Common Mental Disorders (CMDs): How pervasive are they?

Recently a former colleague within the NHS Mental Health Trust asked me about the kind of problems and issues people sought private professional help with.

Generally relief from anxiety and depression tend to be the most prominent. In fact, as many as one in three of the adult population (aged 16 plus) is currently seeking relief from anxiety or different types of depression. Increasingly, people are turning to private practise due to long waiting times and difficulty getting access to the over subscribed NHS counselling provision.

Common mental disorders (CMD’s) cause marked emotional distress and interfere with daily function. Unfortunately however, both anxiety and depression often remain undiagnosed. If left untreated, CMD’s are more likely to lead to long term physical, social and occupational disability and even premature mortality.

Symptoms of depressive episodes include low mood and a loss of interest and enjoyment in ordinary things and experiences. Low energy levels are also common. Depressive episodes can severely impair emotional and physical wellbeing and behaviour, sudden mood swings are not unusual and can wreak havoc with interpersonal relationships. The phrase “I’m just not myself” is a simple statement of distress, bewilderment and hopelessness. Whereas once the stigma of not wanting to disclose depression kept people away from the GP surgery, it is now more likely to be the queue.

Thankfully, as the issue becomes more common and is discussed more openly its treatment becomes more widely available too. A variety of new and cutting edge techniques such as mindfulness, meditation, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) are becoming more readily available through expert private practitioners. If you are concerned about Common Mental Disorders or know anyone who you think may be suffering, please don’t hesitate to get in contact with us today for a friendly no-obligation chat.