DIAGNOSTIC INSTRUMENTS IN PSYCHIATRIC EPI DEMIOLOGY - PRESENT STATE AND PERSPECTIVES

This work describes the instruments adapted for the epidemiologic inve stigation of mental health in our country, by researchers of the Inves tigation and Health Services Department of the Epidemiological and Soc ial Investigations Division of the Mexican Institute of Psychiatry. Th e analyzed instruments are: Standardized Psychiatric Interview, Presen t State Examination, Diagnostic Interview Schedule and Composite Inter national Diagnostic interview. The characteristics of each one of thes e instruments are given, as well as those of the confiability and vali dity studies in our country, and its advantages and limitations for th e epidemiologic studies in psychiatry.