Anxiety Statistics Revealed
Anxiety statistics provide insight into who is most at risk for anxiety disorders, how often they occur and how many people suffer from them. This knowledge can be beneficial when providing support to someone struggling with anxiety or depression.
An anxiety disorder is characterized by excessive, irrational fear or worry about everyday problems and events. It may include social, specific, and panic phobias; post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD); obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD); as well as alcohol or substance use disorders.
An individual suffering from anxiety disorder is at an increased risk for developing mood disorders like depression or bipolar disorder. Additionally, it can lead to physical health complications like irritable bowel syndrome, high blood pressure, and chronic pain.
Factors contributing to anxiety disorders include genetics, brain chemistry, personality traits and life experiences such as trauma or low self-esteem. Individuals suffering from anxiety may attempt to control their feelings through negative thoughts or avoidance tactics which may not be the most effective coping mechanisms.
A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to estimate the prevalence of anxiety disorders during the COVID-19 pandemic. We included eligible studies that reported on stress and anxiety disorder prevalence during this period that had comparable pre-pandemic data available. Longitudininal and cross-sectional studies were selected, with time periods of one year or longer preferred.
Results revealed that females and younger age groups were more severely affected by the pandemic than older people. Furthermore, increases in COVID-19 impact index (measured as decreases in human mobility and daily SARS-CoV-2 infection rates) were linked to increases in major depressive disorder and anxiety disorders that were more prominently observed in places experiencing the greatest increases.
