More than three-quarters of Americans have resorted to unhealthy coping habits to deal with mental health issues, according to Myriad Genetics. Of those, 45 percent did so after the failure of prescribed medication.
Those results are reported in a new GeneSight Mental Health Monitor survey from Myriad Genetics.
The review found that 77 percent of respondents engaged in binge eating, drug use, gambling, social media activity, or other addictive or unhealthy coping mechanisms to deal with mental health problems. In addition, 94 percent of those surveyed know those actions are unhealthy.
Treatment and Costs Rising
The problem is deemed so acute that government spending to treat mental illness has almost doubled. The Biden Administration’s 2023 budget includes $4.6 billion for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration.
The National Institutes of Mental Health estimates that about 20 percent of Americans, or 57.8 million, live with a mental illness. Those illnesses can range from mild to severe.
In Addition, a CNN Kaiser Health poll released in October found that 90 percent of Americans feel the country is facing a mental health crisis.
Stigma Fuels Unhealthy Coping Mechanisms
“Mental health and addiction often go hand-in-hand,” said Morgan Freas, PharmD, a senior medical science liaison with Myriad Genetics. “Yet the stigma associated with admitting mental health challenges is often greater than escaping into substance or behavioral abuse.”
The survey revealed that 77 percent of those diagnosed with depression and/or anxiety in the survey viewed drinking alcohol alone as unhealthy. However, 41 percent of those respondents say they use solitary drinking as a way to cope with their disorder. Of that number, 25 percent were concerned they may be addicted to alcohol.
Medication Failures Contribute to Unhealthy Coping
Some sufferers turn to unhealthy coping habits after finding prescription treatments lacking.
“Many of my patients have struggled with depression and/or anxiety but failed to find a treatment that made them feel better. So, they resorted to alcohol, drugs, or destructive behaviors to soothe themselves, as these offered short-term relief,” said Dawn Johnson, a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner at the Indiana Center for Recovery in South Bend, IN. “However, this behavior resulted in worsening mental health and destruction of their lives. I’ve seen it personally.”
It was her husband’s death resulting from his battle with mental health issues and addiction that motivated Johnson to enter the treatment field.
Nearly two-thirds of people diagnosed with depression and/or anxiety have tried multiple prescription medications in their treatment, according to Myriad Genetics. However, 45 percent of that number were unsuccessful and sought relief through unhealthy activities.
Contributing Factors
Respondents identified several factors they felt contributed to their mental health concerns and unhealthy coping habits. Among those are:
- Cost of living – 42%
- Relationships with a family member or friend – 36%
- Ability to financially support a family – 29%
- Body image – 25%
- Death of a close friend/family member – 20%
- Workplace performance/satisfaction – 16%
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Max K. Erkiletian began writing for newspapers while still in high school. He went on to become an award-winning journalist and co-founder of the print magazine Free Bird. He has written for a wide range of regional and national publications as well as many on-line publications. That has afforded him the opportunity to interview a variety of prominent figures from former Chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank Paul Volker to Blues musicians Muddy Waters and B. B. King. Max lives in Springfield, MO with his wife Karen and their cat – Pudge. He spends as much time as possible with his kids, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
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