Increasing rates of hospital admission for men with major mental illnesses: data from Scottish mental health units, 1980–1995

Objective: We studied first admission rates for major mental illness in order to explore links with an increase in psychiatric morbidity and mortality in men.<p></p> Method: Patient discharge data from Scottish Mental Health Units during 1980–1995 were analysed.<p></p> Results: Admission rates for schizophrenia remained constant in men and decreased in women. Affective disorders remained constant in men and decreased in women. Paranoid states increased in men and remained constant in women. Non-organic psychoses increased in both men and women.<p></p> Conclusion: Further evidence is provided for an increase in the proportion of men, particularly younger age groups, admitted with major mental illness. Possible reasons include (i) comorbidity, (ii) biological variables, (iii) responses to and change in health-seeking behaviour in men and (iv) an increased prevalence of major mental illness in men