Mental Health Disorders Afflict 165 Million Europeans

Mental Health Disorders Rife Among Europeans

Mental health disorders are largely ignored in Europe, even though more than a third of the population or some 165 million people are affected, a new study shows.

According to the study published Tuesday in the medical journal "European Neuropsychopharmacology," researchers studied data from 27 member-countries of the European Union and some 500 million people were included to come up with the number.

The study was funded by the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology and was presented at a meeting held in Paris, France.

Researchers included 90 mental health disorders to analyze the data for this study - the largest of its kind. The list encompasses a wide spectrum from anxiety to depression and dementia. It also considered autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), mental health conditions which are commonly found in children.

The large sample used to study patients across the lifespan and the wide criteria may explain the surprisingly large number of people that can be considered affected by mental health disorders in Europe.

The study authors said that many Europeans are not willing to report their mental illness readily. Those that seek help face barriers in services and discrimination. According to some estimates, only a third of Europeans receive treatment for mental health disorders.

Other experts not linked to the study says that the figures may be overblown and that it is also important to point out that many people in Europe and elsewhere do not need mental or psychiatric interventions.

Still, the study authors are convinced that neurological, psychiatric and mental disorders constitute a silent epidemic. "Mental health disorders are Europe's largest health care challenge in the 21st century," study co- author Hans-Ulrich Wittchen said during the annual meeting. The study suggests that health authorities need to reassess their response to people seeking help with their mental health disorders.

Posted by George Daniels on Thursday September 08 2011, 1:20 AM EST. Ref: AP. All trademarks acknowledged. Filed under Featured News, Health. Comments and Trackbacks closed. Follow responses: RSS 2.0