[Psychiatric disorders in emigrants. II. Follow-up over six months and attitudes of the patients].

Abstract

In the first part of this study we investigated people who had left East Germany and sought psychiatric help within six weeks after their move. 94 patients were re-examined approximately six month later. Meanwhile 40% had found an adequate job and 44% satisfactory accommodation. 65% stated that some of their original hopes had remained unfulfilled in the west. However, in general patients viewed significantly fewer problems associated with integration in the West, than in the first interview. Symptoms were clearly improved according to clinical and self-ratings. Only three patients reported an overall deterioration. Sociodemographic and clinical variables as assessed in the first interview--including diagnostic classification according to ICD-9 and DSM-III-R-, allowed only a limited prediction of different outcome criteria.