Anxiety by the Numbers Comprehensive List of Anxiety Statistics
According to WHO, 4% of the global population suffered from anxiety in 2019 and only 25% of them received treatment.
But that is just official data on reported cases of anxiety disorders. What about the cases that go undetected or unreported? What if most people with anxiety don’t seek professional help?
According to the Wellcome Global Monitor report, 19% of people (from a global sample) experienced symptoms of anxiety.
If you’re wondering what the real deal is and how anxiety is affecting individuals around the world, then these anxiety statistics will help you.
Here is a detailed list of anxiety statistics on prevalence, risk factors, treatment, and barriers to treatment of anxiety.
Countries with the Highest Anxiety Rates
According to the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019, conducted by IHME, here are the top ten countries with the highest anxiety rates. These numbers are for both sexes and age-standardized.
Here is the global overview from the same study.
Portugal
- Portugal is the top country in terms of prevalence of anxiety disorder. Since 2019, the percentage of people suffering from anxiety disorders has steadily risen.
- In 2022, 9% of people suffered from an anxiety disorder and 21% suffered from some form of anxiety and depression combined.
New Zealand
- New Zealand has the second-highest rate of anxiety disorders in the world, as per the last IHME data.
- According to Healthify, 1 in 4 New Zealanders experience anxiety at some stage of their lives. The source also mentioned that at any given time, approximately 15% of the population is affected by anxiety.
Brazil
- Since 2019, the prevalence of anxiety disorders has increased to reach 8.1% in 2022, as per Statista. It is the second most prevalent mental health condition in the country after stress and is closely followed by depression at the third spot.
- According to a 2021 survey, 67.2% of respondents (from a sample size of 482 adults) faced symptoms of anxiety. This shows that even if the registered anxiety disorder rates are lower, the share of people experiencing anxiety is much higher.
Iran
- Anxiety, depression, and other mental health disorders are widespread in Iran.
- According to a 2022 survey, 30.1% of the respondents suffered from anxiety and 33.4% from depression. Females in the country are more at risk, especially those who are unemployed or have a chronic disease.
- A more recent study, published in January 2024, found that 42.9% of Iranian people suffer from anxiety. Environmental factors and work-related issues were the most common causes of anxiety, as identified by the study.
Ireland
- As per the previously cited IHME 2019 study, the rates of anxiety disorders in Ireland and Northern Ireland were 7.62% and 7.07%, respectively.
- According to a 2023 study, 58% of adults in Northern Ireland suffer from anxiety that interferes with their day-to-day lives.
- As per Aware's National Survey 2023, 74% of people claim to have experienced anxiety. Females under the age of 44 years are more at risk. Anxiety rates seem to lower with age in Ireland.
Switzerland
- A study published in 2022 showed that the rate of anxiety almost doubled during the COVID-19 time in Southern Switzerland. It increased from 4.8% in August 2020 to 8.1% in May 2021.
Norway
- According to a 2023 survey of Norwegian college and university students, Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) was prevalent among 16.0% of females and 8.2% of males.
- This is much higher than the 7.3% average reported in 2019, as per the IHME study.
Cyprus
- A 2020 research study found that 13.89% of the population in Cyprus suffered from Generalized Anxiety Disorder. This is much higher than the 7.01% reported by IHME in 2019, showing an increase in anxiety during the pandemic.
- Another study from 2020 reported a severely high anxiety score for 9.1% of respondents and a moderate score for 14%. As such, this shows that almost 23% of people were suffering from Generalized Anxiety Disorder in 2020.
France
- As per Statista, as of September 2021, 23% of French people were suffering from anxiety.
- An IPSOS survey from 2021 also shows high anxiety rates among teenagers. The GAD rate was 25% overall, 27% in girls, and 24% in boys.
- Both studies confirm that the anxiety rates significantly increased after the pandemic.
Anxiety Rates and Prevalence in the United States
A 2022 survey by KFF and CNN found that 90% of people believe there is a mental health crisis in the country. The survey also found that 47% of parents are concerned about their children’s mental health after the COVID-19 pandemic.
So, why are people so worried? Are their concerns backed by actual data?
Let’s look at some research studies and statistics pertaining to the prevalence of anxiety in the US and find out.
Anxiety is widely prevalent in the US, with almost a quarter of the population having suffered from an anxiety disorder at some point in their lives.
Depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other mental disorders are equally common.
According to the 2023 US Pulse Survey (week 63), over 48% of adults experienced symptoms of anxiety and restlessness in the previous two weeks. That’s a whopping 123 million people suffering from anxiety, 33 million of whom deal with it daily.
Here are some key insights from this data:
Young and middle-aged people suffer from anxiety more than older people
Anxiety is more prevalent in females (52%) than males (44%)
A 2023 survey of college and university students across the US, found that 36% suffer from some form of anxiety. 17% of students in the US face symptoms of severe anxiety.
Demographic Factors and Anxiety
Till now, I’ve established that anxiety is widespread and a considerable share of the global population suffers from it at some point in their lives.
Now, let’s dissect this further and understand how demographic factors affect the likelihood of anxiety. Are people of certain races, sexes, genders, or ages more prone to anxiety?
Let’s find out.
Anxiety Rates by Gender
The table below shows the two lists of countries—one where women are more prone to anxiety and another where men are.
The overall analysis shows that women, in general, tend to suffer from symptoms of anxiety and depression more than men.
Our World in Data analyzed the 2019 IHME data, cited previously, to create a scatter plot showing the prevalence of anxiety disorders in males vs females. Here’s the analysis.
This also confirms that females are slightly more likely than males to face symptoms of anxiety or develop anxiety disorders.
