Final answer:
The best estimate for the percentage of people in North America who meet the diagnostic criteria for a psychological disorder at some point in their lives is likely around 45%, as this aligns with empirical data and reported literature on lifetime prevalence rates.
Step-by-step explanation:
The percentage of people in North America who meet the diagnostic criteria for a psychological disorder at some point in their lives is quite significant. While the exact percentage for North America as a whole is not provided, various studies can give us an approximation of this figure. For instance, the National Institute of Mental Health notes that about 18% of U.S. adults may be affected by an anxiety disorder in a single year, with a lifetime prevalence of around 28%. Furthermore, research indicates that rates of being diagnosed with different psychological disorders at some point in life range broadly.
Taking into account the information provided, that countries have recorded rates as high as 74.6% for being diagnosed with certain diseases, one can infer that psychological disorders, which encompass a wide range of conditions beyond anxiety disorders, might affect a substantial proportion of the population. Considering this range, as well as the various percentages noted for specific age groups and diseases within different studies, it is reasonable to conclude that option c) 25% is far too conservative an estimate, while option f) 85% might be on the higher end of the spectrum.
Therefore, the best answer would likely be d) 45%, as it aligns more closely with the combined prevalence rates of psychological disorders over the course of a lifetime that are known from empirical studies and reported literature.