NHS research has suggested that the onset of the credit crunch has led to a significant increase in the number of people being admitted to hospital for anxiety disorders and panic attacks.

Leading anxiety disorders charity, Anxiety UK, believes that worries about finances, job security and the state of the national economy are the main reason why there has been a sharp an increase in the number of people with generalised anxiety disorder (GAD).

Anxiety UK CEO, Nicky Lidbetter, said: "We saw a large increase in the amount of calls to our helpline within the first year of the credit crunch.

"We are concerned that a mental ill health epidemic is looming due to the financial worries currently facing the population. GAD always ranks high amongst our [Anxiety UK] members but we have noticed a trend in recent years where instances of GAD are on the rise."

The charity's recent member survey showed 59% of respondents are now living with GAD, while the total of number of people asking for support has continued to steadily increase since a 400% jump in helpline calls in February 2009.

Ms Lidbetter is also concerned about the number of new patients who are given anti-depressants as a first treatment with a total of 49.8 million prescriptions being written last year, compared to less than 40 million just 3 years before.

“Anxiety UK’s finding suggest that 60% of our members were offered medication as a first step to help with their anxiety,” she added.

"Nobody struggling with anxiety need suffer alone - we can do so much to help and I would urge anyone who fears that their money worries are causing them anxiety problems to get in touch for advice and support."