Depression and alcohol dependence: one syndrome or two? A comparison of disability, suicidal risk and coping styles.

Depression and Alcoholism are common disabling conditions and are associated with high suicidal risk. The present study was conducted at Vidya Sagar Department of Psychiatry, PGIMS, Rohtak (Haryana). Patients, each of severe depression (n = 30) and alcohol dependence (n = 30) as per ICD-10 were evaluated on Disability Assessment Schedule, Suicide Risk Estimator Scale, Defense Style Questionnaire and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale. The two groups were compared on these parameters. Alcohol group had significantly higher number of men, married and rural patients, than the depressive group. Depressive group showed higher disability and suicidal risk. However, striking similarities in the socio-demographic variables and coping strategies may be indicative of the common etiological link between these disorders.

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