U.S. Adults Report High Rates of Anxiety and Mental‑Health Problems

Anxiety disorders affect roughly 42.5 million adults in the United States, and recent CDC data show that 18.2 % of adults experienced anxiety symptoms within the past two weeks. Researchers have not pinpointed a single cause, but identify factors such as personality traits, low self‑esteem, stressful life events, financial pressures and substance use as contributors.

A separate survey of U.S. adults conducted in 2025‑2026 found that more than four in ten reported experiencing mental‑health problems—including stress, anxiety or depression—within the previous year. The pandemic amplified both the prevalence of symptoms and openness about mental‑health issues, prompting broader public discussion and calls for greater support.

Both pieces highlight the widespread nature of mental‑health challenges in the United States and underscore the need for treatment options and public awareness.