Psychiatric Bulletin (2009) 33: 374-377. doi: 10.1192/pb.bp.108.021899
© 2009 The Royal College of Psychiatrists
This Article
Right arrow Full Text
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Submit an eLetter
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me when eLetters are posted
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Right arrow Citation Map
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via CrossRef
Right arrow Citing Articles via Scopus
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Baillie, D.
Right arrow Articles by Priebe, S.
PubMed
Right arrow Articles by Baillie, D.
Right arrow Articles by Priebe, S.

Aetiology of depression and schizophrenia: current views of British psychiatrists

Dave Baillie, Specialist Registrar

East London NHS Foundation Trust, Anita House, Wilmer Place, London N16 5HB, email: davewhbaillie{at}hotmail.com

Rosemarie McCabe, Senior Lecturer

Unit for Social Psychiatry, Barts, and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary, University of London

Stefan Priebe, Head of Unit for Social Psychiatry

Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary, University of London

Declaration of interest

None.

AIMS AND METHOD

A postal survey assessed current views of a random sample of 154 British psychiatrists on aetiological factors in depression and schizophrenia.

RESULTS

Genetics, biochemical abnormalities and substance misuse were considered important factors in both illnesses. Beyond that, psychiatrists varied widely in their views. Depression was viewed as a more multifactorial condition with psychological/social factors more important, whereas biological factors were considered more important in schizophrenia. Aetiological factors were thought to vary more in depression than in schizophrenia and discussing them was seen as more important in patients with depression.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

Psychiatrists’ attitudes are likely to influence treatment. Patients may encounter different views depending on their illness and on the particular psychiatrist’s views.