Adult affective disorder and early environment

Article Abstract:

Effects of early environmental and psychological factors on later depression and anxiety were evaluated among a cohort of 1,640 men and 1,653 women born during one week of March 1946 in the UK. The subjects were followed-up until 1983. At age 36, they underwent physical examination and an interview which included an assessment of psychiatric symptoms using a short version of the Present State Examination (PSE). No relationships were found between birthweight and later PSE symptoms for either sex. Sons born to fathers aged 44 or older had significantly higher PSE scores (more symptoms) than men born to younger fathers. There was a similar but non-significant pattern among women. Neither the socioeconomic circumstances or educational level of subjects' families had any relationship to later symptoms. Women who came from families with more than one sibling had higher PSE scores than women from smaller families. Divorce or separation of parents resulted in higher PSE scores for women, but not for men. The loss of a parent by death before age 18 did not adversely effect women, but led to increased PSE scores in men. Men who had been hospitalized early in life for more than four weeks had significantly higher PSE scores. Women with a serious illness at any stage of childhood had higher PSE scores. School absenteeism was associated with higher PSE scores for women. Father's physical illness was associated with significantly high PSE scores for women, while mothers' nervousness was related to men's high PSE scores. Both sons and daughters of highly neurotic mothers tended to have high PSE scores. While individual environmental stressors did not have significantly strong effects on adult anxiety and depression, multiple stressors were found to have a cumulative adverse effect. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Environmental aspects

---

The influence of social factors on common mental disorders: destabilisation and restitution

Article Abstract:

In addition to patients with a formal psychiatric diagnosis, there is a substantial proportion of individuals whose disorders, ranging across the spectrum of anxiety and depression, seem to come and go. That is, symptoms of psychological disorders are precipitated by certain social and psychological factors, and these same symptoms can just as easily disappear in the presence of other factors. An analysis involving a sample of 191 patients (used in a previous study) was conducted first, to identify factors that contribute to destabilization (development of symptoms) and those that contribute to restitution (loss of symptoms), and second, to ascertain whether such factors exert their effect over a continuum of anxiety and depression or have specific effects on anxiety and depression. Because of methodological limitations of the study design, the authors' analysis is speculative in nature. Extensive tables document the effect of a number of social and personal variables upon depression and/or anxiety. The results of the study confirm earlier findings that link restitution to housing and social links with relatives; patients who could freely interact with their relatives were more likely to lose their anxiety symptoms. In addition, the study tends to support the hypothesis that environmental factors influence the development of particular symptoms of depression or anxiety; depressive symptoms seem to arise from different social causes than anxiety symptoms. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Social aspects, Depression (Mood disorder), Identification and classification, Mental illness, Mental disorders, Psychology, Pathological, Psychopathology, Categorization (Psychology)

---

Pathways to psychiatric care in South Manchester

Article Abstract:

The literature has few reports of the pathways that patients take in finding a mental health professional (MHP). Aside from patients known to be referred by a general practitioner (GP), there is little data to shed light on how patients find psychiatric care. A pathway diagram of the use of mental health services in South Manchester, England was constructed and analyzed to fulfil requirements for participation in a larger study. An 'encounter' form was completed by 250 newly referred psychiatric patients to gather information about the sources of care used by patients on their way to seeing the MHP. Demographic information was collected as well. Almost two-thirds of the patients were referred directly by their GP to the MHP, and a third were referred by hospital doctors. Two percent of the patients were referred by non-medical sources. Psychiatric nurses in the community were not linked to the referral pathway. The time between referral and seeking the MHP was related to severity of illness. Those with somatic complaints (physical symptoms) had the longest delay, and those with psychotic disorders, or who were in danger of self-harm or harm to others, sought the services of the MHP most quickly. The major pathway of referral to psychiatric care appears to be through the general practitioner. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Usage, Reports, Statistics, Medical referral, Psychiatric facilities, Psychiatric consultation

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: Adolescent contraceptive use and parental notification. Radiological case of the month. A sexually transmitted diseases curriculum in adolescent medicine
• Abstracts: Medical responsibility and global environmental change. Poverty and Ill Health: Physicians Can, and Should, Make a Difference
• Abstracts: Morbidity risks of schizophrenia and affective disorders among first-degree relatives of patients with schizoaffective disorders
• Abstracts: Adult respiratory distress syndrome. Improved trauma care in a rural hospital after establishing a Level II trauma center
• Abstracts: Perioperative morbidity and mortality of gynecologic brachytherapy. The patterns of care outcome study for cancer of the uterine cervix: results of the Second National Practice Survey

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.