Lifetime Prevalence and Age-of-Onset Distributions of DSM-IV Disorders in the National Comorbidity Survey Replication

Abstract

The purpose of the current report is to present nationally representative estimates of lifetime prevalence and age-of-onset distributions of the DSM-IV disorders assessed in the recently completed National Comorbidity Survey Replication (NCS-R).¹ While the Epidemiological Catchment Area Study² and the baseline National Comorbidity Survey (NCS)³ both reported high lifetime prevalence and generally early age-of-onset distributions of most DSM-III (NCS) and DSM-III-R (NCS-R) disorders, it is not clear whether similar results will hold for DSM-IV disorders because of the greater emphasis on clinically significant distress and impairment in DSM-IV than in earlier editions.