[A comparative study of the clinical features of neurosis in urban and rural areas].

A clinical comparison of neurotic patients in urban area (Nanjing) and rural area (Huaiyin) is reported. There were 100 out-patients in each of these two groups. Both groups were similar in gender distribution, but the average age of onset was older in the urban area. Neurasthenic patients were more than 50% in each group. Depressive neurotic patients were more in the urban area; and hysterical patients were more in the rural area. In the urban group, there were more excited symptoms and sleep disturbance in the neurasthenic patients, but emotional disturbances were more in the rural group. For hysteric patients, there were more "possession" syndrome in the rural area. There were some other differences on the clinical symptoms in both groups. We have made some discussions about this respect.