Psychiatric disorders common among college-aged
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A new survey suggests that young adults in the United States have stunningly high rates of psychiatric disorders, such as substance abuse, nicotine addiction, personality disorders or other mental-health conditions. The high rates were found in people ages 18 to 24 who attend college and those who do not.
The study, published today in the Archives of General Psychiatry, found that half of the individuals surveyed met the criteria for a psychiatric disorder but only one-fourth of those had sought treatment.
‘For many, young adulthood is characterized by the pursuit of greater educational opportunities and employment prospects, development of personal relationships and, for some, parenthood. While all of these circumstances offer opportunities for growth, they may also result in stress that precipitates the onset or recurrence of psychiatric disorders,’ wrote the authors of the paper, who were from Columbia University.
The data were drawn from the National Epidemiological Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions, which focused on people ages 19 to 25 between 2001 and 2002 and included more than 2,100 people in college and 2,900 who were not attending college. A total of 45.8% of college students and 47.7% of young adults not in college met the criteria for at least one psychiatric disorder. The most common disorder in college students was alcohol abuse, which 20.7% were found to have, followed by personality disorders, at 17.7%. In young adults not attending college, the most frequent disorder was personality disorders, 21.6%, and nicotine dependence, 20.7%. College students were much less likely to receive treatment for alcohol or drug-abuse disorders than those not in college.
The authors of the study called for earlier treatment for young adults with psychiatric disorders in order to prevent the lifelong dysfunction or disability. For more information on mental-health issues among young adults, see this page from the American Psychiatric Assn. The organization Active Minds provides resources and education about mental health to college-age youths.
-- Shari Roan