Psychiatric illness in Filipino maids admitted to Woodbridge Hospital.

This is a retrospective and descriptive study of 44 Filipino maids who had a psychiatric illness in Singapore and were admitted to the state psychiatric hospital. Of those with psychosis, one quarter was diagnosed to have a Brief Reactive Psychosis, 2 had a Depressive illness, whilst 3 had a Schizophrenic illness. One-fifth had symptoms of an Atypical Psychosis. The onset of illness occurred at the sixth week of stay in Singapore, in the majority of the group. Psychosocial and social-cultural factors were considered as causative to the failure of adaptation resulting in a breakdown of coping mechanisms leading to the illness. Educational and marital status, and lack of integration with the new environment are some of the factors discussed. Life events occurring before the onset of illness were mainly financial and relationship difficulties. Two experienced deaths in their families at home. Auditory hallucinations, present in twenty-six of the group, and delusions, present in sixteen, were the main symptomatology discussed. The delusions had mainly sexual and religious themes. Seven had a history of suicidal attempts.