Involuntary psychiatric hospitalization of minors.

Hospital records of the psychiatric hospitalization of minors living in the south of Israel were studied retrospectively for age, diagnosis and legal status on admission. The records of those minors who were involuntary hospitalized were investigated for behavioural symptomatology and justification for involuntary hospitalization. A range of psychiatric diagnoses was found, excluding diagnoses of schizophrenia and bipolar affective disorder. Explanations for these findings are offered.