Abstract Background: The role of long-term effects of caregiving is stressful, often because of the social isolation, repetitive demands and sleep disruptions that come with the role.They become physically, mentally and emotionally weak over a period of time and making them vulnerable to stress, anxiety and anxiety disorders. Objectives: To assess the level of anxiety and anxiety disorders among the caregivers. Methodology: The survey was conducted at Institute of Mental Health in Telangana. 30 caregivers (accompanied by patients) attending outpatient department were selected. The caregivers were interviewed in interview room. Convenient sampling technique was used. The caregivers of patients were interviewed through Hamilton Anxiety Rating scale (HAM-A) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale- 7(GAD-7). Results: The study findings revealed that half of the caregivers that is 15(50%) experienced mild anxiety, 6(20%) had mild to moderate anxiety and 9(30%) had moderate to severe anxiety. As regards to Generalized anxiety disorder, majority of the caregivers 12 (40%) reported to have mild anxiety. Severe anxiety was present among 10 (33.33%). Moderate anxiety was also present among 8 (26.66%) population. The most significant contribution of the survey is that it provides future implications for research and prevention. It also helps the caregivers to realize the early warning signs of anxiety disorders and prevent further deteriorating of their mental health, taking equal share of responsibility by each member of the family prevents burdening of single caregiver.
Keywords: Anxiety; Generalized Anxiety Disorder; Anxiety Disorder.