RFP Indian Journal of Medical Psychiatry

Background & objectives: A member of the family who is addicted to substances has an impact on practically every element of family life. This results in issues, challenges, or unfortunate incidents that affect the lives of family members and put a tremendous burden on family caregivers. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the pattern of stress experienced by the family caregivers of alcohol and drug dependent individuals. A member of the family who is addicted to substances has an impact on practically every element of family life. This results in issues, challenges, or unfortunate incidents that affect the lives of family members and put a tremendous burden on family caregivers. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the pattern of stress experienced by the family caregivers of alcohol and drug dependent individuals.

Methods: ICD 10 diagnosed substance dependency patients and their family caregivers attending a deaddiction centre at a multispecialty teaching hospital in south India were the focus of a cross-sectional study. The pattern of hardship experienced by the family caregivers of 120 men with alcohol and/or opioid dependency was evaluated using the Family Burden Interview Schedule.

Results: In comparison to the opioid and alcohol+opioid dependence groups, the alcohol dependency group was more commonly older, married, working at the time, earning more money, and having the wife care for the child. Family strain was moderate or severe in 95 to 100% of instances for "disruption of family routine," "financial stress," "disruption of family contacts," and "disruption of family leisure" in all three groups. Family burden was associated with low income and rural areas. The size of the family, the type of caregiver, as well as the caregiver's education and occupation, were not associated to it, nor were the patients' age, education, or period of dependency.

Interpretation & conclusions: The majority of caregivers (95-100%) expressed a moderate or severe burden, highlighting the severity of the situation and the necessity for additional research in this area.

Keywords: Drug addiction; Family burden; Substance dependence.

Domestic violence is widespread and has been linked to a number of mental health issues in all social classes. However, little research has been done on the severity of abuse among women who are mentally ill. The level of domestic violence frequently determines how much distress is felt. Abuse may be lessened by one's capacity for distress; this affects how severe the abuse is regarded to be. For women with mental illnesses, adherence behaviour to treatment may be influenced by the severity of maltreatment as well as distress tolerance. There is a dearth of research looking at these factors. In order to better understand the intensity of abuse, distress tolerance, and their relationship to medication adherence in women with mental illness, this study was conducted. This study was conducted in an outpatient setting at the psychiatry department of a tertiary care facility in Telangana. Following informed permission, 100 women with a mental illness who have been in remission for at least two months and are living in the community with family members following an episode of mental illness were purposively sampled in turn. Patients having a diagnoses of mental retardation, dementia, or psychotic symptoms were excluded due to dependability concerns. The initial evaluation of each participant involved the use of clinical and socio-demographic forms. Both the Composite Abuse Scale (CAS) and the Distress Tolerance Scale were used to gauge the intensity of the abuse and the amount of distress tolerance (DTS). Using the widely recognised Morisky Medication Adherence Scale, medication adherence status was evaluated (MMAS). Contrasting this sample with the general population, there was a high degree of abuse (mean 20.33, SD=20.55), as well as a high level of distress tolerance (mean 26.80, SD=12.07). The Tolerance (p=0.001) and Absorption (p=0.014) subscales of distress tolerance significantly positively correlated with scores in domestic abuse. There was no statistically significant correlation between domestic abuse scores and medication adherence. The results of this study allow us to draw the conclusion that women with mental illness experience a high amount of domestic abuse and have a higher threshold for discomfort. The perceived ability of the victim to bear emotional suffering is inversely correlated with the severity of domestic violence, while the amount of attention that is given to negative emotions is positively correlated. Due to the cross-sectional design and short sample size of the study, more data replication with a larger sample size and control group is required.

Keywords: Domestic violence; Distress tolerance; Medication compliance; Mental illness.

Indic scriptures use a generic term “Bhuta” meaning ghost, true, matter of fact, reality, (that which is or has been) existing, present, being or being like anything, consisting of, mixed or joined with. However, the term “Bhuta” is commonly narrowed to mean “Ghost” and the pertinent branch of healing in Ayurveda is reduced only to "Graha Chikitsa" which very roughly reflects psychology and psychiatry. Scoping the term “Bhuta” on a wider canvas may open many dimensions in “Space Medicine”. Such as study is called “BhutaVidya” or “BhutaVijnana” in the Indic scriptures. It is a Vijnana or science that may be a 25 Dimensional methodology.

Keywords: Bhut; Mind; Body; Bhuma Vidya; Space Medicine.

Statement: A study to assess the effectiveness of Guided Imagery on level of Stress among the Elderly in Selected Old Age homes of Aurangabad city, Maharashtra. Objectives:1 To assesses the level of stress among the elderly.2 To determine the effectiveness of Guided Imagery on level of stress among elderly.3 To associate the level of stress among the elderly with their selected demographic variables.

