Prevalence of Psychiatric Disorders, Gender Differences, and a Comparison between Depressive or Anxiety Disorders and Adjustment Disorders among Mahasarakham University Students at Psychiatric Clinic

Abstract

Purpose : This study aimed to determine prevalence of psychiatric disorders, gender
differences, and a comparison between depressive or anxiety disorders and adjustment
disorders among Mahasarakham University students who visited to psychiatric clinic of
Suddhavej hospital.
Methods : Patient registration at psychiatric clinic were reviewed from academic year
2013 to 2016. The medical records of all the patients who were students of Mahasarakham
University were used to obtain data at first visit for statistical analysis.
Results : There were 233 students who visited to psychiatric clinic during the past four academic
years. Seventy-point four percent were female. The most common problems were about study
or examination, interpersonal relationships with friends or seniors, and thought or emotional
control. The most common chief complaints were depressed mood, anxious mood, and sleep
disturbance. The most common diagnoses were depressive disorders, adjustment disorders
and anxiety disorders with the prevalence of 36.5, 23.2, and 20.2 percent respectively. The
statistical analysis to compare among the most three common diagnoses revealed that students
who did not have romantic relationship and who had a problem with thought or emotion control
were 2.5 and 4.8 times more likely to have a diagnosis of depressive or anxiety disorder than
adjustment disorder.
Conclusion : Depressive disorders, adjustment disorders and anxiety disorders were the
most common diagnoses among the students of Mahasarakham University at psychiatric
clinic. Having no romantic relationship, problem with thought or emotion control, and gender
differences in characteristics can be applied to watch over the at-risk students in any faculty
or university to provide early advice and support.