© 2001 The Royal College of Psychiatrists
Prevalence, comorbidity, disability and service utilisation
Overview of the Australian National Mental Health Survey
World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Mental Health and School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales at St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney
Centre for Mental Health Research, Australian National University, Canberra
National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
Correspondence: Dr Gavin Andrews, UNSW at St Vincent's Hospital, 299 Forbes Street, Darlinghurst, Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia. E-mail: gavina{at}crufad.unsw.edu.au
Background Health planning should be based on data about prevalence, disability and services used.
Aims To determine the prevalence of ICD-10 disorders and associated comorbidity, disability and service utilisation.
Method We surveyed a national probability sample of Australian households using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview and other measures.
Results The sample size was 10 641 adults, response rate 78%. Close to 23% reported at least one disorder in the past 12 months and 14% a current disorder. Comorbidity was associated with disability and service use. Only 35% of people with a mental disorder in the 12 months prior to the survey had consulted for a mental problem during that year, and most had seen a general practitioner. Only half of those who were disabled or had multiple comorbidity had consulted and of those who had not, more than half said they did not need treatment.
Conclusions The high rate of not consulting among those with disability and comorbidity is an important public health problem. As Australia has a universal health insurance scheme, the barriers to effective care must be patient knowledge and physician competence.
This article has been cited by other articles:
 |
|
 |
|
  R. Grove, O. McBride, and T. Slade Towards DSM-V: Exploring Diagnostic Thresholds for Alcohol Dependence and Abuse Alcohol Alcohol., October 6, 2009; (2009) agp069v1. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 M. Codony, J. Alonso, J. Almansa, S. Bernert, G. de Girolamo, R. de Graaf, J. M. Haro, V. Kovess, G. Vilagut, and R. C. Kessler Perceived Need for Mental Health Care and Service Use Among Adults in Western Europe: Results of the ESEMeD Project Psychiatr Serv, August 1, 2009; 60(8): 1051 - 1058. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 A. C. McFarlane and M. Van Hooff Impact of childhood exposure to a natural disaster on adult mental health: 20-year longitudinal follow-up study The British Journal of Psychiatry, August 1, 2009; 195(2): 142 - 148. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 B. I. O'Toole, S. V. Catts, S. Outram, K. R. Pierse, and J. Cockburn The Physical and Mental Health of Australian Vietnam Veterans 3 Decades After the War and Its Relation to Military Service, Combat, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Am. J. Epidemiol., August 1, 2009; 170(3): 318 - 330. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
J. Pagura, S. Fotti, L. Y. Katz, J. Sareen, and the Swampy Cree Suicide Prevention Team Help Seeking and Perceived Need for Mental Health Care Among Individuals in Canada With Suicidal Behaviors Psychiatr Serv, July 1, 2009; 60(7): 943 - 949. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 J. Das, Q.-T. Do, J. Friedman, and D. McKenzie Mental Health Patterns and Consequences: Results from Survey Data in Five Developing Countries World Bank Econ. Rev., January 1, 2009; 23(1): 31 - 55. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 D. J. Maybery, A. E. Reupert, K. Patrick, M. Goodyear, and L. Crase Prevalence of parental mental illness in Australian families Psychiatr. Bull., January 1, 2009; 33(1): 22 - 26. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 W. W. Eaton, S. S. Martins, G. Nestadt, O. J. Bienvenu, D. Clarke, and P. Alexandre The Burden of Mental Disorders Epidemiol. Rev., November 1, 2008; 30(1): 1 - 14. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
K. A. Urbanoski, J. Cairney, D. G. Bassani, and B. R. Rush Perceived Unmet Need for Mental Health Care for Canadians With Co-occurring Mental and Substance Use Disorders Psychiatr Serv, March 1, 2008; 59(3): 283 - 289. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 B. R. Rush, M. L. Dennis, C. K. Scott, S. Castel, and R. R. Funk The Interaction of Co-Occurring Mental Disorders and Recovery Management Checkups on Substance Abuse Treatment Participation and Recovery Eval Rev, February 1, 2008; 32(1): 7 - 38. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 J. M.A. Sinclair, A. H. Latifi, and A. W. Latifi Co-morbid substance misuse in psychiatric patients: prevalence and association with length of inpatient stay J Psychopharmacol, January 1, 2008; 22(1): 92 - 99. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 G. Andrews, T. Slade, M. Sunderland, and T. Anderson Issues for DSM-V: Simplifying DSM-IV to Enhance Utility: The Case of Major Depressive Disorder Am J Psychiatry, December 1, 2007; 164(12): 1784 - 1785. [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 S. Klimidis, F.-H. Hsiao, and I. H. Minas Chinese-Australians' Knowledge of Depression and Schizophrenia in the Context of Their Under-Utilization of Mental Health Care: an Analysis of Labelling International Journal of Social Psychiatry, September 1, 2007; 53(5): 464 - 479. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 K. Beesdo, A. Bittner, D. S. Pine, M. B. Stein, M. Hofler, R. Lieb, and H.-U. Wittchen Incidence of Social Anxiety Disorder and the Consistent Risk for Secondary Depression in the First Three Decades of Life Arch Gen Psychiatry, August 1, 2007; 64(8): 903 - 912. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
