Prevalence and its correlates of anxiety disorders from India’s National Mental Health Survey 2016

INTRODUCTION: Anxiety disorders (ADs) impact the quality of life and productivity at an individual level and result in substantial loss of national income. Representative epidemiological studies estimating the burden of ADs are limited in India. National Mental Health Survey (NMHS) 2016 of India aimed to strengthen mental health services across India assessed the prevalence and pattern of public health priority mental disorders for mental health-care policy and implementation. This article focuses on the current prevalence, sociodemographic correlates, disability, and treatment gap in ADs in the adult population of NMHS 2016. MATERIALS AND METHODS: NMHS 2016 was a nationally representative, multicentered study across 12 Indian states during 2014–2016. Diagnosis of ADs (generalized AD, panic disorder, agoraphobia, and social AD) was based on Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview 6.0.0. Disability was by Sheehan’s Disability Scale. RESULTS: The current weighted prevalence of ADs was 2.57% (95% confidence interval: 2.54–2.60). Risk factors identified were female gender, 40–59 age group, and urban metro dwellers. Around 60% suffered from the disability of varying severity. The overall treatment gap for ADs was 82.9%. CONCLUSIONS: The burden of AD is similar to Depressive disorders, and this article calls for the immediate attention of policymakers to institute effective management plans in existing public health programs.