Anxiety disorders are the most frequently occurring class of mental disorders overall, more common than any other single class of mental disorder (Kessler, Ruscio, Shear, & Wittchen, 2009).

Google

Anxiety disorders are notably common within the general population. In the United States, it is estimated that approximately 25% to 30% of individuals will meet the diagnostic criteria for at least one anxiety disorder during their lifetime.

Prevalence of Anxiety Disorders

Spielman, R. M., Jenkins, W. J., & Lovett, M. D. (2020, April 22). Psychology (2nd ed.). OpenStax. https://openstax.org/books/psychology-2e/pages/1-introduction

OpenStax Psychology (2nd ed.) Textbook

There is a significant gender disparity in the prevalence of anxiety disorders, with these conditions being considerably more common in women than in men. Data from a 12-month period indicates that about 23% of women will experience an anxiety disorder, in contrast to 14% of men.

Gender Differences in the Prevalence of Anxiety Disorders

A community health survey in a town of 50,000 people finds that only 5% of residents report ever having been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. Considering that national data indicates these disorders are quite common over a person's lifetime, what is the most likely explanation for the low rate reported in the town's survey?

A public health researcher conducts a survey in a small, tight-knit community and finds that only 7% of residents report ever having experienced symptoms that would meet the criteria for an anxiety disorder. This finding is substantially lower than the general lifetime estimates for the wider national population. Analyze this discrepancy. Propose two distinct, plausible explanations for why this specific community's reported rate might be so much lower than the national average.

Learn Before

Related