The Mental Health Study - Romania 2007. Prevalence, Severity, and Treatment of 12-Month DSM-IV Disorders

Abstract

In the last years, all over the world, important changes have occurred in the philosophy and practice of mental health treatment. Due to the lack of nationally epidemiological studies in Romania, very little is known about the general population prevalence or severity of DSM-IV mental disorders. The research objective of the present study was to estimate 12-month prevalence, severity, and treatment patterns of DSM-IV anxiety, mood, impulse control, and substance disorders in Mental Health Study Romania 2007. A percent of 8.2% of the adult population in Romania meets criteria for any 12-month DSM mental disorder. The most prevalent 12 months disorder was anxiety, 4.9%, followed by mood disorders, 2.3%. Of 12-months cases, 28.1% were classified as severe. From 12 months disorders almost three fourths (71.7%) carried only a single diagnosis. As number of disorders is increasing, the percent of severity among the cases having certain degree of comorbidity, tend to be higher. Most likely many people with mental disorders in Romania remain either untreated or insufficiently treated, monitored. A better diagnosis and interventions meant to increase awareness about the significance of certain symptoms and signs, to improve addressability and access as well could enhance not only treatment initiation but the treatment quality too. Keywords: Prevalence of 12 months, severity and treatment of mental disorders