Is mental illness on the rise or do you think we just are better at recognizing !

Is mental illness on the rise or do you think we just are better at recognizing and diagnosing it now?

Sooooo many people are on anti-depressants. Seems like everyone knows someone with some type of problem. Don't misunderstand me, I have nothing but empathy for those in these situations. I have GAD and panic disorder so I know exactly how awful it is. Mine is under complete control now, thank God. But still, it seems so common now. So many kids are on meds too. Sign of the times, pharmaceutical company greed, or advancements in psychology? What do you think?

The World Health Organization undertook two major studies on the incidence of major mental disorders in multiple countries ("first world" and developing rural countries) at two different times in the 20th century and found very similar incidences of illness both across time and across cultures. What changes over time is the way mental illness manifests itself which can be culturally related, and whether it's seen as an illness or a moral or personal weakness.

In recent years a growing recognition on the part of the general public that mental illness is a treatable problem as opposed to a moral weakness (which use to be the prevelent belief), as well as better knowledge of effective treatments has changed the public's recognition of major mental illness. Overall there is no evidence that the incidence has increased.