The clinical records of 500 consecutive admissions to a mental hospital were examined to ascertain what behavior traits an individual must exhibit to warrant admission and detention in a mental hospital. 18% engaged in behavior directly affecting the safety and welfare of others, 74% in behavior detrimental to the self, and 99% did acts disturbing to others because of their bizarre nature. Emotional, social, and thought disturbances were noted in 88% of the cases. 56% exhibited speech abnormalities, 45% memory defects, and 40% psychomotor disorders. Delusions were the most prevalent of the individual symptoms, with an incidence rate of 46%. Hallucinations were noted in 28% and suicidal tendencies in 16%. 15% were described as destructive or assaultive. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved)