Source: Health Policy Institute of Ohio
While Americans reported heightened symptoms of anxiety and depression during the pandemic peaking last winter, their symptoms had improved by this past June, according to a new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study (Source: “COVID Nearly Doubled Self-Reported Anxiety Symptoms,” Axios, October 6, 2021).
Still, Americans reported their anxiety and depression symptoms are still higher than they were before the pandemic. The average anxiety severity score increased 13% from late August to December 2020 and then decreased nearly 27% from December to late May and early June this year.
About a fifth of U.S. adults still experience high levels of psychological distress, per the Pew Research Center, especially adults under 29, those with lower income or adults with a disability or health conditions.