title: Prevalence and treatment of 12-month DSM-IV disorders in the Northern Ireland study of health and stress.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  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 were derived from a nationally representative face-to-face household survey of 4,340 participants (2,441 females and 1,899 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 < 0.05) while males were more likely to have impulse-control and substance disorders. Just 40 % of individuals with any 12-month DSM-IV disorder received treatment in the previous 12 months. 78.6 % of those with a mental disorder who sought treatment received minimally adequate treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  12-month DSM-IV disorders are highly prevalent in Northern Ireland. A large proportion of those with mental health problems did not seek treatment. Further research is required to investigate the reasons behind low levels of treatment contact.
authors.affiliation: Bamford Centre for Mental Health and Wellbeing, University of Ulster, Room MB109, Magee Campus, Northland Road, Londonderry, BT48 7JL, Northern Ireland, UK. bp.bunting@ulster.ac.uk
authors.forename: Brendan
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bunting
authors.forename: Samuel
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Murphy
authors.forename: Siobhan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: O'Neill
authors.forename: Finola
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ferry
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009660:Northern Ireland / Q000453:epidemiology; D011159:Population Surveillance; D015995:Prevalence; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult