Psychiatric assessment and treatment of American Indians and Alaska Natives.

It is widely recognized that the cultural uniqueness of American Indians and Alaska Natives must be reflected in the methods of diagnosing and treating their mental health problems, but empirical validation of specific diagnostic instruments and treatment has been slow in coming. The authors' literature review indicates that many standardized self-rating scales and interview schedules can accurately assess mental illness among Indians, provided they are modified to reflect cultural heritage and experiences. Group therapy is increasingly chosen as a psychiatric treatment for American Indians, as are family-network therapy and several traditional Indian therapies. The authors also review the demographics and psychiatric epidemiology of American Indians and Alaska Natives.