High prevalence of mental health disorder in the USA

Reported by Susan Aldridge, PhD, medical journalist

A national survey shows that the majority of Americans can expect to suffer from some form of mental disorder at some stage in their lives.
Researchers at Harvard Medical School and elsewhere have repeated the National Comorbidity Survey, first carried out ten years ago to look at how widespread mental disorders are in the USA. Their findings are interesting - revealing that the majority of Americans can expect to suffer from anxiety, impulse control, depression or a substance abuse problem at some stage in their lives.

Some people have more than one disorder. But the good news is that in most cases the problem is mild. Most people either delay seeking help or do not attend at all for treatment. Worryingly, despite advances in treatments, those who do ask for help rarely get treated according to clinical guidelines. Since nearly half of those with mood disorders are severely affected and one in five of those with an anxiety disorder report the same, there is room for improvement in the delivery of mental health services in the USA.

Source
Archives of General Psychiatry June 2005

Please take a moment to give us your comments. For questions about Health matters you may check our "Questions & Answers" Portal and Service.