NCHS Data Brief ■ No. 378 ■ September 2020

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

National Center for Health Statistics

Symptoms of Generalized Anxiety Disorder Among Adults: 

United States, 2019

Emily P. Terlizzi, M.P.H., and Maria A. Villarroel, Ph.D.

Key findings

Data from the National 

Health Interview Survey

● During 2019, 9.5%, 3.4%,

and 2.7% of adults experienced

mild, moderate, or severe

symptoms of anxiety in the

past 2 weeks, respectively,

while 84.4% experienced no or

minimal symptoms.

● The percentage of adults

who experienced mild,

moderate, or severe symptoms

of anxiety was highest

among those aged 18–29 and

decreased with age.

● Women were more likely

to experience mild, moderate,

or severe symptoms of

anxiety than men.

● Non-Hispanic Asian adults

were least likely to experience 

mild, moderate, or severe 

symptoms of anxiety compared 

with Hispanic, non-Hispanic 

white, and non-Hispanic 

black adults.

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is characterized by excessive worry 

that is difficult to control accompanied by physical symptoms including 

restlessness, being easily fatigued, difficulty concentrating, irritability, muscle 

tension, or sleep disturbance (1). The GAD–7 scale is a validated brief selfreport measure to screen for GAD and assess the severity of symptoms (2). 

Adults with GAD–7 scores of 0–4 are considered to have no or minimal 

symptoms of GAD, while those with scores of 5–9, 10–14, or 15–21 are 

considered to have mild, moderate, or severe symptoms, respectively (2). This 

report examines the percentage of adults aged 18 and over who experienced 

symptoms of anxiety in the past 2 weeks, by severity of symptoms and select 

demographic characteristics, using the GAD–7 scale.

Over 15% of adults experienced symptoms of anxiety that 

were either mild, moderate, or severe in the past 2 weeks. 

Figure 1. Percent distribution of severity of anxiety symptoms in the past 2 weeks among adults 

aged 18 and over: United States, 2019

NOTES: Severity of anxiety symptoms was based on the seven-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale (GAD–7) and 

summarized into none or minimal (values 0–4), mild (values 5–9), moderate (values 10–14), and severe (values 15–21). Estimates 

are based on household interviews of a sample of the civilian noninstitutionalized population. Access data table for Figure 1 at: 

https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db378-tables-508.pdf#1.

SOURCE: National Center for Health Statistics, National Health Interview Survey, 2019.

84.4%

3.4% 2.7%

9.5%

None or minimal

Mild

Moderate Severe

NCHS reports can be downloaded from: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/index.htm.
NCHS Data Brief ■ No. 378 ■ September 2020

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● During 2019, 84.4% of adults aged 18 and over experienced no or minimal symptoms of 

anxiety in the past 2 weeks (Figure 1).

● Among adults, 9.5% experienced mild, 3.4% experienced moderate, and 2.7% experienced 

severe symptoms of anxiety. 

The percentage of adults who experienced mild, moderate, or severe 

symptoms of anxiety in the past 2 weeks decreased with age.

● The total percentage of adults who experienced any anxiety symptoms in the past 2 weeks 

decreased with age, from 19.5% among adults aged 18–29, 16.6% among adults aged 

30–44, 15.2% among adults aged 45–64, to 11.2% among adults aged 65 and over 

(Figure 2). 

● The percentage of adults who experienced mild anxiety symptoms decreased steadily with 

age, from 12.1% among adults aged 18–29 to 7.1% among adults aged 65 and over.

● The percentage of adults who experienced moderate anxiety symptoms decreased steadily 

with age, from 4.3% among adults aged 18–29 to 2.2% among adults aged 65 and over. 

● The percentage of adults who experienced severe anxiety symptoms was lower among 

adults aged 65 and over (1.9%) compared with adults aged under 65. 

4.3

3.5 3.5

2.2

3.1 2.9 2.9

1.9

12.1

10.2

8.8

7.1

19.5

16.6

15.2

11.2

Figure 2. Percentage of adults aged 18 and over who experienced symptoms of anxiety in the past 2 weeks, by symptom 

severity and age group: United States, 2019 Percent

1Significant quadratic trend (p < 0.05). 2Significant linear trend (p < 0.05).

NOTES: Severity of anxiety symptoms was based on the seven-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale (GAD–7) and summarized into none or minimal (values 

0–4), mild (values 5–9), moderate (values 10–14), and severe (values 15–21). Those categorized as having no or minimal symptoms of anxiety are not shown in 

this figure. Any severity includes those categorized as having either mild, moderate, or severe symptoms of anxiety in the past 2 weeks. Estimates are based on 

household interviews of a sample of the civilian noninstitutionalized population. Access data table for Figure 2 at: 

https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db378-tables-508.pdf#2. 