However, there are other factors to consider.
Male
- According to the Wellcome Global Monitor report, 18% of men have suffered from anxiety or depression, across the globe. This is just slightly lower than the number for females.
- One probable reason why men do not report they're dealing with anxiety is societal expectations. Men are traditionally expected to be strong, which makes them hesitant to show vulnerability and seek support for anxiety.
- A survey by the Priory Group in the UK confirmed this. According to the survey, 40% of men in the UK do not talk to anyone about their mental health problems and 29% are embarrassed to do so.
Common reasons why men don’t talk about their mental health include:
They’ve learned to deal with it themselves
They don’t want to be a burden
They’re embarrassed
There’s a negative stigma around the topic
They don’t want to admit they need help or appear weak
The global numbers in both the studies mentioned above are only for the reported cases. The actual prevalence of anxiety in males could be much more widespread, given that many men don’t talk about it, let alone report it.
Female
- Despite the common perception that more women suffer from anxiety than men, the Global Monitor report found only a slight difference. Globally, 20% of women have dealt with anxiety or depression, compared to 18% of men.
- A scientific research study from 2011, shows that women are more prone to anxiety because they worry more. They're also more severely affected by anxiety because they feel that things are out of their control.
LGBTQ+
- A 2022 report by Wellcome Global Monitor found that LGBT individuals have a 2.5x higher risk of anxiety and depression than others. The study also showed that having strong allies, especially in the workplace, can help alleviate this risk.
- A 2021 study conducted in the UK also reported similar numbers and found that LGBT+ people are twice as likely to suffer from anxiety and other mental health conditions.
- There are many reasons why LGBTQ+ people are more prone to depression and anxiety disorder. The social stigma and discrimination they face are among the top factors. Some others include rejection by their families and social isolation, which lead to feelings of loneliness.
Anxiety Rates by Age Groups
Here’s a chart showing the prevalence of anxiety disorders in people from different age groups. This chart is prepared by Our World in Data, based on the data from the 2019 IHME study, I cited earlier.
This shows that people start experiencing symptoms of anxiety in their teenage years and it continues to be a problem for most of their lives. Except for children and old people, people from all age groups experience anxiety almost similarly.
According to the Wellcome Global Monitor report, younger people (between 15 and 24 years of age) are more anxious than older people. As people get older, the symptoms of anxiety reduce.
The only exception is that of low-income countries, where people between the ages of 50 and 64 years are also anxious. This probably has more to do with income than age, because financial struggles and financial instability can cause anxiety in people of all age groups.
55% of people surveyed by the Wellcome group said that they experienced anxiety between the ages of 13 and 29. This, again, shows that younger people are more anxious.
A meta-analysis of 29 studies showed that on average over 20% of children and adolescents suffer from anxiety.
We can, therefore, conclude that the symptoms of anxiety show early in most people and reduce as they grow older.
Anxiety Rates by Race
According to a 2017 study, examining the prevalence of anxiety and depression by gender and race, African American and Latino people are more anxious than white people. The study was conducted in Texas.
A 2014 global study found that anxiety disorders are more widespread in post-conflict regions, such as North Africa, the Middle East, and Central Africa. The study shows that there’s a broad range in prevalence of anxiety disorders by region.
In East Asia, the prevalence rate was 2.1%, while in North Africa/Middle East, it was 6.1%.
A 2023 study done on adolescents of various ethnicities found that multiracial adolescents are more prone to anxiety than their white counterparts. It also found that multiracial adolescents, such as Asian, Black, and Latinx, also found fewer treatment options.
Anxiety Rates by Education Levels
The level of education also plays a role in the likelihood of anxiety. Let’s analyze the results of various studies to see how education levels correlate with the prevalence of anxiety across regions.
A 2023 study found that Europeans who are less educated, tend to be more anxious. In fact, the prevalence of anxiety is reduced among highly educated people.
An umbrella study published in 2023 found that symptoms of anxiety are more prevalent in undergraduates (24%) than in graduates (17%).
A meta-analysis study, published in 2023, offers a global perspective. It shows that anxiety is most prevalent in graduate and doctoral students, with prevalence rates of 34.8% and 34.3%, respectively. This is compared to the rate of 29.2% among Master level students.
This shows two things:
It confirms the findings from previous studies that students at lower education levels are more prone to anxiety.
It provides an exception to the rule, showing that Doctoral students are the most stressed. However, given the rigorous nature of a Doctoral program, that’s to be expected.
Overall, we can conclude that education has a negative correlation with anxiety. More educated people, typically tend to be less anxious.
Anxiety Rates by Income
Another demographic factor that affects anxiety rates in individuals is income.
How much a person earns determines their living standard and that impacts their mental health.
But does that mean that rich people are happier and less anxious? Probably not, but let’s dig deeper and find some anxiety statistics to find the answer.
According to the Wellcome Global Monitor report, the poorest 20% of people are most likely to suffer from anxiety.
However, this doesn’t mean that rich people are much less likely to suffer from anxiety. In fact, the differences between various categories based on income level are very low.
Overall, 23% of people from the poorest category claimed to have symptoms of anxiety, compared with 17% from the richest category. For low-income countries, the gap is even lower, showing a weaker correlation between the prevalence of anxiety and income levels.
A 2023 study done on adolescents of various ethnicities found that multiracial adolescents are more prone to anxiety than their white counterparts. It also found that multiracial adolescents, such as Asian, Black, and Latinx, also found fewer treatment options.
