BUFFALO, N.Y. — How are you feeling? If anxious is the word that comes to mind, you’re not alone. In fact, the American Psychiatric Association’s annual poll found people are more anxious than ever. The number rose to 43% this year, up from 37% in 2023.

A woman named Phyllis spoke with Spectrum News 1. The thing that causes her anxiety was no surprise.

“Health care,” Phyllis said.

What You Need To Know

  • The American Psychiatric Association’s annual poll found people are more anxious than ever

  • Money, people, time, health care, kids and careers are main stressors, Spectrum News 1 found

  • Mental health professionals say channel happiest times in your life when you're feeling anxious or overwhelmed 

She’s not alone: The American Psychiatric Association’s annual poll showed 63% answered their health as anxiety. For Phyllis, who is recovering from a stroke, it’s been a revolving door of doctors, followed by steep price tags.

“It’s the cost and the price for the bills and stuff that they have,” she said.

Rob’s anxiety is trying better in life. 

“Everybody knows the struggles, the ups and downs,” Rob said.

He says the expectations set by family and friends can be overwhelming.

“I get so anxious trying to improve their approval,” Rob said.

Money is another talking point. Cierra Senior and her husband just got married.

“We want to start a family. We're looking for a house. And I feel like we're still like little babies also. And it's just like trying to find the money for all of that,” Senior said.

Paying bills or expenses came in with 63% on ACA’s poll. Also coming in at 63%: keeping their family safe. Shanelle Monts, soon to be a mother of two, says she’s nervous for her kids.

“And you know her life growing up, when I am gone, what’s going to happen to her,” Monts said.

For Sarah and Hillary, it’s today’s world.

“It’s just a busy world,” Sarah said.

“I feel like a lot of people you can't trust anymore," Hillary Brown said. "And sometimes the whole interaction gives me insight, stuttering, and I'm going through a rabbit hole and I'll think like, my God, I stuttered. Me thinking about stuttering gives me anxiety.”

People not being honest is what stresses Warren.

“To make themselves look better,” Warren said.

Time has Ethan anxious.

“There’s a lot of aspects to life,” Ethan said. There’s work, there’s family and to make that all fit in one day, it isn’t easy.”

I think we all can more than agree on that.

“As long as you're alive, you will have anxiety. So, anxiety again, is universal," said Brian Costello with Grounded Path Counseling. “I often say it's a clinical term for fear, and fear is universal. It's human.”

And as humans, it can seem like too much. Costello says we aren’t programmed to take in all the negative, especially on social media.

“This is a complete stranger on the Internet, might not even be a human. And now they're arguing with somebody in their head for the rest of the day," Costello said.

He says that leads to road rage, drinking, poor eating, lashing out at people and unhealthy or dangerous choices. Costello says the next time this happens to you, identify the times you’re happiest and hold onto those memories and those feelings.

“That's important when I'm feeling sometimes my worst to do those things as opposed to isolate, you know when people aren't feeling their best, they tend to isolate, you know, they will get kind of negative,” Costello said.

He also says to let go.

“Human beings like to be in control to some degree of our environment, of our world,” Costello said. “And when our brain is so focused on things that we cannot control, we'll spiral a little bit.”

Costello says we’re living in a pressure cooker, so self-care, asking for help and just talking to people is the best medicine.

Costello has videos and tips on his social media accounts as well. As always, 988 is the suicide hotline and crisis services are always available as well.