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Decline in the Diagnosis of Schizophrenia among First Contacts with Psychiatric Services in North-East Scotland, 1969–1984

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

J. M. Eagles ,
D. Hunter  and
C. McCance
J. M. Eagles*
Affiliation:
Royal Cornhill Hospital
C. McCance
Affiliation:
Clinical Research Centre, Royal Cornhill Hospital
*
∗Ross Clinic, Royal Cornhill Hospital, Cornhill Road, Aberdeen AB9 22F
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Abstract

Annual age-standardised rates for first contacts with psychiatric services in the Aberdeen area from 1969 to 1984 were calculated for schizophrenia, paranoid states, reactive psychoses, all affective psychoses, mania, and depressive neuroses. Highly significant declines occurred in the diagnosis of schizophrenia and of depressive neuroses. No concomitant increase occurred. It is concluded that these results probably indicate that there has been a fall in the incidence of schizophrenia in North-East Scotland. This may have arisen due to changes in the mode of expression and/or the severity of all functional psychoses.

Type
Research Article
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 152 , Issue 6 , June 1988 , pp. 793 - 798
Copyright
Copyright © Royal College of Psychiatrists, 1988 

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