Suchergebnisse

Introduction: This study examined the prevalence, clinical characteristics, help seeking patterns, and military experiences associated with past-year generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) using a representative sample of military personnel. Methods: Data were from the Canadian Community Health Survey–Canadian Forces Supplement ( n = 5,115 Regular Force, n = 3,286 Reserve Force), conducted by Statistics Canada on behalf of the Department of National Defence in 2002. GAD and other mental disorders were assessed using the World Mental Health Composite International Diagnostic Interview. Clinical features of GAD of interest included mean age of onset and episode length, symptoms, degree of impairment and co-occurring disorders, and perceived need for help and help seeking. Multivariate logistic regression models were conducted to examine the sociodemographic, military characteristics, and mental disorders correlated with past-year GAD. Results: Past-year and lifetime prevalence rates of GAD were 1.7% and 4.4%, respectively. The majority of military personnel with past-year GAD reported being severely impaired at work and in their relationships and social life. Those with past-year GAD, relative to those without it, had higher odds of having another mental disorder. Of military personnel with past-year GAD, 72.2% had sought help. Regular Force personnel, relative to reservists, had higher odds of having past-year GAD, as did individuals who witnessed atrocities. Discussion: GAD is modestly prevalent in the Canadian military and is associated with considerable functional impairment. Nevertheless, high rates of help seeking for GAD may speak to the availability, accessibility, and acceptability of mental health care in the Canadian Armed Forces.

Introduction: Little is known about the relationship between anxiety disorders and physical conditions in Canadian Veterans. The purpose of this investigation was to examine the comorbidity of anxiety and physical conditions and their relation to physical and mental health–related quality of life and activity limitations in a nationally representative sample of Canadian Veterans. Methods: Participants were selected from the cross-sectional 2010 Survey on Transition to Civilian Life ( N = 3,154, response rate = 71.0%). The sample consisted of former Canadian Armed Forces Regular Force personnel who were released from 1998 to 2007. Multivariate logistic and linear regression models evaluated associations between several commonly occurring chronic physical conditions and any anxiety disorder and correlates (i.e., quality of life and activity limitations) of comorbidity. Results: Any anxiety disorder was associated with significantly elevated rates of cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, respiratory, and musculoskeletal conditions; diabetes; and chronic pain after controlling for sociodemographics, military characteristics, any mood disorder, and heavy drinking. However, when additionally controlling for number of physical conditions, any anxiety disorder remained significantly associated with gastrointestinal conditions (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.63, 99% confidence interval [CI] = 1.07–2.50) and chronic pain (AOR = 1.79, 99% CI = 1.15–2.78). Co-occurring anxiety disorders and musculoskeletal conditions were associated with poorer physical health–related quality of life and activity limitations than musculoskeletal conditions alone. Conclusion: Anxiety disorders and physical health problems co-occur at high rates among Canadian Veterans, and this comorbidity is linked to poorer physical health–related quality of life and activity limitations. These findings have implications for supporting at-risk personnel with the transition to civilian life and for informing health promotion and prevention efforts.