Generalized anxiety disorder in women

Generalized anxiety disorder is a common anxiety disorder that, like most a nxiety disorders, is more prevalent in women than men. Although the informa tion available about possible gender differences in the expression of this illness is limited, extant data suggest that the gender difference in preva lence begins at a very young age. After becoming ill, the clinical course i n men and women is similar. Meaningful differences may exist in the comorbi dity surrounding the disorder, and illness severity may be influenced by me nstrual cycle changes and the postpartum state. Also, clinically important differences may exist in the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of pharm acologic therapies for generalized anxiety disorder.