hospital anxiety amd depression scale AAA: a simple and rapid instrument for evaluation of depression in psychiatric settings

The utility of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale [HADS] as screening instrument for depression in psychiatric settings in Pakistan was investigated. Method:A two stage screening procedure involved the use of HADS against the ICD-10 Disc Criteria for Research and Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression [HRSD]. Results:Sensitivity for depression sub-scale of HADS was 95%, specificity 93%, false negative rate 5% and false positive rate 7%. A correlation of +0.39 [p<0.005] between scores of depression on HADS and HRSD was calculated. Conclusion:The HADS is a valid measure for screening 'caseness' of depression in psychiatric settings as well. It could usefully be employed by the researchers for rapid evaluation of depression among the psychiatric patients

Psychiatric patients; their consulting behaviour with faith-healers

To investigate consulting behaviour of Psychiatric patients with faith-healers,prior to presentation to the department of psychiatry. Mayo Hospital Lahore. 184 outpatients and inpatients were included by using a self report questionnaire. 56.5% of the sample were found to have consulted faith-healers irrespective of education and locality of residence. Consultation rate was 100% for epileptics and maniacs; 70%, for the patients of bipolar affective disorder, 69.2% for schizophrenia, 66.6%, for conversion disorder, 51%, for unipolar depression, 50% for obsessive compulsive disorder and 25% for anxiety disorders respectively. A great majority of psychiatric population consulting faith-healers added to their misery and were prevented to get psychiatric services. Heroic measures are required to eradicate these malpractice by educating the masses and making psychiatric care services easily accessible to all