A recent study published in The Lancet revealed that by the age of 75, approximately half of all individuals will experience a mental disorder.
“These disorders typically first emerge in childhood, adolescence, or young adulthood,” stated the study, co-led by researchers from Harvard Medical School and the University of Queensland.
“Services should be equipped to identify and treat common mental disorders promptly and to optimize care tailored to individuals during these critical stages of life.”
The study, which surveyed over 150,000 respondents aged 18 and older from 29 countries between 2001 and 2022, also highlighted that certain disorders disproportionately affect different genders.
“The two most prevalent disorders were alcohol use disorder and major depressive disorder among male respondents, and major depressive disorder and specific phobia among female respondents,” noted the study.
Emphasizing the significance of examining the frequency and timing of mental disorder onset, the study underscored its “fundamental importance for public health planning.”
