Trends in depression and anxiety disorders in young adults in England

Abstract Background This presentation extends analyses of temporal trends in the prevalence of and inequalities in depression and anxiety disorders in England. The last major national survey was conducted in 2014, this presentation updates the picture to include the most recent wave of survey data, collected in 2023/4. There will be a particular attention to a comparison trends by age group. Methods We analysed data from participants in the 2000, 2007, 2014 and 2023/4 Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Surveys of the general population. We used weighted data and controlled for complex survey design. We generated temporal trends in lifetime prevalence of depression and anxiety disorders by age group. The presence of common mental health conditions in the past week was assessed using the revised Clinical Interview Schedule (CIS-R). Disorders such as depression and generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) were identified, and a severity score produced. A score of 12 or more indicated symptoms warranting clinical recognition, a score of 18 or more is considered severe and requiring intervention. Results Analysis of the earlier surveys showed that the proportion of adults aged 16 to 64 with severe symptoms (CIS-R score of 18 or more) increased (7.9% in 2000; 8.5% in 2007; 9.3% in 2014). Increases were particularly notable for women aged 16 to 24 years. Data from APMS 2023/4 will be presented but are under strict embargo until the government survey report is released July 2025. Conclusions Poor mental health has enormous economic and social impact. Mental illness is one of the largest single causes of disability and sickness absence in the UK. In recent years there has been a strong public health narrative calling for whole system approaches to taking the social determinants of health across age groups.