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Interestingly, the highest percentage of patients with mental illness, ranging from mild depression to severe schizophrenia, occurs in countries with a high level of economic development. The overwhelming majority are European countries. These statistics are based on the official collection of information by industry experts who have been collecting data, etc.
Statistics
In 2006, according to a study conducted by specialists from the World Health Organization, it was possible to calculate the total number of patients with mental disorders. There were 870 million of them, of which:
- 100 million people suffered from anxiety and depression;
- chronic alcoholism is observed in over 20 million people;
- 8 million people have Alzheimer’s and some types of dementia;
- schizophrenia was recorded in 4 million patients;
- there are also 4 million patients with bipolar disorder;
- with panic disorders, too, 4 million people.
If we consider in the general ranking of diseases, then mental disorders come immediately after cardiovascular pathologies. It is strange that everyone is well aware of the second category of diseases and pities those who suffer from them. At the same time, healthy people simply do not notice people with diseases of the mind and soul, as if they are the lowest in society. They keep silent about such diseases, as if it is shameful, and patients themselves are to blame for their problems. But statistics show that there are also a lot of mentally ill people, and they also need help.
Countries leading in suicides among mentally ill patients
The main danger of mental illness lies in the possibility of a suicidal outcome. Patients stop seeing the positive aspects of this life, rejoice and feel happiness. They are oppressed and depressed. Their level of anxiety reaches the maximum mark. Often in such states they simply do not see the meaning of life. In addition, it also happens that relatives and friends do not at all support a person who has begun to develop the disease.
As a result, it seems to the patient that life is almost over, and he begins to think more and more often about death. Naturally, such a state, frankly speaking, is a real disaster.
Most of the people who committed suicide are in European countries. Severe stages of depression and schizophrenia are leaders in mental illness in this indicator.
The main reasons for such indicators: what is important to know?
The main reason for the development of mental illness in the developed countries of Europe is urbanization. This leads to increased stress levels due to the frantic pace of life. Many simply cannot withstand such strong pressure, which is why they begin to suffer from depression. This disease progresses rapidly.
Among other reasons for the appearance of mental abnormalities in people, it is worth noting:
- an increase in the number of working women — due to hard work in expectant mothers, the fetus in the womb may suffer, which leads to brain anomalies;
- a large number of older people — Europe has a high standard of living, which is why people live long. Old people are at a very high risk of developing mental problems;
- severe stress that teenagers and young people are exposed to in our time.
It is also interesting that 70-80% of patients lead a hidden lifestyle, that is, no one knows about their disease. So there are far more people with schizophrenia and other mental solutions than is recorded on paper.