Is Anxiety Contagious and Should You Be Worried?

June 24, 2025

Authored by: Taylor Shaw, B.S.

Edited by: Christina Kayanan, LAADC, LMFT

There have been a few studies surrounding the social contagion of anxiety, and the results are a bit inconclusive. Social contagion is defined as the spread of behaviors, attitudes, and affect through crowds and other types of social aggregates from one member to another.¹

In one study on college roommates and anxiety, researchers found significant contagion effects for the general index of psychological distress and for anxiety symptoms, but not for depression or happiness.² However, upon reflection, these researchers also found that the connection between anxiety contagion was tenuous at best. There was a slight correlation, but the researchers warned that it may be due to other factors, and that more research needs to exist around emotional contagion of anxiety disorders.³

During the pandemic of COVID-19, there was a rise in anxiety, and specifically in the social contagion of mental health. New research surrounding this particular pandemic and the social contagion of anxiety in a public health crisis found increased levels of anxiety during this time.² While the research surrounding social anxiety continues to unfold, there are many ways to manage your own anxiety, particularly if you are afraid of how it may be affecting others. If you or a loved one are struggling with generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety, or another anxiety disorder, and you’re looking for mental health treatment or therapy, don’t hesitate to call us today. AMFM Mental Health Treatment has over a decade of experience providing mental health treatment and stress management solutions to individuals living with anxiety.

COVID-19 and Anxiety Contagion

During the international pandemic of COVID-19, anxiety and depression prevalence increased by approximately 25%.⁵ At the time, there were many changes in everyone’s daily life–people were in isolation, there was an infectious disease running rampant, jobs, schooling and many social situations were shut down, lost and dramatically changed–and there was a grand level of uncertainty surrounding everything. In these moments, the social contagion of anxiety could be pinpointed to a root cause, and the fear of this uncertainty led to raised cortisol levels, reduced in person connection, and shifts in the stability or security of daily life.

As a direct result of COVID-19, concerns about potential increases in mental health conditions had already prompted 90% of countries surveyed to include mental health and psychosocial support in their COVID-19 response plans, but major gaps and concerns remain.⁶ Many countries implemented greater resources to mental health infrastructure, and in 2022, the U.S. federally-mandated that the crisis number 988 was to be made available to all landline and cell phone users at no charge.

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Managing Anxiety

Living with anxiety can be difficult, and if you’re worried that your own anxiety may impact others, there are steps you can take to regulate your nervous system, manage your stress levels, and incorporate emotional regulation into your daily life.

Anxiety Therapy

Whether in a group or individual setting, psychotherapy practices like cognitive behavioral therapy and dialectical behavior therapy can help reduce anxiety and negative emotions in the long run. Incorporating regular therapy appointments with a licensed mental health professional is recommended for anyone struggling with anxiety or other related mental health disorders, to build healthier coping mechanisms for lasting wellness.

Psychiatric Care

Psychiatric medications like antidepressants and antianxiety medications can increase wellness in combination with psychotherapy efforts. Many individuals living with anxiety have found success with SSRIs or SNRIs, when prescribed by a licensed professional. Never take a prescription that has not been prescribed specifically to you by a licensed professional, and when incorporating psychiatry into your mental health treatment plan, stay in lockstep with your therapist or psychiatrist regarding side effects.

Grounding Techniques

Grounding techniques can be helpful to break the cycle of anxious thoughts when you or your loved one might feel an anxiety attack coming on. One simple but effective grounding technique is the 5-4-3-2-1 method: name five things you see, four things you can touch, three things you hear, two things you can smell, and one thing you can taste. This practice can help you acknowledge your surroundings and get you out of your head’s negative thought cycles.⁷

Breathing Exercises

There are a variety of breathing techniques and deep breathing exercises that are helpful when your anxiety symptoms feel overwhelming or out of control. One simple deep breathing exercise is to use a count to five as you breathe in, hold it for four counts, then release it for five counts, and repeat until you begin to feel yourself relax and let go.

Physical Stimulation

Physical stimulation can help you to jump start your body out of the fight-or-flight physical response of anxiety. Taking a cold shower, chewing gum, splashing your face with cold water, tasting sour candy (keep some warheads in your wallet!), going for a run (and other types of physical activity) are all ways to trick your body into remembering that it is in a safe place.

Expressive Arts

Wellness activities like yoga, journaling, making playlists, art therapy and more can help build the mind-body connection through a more holistic healing process. Engaging in these kinds of regular self-care and connective practices increases your ability to live in the present moment.

