Is our society facing an increase in anxiety disorders?

Additional factors that may contribute to the increase in the prevalence rates of anxiety disorders include:

• Changing family dynamics, where a decline in care and support of children by individuals other than their biological parents places a greater burden on parents, resulting in an increased strain on family relationships¹
• Political and environmental uncertainty, with many young people (particularly from lower income countries) reporting worries about the impacts of climate change¹

References:

1. Anderson TL, Valiauga R, Tallo C, et al. Contributing factors to the rise in adolescent anxiety and associated mental health disorders: A narrative review of current literature. J Child Adolesc Psychiatr Nurs 2024; 38 (1): e70009.
2. World Heath Organization. World mental health report: Transforming mental health for all. Available at: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240049338#. 16 June 2022. Accessed April 2025.