Less Than 1/3 of American Mental Health Disorders Treated

A survey of Americans' psychiatric needs shows that while almost 30 percent of the population suffers from mental health disorders, less than one-third of those affected receive treatment for them.

The study, which involved comprehensive interviews of 816 people from the Baltimore area, found that alcoholism and major depression were the most widespread disorders, affecting 14 and 11 percent of participants respectively. Social phobias and panic disorders each affected an additional 5.2 percent of the population, trailed by agoraphobia at 3.2 percent.

Due to their severe nature, disorders such as schizophrenia were more likely to be treated, despite affecting a small percentage of the population, researchers found. However, those suffering from more "liveable" disorders often did not seek help, believing they would get better on their own. Stigma, lack of insurance coverage and a shortage of mental health professionals may also play a part in foregoing treatment.

In an editorial published alongside the study in the March issue of Psychiatric Services, Benjamin G. Druss, M.D. notes that findings such as these reflect how "need" for mental health services is not determined by the mere presence of symptoms, but by an economic matrix that takes into account the burden of a disorder, availability of treatment and individual views.

Need for mental health treatment is best represented not as a unitary construct but as a series of overlapping circles. The first circle is the level of disease burden, which can be measured as diagnoses, symptomatology, and functional burden. The second circle is availability of treatments, because need for treatment implies the existence of a therapy. The third is consumers' perspective on need, which may not agree with the first two measures. Finally, as examined by Messias' team, a clinician's judgment can add valuable contextual information.

Read more:
Study shows many mental health needs go unmet
ABSTRACT: Psychiatrists' Ascertained Treatment Needs for Mental Disorders in a Population-Based Sample