OBJECTIVES: International data show that affective disorders have a prevalence of 11.3% in the general population. Besides that, they are responsible for social dysfunctioning and family relationship distress. The aim of this study was to assess social and family disability in affective disorder patients (bipolar and unipolar disorders, dysthymia, and double depression); and then compare the results among diagnostic groups to identify variables associated with an increased level of disability. METHODS: Socioeconomic and demographic data as well as evolution, outcome and disease history data were collected using a specific questionnaire. To assess social disability, the Disability Assessment Scale (DAS-WHO, 1988) was used. Family relationship distress was assessed through the Global Assessment of Relational Functioning Scale (GARF-APA, 1994). A hundred patients who were under treatment for at least 6 months at the university outpatient clinic were studied. RESULTS/CONCLUSIONS: Most of the patients were females, 50 years old or more, had at least 2 years of follow-up, and low educational and socioeconomic level. There was no statistical significant differences among demographic and socioeconomic levels and different diagnostic categories. Logistic regression analysis showed an important impact in social functioning due to the diagnosis and family relationship. Unipolar and dysthymic patients had better outcome in social and family functioning than bipolar and double depression ones.
Mood disorders; Depression; Social adjustment; Brazil