There are two key insights to be drawn from this:
People of all income levels suffer from anxiety
Poor people have more financial struggles, which makes them more prone to anxiety, but not by much
A 2022 study also found similar results, showing that anxiety is more prevalent in low-income groups than in high-income groups. The study was limited to Southeast Asia, but the findings are relevant across the globe.
A study by MIT Economics further strengthens this point. It found that poor people in a community suffer 1.5x to 3x times more frequently from mental health issues like depression and anxiety.
Overall, we can conclude that while anxiety is prevalent across the board, people with lower incomes are more likely to suffer from it.
Anxiety Statistics for Workplace Anxiety
Workplace anxiety and stress have become increasingly common issues over the past decade. New research reveals the concerning extent of this problem and its impacts on employees and employers alike.
Let's take a look at some anxiety statistics related to workplace anxiety.
The Cry for Mental Health Support
So what's behind this workplace stress and anxiety epidemic?
The American Psychological Association's 2023 Work in America survey sheds some light. An overwhelming 92% of workers said it's important that their employer values their emotional and psychological well-being.
Despite this unanimous desire for support, there's a concerning gap between perception and reality. At 55%, more than half of workers feel their workplace is far less healthy than their employer thinks.
Evidently, work cultures still have progress to make in supporting mental wellness without judgment.
A global survey conducted by Deloitte in 2023 underscores this, finding nearly half of Gen Zs (46%) and four in 10 millennials (39%) feel stressed or anxious all or most of the time.
Over half of Gen Zs (52%) and 49% of millennials reported experiencing burnout in the past year due to work pressures. Here are some other findings.
Yet a third don't believe employers are taking steps to prevent burnout, with the Deloitte Gen Z and Millenial Survey showing they remain skeptical.
While over half of respondents (57% Gen Zs, 55% millennials) acknowledge their leaders are taking mental health seriously, many still aren't comfortable accessing resources.
In fact, less than one-third of Gen Zs and even fewer millennials use the provided mental health support tools.
Evidently, work cultures still have progress to make in supporting mental wellness without judgment.
This discrepancy between employees' expectations and the perceived reality of workplace mental health highlights a pressing need for organizations to prioritize employee well-being actively.
Merely supporting mental health initiatives isn't enough. Employers must take concrete actions to create a supportive and inclusive work environment where mental health is prioritized and destigmatized.
The Economic Toll of Workplace Stress
Beyond its human toll, workplace anxiety exacts a significant economic cost on a global scale.
Indeed, the impacts of these high anxiety levels are staggering, both for employees and employers. A 2020 Lancet study found that lost productivity from anxiety and depression alone costs the global economy $1 trillion annually.
Overall, poor mental health, including reduced productivity and healthcare expenses, is projected to cost $6 trillion per year by 2030.
According to WHO, 12 billion working days are lost annually due to anxiety and depression.
These figures underscore the urgent need for proactive measures to address workplace anxiety, not just as a moral imperative but also as an economic necessity.
By fostering a mentally healthy workplace culture and providing resources for employees to cope with stress and anxiety, organizations can mitigate the staggering economic losses associated with poor mental health.
The Stark Reality for American Workers
Closer to home, the statistics paint a bleak picture of workplace stress in the United States.
Here are some findings from the Anxiety Disorders Association of America (ADAA) 2006 Stress & Anxiety Disorders Survey.
40% of American workers face either persistent stress or excessive anxiety daily
28% of people surveyed have had a panic or anxiety attack
According to the survey, workplace anxiety impacts employees':
Performance at work (56%)
Work relationships (51%)
Work quality (50%)
Work relationships with managers or team leaders (43%)
Over ¾ of people surveyed said that they have not talked to their managers about their anxiety because:
They may misinterpret it as unwillingness to do the job (38%)
Work rIt may hamper their chances of getting a promotion (34%)elationships (51%)
It would be a part of their permanent work record (31%)
The survey, though not representative of the global population, gives valuable insights into workplace anxiety.
Clearly, workplace anxiety and stress have snowballed into a public health and economic crisis in the US and worldwide.
Prioritizing mental health support and reducing stigma have to become priorities for all workplaces. Ignoring the issue jeopardizes employee well-being and leads to tangible losses in productivity and absenteeism, ultimately affecting the bottom line.
Anxiety Statistics by Type of Anxiety Disorders
We've already established that anxiety is widely prevalent across the globe.
Now, let's delve into anxiety statistics by types of anxiety disorders.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) involves persistent, excessive worry about various aspects of life, such as work, health, finances, or relationships.
People with GAD feel anxious even when there's no apparent reason for concern, leading to significant distress and impairment in daily functioning.
A comprehensive review found that around 3.1% of American adults struggle with GAD every year—totaling around 6.8 million people plagued by constant, uncontrollable anxiety. However, only 43% ever receive treatment for it.
An Italian survey found that it's over 3 times more prevalent among women (3.6%) than men (0.9%), underscoring the need for gender-sensitive approaches to treatment and support.
But which age group is most affected?
The National Health Interview Survey found 15.6% of adults aged 18 and over experienced symptoms of anxiety in the past two weeks. These ranged from mild to severe.
Notably, the likelihood of experiencing these symptoms was highest among younger age groups, with individuals aged 18-29 exhibiting the highest prevalence at 19.5%.
Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD)
Also known as social phobia, SAD centers around an extreme, irrational fear and avoidance of social situations. Individuals with SAD worry about being judged negatively by others in everyday interactions, leading to avoidance behaviors and impaired social functioning.
In the United States, SAD affects a substantial portion of the population, with approximately 15 million adults, or 7.1% of the population, experiencing the disorder in the past year.
The severity of impairment associated with SAD varies among affected individuals. Among those with the disorder, 29.9% experienced serious impairment, 38.8% experienced moderate impairment, and 31.3% experienced mild impairment.
