The Netherlands Mental Health Survey and Incidence Study-2 (NEMESIS-2) is a representative survey of 6,646 adults aged 18 to 64 in the general population. The study was conducted by the Trimbos Institute, with funding from the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport.
NEMESIS-2 measures a wide range of mental disorders. For the first time, the prevalence of not only ADHD but also of behavioural disorders and anti-social personality disorders in the population has been established. Behavioural disorders in childhood or early adolescence occurred in 5.6% of the population.
Anti-social personality disorder in adulthood occurred in 3% of people. 1,896,700 adults (18%) had suffered a mental health condition in the past year. This may have been for instance a mood disorder, an anxiety disorder or a condition caused by alcohol or drugs. A much larger percentage (43%) had ever suffered from a mental disorder during their lives. Compared to a decade ago, the mental health of the Dutch population has neither improved nor deteriorated.
Those with a lower level of education, a low income or those without paid employment have a greater chance of developing a mental health disorder. People with only lower schooling at VMBO level are twice as likely to develop a mood disorder such as depression or mania, as those with university or other third level education (HBO). Low income earners are as much as eight times as likely to have ADHD in adulthood as high income earners.
Of those with a mental health disorder, 28.5% sought treatment in the general health care system; 20.5% attended the mental health care services; 8.5% received informal care; and 19.6% were prescribed medication for their mental health problems or alcohol/drug problems. Only 5.6% indicated having had an unmet need for care during the past 12 months.
People with a mood disorder made the most use of health care services, and they were the most likely to be prescribed medication. These were followed by people with anxiety disorders and ADHD. Those with a mood disorder related to alcohol or drug use made the least use of care services, and were the least often prescribed medication for their symptoms.
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