Characterising Psychosis in the Australian National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing Study on Low Prevalence (Psychotic) Disorders

2000 ◽  
Vol 34 (5) ◽  
pp. 792-800 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen Rosenman ◽  
Ailsa Korten ◽  
Jo Medway ◽  
Mandy Evans
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Substance Use ◽  
National Survey ◽  
Negative Symptoms ◽  
Psychotic Disorders ◽  
Diagnostic Interview ◽  
National Study ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Low Prevalence

Objective: This study examines the factorial structure of symptoms and signs in psychosis in data from the Study on Low Prevalence (psychotic) Disorders which is part of the National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing, Australia 1997–1998. Method: The present study examined a wide variety of symptoms taken from the Schedules for Clinical Assessment in Neuropsychiatry items and the substance use items in the Diagnostic Interview for Psychosis, an instrument specially constructed for the national study. The instrument was applied to 980 community and hospital subjects with a wide range of psychotic illness diagnoses. The data were factor analysed and scales of ‘domains of psychopathology’ derived. Results: The data were best fitted by five principal factors (‘domains’) which can be approximately labelled dysphoria, positive symptoms, substance use, mania and negative symptoms/incoherence. These factors together explained 55.4% of variance in symptoms. Solutions with more numerous factors did not improve the representation. Conclusion: The five domains successfully characterise a large part of the variance in psychopathology found in the present study of low prevalence (psychotic) disorders. The approach allows sufferer's symptom range and severity to be well expressed without multiple comorbid diagnoses or the limits imposed by categorical diagnosis. Knowledge of alternative dimensional representations of psychopathology may usefully complement our use of categories, enhance awareness of symptoms and ensure that important psychopathology is heeded in practice and research.

Do Older Australians Truly have Low Rates of Anxiety and Depression? A Critique of the 1997 National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing

2006 ◽  
Vol 40 (8) ◽  
pp. 623-631 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel W. O'Connor
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
National Survey ◽  
Depressive Disorders ◽  
Composite International Diagnostic Interview ◽  
Diagnostic Interview ◽  
Assessment Tools ◽  
Mental Wellbeing ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
High Morbidity ◽  
Health And Wellbeing

This paper sets out to critically evaluate reports from the Australian-wide National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing of very low rates of ICD-10 anxiety and depressive disorders in community resident older Australians. Data from the National Survey, which relied on the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI) were re-computed and re-analysed to address concerns about population sampling, interview response patterns and alternate measures of mental health. Rates of anxiety and depressive disorders fell to low levels after 65 years and continued to fall thereafter. This is at odds with findings from gerontological surveys that used assessment tools better suited to frail older people. Scores on mental health scales, together with diagnostic algorithms that obviated CIDI skip patterns, showed much less change in mental wellbeing across generations. It is argued that sampling and case ascertainment bias combined to reduce rates of anxiety and depression in very old people, especially when adjustments are made for the high morbidity levels encountered in aged residential facilities. Functional mental disorders almost certainly rise in frequency in advanced old age, often in conjunction with dementia.

Epidemiology of Anxiety Disorders in the Australian General Population: Findings of the 2007 Australian National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing

2011 ◽  
Vol 45 (11) ◽  
pp. 957-967 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter M. McEvoy ◽  
Rachel Grove ◽  
Tim Slade
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Substance Use ◽  
Anxiety Disorder ◽  
General Population ◽  
Anxiety Disorders ◽  
Substance Use Disorders ◽  
National Survey ◽  
Affective Disorders ◽  
Lifetime Prevalence ◽  
Health And Wellbeing

