One of Every Five Adults is Living with a Mental Health Disorder
It is an unfortunate truth that many people who are struggling with symptoms of a mental health disorder are reluctant to get treatment. That is true, at least in part, because of the stigmas that are still attached to mental health issues. No one wants others to think they are “crazy” or accuse them of overstating the severity of what they are feeling.
But in fact, mental health disorders are quite common—and nothing to be ashamed of.
How common? Well, research suggests that about 20 percent of adults in the U.S. currently have at least one mental health disorder. (We should note that the number jumps to 50 percent when including U.S. adolescents.)
To put that in perspective, 22 percent of people in the U.S. consider themselves avid college football fans. Think about how many people you know who follow college football with great enthusiasm. (Perhaps you count yourself among them.)
Statistically, you likely know a similar number of people who are dealing with one of the various kinds of depression, an anxiety or panic disorder, a disorder rooted in trauma, or some combination of those other mental health conditions. (Perhaps you count yourself among them.)
To break out the numbers a bit more:
- Anxiety affects around 19 percent of people in the United States
- Depression affects around 8 percent of people in the United States
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) affects about 4 percent of people in the United States
Given these facts and stats, you would think that the stigmatization of mental health disorders would vanish. The fact that it has not suggests that too many people still do not understand the causes of mental health issues. We will go over those causes here in the hope of moving us all closer to a day when seeking care for mental health is considered as normal and necessary as seeking care for our physical health.
Risk Factors for and Causes of Mental Health Disorders
Unfortunately, far too many people seem to believe that a mental health disorder is really a character defect of some kind. Other people might believe a mental health disorder reveals insufficient faith in a higher power. To put it simply, neither of those things is true.
Still others believe that the only appropriate way to address a mental health challenge is via lifestyle changes. While we are mindful of the many ways in which lifestyle changes can, in fact, support mental health, it is not always appropriate to rely solely on those changes. Indeed, a combination of medication and therapy is often the best and most effective option for making and sustaining improvements in mental health.
First and foremost, instead of buying into any of the myths above, it is essential to acknowledge that some of the causes of mental health disorders are related to heredity. Research demonstrates that an individual who has blood relatives who have a mental health disorder is more likely to develop a disorder themselves. Additionally, issues in utero—like high levels of stress or exposure to drugs or alcohol—can make it more likely that a mental health disorder will develop after birth. And the health of neural pathways and the quantity of various brain chemicals can also have an impact on whether an individual develops a mental health disorder.
There is also a long list of life situations—the kinds of things that could impact most anyone’s life—that can contribute to the development of a mental health disorder. These include:
- Ongoing or extreme stress
- Chronic medical conditions
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Traumatic experiences as a child or as an adult
- Use of drugs or alcohol
- A limited personal support system
- A previous history of mental illness
Given how common the situations on that list are, we would all do well to give others—and ourselves—more grace when it comes to mental health disorders. We would all benefit from a culture of support rather than stigma.
The Best Thing You Can Do is Get the Help You Need
Let us make the point one more time: Mental health disorders are common and nothing to be ashamed of. And here is an equally important point: Help is available—and it can make a huge difference in your quality of life.
At Peak View Behavioral Health—located in Colorado Springs, Colorado—we offer personalized treatment for depression, anxiety, and a range of other mental health disorders. Our treatment is grounded in evidence-based approaches to therapy, exceptional training, and years of experience. We are committed to a culture of respect and empathy that ensures you will never feel judged.
In fact—to return to our note about avid college football fans—you will always feel like we are on your team. That is because we are.
