Quantifying Psychological Distress: Prevalence of Anxiety and Depression of 136 Participants using GAD-7 and PHQ-9 Scales

Background: The global health burden has surged due to a significant rise in anxiety and depression cases. In India, pandemic-related factors caused an increase in depression and anxiety levels. Various studies highlight the lifetime prevalence of these mental health disorders. It is essential to identify and monitor depression and anxiety symptoms in individuals across age groups. This study aims to gain insight into anxiety and depression prevalence by utilizing Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) to assess symptoms and their correlation with age and gender. Methods: A total of 136 individuals, both male and female, completed PHQ-9 and GAD-7 in a self-report format. Data was collected and analyzed using Microsoft Excel. Charts and graphs aided data interpretation. Conclusion: Results revealed correlations between age and anxiety or depression severity. Younger age groups consistently reported higher symptom levels than older individuals. Tailored mental health interventions considering age and gender dynamics are crucial, like severe symptom intervention for ages '18-24,' addressing severe anxiety and depression in the '25-44' group, and implementing prevention initiatives for the '45 and above' group.