Anxiety disorders are the most common psychiatric disorders and cross all socioeconomic strata and groups. They are caused by a number of factors, including the temperament of the individual, coping, environment, and the level of support offered by the family and society. Financial difficulties or failures in personal life in most cases become important precipitants, which can lead to further intensification of anxiety and depression.

Anxiety affects people regardless of their socioeconomic status. It is not just a problem for the rich. However, we notice it more in the urban population since the stress level there is considerably higher. Compared to the rural population, the urban population is always on the go, with deadlines to meet and no time to relax or do anything. As a result, individuals sense higher levels of stress and difficulty. Anxiety is a lifestyle condition, and the obstacles that the urban population experiences make it more susceptible.

Dr. Sanjay Garg, Consultant, Mental Health and Behavioral Sciences, Fortis Anandapur, Kolkata, says, “The other issue is that the urban population lacks social support, has little interaction with those around us, and lives a far more isolated and lonely life. As a result, there is an increase in mental health concerns. Then again, we confront more challenges in our daily lives, such as driving, dealing with traffic, transportation issues, and going shopping; there is a queue, a crowd, and you easily become annoyed, upset, and irritable. All of these things add up. Then we also observe that the urban population consumes more recreational drugs such as alcohol and cannabis, which exacerbates the problem. All of these issues, when combined, increase the risk of anxiety among the metropolitan population.”

Dr. Sameer Malhotra, Senior Director and Head, Mental Health and Behavioral Sciences, Max Super Speciality Hospital, Saket, says, “Lower socioeconomic individuals are 1.5 to 3 times more vulnerable to depression, anxiety, and other psychiatric disorders than people belonging to higher economic strata. Financial uncertainty not only results in emotional turmoil but also exacerbates existing psychiatric disorders, thereby making it very difficult for them to become normal again.”

One of the most challenging tasks in the treatment of anxiety and other psychiatric disorders is the lack of awareness and ignorance of the general public, family, and society. People in general do not notice signs of anxiety or think they are temporary, and thus early intervention is delayed. In addition, stigma in society and lack of awareness about proper avenues of help tend to make people seek inappropriate ways of coping in the form of alcohol or drug abuse rather than seeking help from mental health professionals.



Aside from this, myths and misconceptions about mental health disorders, as well as economic limitations, generally discourage people from seeking appropriate medical or psychological help. Fear of seeking help also stems from cultural attitudes and myths, which discourage people from acknowledging their issues. Many keep quiet and allow symptomatology to reach severe phases over the years.

Early treatment, greater understanding, and a tolerant society are important in effective treatment of anxiety disorders . Facilitating open discussion of mental illness, access to affordable treatment, and informed education of society as a whole about the value of professional treatment can contribute significantly to enhancing the experience for everyone involved. By promoting a culture of tolerance and understanding, it is possible to alleviate the load of anxiety disorders and enable individuals to live healthier, more balanced lives.

It leads to stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system and an increase in neurochemical norepinephrine. As a result, the sufferer of anxiety disorder has sleeplessness, palpitations, restlessness, fast breathing, and an inability to feel rested or calm. It is more visible in urban metropolitan cities given the stress of multitasking. Significant performance pressures, having multiple roles and responsibilities, not much time to relax or sleep, and an unhealthy lifestyle with less social and community support can all trigger such conditions.