Introduction: Why does this matter?

When we talk about psychological problems like unipolar depression and addiction, we usually focus on how a person feels. However, psychologists also look at the "big picture." This means looking at how many people are affected (the incidence), how that changes over the years, and what the "knock-on" effects are for the person and the world around them.

Understanding these trends helps governments and doctors plan how to help people better. Don't worry if this seems like a lot of information; we will break it down into simple, bite-sized pieces!

1. What is "Incidence"?

Before we look at the trends, we need to know what this term means:

Incidence: This refers to the number of new cases of a mental health problem that are identified within a specific period of time (for example, in one year).

Psychologists have noticed that the incidence of mental health problems seems to be increasing. Let’s look at why this might be happening.

2. How Incidence Changes Over Time

In recent years, the number of people diagnosed with depression and addiction has gone up. But is it because more people are "ill," or is it because we are better at spotting it? Here are the main reasons for the change:

A. Better Recognition and Diagnosis

Doctors now use the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) to identify symptoms more accurately. Because we have clearer "checklists" for symptoms, fewer people are "slipping through the cracks" without a diagnosis.

B. Reduced Stigma

In the past, there was a lot of stigma (shame) attached to mental health. People were often too embarrassed to ask for help. Today, society is more open. Celebrities and social media campaigns have made it "okay to not be okay," so more people are visiting their doctors and getting recorded in the statistics.

C. Modern Living Stressors

Some psychologists argue that the world has become more stressful. Factors like the constant pressure of social media, economic worries, and higher expectations at school or work may lead to a genuine increase in the number of people experiencing unipolar depression or addiction.

Quick Tip: When writing an exam answer, try to mention both "better reporting" and "actual increases in stress." This shows you understand both sides!

3. Effects on the Individual

Mental health problems don't just stay in the mind; they change how a person lives their life every day.

  • Physical Health: People with depression may feel constantly tired or have trouble sleeping. Those with addiction may suffer from physical damage depending on the substance (e.g., liver damage from alcohol) or neglect their basic needs like hygiene and diet.
  • Relationships: Mental health problems can put a huge strain on families. A person might withdraw from friends (common in depression) or lie to loved ones to hide their habits (common in addiction). This leads to social isolation.
  • Employment and Education: It is very hard to focus on a job or school when you are struggling. This can lead to frequent absences (taking days off), which might result in losing a job or failing exams.
  • Financial Problems: Addiction can be very expensive. A person might spend all their money on their addiction, leading to debt or even losing their home.

Key Takeaway: The individual suffers a "domino effect"—one problem (the diagnosis) leads to many others (job loss, loneliness, poor health).

4. Effects on Society

Mental health problems don't just affect the person; they cost the whole country money and resources.

A. The Cost to Healthcare

The government has to spend billions of pounds on the National Health Service (NHS) to provide treatments. This includes:
- Paying for drugs (antidepressants).
- Funding Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) sessions.
- Providing hospital beds for those in crisis.

B. The Economy (Work and Productivity)

If thousands of people are unable to work because of depression or addiction, the country loses money. This is called a loss of productivity. Companies lose skilled workers, and the government receives less money in taxes while having to pay out more in welfare benefits.

C. Criminal Justice

This is especially relevant to addiction. Sometimes, people may turn to crime (like stealing) to fund an addiction. Dealing with these crimes costs the police and the court system a lot of time and money.

Quick Review: Summary Table

Individual Effects: Emotional distress, poor physical health, broken relationships, loss of income.
Societal Effects: High cost to the NHS, loss of workers (productivity), increased need for social services/police.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Confusing Incidence with Prevalence: Remember, incidence is the number of new cases. (Think of it as the "in-flow" of new people getting sick).

2. Forgetting the ICD: Always mention the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) when talking about how doctors diagnose these problems. It is the official system required by your syllabus.

3. Only focusing on the "sadness" of depression: In Psychology (1PS0), you must look at the practical effects, like the cost to the government or the impact on the workplace.

Did you know?

Psychologists estimate that around \( 1 \) in \( 4 \) people in the UK will experience a mental health problem each year. This is why studying the incidence and effects on society is so important—it affects almost every family in the country!

Note: For more details on the specific symptoms of these problems, see the chapters "Unipolar depression: symptoms and features (ICD)" and "Addiction: symptoms and features (ICD)".