Psychiatric disorders

Broadly classify into:
Common mental disorders (CMDs):-depression, anxiety disorders

Severe mental illnesses (SMIs):-schizophrenia, bipolar disorders

Common Psychiatric Conditions

DEPRESSION & OTHER AFFECTIVE DISORDERS

ALCOHOL USE & DRUG USE DISORDERS

PSYCHOSIS & SCHIZOPHRENIA

ANXIETY DISORDERS

SOMATOFORM DISORDERS

EMOTIONAL & BEHAVIOURAL PROBLEMS IN
CHILDREN & ADOLESCENTS

PSYCHIATRIC EMERGENCIES

PREVALENCE OF PSYCHIATRIC DISORDERS IN GENERAL PRACTICE

World Health Organization (WHO)- 25% of the attendees at GP/PHC suffered from one or more diagnosable psychiatric disorders.

Bangalore Centre found that 22.4% of the attendees at GP/PHC suffered from one or more diagnosable psychiatric

Commonest psychiatric disorders found in General Practice are Depression, Anxiety disorder, Alcohol dependence and Somatoform disorders.

30%-50% of the patients with psychiatric problems in GP tend to have protracted course leading to the disability.

About one third of the patients with psychiatric problems in GP have coexisting physical illnesses.

Inadequate exposure to psychiatry during undergraduate training in India.
Identification rate for psychiatric illnesses in General Practice / PHC can be significantly enhanced after adequate training of concerned staff in Mental Health.

Key points

Range of mental health problems exists.

Medical and psychiatric problems often coexist.

Mental health service delivery in primary general health care setting is possible.

Knowledge of principles of assessment for paramedical staff to deal with psychiatric problems.