Síndromes depresivos en la población inmigrante

Abstract

Migrations are currently one of the most important sociocultural and political phenomena. As a rule, immigrants are in good health, although the immigration is by itself a mental health risk factor. This population shows common specific problems as adaptation processes, depressive syndromes, or other psychiatric problems. "Ulises' syndrome", depression, and dysthymia are the most common mental health conditions among unlawful non-european community immigrants cared in specific facilities. Similarly to the spanish indigenous population, anxiety disorders and readjustment disorders are the most common diagnoses among legal immigrants cared by Mental Health Services (MHS). Given the impact of sociocultural aspects in the development and clinical manifestations of mental health problems, it is necessary to know the demands of the immigrant population and to adjust current facilities for their care.