SOURCE: National Center for Health Statistics, National Health Interview Survey, 2019.

0

5

10

15

20

Severe Mild2 Moderate2 1 Any severity1

18–29 30–44 45–64 65 and over
NCHS Data Brief ■ No. 378 ■ September 2020

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Women were more likely than men to experience mild, moderate, or severe 

anxiety symptoms in the past 2 weeks. 

● A total of 19.0% of women experienced anxiety symptoms in the past 2 weeks that were 

either mild, moderate, or severe, compared with 11.9% of men (Figure 3).

● Women were more likely than men to have experienced anxiety symptoms that were mild 

(11.3% and 7.6%, respectively), moderate (4.3% and 2.4%), and severe (3.5% and 1.9%). 

Figure 3. Percentage of adults aged 18 and over who experienced symptoms of anxiety in the past 2 weeks, by symptom 

severity and sex: United States, 2019 Percent

1Significantly different from women (p < 0.05). 

NOTES: Severity of anxiety symptoms was based on the seven-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale (GAD–7) and summarized into none or minimal (values 

0–4), mild (values 5–9), moderate (values 10–14), and severe (values 15–21). Those categorized as having no or minimal symptoms of anxiety are not shown in 

this figure. Any severity includes those categorized as having either mild, moderate, or severe symptoms of anxiety in the past 2 weeks. Estimates are based on 

household interviews of a sample of the civilian noninstitutionalized population. Access data table for Figure 3 at: 

https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db378-tables-508.pdf#3. 

SOURCE: National Center for Health Statistics, National Health Interview Survey, 2019.

Men Women

0

5

10

15

20

3.5

11.9

Severe

4.3

12.4

Moderate

11.3

17.6

Mild

19.0

111.9

Any severity
NCHS Data Brief ■ No. 378 ■ September 2020

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The percentage of adults who experienced anxiety symptoms in the past 

2 weeks varied by Hispanic origin and race. 

● Non-Hispanic white adults (16.5%) were the most likely to have experienced symptoms of 

anxiety that were either mild, moderate, or severe in the past 2 weeks, and non-Hispanic 

Asian adults (8.5%) were the least likely, compared with Hispanic (14.5%) and 

non-Hispanic black (14.6%) adults (Figure 4). 

● Non-Hispanic white adults (10.1%) were the most likely to have experienced mild anxiety 

symptoms, followed by Hispanic (8.8%) and non-Hispanic black (8.6%) adults, while 

non-Hispanic Asian adults (5.6%) were the least likely. 

● Non-Hispanic Asian adults (1.5%) were the least likely to experience moderate anxiety 

symptoms compared with all other race and Hispanic-origin groups examined.

● Non-Hispanic Asian adults (1.5%) were the least likely to experience severe anxiety 

symptoms compared with the other race and Hispanic-origin groups examined.

Figure 4. Percentage of adults aged 18 and over who experienced symptoms of anxiety in the past 2 weeks, by symptom 

severity and race and Hispanic origin: United States, 2019 Percent

1Significantly different from non-Hispanic white adults (p < 0.05). 2Significantly different from non-Hispanic Asian adults (p < 0.05). 3Significantly different from non-Hispanic black adults (p < 0.05). 

NOTES: Severity of anxiety symptoms was based on the seven-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale (GAD–7) and summarized into none or minimal (values 

0–4), mild (values 5–9), moderate (values 10–14), and severe (values 15–21). Those categorized as having no or minimal symptoms of anxiety are not shown in 

this figure. Any severity includes those categorized as having either mild, moderate, or severe symptoms of anxiety in the past 2 weeks. Estimates are based on 

household interviews of a sample of the civilian noninstitutionalized population. Access data table for Figure 4 at: 

https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db378-tables-508.pdf#4. 

SOURCE: National Center for Health Statistics, National Health Interview Survey, 2019.

0

5

10

15

20

Hispanic Non-Hispanic white Non-Hispanic black Non-Hispanic Asian

Moderate

1.5

23.1 23.1 23.6

Severe

1.5

22.6 22.7 22.9

Mild

5.6

2,310.1

1,28.8 28.6

Any severity

8.5

1,214.5

2,316.5

214.6
NCHS Data Brief ■ No. 378 ■ September 2020

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Summary

During 2019, about one in six (15.6%) adults aged 18 and over experienced symptoms of 

anxiety in the past 2 weeks that were either mild (9.5%), moderate (3.4%), or severe (2.7%). 

