ABSTRACT
The present research aims to determine prevalence of Axis-I and Axis-II, disorders in patients visiting out patient unit of the Institute of Clinical Psychology, University of Karachi. Archival study Institute of Clinical Psychology, University of Karachi, during January 01, 2006 up to July 31, 2006. In present study, it was hypothesized that 1] There would be a significant difference in the prevalence of Axis-I and Axis-Il disorders. 2] The prevalence of psychological disorders and seeking psychological help would be related to gender, marital status, educational and socioeconomic level of the patient. Out of 430 clients registered during one-year duration, only 125 files were analyzed. Out of 125 patients, 119 were diagnosed on Axis-I-Clinical disorders and other conditions that may be a focus of Clinical attention and 06 were diagnosed on Axis-II-Personality disorders on DSM-l V-TR[1]. Demographic information was taken from Intake form and case history sheet developed by Institute of Clinical Psychology, University of Karachi. Percentages were calculated taking into consideration number of cases on variables of Axis-I and Axis-II, gender, marital status, education and socioeconomic level of the patients diagnosed on Axis-I and Axis-II It is clear from the results that Axis-I disorders are more prevalent than Axis-II disorders. Trends were also noted for more males, unmarried people, more educated and people belonging to middle socio economic class seeking psychological help or/and suffer more from Axis-I and Axis-II disorders than female, married, less educated and those belonging to Upper socio economic class. Looking at the trends through demographic characteristics of the patients seeking psychological help we believe that awareness program may be introduced in different communities in order to develop psychological sophistication among people and to motivate those segments of society who avoid seeking psychological help