Mental illness impacts millions of people every year. According to the National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI), about 1 in 5 American adults experience mental illness annually. Moreover, roughly 1 in 20 American adults experience serious mental illness. A serious mental illness causes significant impairment, interfering with or limiting at least one major life activity.
While awareness is increasing, there’s still a critical need for new solutions and services to address the growing demand for effective diagnosis, treatment, and management of mental health conditions. Studies suggest that over 50% of patients with a mental illness don’t receive adequate treatment. By investing in mental health solutions and services, companies can not only improve the lives of millions but also tap into a substantial market.
Definitive Healthcare tracks millions of mental health diagnoses at healthcare facilities. Below, we’ve compiled a list of the top 10 mental health diagnoses by total volume of diagnoses.
Top 10 most common mental health diagnoses
| Rank | ICD-10 Code | Description | % of mental health diagnoses in U.S. |
| 1 | F411 | Generalized anxiety disorder | 10.6% |
| 2 | F419 | Anxiety disorder, unspecified | 7.7% |
| 3 | F1120 | Opioid dependence, uncomplicated | 4.6% |
| 4 | F331 | Major depressive disorder, recurrent, moderate | 4.2% |
| 5 | F840 | Autistic disorder | 3.6% |
| 6 | F32A | Depression, unspecified | 3.0% |
| 7 | F4310 | Post-traumatic stress disorder, unspecified | 2.9% |
| 8 | F17210 | Nicotine dependence, cigarettes, uncomplicated | 2.7% |
| 9 | F902 | Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, combined type | 2.4% |
| 10 | F329 | Major depressive disorder, single episode, unspecified | 2.0% |
Fig. 1 Data is from the Definitive Healthcare Atlas All-Payor Claims product for the 2023 calendar year. Data accessed July 2024.
What is the most common mental health diagnosis?
According to our data, anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness, with generalized anxiety disorder and unspecified anxiety disorder accounting for a combined 18.3% of the top 10 diagnoses tracked in 2023. Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) took the top spot on our list, with 10.6% of diagnoses tracked.
Major depressive disorder (MDD), both recurrent and moderate (4.2%) and single episode, unspecified (2.0%), along with unspecified depression (3.0%), indicate a significant burden of depressive disorders. Combined, these depressive disorders make up 9.2% of the top 10 diagnoses tracked in 2023.
Substance use disorders are also common, with opioid dependence (4.6%) and nicotine dependence (2.7%) comprising 7.3% of diagnoses tracked in 2023, highlighting the ongoing addiction crisis.
Autistic disorder (3.6%), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) at 2.9%, and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) at 2.4% further highlight the diverse range of ICD-10 mental illnesses diagnosed.
Were there more primary mental health diagnoses or secondary diagnoses?
From the table above, there weren’t any significant differences in primary and secondary mental health diagnoses. The notable exception is opioid dependence, as it accounted for 4.6% of primary diagnoses, but only 2.8% of all secondary diagnoses.
The difference in primary and secondary codes may possibly indicate that healthcare providers diagnose certain substance use conditions in conjunction with another condition, likely that being the reason for a patient’s initial visit. In the case of opioids, the patient may be seeing the doctor to treat issues related to nausea, constipation, slowed breathing, or other concerns.
What is an ICD-10 mental illness?
ICD-10 includes a comprehensive list of psychiatric illnesses, classified under Chapter V: Mental and Behavioral Disorders. Some common mental health disorders under ICD-10 include anxiety disorders, mood disorders, and substance use disorders, to name a few. Each disorder is further subdivided into specific codes and diagnostic criteria within the ICD-10 framework, which is used globally for diagnosing and coding medical conditions, including psychiatric illnesses.
How did the COVID-19 pandemic impact mental health?
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, mental health worsened across populations. A study published in Brain, Behavior, and Immunity found evidence of a multitude of mental health effects, including:
- Decreased psychological well-being across the general public
- Patients with COVID-19 displayed high levels of PTSS and higher levels of depression
- Higher levels of psychiatric symptoms among healthcare workers
- Patients with pre-existing psychiatric symptoms experienced worsened psychiatric symptoms
Several years after the onset of the pandemic, demand for mental health treatment has continued to increase and many psychologists (46%) report no longer having the capacity to see new patients, according to a survey by the American Psychological Association. This trend underscores the urgency for solutions that can expand access to care, creating fertile ground for organizations to develop and deliver mental healthcare interventions.
Telehealth and mental health
The pandemic saw a deterioration in mental health for many, but it also spurred the expansion of telehealth in mental healthcare. Telehealth holds promise for increasing access to mental health services by offering a convenient way for people to seek care. By removing barriers associated with traveling to appointments, it also improves service accessibility for people with neurological or physical impairments. Telehealth also provides a private environment for patients, which can encourage more people to seek care.
Learn more
Mental health will undoubtedly remain an incredibly prevalent and essential area of healthcare as we strive toward better psychological health. Healthcare commercial intelligence can help you stay current with industry trends and developments. Sign up for a free trial today to get a sample dataset and start discovering opportunities within the growing behavioral health market.
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