Mental health a top reason to see a doctor

WASHINGTON, March 6 (UPI) -- Mental health problems were one of the top three reasons Americans sought treatment at doctors' offices, clinics and hospitals, a U.S.report said.

The report issued by Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, said depression and other mental health problems prompted 156 million visits to U.S. doctors' offices, clinics and hospitals in 2005.

The report also said the number of mental health visits to healthcare providers has increased 30 percent since 1996.

The AHRQ report found other top reasons for getting non-emergency ambulatory care in 2005 were: back problems; trauma-related disorders, such as fractures; chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma and high blood pressure.

The data for the report came from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, a detailed source of information on the health services used by Americans, the frequency with which they are used, the cost of those services and how they are paid.