Severity of symptoms of GAD differed by sociodemographic characteristics. The percentages 

of adults with mild, moderate, or severe symptoms of GAD in the past 2 weeks decreased with 

age and were higher among women than men. Non-Hispanic white adults were the most likely 

and non-Hispanic Asian adults were least likely to have experienced mild, moderate, or severe 

symptoms of GAD compared with the other race and Hispanic-origin groups examined.

The GAD–7 scale is a validated brief self-report measure which was developed to screen for 

GAD and assess the severity of its symptoms (2). A score of 10 or higher, corresponding to 

moderate and severe symptoms of GAD, may suggest the presence of a clinically significant 

anxiety condition that warrants further evaluation, including a diagnostic interview and mental 

status examination by a mental health professional (2,3). This report showed that 6.1% of adults 

scored 10 or higher on the GAD–7 scale. 

Definitions

Race and Hispanic origin: Based on responses to two questions that determine Hispanic or Latino 

origin and race. Adults categorized as Hispanic may be of any race or combination of races. 

Adults categorized as non-Hispanic white, non-Hispanic black, and non-Hispanic Asian indicated 

one race only. 

Severity of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) symptoms: Based on the Generalized Anxiety 

Disorder scale (GAD–7) and summarized into no or minimal (values 0–4), mild (values 5–9), 

moderate (values 10–14), or severe (values 15–21) symptoms of GAD (2). Sample adults were 

asked how often they have been bothered by the following symptoms in the past 2 weeks: 

“Feeling nervous, anxious, or on edge;” “Not being able to stop or control worrying;” “Worrying 

too much about different things;” “Trouble relaxing;” “Being so restless that it’s hard to sit still;” 

“Becoming easily annoyed or irritable;” and “Feeling afraid as if something awful might happen.” 

Response options were “not at all,” “several days,” “more than half the days,” and “nearly every 

day,” scored as 0 to 3 points, respectively, and then summed into a total score. Sample adults with 

two or more GAD–7 questions answered as “refused” or “don’t know,” or whose answers were 

not ascertained, were not included in this analysis.
NCHS Data Brief ■ No. 378 ■ September 2020

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Data source and methods

Data from the 2019 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) were used for this analysis. 

NHIS is a nationally representative household survey of the civilian noninstitutionalized U.S. 

population. It is conducted continuously throughout the year by the National Center for Health 

Statistics (NCHS). Interviews are conducted in respondents’ homes, but follow-ups to complete 

interviews may be conducted over the telephone. For more information about NHIS, visit 

https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nhis.htm. 

Point estimates and the corresponding confidence intervals for this analysis were calculated 

using SUDAAN software (4) to account for the complex sample design of the NHIS. Differences 

between percentages were evaluated using two-sided significance tests at the 0.05 level. Linear 

and quadratic trends by age group were evaluated using orthogonal polynomials in logistic 

regression. All estimates in this report meet NCHS data presentation standards for proportions (5). 

About the authors

Emily P. Terlizzi and Maria A. Villarroel are with the National Center for Health Statistics, 

Division of Health Interview Statistics.
NCHS Data Brief ■ No. 378 ■ September 2020

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References

1. American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders 

(DSM–5). 5th ed. Arlington, VA. 2013. 

2. Spitzer RL, Kroenke K, Williams JB, Löwe B. A brief measure for assessing generalized 

anxiety disorder: The GAD–7. Arch Intern Med 166(10):1092–7. 2006.

3. Kroenke K, Spitzer RL, Williams JB, Monahan PO, Löwe B. Anxiety disorders in primary 

care: Prevalence, impairment, comorbidity, and detection. Ann Intern Med 146(5):317–25. 2007.

4. RTI International. SUDAAN (Release 11.0.3) [computer software]. 2018.

5. Parker JD, Talih M, Malec DJ, Beresovsky V, Carroll M, Gonzalez Jr JF, et al. National 

Center for Health Statistics data presentation standards for proportions. National Center for 

Health Statistics. Vital Health Stat 2(175). 2017.
NCHS Data Brief ■ No. 378 ■ September 2020

Keywords: GAD–7 • mental health • National Health Interview Survey Suggested citation

Terlizzi EP, Villarroel MA. Symptoms of 

generalized anxiety disorder among adults: 

United States, 2019. NCHS Data Brief, 

no 378. Hyattsville, MD: National Center 

for Health Statistics. 2020.

Copyright information

All material appearing in this report is in 

the public domain and may be reproduced 

or copied without permission; citation as to 

source, however, is appreciated.

National Center for Health 

Statistics

Brian C. Moyer, Ph.D., Director

Amy M. Branum, Ph.D., Acting Associate 

Director for Science

Division of Health Interview Statistics

Stephen J. Blumberg, Ph.D., Director

Anjel Vahratian, Ph.D., M.P.H., Associate 

Director for Science

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