The epidemiology, burden, and treatment of mental disorders in primary care

Abstract

Abstract Mental disorders have elevated prevalence rates worldwide. As a group, these disorders are leading causes of disability and impose elevated costs as well as suffering to those affected and their families. Furthermore, mental disorders are often comorbid with physical conditions with an acknowledged bidirectional negative impact on outcomes. Primary care providers are the first contact point for most people with a mental illness seeking treatment. Low detection rates of mental illness among general practitioners (GPs) are an ongoing source of concern. A wide range of interventions are effective for the treatment of common mental disorders in primary care. Pharmacotherapy can be an effective treatment, and evidence-based psychosocial interventions may improve outcome, especially when integrated in coherent collaborative care models. This chapter reports important recent findings on the epidemiology of mental disorders in the community and in primary care. Furthermore, issues related to the recognition of common mental disorders in primary care settings as well as the effectiveness of different interventions are thoroughly discussed.