A Third of Europeans Suffer from Mental Disorder, New Research Says

September 09, 2011

Once in our life (or maybe more), we are faced with problems, disappointments, and failures. There are people who managed to go through all of it but there are also people who get overwhelmed facing life’s difficulties. A study published by the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology (ECNP) revealed that more than a third of Europeans suffer from mental disorder. Said research found that more than 38% of the population which accounts for over 164 million Europeans gone through mental problems in any year. Women have become so much inclined to depression while men are into alcohol dependency. According to ECNP, the most common forms experienced by Europeans are depression, anxiety, and insomnia.

Anxiety

Anxiety is a term often used to describe a wide range of mental problems such as panic attacks, stress, phobias, nervousness, compulsions, overexcitement, uneasiness, and many more. Most of the time, anxiety can lead to sever nervous breakdown. According to the Mental Health Foundation of Great Britain, about 7 million Britons suffer from anxiety problems. When a person can no longer cope with life’s everyday struggles, there’s always the feeling of discomfort and apprehension. The usual causes of anxiety are family and relationship problems, troubles at work and finances, personal insecurities, and the like. The ECNP researchers said that before, it used to be individuals in their 20s where were first diagnosed with anxiety but now, it’s already 18. Fortunately, there are so many ways to deal with anxiety such as the following: - Healthy lifestyle (getting enough sleep, exercise, and proper nutrition) - Connecting with others (sometimes, it only takes a word or two from a dear friend to erase one’s worries and feeling of resentment) - Relaxation (joining yoga classes, hypnotherapy and other means of relaxation can trim down the symptoms of anxiety and finally eliminate its causes)

Depression

When it comes to depression, ECNP revealed that women are two-and-a-half times more likely to be depressed than men. This disorder usually hits women between 16 and 42. The observation was linked to common marital problems, issues on family life, child-bearing, and divorce. Psychologists all agree that depression is a complicated illness which has a lot of causes and symptoms. People with this mental disorder, if not given treatment, may develop suicidal tendencies. Counselling is the best way to treat depression. Aside from the usual program that is prepared by the counsellor, there are times that medications are also given to patients especially for severe cases such as clinical depression.

Insomnia

Insomnia has become very common among teenagers and adults. It is the condition where a person finds difficulty falling asleep which can stem from numerous causes such as stress, medical conditions and medications, lifestyle, emotional troubles, and depression. There are stern cases of insomnia which often results from emotional trauma. One of the best ways to combat insomnia is through Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. The professional counsellor helps the patient identify the root causes of his/her insomnia and provides strategies and right ways to address emotional disturbances that trigger the patient’s condition. With the detrimental effects of these mental health problems, it’s very sad to know that only few of the sufferers seek professional help. In the ECNP study, only about 30 to 50% of the sufferers contact professional health and 8-16% choose to deal with specialists. Aside from the three mental disorders sited above, more Europeans are also suffering from neurological illnesses such as dementia and Parkinson’s disease. Since mental health affects our physical health, it is important that we keep our minds healthy, positive, and stress-free. Finding ways to relax, consulting professionals, and living a hale and hearty lifestyle could save everyone from the grave effects of mental disorders.