title: Psychiatric epidemiology: facts and myths on mental health and illness.
abstract: 1. The World Health Organization conducted a prevalence study in 17 countries and found that schizophrenia occurred in all countries covered by their investigation. 2. A study conducted in the United States indicated that approximately 15% of the population suffers from a mental disorder within a given year. Only 40% of those with a lifetime diagnosis of schizophrenia reported ever being admitted to a mental hospital. 3. A large epidemiologic study conducted in Israel found no support for the social causation theory as an etiologic factor for schizophrenia. 4. It is time to reevaluate nursing's belief that mental disorders lie on a continuum, from mental health to severe mental disorders, and are the consequence of poor mental health.
authors.affiliation: University of Cincinnati College of Nursing and Health, OH 45221.
authors.forename: E J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Betemps
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ragiel
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012307:Risk Factors; D012940:Social Problems / Q000523:psychology; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology