Factors that affect the prevalence of mental health problems

Factors that affect the prevalence of mental health problems

Compared with those who do not have a disorder, people aged 16 to 74 with
a common mental disorder are more likely to be women (59%) and to be aged
between 35 and 54 (45% compared with 38%). They are also more often
disadvantaged socially in that they are more likely to be separated or divorced
(14% compared with 7%), to live alone (20% compared with 16%) or as a one parent family (9% compared with 4%), to have no formal qualification (31% compared with 27%), to come from Social Class V (7% compared with 5%) and to be a tenant of a local authority or a housing association (26% compared with 15%) (Singleton et al, 2000). Because of these associations, there are more people with mental health problems in areas of the country that have high levels of social and economic deprivation. This is reflected in greatly increased rates of presentation and treatment of mental disorders in both primary and secondary care in socially deprived areas and, in particular, in deprived inner city areas (Moser, 2001; Harrison et al., 1995).
In keeping with this, rates of claims for Incapacity Benefits on grounds of mental
and behavioural disorders are highest in urban areas (Oxford Economics, 2007)
Many people who develop a common mental disorder do not seek help from
healthcare services or if they do their mental health problem is not detected (see
section 5.2.3). Surprisingly little is known about the course of the mental health
problem and the longer term outcome for this group of people. For those whose
mental health problems are detected, there are drug and psychotherapeutic
treatments that are effective for many people at both shortening the duration
of the disorder and in reducing the likelihood of relapse. There are also effective
treatments for the various types of severe mental illness such as schizophrenia,
bipolar disorder and severe depression. The extent of recovery varies depending
on a range of factors such as the nature of the illness, age of onset, severity of
symptoms and the presence of other problems such as personality disorder or
substance misuse. Some disorders are relapsing and ongoing drug treatment might be required that can itself cause adverse effects such as sedation. A minority of people have conditions that do not respond well to treatment and will experience continuing symptoms and sometimes a slow decline in social functioning. Mental health problems can be compounded by misuse of alcohol or illicit drugs.