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. 2002 Apr;37(4):177-82.
doi: 10.1007/s001270200012.

Depressive disorders in spouses of mentally ill patients

Bettina Wittmund  1 , H-Ulrich Wilms, Claudia Mory, Matthias C Angermeyer
Affiliations

Depressive disorders in spouses of mentally ill patients

Bettina Wittmund et al. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol. 2002 Apr.

Abstract

Background: According to the literature on stress and coping, the burden of caregiving to a mentally ill partner might have an impact on the mental health of the spouse.

Method: As part of a study on the burden of caregiving to mentally ill family members, a structured psychiatric interview (DIA-X-M-CIDI) was conducted with spouses of patients suffering from depression, anxiety disorders, or schizophrenia (n = 151).

Results: Covarying with the partner's gender and the severity of the patient's illness a significantly increased prevalence of depressive disorders could be found.

Conclusion: Psychiatric patients' partners are at a high risk of developing a depressive disorder. It appears necessary to develop special interventions for spouses reducing stress and the risk of getting depressed.

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