Service families: a new perspective for the general practitioner.

The psychological problems among the dependents of armed servicemen presenting to general practitioners are discussed, with particular emphasis on how the peculiarities of service life contribute to their aetiology and presentation. Within the UK, primary health care for service dependents is increasingly being provided by National Health Service general practitioners who have no knowledge of service life. An understanding of this minority group with its different lifestyle and subculture is important for management of these disorders.