The authors report on 404 Southeast Asian refugees seen at a community
clinic. Approximately three-quarters of these patients met DSM-III criteria
for major depressive episode, and 14% had posttraumatic stress disorder.
Complaints of pain and sleep disturbances were the predominant presenting
symptoms. Most of the men were married, but more than 40% of the women were
widowed. Between 15% and 30% of the patients reported specific traumatic
experiences either in their homeland or during their escape. Widowhood and
such traumatic experiences were positively correlated with more symptoms of
depression and anxiety.Abstract Teaser