Anxiety and mood disorders on the rise: exploring clinical profiles and risk factors

BACKGROUND: An increase in mental disorders has been suggested, but the interpretation of such trends remains unclear. This study examines changes in the 12-month prevalence of anxiety and mood disorders over 12 years and evaluates whether clinical characteristics or sociodemographic, vulnerability and health-lifestyle risk factors contributed to these trends.

AIMS: To assess trends in the 12-month prevalence of anxiety disorders (i.e. panic disorder, agoraphobia, social anxiety disorder or generalised anxiety disorder) and mood disorders (major depressive disorder, dysthymia or bipolar disorder) and explore whether changes in clinical profiles or risk factors influenced these trends.

METHOD: Data from 11 615 respondents (mean age 43.5 years, 53.5% female) in the Netherlands Mental Health Survey and Incidence Studies (NEMESIS) were analysed, covering 2007-2009 (NEMESIS-2, n = 6646) and 2019-2022 (NEMESIS-3, n = 4969). Diagnoses were determined using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview 3.0.

RESULTS: The 12-month prevalence of all anxiety and mood disorders was significantly higher in 2019-2022 compared to 2007-2009, with relative increases across disorders ranging from approximately a half to more than double their previous rates. Any anxiety or mood disorder increased from 10.2 to 16.7%. Clinical profiles were equally severe in 2019-2022; rather, there was increased mental health care use, a higher number of comorbid disorders and earlier onset. Examination of 14 risk factors showed no consistent evidence of greater prevalence or increased relative impact over time.

CONCLUSIONS: There was a consistent rise in the 12-month prevalence of anxiety and mood disorders over 12 years. This increase was not explained by changes in risk factors or less severe disorder reporting. Instead, these findings suggest a concerning decline in public mental health, highlighting the need for effective prevention strategies, timely interventions and better mental health resource allocation to address growing clinical demands.