Browsing by Author "Wilson, Don"

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    Clinical profile and psychiatric comorbidity of treatment seeking individuals with pathological gambling in South Africa.
    (2013) Sinclair, Heidi; Stein, Dan; Wilson, Don
    Background: Pathological gambling is a prevalent and disabling mental illness, which is frequently associated with mood, anxiety, and substance use disorders. However, there is relatively little data on comorbidity in individuals with pathological gambling from low and middle income countries such as South- Africa. Method: The Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) was used to assess the frequency of DSM-IV-TR disorders among 100 male and 100 female treatment-seeking individuals with pathological gambling in South-Africa. The Sheehan Disability Scales were used to assess functional impairment. Results: : In a South-African sample of individuals with pathological gambling, the most frequent current comorbid psychiatric disorders were major depressive disorder (28%), anxiety disorders (25.5%) and substance use disorders (10.5%). Almost half of the individuals had a lifetime diagnosis of major depressive disorder (46%). Female pathological gamblers were significantly more likely to be diagnosed with a comorbid major depressive disorder or generalised anxiety disorder than their male counterparts. Conclusions: Data from South-Africa are consistent with previously published data from high income countries. Psychiatric comorbidity is common among individuals with pathological gambling.
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    Psychiatric emergency service users at Groote Schuur Hospital
    (AOSIS, 2005) Wilson, Don; Flisher, Alan; Welman, Welman
    Objective. To document and compare the characteristics of patients assessed at a psychiatric emergency service (PES) during April and May of 1988 and 1998. Design. Two cross-sectional surveys. Setting. Groote Schuur Hospital (GSH), Cape Town. Subjects. Patients assessed at the PES, GSH. Outcome measures. These were occupational status, referral source, distance travelled to get to the hospital, and diagnosis. Results. Nine hundred and twenty-five patients made 1 081 visits to the unit during a 2-month period in 1988, while during a similar period in 1998, 364 patients made 477 visits. In the latter period the patients were significantly more likely to be skilled workers or students/scholars, to be referred from within GSH or other health facilities, to have travelled less than 10 km to get to the hospital, and to be suffering from a mood disorder or suicidality (and less likely to be suffering from a substance use disorder). Conclusions. The differences between the two time periods indicate that changes in policy during the period 1988 - 1998 may have impacted on the patient profile at the PES at GSH. It is important to document such changes with a view to informing service planning for both tertiary referral centres and other levels of care.
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    Psychiatric morbidity and readiness for change : a study of methamphetamine dependent subjects in Cape Town
    (2011) Akindipe, Taiwo; Stein, Dan J; Wilson, Don
    Methamphetamine users may suffer from a range of co-morbid psychiatric disorders. Predictors of treatment outcome in substance dependence may include both such co-morbidity and readiness for change. The nature of the relationship between psychiatric co-morbidity and readiness for change has not been systematically studied. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the prevalence and patterns of psychiatric disorders in individuals dependent on methamphetamine; determine whether there is a relationship between such co-morbidity and readiness for change; and identify factors associated with readiness for change in this group.