Epidemiology – How Common is Anxiety?
Prevalence and Change in Prevalence
Anxiety disorders are very common in children and adolescents. In the United States 9.4% of children aged 3 to 17 have them, according to CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention) data from 2016-2019. Among teenagers the number is even higher – 1 in 4 are dealing with anxiety.
Interestingly, these rates have been going up over the years, even before the pandemic. Between 2007 and 2012, there was a 20% increase in anxiety among children and adolescents. And from 2016 to 2020, it jumped even more, reaching 12% of children and adolescents between 3 to 17. Teenage years, especially between 13 and 18, seem to be when anxiety disorders really hit their peak. It’s a tough time with lots of changes happening.
Let’s talk about COVID-19. A meta-analysis study during the pandemic found that 13% of children and adolescents met the criteria for an anxiety disorder, and an impressive 26.5% had anxiety symptoms.
But anxiety isn’t just a U.S. thing. It is a global issue, affecting more than 300 million people worldwide in 2019 alone.
Given how many young people are struggling with anxiety, experts at the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommend screening for it in children and adolescents between 8 to 18. It’s important to diagnose it early so young people can get the support they need.
Time of Onset by Anxiety Disorder
Let’s break down the onset of the different types of anxiety:
- Separation anxiety and specific phobias: typically before age 10.
- Social anxiety: usually during late elementary school and persisting through adolescence.
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder: variable onset, no specific age range.
- Panic disorders and agoraphobia: late teenage year to early adulthood.
Gender and Anxiety
Anxiety impacts different genders as individuals progress through childhood and adolescence.
During childhood, anxiety shows no preference based on gender. However, as adolescence unfolds, a noticeable shift occurs. More teenage girls find themselves contending with anxiety compared to their male counterparts. The ratio shifting with age from 2:1 to 3:1, indicating a higher prevalence among girls.
Findings from a national survey on LGBTQ+ youth and mental health, conducted by The Trevor Project, reveal significant insights. Among individuals aged 13 to 24, a striking 73% reported experiencing anxiety. These statistics underscore the need of recognizing and addressing mental health challenges among young people.
Comorbidity
Over 36% of children with behavioral issues receive a diagnosis of anxiety disorders. Anxiety disorders are often accompanied by other conditions, both similar to anxiety (homotypic; other anxiety disorders) and different to anxiety (heterotypic; other mental health conditions outside the anxiety disorder group).
Heterotypic comorbidity, which means having anxiety along with another condition like depression, ADHD, or autism spectrum disorder , is quite common. Individuals with heterotypic comorbidity often experience more severe anxiety symptoms and have greater difficulty with everyday activities.