The incidence of significant mental health problems over time Flashcards
What is incidence ?
The number of new cases of MHP occurring in a time period example: in a year
Why is it difficult to track the incidence of MHP over time ?
- Not all MHP are diagnosed and reported
- Symptoms used to diagnose MHP change over time following new research and discoveries
- Many trends rely on self report surveys which may not be accurate due to relying on peoples accuracy, honesty and memory
What is the general agreement about incidence ?
MHP is on a rise in the UK, with increase in cases every year. This is particularly true of mood disorders. In a fact sheet published by the NHS in 2016, it’s reported that proportion of English population aged between 16 and 64 meeting the criteria for one common MHD increased for 15.5% in 1993 to 17.6% in 2007. Also quoted that by 2030, there will be apx 2 million adults in the UK with MHP than there were in 2013
How can we see changes in attitudes to MH
- In the way psychiatrists have changed how psychological disorders are diagnosed. ICD which is used to diagnose disorders is on it’s 11th edition. Changes may include what counts as a symptom, how long it had to be present for, or whether it has to be present at all
Similarities of MHP/D
For example Kirkbride et al published study of diagnosis of schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders between 1950 and 2009 which found no significant difference in rates of diagnosis
7th edition of ICD include many disorders which we recognise today, such as bipolar, depression, OCD, phobias
Differences of MHP/D
- Many disorders added and others taken away for example Anorexia nervosa is now accepted as a significant health problem but not added to ICD until 9th edition
- Homosexuality classed as MHD in early 1990s but removed from ICD by 10th edition
