A Community Epidemiological Survey of Generalized Anxiety Disorder in Hong Kong

Authors: Lee, Sing; Tsang, Adley; Chui, Helena; Kwok, Kathleen; Cheung, Emily

Source: Community Mental Health Journal, Volume 43, Number 4, August 2007 , pp. 305-319(15)

Publisher: Springer

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Abstract:

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is understudied in Asian communities. There were 3,304 Chinese subjects (aged 15-60 years) randomly drawn from the general population of Hong Kong and successfully interviewed. The participation rate was 65.8%. The six-month prevalence of DSM-IV GAD was 4.1%. Over half of the GAD subjects reported palpitations and bowel symptoms. Comorbid depressive mood (65%) and substance use (35%) were common. Forty-one percent of GAD subjects sought help, usually from general practitioners who prescribed tranquilizers after negative physical investigations. Telephone-based surveys have limitations but provide an affordable and destigmatizing alternative to face-to-face surveys for communities with limited mental health resources.

Keywords: generalized anxiety disorder; epidemiology; help-seeking; Chinese; Hong Kong

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10597-006-9077-0

Affiliations: 1: Email: singlee@cuhk.edu.hk

Publication date: 2007-08-01