Use of the delusions-symptoms-states inventory to detect psychiatric symptoms in a sample of homeless men.

BACKGROUND

Previous research, often using the symptom-sign inventory, had demonstrated a high prevalence of psychiatric disorder among homeless people. The delusions-symptoms-states inventory detects the presence or absence of four classes of psychiatric illness--delusions of disintegration, integrated delusions, neurotic symptoms and dysthymic states.

AIM

A study was undertaken to determine the utility of the delusions-symptoms-states inventory in a sample of homeless men, and the prevalence of psychiatric symptoms in this group.

METHOD

The inventory was administered to 55 homeless men in a reception centre in Sheffield.

RESULTS

Nearly half of the men obtained scores on the inventory suggesting that they had psychiatric symptoms. There was an overlap of syndromes, particularly among those with severe psychiatric illness. For example, seven men had all four classes of psychiatric illness.

CONCLUSION

Use of the questionnaire proved satisfactory. The findings support the contention that reception centres and similar accommodation are repositories for homeless mentally ill people.