Mixed Anxiety and Depressive Disorder ¹

Prevalence rate

According to the Hong Kong Mental Morbidity Survey 2010-2013, MADD is the most common mental disorder in Hong Kong, affecting about 7% of Hong Kong people.

Gender ratio

More female people are found with MADD, the male to female ratio is around 1:2.

Age of onset

MADD is most commonly found from people in the 26-35 age group, and after that from the 36-45 and 16-25 age groups.

Similar to anxiety and depressive disorders, the causes of MADD also involve genetic and environmental factors. Family history, stress in daily living and lack of social support are all risk factors for MADD.

MADD includes less severe symptoms of anxiety and depressive disorders. 

If you or someone you know have similar conditions that have occurred over a period of time and have affected the daily life, please seek professional as early as possible.

Tips for caregivers:

Avoid blaming:

People with MADD may be mistaken as “creating worries for themselves” or “lazy”, but these are symptoms of the illness, instead of their true character. Avoid blaming them for their symptoms.

Be a good listener:

Encouraging, but not forcing, them to share their feelings and difficulties, listening to them patiently, showing acceptance, and giving time and appropriate supports to them.

Maintain regular life:

Providing a peaceful and comfortable environment for them, and facilitating them to engage in regular daily activities as far as possible.

Encourage social interactions:

Encouraging them to maintain personal interactions with others, such as keeping contacts with those they have good relationship or they feel comfortable to meet.

Get more understandings:

Helping them to gain more understanding of their course of illness, and encouraging or accompanying them to seek treatment and cooperate with mental health care professionals.

Monitor regularly:

Pay attention to any changes in mood and mental state of the individual. If any self-harming behaviours and/or unusual behaviours are noted, one should seek help from health care professionals as soon as possible.

Take care of yourself:

Supporting emotionally disturbed people is a long-term challenge. So carers need to look after their own physical and mental health, to rest and regenerate, and then to accompany patients to get out from troubled time. Ask for help when necessary.