Treating patients in primary care: the impact of mood, behavior, and thought disturbances

J Am Osteopath Assoc. 2003 Jul;103(7):319-29.

Abstract

Patients with symptoms of mood, behavior, and thought disturbances are regularly treated in the primary care setting. More often than not, the disorders associated with these symptoms are overlooked or misdiagnosed by physicians, in part because these patients present symptomatic complaints that are seemingly unrelated to the underlying disorder. Recognition of comorbid psychiatric symptoms allows physicians to treat the whole person more effectively. Furthermore, patients and their caregivers benefit greatly from the early intervention and treatment that is frequently provided in the primary care setting. With the appropriate training so that they may readily recognize these symptoms, osteopathic physicians can help prevent the further progression of--or potential unfavorable outcomes from--otherwise untreated or inadequately treated illnesses.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Mental Disorders / complications
  • Mental Disorders / diagnosis*
  • Mental Disorders / therapy*
  • Middle Aged
  • Osteopathic Medicine
  • Primary Health Care