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Incidence and impact of mental health problems
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How common are depression and addiction, and why do the numbers change? And how do these problems affect people and society?
Incidence over time
Incidence: the number of new cases in a period of time. (Prevalence is the total number of people with the problem at a time.)
Incidence can change because of:
Diagnosis: changes to the ICD criteria, and better awareness by doctors.
Stigma: as stigma falls, more people seek help, so more cases are recorded.
Society: for example, laws and availability affect addiction. Smoking in enclosed public places was banned in England in 2007, and smoking rates have fallen over time. New problems are recognised: ICD-11 includes gaming disorder.
Incidence can also differ by gender, ethnicity, age and socioeconomic group. Official statistics (such as NHS surveys) are used to study this.
Incidence can change because of:
Diagnosis: changes to the ICD criteria, and better awareness by doctors.
Stigma: as stigma falls, more people seek help, so more cases are recorded.
Society: for example, laws and availability affect addiction. Smoking in enclosed public places was banned in England in 2007, and smoking rates have fallen over time. New problems are recognised: ICD-11 includes gaming disorder.
Incidence can also differ by gender, ethnicity, age and socioeconomic group. Official statistics (such as NHS surveys) are used to study this.
Effects on individuals
Emotional: low mood, anxiety, guilt, low self-esteem.
Social: strain on relationships with family and friends; isolation.
Occupational: difficulty working or studying; time off work; job loss.
Physical: poor sleep and diet; addiction can damage health (for example liver damage from alcohol).
Addiction can also bring financial problems and, for some, crime to pay for a habit.
Social: strain on relationships with family and friends; isolation.
Occupational: difficulty working or studying; time off work; job loss.
Physical: poor sleep and diet; addiction can damage health (for example liver damage from alcohol).
Addiction can also bring financial problems and, for some, crime to pay for a habit.
Effects on society
Healthcare: cost to the NHS of treatment, GP visits and hospital care.
Economy: lost working days and lower productivity.
Crime: some addiction is linked to crime, which costs police and courts.
Families and carers: others may need to care for the person.
Attitudes: stigma and discrimination can stop people asking for help.
Economy: lost working days and lower productivity.
Crime: some addiction is linked to crime, which costs police and courts.
Families and carers: others may need to care for the person.
Attitudes: stigma and discrimination can stop people asking for help.
Explain one reason why the recorded incidence of depression might rise even if the real number of cases did not.
- Recorded figures only count people who are diagnosed.
- If stigma falls, more people visit a doctor and are diagnosed.
Answer: Reduced stigma means more people seek help, so more cases are recorded.
Incidence is the number of new cases in a period. It changes with diagnosis criteria, awareness, stigma, laws and society. Depression and addiction affect individuals emotionally, socially, physically and at work, and cost society through healthcare, lost work, crime and pressure on carers.
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