Anxiety accounts for about 40% of work absences related to mental disorders in Brazil, making it the leading cause, according to a survey by the National Association of Occupational Medicine (ANAMT). Burnout, commonly associated with professional exhaustion, recorded the sharpest increase after cases tripled in the past year, the report says.
Anxiety disorders involve excessive fear, persistent worry and a lasting sense of threat. At work, they are often associated with heavy workloads, pressure to meet targets, long hours and unpredictable routines—conditions that can also contribute to burnout developing gradually.
Benefits granted for these and other psychological conditions when absences exceed 15 days rose from 219,850 in 2023 to 393,670 in 2025, an increase of 79%. The associated cost reached R$954 million, according to the information provided.
These issues are on the agenda at ANAMT’s 23rd congress, held in Salvador from Tuesday, November 3, to Friday, November 6, in partnership with the Bahia Society of Occupational Medicine. The event is taking place at the city’s convention center.
The congress will also discuss changes to Brazil’s NR-1 workplace regulation. A measure introduced through Labor Ministry Ordinance No. 765/2025 added psychosocial hazards to the occupational risk-management requirements. The update took effect in May 2026, requiring companies to include factors that could affect employees’ mental health in their prevention measures, alongside physical, chemical and ergonomic risks.
Examples of psychosocial hazards include workplace harassment, excessive workloads, extended hours, constant pressure and problems with how work is organized. Companies may face penalties if they fail to identify and assess situations that could harm workers’ health.
ANAMT president Francisco Cortes Fernandes said the congress gives occupational health doctors an opportunity to keep up with regulatory changes and evolving workplace health needs. Specialists from across Brazil and from Peru, Argentina, Mexico and the United States are taking part to discuss measures and policies to protect workers’ health and well-being.
Sources: CNN Brasil.