Anxiety disorders in India have increased by 123.5 per cent between 1990 and 2023, according to a new analysis published in medical journal The Lancet. The report, based on data from the Global Burden of Disease Study, showed that the prevalence rate rose from 2,591.9 cases per lakh population in 1990 to 5,792.8 cases per lakh in 2023.
The study, led by researchers from Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation and the University of Queensland, found that nearly 1.2 billion people globally are now living with mental health conditions, almost double the number recorded in 1990. Mental disorders have also emerged as the leading cause of disability worldwide, overtaking cardiovascular diseases, cancer and musculoskeletal disorders.
If you enjoyed reading this article, you can help support our journalism by adding OHeraldo as a preferred source.
In India, schizophrenia cases rose slightly from 316.3 per lakh in 1990 to 321 per lakh in 2023. Major depressive disorder increased from 2,147.1 cases per lakh to 2,799.6, while dysthymia or persistent depressive disorder also recorded a rise. Experts said anxiety and depression surged significantly after the Covid-19 pandemic due to stress, changing lifestyles and social pressures.
According to former National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences director Dr Pratima Murthy, improved awareness and reporting may also have contributed to the rise in numbers. The study further revealed that mental health burden peaks among teenagers aged 15 to 19 years. Women recorded higher rates of anxiety and depression globally, while disorders such as ADHD and autism were found to be more common among males.
