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One-third of Danish population treated for mental disorders in their lifetime

In a comprehensive nationwide study of 5.6 million Danish residents, approximately one-third received treatment for mental disorders, and specific disorders varied greatly by sex and age.

Data for those born between Jan. 1, 1990 and Dec. 31, 2010 were gathered from the Danish Civil Registration System and were linked with the Danish Psychiatric Central Research Register to obtain information on mental illnesses treated in secondary care, according to the study.

Individuals who had been admitted to a psychiatric hospital, received outpatient care for a psychiatric disorder or visited a psychiatric emergency care unit were identified as having a mental disorder, according to the study.

Among males and females, researchers reported the lifetime risk for any psychiatric disorder was 32.05% and 37.66%.

During childhood and adolescence the incidence rates and cumulative incidences for schizophrenia were similar among males and females. However, these rates were higher among males between the ages of 20 and 50 years.

However, researchers reported higher incidence rates and cumulative incidences of mood disorders at all ages among females compared with males.

Females were also more likely to have an eating disorder and early onset of the disorder compared with males; the incidence rate decreased significantly at the age of 30 years. Among males, mental retardation, pervasive developmental disorders and hyperkinetic disorders were more common and began earlier in life.

“Males were more likely to receive treatment for disorders such as autism, mental retardation, hyperkinetic disorders, schizophrenia and substance abuse disorders, whereas females were more likely to receive treatment for anxiety, mood disorders and eating disorders,” the researchers wrote.

Disclosures:See the full study for a complete list of relevant financial disclosures.