The National Health Interview Survey on Disability (NHIS-D), relying on self and family reports for the identification of mental health problems, allows for nationally representative estimates of an array of social and emotional difficulties and mental illnesses. We report prevalence estimates of seven symptoms (e.g., frequent depressed/anxious mood, trouble keeping/making friendships, difficulty coping with day-to-day stress and phobias/unreasonably strong fears) and nine categories of clinical diagnosis (e.g., major depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and alcohol or drug abuse) among persons age 18 and over. These measurement categories (symptoms and conditions) are distinct, but not mutually exclusive. For example, many individuals with a diagnosis also report the experience of symptoms (72.38%). These data suggest there are 17,842,720 people in the U.S., 9.49% of the adult population, with at least one symptom; 5,675,722 (3.02%) with at least one diagnosis. In the organization of the NHIS-D, diagnosed conditions are assumed to be disabling. Subjects with any of the seven symptoms report whether their symptoms interfere with their ability to work, attend school or to manage their day-to-day activities. Combining these two sets of variables, then, we estimate that 7,709,522 American adults (4.10% of the non-institutionalized population age 18 and over) experience mental health-related disability. The validity of these estimates and comorbidity between mental and physical disability are discussed.
Learning Objectives: This presentation offers preliminary national estimates of disabling mental health problems and conditions. It also highlights conceptual and methodological issues for related study
Keywords: Disability, Mental Health
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.