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Objective: To evaluate depression, anxiety, and stress among mothers of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) compared to mothers of typically developed children. Design: A Case-Control Study. Setting: Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Unit (CAPU), Bahrain's Psychiatric Hospital, Wafaa Rehabilitation Center, Al-Rashad Rehabilitation Center, and Al-Amal Institute. Method: Mothers of children diagnosed with ASD were divided into three groups, 0-2 years (group 1), 2-5 years (group 2) and >5 years (group 3) post-diagnosis. Mothers of cases filled DASS-21 and PSS-14. Controls were recruited as community sample; mothers of typically developed children who did not have stressful life events in the last one month. Result: Mothers of children with ASD presented with higher scores of depression, anxiety and stress compared to controls; depression scores were higher among group 1, while anxiety and stress scores were higher among groups 2 and 3. No significant difference regarding emotions in group 3 and controls. Conclusion: Mothers of children with ASD need to be counseled early following diagnosis for depressive symptoms. Service planners and clinicians should deal with the symptoms of anxiety and stress of the mothers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the pattern of mental disorders in Bahrain. Design: A Retrospective Cross-Sectional Study. Setting: Out-patient Department, Psychiatric Hospital, Ministry of Health, Bahrain. Method: Three hundred twenty-nine patients were included in the study from March to September 2013. The inclusion criteria were 18-65 years and those who had first contact with the psychiatric hospital. Patients with a known history of substance abuse were excluded. Result: Eighteen cases were not diagnosed to have any psychiatric illnesses. The majority of the patients suffered from depression 104 (33.4%), anxiety disorders 62 (19.9%), and psychotic disorders 46 (14.8%). Conclusion: Those at risk of developing mental illness were females, adolescents and those with poor education and income. Future studies should include in-patient admissions as well as other hospitals in Bahrain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]