Throughout their lifetime, an estimated 12.1% of US adults will experience social anxiety disorder, highlighting the long-term impact of this condition.
The lifetime prevalence of SAD is higher among females, with 5.67% affected compared to 4.20% of males.
Globally, SAD is a prevalent mental health condition, with varying prevalence rates across different regions.
Its prevalence estimates across countries are 1.3% for 30-day prevalence, 2.4% for 12-month prevalence, and 4.0% for lifetime prevalence. High-income countries in the Americas and Western Pacific regions have the highest rates.
Epidemiological studies have consistently shown that SAD has a significant worldwide prevalence, ranging from 5 to 10%, with a lifetime prevalence of 8.4% to 15%.
Panic Disorder (PD)
Panic Disorder involves unexpected and recurrent panic attacks, accompanied by intense fear or discomfort, causing intense physical and emotional distress.
Its manifestations include symptoms like palpitations, sweating, trembling, and feelings of impending doom.
In the United States, around 6 million adults, which is 2.7% of the population, have panic disorder. As with other anxiety disorders, the prevalence of PD is higher among females, with 3.8% affected compared to 1.6% of males.
Throughout their lifetime, an estimated 4.7% of US adults will experience Panic Disorder, highlighting the long-term impact of this condition.
Panic attacks themselves are even more common, affecting up to 11% of Americans yearly, according to DSM-5-TR. However, not all people with attacks meet the criteria for a PD diagnosis.
Panic disorder usually causes significant life impairment. According to data from the NIMH source cited earlier, 44.8% experienced serious impairment, 29.5% experienced moderate impairment, and 25.7% experienced mild impairment.
Panic Disorder can also affect adolescents, with a lifetime prevalence of 2.3% among US adolescents aged 13-18. Notably, prevalence rates are slightly higher among females, with 2.6% affected compared to 2.0% of males.
The impact of Panic Disorder on adolescents can be profound, with 2.3% experiencing severe impairment due to the disorder.
Depressive Disorders
Depressive disorders like major depressive disorder and persistent depressive disorder involve prolonged periods of depressed mood, feelings of sadness or hopelessness, loss of interest in activities, and other impairing symptoms.
Depression is one of the most common mental illnesses worldwide. An estimated 3.8% of the global population experiences clinical depression. Among adults, approximately 5% experience depression, with higher rates observed among women (6%) compared to men (4%).
Additionally, depressive disorders affect 5.7% of adults aged 60 years and older, highlighting the vulnerability of older populations to this condition.
In the United States, depressive disorders are a significant public health issue, with millions of adults experiencing major depressive episodes.
According to the 2021 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), an estimated 21 million adults in the United States had at least one major depressive episode, representing 8.3% of all US adults.
Notably, the prevalence of major depressive episodes is higher among adult females (10.3%) compared to males (6.2%), with young adults aged 18-25 experiencing the highest prevalence at 18.6%.
Here's a visualization of SAMHSA data showing how prevalent major depressive episodes are across age, sex, and ethnicity.
The impact of Panic Disorder on adolescents can be profound, with 2.3% experiencing severe impairment due to the disorder.
According to NSDUH data, an estimated 14.5 million US adults aged 18 or older experienced major depressive episodes with severe impairment in the past year. This number accounts for 5.7% of all US adults.
Data from the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report provide further insights into the prevalence of depression among US adults. It reported the age-standardized prevalence of depression at 18.4%, with the highest rates observed among young adults aged 18–24 years (21.5%).
Furthermore, the prevalence of depression was significantly higher among women (24.0%) compared to men (13.3%), and among adults with lower levels of education.
Specific Phobias
A specific phobia is a type of anxiety disorder that involves intense, irrational fear and avoidance of specific objects or situations. Common phobias relate to animals (zoophobia), heights (acrophobia), thunderstorms (astraphobia or brontophobia), and more.
According to the national NCS-R survey from 2003, approximately 9.1% of American adults had experienced a specific phobia in the past year. Lifetime rates were even higher, with 12.5% of the population developing a specific phobia at some point.
As we've seen with other anxiety disorders, women have significantly higher prevalence rates at 12.2% annually versus 5.8% of men.
Among adults with specific phobias in the past year, varying levels of impairment were reported, with 21.9% experiencing serious impairment. 30.0% experienced moderate impairment, while 48.1% experienced mild impairment.
Globally, the lifetime prevalence of specific phobias ranges widely from 3% to 15% in different areas. Fears of animals and heights tend to be the most universally common. Indeed, it's not uncommon for individuals with specific phobias to have multiple fears simultaneously.
Cross-national studies further underscore the global burden of specific phobias, with lifetime and 12-month prevalence rates being 7.4% and 5.5%, respectively. Rates also appear to be higher in high-income regions.
Others
Beyond the most common anxiety disorders, a few other notable types also cause distress for many.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), for instance, can occur after exposure to a traumatic event involving actual or threatened death, injury, or sexual violation. Around 6% of American adults—equal to 13 million people—have PTSD at some point in their lives.
Lifetime prevalence is slightly higher at 8% among women and 4% among men.
Based on an older study from 2003, 36.6% of those with PTSD experience serious disability from symptoms like flashbacks, hypervigilance, and avoidance.
So pervasive is PTSD that APA estimates one in 11 people will be diagnosed with it in their lifetime.
There's also obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), which involves upsetting, uncontrollable thoughts and repetitive behaviors aimed at reducing anxiety caused by the obsessions.
About 1.2% of adults in the US have OCD in any year, while 2% are affected over their lifetime. Half of people with OCD report it seriously impedes function. Rates are higher in women at 1.8% versus 0.5% for men annually.
