Prevalence and treatment of common mental disorders in the English national population, 1993-2007

Abstract

Background: The National Psychiatric Morbidity Surveys include English cross-sectional household samples surveyed in 1993, 2000 and 2007.

Aims: To evaluate frequency of common mental disorders (CMDs), service contact and treatment.

Method: Common mental disorders were identified with the Clinical Interview Schedule - Revised (CIS-R). Service contact and treatment were established in structured interviews.

Results: There were 8615, 6126 and 5385 participants aged 16-64. Prevalence of CMDs was consistent (1993: 14.3%; 2000: 16.0%; 2007: 16.0%), as was past-year primary care physician contact for psychological problems (1993: 11.3%; 2000: 12.0%; 2007: 11.7%). Antidepressant receipt in people with CMDs more than doubled between 1993 (5.7%) and 2000 (14.5%), with little further increase by 2007 (15.9%). Psychological treatments increased in successive surveys. Many with CMDs received no treatment.

Conclusions: Reduction in prevalence did not follow increased treatment uptake, and may require universal public health measures together with individual pharmacological, psychological and computer-based interventions.