K. A. Urbanoski, B. R. Rush, T. C. Wild, D. G. Bassani, and S. Castel Use of Mental Health Care Services by Canadians With Co-occurring Substance Dependence and Mental Disorders Psychiatr Serv, July 1, 2007; 58(7): 962 - 969. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
D. S. Hasin, F. S. Stinson, E. Ogburn, and B. F. Grant Prevalence, Correlates, Disability, and Comorbidity of DSM-IV Alcohol Abuse and Dependence in the United States: Results From the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions Arch Gen Psychiatry, July 1, 2007; 64(7): 830 - 842. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
J. Sareen, B. J. Cox, T. O. Afifi, M. B. Stein, S.-L. Belik, G. Meadows, and G. J. G. Asmundson Combat and Peacekeeping Operations in Relation to Prevalence of Mental Disorders and Perceived Need for Mental Health Care: Findings From a Large Representative Sample of Military Personnel Arch Gen Psychiatry, July 1, 2007; 64(7): 843 - 852. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
W. M. Compton, Y. F. Thomas, F. S. Stinson, and B. F. Grant Prevalence, Correlates, Disability, and Comorbidity of DSM-IV Drug Abuse and Dependence in the United States: Results From the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions Arch Gen Psychiatry, May 1, 2007; 64(5): 566 - 576. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
J. ALONSO, M. CODONY, V. KOVESS, M. C. ANGERMEYER, S. J. KATZ, J. M. HARO, G. DE GIROLAMO, R. DE GRAAF, K. DEMYTTENAERE, G. VILAGUT, et al. Population level of unmet need for mental healthcare in Europe The British Journal of Psychiatry, April 1, 2007; 190(4): 299 - 306. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
J. SCOTT, D. CHANT, G. ANDREWS, G. MARTIN, and J. McGRATH Association between trauma exposure and delusional experiences in a large community-based sample The British Journal of Psychiatry, April 1, 2007; 190(4): 339 - 343. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 S. R Zubrick Commentary: Area social cohesion, deprivation and mental health--Does misery love company? Int. J. Epidemiol., April 1, 2007; 36(2): 345 - 347. [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 K. Kroenke, R. L. Spitzer, J. B.W. Williams, P. O. Monahan, and B. Lowe Anxiety Disorders in Primary Care: Prevalence, Impairment, Comorbidity, and Detection Ann Intern Med, March 6, 2007; 146(5): 317 - 325. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
E. Messias, W. Eaton, G. Nestadt, O. J. Bienvenu, and J. Samuels Psychiatrists' Ascertained Treatment Needs for Mental Disorders in a Population-Based Sample Psychiatr Serv, March 1, 2007; 58(3): 373 - 377. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
N. R. Wray, M. R. James, S. P. Mah, M. Nelson, G. Andrews, P. F. Sullivan, G. W. Montgomery, A. J. Birley, A. Braun, and N. G. Martin Anxiety and Comorbid Measures Associated With PLXNA2 Arch Gen Psychiatry, March 1, 2007; 64(3): 318 - 326. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
V. Kovess-Masfety, J. Alonso, T. S. Brugha, M. C. Angermeyer, J. M. Haro, C. Sevilla-Dedieu, and the ESEMeD/MHEDEA 2000 Investigators Differences in Lifetime Use of Services for Mental Health Problems in Six European Countries Psychiatr Serv, February 1, 2007; 58(2): 213 - 220. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
I. Colman, M. E. J. Wadsworth, T. J. Croudace, and P. B. Jones Three decades of antidepressant, anxiolytic and hypnotic use in a national population birth cohort The British Journal of Psychiatry, August 1, 2006; 189(2): 156 - 160. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 R. Wagner, V. Manicavasagar, D. Silove, C. Marnane, and V. T. Tran Characteristics of Vietnamese Patients Attending an Anxiety Clinic in Australia and Perceptions of the Wider Vietnamese Community about Anxiety. Transcultural Psychiatry, June 1, 2006; 43(2): 259 - 274. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
O. GUREJE, V. O. LASEBIKAN, L. KOLA, and V. A. MAKANJUOLA Lifetime and 12-month prevalence of mental disorders in the Nigerian Survey of Mental Health and Well-Being The British Journal of Psychiatry, May 1, 2006; 188(5): 465 - 471. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
K. L. Mills, M. Teesson, J. Ross, and L. Peters Trauma, PTSD, and Substance Use Disorders: Findings From the Australian National Survey of Mental Health and Well-Being Am J Psychiatry, April 1, 2006; 163(4): 652 - 658. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
G. Andrews, R. Poulton, and I. Skoog Lifetime risk of depression: restricted to a minority or waiting for most? The British Journal of Psychiatry, December 1, 2005; 187(6): 495 - 496. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 L. Gask Is depression a chronic illness? For the motion Chronic Illness, June 1, 2005; 1(2): 101 - 106. [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