Objective: The aims of this study were to report 12-month and lifetime prevalence for anxiety disorders in the Australian general population, identify sociodemographic and clinical correlates of anxiety disorders, and report the rates of comorbidity among anxiety, affective, and substance use disorders across the lifespan. Method: The 2007 National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing was a nationally representative, face-to-face household survey of 8841 (60% response rate) community residents aged between 16 and 85 years. Diagnoses for anxiety, affective and substance use disorders were made according to the DSM-IV using the World Mental Health Survey Initiative version of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview. Results: 12-month and lifetime prevalence of anxiety disorders were 11.8% and 20.0%, respectively. Anxiety disorders had a similar median age of onset (19 years) compared to substance use disorders (20 years), but earlier than affective disorders (34 years). Social phobia was the earliest onset anxiety disorder (median 13 years), with generalized anxiety disorder the latest (median 33 years). Significant correlates of the presence of anxiety disorders included being female, single, not in the labour force, in the middle age groups, not having post-graduate qualifications, having a comorbid physical condition, and having a family history of mental disorders. Being in the oldest age ranges and being born in another non-English speaking country were associated with lower odds of having an anxiety disorder. Body mass index was not associated with the presence of an anxiety disorder. Anxiety disorders were highly comorbid, particularly with major depression, dysthymia, and alcohol dependence. Comorbidity with substance use disorders reduced with age. Comorbidity with affective disorders was high across the lifespan. Conclusions: Anxiety disorders are common, can have an early onset, and are highly comorbid. Prevention, early detection, and treatment of anxiety disorders should be a priority.

Costs of Schizophrenia and Other Psychoses in Urban Australia: Findings from the Low Prevalence (Psychotic) Disorders Study

2003 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-40 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vaughan J. Carr ◽  
Amanda L. Neil ◽  
Sean A. Halpin ◽  
Scott Holmes ◽  
Terry J. Lewin
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Psychotic Disorders ◽  
Community Services ◽  
Societal Costs ◽  
Metropolitan Regions ◽  
Lost Productivity ◽  
Average Patient ◽  
The Government ◽  
Low Prevalence

Objective: To estimate the costs associated with the treatment and care of persons with psychosis in Australia based on data from the Low Prevalence Disorders Study (LPDS), and to identify areas where there is potential for more efficient use of existing health care resources. Method: The LPDS was a one-month census-based survey of people with psychotic disorders in contact with mental health services, which was conducted in four metropolitan regions in 1997–1998. Mental health and service utilization data from 980 interviews were used to estimate the economic costs associated with psychotic disorders. A prevalencebased, ‘bottom-up’ approach was adopted to calculate the government and societal costs associated with psychosis, including treatment and non-treatment related costs. Results: Annual societal costs for the average patient with psychosis are of the order of $46 200, comprising $27 500 in lost productivity, $13 800 in inpatient mental health care costs and $4900 in other mental health and community services costs. Psychosis costs the Australian government at least $1.45 billion per annum, while societal costs are at least $2.25 billion per annum (including $1.44 billion for schizophrenia). We also report relationships between societal costs and demographic factors, diagnosis, disability and participation in employment. Conclusions: Current expenditure on psychosis in Australia is probably inefficient. There may be substantial opportunity costs in not delivering effective treatments in sufficient volume to people with psychotic disorders, not intervening early, and not improving access to rehabilitation and supported accommodation.

The NISAD Schizophrenia Research Register: why do we need a database of schizophrenia volunteers?

2001 ◽  
Vol 35 (5) ◽  
pp. 660-667 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carmel M. Loughland ◽  
Vaughan J. Carr ◽  
Terry J. Lewin
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Psychotic Disorders ◽  
Clinical Information ◽  
Research Community ◽  
Government Support ◽  
Research Projects ◽  
Media Campaigns ◽  
Research Register ◽  
General Scientific ◽  
Low Prevalence

Objective: This paper documents the establishment of the Schizophrenia Research Register of the Neuroscience Institute of Schizophrenia and Allied Disorders (NISAD). This register aims to provide a volunteer pool of people with a clinical diagnosis of schizophrenia who are willing to consider participating in research projects. This unique resource is accessible to the general scientific research community. Method: The Register, which operates as a standalone, computerized relational database, maintains demographic and clinical information about individuals with schizophrenia recruited through media campaigns, and general health and non-government support agencies. Preliminary data are reported on the first 400 people with schizophrenia who registered on the database, together with selected comparisons with data from the national Low Prevalence (psychotic) Disorders Study (LPDS). Results: Individuals currently on the Register have a mean age of 38.74 years (SD = 11.41) and are predominantly Australian born (85.1%), which is consistent with data from the LPDS. However, the gender distribution is more balanced compared with the LPDS (53.8% vs 65.4% males) and proportionately more registrants are married or in de facto relationships (18.4% vs 10.8%). Registrants also tend to have lower current symptomatology and higher functioning relative to participants in the LPDS. Conclusions: The Register provides a unique and invaluable educational and research resource, as well as a complementary recruitment source for researchers who would otherwise rely on samples drawn primarily from mental health services.

