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80+ Mental Health Disorder Statistics, Facts & Prevalence

Understanding the prevalence and statistics surrounding common mental health disorders is crucial in addressing and providing appropriate support and treatment for those affected.

Mental Health Disorder Statistics & Facts

  • Approximately 1 in 5 adults in the United States experiences a mental illness in a given year.
  • Depression affects over 264 million people worldwide.
  • Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health condition, affecting around 275 million people globally.
  • Suicide is the second leading cause of death among individuals aged 15-29 years old.
  • Bipolar disorder affects approximately 2.8% of the global population.
  • Eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of any mental illness, with anorexia nervosa having a mortality rate of around 10%.
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) affects about 7-8% of the population at some point in their lives.
  • Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is estimated to affect 5-10% of children worldwide.
  • Schizophrenia affects around 20 million people globally.
  • Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) affects approximately 2-3% of the population.
  • Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) affects around 6.8 million adults in the United States.
  • Major depressive disorder (MDD) affects around 17.3 million adults in the United States.
  • Approximately 50% of mental health conditions begin by the age of 14, and 75% by the age of 24.
  • Social anxiety disorder affects about 15 million adults in the United States.
  • Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is estimated to affect 1-2% of the population.
  • About 10% of people with anorexia nervosa will die from complications related to the illness.
  • Around 4% of adults experience attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in the United States.
  • Mental Health America
    • Approximately 6 million adults in the United States have bipolar disorder.
    • About 10 million adults in the United States have co-occurring mental health and addiction disorders.
    • Over 80% of people with anxiety disorders never receive treatment.
    • Only about 50% of individuals with major depressive disorder receive treatment.
    • It is estimated that 90% of people who die by suicide have an underlying mental health condition.
    • In the United States, mental illnesses account for more disability and lost productivity than any other health conditions.
    • About 2.7% of the global population suffers from panic disorder.
    • Around 1% of the global population has schizophrenia.
    • Approximately 25% of adults in the United States have a diagnosable mental disorder in a given year.
    • Depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide.
    • Approximately 20% of children and adolescents globally experience mental health problems.
    • Only about 36% of people with anxiety disorders receive treatment.
    • Approximately 1.1% of the global population has bipolar disorder.
    • About 3.5% of the global population has obsessive-compulsive disorder.
    • An estimated 50% of people with an eating disorder also have a co-occurring mood disorder.
    • Around 50% of adults with a substance use disorder also have a co-occurring mental health disorder.
    • Schizophrenia is associated with a threefold increased risk of premature death.
    • Women are more likely than men to experience mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety.
    • Approximately 30% of war veterans experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) at some point in their lives.
    • Only about 40% of people with schizophrenia receive appropriate treatment.

    Common Causes of Metal Health Disorder

    Mental disorders can arise from a complex interplay of various factors, including genetic, biological, environmental, and psychological factors. While it is challenging to pinpoint specific causes for each mental disorder, here are some common factors that are often associated with the development of mental disorders:

    1. Genetics and Family History: Certain mental disorders, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depression, can have a genetic component. Having a family history of mental illness increases the risk of developing similar conditions.
    2. Traumatic Life Events: Experiencing significant trauma, such as physical or sexual abuse, neglect, violence, or the loss of a loved one, can increase the risk of developing mental disorders, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety disorders, and mood disorders.
    3. Chronic Stress: Prolonged exposure to stress, whether due to work, relationships, financial problems, or other life challenges, can contribute to the development of mental disorders. Chronic stress can disrupt brain chemistry and affect overall mental well-being.
    4. Biological Factors: Imbalances in brain chemistry and neurotransmitter systems, such as serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine, are often associated with mental disorders. Hormonal imbalances and abnormalities in brain structure and function can also play a role.
    5. Substance Abuse: Substance abuse, including alcohol and drug addiction, can lead to or exacerbate mental disorders. Substance abuse affects brain chemistry and can trigger or worsen conditions such as anxiety, depression, and psychosis.
    6. Childhood Experiences: Adverse experiences during childhood, such as neglect, abuse, trauma, or growing up in a dysfunctional family environment, can significantly impact mental health and increase the risk of developing mental disorders later in life.
    7. Chronic Medical Conditions: Certain chronic medical conditions, such as chronic pain, cancer, neurological disorders, and autoimmune diseases, can contribute to the development of mental disorders. The psychological impact of dealing with a chronic illness can be significant.
    8. Environmental Factors: Environmental factors, such as exposure to toxins, pollution, or certain infections, may have an influence on the development of mental disorders. Additionally, living in a stressful or unsupportive social environment can contribute to mental health problems.
    9. Neurodevelopmental Factors: Neurodevelopmental disorders, such as autism spectrum disorder and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), often have a combination of genetic and environmental factors influencing their development.
    10. Personality Factors: Certain personality traits, such as high levels of neuroticism, perfectionism, or a tendency toward negative thinking, can increase vulnerability to mental disorders.
    Products - Data Briefs - Number 380 - September 2020
    CDC
    • The global cost of mental illness is projected to exceed $6 trillion by 2030.
    • Mental health disorders are estimated to account for 13% of the global burden of disease.
    • About 50% of mental health conditions begin by the age of 14, but most cases go undetected and untreated.
    • Approximately 20% of children and adolescents in the United States experience a mental health disorder in a given year.
    • Approximately 70-90% of individuals who seek treatment for depression experience significant improvement.
    • Around 25% of college students in the United States have been diagnosed with or treated for a mental health condition.
    • Mental health disorders are the leading cause of disability in the United States and Canada.
    • Approximately 30% of individuals with substance abuse disorders also have a co-occurring mental health disorder.
    • The global suicide rate is estimated to be one death every 40 seconds.
    • Only about 20% of children and adolescents with mental health disorders receive appropriate treatment.
    • Mental health disorders can significantly reduce life expectancy, with some estimates suggesting a reduction of up to 20 years.
    • Approximately 50% of adults with a substance use disorder also have a co-occurring mental health disorder.
    • Access to mental health care and treatment remains a significant challenge, with many individuals facing barriers such as stigma, cost, and limited resources.

