Anxiety disorders are more common in women than in men, and in young people under the age of 35, a major study has found.

According to scientists from the University of Cambridge, such disorders affect three million in Britain – or four out of every 100 people.

A review of 48 studies worldwide found that women were 1.9 times as likely to suffer as men, mainly as a result of juggling work and family life.

Now the scientists are calling for more resources to study the disorder as part of mental health research.

Study leader Olivia Remes, of the Department of Public Health and Primary Care, said: “Anxiety disorders can make life extremely difficult for some people and it is important for our health services to understand how common they are and which groups of people are at greatest risk.

“By collecting all the data together, we see that these disorders are common across all groups, but women and young people are disproportionately affected.

“While in the past women were more likely to stay at home and be responsible for the family, they are now more likely to hold down a job while also bringing up children.

“They are also more likely to look after the family and elderly or disabled relatives. The burden of all these things falls to women.

“There has been a lot of focus on depression – which is important – but anxiety is equally important and debilitating; it can lead to the development of other diseases and psychiatric disorders, increase the risk for suicide and is associated with high costs to society.

“It is important for our health services to understand how common they are and which groups of people are at greatest risk.”

Anxiety disorder mainly consists of feelings of worry, fear and unease which affect everyday life and are difficult to overcome. Symptoms include not being able to sleep properly, high blood pressure and feeling sick.

The review, which was published in the journal Brain and Behaviour, also highlighted a link with other health-related problems and showed that anxiety disorder is most prevalent in the Western world.