Other disorders like agoraphobia (fear of situations where escape is difficult) and selective mutism (inability to speak in certain situations) affect smaller subsets of the population. But they can still severely restrict life participation and engagement for those affected.
Risk Factors and Triggers for Anxiety
Anxiety disorders affect people globally, with WHO claiming a 5% prevalence rate of anxiety disorders and Wellcome Global Monitor revealing the actual rates of people dealing with symptoms of anxiety are much higher at 19%.
But why do some people develop anxiety disorders, while others remain resilient?
Let’s discuss anxiety statistics related to the key risk factors that make some people more susceptible to anxiety than others.
Genetics
Research shows genetics play a significant role in the risk of developing an anxiety disorder. While not determinative, family history can increase susceptibility.
Research reveals that children with anxiety disorders were two to three times more likely to have at least one parent with current and lifetime anxiety disorders.
Indeed, mothers with current anxiety disorders conferred 2.5 times higher odds, while fathers with a lifetime anxiety disorder conferred 2.8 times higher odds. However, having a sibling with anxiety disorders did not appear to increase risk.
Interestingly, while the heritability of anxiety symptoms remains high in childhood, it decreases to 30-40% during adulthood. This decline in heritability corresponds to an increase in the influence of environmental factors in shaping anxiety over time.
Stress
When it occurs in chronic or severe forms, stress is strongly linked to the likelihood of developing an anxiety disorder. Granted, some stress is normal, but excessive stress can trigger problematic "fight or flight" reactions that manifest as anxiety.
A study conducted in the United Kingdom revealed alarming statistics regarding the association between stress and mental health outcomes.
Among adults who reported feeling stressed, a staggering 61% reported experiencing feelings of anxiety, while 51% reported feeling depressed.
The more stress people experience, the more likely they are to have anxiety and depressive symptoms.
A 2022 American survey found similar connections. Approximately three-quarters (76%) of adults surveyed acknowledged experiencing health-related consequences due to stress in the preceding month.
Common symptoms reported included feelings of nervousness or anxiety (34%) and depression or sadness (33%). Those with higher average stress were over 4 times more likely to have anxiety symptoms compared to those with lower average stress.
Comorbidities
The presence of certain physical health conditions can exacerbate anxiety symptoms or make effective treatment more difficult. Mental health comorbidities like depression also commonly co-occur with anxiety disorders.
For instance, research shows a high prevalence of comorbidity between anxiety disorders and major depression (MDD). Studies suggest that 50-60% of individuals with MDD report a lifetime history of one or more anxiety disorders.
The reverse is also true—anxiety often accompanies depression. This bidirectional link demonstrates how the two can feed off of and worsen each other.
Beyond mental health, a 2022 study reveals associations between anxiety disorders and chronic conditions like hypertension, diabetes, and heart disease.
Among women, those with depression alone or comorbid depression and anxiety exhibited a significantly higher risk of developing chronic conditions compared to their counterparts without these mental health conditions.
The rates of accumulating conditions were notably higher among women with comorbid depression and anxiety. This emphasizes the compounding impact of these comorbidities on physical health outcomes across different age cohorts.
Furthermore, the relationship between anxiety disorders and physical health extends to specific medical conditions.
To illustrate, research suggests a higher prevalence of hypertension among patients with anxiety disorders (37.9%) compared to the general population, indicating a potential association between anxiety and cardiovascular health.
Life Experiences and Trauma
Negative or traumatic life experiences, especially in childhood, are strongly associated with later anxiety issues. Early adversity can alter how the brain perceives and responds to threats, predisposing people to anxiety disorders.
A UK study showed childhood abuse, bullying, and other trauma as among the strongest predictors of mental health problems like anxiety and depression in adulthood.
Moreover, family dysfunction or history of mental illness, socioeconomic factors such as income and education levels, and the quality of family relationships also contribute to anxiety.
Specifically, childhood physical and sexual abuse have been linked to 2-3 times higher odds of developing anxiety disorders. Emotional abuse confers a 3 times greater risk for anxiety issues. The impacts appear to persist from early life into late adulthood.
A 2019 study shows that psychological trauma, especially when experienced during childhood, significantly elevates the risk of various mental disorders later in life.
While adverse experiences do not necessarily predispose people to anxiety disorders, they confer significantly higher susceptibility.
Substance Abuse
Using alcohol or drugs to cope with anxiety often backfires and worsens the condition. Substance abuse and anxiety disorders frequently co-occur and intertwine in a vicious cycle.
Research shows having an anxiety disorder increases the odds of also having a substance use disorder by 3-6 times. The reverse is also true—about 17.7% of those with a substance use disorder have a co-occurring anxiety disorder.
It appears many turn to substances to temporarily relieve anxiety, but ultimately substance use heightens anxiety symptoms and risk. Anxiety may then drive further substance abuse in efforts to regain control.
A study exploring the prevalence of anxiety and depression among substance use disorder patients found that 67% had severe anxiety and 72% had severe depression. This is compared to the control group’s 14% with severe anxiety and 6% with severe depression.
About 50% of individuals with severe mental disorders, such as anxiety and depression, are affected by substance abuse, and 29% of people diagnosed as mentally ill abuse either alcohol or drugs. Substance abuse is specifically associated with more severe forms of anxiety and depression compared to non-users.
Alcohol and drugs often worsen anxiety over time even if they provide initial relief. Screening for underlying anxiety disorders in those with substance abuse issues is, therefore, important to target the root causes.
