Frequency of psychiatric illnesses and opinion/vantage of patients attending neurology out-patient department

Abstract

Objective: To determine the Frequency of psychiatric illnesses in patients with neurological conditions, and to take their opinion about psychiatric disorders.

Method: The cross-sectional study was conducted from June 1 to August 30, 2021, at the Neurology Outpatient Department of Allied Hospital, Faisalabad, Pakistan, and comprised patients of either gender aged 12-70 years from among those visiting the outpatient clinic. Data was collected through interviews and the 41-item Depression Anxiety Stress Scale. Data was analysed using SPSS 21.

Results: Of the 201 patients, 160(79.6%) were females and 41(20.4%) were males. The overall mean age was 34.5+/-9.38 years. Primary neurological problem was headache 119(59.2%). Overall, 155(77.2%) patients met the criteria of psychiatric disorders; 55(27.4%) anxiety, 37(19.4%) had depressive disorder, 42(20.8%) mixed anxiety depressive disorder, and 19(9.5%) had other psychiatric illnesses. Also, 101(50.2%) patients lacked awareness about psychiatry illnesses, 35(17.4%) had fear of stigma, and 28(13.9%) had misconceptions.

Conclusion: The Frequency of psychiatric disorders among those visiting the neurology outpatient department was high, and was associated with negative views about such illnesses.

Key Words: Comorbidity, Neurology outpatient, Psychiatric illness, Opinion.