Evaluation of Psychiatric Disorders in Spouse of Patients with Alcohol Dependence Syndrome

Background and Aim: Alcohol Dependence Syndrome has deleterious consequences not only on the patient with Alcohol Dependence Syndrome but also on the members of his family. The psychopathology in wives of patients with Alcohol Dependence Syndrome is a largely neglected area in psychiatric research. Aim of the present study was to evaluate the frequency and nature of psychiatric disorders in wives of patients with Alcohol Dependence Syndrome.

Materials and Methods: A total of 177 wives, 100 wives of patients with Alcohol Dependence Syndrome and 77 wives of patients with Bipolar Affective Disorder- current episode mania were evaluated. Tools used were ICD-10 AM symptom checklist and modules for assessment of psychiatric morbidity and diagnosis was made based on The International Classification of Diseases – (Diagnostic Research Criteria DCR-10).

Results: Psychiatric disorders are diagnosed in 75% of the wives of patients with alcohol dependence syndrome out of which 45% have dysthymia, 12% have mild depressive episode, 8% have adjustment disorder- prolonged depressive reaction, 5% have moderate depressive episode and 5% have anxiety disorder unspecified.

Conclusion: The present study concludes that the wives of patients with Alcohol Dependence Syndrome have significant psychiatric morbidity when compared to wives of patients with Bipolar Affective Disorder-current episode mania. The most common psychiatric disorder is dysthymia.