Could you be part of the one-fifth of adults who experienced an anxiety disorder in the past year? Statistics reveal which demographics may be more widely impacted by these mental health conditions.
Ananxiety disorderinvolves excessive, irrational fear and worry beyond what a typical person would experience with everyday stressors.Anxiety disorder statisticsprovide information about who is affected by various anxiety disorders and the prevalence of these disorders.
Article at a Glance:
- Anxiety disorders are very common, especially among teens, women, and White Americans.
- Some specific types of anxiety disorders are more prevalent than others.
- Anxiety often co-occurs with depression, mania, and substance use disorders.
- About 3.6 percent, or 264 million people around the world, have anxiety disorders.
- Treatment for anxiety disorders is available and effective.
How Common Are Anxiety Disorders?
In the United States adult population, theprevalence of anxiety disordersis19.1 percentwithin the past year, meaning that during a 12-month period, 19.1 percent of adults had an anxiety disorder. Lifetime rates are even higher at31.1 percent, according to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).
TheNIMHreports that the incidence of anxiety disorders varies by age.Anxiety disorders in adultsare seen in 22.3 percent of those aged 18–29 and 22.7 percent of people ages 30–44. The prevalence of anxiety disorders drops to 20.6 percent for individuals ages 45–59.Anxiety in older adultsis less common, affecting only 9 percent of people 60 years or older.
Anxiety disorders in teensare relatively common.Lifetime prevalence ratesofanxiety disorders in adolescents,based on age, are as follows:
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- Age 13–14: 31.4 percent
- Age 15–16: 32.1 percent
- Age 17–18: 32.3 percent
Anxiety Disorders in Men vs. Women
Anxiety demographicsindicate who is most likely to experience anxiety based on factors such as gender and race. Anxiety disorders in women are more common than anxiety disorders in men. In the past year, 23.4 percent of women experienced an anxiety disorder, compared to 14.3 percent of men, according toNIMH.
Anxiety Disorders by Race
The prevalence of anxiety disorders varies by race.One studyfound that White Americans demonstrate more symptoms of anxiety disorders when compared to minority groups. The only exception to this trend ispost-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which tends to be more common among African Americans. Asian Americans demonstrate consistently lower rates of anxiety disorders when compared to those of other races.
The studyalso found that rates of anxiety disorders among different races varied based on the specific anxiety disorder.
Forsocial anxiety disorder, the prevalence among different races was as follows:
- White Americans: 12.6 percent
- African Americans: 8.6 percent
- Asian Americans: 5.3 percent
- Hispanic Americans: 8.2 percent
When it came togeneralized anxiety disorder, the prevalence was:
- White Americans: 8.6 percent
- African Americans: 4.9 percent
- Asian Americans: 2.4 percent
- Hispanics: 5.8 percent
Prevalence ofpanic disorderamong different races was found to be:
- White Americans: 5.1 percent
- African Americans: 3.8 percent
- Asian Americans: 2.1 percent
- Hispanic Americans: 4.1 percent
PTSDprevalence was:
- White Americans: 6.5 percent
- African Americans: 8.6 percent
- Asian Americans: 1.6 percent
- Hispanic Americans: 5.6 percent
Types of Anxiety Disorders: By the Numbers
Researchhas revealed the prevalence rates of the various types of anxiety disorders, including:
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder:Generalized anxiety disorder statisticsshowthat this condition affects 2.7 percent of the population, with 3.4 percent of females and 1.9 percent of males being affected.
- Panic Disorder:Panic disorder statisticsreveal that the prevalence of this condition is 2.7 percent, with 3.8 percent of females and 1.6 percent of males being affected.
- Social Anxiety Disorder: According tosocial anxiety disorder statistics, this condition impacts 7.1 percent of the population, 8 percent of women and 6.1 percent of men.
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD):OCD statisticsshow a prevalence rate of 1.2 percent for OCD. The condition affects 1.8 percent of women and only 0.5 percent of men.
- Phobias:Specific phobiasare the most common anxiety disorders, impacting 9.1 percent of the population. According tophobia statistics,rates vary based on gender, with 12.2 percent of women and 5.8 percent of men being affected.
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD):PTSD facts and statisticsshow that this condition occurs in 3.6 percent of the population or 5.2 percent of women and 1.8 percent of men.
Rates of Anxiety and Co-Occurring Health Conditions
Anxiety is likely to occur together with othermental health conditions. According to currentresearch, the following health conditions commonly co-occur with anxiety disorders:
- Depression:Anxiety and depressionare closely linked, with61.2 percentof people who experience a generalized anxiety disorder during their lifetimes also experience a major depressive disorder.
- Mania: Approximately3.1 percentof people with lifetime generalized anxiety disorder will also experiencemania.
- Substance Use Disorders:Anxiety disorders and substance abusecan occur together, as42.8 percentof people with lifetime generalized anxiety disorder will also experience a substance use disorder during their lives.
Worldwide Impact of Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety statistics worldwideshow that anxiety disorders are common across the globe. According to theWorld Health Organization, 3.6 percent — or about 264 million individuals worldwide — have an anxiety disorder. Additionally, 4.6 percent of females and 2.6 percent of males globally are affected by anxiety.
Statistics on Anxiety Treatment
While anxiety disorders are fairly common across the globe, not everyone who needs treatment receives it.Statistics onthetreatment of anxietyshow that around one-third of people with an anxiety disorder get treatment, according to theAnxiety and Depression Association of America.
Fortunately, treatment for anxiety disorders is available and effective. These treatments may involve medication, counseling or a combination of the two. People with anxiety disorders can also benefit fromcognitive behavioral therapyto help them replace irrational thoughts and fears with more productive, realistic thoughts.
If you or a loved one is suffering from a co-occurring anxiety disorder and substance abuse, The Recovery Village can provide comprehensive services to meet your needs. Reach out to anadmissionsrepresentative today at888.374.5434to begin the treatment process.
