Survey of community reactions to mental disorders from an urban poor community

ABSTRACT

This study was undertaken in conjunction with a program aimed at promoting community-oriented medical education and introducing community-based mental health care to primary care. The findings of this study will be used in selecting priorities and designing interventions for the community. Attitudes towards mental disorders were studied in an urban community using standardized interviews with key informants The informants were given descriptions of common mental disorders, and they knew an average of two individuals who matched the given descriptions. The primary source of help for physical health problems as well as psychological symptoms was found to be modern health services Traditional healers seemed to be less sought after except in cases of "possession." The most commonly identified conditions were substance-related problems, mental retardation, and epilepsy. Perception of mental illness and their social consequences have been graphically represented as "attitude profiles," where differences in responses to the six mental conditions were elicited. Most respondents showed negative reactions towards psychotic disorders while depression and anxiety garnered more optimistic responses. Epilepsy and mental retardation, although perceived as grave, were believed not to bring about serious consequences.