A group of Turkish outpatients who sought treatment for mental health problems in a general psychiatric hospital were divided into first and second generation Turks. Based on their medical records, we compared their intragenerational and intergenerational psychiatric morbidity. Somatoform disorder and affective disorder were most commonly diagnosed in first generation Turks. Besides affective disorder, schizophrenia and anxiety disorder were most commonly diagnosed in second generation Turks. The prevalence of affective disorder and somatoform disorder is higher in first generation Turks than in second generation Turks. The prevalence of psychotic disorders and anxiety disorders is higher in second generation Turks than in first generation Turks. Based on these findings we suggest to pay attention especially to affective and somatoform disorders in first generation Turks who seek treatment for mental health problems.