Mental Disorders on the Rise Globally

In 2023, almost 1.2 billion people around the globe were reported to have mental disorders, marking a significant 95.5% increase compared to 1990, according to a recent study.

The most notable rises were seen in anxiety and depression, which remain the leading mental health issues for this year. Following these, personality disorders without accompanying mental or substance use disorders ranked third.

This study, published Thursday in The Lancet, also examined variations in 12 mental disorders based on age, gender, geography, and sociocultural factors across 204 countries. The findings indicate that we may be entering a troubling new phase with increasing global mental health burdens.

Dr. Damian Santomauro, the lead author, expressed that he was genuinely astonished by the extent of the increase. “There are numerous factors involved, and it’s challenging to separate them all,” he said in an email. He emphasized that addressing these issues mandates collective global leadership.

Other mental disorders assessed in the study included bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, autism spectrum disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), anorexia, bulimia, dysthymia, conduct disorder, and developmental intellectual disability of unknown origins. Dysthymia is often described as a long-term yet mild form of depression, also identified as persistent depressive disorder. Conduct disorder generally affects children and teenagers, characterized by a consistent pattern of disobedient and aggressive behaviors.

The research found an overall increase in all 12 disorders, particularly anxiety—which rose by 158%—and depression, which saw a 131% increase since 1990. While disorders like anorexia, bulimia, and schizophrenia are among the least common, they still affect millions, with about 4 million, 14 million, and 26 million cases, respectively, in 2023. Most mental disorders were predominantly reported among females, yet conditions such as autism, conduct disorders, ADHD, and certain personality disorders were found to be more common in males.

The study also sheds light on the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on these mental health statistics. Rates of anxiety and depression were already on the upswing before the pandemic, but a significant rise occurred during and after, with depression not returning to pre-pandemic levels. Anxiety peaked and has remained elevated through 2023.

Paul Bolton, a senior scientist in the mental health department at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, noted that while the study addresses underreporting—an issue often faced with mental illness—there remains uncertainty regarding its accuracy. Nevertheless, he acknowledged that these estimates represent “the best we have” and are likely to be the closest to actual global figures.

This research comes from the 2023 Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD), led by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington. The GBD study, which began in the early 1990s, is a comprehensive initiative that measures global health trends, funded primarily by the Gates Foundation since 2007.

Mental disorders are becoming a leading cause of disability, heavily impacting females and individuals aged 15 to 39. Interestingly, a peak in the 15 to 19-year-old demographic is a new occurrence in GBD history, as past trends usually reflected middle-aged peaks.

This younger age group is crucial for brain development and the acquisition of social and intellectual skills. Interruptions during this period could have lasting consequences, according to Dr. Robert Trestman, chair of psychiatry and behavioral medicine at Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine.

Experts attributed varying factors to the rising rates of mental health issues. Dr. Trestman mentioned that stigma surrounding mental health has diminished significantly, leading to more people feeling comfortable seeking help rather than suffering in silence. Improved detection and diagnosis of mental conditions have also played a role, as has population growth and increased lifespans.

However, Trestman pointed out that the current living conditions for many people make it unfortunately unsurprising that these increases are occurring. Factors compounding mental health issues include genetics, economic hardships, trauma, inadequate healthcare, political conflicts, food insecurity, body image concerns, discrimination, and declining social connections.

While younger people uniquely experienced stressors related to the pandemic, Santomauro conveyed that there is presently limited data on the reasons for the rise in youth mental health issues.

Addressing Mental Health Needs

Experiences with mental health and access to care differ greatly, emphasizing the need for policymakers and health authorities to take action. The authors of the study warned that the increase in mental health burdens has not been matched by a proportional growth in mental health services. “It’s our obligation, not a choice, to address the mental health needs of the global population, especially the most vulnerable,” they stated.

Experts, including Santomauro, suggest that anyone struggling should consider consulting professionals about various therapy and medication options. Improving lifestyle elements—like diet, exercise, social connections, sleep, and work-life balance—can also be vital.

For those in the U.S. facing financial or insurance barriers, Mental Health America offers guidance on finding more accessible care. The National Alliance for Eating Disorders provides a free helpline at 866-662-1235, staffed by therapists specializing in eating disorders from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET during weekdays.

In the U.K., the charity Mind offers several mental health helplines. Additionally, there are dedicated helplines for eating disorders across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland operating Monday to Friday from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Resources like the International Association for Suicide Prevention and Befrienders Worldwide provide information for crisis centers worldwide. In Australia, the Butterfly Foundation has a helpline available at 1800-33-4673, along with an online chat service daily from 8 a.m. to midnight Australian Eastern Time.