Didja catch in the news last week the results of the new survey on depression and anxiety? Turns out, only 18% of folks meeting the diagnostic criteria for depression or anxiety disorder ever receive treatment. The survey, conducted by the National Mental Health Association, identified 3 common trends that hinder people from getting medical attention:
-
93% of undiagnosed respondents insist they're fine
--thank you very much--even though 44% said their
symptoms caused big-time emotional pain and disrupted
their lives. -
44% of undiagnosed responents who would not consult a
doctor believed they could manage their symptoms with
activities such as prayer, exercise, rest, sleep, or
emotional support from loved ones. -
42% of respondents who were diagnosed, and 17% who
weren't, were ashamed of their condition.
Hey, I wonder if part of the problem could also be that a lot of people's primary doctors have the interpersonal skills of a doorknob? I recall a study some years back that showed that, on average, doctors interrupt their patients within the first 14 seconds of a visit. Yeah, this is the guy (or gal) you wanna bare your soul to.
