What is the most commonly diagnosed mental disorder
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The Most Commonly Diagnosed Mental Disorder
Prevalence of Mental Disorders in General Hospital Settings
In general hospital settings, a significant portion of patients are diagnosed with mental disorders. A study conducted in southern Puerto Rico found that 53% of patients receiving non-psychiatric medical and surgical care were diagnosed with a mental disorder. The most frequently diagnosed conditions included major depressive disorder, neurocognitive disorders, anxiety disorders, substance-related disorders, and schizophrenia-spectrum disorders1. This highlights the importance of integrating mental health services within general hospitals to address co-occurring mental and physical health issues.
Common Mental Disorders in Primary Care
Primary care settings also see a high prevalence of mental disorders, with depression, anxiety, and somatization being the most frequently observed. These conditions are often associated with significant impairment and are more commonly diagnosed in older, less educated, and female patients. The comorbidity of these disorders further complicates diagnosis and treatment, emphasizing the need for appropriate diagnostic categories in the DSM-V and ICD-11 to better address these conditions in primary care2.
ADHD: The Most Commonly Diagnosed Mental Disorder in Children
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most commonly diagnosed mental health disorder among children in the United States. This diagnosis can lead to both positive outcomes, such as appropriate treatment and support, and negative consequences, such as stigmatization. The impact of an ADHD diagnosis can vary significantly based on socioeconomic status, with high-SES children experiencing different outcomes compared to their low-SES counterparts3.
Incidence of Mental Disorders in Childhood and Adolescence
A comprehensive cohort study in Denmark revealed that by the age of 18, 15.01% of children and adolescents were diagnosed with a mental disorder. Anxiety disorders were the most common among girls, while ADHD was the most prevalent among boys. The study also found that the incidence of several neurodevelopmental disorders peaked in late adolescence for girls, suggesting possible delayed detection4.
Global Prevalence of Common Mental Disorders
Globally, common mental disorders, including mood, anxiety, and substance use disorders, are highly prevalent. A systematic review and meta-analysis found that approximately 17.6% of people met the criteria for a common mental disorder in the 12 months preceding assessment, and 29.2% had experienced a common mental disorder at some point in their lives. Women were more likely to suffer from mood and anxiety disorders, while men had higher rates of substance use disorders. There was also significant regional variation in prevalence rates, with lower rates observed in North and South East Asia and higher rates in English-speaking countries6.
Conclusion
In summary, the most commonly diagnosed mental disorders vary by setting and population. In general hospital settings, major depressive disorder, neurocognitive disorders, and anxiety disorders are prevalent. In primary care, depression, anxiety, and somatization are frequently observed. Among children, ADHD is the most common diagnosis. Globally, mood, anxiety, and substance use disorders are highly prevalent, with significant regional variations. Understanding these patterns is crucial for improving diagnosis, treatment, and support for individuals with mental health disorders.
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Most relevant research papers on this topic
Commonly diagnosed mental disorders in a general hospital system
Major depressive, neurocognitive, anxiety, substance-related, and schizophrenia-spectrum disorders are the most frequently diagnosed mental disorders in general hospital patients in Puerto Rico.
Rigorous JournalDepression, anxiety, and somatoform disorders: vague or distinct categories in primary care? Results from a large cross-sectional study.
Providing appropriate diagnostic categories for mild mental syndromes and severe comorbidity between somatoform, depressive, and/or anxiety disorders in the DSM-V and ICD-11 can improve primary care diagnosis and treatment.
Observational Study
Highly CitedSocial Class, Diagnoses of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, and Child Well-Being
High-SES children diagnosed with ADHD experience poorer future self-competence and teacher-rated school behaviors compared to undiagnosed peers.
Observational StudyIncidence Rates and Cumulative Incidences of the Full Spectrum of Diagnosed Mental Disorders in Childhood and Adolescence.
Mental disorders are more common in girls than boys, with a higher risk of diagnosis before 6 years of age in boys.
Observational StudyRigorous JournalHighly CitedThe descriptive epidemiology of commonly occurring mental disorders in the United States.
Mental disorders are highly prevalent in the US, with most onsets in childhood or adolescence, and early detection and treatment of mild child-adolescent disorders is crucial for public health.
Literature ReviewHighly CitedThe global prevalence of common mental disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis 1980-2013.
Common mental disorders are highly prevalent globally, affecting people across all regions, with gender differences and regional variations in prevalence rates.
Meta-AnalysisRigorous JournalHighly CitedPsychiatric comorbidities and schizophrenia.
Psychiatric comorbidities, particularly substance abuse and anxiety, are common in schizophrenia patients, with obsessive-compulsive disorder being the most prevalent anxiety disorder.
Very Rigorous JournalHighly CitedDelirium and other organic mental disorders in a general hospital.
Delirium and dementia are the most common organic mental disorders in general hospital patients, with delirium being more common in patients with multiple medical problems and indicating poor prognosis.
Highly CitedAdjustment disorder: A diagnosis whose time has come.
Adjustment disorder has received increased research attention in recent years, with the ICD-11 defining it by explicit symptom groups, and future research should focus on concordance, risk factors, biological underpinnings, and effective disorder-specific interventions.
Systematic ReviewRigorous JournalHighly CitedThree Approaches to Understanding and Classifying Mental Disorder: ICD-11, DSM-5, and the National Institute of Mental Health’s Research Domain Criteria (RDoC)
Three diagnostic systems, ICD-11, DSM-5, and the National Institute of Mental Health's Research Domain Criteria, address key issues in understanding and classifying mental disorders, aiming to reduce suffering and improve health care.
Highly Cited