The high prevalence of clinical depression and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) in the U.S. population affects Americans in multiple ways. Here is a glimpse into the impact of these disorders on Americans’ beliefs, expectations, and experiences.

• One-third of adults in the U.S. reported having experienced symptoms of either clinical depression or GAD.

• 80 percent of adults who are aware of clinical depression and/or GAD know that there are treatments available for clinical depression, and 63 percent know that treatments exist for GAD.

• 36 percent of patients diagnosed with clinical depression and 21 percent of patients diagnosed with GAD reported a complete recovery after treatment. The study defined recovery as being able to return to previous activities patients enjoyed before their illness developed.

• 52 percent of patients diagnosed with clinical depression and 56 percent of patients with GAD reported a limited recovery after treatment. Only 6 percent and 9 percent, respectively, reported no recovery.

• 25 percent of patients diagnosed with these two disorders took more days off work because of problems related to their psychiatric disorder than for ones they attributed to physical illnesses.