scholarly journals Rationale and methods for a cross-sectional study of mental health and wellbeing following river flooding in rural Australia, using a community-academic partnership approach

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
J. M. Longman ◽  
J. Bennett-Levy ◽  
V. Matthews ◽  
H. L. Berry ◽  
M. E. Passey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
River Flooding ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Flood Exposure ◽  
Partnership Approach ◽  
Rural Australia

Abstract Background Climate change is associated with greater frequency, duration, intensity and unpredictability of certain weather-related events, including floods. Floods harm mental health. There is limited understanding of the mental health and well-being effects from river flooding, particularly over the longer term and in rural contexts. This paper describes the rationale, aims, objectives, study design and socio-demographic characteristics of the sample for a study measuring associations between flood experience and mental health and wellbeing of residents (particularly those most likely to be negatively impacted and hard to reach) in rural NSW Australia 6 months following a devastating flood in 2017. To our knowledge, the study is the first of its kind within Australia in a rural community and is an important initiative given the likelihood of an increasing frequency of severe flooding in Australia given climate change. Methods A conceptual framework (The Flood Impact Framework) drawing on social ecological approaches was developed by the research team. It was based on the literature and feedback from the community. The Framework describes putative relationships between flood exposure and mental health and wellbeing outcomes. Within a community-academic partnership approach, a cross-sectional survey was then undertaken to quantify and further explore these relationships. Results The cross-sectional survey was conducted online (including on mobile phone) and on paper between September and November 2017 and recruited 2530 respondents. Of those, 2180 provided complete demographic data, among whom 69% were women, 91% were aged 25–74, 4% identified as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, 9% were farmers and 33% were business owners. Conclusions The study recruited a wide range of respondents and the partnership facilitated the community’s engagement with the design and implementation of the study. The study will provide a basis for a follow-up study, that will aim to improve the understanding of mental health and wellbeing effects over the longer term. It will provide an important and original contribution to understanding river flooding and mental health in rural Australia, a topic that will grow in importance in the context of human-induced climate change, and identify critical opportunities to strengthen services, emergency planning and resilience to future flooding.

Affective and Anxiety Disorders and their Relationship with Chronic Physical Conditions in Australia: Findings of the 2007 National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing

2011 ◽  
Vol 45 (11) ◽  
pp. 939-946 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maree Teesson ◽  
Philip B. Mitchell ◽  
Mark Deady ◽  
Sonja Memedovic ◽  
Tim Slade ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Anxiety Disorder ◽  
Anxiety Disorders ◽  
National Survey ◽  
Physical Condition ◽  
Service Use ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
Physical Conditions ◽  
Chronic Physical Conditions ◽  
Nationally Representative

Objective: The aim of this study was to report nationally representative data on the prevalence and patterns of 12 month comorbidity of chronic physical conditions (diabetes, asthma, coronary heart disease, stroke, cancer, arthritis) and DSM-IV affective and anxiety disorders in Australian adults. Method: The 2007 National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing (NSMHWB) was a nationally representative household survey of 8841 Australian adults (16–85 years) assessing symptoms of ICD-10 mental disorders and the presence of chronic physical conditions. Results: Prevalence of at least one National Health Priority Area chronic physical condition was 32.2% (95%CI = 30.9%–33.5%). Among those with chronic physical conditions 21.9% had an affective or anxiety disorder. Affective and anxiety disorders were more common among people with physical conditions than among people without chronic physical conditions (affective OR 1.5; anxiety OR 1.8). Of those with a 12 month affective or anxiety disorder, 45.6% had a chronic physical condition. Physical disorders were more common in those with an affective or anxiety disorder than among people without an affective or anxiety disorder (affective OR 1.6; anxiety OR 2.0). Disability was high in those with an anxiety disorder, an affective disorder and a physical condition and 43.4% were classified as high service users. Conclusions: Comorbidity between chronic physical conditions and affective and anxiety disorders is widespread and is associated with high levels of disability and service use.

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