PSYCHIATRIC-DISORDER AND DISABILITY IN A RURAL-COMMUNITY

This study examined the relationship between psychiatric disorder and disability in a rural community and the use of formal and informal ser vices in the management of such disabilities. It was found that of the 26% of the surveyed population who obtained a positive current psychi atric diagnosis, 48.3% had required assistance in managing at least on e activity of daily living. The majority of those seeking assistance i n managing these functional problems did so from family and friends ra ther than from formal agencies. Psychiatric disorder was found to lead to disability as frequently as did physical disorder, with almost 50% of those who had experienced mental health problems reporting that th ey were currently unable to carry out at least one activity of daily l iving. The finding that assistance was sought primarily from family an d friends raises important questions about the nature of psychiatric d isorder as a public health problem.