The authors present comparative data on the extent, nature, and impact
of diagnosed mental disorder among children under 18 years of age seen
during 1975 in four organized health care settings. Between 3.3% and 10.1%
of the children seen were diagnosed as having a mental disorder in the
study year, representing an annual prevalence of between 2.2% and 8.2% of
the "covered" child populations. Transient situational disturbances,
behavior disorders, and special symptoms were the most common diagnoses;
the more severe disorders (organic brain disease, schizophrenia, and
affective and other psychoses) accounted for less than 4% of all diagnosed
mental disorder. Patients with diagnosed mental disorder used
non-mental-health services (except those of pediatricians) appreciably more
often than did patients without such a diagnosis.Abstract Teaser