Symptoms of depression and anxiety during adult life: Evidence for a decline in prevalence with age

Abstract

Background. To test the hypothesis that the prevalence, in the general population, of symptoms of depression and anxiety declines with age. Methods. A general population sample of 2725 persons aged 18 to 79 years was administered two inventories for current symptoms of depression and anxiety, together with measures of neuroticism and of exposures that may confer increased risk of such symptoms. Results. Symptoms of depression showed a decline with age in both men and women. For anxiety, the decline was statistically significant for women but not consistently so for men. For the risk factors examined, there was a decline with age in the neuroticism score, the frequency of adverse life events,..