Most people have no problem seeking help with minor physical problems like sprains, strains, or rashes, or more serious medical problems like broken bones or chest pain. Why, then, is it so hard for some people to let professionals help them with emotional, mental or behavioral problems, even when they can be equally limiting – or even fatal?
The simple answer is “stigma,” which is the negative views many people have of those they see as in some way different. This includes people with mental illness.
But are people with behavioral or emotional disorders really all that different? An estimated 26 percent of American adults — about one in four — experience a diagnosable mental disorder in a given year; that’s about 60 million people a year! One in 10 children has a disorder such as anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, an eating disorder, or ADHD each year, and one in four families has at least one member with a mental disorder.
Anxiety Disorders are the most common, affecting 18% of adults and 25% of teens. 4% of adults, and 6% of teens are so affected that they are unable to function at work or at school. The good news is that these disorders are highly treatable; the bad news is that less than half (42%) of adults with anxiety disorders receive any kind of treatment. Specific numbers for children were unavailable, but are thought to be even lower. Unfortunately, in spite of how common anxiety disorders are in children, many adults – including some Pediatricians – just don’t recognize the signs, assuming that all children are happy and carefree.
Next most common are the mood disorders, which affect 10% of adults, and 14% of teens! As with the anxiety disorders, mood disorders such as Depression or Bipolar Disorder are very treatable; but in spite of the number of commercials for antidepressant medications on TV (which really are appropriate for only a minority of patients), far fewer than half of adults, and only a small minority of children with these conditions get the help they need. What’s worse is that boys with mood disorders are often misdiagnosed as having ADHD, or behavioral disorders such as Oppositional Defiant Disorder or Conduct Disorder, and may even be labeled “delinquent.”
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is a bit less common, affecting 4% of adults and 9% of teens. It’s usually first noticed at about age 7, when children start school, but seems to be treated most commonly between the ages of 10 and 14. ADHD is real, and without effective treatment, it can lead to severe academic and behavior problems. Simply put, the older the child grows, the more frustrated he becomes, and the more likely he is to just give up.
Finally, no discussion of mental disorders would be complete without a mention of eating disorders (e.g., Anorexia, Bulimia, binge eating), which can be fatal, and affect 3% of teens, most of whom do not receive appropriate treatment. These can be especially problematic, because the majority of teens with eating disorder also suffer from at least one other psychiatric disorder such as depression or substance abuse problems.
The bottom line is that these disorders are far more common than people think, but are very treatable. It is not weakness to seek help for yourself or a loved one, but may instead be a sign of strength. Please do give us a call at 208-233-1276 if you need more information. We are here to help.