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