Diagnostic profiles in outpatient child psychiatry

Outpatient child psychiatrists appear to be treating a broadening array of complex, highly comorbid, and difficult-to-treat youths. In this study, designed to evaluate the current demographic and diagnostic profile of outpatient child psychiatric patients 1,292 outpatient records from 8 treatment se...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inAmerican journal of orthopsychiatry Vol. 76; no. 1; p. 98
Main Author Staller, Jud A
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States 01.01.2006
Subjects
Adolescent
Ambulatory Care
Child
Child Psychiatry - methods
Child, Preschool
Demography
Female
Humans
Infant
Male
Mental Disorders - diagnosis
Mental Disorders - epidemiology
Mental Disorders - therapy
Prevalence
Severity of Illness Index
Treatment Failure
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Summary:Outpatient child psychiatrists appear to be treating a broadening array of complex, highly comorbid, and difficult-to-treat youths. In this study, designed to evaluate the current demographic and diagnostic profile of outpatient child psychiatric patients 1,292 outpatient records from 8 treatment settings were reviewed. Patient age, race, gender, and diagnoses were recorded and analyzed. Externalizing disorders (ADHD and/or behavior disorders) were diagnosed most frequently, followed by internalizing (depressive and anxiety) disorders. Comorbidity was evident in nearly half of all patients, regardless of age. Substance abuse was infrequently reported as a comorbid condition. Externalizing and internalizing pathology frequently co-occurred. Findings reinforce the need for clinician vigilance and thorough assessment of outpatient children and adolescents.
ISSN:0002-9432
1939-0025
DOI:10.1037/0002-9432.76.1.98