Generalized anxiety disorder in women

Abstract

Women have a higher prevalence of GAD than do men. This ratio holds true in most clinical and general-population samples. Some variations exist, with evidence to suggest the strong impact of environment and life events. Women are sensitive to lifetime adversity and exacerbation of symptoms in conjunction with their menstrual cycle. Comorbidity is a crucial diagnostic factor when treating anyone with GAD, especially women. Most notably, high comorbidity with other anxiety disorders, MDD and alcohol-abuse disorder occurs for women. Overall, although the prevalence of women with GAD is greater than that of men with GAD, the course of illness and prognosis are not qualitatively different. Across varied methodology, data suggest gender-related differences in the metabolism and potentially in the effects and side effects of the various benzodiazepines and antidepressant psychopharmacologic treatments of GAD. Additional research is needed to better understand these differences.