It can feel like everyone has anxiety now.

Teenagers talk about panic attacks on social media.
Adults use “my anxiety” as shorthand for stress at work.
Headlines warn of a global mental health crisis.

Behind the language and the memes, there is real data:

• From 1990 to 2021, the global incidence of anxiety disorders among 10- to 24-year-olds increased by over 50%, especially in the years after 2019. PMC
  
• In recent U.S. surveys, about 1 in 5 adolescents reported significant anxiety symptoms within a two-week period. The Annie E. Casey Foundation
  

So yes, clinically significant anxiety is more common.
But daily worry, stress, and “feeling anxious” are also normal human experiences.

This article explores what’s really changed, what’s driving the data, and what responsible, evidence-based anxiety care still looks like in 2025.

If you are experiencing intense distress, thoughts of self-harm, or feeling unable to cope, please seek immediate help from local emergency services or a trusted crisis line.

The Numbers Behind the “Anxiety Everywhere” Feeling

A 2024 global analysis showed:

• a 52% increase in anxiety disorders among adolescents and young adults between 1990 and 2021,
  
• with higher prevalence among females,
  
• and a notable acceleration after the COVID-19 pandemic period. PMC
  

U.S. data echo this:

• roughly 20% of adolescents (12–17) report recent anxiety symptoms, including persistent worry and feeling nervous most days. The Annie E. Casey Foundation
  

These are not just “nerves”  they reflect measurable, impairing symptoms at population scale.

The Roles of Social Media, Screens, and Pandemic Disruption

Multiple sources converge on some key drivers.

Social media and constant connection

• Up to 95% of young people aged 13–17 report using a social media platform, and about one-third say they are online “almost constantly.” HHS
  
• A WHO Europe report found that more than 1 in 10 adolescents show signs of problematic social media use — struggling to control it and experiencing negative consequences — with girls disproportionately affected. World Health Organization
  
• A 2025 Pew survey found that 45% of teens believe they spend too much time on social media, and a significant share of teen girls say platforms hurt their mental health and confidence. Pew Research Center
  

Researchers have linked excessive or problematic social media use with increased anxiety, depressive symptoms, and loneliness.ScienceDirect

Pandemic disruption and recovery

The pandemic:

• interrupted school routines,
  
• increased isolation,
  
• moved social life and support almost entirely online.
  

A 2025 analysis of California data found that returning to in-person school was associated with reduced mental health diagnoses and lower spending on ADHD and psychiatric medications, underscoring the protective role of structure, social contact, and school-based support.The Washington Post

The crisis didn’t create anxiety from scratch, but it amplified vulnerabilities that were already there.

When Is Anxiety a Disorder, and When Is It a Signal?

Feeling anxious before an exam, during a breakup, or while starting a new job is normal.

Anxiety becomes more clinically concerning when it:

• is present most days for weeks or months,
  
• interferes with sleep, appetite, or concentration,
  
• leads to avoidance (school, work, social situations),
  
• or causes physical symptoms (palpitations, stomach pain, headaches) that aren’t explained by medical issues.
  

Sometimes, what looks like “just anxiety” is intertwined with other conditions:

• depression,
  
• ADHD,
  
• thyroid dysfunction or endocrine changes,
  
• chronic pain or GI conditions,
  
• allergies or asthma exacerbations.
  

AllMedRx’s endocrine and depression content speaks to how these systems intersect: Compounded Options for Treatment-Resistant Depression
When Does Compounding Make Sense for Endocrine Conditions?

What Evidence-Based Anxiety Care Looks Like in 2025

Anxiety treatment is not “one size fits all,” but several approaches have solid evidence:

1. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Other Psychotherapies

CBT helps patients:

• identify thought patterns that drive anxiety,
  
• learn coping strategies,
  
• practice exposure to feared situations in a structured way.
  

Other modalities (ACT, mindfulness-based approaches) can also be effective.

2. Lifestyle and Behavioral Foundations

• Sleep hygiene
  
• Exercise and movement
  
• Reducing stimulants (caffeine, certain energy drinks)
  
• Setting healthier boundaries with screens and social media
  

AllergyWorx’s at-home testing guide is an example of checking physical contributors when symptoms are unclear: Allergy Testing at Home (2025)

3. Medication When Clinically Appropriate

Depending on severity and functional impact, clinicians may consider:

• antidepressants with anxiety indications,
  
• certain other non-habit forming agents,
  
• and in some cases, cautious, short-term use of other medications.
  

The details of specific drug choices belong in a visit with a licensed prescriber.

Compounded medication can sometimes assist when:

• a patient cannot tolerate dyes or fillers,
  
• alternative dosage forms are needed (e.g., liquids),
  
• or doses must be adjusted in smaller increments than commercial strengths.
  

For that, AllMedRx offers allergen- and excipient-sensitive options: Dye-Free & Gluten-Free Medicines

Telehealth, Access, and Caution

Telehealth has made anxiety treatment more accessible, especially for:

• people in rural areas,
  
• those with mobility issues,
  
• or individuals anxious about leaving home.
  

At the same time:

• therapy must still be clinically grounded,
  
• medication decisions should not be rushed,
  
• and complex cases may eventually need in-person evaluation.
  

Patients should feel comfortable asking:

• “How often will we follow up?”
  
• “What is your approach if symptoms don’t improve?”
  
• “Do you coordinate care with my primary doctor or other specialists?”
  

Anxiety, Personalization, and the Role of Data

Looking ahead, the integration of:

• EMR data,
  
• wearable and symptom-tracking tools,
  
• and AI-supported analytics
  

may help customize anxiety care:

• identifying patterns (sleep, hormones, stressors),
  
• flagging when symptoms escalate,
  
• and supporting more precise adjustments to therapy.
  

Capital Worx frames this as part of the personalized medicine infrastructure that will define the next decade of healthcare: The Next Decade of Personalized Medicine
 

Final Thoughts : Anxiety Is Real, but So Are Your Options

Anxiety in 2025 is shaped by:

• global events,
  
• technology and social media,
  
• systemic pressures,
  
• and individual biology and history.
  

It’s understandable to feel overwhelmed, but there is still a clear, evidence-based path forward:

• Talk to a trusted clinician.
  
• Consider therapy and lifestyle steps, not medication alone.
  
• Use medications — when needed — under careful supervision.
  
• Ask about personalization when standard options don’t fit you well.
  

AllMedRx’s role is to support that process safely, by providing customized, transparent formulations when a prescriber determines that compounding may help, always as part of a bigger, thoughtful mental health plan.