Impact of Social Media and Technology on Anxiety
The relationship between emerging technologies, particularly social media, and mental health is a subject of ongoing debate.
Some research suggests that excessive use of social media may contribute to adverse mental health outcomes, such as anxiety, depression, and cyberbullying.
However, others argue that digital technology can offer innovative solutions to address mental health issues.
Per a 2019 study, a one-hour increase in daily social media use was linked to a 0.2 unit increase in anxiety severity scores. The impact was stronger for teens and those prone to negative social comparisons. Similar, though more modest, associations were found for television viewing and computer use.
The impact of social media on mental health is particularly concerning for younger generations. According to a McKinsey study, 31% of Gen Zers who spend more than two hours a day on social media report pronounced negative effects.
Parental concerns about the potential adverse effects of social media on their teens’ mental health are also notable. According to a Pew Research Center survey, 53% of the parents surveyed expressed worries about the possibility of anxiety or depression problems arising from social media use.
Furthermore, Facebook has been associated with increased rates of poor mental health, including depression and anxiety disorders, particularly among college students.
This social media platform was found to increase poor mental health by 0.085 standard deviations. This is equivalent to a two-percentage-point increase in the share of students suffering from depression, or 24% of the increased prevalence of severe depression.
In discussing this particular study’s findings, authors noted that college-wide access to Facebook had led to a 20% increase in the prevalence of anxiety disorders and a 7% increase in depression. Unfavorable social comparisons were touted as one of the contributors to the negative effects on mental health.
Granted, digital technology has the potential to provide accessible interventions for mental health conditions.
However, the negative impacts of excessive social media use, especially among younger demographics, underscore the importance of further research and awareness efforts to mitigate these risks and promote healthier technology use habits.
Ways to Manage Anxiety
In this section, I’ll cover anxiety statistics related to how people manage anxiety.
According to the Wellcome report, here are the top ways in which people manage anxiety.
As evident from the chart, the first steps people take is to talk to their friends and family and try to improve their lifestyles. This shows the importance of having a support system for people suffering from mental health issues.
Most people try to manage anxiety on their own using self-help resources before they seek professional help. Only 43% of people surveyed talked to a mental health professional and 49% took prescribed medication.
Here’s a regional breakdown of the steps taken by people to manage their anxiety.
The most notable insight from this is that people in Western Europe are more likely to seek medical help for anxiety. This could be due to a lack of stigma, better mental health awareness, or a myriad of other reasons.
Another point to note is that people in Sub-Saharan Africa are most likely to turn to religion to help deal with their anxiety.
While the image above shows the most common approaches to managing anxiety, not all are equally useful. Take a look at the image below to see which approaches people found the most effective.
The most noteworthy point is that most people found almost every other action more helpful than taking medication. This could be due to a hesitation toward taking medication when self-help options are available and effective.
Our anxiety checklist, for example, has 93 useful tips, tricks, and resources to help people manage their anxiety and take charge of their lives, without requiring medication or medical treatment.
Of course, medical treatment is required in some cases, but most people prefer to help themselves first before seeking medical treatment.
Here are some other insights from this study:
Most people find spending time in nature or outdoors to be most effective. This is backed by science. A research study done on college students found that a 10 to 50-minute walk outside can help reduce stress and anxiety.
The regional insights provided by the research showed that Western Europeans and North Americans found changing their personal relationships to be really effective.
People in the Middle East, North Africa, Latin America, North America, and Sub-Saharan Africa found talking to a mental health professional really helpful, even though it was not their first choice of treatment.
People across all parts of Asia relied on talking to friends and family, improving their lifestyles, and spending time outdoors to manage anxiety and found these activities helpful.
In general, people take 2-8 different approaches to help manage their anxiety. 75% of people need 3 or more different approaches to see positive results and alleviate anxiety.
What does this tell us?
First, people would likely try anything and everything before they seek medical treatment or resort to taking medication. But when they do, most find it helpful.
Second, there is no universal solution for dealing with anxiety and different approaches work for different people. So you need to try a few different things and figure out what works for you.
While medical treatment is not the first choice for many, for people suffering from panic attacks and anxiety disorders, it becomes a necessity.
Let’s discuss some anxiety statistics related to medical treatment for anxiety and also cover the various treatment options available.
Treatment Options for Anxiety
Parental concerns about the potential adverse effects of social media on their teens’ mental health are also notable. According to a Pew Research Center survey, 53% of the parents surveyed expressed worries about the possibility of anxiety or depression problems arising from social media use.
Psychotherapy
This is a type of therapy that aims to address an individual’s emotional responses to anxiety and help them deal with it. A medical professional interacts with the patient and guides them on how to identify and correct problematic thought patterns.
Some common types of psychotherapies include:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: This therapy involves identifying and correcting negative thought patterns, such as all-or-nothing thinking, overgeneralization, and catastrophic thinking. A meta-analysis study published in 2022 concluded that CBT is an effective treatment for anxiety.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): This aims at helping people be mindful of and accept their thoughts and feelings,w without judgment. It doesn’t aim to remove anxiety altogether but helps people live better lives, despite anxiety. Per a 2015 research study, 3 patients with severe anxiety were treated with 10 ACT sessions each and showed considerable improvements in how they dealt with anxiety.
Exposure Therapy: This involves exposing people to things they fear, in a controlled environment, and helping alleviate those fears. This is more effective for panic disorders as it helps people face their fears. A 2015 research study showed that both CBT and exposure therapies are effective in the treatment of anxiety disorders, even though the results may vary on a case-by-case basis.
The various types of psychotherapies, such as Hypnotherapy and CBT, use different approaches and have different success rates. Most studies done on the subject have concluded their effectiveness.
