Are Truly Almost Half Of Europeans Mentally Ill?

A Large Percentage of the European Population is Suffering from Mental Disorders

Research has consistently shown that numerous Europeans — particularly those in EU member countries — have been diagnosed with mental disorders. As of 2016, the latest year for which scientifically-compiled and reliable figures are available, figures from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development show, one in six adults in EU countries struggle with mental illness. 

One study even suggested that almost half of all Europeans are mentally ill. Can that be true?

According to a three year multi-method study, published in European Neuropsychopharmacology, a large percentage of the European has at least one mental disorder. The study, which covered 30 countries (the 27 European Union member states  plus Switzerland, Iceland and Norway) and a population of 514 million people, was the single largest study of its kind and included all major mental disorders for children and adolescents (2-17), adults (18-65), and the elderly (65+ years) as well as several neurological disorders. The study found that almost 165 million people, who make up about 38% of Europe’s population, suffer from brain disorders like depression, anxiety, insomnia or dementia.
 

As per Hans Ulrich Wittchen, director of the institute of clinical psychology and psychotherapy at Germany's Dresden University and the lead investigator on the European study, mental disorders constitute the single biggest health challenge for Europe in the 21st century.

A major concern is, he said, the fact that only one third of these patients receive therapy or other forms of treatment, and that too is often inappropriate and only accessible after a delay of several years. Mental illnesses are causing a large strain on the exchequer amounting to hundreds of billions of Euros as more and more people need to take time off work as a result, and there is a break down of personal relationships. Moreover, the governments have to spend more money on research in the field of neuroscience as some big drug companies are withdrawing from investing into this field.

Depression, Dementias, Alcohol use and Stroke Constitute the most Disabling Single Conditions

As per the study which was carried out by a European College of Neuropsychopharmacology (ECNP) and European Brain Council (EBC) Task Force project on the Size and Burden and Cost of Disorders of the Brain in Europe 2010, the mental disorders are prevalent in all age groups and affect the young as well as the elderly. The most commonly encountered disorders include anxiety disorders (14.0%), insomnia (7.0%), major depression (6.9%), somatoform disorders (6.3%), alcohol and drug dependence (>4%), attention-deficit and hyperactivity disorders (ADHD, 5% in the young), and dementia (1% among those aged 60-65, 30% among those aged 85 and above). The rate of dementia has increased as compared to previous studies on account of an increase in the life expectancy.

Apart from these mental illnesses, many patients suffer from neurological disorders like stroke, traumatic brain injuries, Parkinson's disease and multiple sclerosis. Depression, dementia, alcohol abuse and stroke constitute the most disabling single conditions.

The researchers of the study have urged that concrete steps need to be taken at all levels to devise better strategies to improve prevention and treatment of these mental and neurological disorders. This includes a substantial increase in funding for clinical and public health research. As most of the mental disorders start frequently at a young age, early targeted therapy is the need of the hour in order to prevent a large severely ill population at a later date. The huge gap between the demand and the treatment available should be met as early as possible and respective governments have to devise suitable strategies to meet the challenge head on.

One interesting fact about the latest figures on mental health in Europe is that the recorded prevalence of mental disorders is highest in highly developed countries such as France and Germany, while newer EU members like Bulgaria and Poland have lower rates of diagnosed mental health problems. Rather than suggesting that more developed and high income countries truly have higher rates of mental illness, however, this simply shows that more people are receiving the diagnoses that will ultimately allow them to get the treatment they need.