If you need any further proof of how significant mental health concerns are in today’s society, look no further than the news article we published today noting that 22 percent of hospital admissions have a mental disorder as well.
That’s a significant number. And while most people who are admitted to the hospital with a mental disorder do so for a physical ailment — 84 percent — it still demonstrates an often-ignored component of hospitalization. Co-existing mental disorders like depression or anxiety can have a significant impact on the medical outcome for which a person is admitted. But few physicians recognize the importance of a holistic approach to medical care in a hospital (and few hospital administrators care).
This should be a wakeup call to hospitalists and administrators that nearly one out of every four patients they see today likely has a significant, co-existing mental health concern. One that shouldn’t be ignored or brushed aside with a single question, but that should be paid proper attention to and, if need be, treated alongside the medical concern.
Read the full article: 22 Percent of Hospital Admissions Have Mental Disorders
Dr. John Grohol is the CEO and founder of Psych Central. He is an author, researcher and expert in mental health online, and has been writing about online behavior, mental health and psychology issues -- as well as the intersection of technology and human behavior -- since 1992. Dr. Grohol sits on the editorial board of the journal Cyberpsychology, Behavior and Social Networking and is a founding board member and treasurer of the Society for Participatory Medicine.Like this author?
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Last reviewed: By John M. Grohol, Psy.D. on 12 Nov 2008
Published on PsychCentral.com. All rights reserved.
Grohol, J. (2008). Mental Disorders Common in Hospitals. Psych Central. Retrieved on May 26, 2012, from http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2008/11/12/mental-disorders-common-in-hospitals/
