• N J Shanks, R G Priest, A Bedford, and S Garbett.
• Department of General Practice, Sheffield University Medical School.
• Br J Gen Pract. 1995 Apr 1; 45 (393): 201203201-3.

BackgroundPrevious research, often using the symptom-sign inventory, had demonstrated a high prevalence of psychiatric disorder among homeless people. The delusions-symptoms-states inventory detects the presence or absence of four classes of psychiatric illness--delusions of disintegration, integrated delusions, neurotic symptoms and dysthymic states.AimA study was undertaken to determine the utility of the delusions-symptoms-states inventory in a sample of homeless men, and the prevalence of psychiatric symptoms in this group.MethodThe inventory was administered to 55 homeless men in a reception centre in Sheffield.ResultsNearly half of the men obtained scores on the inventory suggesting that they had psychiatric symptoms. There was an overlap of syndromes, particularly among those with severe psychiatric illness. For example, seven men had all four classes of psychiatric illness.ConclusionUse of the questionnaire proved satisfactory. The findings support the contention that reception centres and similar accommodation are repositories for homeless mentally ill people.

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