Psychiatric symptoms have commonly been observed to complicate diseases of the nervous system. Symptoms of anxiety and depression are frequent among patients attending neurology outpatient services and these greatly exaccerbate the burden of illness in affected patients by worsening their level of disability and impeding their quality of life. Psychiatric phenomena have also been shown to reduce patient’s response to treatment, requiring them to have more regular interactions with healthcare services. Unfortunately, research has shown that mental health problems in this patient group are greatly under-appreciated with a majority of cases being under-diagnosed and under-treated. This study aims, firstly, to estimate the prevalence of psychiatric symptoms in patients attending general neurology outpatient services in Ireland, and secondly, to evalute the extent to which these symptoms are recognised, investigated and treated in this setting. A series of self-report questionnaires will be administered to all patients attending neurology outpatient clinics in Cork University Hospital over a 6-week period to assess their mental health status. In parallel, an analysis of patients’ medical notes will be carried out in order to assess the extent to which inquiry and treatment of mental health care symptoms was performed. Results from this study will provide a necessary insight into the extent to which psychiatric diagnoses are missed in this patient group, with the aim of informing and educating clinicians, improving diagnostic rates, and updating existing guidelines on the management of patients’ mental health care between psychologial and medical disciplines.
