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New Survey Finds Limited Access to Treatment in Texas Increases Financial Burden, Impairs Personal Relationships for Individuals With Depression

Posted on: Tuesday, 11 July 2006, 09:00 CDT

HOUSTON, July 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Texans living with depression who have limited access to treatment are nearly twice as likely as residents with less restricted access to experience financial consequences related to their symptoms. Specifically, self-reported credit card and other negative social consequences attributable to depression contributed $19,900 in out-of-pocket costs for Texans living with depression -- approximately 50 percent more than individuals with less restricted access.* Results also reveal a disparity in the social burden of depression, given that as few as one-half of those with limited access to treatment reported being satisfied in their relationship with a spouse or partner.

This survey, sponsored by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and funded by Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, is part of a nationwide effort to examine access to mental health services for those living with depression in five large bellwether states (California, Florida, New York, Ohio and Texas). This effort also explores the social and economic impact of depression on individuals across the United States.

"This study pinpoints exactly how lack of access to treatment harms job prospects, the financial situation and personal relationships for individuals with depression," said Carolyn Hamilton, President, NAMI Metro Houston. "It is no longer a singular burden carried solely by the individual, but one that is shared by a person's family, employer, creditors, and society. These findings underscore the importance of ensuring that those living with depression have access to optimal treatment."

In a state where the economic burden of depression tops $16.6 billion, it is telling that Texas ranks 38th out of 50 states in the number of psychiatrists per 100,000 people, 40th in psychologists and 45th in social workers. Survey results support this point, as a higher percentage of survey respondents in Texas with health insurance who have been diagnosed with depression reported that they have not seen a particular physician because they were out of their health insurance provider network (32 percent versus 18 percent of the national average).

Results also reveal that many Texans living with depression have symptoms of other related conditions, such as bipolar disorder or generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), that have not been officially diagnosed. In fact, while 72 percent of respondents indicated the presence of symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder -- a disease that often coexists with depression -- only 16 percent of those respondents had been officially diagnosed. Additionally, the survey showed that many Texans living with depression are also under-treated. While studies demonstrate that a combination of prescription medication and psychotherapy provide the most effective treatment for depression, only 16 percent of Texans living with this illness are currently receiving both treatments.

The impact of under-treated and under-diagnosed depression is most evident in the personal and professional lives of individuals who report a greater inability to focus at work and on relationships at home. Specifically, employed survey respondents reported that in the last 30 days their work productivity was affected an average of seven days or 23 percent of the month, due to symptoms. At home, 38 percent of respondents reported experiencing some kind of relationship problem due to depression, while nearly 50 percent reported that depression hindered their interaction with their children.

The strain on personal finances also is evident, as nearly a quarter of survey respondents reported that during the last 30 days, they had unpaid bills more than 60 days overdue (23 percent), were afraid they couldn't make their rent/mortgage payment (23 percent), or were unable to afford the necessities of life (29 percent) -- all of which they attributed to depression.

"This survey exemplifies the ways depression can invade your life," said Alice Clark, a Texas resident who has lived with depression for 14 years. "It has been very challenging at times for me to even get out of bed, much less go to work and function efficiently. Now that I have found a treatment that works for me, I can cope. I have resiliency. I want others to understand the depths of this disease and the important need for treatment and support. Recovery is possible."

About the Survey

This survey was conducted online by Harris Interactive(R) among 2,880 people in five state samples (California, Florida, New York, Ohio, and Texas) and among 662 people from a national sample, for a total of 3,542 respondents (aged 18 and older) between March 28, 2006 and April 17, 2006. The total number of respondents for the state of Texas was 566.

In this survey, limited or low access was defined as either having no health insurance, being in a health savings account-qualified health plan where costs are not reimbursed until a high minimum deductible is met (at least $1,050 for individuals and at least $2,100 for a family), being enrolled in a pharmacy benefit plan that provides no coverage for certain brand-name pharmaceutical agents (self-reported data), or being enrolled in a health plan which, respondents claim, either provides no coverage for physician visits, or no coverage for prescription medication.

Figures for age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, region (for the national sample) and household income were weighted where necessary to bring them into line with their actual proportions in the population. Propensity score weighting also was used to adjust for respondents' propensity to be online. With a pure probability sample of 662 adults one could say with a ninety-five percent probability that the overall results have a sampling error of +/-4 percentage points. Sampling error for sub sample results is higher and varies, however, that does not take other sources of error into account. This online survey is not based on a probability sample and therefore no theoretical sampling error can be calculated.

Harris Interactive designed and fielded the survey, analyzed the data and wrote an initial report. Booz Allen Hamilton used the data provided by Harris to estimate the social and economic costs of depression, some of the results of which are reported in this release.

About NAMI

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is the nation's largest nonprofit, grassroots, self-help, support and advocacy organization of consumers, families, and friends of people with severe mental illnesses. Through its affiliates and volunteer members, NAMI works to achieve equitable services and treatment for the millions of Americans living with severe mental illnesses and their families.

Access to mental health services is significantly impacted by public policy decisions made by the state legislature and state government agencies. For a discussion of the current mental health public policy environment in Texas, including a discussion of needed public policy improvements, visit http://www.nami.org/grades.

* Based on the data from the Harris Interactive survey, Booz Allen Hamilton provided an aggregate estimate of the individual cost of depression for treatment and other health-related expenditures. This estimate includes the annual deductible and annual costs of prescription medication and psychotherapy.

NAMI

CONTACT: Carolyn Hamilton, of NAMI, +1-281-579-3750; Cara Miller,+1-212-601-8390

Web site: http://www.nami.org/grades

Source: PRNewswire

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