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Psychiatric disorders of abused women at a shelter

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Abstract

Thirty physically abused women were randomly selected from the population of a local women's shelter and evaluated by psychiatric interview and psychiatric rating scales. High prevalences of major depression disorder (37%) and PTSD (47%) were determined. Furthermore, these disorders were found to be positively associated. These results suggest the need for immediate availability of psychiatric services at such shelters along with further study of their populations and possible intervention strategies.

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Adelaida Fernandez, M.D., is in private practice in Chandler, Arizona. James Randolph Hillard, M.D., is Chairman, Dept. of Psychiatry, Univ. of Cincinnati Medical College. Mary Schoof, M.D., is in private practice in Farmington Hills, Michigan. Joseph Parks, M.D., is in private practice in Chicago, Illinois.

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West, C.G., Fernandez, A., Hillard, J.R. et al. Psychiatric disorders of abused women at a shelter. Psych Quart 61, 295–301 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01064869

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