Anxiety disorders (such as Social Phobia) are the most common type of disorder, affecting 1 in 6 (17%, or 3.3 million) Australians, followed by Affective disorders (such as Depressive Episode) (8%), and Substance Use disorders (such as Alcohol Dependence) (3. %).
3 million Australians are living with anxiety. Anxiety is the most common mental health condition in Australia. 1 in 4 people will experience anxiety at some stage in their life.
Mental Health in Adolescence
In Australia, approximately 14% of 4 to 17 year olds experience a mental health problem each year, amounting to 560,000 Australian children and adolescents in any one year, with 278,000 and 112,000 experiencing anxiety and depression disorders, respectively [1].
In 2020-21, 15% of Australians aged 16-85 years experienced high or very high levels of psychological distress. one in five (20%) Australians aged 16-34 years experienced high or very high levels of psychological distress, more than twice the rate of those aged 65-85 years (9%).
around 6 per cent of Australians experience GAD during their lifetime. around 4 per cent experience GAD in any 12-month period.
Anxiety disorders (such as Social Phobia) are the most common type of disorder, affecting 1 in 6 (17%, or 3.3 million) Australians, followed by Affective disorders (such as Depressive Episode) (8%), and Substance Use disorders (such as Alcohol Dependence) (3. %).
Mental illness in Australia
Mental illness is very common. One in five (20%) Australians aged 16-85 experience a mental illness in any year. The most common mental illnesses are depressive, anxiety and substance use disorder. These three types of mental illnesses often occur in combination.
47% of Australians had one or more chronic conditions. Over the last decade the prevalence of chronic conditions increased (from 42%). Females aged 15 years and over were more likely than males to have a chronic condition (57% compared to 51%).
Australian shepherds are prone to worry, but only under certain conditions. The majority of Australian shepherds who have a regular schedule and live in a serene environment do not exhibit signs of anxiousness. However, this breed does not do well without a schedule or frequent attention from their owners.
In Australia, one in 14 children and young people (4 -17 years) experience an anxiety disorder.
About 1 in 7 children and adolescents aged 4 to 17 have recently experienced a mental health disorder in Australia. The most common disorder is ADHD, followed by anxiety, depression and conduct disorder.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
- GAD affects 6.8 million adults or 3.1% of the U.S. population, yet only 43.2% are receiving treatment. NIMH: Generalized Anxiety Disorder. - Women are twice as likely to be affected as men. GAD often co-occurs with major depression.
Despite the fact that anxiety is one of the most common mental health issues in Australia, it's very poorly understood. High-functioning anxiety is not an official diagnosis, but describes those who to the outside world, seem to cope well with life.
Take into account that the average Czech consumes 13.7 liters of alcohol annually, that the country is ranked 11th globally in tobacco use, and that nearly 30% of the population is overweight, it's hardly surprising that the Czech Republic is the most unhealthy country in the world.
Media Release - 16 November 2020. Aussie men are the second most obese in OECD countries - Aussie men have the second highest rates of obesity (32%) among 23 OECD countries, behind the USA (38%). Aussie women fared better than men but are still obese at a higher rate than the OECD average.
Cardiovascular diseases (coronary heart disease and stroke), dementia and Alzheimer disease, lung cancer and chronic lower respiratory disease including COPD are the most common underlying causes, together being responsible for 40% of all deaths.
Youth reported the most anxiety in Spain, France and the U.S., and the least anxiety in Nigeria, Kenya and Ethiopia.
Greece is the most stressed European nation, ranked in sixth place with 57% of those surveyed claiming they experienced a lot of stress during the previous day. China is in eighth place with 55%; Cyprus is in 10th and Costa Rica is in 11th, both with 53%. Another surprise is the USA, ranked in 13th place with 52%.
Most Americans are suffering from moderate to high stress, with 44 percent reporting that their stress levels have increased over the past five years. Concerns about money, work and the economy top the list of most frequently cited sources of stress.
Mental health is a key component of overall health and wellbeing (WHO 2021). The National Study of Mental Health and Wellbeing conducted in 2021 found that an estimated 1 in 5 (21%) Australians aged 16–85 experienced a mental disorder in the previous 12 months (ABS 2022a).
Interestingly, the number of mental health issues does differ from state to state. For example, Tasmania sees the highest rate of anxiety and depression -- at 21.6% and 18.1% affected respectively, while Queenslanders show the highest stress levels, with 27.5% reporting that they're regularly affected by stress.
Schizophrenia affects roughly 20 million people worldwide (5). In Australia, schizophrenia affects around 2.4 per 1000 people.