Mental health affects everyone, but most of us stay unaware of mental health statistics, conditions, and patterns prevalent in society. Becoming aware of mental health empowers you to regulate your mind and understand the struggles of others better. Increasing mental health awareness in society can make us more sensitive and understanding. We can also develop communities to help heal or cope with mental illness. So let us dive into the latest statistics for mental health in 2022 without further ado.
Anxiety
Anxiety is an emotion that involves anticipation of a negative outcome. A study by Borwin.B. affirms that up to 33.7% or one-third of the world population suffers from an anxiety disorder once in their life, based on extensive population surveys. Approximately 40 million people in the U.S. suffer from anxiety issues.
Depression
Depression is a mood disorder characterized by prolonged low mood, hopelessness, worthlessness, and changes in sleep and appetite. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, 19 million, or 7.8% of adults in the U.S., suffer from depression.
Eating disorders(EDs)
EDs affect approximately 9% of people worldwide. 28.8 million people, or 9% of the U.S. population, will suffer from an ED once in their lifetime. The most common eating disorders include anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating.
Disorderly eating involves infrequent appetite, emotional eating, eating at irregular times of the day, etc. It covers a broader scale than and is not clinically recognized as a disorder but as a step in the development of EDs. For the same reasons, there is no way to measure the levels of disorderly eating within a population. However, it is safe to assume that the prevalence of such food habits is more than that of eating disorders combined.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder(PTSD)
PTSD is characterized by a traumatic event or experience that scars a person, causing them to suffer multiple symptoms or flashbacks later in life. According to the National Centre for PTSD, 6 out of 100 men and 5 out of 100 women will experience PTSD once.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
OCD is characterized by obsessions(thoughts that produce extreme distress and anxiety) and compulsions(the actions taken to overcome or relieve said emotions). In the U.S., approximately 2.3 million people, 1 in 100 children and 1 in 40 adults, suffer from this condition.
Borderline Personality Disorder(BPD)
BPD is a personality disorder(affecting all aspects of the personality) that affects one’s ability to regulate emotions, form relationships, and behave in socially accepted ways. According to the National Institute for Mental Health, approximately 1.6% of the population suffers from this condition.
Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a severe chronic brain disorder that inhibits a person’s ability to think, manage emotions, and perform basic tasks. According to the World Health Organization, approximately 1 in 300(0.32%) people worldwide experience schizophrenia. Some symptoms worsen over time, while others experience worsening during different periods.
Conclusion
Mental health statistics inform us about the state of society, directly and indirectly. Learning more about these disorders can help us take concrete steps to improve mental health in our families, communities, and personal lives. On that note, take this quiz to determine your level of mental health awareness.
For more information on mental health disorders, statistics about mental health, and premium products that suit your fancy, subscribe to Your Mental Health Pal.