Assessment of anxiety, depression and stress in medical and dental students and the frequency of use of Anxiolytics / Antidepressants

Background: In Medical and Dental Colleges there is significant psychological distress with negative effect on mental health students, which may lead to a high frequency of depression, anxiety and stress in these students. The competitive studies and movement from pre-clinical to clinical stages in medical education with challenges related to trainers, professionals and interaction with patients in combination with the performance of procedures on patients is known to precipitate anxiety, stress. Long term anxiety and stress may cause depression. Methodology: The Medical and Dental Undergraduate Students of from the Jinnah Medical and Dental College were included in this study. A questionnaire, on the basis following DASS Score -21 was filled in by the students. An additional question regarding the use of anxiolytics or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (antidepressant) for coping with anxiety, stress and depression was added. Results: Assessment according to DASS-21 in medical and dental undergraduates has shown high scorerange in 4students (severe) and 2-3 students (extremely severe). These students had high scored but were not aware. None of these student had been prescribed any anxiolytic or antidepressant. Conclusion: Better option for students with high scores should be that they are advised psychotherapy to manage anxiety, stress and to prevent depression.