PATTERN OF PSYCHIATRIC MORBIDITY IN PATIENTS ATTENDING PSYCHIATRY OPD OF GOVERNMENT MEDICAL COLLEGE ANANTNAG

Background: Psychiatric morbidity is a signicant public health concern globally, with disparities in access and awareness exacerbating the burden in resource-limited settings like Kashmir. The region's socio-political instability and cultural factors have compounded mental health issues, necessitating region-specic studies to assess psychiatric patterns. Objective: To evaluate the prevalence and patterns of psychiatric disorders among patients attending the Psychiatry Outpatient Department (OPD) at Government Medical College, Anantnag, Kashmir, and identify sociodemographic associations. Methods: This cross-sectional, descriptive study was conducted over six months, enrolling 933 patients aged ≥12 years using consecutive sampling. Sociodemographic and clinical data were collected through structured proformas and DSM-5 diagnostic criteria. Statistical analyses, including descriptive and inferential tests, were performed using SPSS Version 20.0. Results: Of the 933 participants (mean age 32.9 years, 61.3% females), major depressive disorder (23.7%) was the most prevalent diagnosis, followed by obsessive-compulsive disorder (19.3%) and bipolar affective disorder (10.5%). Anxiety disorders collectively accounted for 8.7%, while schizophrenia and PTSD had lower prevalence rates (2.6% and 0.8%, respectively). Females were disproportionately affected by OCD (19.9%) and major depressive episodes (15.4%). Panic disorders and dementia were more common among males. Younger participants predominantly presented with anxiety-related disorders, while older individuals exhibited higher rates of dementia and cognitive impairments. Homemakers (37.9%) and students (30.3%) formed the largest occupational groups. Conclusion: The study highlights a high burden of depressive and anxiety disorders in Kashmir, inuenced by gender, age, and sociocultural factors. Females exhibited higher rates of affective disorders, while younger individuals reported anxiety-related conditions. These ndings underscore the need for gender- and age-specic mental health interventions and culturally sensitive policies to address the unique challenges faced by Kashmir's population.