Short answer
Yes. Allah says hearts find rest in His remembrance, and many Muslims find that dhikr calms them. It is a strong support, but not a replacement for treatment when anxiety is an illness: the Prophet ﷺ remembered Allah constantly and also told people to seek medicine. The four schools agree.
Dhikr is recommended at all times and is a means of calm. Using it alongside medical or psychological treatment for an anxiety disorder is the balanced, permitted approach, and the religion does not ask you to give up needed treatment in its name.
The four schools agree on this.
Explanation
Unquestionably, by the remembrance of Allah hearts are assured (13:28). The Prophet ﷺ compared the one who remembers his Lord and the one who does not to the living and the dead. Dhikr turns attention away from spiralling thoughts toward Allah, slows the breath, and gives the mind a simple, repeated focus.
- The dua at times of distress: La ilaha illallahul-azimul-halim, la ilaha illallahu rabbul-arshil-azim.
- The dua of Yunus: La ilaha illa anta subhanaka inni kuntu minaz-zalimin.
- Hasbunallahu wa ni'mal-wakil: Allah is sufficient for us, and He is the best Disposer of affairs (3:173).
- La hawla wa la quwwata illa billah.
- Istighfar, and the morning and evening adhkar.
Some people with anxiety, especially with OCD, find that worship itself becomes a source of fear: repeating dhikr until it feels 'right', or worrying they said it wrongly. If that happens, keep dhikr short and simple, and speak to a therapist, ideally one who understands Islam. Allah wants ease for you, not hardship (2:185).
If anxiety is constant, causes panic attacks or stops you living normally, see a doctor too (see seeing a therapist). More duas are on dua for anxiety, and a counter on the dhikr page.
The evidence
Quran, Surah Ar-Ra'd 13:28
ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَتَطْمَئِنُّ قُلُوبُهُم بِذِكْرِ ٱللَّهِ ۗ أَلَا بِذِكْرِ ٱللَّهِ تَطْمَئِنُّ ٱلْقُلُوبُ ﴿٢٨﴾
Those who have believed and whose hearts are assured by the remembrance of Allah. Unquestionably, by the remembrance of Allah hearts are assured."
Dhikr brings calm to the heart.
Quran, Surah Aal-i-Imraan 3:173
ٱلَّذِينَ قَالَ لَهُمُ ٱلنَّاسُ إِنَّ ٱلنَّاسَ قَدْ جَمَعُوا۟ لَكُمْ فَٱخْشَوْهُمْ فَزَادَهُمْ إِيمَٰنًۭا وَقَالُوا۟ حَسْبُنَا ٱللَّهُ وَنِعْمَ ٱلْوَكِيلُ ﴿١٧٣﴾
Those to whom hypocrites said, "Indeed, the people have gathered against you, so fear them." But it [merely] increased them in faith, and they said, "Sufficient for us is Allah, and [He is] the best Disposer of affairs."
A dhikr of reliance said in a moment of fear.
Quran, Surah Al-Baqara 2:185
شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أُنزِلَ فِيهِ ٱلْقُرْءَانُ هُدًۭى لِّلنَّاسِ وَبَيِّنَٰتٍۢ مِّنَ ٱلْهُدَىٰ وَٱلْفُرْقَانِ ۚ فَمَن شَهِدَ مِنكُمُ ٱلشَّهْرَ فَلْيَصُمْهُ ۖ وَمَن كَانَ مَرِيضًا أَوْ عَلَىٰ سَفَرٍۢ فَعِدَّةٌۭ مِّنْ أَيَّامٍ أُخَرَ ۗ يُرِيدُ ٱللَّهُ بِكُمُ ٱلْيُسْرَ وَلَا يُرِيدُ بِكُمُ ٱلْعُسْرَ وَلِتُكْمِلُوا۟ ٱلْعِدَّةَ وَلِتُكَبِّرُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ عَلَىٰ مَا هَدَىٰكُمْ وَلَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ ﴿١٨٥﴾
The month of Ramadhan [is that] in which was revealed the Qur'an, a guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion. So whoever sights [the new moon of] the month, let him fast it; and whoever is ill or on a journey - then an equal number of other days. Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship and [wants] for you to complete the period and to glorify Allah for that [to] which He has guided you; and perhaps you will be grateful.
Worship should not become a source of distress.
Sahih al-Bukhari 6407
Sahih... مثل الذي يذكر ربه والذي لا يذكر ربه مثل الحي والميت ...
"The one who remembers his Lord and the one who does not are like the living and the dead."
Dhikr gives life to the heart.
Sahih al-Bukhari 6346
Sahih... لا إله إلا الله العظيم الحليم لا إله إلا الله رب العرش العظيم ...
"There is no god but Allah, the Mighty, the Forbearing. There is no god but Allah, Lord of the Mighty Throne."
The dhikr he said at times of distress.
Where the ruling is recorded
- Ihya Ulum al-Din (al-Ghazali), Kitab al-Adhkar wa al-Da'awat. On the virtues of dhikr and its effect on the heart.
Checked by our team. For a more accurate answer to your own situation, consult a scholar. Quran translation by Sahih International. Hadith Arabic from the standard editions of the six books and the Muwatta, with gradings as recorded there; the English is our own rendering. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.