Epidemiological Study of Psychiatric Disorders in Tehran Province

The objectives of this project was to conduct an epidemiological study of psychiatric disorders in people aged 18 or older residing in urban and rural areas of Tehran province. 5311 residents of Tehran province were selected randomly and through systematic clustered sampling method as the subjects of the study. They were assessed by Schedule for Affective Dis-orders and Schizophrenia Questionnaire (SADS). The diagnosis of disorders was based on DSM-IV classification criteria.Prevalence of psychiatric disorders was at 14.29% in province of Tehran.The prevalence was 19.57% in women and 9.32% in men. Anxiety and mood disorders were the most prevalent psychiatric disorders with 6.83% and 4.46% respectively. The prevalence of psychotic disorders was 0.65%; neuro-cognitive disorders were at 2.11%; and dissociative disorders were at 0.26%. In the mood disorders, major depression had the highest rate of diagnosis (3.28%); in anxiety dis-orders, panic disorder had the highest rate (1.79%). Psychiatric disorders are more prevalent in the 41-55 year age-group, widowers, illiterates, and residents of the other province’s towns than Tehran.The results of this research revealed more than ever the responsibility of the policy makers and health program planners in the province of Tehran in regard to compilation and execution of a practical mental health plan.