A meta-analysis of 52 research studies was published in 2018 and it proved the effectiveness of psychotherapy in alleviating symptoms of anxiety.
Medication
Sometimes, psychotherapy is not enough to deal with anxiety, especially in cases of severe anxiety or anxiety disorders. Not to mention, psychotherapy takes time and does not provide an immediate solution.
That’s why mental health practitioners prescribe medication to provide short-term instant relief from some symptoms of anxiety.
Some common types of medication for anxiety include:
Antidepressants, such as Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) and Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs)
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): This aims at helping people be mindful of and accept their thoughts and feelings,w without judgment. It doesn’t aim to remove anxiety altogether but helps people live better lives, despite anxiety. Per a 2015 research study, 3 patients with severe anxiety were treated with 10 ACT sessions each and showed considerable improvements in how they dealt with anxiety.
Anti-anxiety drugs, such as Benzodiazepines and Buspirone
Beta blockers for blood pressure and heart conditions
A 2020 research study provided the efficacy of both SSRIs and SNRIs for treating anxiety. The study also found that Buspirone is less effective than Benzodiazepines and has more adverse effects.
Yoga and Mindfulness
Both Yoga and mindfulness are well-known stress reduction techniques that are also helpful in relieving symptoms of anxiety.
Yoga helps relax the body, which signals the brain to relax as well, thus reducing anxious thoughts and jittery feelings. Mindfulness, on the other hand, helps bring a person’s attention to the here and now, distracting them from anxious thoughts and negative thought loops.
Many health practitioners recommend these before they resort to medication.
A 2019 study, which involved a review of online literature and studies related to the effects of yoga and mindfulness on mental illnesses, found both to be effective. These help improve cognition and functioning.
A meta-analysis of 27 studies measuring the impact of Yoga on anxiety found that in 70% of studies, the effects were positive.
Meditation and Breathing Exercises
Meditation is a stress-reduction technique used to calm the mind and help it focus on the present moment.
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) is a common technique for treating anxiety, which uses mindfulness meditation for anxiety, diverts attention away from anxious thoughts and focus on the present moment.
A research study published in 2013 conducted trials on 93 individuals and found MBSR to be effective in reducing anxiety.
A meta-analysis of 47 trials with 3515 participants found that meditation programs have a moderate effect on improving symptoms of anxiety.
Breathing exercises, on the other hand, also have physical benefits apart the mental health benefits. With breath modulation and deep breathing, people can improve their overall health, not just better manage anxiety.
A systemic review of various studies and articles done in 2018 shows that breathing exercises help people feel more relaxed and vigorous. These also help reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, anger, and confusion.
Another study that assessed the impact of breathing exercises on people with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), found it to be effective. However, the duration and intensity of breathing determine how effective these will be.
Based on these anxiety statistics, we can safely conclude that alternative therapies like meditation, yoga, and controlled breathing are effective in managing anxiety.
If you need help finding the right techniques to take control of your anxiety, use this anxiety checklist I have created after years of research. It has numerous techniques that you can use to alleviate anxiety and lead a better life.
Barriers to Treatment of Anxiety
According to the results of mental health surveys conducted in 21 countries and published on PubMed most people suffering from anxiety do not get proper treatment.
The study’s data was analyzed and visualized by Our World in Data to create the following graph.
The data shows that 64%-87% of people with anxiety, do not get proper treatment. The situation is worse in low-income countries, showing that financial barriers are one of the top barriers to treatment.
What are some other barriers to the treatment of anxiety?
A comprehensive study done in a Western European setting found the following themes and factors that stop people from getting adequate treatment for anxiety.
The study identified various personal, sociocultural, and systemic factors, such as mental health literacy, social stigma, fear of judgment from others, and more.
Though the study is not representative of the global population, the key factors that prevent people from seeking treatment for mental illnesses remain more or less similar worldwide.
A 2021 study conducted in Germany, found the following barriers to the treatment of anxiety.
It studied barriers by type of anxiety disorder and overall. The most common reason why people didn’t seek treatment was that they wanted to deal with it alone. The second most common reason was that people consider treatment to be ineffective.
There were several other factors, such as lack of healthcare access and stigma.
Let’s discuss some of the key factors that prevent people from seeking treatment for anxiety and other mental health issues in detail.
Stigma
Social stigma related to anxiety and other mental illnesses is one of the main reasons why people hesitate to talk about their anxiety. This, of course, also stops them from seeking medical treatment.
According to a national survey conducted in Australia, social stigma related to mental illnesses differs by the type of disorder. Generally, the following attitudes are prevalent:
Considering people with mental disorders as unpredictable
Saying it’s a sign or personal weakness or not a real illness
Distancing themselves from people with mental disorders
Unwillingness to work professionally with people with a disorder
Another Australian study found the following stigmatic attitudes related to anxiety:
The same study also measured the perceived stigma and found:
What does this tell us?
It tells us that perceived stigma is much higher than actual stigma. This means that people worry that others will judge them for having anxiety a lot more than actual instances of people judging them.
Irrespective of whether it’s true or not, if someone thinks they’ll be judged for having anxiety, they’ll be more hesitant to open up about it.
Does this stop people with anxiety from seeking treatment?
Absolutely!
According to a 2013 study, 70% of people suffering from mental illnesses globally don’t get proper treatment. Two common causes include:
Prejudice against people with mental disorders
People expect to be discriminated against if they open up about their mental disorder
Both are related to social stigma about anxiety. Clearly, the fear of judgment and other stigmatic attitudes is a big barrier to treatment for anxiety.