    10 countries with some of the highest reported prevalence rates of mental health disorders

    • Australia: Australia has a relatively high prevalence of mental disorders, with approximately 20% of Australians experiencing a common mental disorder in a 12-month period.
    • United Kingdom: In the United Kingdom, about 25% of adults experience a mental health problem in any given year.
    • Canada: It is estimated that 1 in 5 Canadians will experience a mental health problem or illness in any given year.
    • India: With a large population, India faces a significant mental health burden. The prevalence of mental disorders in India is estimated to be around 10-20% of the population.
    • Brazil: Mental health disorders are a significant concern in Brazil, with reports suggesting that up to 23% of the population may be affected by mental health issues.
    • Russia: Mental health disorders have been a growing concern in Russia, with reports indicating that approximately 20% of the population may be affected by various mental health conditions.
    • South Africa: South Africa has reported a high prevalence of mental disorders, with an estimated 30% of the population experiencing a mental disorder at some point in their lifetime.
    • Germany: In Germany, it is estimated that around 27% of the population is affected by mental health disorders, including anxiety and depression.
    • China: With its large population, mental health disorders are a significant concern in China. Reports suggest that around 17% of the population may be affected by mental health conditions.

    These figures are approximate and may vary depending on different sources and studies conducted in each country. Additionally, the reporting and awareness of mental disorders can vary, which can affect the accuracy of prevalence rates.

    Prevalence of Mental Health Disorder by State

    • Utah has the lowest prevalence of any mental illness in adults (15.9%), while Oregon has the highest prevalence (25.8%).
    • Hawaii has the lowest prevalence of serious mental illness in adults (3.4%), while Arkansas has the highest prevalence (6.5%).
    • Utah has the lowest prevalence of past-year major depressive episode in adults (6.0%), while Rhode Island has the highest prevalence (8.4%).
    • Hawaii has the lowest prevalence of past-year suicidal thoughts in adults (2.6%), while Montana has the highest prevalence (5.9%).
    • Utah has the lowest prevalence of past-year serious mental illness in youth aged 12-17 (5.7%), while New Mexico has the highest prevalence (10.8%).

    The Most Common Mental Health Disorder Statistics

    Anxiety Disorders

    • Anxiety disorders affect approximately 275 million people worldwide.
    • In the United States, around 31% of adults experience an anxiety disorder at some point in their lives.
    • Specific phobias are the most prevalent anxiety disorder, affecting about 12% of adults in the United States.

    Major Depressive Disorder (Depression)

    • Depression affects over 264 million people worldwide.
    • Approximately 7.8% of adults in the United States experience at least one major depressive episode in a given year.
    • Women are more likely than men to experience depression.

    Bipolar Disorder

    • Bipolar disorder affects approximately 2.8% of the global population.
    • In the United States, around 2.6% of adults have bipolar disorder.

    Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

    • Around 7-8% of people will experience PTSD at some point in their lives.
    • Approximately 3.5% of adults in the United States have PTSD in a given year.
    • Military veterans are particularly at risk for developing PTSD.

    Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

    • ADHD is estimated to affect 5-10% of children worldwide.
    • In the United States, around 4-5% of adults have ADHD.
    • Boys are more commonly diagnosed with ADHD than girls.

    Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

    • OCD affects approximately 2-3% of the population worldwide.
    • In the United States, around 1.2% of adults have OCD.

    Eating Disorders

    • Anorexia nervosa has a mortality rate of around 10%, making it the mental illness with the highest mortality rate.
    • Approximately 9% of the population worldwide may have an eating disorder.
    • In the United States, around 1% of women have anorexia nervosa, and around 2-3% have bulimia nervosa.

    Schizophrenia

    • Schizophrenia affects around 20 million people globally.
    • The prevalence of schizophrenia is estimated to be around 0.3-0.7% of the population worldwide.
    • Men often develop schizophrenia at an earlier age than women.

    These statistics are based on self-reported data and may not reflect the true prevalence of mental disorders in each state. Additionally, mental health is a complex and multifaceted issue that cannot be fully captured by statistics alone. If you or someone you know is struggling with a mental health condition, it's important to seek professional help and support.

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