Mental disorders prevalence and trend at the Neurology and Neurosurgery National Institute.

A mental disorder is the result of an imbalance between biological and social aspects that reflect an alteration of cerebral functions which intervene in the life and productiveness of each individual. In this study the prevalence and trend of mental disorders were estimated in the National Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery in Mexico City. This was a transversal study. The information was obtained during 1995 to 2004 of clinical records of patients admitted by first time in the Institute with diagnosis of mental disorder according to ICD-10, and different epidemiological variables were identified. One thousand four hundred eighty three cases were identified. 56% were woman. The more frequent group of age was 20-29 years. In first place was Schizophrenia (22%), followed by Depressive Episode (16.5%) and in third place Bipolar Affective Disorder (8.6%). The prevalence was higher in 1995. In general, a tendency to decrease of mental disorders was observed, although it was not statistically significant. Previous reports affirm that the number or patients with neuropsychiatric disorders will increase around the world in next years. Because most patients are assisted in the beginning by general or alternative medicine, it is essential for cases to be promptly identified and be addressed to specialized institutions for their attention.