(Image source: thenutritionpost.com)

BY LOGAN TITTLE

Ever get the feeling you’re going a little crazy? Fox affiliate, KDVR says—you’re not alone.

“One in five American adults have suffered some kind of mental illness in the past year. New government study shows that 50 million people were diagnosed with a mental illness.”

Medical News Today reports the survey was released Thursday by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and found

“...the rate of mental illness among 18 to 25-year-olds was more than twice as high as among people aged 50 and over...”

So what’s driving 20% of the country mad? Psychologist Dr. Scott Bea tells ABC News the economy hasn’t been making it easy, but the problem may have started even earlier for some--

“… we’re not addressing these concerns early with kids. We’re not teaching kids how to manage their thoughts how to manage their emotions so by the time they get to adult hood they may already be carrying around lots of tension …”

New York Daily News notes the reason for this rise isn’t completely clear and advises not to flee to the pharmacy just yet—

“Researchers linked mental illness to substance abuse, saying Americans who experienced mental illness were three times more likely to have a drug or alcohol problem.”

But not everyone is convinced of the fanatical find. A commenter on NPR.org says it’s normal to be a little loony.

“EVERY person on earth experiences some feeling or thought that if they spoke to the right psychologist or psychiatrist could be diagnosed as “mental illness”. This is pseudo science at best. Does no one find it ironic that its been decided that “mental illness” is most common among adolescents?”

Harsh health or just high hormones, the SAMHSA says mental illness can be managed effectively and recovery is in reach.