• 1 | Just over 16% of people in England had a common mental disorder (CMD) at the time of interview.
• 2 | A third of those with neurotic symptoms assessed as severe enough to require treatment were receiving help.
• 3 | Eatings disorders are not just an issue for women.
• 4 | While childhood ADHD is more likely in boys than girls, there is no significant difference in screens for adult ADHD between men and women.

Just over 16% of people in England had a CMD at the time of interview, an overall rate which has not changed since 2000.The proportion of 16 to 64-year-old women with a CMD has increased from 19.1% in 1993 to 21.5% in 2007, while among men the difference in rate over the same period was not significant.

Reducing the prevalence of the various types of depression and anxiety which comprise CMDs is a major public health challenge: CMDs can result in physical impairment and problems with social functioning, and if left untreated are more likely to lead to long-term disability and premature mortality.

The proportion of people with more severe psychiatric disorders (eg psychosis and antisocial and borderline personality disorders) remained under 1%.

One-third (32%) of people with neurotic symptoms assessed as severe enough to require treatment were receiving medication or counselling for a mental or emotional problem.

Men made up a quarter of those screening positive for possible eating disorder, indicating that this is not just an issue for women. The study found higher rates of disordered eating not only among people who are underweight, but also among obese people.

While attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has been widely studied in childhood, less is known about its presence in adulthood. Although childhood ADHD is more likely in boys than girls, survey measurement using a screening tool designed to identify adults who may have ADHD characteristics found no significant difference between men and women.