Older women most likely to suffer anxiety

New figures suggest that women over the age of 60 are most likely to be admitted to hospital for anxiety.

Data published by the Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC) show that 18 per cent of all anxiety admissions in England between November 2012 and 2013 were females of that age group.

For men, the most common age for anxiety was between 45 and 49.

Some 8,720 admissions were analysed as part of the study as well as a further 4,840 for stress.

Alan Perkins, chief executive at the HSCIC, said: "Today's report shows striking age patterns in admissions for anxiety and some interesting age and gender patterns for stress cases."

He added that anxiety cases were down overall last year, but the fact that rates appear to be growing in older people could be an "area for concern".

The highest levels of stress and anxiety were observed on Merseyside.