A new study published in The Lancet journal has found that about 1.2 billion people worldwide are living with at least one mental health disorder, with women and young people accounting for the majority of cases. 

Factors like economic instability, domestic violence by one’s romantic partner, discrimination, trauma, political war and decline in social connection contributed to the spike in mental disorders worldwide, according to Dr Robert Trestman, chair of the American Psychiatric Association’s council on healthcare system.

The research, which analysed 2023 data and was published on Thursday, showed a 95.5 per cent increase in mental health disorders since the last global assessment in 1990. Anxiety and depression emerged as the most prevalent conditions among the 12 major recurring mental illnesses affecting people worldwide. 

Other mental health disorders include autism spectrum disorder, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, anorexia, bulimia, dysthymia, conduct disorder and developmental intellectual disability.

The study found that autism, conduct disorders, ADHD, personality disorders and intellectual disability were more prevalent in males, while other mental disorders were common in females.

“We are entering an even more concerning phase of worsening mental disorder burden globally,” the authors of the study said.

The Lancet researchers found a spike in the predominant 12 disorders, specifically a 158 per cent increase in anxiety and a 131 per cent rise in depression.

The authors expressed concern that women and young people are the most affected by the disorders, noting a major shift in mental illness from middle-aged patients to younger generations. 

Dr Damian Santomauro, lead study author, said he “was honestly shocked at the magnitude” of mental disorder patients, particularly in persons between the ages of 15 and 39.

“We have historically always seen this peak in middle age,” Mr Santomauro said.

The research is a compendium of analysed data from the 2023 Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries and Risk Factors Study (GBD).

Mr Santomauro and his research colleagues recommended seeking professional help, including therapy and medication, to treat the disorders.

They further urged individuals to adopt lifestyle-improving habits such as a healthy diet, work-life balance, exercise, building social connections and sleeping well as critical measures to prevent and treat these disorders.