“Psychiatric assessment of deaf and mute patients - A case series”

- There was significant communication problem leading to delay in diagnosis.
- Diagnosis in case 1 was made mainly on the basis of detailed history taking and behavioral observation.
- Diagnosis in case 2 was made on the basis of 'sign language'.
- Diagnosis of the case 3 was purely made on the basis of written communication.

Deafness is negatively associated with higher distress, depression, somatization, and loneliness in patients of all age groups. The psychiatric presentation of patient also varies. Due to lack of proper communication, clinical approach often becomes quite difficult. We will be discussing various psychiatric presentations in 3 different deaf mute patients. We will also be highlighting the different clinical approach applied to all the patients. This case series might help in giving an insight into the psychiatric symptoms of deaf mute patients which might pave way for new diagnostic guidelines for future research and in clinical practice.