Anxiety, in and of itself, is not typically a direct cause of death. However, chronic and severe anxiety can contribute to a variety of health issues that may indirectly increase the risk of mortality. When anxiety is severe, it can lead to conditions such as sleeplessness, which, as you mentioned, can break down the body's defenses against stress. This can weaken the immune system and make a person more susceptible to illnesses. Moreover, anxiety can also exacerbate existing health problems and lead to behaviors that are harmful to one's health, such as substance abuse or poor dietary choices. The psychological distress associated with anxiety can increase the risk of developing heart disease, cancer, and other serious conditions. It can also increase the likelihood of external causes of death, such as accidents and injuries, particularly if the anxiety leads to risky behaviors. It's important to note that while anxiety can contribute to these risks, it is not the sole cause, and many people with anxiety disorders lead healthy, long lives with appropriate treatment and management of their condition. read more >>

Mild cases of anxiety, depression may lead to an early death. Sleeplessness is a surefire way to break down your body's defenses against stress. ... The greater the level of psychological distress, the more likely a person was to die of heart disease, cancer or even external causes of death like accidents and injuries.read more >>