Mental Health Literacy
According to the previously cited study on reasons why people don’t get proper treatment, the top two causes are:
People don’t have the knowledge to identify symptoms of medical disorders
People lack the knowledge of how to access proper treatment
Mental health literacy, therefore, is one of the key barriers preventing people from getting treatment for anxiety.
Research done in 2015 found that people find it difficult to identify symptoms of anxiety, due to a lack of severity. If symptoms are mild or moderate, people don’t think they need treatment or even identify it as a problem.
This is most common for social anxiety disorders (SAD), where mild symptoms are the reason why the problem is not identified, let alone treated. After all, if a person doesn’t want to meet other people, they could be an introvert, right? Why label it as social anxiety?
A separate UK study found that mental health literacy varies by the type of disorder. For severe disorders like Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), the recognition rate was high (over 64%). The recognition rates were low for some other disorders—GAD (2.84%), panic disorder (1.26%), and separation anxiety disorder (5.99%).
Though there’s no conclusive proof, one reason for this could be that the symptoms of some disorders, such as OCD and PTSD, are easier to recognize. Symptoms of general anxiety, on the other hand, can be confused with those related to other health issues.
The same study also found that the chances of seeking help also varied by the type of disorder.
People with Phobias and GAD were least likely to seek help. One reason why people don’t think GAD and phobias require treatment is that they consider these to be a normal part of life. Some people tend to worry more and everyone is afraid of something, so why seek treatment?
This study gave a lot of insights into how people think about mental disorders and what they deem worthy of treatment.
Clearly, mental health literacy is required to correctly identify and seek treatment for anxiety disorders.
Access to Healthcare
Inadequate access to healthcare is another reason why people with anxiety don’t get proper treatment. Some possible problems could include:
A lack of specialized medical professionals, especially in rural areas
Not knowing where and how to seek medical help
Not having enough time to get proper medical treatment
According to the previously cited Western European study, even those living in a developed country and with no financial barriers did not get treatment, due to:
Mental health literacy
A negative attitude toward medical professionals
Healthcare system
And more
A research study on children in the US suffering from anxiety revealed that the most common reason people don’t get treatment is that they don’t know where or how to get it.
A broader study done in the US revealed that 95.6% of people faced at least one barrier to healthcare access.
APA’s 2023 Practitioner Pulse Survey revealed that psychologists are burdened by the number of patients and have long waitlists to see new patients.
US is one of the most developed countries in the world and if healthcare access is a problem there, then third-world countries have even bigger struggles.
A 2011 study found that all low-income countries and 59% of middle-income countries face a shortage of mental health professionals.
A more recent (2020) study confirmed this. It found that a shortage of mental health professionals is the reason why 85% of people in low-income and middle-income countries do not get treatment for mental disorders.
Clearly, there is a need to improve the healthcare systems and add more mental health professionals to deal with the increasing mental health burden globally.
Financial Barriers
Another common reason why people don’t get proper treatment for anxiety disorders is the costs associated with it.
As mentioned earlier, there are much fewer psychologists and psychiatrists than needed to deal with the growing number of patients. As such, therapy and other treatments of anxiety are not cheap.
People in the US pay as much as $100-$200 per session, which makes therapy unaffordable for most. Not having insurance or mental health practitioners not accepting insurance are two other financial barriers.
According to the Our World in Data graph shared at the start of this section, low-income countries face a much higher treatment gap. Financial barriers are the likely cause of this and the reason people opt for self-help resources rather than seeking treatment.
If you need the right resources to deal with anxiety without spending an obscene amount of money on treatment, then I can help. I have spent years doing research and creating a comprehensive anxiety checklist to help people like you and me take back control of their lives.
Frequently Asked Questions
According to WHO, 5% of the global population suffered from anxiety in 2019. A 2020 survey by Wellcome, however, shows that 19% of people suffer from symptoms of anxiety. If you look beyond reported or diagnosed cases, the numbers could be much higher.
Portugal, New Zealand, and Brazil have the highest rates of anxiety. In terms of sheer number of people suffering from anxiety, China, India, and the US are the top 3.
Though there are no conclusive studies, the common factors that cause anxiety include social media addiction, poor sleeping habits, and other lifestyle factors.
Another aspect to consider is that people talk about anxiety and other mental disorders more openly now, due to increased awareness and lower social stigma. As such, we can’t be sure whether anxiety rates have increased or people are simply talking about it more openly.
Here are five common symptoms of anxiety:
- Feeling restless and jittery
- Having an increased heart rate and rapid breathing
- Having difficulty concentrating on anything
- Having difficulty sleeping
- Being tense or on edge
These are just a few of the symptoms of anxiety. If you feel any of these and more, make sure you do your research and learn to identify anxiety before it takes over your life.
Anxiety is generally temporary and passes on its own. There’s no cure, only ways to manage it. However, if your anxiety becomes severe and turns into an anxiety disorder, then that is treatable with therapy, medication, and alternative treatment, such as meditation and breathing exercises.
Conclusion
If you've ever felt anxious or restless, you know how overwhelming it can be, even if it lasts just a few minutes. The troubling thing about anxiety is that most people either don't identify it as a problem or don't seek treatment.
Given the wide prevalence of anxiety and its ill effects, we as a society need to take it more seriously and spread more awareness.
Public health initiatives and open discussions on public forums are needed to spread mental health literacy and control this problem in its tracks.
If you need self-help resources to deal with your anxiety, then I can help. I have done extensive research and gone through it myself. Based on my experiences and research, I have written a book "Fearless Living: Beat Anxiety and Live Your Best Life" to help people like me.
I have also prepared a 93-point anxiety checklist with the right tools and resources to guide you on your journey to take back control of your life.