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Impact

Generalized Anxiety Disorder Has a Significant Impact on Patients’ Daily Lives1,2

Real patient (compensated).

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is associated with impairment in several important areas of functioning, including work, home, social, and physical functioning.1,2

The burden of GAD is substantial and measurable1,2

In a widely cited survey,
patients with GAD reported:

10

impairment/disability
days in the past month3

Impairments in:

  • Daily functioning2
  • Occupational functioning3

Reductions in:

  • Health-related quality of life4,5
  • Overall activities6
  • Work productivity5,7

Impairments in:

  • Daily functioning2
  • Occupational functioning3
  • Daily functioning2
  • Occupational functioning3

Reductions in:

  • Health-related quality of life4,5
  • Overall activities6
  • Work productivity5,7
  • Health-related quality of life4,5
  • Overall activities6
  • Work productivity5,7
Greater symptom severity is associated with higher disease burden8
Greater symptom severity is associated with higher disease burden8
of patients with GAD have moderate to severe symptoms8

High rates of psychiatric and physical comorbidities in GAD compound patient burden2,9,10,11

Studies have shown greater functional impairment and worse outcomes for patients with comorbidities, including major depressive disorder (MDD) and other psychiatric disorders.10,11

GAD is linked to an increased risk of1,2,9:

  • MDD
  • Panic disorder and social and specific phobias
  • Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
  • MDD
  • Panic disorder and social and specific phobias
  • Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Comorbidity of GAD with MDD is associated with2,3,6:

  • More severe and prolonged course of illness in GAD
  • Greater impairment in functioning
  • Increased healthcare resource utilization
  • More severe and prolonged course of illness in GAD
  • Greater impairment in functioning
  • Increased healthcare resource utilization
of patients with GAD have comorbid MDD2,9
Assess icon

Assess patients with MDD for comorbid GAD using the GAD-7 screener12

Download the GAD-7 screener

Patients with GAD have an increased risk of suicidal ideation and behavior1,12*

According to the American Psychiatric Association (APA), GAD is the most frequently diagnosed anxiety disorder among individuals who die by suicide.1

>75% of patients with moderate to severe GAD reported suicidal ideation14

For individuals with severe GAD symptoms, ~50% reported experiencing suicidal ideation nearly every day14

*Data derived from a sample of 75,261 respondents in the cross-sectional 2022 US National Health and Wellness Survey (NHWS). Individuals self-reported GAD diagnosis and completed both the GAD-7 screener and PHQ-9. Suicidal ideation prevalence and frequency was characterized based on a sub-item of the PHQ-9.12

What is underlying the burden of GAD?

GAD-7, Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-Item; PHQ-9, Patient Health Questionnaire-9.

References

Show all
  1. American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 5th ed, text rev. American Psychiatric Association; 2022.
  2. Baldwin D. Generalized anxiety disorder in adults: epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, course, assessment, and diagnosis. UpToDate. Updated April 9, 2025. Accessed March 12, 2026. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/generalized-anxiety-disorder-in-adults-epidemiology-pathogenesis-clinical-manifestations-course-assessment-and-diagnosis
  3. Wittchen HU, Kessler RC, Beesdo K, Krause P, Höffler M, Hoyer J. Generalized anxiety and depression in primary care: prevalence, recognition, and management. J Clin Psychiatry. 2002;63 Suppl8:24-34.
  4. Ferries E, Duong P, Suponcic SJ, Finlayson KS, Li VW, Karlin DR. The silent cost of generalized anxiety disorder in the US general adult population: health-related quality of life and economic burden. Poster presented at: Anxiety and Depression Association of America Conference; April 3-5, 2025; Las Vegas, NV.
  5. Duong P, Mojtabai R, Ferries E, et al. Health-related quality of life and economic burden associated with likely and diagnosed generalized anxiety disorder among the US general adult population. J Affect Disord. 2026;400:120972.
  6. Wittchen HU, Carter RM, Pfister H, Montgomery SA, Kessler RC. Disabilities and quality of life in pure and comorbid generalized anxiety disorder and major depression in a national survey. Int Clin Psychopharmacol. 2000;15(6):319-328.
  7. Duong P, Suponcic SJ, Finlayson KS, Li V, Karlin DR. Work productivity and activity impairment associated with generalized anxiety disorder among adults in the United States. Value Health. 2024;27(6 Suppl 1): S344. Poster presented at: International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research (ISPOR); May 5-8, 2024; Atlanta, GA.
  8. Kessler RC, Chiu WT, Demler O, Merikangas KR, Walters EE. Prevalence, severity, and comorbidity of 12-month DSM-IV disorders in the National Comorbidity Survey Replication. [Erratum in: Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2005 Jul;62(7):709.] Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2005;62(6):617-627.
  9. Wittchen HU. Generalized anxiety disorder: prevalence, burden, and cost to society. Depress Anxiety. 2002;16(4):162-171.
  10. Armbrecht E, Shah R, Poorman GW, et al. Economic and humanistic burden associated with depression and anxiety among adults with non-communicable chronic diseases (NCCDs) in the United States. J Multidiscip Healthc. 2021;14:887-896.
  11. Katzman MA, Bleau P, Blier P, Chokka P, Kjernisted K, Van Ameringen M; Canadian Anxiety Guidelines Initiative Group. Canadian clinical practice guidelines for the management of anxiety, posttraumatic stress and obsessive-compulsive disorders. BMC Psychiatry. 2014;14(suppl 1): S1.
  12. Forand NR, Nettiksimmons J, Brownell A, et al. The impact of measurement based care at scale: examining the effects of implementation on patient outcomes and provider behaviors. Front Health Serv. 2025;5:1659238.
  13. Gilmour H. Threshold and subthreshold generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and suicide ideation. Health Rep. 2016;27(11):13-21.
  14. Ferries E, Sternbach N, Suponcic S, Louie D, Duong P. Evaluation of suicidal ideation in the National Health and Wellness Survey (NHWS): a focus on generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and major depressive disorder (MDD). Presented at: Psych Congress, September 15-21, 2025; San Diego, CA.