RFP Indian Journal of Medical Psychiatry

The field of sex and gender is extremely controversial and has contributed to a proliferation of terms whose meanings vary over time and within and between studies. The term “gender identity,” distinct from the term “sexual orientation,” refers to a person’s innate, deeply felt psychological identification as a man, woman or some other gender, which may or may not correspond to the sex assigned to them at birth [1].Stein 1999 stated that, “Someone who has the feeling that they are a different sex than the one that they were born – to some extent” [2]. “Sexual orientation” refers to an individual’s physical and/or emotional attraction to the same and/or opposite gender [1].

Keywords: Gender Dysphoria; DSM5; Psychotherapy.

The term non-suicidal self injury (NSSI) and suicidal behaviour are used under a continuum ofself harm. NSSI, suicide attempts and suicide are distinct behaviours. NSSI may be considered to be prevalent along this continuum in a place of lesser severity than suicide attempts. NSSI has been included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders- as a condition that requires further examination.Frequency and history of NSSI has correlated with future suicide attempts.While assessing for suicidal risk,history of NSSI and past suicide attempt should also be considered for current and future suicide risk.

Keywords: Non-Suicidal Self Injury (NSSI); Suicidal Behaviour; Self Harm.

Neuropsychological assessment is perhaps the most important domain in neuropsychology. It allows for an in-depth and comprehensive evaluation of various cognitive domains, development of strategies for remediation and methods of management of neurobehavioral disorders. There has been constant advancement in the tools, techniques, and area under study. Purpose of this article is to discuss issues related to neuropsychological assessment approaches, tools, methodologies etc in this context, outlining the development of tests, role of computer, and limitations. This paper examines the major body of empirical research on neuropsychological assessment. It also provides recommendation for future research.

Keywords: Neuropsychological Assessment; Approaches; Reliability Validity.

Neurological Soft Signs (NSS) are postulated to reflect functional disorders in selective areas of the brain. Studies have reported that during the first schizophrenia episode higher total rates of NSS and motor problems are already present. Schizophrenia patients and first degree relatives have more NSS compared to patients with other psychiatric disorders and healthy controls. Whether NSS have a developmental origin or result from some early acquired lesion remains to be decided. Genetic cause of NSS is suggested by studies that indicate that NSS is increased in patients with a positive family history as well as in unaffected first degree relatives of schizophrenia patients. A relationship between NSS and different subtypes of schizophrenia has been observed. Studies indicate that NSS are associated with a more serious clinical course, escalated cognitive dysfunction and unsatisfactory psychosocial outcome has been reported.

Keywords: Neurological Soft Signs; Schizophrenia; Brain Disorder; Genes.

Human behaviour is the response of the individual to various stimuli. Work behaviour is the formal behaviour one uses in the place of work. Behaviour can range from normal or eccentric to abnormal types depending on the situations and circumstances. Employees often come across various types of abnormal work behaviour like counterproductive work behaviour, sexual harassment in the workplace and verbal abuse. These not only produce a decrease in work efficiency but also create a high level of anxiety and both mental as well as physical stress among the employees. They may even feel depressed, resign from the job or commit suicide. Intervention is needed when the behaviour is creating some problem within the individual or to others. Management depends on the individual matters as well as the severity of the abnormal behaviour. All these issues have been discussed in detail including their practical management.

Keywords: Human Behaviour; Workplace; Management.

The Sensation seeking behavior is very common among adolescents as they most often desire for varied, novel, complex and intense sensations and experience, and are willing to take physical, social, legal and financial risks for the sake of such experience. The locus of control deals with the perception or belief about the degree of control people have over the events occurring in their lives. The objective of this research study is to identify the locus of control and sensation seeking behaviour among late adolescents. The sample comprised of 100 students, 50 girls and 50 boys each, belonging to the age group of 16 -18 years from urban locality. The tools used to assess locus of control and sensation seeking were Leven son’s Locus of Control scale and Zukerman’s Sensation Seeking Scale respectively. The statistical analysis was done using Independent Sample t-test. The Results indicated that there is no significant gender difference in the sensation seeking behavior among late adolescents but there were significant gender differences with findings that boys were found to have external locus of control.

Keywords: Locus of Control; Sensation Seeking; Late Adolescents.

Background: End-stage kidney or renal disease (ESRD) is often termed the last stage of chronic kidney dysfunction where in the kidneys are no longer in a position to function good enough to meet the needs of daily life. The usual treatments for ESRD are dialysis or kidney transplant. These patients are prone for various psychological stressors leading to various psychiatric illnesses. Present study was planned to find the psychiatric morbidity and the type of morbidity in patients with ESRD undergoing haemodialysis (HD). Methods: A total of 40 consecutive patients diagnosed as having ESRD in dialysis unit of S.N. Medical College and HSK Hospital Research Centre, Bagalkot were evaluated using M.I.N.I. PLUS. Fischer’s exact and Chisquare tests were used to check the association between two variables. Statistical analysis was done to get the results. Results: 42.5% of patients with ESRD had psychiatric morbidity where major depressive episode and dysthymia constituted 32.5% and 10% of the sample respectively. Study participants were in the age group of 18 to 65 years, 70% were males and 30% were females. Post haemodialysis complication of infection was most common in 55% cases. But, none of the results were statistically significant. Conclusion: Majority of ESRD patients do have some psychiatric morbidity commonest being major depressive disorder followed dysthymia. A multidisciplinary approach is essential necessary which will definitely improve prognosis of these unfortunate patients.

Keywords: End-Stage Renal Disease; Chronic Kidney Disease; Haemodialysis; Depression.