months. It occurs in 5-9% of the population, and the incidence is twice as high in women as in men. Generalized anxiety usually begins in adolescence or early adulthood. GAG is caused by several factors: 30%-50% of it can be genetic in nature, but it also can be caused by experiences during childhood, recent stressful life events, unrealistic expectations about others and oneself, conflicts in relationships, alcohol consumption, coping skills and other factors (Ciubara et al., 2018). Studies show that the anxiety levels in the general population have risen over the past 50 years - probably due to declining social cohesion affecting communities, unrealistic expectations for quality of life, excessive focus on negative news, and other factors, social and cultural aspects.

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Impact of Changed Use of Greenspace during COVID-19 Pandemic on Depression and Anxiety

10.20944/preprints202105.0319.v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Seulkee Heo ◽

Miraj Desai ◽

Sarah R. Lowe ◽

Michelle L. Bell

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Anxiety Disorder ◽

Generalized Anxiety Disorder ◽

Low Income ◽

Online Survey ◽

Psychological Symptoms ◽

Poor Mental Health ◽

Generalized Anxiety ◽

Patient Health ◽

Financial Issues

The COVID-19 pandemic has had devastating consequences for health, social, and economic domains, but what has received far less focus is the effect on people’s relationship to vital ecological supports, including access to greenspace. We assessed patterns of greenspace use in relation to individual and environmental factors and their relationship with experiencing psychological symptoms under the pandemic. We conducted an online survey recruiting participants from social media for adults in Korea for September–December 2020. The survey collected data on demographics, patterns of using greenspace during the pandemic, and major depression (MD) and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) symptoms. The Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 2-item (GAD-2) were applied to identify probable cases of MD and GAD. A logistic regression model assessed the association decreased visits to greenspace after the outbreak compared to 2019 and probable MD and GAD. Among the 322 survey participants, prevalence of probable MD and GAD were 19.3% and 14.9%, respectively. High rates of probable MD (23.3%) and GAD (19.4%) were found among persons currently having job-related and financial issues. Of the total participants, 64.9% reported decreased visits to greenspace after the COVID-19 outbreak. Persons with decreased visits to greenspace had 2.06 higher odds (95% CI: 0.91, 4.67) of probable MD at the time of the survey than persons whose visits to greenspace increased or did not change. Findings suggest that barriers to greenspace use could deprive people of mental health benefits and affect mental health during pandemic; an alternative explanation is that those experiencing poor mental health may be less likely to visit greenspaces during pandemic. This implies the need of adequate interventions on greenspace uses under an outbreak especially focusing on how low-income populations may be more adversely affected by a pandemic and its policy responses.

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Epidemiology of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and other anxiety disorders in the Czech Republic

European Psychiatry ◽

10.1016/s0924-9338(11)72231-3 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 26 (S2) ◽

pp. 524-524

Author(s):

L. Csémy

Keyword(s):

Czech Republic ◽

Anxiety Disorder ◽

Anxiety Disorders ◽

Generalized Anxiety Disorder ◽

Psychiatric Treatment ◽

Adult Population ◽

Mental Health Disorder ◽

Generalized Anxiety ◽

General Anxiety Disorder ◽

General Anxiety

IntroductionThe most frequently psychiatric ailments in Europe are anxiety disordersObjectivesThe goal of our study is to estimate the prevalence of general anxiety. disorder (GAD) and other anxiety disorders.MethodsPersonal interviews were conducted with a sample of 3,244 Czech citizens (between 18–64 years old). The Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (M.I.N.I.) had been used to estimate the prevalence of psychiatric conditions in respondents.ResultsIn sum, 8.3% (95% CI: 7.6 - 9.0) of the respondents fulfilled the criteria for current anxiety disorder. Generalized anxiety disorder was the most prevalent of all anxiety disorders; comprising 3.6% (3.0% in males and 4.2% in females). The current prevalence for other anxiety disorders are: panic disorder 1.6%, social anxiety disorder 2.1%, OCD 2.2%, and PTSD 1.4%. Prevalence of anxiety disorders is higher in females compared to males (10.3% to 6.1%). Approximately 44% of respondents with anxiety disorders reported psychiatric treatment during their lifetime (4.9% inpatient treatment) in comparison to 13% without diagnosis of any anxiety disorder.ConclusionsThe results confirmed the extent of anxiety disorders in the adult population of Czech Republic. The fact that a majority of individuals who receive a diagnosis are never treated for mental health disorder denotes that early identification in a primary care level should be improved.

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Mental health of people living with HIV during the COVID-19 epidemic in Tokyo

10.21203/rs.3.rs-1218745/v1 ◽

2022 ◽

Author(s):

Takahiro Tanaka ◽

Michiko Koga ◽

Tomoe Senkoji ◽

Megumi Kubota ◽

Kazuhiko Ikeuchi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Anxiety Disorder ◽

General Population ◽

Generalized Anxiety Disorder ◽

Control Measures ◽

Generalized Anxiety ◽

People Living With Hiv ◽

Mild Depression ◽

Living With Hiv ◽

Distress Scale

Abstract Background The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacts physical health and mental health. People living with HIV (PLWH) have a higher prevalence of psychiatric disorders than the general population. We examined the mental health of PLWH during the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan. Methods We retrospectively examined the medical records of PLWHs who underwent the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale-10, the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 at an HIV referral hospital in Tokyo. Stringency Index (SI) values were used to measure the intensity of social infection control measures. Results Between February 2020-May 2021, 30 PLWH were examined at least once. The median age was 49 years, 29 PLWH were on antiretroviral therapy, and the median CD4 count was 580.5/µL. A total of 30% of the patients experienced distress, 45% depression, and 21.4% generalized anxiety disorder. Fourteen PLWH were taken for a median of four tests (IQR:2.0-7.3) and classified into three types: 1) Moderate distress or mild depression or anxiety at the beginning that decreased gradually (six patients, 43%), 2) persistent severe distress, but moderate depression or anxiety gradually decreased (six patients, 43%), and 3) extremely severe distress and depression or anxiety continued to syncope with the SI values (two patients, 14%). Having no partners, unemployment, and a history of psychiatric diseases were more commonly observed in the highly severe mental health groups. Conclusions PLWH are more vulnerable to the COVID-19 pandemic than the general population, especially those with substantial social isolation. Attention should be paid to the mental health of PLWH.

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Anxiety and Anxiety Disorders in Elite Athletes

Sports & Exercise Medicine Switzerland ◽

10.34045/sems/2020/25 ◽

2020 ◽

Keyword(s):

Anxiety Disorder ◽

Social Anxiety ◽

General Population ◽

Panic Disorder ◽

Anxiety Disorders ◽

Generalized Anxiety Disorder ◽

Elite Athletes ◽

Performance Anxiety ◽

Generalized Anxiety ◽

Specific Phobias

Anxiety is in principle a normal and (often) helpful emotion in humans and animals. However, anxiety can get excessive and be impairing and disabling. If anxiety is excessive in intensity and duration, occurs in actually non-dangerous situations, uncontrollable, and impairs actions, an anxiety disorder is typically diagnosed [2]. In the general population, the following anxiety disorders are diagnosed (decreasing frequency): specific phobias, social anxiety disorders, panic disorder with/without agoraphobia, generalized anxiety disorder [3,4]. In elite athletes the specific subform of performance anxiety disorder could be diagnosed, although it is not yet included in the diagnostic manuals [5,6].

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