[Psychiatric morbidity among adults in The Netherlands: the NEMESIS-Study. II. Prevalence of psychiatric disorders. Netherlands Mental Health Survey and Incidence Study]

Abstract

Objective: To determine the prevalence of psychiatric disorders in non-institutionalised Dutch adults.

Design: Cross-sectional.

Setting: Trimbos Institute, Utrecht, the Netherlands.

Methods: A representative sample of 7076 adults (18-64 years) in the Netherlands' population were interviewed in 1996 to determine the prevalence of mental disorders ever, in the previous 12 months and in the previous month. Objectives and study design are described in the previous article (1997: 2448-52). The 'Composite international diagnostic interview' (CIDI) was used to assess the following mental disorders according to Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, 3rd revised edition (DSM-III-R): affective disorders, anxiety disorders, eating disorders, schizophrenia and other non-affective psychoses, substance dependence and substance abuse.

Results: Mental disorders were common in the general population: the prevalence 'ever' of all disorders was 41.2%, the 12-month prevalence 23.5%, without sex differences. Depression, anxiety disorders and alcohol abuse and dependence showed high prevalence and comorbidity. The prevalence 'ever' of schizophrenia and other non-affective psychoses was low (0.4%).