Nishita Pathak
Nepal Armed Police force hospital, Nepal
Title: Analysis of anxiety and depressive patients in armed police force hospital in Nepal
Biography
Biography: Nishita Pathak
Abstract
Introduction & Aim: Security Force is considered one of the most stressful occupations and Nepal Armed Police Force (APF) is no exception. Beside their duty, there are chances being exposed to unexpected stressful situations like riot control, as a rescuer during disaster. They also have family responsibilities, family which can contribute as stress factors. Both family stress and work stress may have cumulative effect on one for having psychological problem. The study was performed to explore the socio-demographic profile of APF patients with anxiety and depression over one year.
Methodology: Becks Depression Inventory (BDI) and Becks Anxiety Inventory (BAI) were applied to patient visiting for the first time to OPD along with socio demographic Performa. Patients were categorized to mild, moderate or severe depression or anxiety or mixed type.
Results: 64 patients of anxiety and depressive symptoms were evaluated in which there were 52 (81.3%) patients with anxiety symptoms and 43 (67.2%) patients with depressive symptoms. Majority (45.3%) had served APF for 6-10 years, 50 (78.1%) patients were married and family history was positive in 12 (18.8%) patients. According to BDI scale most patients 15 (23.4%) had mild depressive illness and using BAI majority (34.3%) also had mild anxiety illness. 7 (10.9%) patients had both mild anxiety and depressive symptoms and 3(4.7%) patients had both severe depressive and anxiety symptoms.
Conclusion: Security personnel are in constant level of various stresses which can predispose them to many mental illnesses. Using BDI and BAI questionnaires we tried to analysis the depressive and anxiety symptoms in patients presenting in Armed Police Force Hospital. This information may contribute towards finding etiology and improved management of our patients in future.