In the first study to systematically examine postnatal depression in fathers, we examined depression in 200 postnatal couples, using a two-stage design. The prevalence of depression ascertained by the 13-item Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), using a cut-off score for 'caseness' of 13 or more in an unselected postnatal sample, was 27.5% in mothers at six weeks postpartum, 25.7% in mothers at six months postpartum, 9.0% in fathers at six weeks postpartum, and 5.4% in fathers at six months postpartum. The prevalence did not differ significantly in either mothers or fathers from a control group of parents with children between three and five years of age. As expected, mothers had a significantly higher prevalence of psychiatric 'caseness' at both six weeks and six months postpartum than fathers. Fathers were significantly more likely to be cases if their partners were also cases. The hypothesis that different aetiological factors would be important in brief and persistent disorders in mothers was upheld.

Ninety-two patients with dementia were thoroughly assessed by domiciliary interview and a period of day hospital attendance which included the completion of Camdex and Camcog schedules. Domiciliary visit letters described getting lost outside the home as a problem in 20.6% of patients, and inside the home in 3.3% of patients. The corresponding figures obtained from interviews were 36.9% and 28.3%. According to interview data, patients with senile dementia of Alzheimer's type were more likely to get lost outside the home than those with vascular dementia and there was no correlation between the severity of cognitive impairment and the prevalence of getting lost outside the home.

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Sixteen out of 58 patients assessed at a day hospital for probable dementia fulfilled the study definition for idiopathic clouding of consciousness. These patients were significantly more likely than other patients in the sample to have visual hallucinations, depression, extrapyramidal symptoms and to experience falls. They hence had the same symptom profile as patients described as having cortical Lewy body dementia, an observation supported by the fact that 14 of the 16 fulfilled McKeith's criteria for the aforementioned condition. Fifty per cent of the patients with idiopathic clouding of consciousness had a family history of Parkinson's disease. The implications of the findings are discussed.

Objective: To estimate the prevalence of anxiety disorders and to explore several potential aetiological factors. Method: Ninety two consecutive patients assessed at a day hospital for patients with probable dementia were interviewed using the CAMDEX schedule. Fifty eight patients gave a sufficiently reliable interview and had a first degree relative in close contact as an informant and were hence included in the study group. The prevalence of RDC generalised anxiety disorder in this group was determined. Type of dementia, severity of dementia and insight were explored as possible aetiological factors. Results: The prevalence of RDC generalised anxiety disorder was 31%. Fifty percent of these patients suffered from anxiety symptoms in the context of RDC major depression. Anxiety disorders were most common in those with mild dementia and in those who retained insight, both showing a trend towards a significant association with anxiety. Conclusions: Anxiety disorders are very common in dementia sufferers particularly in those with mild dementia. Further research is needed in this area, particularly with respect to treatment.