Characteristics of male and female veterans who use VA psychiatric emergency services

Retrospective chart review was used to compare the demographic characteristics and psychiatric diagnoses of 150 consecutive female patients seen in psychiatric consultation in the emergency service at a Veterans Affairs medical center between 1987 and 1991 with those of two groups of 150 male patients matched by age or psychiatric diagnosis. Compared with the men, the women were younger and more likely to be divorced, to complain of anxiety or psychotic symptoms, and to have a diagnosis of a depressive disorder or borderline personality disorder. Men were more likely to have a diagnosis of schizophrenia or antisocial personality disorder.