THE PUBLIC-HEALTH IMPACT OF ANXIETY DISORDERS - A WHO PERSPECTIVE

Anxiety disorders, which may constitute anywhere from one quarter to o ne half of all mental illnesses in the community, are most commonly se en in the primary care sector. Despite their significant impact on the functioning of individual patients, the plethora of unnecessary medic al procedures to which these sufferers are subjected, and the large in direct economic burden, these disorders continue to be grossly underdi agnosed and undertreated in this sector. Effective treatments for anxi ety disorders have been available for at least two decades. Concerted efforts by the World Health Organization (WHO), the World Psychiatric Association and similar organizations are needed to change this pictur e.