Anxiety disorders are the most common psychiatric conditions, with an estimated prevalence of seven to eight per cent in the UK. Anxiety is more common in middle age, and women are more likely to be affected by the condition than men. 

The burden of disability caused by anxiety is considered equivalent to that of chronic conditions, such as diabetes and asthma, and accompanying that is the capacity to significantly impair quality of life. 

Social and occupational functioning can drop considerably in anxiety – one study put this at around 10 per cent less, increasing to a 45 per cent annual reduction for those with depression as well. People with anxiety are also at an increased risk of depression, substance abuse, physical health problems such as inflammatory bowel disease, and suicidal ideation and attempts.