[Psychiatric disorders in the Vietnamese]

In a review of psychiatric problems of the Vietnamese population in particular experiences with refugees to the USA are mentioned where with regard to the great influx it was necessary to resolve rapidly in particular problems of the mental health. The group is formed by 20 Vietnamese subjects (11 men and 9 women) who were hospitalized in 1979-1988 at the Prague Psychiatric Clinic, Charles University and who had various jobs in Prague. In six men psychosis was diagnosed (3x schizophrenia or schizoaffective psychosis, 2x depressive phase and 1x manic phase of manic depressive psychosis). In women the psychopathological symptoms were evaluated as neurotic, in 6 of them there were attempts of suicide, while in men suicidal behaviour was recorded only once. Regardless of sex, the suicidal attempts were made with great determination. Aggressive behaviour focused on the environment was found in three men. The authors describe cases of somatizing depression and hysterical manifestations. In the development of symptoms participated psychogenic factors such as separation from the home country, partnership conflicts, incl. unwanted pregnancy and unsatisfactory work. Some psychopathological symptoms reminded of experience with the so-called Gastarbeitersyndrom.