Global functioning and diagnoses in patients referred to a mental health clinic by GPs

Background. The aim of the study was to analyze global functioning and diagnoses in patients consulted by psychiatrists. Material and methods. In the group of 120 patients the authors analyzed: psychiatric diagnoses, global functioning, the need of immediate psychiatric hospitalization, suicidal activity. Results. Neurotic disorders were the most frequent diagnoses. No case with high risk of suicidal activity or need for immediate psychiatric hospitalization was found. Global functioning, independently from diagnosis, were decreased. Conclusions. 1. Patients seeking help in GP due to psychic disturbances are characterized by severity of symptoms which are not an indicator of immediate hospitalization. 2. In the studied group, independently from diagnosis, patients' global functioning was significantly decreased.