title: Psychological morbidity among young adults attending primary care: a retrospective study.
abstract: Currently, Ireland has the fourth highest rate of youth suicide in the European Union with psychological morbidity ranging from 21% to 27% in young adults. Primary care is ideally situated to address mental health problems and provide direction and support to young adults. This study investigates the prevalence and management of young adults aged 18-25 presenting to their general practitioner with a psychological problem as part of a larger study on all adults.
  
  
  
  A random sample of 100 patients aged 18 and over with a consultation in the previous 2 years was selected from the practice management systems of 40 general practices in Ireland. Clinical records of active patients (excluding temporary visitors to the practice) were examined using a standardized reporting tool to extract information on demographics, prevalence, diagnoses and treatments for psychological problems.
  
  
  
  Of the 3845 active patients sampled aged 18 and over, 479 were in the target age group of 18-25. Of the 479 young adults identified (51% female, 60% fee paying), 57 (12%, 95% CI: 9-15%) had a documented psychological problem within the previous 2 years. Those with psychological problems were more likely to be frequent attenders and eligible for free medical care. Depression (23%) and stress and anxiety (23%) were most commonly identified.
  
  
  
  The estimated prevalence rate is considerably lower than previous studies which may indicate reluctance among young adults in presenting to primary care or reflect under-identification of psychological problems. Given the high rate of prescribing, enhancing access to non-pharmacological treatments in primary care is a priority.
authors.affiliation: Graduate Entry Medical School, University of Limerick, Castletroy, Co. Limerick, Ireland.
authors.forename: Louise
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hickey
authors.affiliation: Graduate Entry Medical School, University of Limerick, Castletroy, Co. Limerick, Ireland.
authors.forename: Ailish
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hannigan
authors.affiliation: Graduate Entry Medical School, University of Limerick, Castletroy, Co. Limerick, Ireland.
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: O'Regan
authors.affiliation: Graduate Entry Medical School, University of Limerick, Castletroy, Co. Limerick, Ireland.
authors.forename: Sherif
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Khalil
authors.affiliation: Graduate Entry Medical School, University of Limerick, Castletroy, Co. Limerick, Ireland.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Meagher
authors.affiliation: Graduate Entry Medical School, University of Limerick, Castletroy, Co. Limerick, Ireland.|School of Medicine and Medical Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
authors.forename: Walter
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Cullen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007494:Ireland / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000453:epidemiology*; D013405:Suicide / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: general practice; mental disorder; morbidity; primary care; young adult