In a nutshell- Psychiatric disorders are NOT COMMON.
Altogether less than 50% of any population will suffer a Psychiatric disorder in their lifetime.
Psychiatric disorders also have a tendency to cluster together- so a person with one disorder is likely to have another. Mental illnesses are also linked with physical disorders- ranging from cancers to diabetes to arthritis to skin disorders. So the rates of mental illnesses do vary from population to population. Psychiatrists love to say 'anyone' can suffer just because they want to please the crowd. But the truth is populations with health indicators and social indicators have higher rates of psychiatric disorders. One study found that the difference can be as much as 50%- that is the rate of psychiatric disorders in a population with poor indicators exceeded one with good indicators by 50%. In developed countries better access to nutrition and ante natal health care has resulted in decreased schizophrenia and social stability decreases substance use, anxiety and depression. However rates of autism have increased- so thats the gap which needs to be addressed. Better community facilities like availability of nutritious food, clean water, places for play and exercise, recreation (parks and playgrounds) and secure feeling can reduce mental illness.
Serious psychiatric disorders like schizophrenia, bipolar disorders amount to about 2-5% of the population while common mental disorders amount to about 20-25%. Depression is by far the common mental disorder among adults. In children, hyperkinetic disorder is the commonest diagnosis (at least in clinics).
Altogether less than 50% of any population will suffer a Psychiatric disorder in their lifetime.
Psychiatric disorders also have a tendency to cluster together- so a person with one disorder is likely to have another. Mental illnesses are also linked with physical disorders- ranging from cancers to diabetes to arthritis to skin disorders. So the rates of mental illnesses do vary from population to population. Psychiatrists love to say 'anyone' can suffer just because they want to please the crowd. But the truth is populations with health indicators and social indicators have higher rates of psychiatric disorders. One study found that the difference can be as much as 50%- that is the rate of psychiatric disorders in a population with poor indicators exceeded one with good indicators by 50%. In developed countries better access to nutrition and ante natal health care has resulted in decreased schizophrenia and social stability decreases substance use, anxiety and depression. However rates of autism have increased- so thats the gap which needs to be addressed. Better community facilities like availability of nutritious food, clean water, places for play and exercise, recreation (parks and playgrounds) and secure feeling can reduce mental illness.
Serious psychiatric disorders like schizophrenia, bipolar disorders amount to about 2-5% of the population while common mental disorders amount to about 20-25%. Depression is by far the common mental disorder among adults. In children, hyperkinetic disorder is the commonest diagnosis (at least in clinics).
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