New article: 3.4 percent of adult Americans suffer from serious psychological distress: Study read more at here http://www.spinonews.com/index.php/medical-news/item/3315-3-4-percent-of-adult-americans-suffer-from-serious-psychological-distress-study

Researchers from NYU Langone Medical Center analyzed and concluded that 3.4 percent of adult Americans suffer from serious psychological distress (SPD).

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), SPD combines feelings of sadness, worthlessness, and restlessness that are hazardous enough to impair people's physical well-being. Previous survey estimates had put the number of Americans suffering from SPD at 3 percent or less.

More than 35,000 U.S. households, involving more than 200,000 Americans between the ages of 18 and 64, in all states and across all ethnic and socio-economic groups, participate in the yearly survey.

 

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Over the course of the surveys from 2006 to 2014, access to health care services deteriorated for people suffering from severe distress when compared to those who did not report SPD.

Study lead investigator Judith Weissman, says, our analysis does not give concrete reasons why mental health services are diminishing, it could be from shortages in professional help, increased costs of care not covered by insurance, the great recession, and other reasons worthy of further investigation.

After comparing SPD symptoms, the NYU Langone research team estimates that nearly one in 10 distressed Americans in 2014 still did not have health insurance that would give them access to a psychiatrist or counselor.

 

Weissman says, based on our data, we estimate that millions of Americans have a level of emotional functioning that leads to lower quality of life and life expectancy. Our study may also help explain why the U.S. suicide rate is up to 43,000 people each year.

More information: [Psychiatric Services]