Prevalence of Common mental disorders in older adults: Results from the National Mental Health Survey of India.

Abstract Objective We estimate the prevalence of common mental disorders (CMD) among older adults and compare them with that of younger adults at the national level. Method We analysed data on older adults from the National Mental Health Survey of India undertaken across 6 regions and 12 states of India during 2015–16. Multi-stage cluster sampling technique was adopted which permitted state level and subsequently pooled national estimates. Mini International Neuro-Psychiatric Interview (MINI) adult version 6.0 was used for measuring psychiatric morbidity. Results Older adults had a higher lifetime (6.93%) and current (3.53%) prevalence of depressive disorders as compared to the younger adults (4.96% and 2.54%). There was no difference in the prevalence of anxiety disorders in different age-groups. The most prevalent anxiety disorder in older adults was specific phobias (1.72%) followed by agoraphobia (1.6%). All CMD in the older population were more common in females, those living in urban metros, the unemployed, who were not currently married and those with lower household income. Discussion These findings support planning better mental health policies and programs for older adults in India.