AIM: To investigate the prevalence of generalized anxiety disorder and its characteristics in demography. METHODS: A total of 24 000 people older than 18 years came from Handan, Baoding, Qinhuangdao and Chengde of Hebei Province were selected from the epidemiological survey on mental disease of the whole province between October 2004 and March 2005. Revised General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) was adopted for the investigation, and Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-Ⅳ-TR Axis Ⅰ Disorders-Patient Edition...