Azerbaijan has seen a dramatic rise in neurological disorders since 2020 – a trend experts link to the combined effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, wartime stress, and urban pressures.
According to the State Statistics Committee, the number of registered cases of nervous system diseases jumped from 62,126 in 2020 to 87,951 in 2021, marking a staggering 40 percent increase in just one year.
The spike coincides with two major national crises – the COVID-19 lockdowns and the Second Karabakh War. Both events, experts say, profoundly affected the mental and emotional health of the population.
“In 2020, during the war, we saw a surge in cases of panic attacks, neuroses, and anxiety disorders. Patients came in with symptoms of fear, breathlessness, and insomnia,” said neurologist Royana Guluzade in an interview with Bizim.Media.
“The pandemic also played a major role. Isolation, uncertainty, and social withdrawal led many people into depressive states. They lost interest in life, avoided social contact, and struggled to adapt after restrictions were lifted,” she added.
Guluzade noted that urban stress and environmental factors have further aggravated the problem.
“City life – traffic, pollution, and constant rush – puts enormous pressure on the nervous system. We increasingly see symptoms such as irritability, forgetfulness, dizziness, and even fainting,” the doctor said.
Medical professionals warn that the post-pandemic era has left long-lasting psychological effects. Combined with wartime trauma and modern urban living, Azerbaijan faces a growing challenge to protect the nation’s mental and neurological health.
