A few months ago, Dr. Ken Duckworth, a psychiatrist(心理医生) in Massachusetts, was swimming in his community's
pool, chatting with other swimmers. When he mentioned his career, one man
wanted Duckworth’s opinion on his struggles with depression; another asked for
advice on a family member's mental illness.
“I was sort of amazed. They were talking openly about
their mental disabilities with a stranger in a swimming locker room, ” said
Duckworth, “That wouldn't have happened 15 years ago. ”
New research shows that these swimmers aren't the only
ones opening up. According to a new study, more American adults than ever are
reporting being disabled by the symptoms of depression, anxiety or other
emotional problems.
The report, published Thursday in the American Journal
of Public Health, found that people who said they couldn’t perform everyday
tasks or engage in social and leisure activities because of a mental illness
increased from 2 percent in 1999 to 2.7 percent in 2009. That increase amounts
to nearly 2 million more people disabled by mental distress (痛苦) in the past decade, the report said.
Although people did not say they felt more mental
distressed compared to past years, they reported that their mental health
problems had a greater impact on their daily lives.
Dr. Ramin Mojtabai, the study's author, said it's
unclear whether the findings tell a sad story of greater mental distress in
recent times or point to a victory for public education about the importance of
acknowledging and evaluating mental illness.
“It is possible that people are realizing the effects
of mental illness more acutely now than before," he said. "People
could be becoming more aware. ”
Mojtabai said it's also possible that a number of
factors could be taking a toll on the population's mental well-being. High
unemployment, economic hardships and a growing sense of isolation could be
putting greater stress on Americans.
But Duckworth said there could be a more positive
explanation -- like his fellow swimmers, people may be getting more comfortable
with talking about their mental distress.
“I wonder if this tells us that American culture is
becoming more open and is giving people the ability to speak about it,” he
said. “If people have this problem and are willing to acknowledge it, then
we're getting closer to dealing with it.”
1.Why was Dr. Ken Duckworth surprised when other
swimmers talked about the depression with him?
A.He hadn’t expected those swimmers had so many questions.
B.He didn’t know there would be so many people suffering mental
disabilities.
C.People wouldn’t talk about their mental disabilities with a stranger
in the past.
D.It amazed him
that people were becoming more and more open-hearted.
2.Which of the statements may Dr. Ramin Mojtabai
agree?
A.More and more
people are suffering mental distress nowadays.
B.People may be
more willing to acknowledge their mental illness.
C.People are
becoming more and more aware of the effects of mental illness.
D.The public
education about the importance of acknowledging mental illness is successful.
3.What does the underline phrase “taking a toll on” in
para.8 mean?
A.making a
contribution to
B.taking part
in
C.playing a
part in
D.doing harm to
4.What’s the best title of the text?
A.How mental
illness come about?
B.Swimmers with
mental illness puzzled psychiatrist.
C.Study shows
more mental illness.
D.You should
have an accurate attitude towards mental illness.