A. IVERSEN, C. DYSON, N. SMITH, N. GREENBERG, R. WALWYN, C. UNWIN, L. HULL, M. HOTOPF, C. DANDEKER, J. ROSS, et al. 'Goodbye and good luck': the mental health needs and treatment experiences of British ex-service personnel The British Journal of Psychiatry, June 1, 2005; 186(6): 480 - 486. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
R. Crino, T. Slade, and G. Andrews The Changing Prevalence and Severity of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Criteria From DSM-III to DSM-IV Am J Psychiatry, May 1, 2005; 162(5): 876 - 882. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 R J Siegert and D A Abernethy Depression in multiple sclerosis: a review J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatry, April 1, 2005; 76(4): 469 - 475. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 D. G. Bruce, G. A. Paley, P. Nichols, D. Roberts, P. J. Underwood, and F. Schaper Physical Disability Contributes to Caregiver Stress in Dementia Caregivers J. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci., March 1, 2005; 60(3): 345 - 349. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 H. Moore, H. Leonard, N. de Klerk, I. Robertson, S. Fyfe, J. Christodoulou, L. Weaving, M. Davis, S. Mulroy, and L. Colvin Health Service Use in Rett Syndrome J Child Neurol, January 1, 2005; 20(1): 42 - 50. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
J. Beals, S. M. Manson, N. R. Whitesell, P. Spicer, D. K. Novins, C. M. Mitchell, and for the AI-SUPERPFP Team Prevalence of DSM-IV Disorders and Attendant Help-Seeking in 2 American Indian Reservation Populations Arch Gen Psychiatry, January 1, 2005; 62(1): 99 - 108. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
J. Beals, D. K. Novins, P. Spicer, H. D. Orton, C. M. Mitchell, A. E. Baron, S. M. Manson, and and the AI-SUPERPFP Team Challenges in Operationalizing the DSM-IV Clinical Significance Criterion Arch Gen Psychiatry, December 1, 2004; 61(12): 1197 - 1207. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
R. Taylor, A. Page, S. Morrell, G. Carter, and J. Harrison Socio-economic differentials in mental disorders and suicide attempts in Australia The British Journal of Psychiatry, December 1, 2004; 185(6): 486 - 493. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
C. M. R. Vorcaro, F. L. Rocha, E. Uchoa, and M. F. Lima-Costa The Burden of Social Phobia in a Brazilian Community and its Relationship with Socioeconomic Circumstances, Health Status and Use of Health Services: The Bambui Study International Journal of Social Psychiatry, September 1, 2004; 50(3): 216 - 226. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 R. Richardson, L. Ledgerwood, and J. Cranney Facilitation of Fear Extinction by D-Cycloserine: Theoretical and Clinical Implications Learn. Mem., September 1, 2004; 11(5): 510 - 516. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
G. Andrews, C. Issakidis, K. Sanderson, J. Corry, and H. Lapsley Utilising survey data to inform public policy: comparison of the cost-effectiveness of treatment of ten mental disorders The British Journal of Psychiatry, June 1, 2004; 184(6): 526 - 533. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
M. L. O'Donnell, M. Creamer, P. Pattison, and C. Atkin Psychiatric Morbidity Following Injury Am J Psychiatry, March 1, 2004; 161(3): 507 - 514. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
J. E. COOPER Prospects for Chapter V of ICD-11 and DSM-V The British Journal of Psychiatry, November 1, 2003; 183(5): 379 - 381. [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
E. JANE-LLOPIS, C. HOSMAN, R. JENKINS, and P. ANDERSON Predictors of efficacy in depression prevention programmes: Meta-analysis The British Journal of Psychiatry, November 1, 2003; 183(5): 384 - 397. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 S. Kumar and M. O. Browne What are the effects of drug treatments for panic disorder? Evid. Based Ment. Health, May 1, 2003; 6(2): 34 - 37. [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
V. Lorant, D. Deliege, W. Eaton, A. Robert, P. Philippot, and M. Ansseau Socioeconomic Inequalities in Depression: A Meta-Analysis Am. J. Epidemiol., January 15, 2003; 157(2): 98 - 112. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
G. ANDREWS, T. SLADE, and C. ISSAKIDIS Deconstructing current comorbidity: data from the Australian National Survey of Mental Health and Well-Being The British Journal of Psychiatry, October 1, 2002; 181(4): 306 - 314. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
I. HICKIE, T. DAVENPORT, C. ISSAKIDIS, and G. ANDREWS Neurasthenia: prevalence, disability and health care characteristics in the Australian community The British Journal of Psychiatry, July 1, 2002; 181(1): 56 - 61. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
K. Sanderson and G. Andrews Prevalence and Severity of Mental Health-Related Disability and Relationship to Diagnosis Psychiatr Serv, January 1, 2002; 53(1): 80 - 86. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
G. Andrews, S. Henderson, and W. Hall Error in Andrews et al (2001) The British Journal of Psychiatry, December 1, 2001; 179 (6): 561 - 562. [Full Text]
|
|
|
|
|
|
G. ANDREWS, C. ISSAKIDIS, and G. CARTER Shortfall in mental health service utilisation The British Journal of Psychiatry, November 1, 2001; 179(5): 417 - 425. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|