Psychological health in general medical practice: a survey

The information gained from the National Morbidity Survey (1962-63) and the Australia Morbidity Survey (commenced 1969) indicates that there has been a general increase in the number of patients attending a general practitioner for mental disorders. This study was a survey to attempt to gain some insight into the incidence of both primary and secondary emotional/psychological problems in general medical practice. A sample of eight general practitioners completed questionnaires giving information on three areas: (I) Variables of sex, age, marital status and occupation (II) The form and incidence of concomitant somatic/psychological problems (III) The form and incidence of psychological problems. Each general practitioner completed the questionnaire for 200 consecutive patients, giving a total sample of 1600 doctor-patient contacts.

Counselling the disturbed family

The article begins by considering the various ways in which behavioural and psychological problems may be present in a family setting. Three broad areas where such problems may arise are considered. These are; firstly, interpersonal relationship difficulties within the family system as a whole; secondly, where one family member is selected as a 'symptom bearer', and thirdly, where some form of family crisis arises. A rationale for treating these problems is presented; the ultimate goal being that the persons concerned learn new skills so that they themselves can cope with their difficulties.

Behaviour modification

The first part of the article outlines how behaviour, both normal and 'abnormal', is a learned phenomenon and briefly looks at the various contingencies of learning that determine which behaviours develop. Many types of psychological disorder can be accounted for by such an approach, and several examples of how behavioural disorders develop are outoined. Finally, a rationale for treating certain types of these behavioural disorders is presented.