Background: Immigration to European countries is a complex and ever growing phenomenon that often represents a psychopathological risk factor for immigrants. The immigrants'social disadvantage seems to be related both to cultural issues and to the lack of a support network in social services. In addition, those who have entered the country illegally - the so called "irregulars" - also have to face difficulties related to their illegal status and to the lack of basic assistance. In this context, NAGA, a charity association operating in Milan, provides support by offering medical and legal assistance to immigrants with no residence permit. Aims of the study: To describe and analyze a sample of the heterogeneous "irregular" immigrant population living in Milan, focusing on the diagnosis of mental disorders. Materials and methods: The sample was selected from the total number of people who came to the NAGA psychiatric service for help during the year 2006 (N = 97). The sample was studied by using clinical diaries and SCID-I semi-structured interviews (only for 20 subjects). We also analysed general and psychopathological variables for a diagnostic evaluation and the information offered on the type of social assistance encountered (e.g.: type of psychiatric contacts and number of visits). Results: As far as clinical diagnosis is concerned, the most represented psychiatric disorders are mood disorders, alone (39.2%) or in co-morbidity with anxiety (16.5%). The semi-structured diagnosis of SCID-I also confirms this data (mood disorders, 46. 1 01o; anxiety disorders, 28.2%). Our study also showed a certain level of non-compliance to treatments, the difficulty in maintaining a long-term relationship with health care services and the presence in 30% of cases of somatoform symptoms.

psychopathology Transcultural psychiatry SCID Immigration mood disorders

mood disorder immigrant anxiety disorder mental health service sampling immigration human anxiolytic agent comorbidity controlled study Structured Clinical Interview for DSM Disorders human relation mental disease male semi structured interview female anticonvulsive agent Article major clinical study adult legal aspect patient attitude neuroleptic agent Italy antidepressant agent somatoform disorder