(UPI) More than 40% of adults in the United States experienced symptoms of anxiety or depressive disorders at some point between August 2020 and the end of January, according to data released Friday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Over the roughly six-month period, the percentage of adults reporting symptoms of these disorders nationally increased from to 42% from 36%, roughly a 17% jump, the data showed.
The percentage of adults across the country who took a prescription for one of these disorders during this time rose to 25% from 22%.
As of the end of January, 12% of adults of all ages nationally indicated that they needed mental health treatment, but did not receive it, up from 9% in early August.
The trends are likely linked with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the agency said.
“The spread of disease and increase in deaths during large outbreaks of transmissible diseases is often associated with fear and grief,” the researchers wrote.
“Social restrictions, limits on operating nonessential businesses and other measures to reduce [the spread of the virus] can lead to isolation and unemployment or underemployment, further increasing the risk for mental health problems,” they said … Click source below to read more.
ORIGINAL CDC REPORT:
Symptoms of Anxiety or Depressive Disorder and Use of Mental Health Care Among Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), March 26, 2021
CDC – Large disease outbreaks have been associated with mental health problems.
During August 2020–February 2021, the percentage of adults with recent symptoms of an anxiety or a depressive disorder increased from 36% to 41%, and the percentage of those reporting an unmet mental health care need increased from 9% to 12%.
Increases were largest among adults aged 18–29 years and those with less than a high school education.
Trends in mental health can be used to evaluate the impact of strategies addressing adult mental health status and care during the pandemic and to guide interventions for disproportionately affected groups … Read the CDC’s full report.
