Abstract:
Objective: To ascertain the knowledge of non-psychiatrist doctors to suspect and diagnose Depressive Illness
presenting to them in garb of physical or somatic symptoms.
Methodology: This Descriptive cross sectional study was conducted at Social Security hospital in one year, from
January 2016- January 2017. A simple questionnaire was developed, asking three basic diagnostic symptoms of
depressive illness and the duration of illness needed for its diagnosis. Non-psychiatrist doctors from a tertiary care
hospital were given five minutes to complete it in front of the research officer.
Results: Three out of forty seven responding doctors knew about the three basic symptoms of depression with the
required duration for diagnosis.
Conclusions: A vast majority of the practising doctors or general practitioners are unaware of the characteristic
features of Depressive Illness. Therefore, non-psychiatrist doctors are unable to suspect or diagnose Depressive
illness.