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Analyzing anxiety and treatment trends using google trends: validation of epidemiologic studies and forecasting

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Quality & Quantity
Authors:
Reza Jafarzadeh Esfehani at Mashhad University of Medical Sciences
Reza Jafarzadeh Esfehani
Amir Rezaei Ardani
Amir Rezaei Ardani
Amir Rezaei Ardani
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Afsaneh Rezaei Kalat
Afsaneh Rezaei Kalat
Afsaneh Rezaei Kalat
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Abstract and Figures

Anxiety disorders are among the most prevalent mental health conditions globally, and studying their trends helps societies provide better care and prevention plans. The present study aimed to explore the global trend of anxiety disorders and antianxiety medication-related terms using Google Trend analysis and forecast future trends. A Google Trend analysis was performed on specific search terms related to anxiety disorders from June 2005 to August 2023. Curve estimation regression analysis was conducted for the five main categories, and the Expert Modeler in SPSS software was used to model the data. Auto-Regressive Integrated Moving Average was applied for forecasting. Our model for anxiety-related search terms over the internet accurately predicted trends reported by the World Health Organization. The seasonally adjusted model for anxiety-related terms, BNZs, SSRIs, gabapentin, trazodone, and the sum of all drugs estimated changes of 16.8%, − 44.9%, 18.2%, 67.3%, 36.6%, and 16.8% respectively, from August 2023 to January 2030. Searches for anxiety-related terms and medications have shown an increasing trend since 2005. The forecasting model indicates a 16% rise in general anxiety searches from 2023 to 2030, with medication-related terms predicted to increase more rapidly.
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Quality & Quantity
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11135-025-02126-6
Analyzing anxiety andtreatment trends using google trends:
validation ofepidemiologic studies andforecasting
RezaJafarzadehEsfehani1 · AmirRezaeiArdani2· AfsanehRezaeiKalat3
Accepted: 8 March 2025
© The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V. 2025
Abstract
Anxiety disorders are among the most prevalent mental health conditions globally, and
studying their trends helps societies provide better care and prevention plans. The pre-
sent study aimed to explore the global trend of anxiety disorders and antianxiety medi-
cation-related terms using Google Trend analysis and forecast future trends. A Google
Trend analysis was performed on specific search terms related to anxiety disorders from
June 2005 to August 2023. Curve estimation regression analysis was conducted for the
five main categories, and the Expert Modeler in SPSS software was used to model the
data. Auto-Regressive Integrated Moving Average was applied for forecasting. Our model
for anxiety-related search terms over the internet accurately predicted trends reported by
the World Health Organization. The seasonally adjusted model for anxiety-related terms,
BNZs, SSRIs, gabapentin, trazodone, and the sum of all drugs estimated changes of 16.8%,
− 44.9%, 18.2%, 67.3%, 36.6%, and 16.8% respectively, from August 2023 to January
2030. Searches for anxiety-related terms and medications have shown an increasing trend
since 2005. The forecasting model indicates a 16% rise in general anxiety searches from
2023 to 2030, with medication-related terms predicted to increase more rapidly.
Keywords Anxiety· Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors· Benzodiazepines
* Afsaneh Rezaei Kalat
rezaeiafs69@gmail.com
Reza Jafarzadeh Esfehani
drrezajafarzadeh@yahoo.com; jafarzadeh@acecr.ac.ir
Amir Rezaei Ardani
rezaeia@mums.ac.ir
1 Blood Borne Infections Research Center, Academic Center forEducation, Culture & Research
(ACECR), Razavi Khorasan Branch, Mashhad, Iran
2 Department ofPsychiatry, Southwest Centre forForensic Mental Health Care, Schulich School
ofMedicine & Dentistry, University ofWestern Ontario, London, ON, Canada
3 Psychiatry andBehavioral Sciences Research Center, Ibne-Sina Hospital, Mashhad University
ofMedical Sciences, Buali Square, Mashhad, Iran
Content courtesy of Springer Nature, terms of use apply. Rights reserved.
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