What is Anxiety Mental Health Treatment Like?

In a mental health treatment center, the day-to-day may vary depending upon your diagnoses and personalized treatment plan, but it will often consist of some combination of individual therapy sessions, group therapy sessions, psychiatry services, and more. AMFM Mental Health Treatment combines holistic and evidence-based mental health services in order to help each person overcome their particular obstacles and mental health conditions for greater overall well-being.

Group Therapy

Group therapy sessions can be used to help provide structured times to help you understand that you are not alone in your struggles, offering peer support, and the reminder that others are also walking through these challenges. At the same time, groups provide guidance from qualified mental health professionals, with suggestions and communication from psychologists with specialized backgrounds. These groups can span a variety of backgrounds, including but not limited to art therapy, somatic therapy, and narrative therapy.⁶

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a form of therapy that’s focused on restructuring and reprogramming maladaptive and negative thought processes. Psychologists are trained to help adults and young adults change their cognitive and emotional processes in order to outgrow maladaptive coping mechanisms.⁷

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is most commonly referred to as “talk therapy,” and is designed to help process emotions. Qualified professionals offer psychological therapy to move forward with healthy ways of engaging in interpersonal relationships and alleviating physical and emotional distress.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR)

EMDR Therapy is a renowned method of reprocessing most often used in trauma therapy. By activating the prefrontal cortex through a series of bilateral stimulation, qualified mental health professionals can lead you through traumatic experiences, helping you to alleviate the distress symptomized by trauma.⁸

Family Therapy

AMFM Mental Health Treatment offers family therapy through virtual family support groups that provide a dedicated time for families to engage in supportive and constructive interactions, fostering stronger relationships, and enhancing the overall treatment experience. Recovery takes a village, and it’s often helpful for family members to be involved in behavioral growth.

Additional Mental Health Disorders for Treatment

AMFM Mental Health Treatment has extensive experience treating a variety of mental health conditions–through evidence-based therapies, support groups, mental health resources and more–including but not limited to the following:

Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Depression
Eating Disorders
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Crisis & Traumatic Events
ADHD
Bipolar Disorder
Mood Disorders
Panic Disorder / Panic Attacks
Psychosis
Phobias
Schizophrenia

Recovery can feel isolating; mental health programming can provide treatment options and mental health benefits to help you or your loved one as you move forward.

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Citations

American Psychological Association. (n.d.-a). Apa Dictionary of Psychology. American Psychological Association. https://dictionary.apa.org/social-contagion

Eisenberg D, Golberstein E, Whitlock JL, Downs MF. Social contagion of mental health: evidence from college roommates. Health Econ. 2013 Aug;22(8):965-86. doi: 10.1002/hec.2873. Epub 2012 Oct 11. PMID: 23055446; PMCID: PMC4381550.

World Health Organization. (n.d.-a). Covid-19 pandemic triggers 25% increase in prevalence of anxiety and depression worldwide. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/news/item/02-03-2022-covid-19-pandemic-triggers-25-increase-in-prevalence-of-anxiety-and-depression-worldwide

Smith, Sara. “BHP Blog – Behavioral Health Partners (BHP).” BHP Blog – Behavioral Health Partners (BHP) – University of Rochester Medical Center, 10 April 2018, https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/behavioral-health-partners/bhp-blog/april-2018/5-4-3-2-1-coping-technique-for-anxiety. Accessed 9 April 2025.

“Psychotherapy: Understanding group therapy.” American Psychological Association, 31 October 2019, https://www.apa.org/topics/psychotherapy/group-therapy. Accessed 20 February 2025.

“APA Dictionary of Psychology.” APA Dictionary of Psychology, https://dictionary.apa.org/cognitive-behavior-therapy. Accessed 20 February 2025.

“What is EMDR?” EMDR Institute, https://www.emdr.com/what-is-emdr/. Accessed 20 February 2025.

Mental Health Coverage

Mental Health Coverage

Is Anxiety Contagious and Should You Be Worried?

COVID-19 and Anxiety Contagion

Find out about our free assessments and admissions process

Managing Anxiety

Anxiety Therapy

Psychiatric Care

Grounding Techniques

Breathing Exercises

Physical Stimulation

Expressive Arts

What is Anxiety Mental Health Treatment Like?

Group Therapy

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR)

Family Therapy

Additional Mental Health Disorders for Treatment

Citations