Anxiety disorders are the most prevalent of psychiatric conditions. Anxiety is more common in middle age and women more likely to be affected. Risk factors are similar to those for depression:

• Family history
• Adverse childhood experiences such as abuse, exposure to overly strict or harsh parenting styles or parental problems such as domestic violence and mental health problems, and being bullied by peers
• Environmental stressors such as low socio-economic status or emotional trauma
• Substance misuse
• Chronic or painful conditions such as arthritis.

The burden of disability caused by anxiety is considered equivalent to that of chronic conditions such as diabetes and asthma, and accompanying that is its capacity to significantly impair quality of life. Social and occupational functioning can drop considerably – one study put this at around 10 per cent less, increasing to a 45 per cent annual reduction for those with depression as well. People with anxiety are at increased risk of depression, substance abuse, physical health problems such as inflammatory bowel disease, and suicidal ideation and attempts.