A silent epidemic: The rising tide of anxiety in India

Experts unpack the causes of rising anxiety in India

On February 12, 2025, Sudhanshu Pandey, known for his role in the popular Indian television show Anupamaa, opened up about his personal battle with anxiety, sharing a haunting experience of a severe panic attack in 2007 that led to years of chronic depression. Yet, his story is far from unique. In India, millions continue to grapple with anxiety, and while there has been a rise in mental health awareness following the Covid-19 pandemic, the number of people actively seeking appropriate treatment remains surprisingly low.

Sudhanshu Pandey, an Indian actor best known for hit television sitcom Anupama, recently opened up about showing signs of anxiety while talking about panic attacks. In a media interview, he opened up about his struggles with anxiety, recalling a severe panic attack in 2007 that spiraled into chronic depression for several years.

Pandey’s struggle with mental health is not an isolated case. Many individuals, including public figures, have battled conditions such as depression, panic attacks, and anxiety.

Beyond celebrities, countless individuals in India continue to struggle with mental health issues, often without adequate support or understanding. A 2024 Economic Survey, citing the 2015-16 National Mental Health Survey (NMHS), revealed that approximately 10.6 pc of adults suffer from mental health disorders. The report also highlighted concerns about the significant impact on productivity, emphasising the urgent need for greater awareness and support.

Amidst rising mental health issues, anxiety disorders are becoming increasingly common among Indians. According to a 2021 Lancet study, there has been a 35 pc rise in anxiety disorders, particularly among women and young people.

 Why are Indians suffering from anxiety disorders?

The sharp rise in anxiety disorders raises concerns about the factors contributing to this trend. According to psychologists, several key factors have led to an increase in anxiety among Indians.

According to Saanchi Agarwal, a Delhi-based counselling psychologist, physical factors such as disrupted sleep schedules and workplace stress have significantly contributed to the sharp rise in anxiety disorders among Indians.

“Environmental factors like increasing workplace stress disrupted sleep patterns, and the constant pressure to prove oneself, whether at work or in life, have significantly contributed to rising anxiety levels. Meeting tight deadlines, coping with job pressure, and changes in sleeping and eating habits, often due to work, have only added to the problem,” Agarwal tells Media India Group.

Meanwhile, an employee assistance programme provider, 1to1help recently released the State of Emotional Well-being Report 2024. Based on data from over 83,000 counselling sessions, 12,000 elective screenings, and over 42,000 assessments conducted between January and November 2024, the report found that nearly 90 pc of Indians, particularly corporate employees and especially those under 25, showed signs of anxiety.

This report highlights the immense pressure the workplace puts on young professionals, especially those just starting out in the corporate sector. Along with adapting to a fast-paced environment, they must also navigate workplace dynamics, crucial for career growth and financial stability. However, despite the effort, many find themselves earning barely enough, and for those living in as a paying guest or PG, affording rent in Indian cities becomes an added challenge.  Over time, this constant pressure can lead to heightened anxiety, as individuals feel overwhelmed by the expectations placed on them and the uncertainty of their future.

However, according to Sakshi Shah, Founder of Gurgaon-based mental health and wellness company Goodlives, a decline in social interactions, digital overstimulation, and an increasing intolerance toward even the slightest discomfort are some of the key factors contributing to the rising sense of anxiety among people.

“One of the biggest contributors to increased anxiety is digital overstimulation. We live in a hyper-connected world where the boundaries between personal and professional life have blurred. Constant news, social media pressures, and doom-scrolling keep our nervous systems on edge, with little time for mental rest. Another factor is the decline in real social interactions. Despite being ‘connected,’ we are lonelier than ever, with face-to-face conversations replaced by texts and social media, while remote work limits in-person connections. Lastly, there’s a growing intolerance for discomfort, whether it is FOMO (fear of missing out) the pressure to achieve more quickly, or the need for instant validation, emotional resilience has taken a hit,” Shah tells Media India Group.

 Anxiety in post-pandemic period

Meanwhile, despite anxiety issues existing among people for a long time, the Covid-19 pandemic led to a surge in stress and anxiety levels, significantly impacting mental health across India.

According to a study conducted by the Centre of Healing (TCOH), a Delhi-based preventive healthcare platform, over 10,000 Indians were surveyed to assess how they had been coping with the new normal. The findings revealed that 74 pc of Indians reported experiencing stress, while 88 pc admitted to struggling with anxiety.

Additionally, the study also highlighted a growing demand for mental health support, with 68.6 pc of therapists reporting an increase in the number of patients seeking therapy, as well as longer therapy hours. Further, 55 pc of therapists noted a sharp rise in first-time therapy seekers since the onset of the pandemic, reflecting the increasing awareness and willingness to seek help for anxiety.

According to Shah, post-pandemic, there has been a significant rise in people seeking help for mental health issues, especially anxiety and depression.

“Post-Covid, there has been a remarkable 30-40 pc increase in people seeking therapy, particularly for anxiety and depression. This rise is not just a statistic, it is a reflection of a global shift in mental health awareness and the deep psychological impact the pandemic has left behind,” adds Shah.

Moreover, Agarwal emphasises that the pandemic played a key role in bringing anxiety to the forefront, prompting more people to recognise their struggles and seek help.

“Many individuals only started recognising their anxiety after Covid-19 because the pandemic was a life-altering event that affected everyone. The prolonged lockdowns, isolation, and uncertainty triggered heightened anxiety levels, making it more apparent and leading more people to seek professional help,” adds Agarwal.

While anxiety disorders existed long before the pandemic, Covid-19 acted as a catalyst, making mental health struggles more visible and increasing acceptance of therapy and psychological support.

Ongoing struggle of stigma & acceptance

But despite increased awareness, seeking help for anxiety remains a challenge. This stigma contributes to a substantial treatment gap, with studies indicating that only about 5 pc of individuals with common mental disorders receive appropriate treatment, leaving a gap of approximately 95 pc.

As per Agrawal, many people hesitate to accept a diagnosis of anxiety has they hate being labelled.

“While conversations about mental health have increased, stigma still persists, especially among older generations. Many people hesitate to accept an anxiety diagnosis because they dislike being labelled. Younger age groups, particularly those under 35, are more open to discussing mental health and reducing the stigma around anxiety and depression. However, for those above 35, there is still a significant reluctance to acknowledge mental health as a real and pressing issue,” adds Agrawal.

However, according to Shah, perceptions of mental health concerns, particularly anxiety, vary across different demographics in India.

“In urban areas, therapy is gaining acceptance, and many workplaces are investing in employee mental well-being programs. However, in smaller towns and rural regions, anxiety is still often dismissed as ‘overthinking’ or ‘weakness.’ Seeking therapy is sometimes seen as unnecessary or even shameful,” adds Shah.

While acceptance of mental health issues is gradually improving, many still hesitate to seek help due to fear of judgment or lack of awareness about available resources.

This underscores the need for continued education and open conversations to bridge the gap between acknowledging mental health struggles and taking action.

The experts say that the rise in anxiety disorders, especially after the Covid-19 pandemic, highlights the need for better awareness and support. Workplace stress, disrupted routines, and digital overstimulation are contributing to the growing crisis. To effectively address this challenge, more efforts are needed to promote therapy, workplace wellness, and mental health education.