ABSTRACT
In developed countries mental disorders are recognized by screening questionnaires and clinical interviews. Since there is a limited number of epidemiological studies about mental disorders in Iranian population, the present study was performed to find the prevalence and type of mental disorders among Kerman residents older than 15 years old. At the first step, GHQ - 28 was completed door - side for 1527 residents selected through stratified cluster sampling. The cut off point of 6 was considered as disorder presence. At the second step, 490 ones who had obtained the cut off point participated in DSM - IV clinical interview. In whole, 32.1% [34.5% female and 27.1% male] were diagnosed as psychiatrically ill. The frequency of mental disorders was 35.1% among those over 65 years, 35.3% among 45 - 64 years subjects, 100% in divorced, 45.8% in widows, 40.2% in illiterates, 36.9% in students, 34.7% in housewives and 34.8% in low socioeconomic class. Major depressive and panic disorders were the most frequent disorders [6.8% and 4.3% respectively]. The frequency of generalized anxiety disorder was 2.8%, schizophrenia was 0.9% and Bipolar disorder was 0.3%. The frequencies of major depressive and generalized anxiety disorder were higher than other studies in Iran and similar to some studies from other countries. Different cultures and screening questionnaires maybe some reasons for these incompatibilities. The results of this study my help mental health providers to improve their programs