THE DISTRIBUTION OF PSYCHIATRIC SYMPTOMS IN A SMALL TOWN
DOROTHEA C. LEIGHTON M. D.
We wish to reiterate that this is a preliminary report on a pilot study for a larger area. Our purpose in presenting it is two-fold:
1. To provide a glimpse at what an approach to a true prevalence study reveals of the number of people with psychiatric symptoms, as well as the quality and proportions of the symptoms. This has important implications for the planning of mental health service and education.
2. To provide the background for exploring dynamics. We hope to further this by completing correlational studies with socio-cultural factors, not only for the town but for the whole county. Other facets include studies of relevant dynamic processes both from intensive work on clinical cases and [SEE SOURCE PDF FOR TABLE 7] from investigating asymptomatic individuals.
On the basis of our experience it appears that various kinds and degrees of psychopathology are much more widespread than previous studies have indicated, and that this conclusion arises from the sampling of the general population instead of limiting the group studied in the various ways that have been used.
Much remains to be determined as to standards that will be employed to categorize individuals as "sick" or "well." Until this is accomplished, any figures showing prevalence rates or percentages are extremely tentative.
