The circumstances of life and need for social measures of patients with prolonged psychiatric illness
Knudsen, L.; Rasmussen, G.T.; Petersen, P.; Frydendahl, J.; Benjaminsen, S.
Ugeskrift for Laeger 154(10): 635-640
1992
ISSN/ISBN: 0041-5782 PMID: 1542970 Document Number: 391430
The circumstances of life and the need for social support were investigated in 142 patients with prolonged psychiatric illness who sought help consecutively in the psychiatric casualty department or who were referred to the psychiatric department of Odense Hospital during the period 11 Sep. 1989-31 Dec. 1989. 80% of these were psychotic and 20% were borderline psychotic. Approximately 90% were young adults (20-49 years). Schizophrenic men predominated. More than 40% of all the patients had some form of addiction as a contributory diagnosis and 71% of the patients with borderline psychoses were addicts. Approximately 3/4 of the patients lived alone in flats. The level of occupational training was low as compared with the remainder of the population. The majority received early pensions. The majority lived in social isolation from the remainder of the community. Only a single patient had no fixed abode but suitable forms of residence where social support could be given were insufficient. Similarly, the requirements for possible employment and leisure activities were great.