Anxiety and Depression: The Impact on the Healthcare System and Professionals
Anxiety and depression are prevalent in the United States. Approximately 9.5% of American adults suffer from a depressive illness, and about 18% of people ages 18- 54 have an anxiety disorder. These are significant statistics, making it essential for us to understand the impact anxiety and depression have on not only the healthcare system but also healthcare professionals. 
Anxiety and Depression
First, we need to define what is anxiety and depression before discussing how it impacts the healthcare system and professionals.
People worry every day about various things, and this turns into anxiety when the worry is not temporary and starts to consume their lives. Anxiety can impact a person’s personal, family, and professional life. Different types of anxiety include
- Generalized anxiety disorder
- Panic disorder
- Social anxiety disorder
- Phobia-related disorders
Depression impacts how a person feels, their mood, how they think, and their ability to complete daily tasks. To be diagnosed with depression, the symptoms must be present for at least two weeks. Different types of depression include
- Major depression
- Persistent depression
- Perinatal depression
- Seasonal affective disorder
- Depression with episodes of psychosis
- People with bipolar can experience depressive episodes
- Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder
Impact of Anxiety and Depression on the Healthcare System
Anxiety and depression not only impact the individual experiencing mental illness, but they also impact the healthcare system. This can be due to the number of people who have mental illness but are untreated, the lack of access to mental health care, or the compliance with treatment plans.
- The most common cause of hospitalization in the United States in people under the age of 18 is due to depression.
- People aged 18-44 are at a higher risk of hospitalization for psychosis spectrum and mood disorders as they account for almost 600,000 hospitalizations yearly.
- Mental illness costs the economy of the United States $193.2 billion in lost earnings each year.
Impact of Anxiety and Depression on Healthcare Professionals
The impact mental health, especially anxiety and depression, can have on healthcare professionals is significant. Not only does it affect their individual health, relationships, and overall well-being, but it can also lead to poorer outcomes in the workplace and burnout. Below are a few outcomes of mental health that can impact healthcare professionals.
- Burnout: In 2022, approximately 46% of health professionals report burnout, an increase from 32% in 2018.
- High nurse turnover
- Increase medication errors
- Lower job satisfaction: In 2022, 44% of health professionals intended to look for a new job, compared to 33% in 2018.
- Fatigue
The information above is alarming, both regarding the impact anxiety and depression have on the healthcare system and healthcare providers. Improving and caring for the mental health of healthcare professionals needs to be a priority. This is vital to ensure there is no shortage of health professionals and they can provide high-quality care. Through this, we may be able to help decrease the burden anxiety and depression have on the healthcare system and overall economy.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). Health workers face a mental health crisis. https://www.cdc.gov/vitalsigns/health-worker-mental-health/index.html
- Flaubert JL, Le Menestrel S, Williams DR, et al. (2021). The future of nursing 2020-2030: charting a path to achieve health equity. National Academies Press. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK573902/
- John Hopkins Medicine. (n.d.). Mental Health Disorder Statistics. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/mental-health-disorder-statistics
- National Institute of Mental Health. 2024. Anxiety Disorders. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/anxiety-disorders
- National Institute of Mental Health. 2024. Depression. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/depression
