The treatment of mental disorders in hospitals

This article examines mental disorders treated in Canadian general and psychiatric hospitals from 1971 to 1985-86. Significant changes occurred over the period of study. The analysis is based on hospital discharge data from eight provinces. For several decades, mental disorders have been among the leading causes of hospital use. In 1985-86, mental disorders accounted for about 10.8% of total days of care given in general hospitals. The total discharge rate for mental disorders treated in general and psychiatric hospitals declined moderately from 1971 to 1985-86. However the rate for functional psychoses has increased, while for other diagnoses the rates have decreased. The two diagnostic categories most often found in active treatment programs shifted position over the period. In 1971, the rate for general clinical disorders was almost twice that of functional psychoses; since 1981-82, the functional psychoses rate has exceeded the general clinical disorders rate. Discharge rates for functional psychosis for the elderly increased considerably, but remained stable in other age groups. This suggests that mental illness is being diagnosed more often in the elderly, and that treatment of their mental illnesses is more often undertaken.