Almost six million people over the age of 14 are diagnosed with this type of disorder in Spain, according to a study by the IQVIA consulting firm
The direct costs associated with pathologies linked to mental health would be up to 30 percent older by 2025 than today, according to a study by the IQVIA consulting firm.
The report addresses mental health in Spain, a major cause of disability which has consequences in the reduction of the quality of life of the population and an important socioeconomic impact.
Increasing anxiety and depression
According to the study, the economic impact of anxiety and depression it decreased from 2019 to 2020 from 1,307 million euros to 1,189 million euros, which is 9 percent less, but in 2021 it increased by 27 percent, reaching 1,514 million euros.
The study shows that during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, 2020, the number of contacts with emergency services related to anxiety problems increased by 67 percent.
Thus, the report predicts that if the number of diagnoses continues to increase at the current rate, andn 5 years the number of young people (between 15 and 25 years old) with anxiety or depression it will have multiplied by 5exceeding one million patients.
The prevalence of this type of disorder is estimated to be approximately 13 percent of the Spanish population over 14 years of age, according to the IQVIA databases that collect the number of patients who attend the National Health System (SNS) .
5.7 million diagnosed
In absolute values it means that 5.7 million people over the age of 14 are diagnosed with this type of disorder in Spain. In addition, it is estimated that each year, between 2017 and 2021, anxiety and depression disorders have affected a range of 1.8 and 2 percent of the additional population.
According to the mental health survey carried out by the National Institute of Statistics (INE), during the pandemic the percentage of the population with a feeling of being down or depressed increased, with problems sleeping and little joy or interest in doing things.
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines mental health as a state of well-being in which a person is aware of their own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to your community.