Psychological and social complaints reported by Dutch patients to their family doctors

Abstract

Ninety-three percent of all problems and complaints reported by patients aged 21 and older to their family physician dealt with somatic disorders, and only 7% with psychosocial problems. Psychological complaints were evenly distributed among major age groups, and between male and female patients. "Social problems" peaked in the middle-age range. The most frequently reported psychological problems were feeling anxious, nervous or tense; feeling irritable, angry, restless or agitated; experiencing feelings of depression; and disturbances of sleep. Marital problems, problems at work, and problems caring for an ill or disabled relative were the most frequently reported "social" reasons for encounter. More women than men reported feelings of depression and marital problems. Men more often felt irritable, angry, restless or agitated, and had more problems at work.