A World Health Organization report highlights the widespread impact of anxiety disorders that can become persistent conditions, often interfering with the individual’s daily life. The organization’s report, published Sept. 8, said that despite being highly treatable, anxiety disorders often go unrecognized and untreated.
Here are five things to know:
- Anxiety disorders affected 359 million people in 2021, making them the most prevalent mental disorder worldwide. An estimated 4.4% of the global population currently live with an anxiety disorder.
- Anxiety disorders include generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, agoraphobia, social anxiety disorder, separation anxiety, specific phobias and selective mutism, according to the report.
- Despite highly effective interventions, only 1 in 4 people with anxiety disorders receive treatment with access severely limited by stigma, inadequate mental health care infrastructure and workforce shortages.
- Most anxiety disorders start in childhood or adolescence, underscoring the need for early intervention. Without treatment, symptoms often continue into adulthood and are associated with higher risk for depression, substance use, suicide and physical health symptoms, the report said.
- Prevention approaches, including school-based emotional learning, parental education and exercise programs, can reduce incidence.
