Mental health problems are more likely to persist among adults now than a decade ago, study finds
The rising number of people with mental health disorders is sounding public health alarm bells worldwide. Anxiety, depression and substance use disorders have become some of the leading causes of illness worldwide. While growing awareness has encouraged more people to seek help and mental health care has improved significantly, an important question remains: What underlying factor could be…
A recent study published in Psychological Medicine has revealed that common mental health disorders such as anxiety, mood, and substance use disorders are becoming more persistent among Dutch adults over time. The nationwide research compared two large groups of adults 12 years apart and found that the likelihood of these conditions lasting for three years increased significantly.
In the newer survey conducted from 2019 to 2022, 57.9% of adults with a mental disorder at the beginning of the study still had a disorder three years later, compared to 42.7% in the earlier survey from 2007 to 2009. The study found that the prevalence of anxiety disorders rose from 10.1% to 15.6%, mood disorders increased from 6.0% to 10.8%, and substance use disorders climbed from 5.5% to 7.1% over the decade.
While factors such as age, income, and living environment have been examined previously, they were found not to explain the trend. Researchers believe that either more people are developing mental health issues for the first time, or those already affected are experiencing longer recovery periods. Tracking the duration of mental health issues could provide insights into this trend and inform prevention and long-term care strategies.
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