Social psychiatry and psychiatric epidemiology
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Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol · Sep 2001
Drug and alcohol problems amongst individuals with severe mental health problems in an inner city area of the UK.
The extent and impact of drug and alcohol use among those with severe mental health problems has been well documented in the US. However, little is known of the nature of this problem in the UK, particularly in community treatment settings. This paper outlines findings from a large-scale survey conducted across community-based Mental Health and Substance Misuse services, which aimed to ascertain the prevalence of drug and alcohol problems among those with severe mental health problems. ⋯ It can be concluded that similar to other studies in inner city areas of the UK, problem substance use is common amongst those with severe mental health problems within Northern Birmingham.
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Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol · Mar 2001
Psychological impact of the hurricane Mitch in Nicaragua in a one-year perspective.
Whereas natural disasters more commonly occur in low-income countries, almost all studies on psychological consequences have been conducted in the Western world. In countries where resources are poor it is of importance to know which groups should be targeted for early intervention after a disaster. The study aims at assessing the prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder PTSD and of post-traumatic symptoms among people afflicted by hurricane Mitch in Nicaragua and at identifying risk factors for PTSD symptoms 6 months following a disaster. ⋯ PTSD represents a serious mental health problem after a disaster. Those with illiteracy, females and those with previous mental health problems should be targets for early post-disaster intervention.
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Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol · Dec 2000
Personality disorders in the community: a report from the Australian National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing.
The first set of aims of the present study was to determine the prevalence of personality disorders (PDs) in a nation, and gender differences in the types and numbers of PDs endorsed. The second set of aims was to establish the relationship of PD to other, non-PD disorders, physical conditions, and disability. ⋯ The study is the first nationwide survey of mental disorders conducted within Australia. It provides an estimate of the prevalence of the various types of PD. The survey has considerable limitations, however, and these are discussed.
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Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol · Oct 2000
Comparative StudyPathways to homelessness among the mentally ill.
Persons with mental illness are over-represented among the homeless relative to the general population, and mental illness is most likely one of many vulnerabilities that confer risk for homelessness. ⋯ Mental illness may play a role in initiating homelessness for some, but is unlikely in and of itself to be a sufficient risk factor for homelessness. In addition to outreach and treatment programs for adult mentally ill homeless persons, emphasis should be placed on interventions with children and on addressing more pervasive causes of homelessness.
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The aim was to examine mortality in psychiatric patients in Western Australia (WA), over a time period of considerable change in the delivery of mental health services. ⋯ Mortality among psychiatric patients remains high and appears to be increasing. Highest excess mortality rate is associated with suicide, but mortality rates are significantly elevated for all major causes of death.