Covid-19 has led to a sharp increase in depression and anxiety - The Economist

The authors estimate that cases of depression rose by 53m globally as a consequence of the pandemic, 28% above pre-pandemic levels; cases of anxiety increased by 76m, a 26% rise.

To arrive at these figures, the authors assembled survey data from 48 papers that reported on the prevalence of depressive and anxiety disorders during the pandemic in more than a dozen mostly rich countries, and compared them with corresponding pre-pandemic data.

The authors developed a “covid-19 impact index” based on two measures associated with increases in the prevalence of depressive and anxiety disorders: reductions in mobility and the daily covid-19 infection rate.

The authors then used this index to estimate the change in prevalence of depressive and anxiety disorders across 204 countries and territories.

Of the additional 53m cases of depression and 76m cases of anxiety estimated for 2020, roughly two-thirds were in women.

According to the authors’ estimates, cases of depression increased by 37% in North Africa and the Middle East, more than any other region.