Personalia
Johan (Hans) Ormel, born in Wageningen, the Netherlands, in 1946. Ph.D. from University of Groningen. Professor of Psychiatric Epidemiology at the University Medical Center Groningen.
Theme Group Fellow (1 Feb – 30 June 2017)
The Ultimate Paradox: So Much Treatment, Still No Falling Prevalence. What is Going On?
Research Question
Why does the prevalence of common mental disorders not drop given the reasonable quantity and quality of mental health care in western countries?
Project Description
Despite substantial and moderately effective psychological and pharmacological treatments, the prevalence of common mental disorders (CMDs) has not dropped in the past few decades. One cause is that a substantial proportion does not or only partially, respond to existing treatments. Another, perhaps more important cause is the ongoing incidence (new cases, relapses, and recurrences) of CMDs. I will analyze the causes of this incidence (including genetic risk, stressors,and maladaptive person-environment feedback loops) to understand on why the incidence continuous to be so high. This may help to find innovative ways to decrease the burden of CMDs, starting very early in life, and targeting both child and parents. A wealth of experience in the group from different perspectives will facilitate these analyses and help to find solutions.
Selected Publications
Ormel, J., Raven, D., Van Oort, F., Hartman, C., Reijneveld, M., Veenstra, R., … Oldehinkel, T. (2015). Mental health in Dutch adolescents: A TRAILS report on prevalence, severity, age of onset, continuity and co-morbidity of DSM disorders. Psychological Medicine, 45(2), 345-360. 10.1017/S0033291714001469
Ormel J, Jeronimus BF, Kotov R, Riese H, Bos EH, Hankin B, et al. Neuroticism and common mental disorders: Meaning and utility of a complex relationship. Clinical Psychology Review 2013;33(5):686-97.
Ormel J, Oldehinkel AJ, Brilman EI. The Interplay and Etiological Continuity Of Neuroticism, Difficulties and Life Events in the Etiology of Major and Subsyndromal, First and Recurrent Depressive Episodes. Am J of Psychiatry, 2001, 158, 885-891.