Definitions
The wide variety of anxiety disorders differ by the objects or situations that induce them, but share features of excessive anxiety and related behavioral disturbances. Anxiety disorders can interfere with daily activities such as job performance, school work, and relationships.
For the data presented on this page, any anxiety disorders included panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, agoraphobia, specific phobia, social anxiety disorder (social phobia), post-traumatic stress disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and separation anxiety disorder.
Additional information about anxiety disorders can be found on the NIMH Health Topics page on Anxiety Disorders.
Prevalence of Any Anxiety Disorder Among Adults
- Based on diagnostic interview data from the National Comorbidity Study Replication (NCS-R), Figure 1 shows past year prevalence of any anxiety disorder among U.S. adults aged 18 or older.1
- An estimated 19.1% of U.S. adults had any anxiety disorder in the past year.
- Past year prevalence of any anxiety disorder was higher for females (23.4%) than for males (14.3%).
- An estimated 31.1% of U.S. adults experience any anxiety disorder at some time in their lives.2
Any Anxiety Disorder with Impairment Among Adults
- Of adults with any anxiety disorder in the past year, degree of impairment ranged from mild to severe, as shown in Figure 2. Impairment was determined by scores on the Sheehan Disability Scale.
- Among adults with any anxiety disorder, an estimated 22.8% had serious impairment, and 33.7% had moderate impairment.1
- A majority of people with any anxiety disorder experienced mild impairment (43.5%).1
Prevalence of Any Anxiety Disorder Among Adolescents
- Based on diagnostic interview data from National Comorbidity Survey Adolescent Supplement (NCS-A), Figure 3 shows lifetime prevalence of any anxiety disorder among U.S. adolescents aged 13-18.3
- An estimated 31.9% of adolescents had any anxiety disorder.
- Of adolescents with any anxiety disorder, an estimated 8.3% had severe impairment. DSM-IV criteria were used to determine impairment.
- The prevalence of any anxiety disorder among adolescents was higher for females (38.0%) than for males (26.1%).
- The prevalence of any anxiety disorder was similar across age groups.