Prevalence and treatment of 12-month DSM-IV disorders in the Northern Ireland study of health and stress

Purpose: Prior to the current Northern Ireland Study of Health and Stress there have been no epidemiological studies which estimate the prevalence and treatment of mental health disorders across Northern Ireland based on validated diagnostic criteria. This paper provides the first nationally representative estimates of 12-month DSM-IV anxiety, mood, impulse-control and substance disorders. Severity, demographic correlates, treatment and treatment adequacy of 12-month disorders are also examined. Methods: Data was derived from a nationally representative face-to-face household survey of 4340 participants (2441 females and 1899 males) aged 18 years and older living in Northern Ireland using the World Health Organization Composite International Diagnostic Interview. Analyses were implemented using the SUDAAN software system.Results: 12-month prevalence estimates were anxiety 14.6%; mood 9.6%; impulse control 3.4%; substance 3.5%; any disorder 23.1%. Of the 12 month cases, 28.8% were classified as serious; 33.4% as moderate; and 37.8% as mild. Females were more likely to have anxiety and mood disorders (p