Report: Serious mental distress more common with certain health conditions

Adults with serious psychological distress are up to 10 times more likely to have limitations in their daily living activities, four times more likely to have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and twice as likely to have heart disease or diabetes as other adults, according to a new report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. They also are more likely to lack health insurance. The findings are based on data from the 2009-2013 National Health Interview Survey. According to the report, serious psychological distress “includes mental health problems severe enough to cause moderate-to-serious impairment in social, occupational, or school functioning and to require treatment.”