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The Long -Distance Psychiatric Patient in the Emergency Room

Author

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  • Andrew J. Chmiel

    (Department of Psychiatry, University of Virginia School of Medicine Charlottesville, Va. 22901)

  • Salman Akhtar

    (Department of Psychiatry, University of Virginia School of Medicine Charlottesville, Va. 22901)

  • Juanita Morris

    (Department of Psychiatry, University of Virginia School of Medicine Charlottesville, Va. 22901)

Abstract

This paper deals with the motivational, demographic and clinical character istics of individuals who seek psychiatric help at facilities located a great distance from their places of residence. The study identifies two subgroups within this category. The first (Intentional or Type A) group is constituted by persons who, owing to their concerns with the social stigma of mental illness, or driven by the desire for a magical solution to their problems, purposely undertake the journey to a distantly located psychiatric center. The second (Incidental or Type B) group consists of vacationers, hitch-hikers and skid-row individuals. While these 'long distance patients' (LDP) did not show any differences when compared with the remainder of clinic attendance on demographic variables, distinct clinical features differentiated the two populations. Most significantly the LDP had a higher incidence of schizophrenia and alcohol related problems. The difference was entirely accounted for by the Type B subgroup (LDP

Suggested Citation

  • Andrew J. Chmiel & Salman Akhtar & Juanita Morris, 1979. "The Long -Distance Psychiatric Patient in the Emergency Room," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 25(1), pages 38-46, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:socpsy:v:25:y:1979:i:1:p:38-46
    DOI: 10.1177/002076407902500106
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