Anxiety disorders are the world’s most common mental disorders, affecting 359 million people in 2021, with more women affected than men. Approximately 1 in 4 people with anxiety disorders receive treatment for the condition. An estimated 4.4% of the global population currently experiences an anxiety disorder, yet barriers to care remain substantial, including lack of awareness that the condition is treatable, insufficient investment in mental health services, lack of trained providers, and social stigma.
Symptoms and Types
People with anxiety disorders experience intense and excessive fear and worry, typically accompanied by physical tension and behavioral and cognitive symptoms that are difficult to control and cause significant distress. Anxiety disorders interfere with daily activities and can impair family, social, school, and working life. Symptoms often begin during childhood or adolescence and include trouble concentrating, feeling irritable or restless, nausea or abdominal distress, heart palpitations, sweating, trembling, sleep troubles, and sense of impending danger. Anxiety disorders increase the risk for depression and substance use disorders as well as suicidal thoughts and behaviors.
Several types of anxiety disorders exist, including generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, agoraphobia, separation anxiety disorder, specific phobias, and selective mutism. Girls and women are more likely to experience anxiety disorders than boys and men. Effective community-based prevention includes parental education and school-based programs to enhance social and emotional learning, as well as exercise programs.
Treatment Options
Psychological interventions, particularly those based on cognitive-behavioral therapy principles, have the most evidence for treating anxiety disorders. These include exposure therapy and stress management skills such as relaxation and mindfulness. Antidepressant medications like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) can also be useful for treating adults with anxiety disorders. Self-care practices include avoiding alcohol and illicit drugs, exercising regularly, maintaining regular eating and sleeping habits, learning relaxation techniques, and developing mindfulness meditation habits.
This article is an AI-assisted summary. All facts and figures are drawn from the original report: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/anxiety-disorders