Study frequency of mental illness has been significantly underestimated so far

Mental illnesses occur much more frequently than previously thought
So far, the thesis was that about one in four people per year suffers from a mental illness. But a newly published study suggests that this value is actually much higher.

Duke University researchers found in their study that over 80 percent of participants eventually developed a mental illness in a long-term study. However, only 17 percent of sufferers suffered permanently from a mental disorder. The physicians published the results of their study in the journal "Journal of Abnormal Psychology".

Many people suffer from mental health problems during their lifetime. Experts have found that over 80 percent of people actually suffer from a temporary mental illness at some point in their lives. (Image: BillionPhotos.com/fotolia.com)

Much of the subjects developed a mental illness during the course of the study
For the current study, a group of New Zealanders from birth to middle age has been medically monitored and their subjects' mental health recorded, the researchers explain. The experts found that over 80 percent of participants eventually developed a mental disorder during medical surveillance.

Almost every person will eventually become mentally ill?
Mental disorders are so common that theoretically almost every human being could at least be diagnosed at some point in their lives, the researchers explain. However, most of these people never receive such a diagnosis and subsequent treatment, for example because their relationships, work performance and overall satisfaction suffer, the experts report.

What protects some people from mental illness?
The few people who never develop a mental disorder could allow researchers to find out what protects them from mental illness. So perhaps at some point measures for prevention or treatment can be developed, the experts explain further.

Mostly mental disorders are not permanent
The results of the study show that the majority of people do not develop lasting mental health problems. However, many people will experience short-term periods of poor mental health, say the scientists. When sufferers develop a mental illness, they often assume that they will be suffering from this disease for a lifetime, the researchers report. However, the results of the study show that this idea does not correspond to reality. Although mental disorders are common, but usually such conditions are not permanent, the authors explain.

Further research is needed
The research team hopes that their current findings will lead to a reduction in the stigma of mental health problems. Nevertheless, much more research is needed to better understand mental illness.

Mental illness is part of normal life
Mental problems are very common. Therefore, society should begin to look at mental illnesses such as broken bones, kidney stones or colds, as it were, as part of normal health impairments throughout life, the researchers explain. Recognition of this universality could finally make adequate resources available for the screening, treatment and prevention of mental illness, the experts add. (As)