International experts are meeting in Auckland tomorrow to tackle a problem recently referred to by the World Health Organisation as 'the healthcare crisis of today'.

Phobic Trust CEO Marcia Read says anxiety disorders are being increasingly recognised as New Zealand's most significant untreated health issue. She says up to 25 percent of the population will suffer some form of debilitating anxiety disorder, which includes panic disorders, depression, obsessive compulsive disorders and issues about body shape.

Ms Read says anxiety problems can be major contributors to relationship, social, economic and employment difficulties.