Increasing Mental Health Concerns: A Real Phenomenon or a Figment of Our Imagination?

Mental illness affects one in five Americans and costs more than $300 billion each year to treat — but most of that treatment isn’t happening. In fact, half of adults with mental illnesses don’t get treatment, and only about one-third of youth receive mental health services, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). This lack of treatment may be due to the fact that 60% of adults with mental illnesses never received any type of mental health services, NAMI reports.

PTSD

While many associate PTSD with military personnel, combat veterans are not the only people affected. One in five American adults will be directly exposed to a traumatic event at some point in their lives, and approximately 8% will develop PTSD. This is just one condition that can develop as a result of exposure to trauma, which is why mental health professionals recommend any person exposed to traumatic events should seek help early on; it may prevent further complications down the line. For example, children who experience domestic violence or abuse are likely to suffer from PTSD later in life. Those suffering from serious conditions like bipolar disorder or schizophrenia also need treatment for recovery. 

The World Bank estimates that those living with mental illness account for more than $2 trillion dollars annually in lost earnings potential globally due to absenteeism and unemployment rates. With so much at stake, we must work together toward achieving sustainable development goals by providing universal access to affordable quality healthcare for all people.

Depression

In 2020, depression will continue to be one of most common mental disorders worldwide and rank second after anxiety disorders. Anxiety disorders: In 2020, anxiety will continue to be among top 10 causes for disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) globally and a leading cause for treatment. Schizophrenia: In 2020, schizophrenia will remain among top 10 causes for DALYs globally and highest ranked mental disorder affecting young people. Substance abuse: In 2020, substance use disorders (SUD) such as alcohol use disorder (AUD), illicit drug use disorder (IDU), and nicotine dependence will remain among ten major causes for DALYs worldwide due to burden caused by illness and premature mortality.

Eating disorders: In 2020, eating disorders will remain high on global agenda due to their severe physical health consequences and high mortality rates. Autism spectrum disorder: By 2020, autism spectrum disorder (ASD) will become increasingly prevalent across regions but less so in developed countries where prevalence has been higher than developing countries. 

Bipolar affective disorder: By 2020 bipolar affective disorder (BAD) will become increasingly prevalent across regions but less so in developed countries where prevalence has been higher than developing countries. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: By 2020 ADHD will become increasingly prevalent across regions but less so in developed countries where prevalence has been higher than developing countries.

Anxiety Disorder

With over 40 million U.S. adults living with anxiety disorder, anxiety disorders are one of the most common mental illnesses in America. The most prevalent type is panic disorder, followed by generalized anxiety disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Anxiety often becomes a cycle: people feel anxious about getting anxious and it perpetuates itself. Breaking free from that cycle can be challenging but these tips can help you on your way to feeling better: Dealing With Anxiety - Our Best Tips & Tricks To Help You Cope Depression: Depression affects more than 16 million American adults each year. It’s also very common among college students. 

According to data released by UCLA, suicide is now among the top three causes of death for young people ages 15–24 years old; suicide rates have increased 60% since 1999. If you or someone you know may be at risk for suicide, call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or text START to 741-741 immediately to reach trained counselors at Crisis Text Line. For more information on depression please visit NIMH's Depression website .

Substance Abuse Disorder

Every year, substance abuse disorder costs society at least $600 billion and results in nearly 500,000 deaths. Drug overdose is now considered one of our country’s top three leading causes of accidental death—surpassing car accidents—and drug overdoses are on track to soon outnumber gun homicides. Based on current trends, by 2020 more than half a million people will die from drug-related causes. Addiction takes a heavy toll on not just individuals and their families but also society as a whole: it leads to lost productivity, decreased worker morale and significant health care costs. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that mental health disorders cost hundreds of billions dollars per year globally due to indirect costs related to unemployment and missed work days alone.

Borderline Personality Disorder

BPD is a lifelong, chronic and severe mental health disorder characterized by persistent patterns of instability in moods, behavior, self-image and relationships. Individuals with BPD also have poor behavioral control and a heightened sensitivity to negative evaluation. While commonly misunderstood as simply chronic moodiness or irritability—and often confused with other conditions such as depression or anxiety—BPD affects cognition, social functioning and physical health. This can make it challenging for those with BPD to reach their full potential both personally and professionally. Although individuals with BPD may be highly sensitive to changes in their environment, many do not seek treatment until there is a problem in some aspect of their lives that cannot be addressed without professional help.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

People with OCD have unwanted thoughts, feelings and/or repetitive behaviors that they find very difficult to control. They often experience anxiety as a result. The term obsessive compulsive disorder refers to both obsessions (intrusive, unpleasant thoughts, images or urges) and compulsions (ritualistic behaviors or mental acts that reduce anxiety). According to statistics from NIMH, about one in 50 adults experience obsessive compulsive disorder during their lifetime.

Bipolar Disorder

According to a report from NIH, bipolar disorder affects about 2.6 percent of U.S. adults in a given year (about 7 million). The condition is characterized by severe shifts in mood and activity levels—from overly depressed to overly elated. According to Johns Hopkins University, these extremes can cause significant problems for people with bipolar disorder; during their highest highs, they may feel on top of the world, but their lowest lows can bring them down to rock bottom—leaving them so depressed that they feel helpless and suicidal or so irritable and manic that they don’t have any desire to live life.

Alzheimer’s Disease

Worldwide, an estimated 46.8 million people had dementia, which includes Alzheimer’s disease, by 2016. This number is projected to reach 75.6 million by 2030 and 131.5 million by 2050. In 2013 alone, more than 5 million deaths globally were attributed to dementia; it was a leading cause of death among adults age 60 and older (15%). Dementia also accounted for two-thirds (66%) of all cases where mood disorders and cognition are linked (i.e., depression with Alzheimer’s disease or psychosis with Alzheimer’s). This figure will rise as populations age; worldwide there were twice as many individuals with dementia between ages 70 and 84 compared to those 85 and older—though only 50% greater in absolute numbers at that time.

Dementia

In 2015, more than 5 million Americans over 65 have dementia. Based on population projections, that number will likely increase to 7.1 million by 2025. Dementia is an irreversible, progressive disease that attacks the brain, resulting in problems with memory, thinking and behavior. It can also cause changes in personality and affect a person’s mood or ability to perform everyday activities like bathing or getting dressed. While Alzheimer's is a common type of dementia, there are other causes including stroke and Parkinson's disease. In all cases, dementia slowly destroys brain cells until it has robbed its victim of mental functions.

Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD): A Neurological Issue?

An estimated 1.1 percent of U.S. children, or more than one in 68, have been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) as of 2014—more than four times what was reported in 2000. The findings are part of a new report released by the CDC on Thursday. ASD refers to a range of neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by challenges with social skills and repetitive behaviors, according to federal health officials. Adults and adolescents living with an ASD experience significant challenges throughout their lives—from maintaining relationships and getting jobs to managing money and caring for themselves, according to experts from Autism Speaks.