Hypothesis: H0 : There is no significant reduction in the level of stress among the elderly after administering guided imagery. H1 : There is significant reduction in the level of stress among the elderly after administering guided imagery. Research methodology: Approach and Design: Evaluative approach. A quasi experimental nonequivalent control group design was used for study. Sampling technique: Non probable convenient sampling technique was used for selection of sample. Sampling Size: 60 (Experimental-30, Control-30). Setting: Old age homes. Reliability: Reliability of tool was done with the help of split half method (r = 0.87). Pilot Study: After reliability pilot study was conducted on 10 samples. Tool: Pre test done (Both experimental & control group) with the help of modified stress assessment scale through structural interview schedule. After assessment of stress level prior to intervention than 20 minute guided imagery given to experimental group with the help of audio tape of guided imagery CD for 14 days. On 15th day onward post test was done in experimental and control group.

Results: Study finding of level of stress among the Elderly: In Experimental group 16.7% of the elderly had mild stress, more than half (56.7%) of them had moderate stress and 26.7% of them had severe stress. In control group, 40% of them had mild stress, 56.7% of them had moderate stress and 3.3% of them had severe stress.Study findings of effect of guided imagery: In pre test, in Experimental group, 16.7% of the elderly had mild stress, more than half (56.7%) of them had moderate stress and 26.7% of them had severe stress. In post test, 80% of them had mild stress and 20% of them had moderate stress. This indicates that the stress level significantly reduced after guided imagery.The ‘t’value was found to be 12.9 at 29 degrees of freedom. P-value at 29 degrees of freedom was 0.000. Since the p-value is small (less than 0.05), the null hypothesis is rejected. Stress score in pretest was 97.2 which reduces to 66.6 in posttest. This indicates that the level of stress of elderly improves significantly after guided imagery.The ‘t’ value was found to be 6.3 at 58 degrees of freedom. P-value at 58 degrees of freedom was 0.000. Since the p-value is small (less than 0.05), the null hypothesis is rejected. The mean difference in stress score is 30.6 for experimental group which was 5.1 for control group.For experimental gorup the average change in stress score is significantly higher tham that in control group.

Conclusion:The study revealed that guided imagery is very effective and safe method to reduce the level of stress among the elderly.

Keywords: Assess; Guided Imaginary; Stress; Elderly; Old age homes.

Context: Both the field of psychiatry and mental disorders are stigmatized heavily. Even doctors are susceptible to the stigma that still exists. Psychiatrists are thought to be less respectable, less prestigious, less recognized, and have a less scientific approach.

Aims: The goal of the current study was to determine how medical students felt about the specialty of psychiatry after being exposed to medical education for a variety of lengths of time.

Settings and Design: The study was carried out in Telangana at a private medical school. Two groups of participants, undergraduates and house surgeons, were formed from the total number of participants. A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted.

Materials and Methods: The house surgeons and second year students were given sociodemographic and attitude toward psychiatry 30 items questionnaires, and the results were evaluated using the proper statistical methods. Statistical Analysis Used: Student's t-test and Chi-square test using SPSS version 21.

Results: 52% of house surgeons and almost 84% of second year medical students (P = 0.001) had favourable attitudes of psychiatry. Only five second years (5%) and two house surgeons (1.8%) said they would like to pursue psychiatry as a career, while 73% said they would not like to specialise in the field.

Conclusions: Compared to the house surgeon group, second year medical students displayed a more positive attitude. Increased negativity in upper level classes may be a result of subpar psychiatric instruction during undergraduate training, as well as offensive statements and stereotypes made by medical educators and practitioners from other specialised streams.

Keywords: Attitude; Psychiatric hospital; Psychiatric illness; Psychiatrist, Stigma.

Mental and neurological disorders account for 10% of Disability Adjusted Life Years lost (DALY). people suffering from recurrent and progressive medical conditions have a higher risk of developing mental health problems. Psoriasis is one such disease where psychiatric comorbidities are more prominent and common and have a negative impact on mental health leading to a poorer prognosis.

Aim and objectives: This study was conducted to determine the incidence of anxiety and depression in psoriasis patients, as well as to correlate these with psoriasis severity and quality of life.

Materials and Methods: This study was done at a tertiary care hospital at Mamata General Hospital Khammam and Mamata Academy of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad over a period of 3 months on psoriasis patients. Psoriasis Area and Severity Index were used to assess the severity of psoriasis. PHQ-9, Perceived stress scale, and GAD -7 were used for screening depression, perceived stress, and anxiety respectively. WHOQOL-BREF was used to assess the quality of life.

Statistical Analysis: Statistical Analysis was performed using Microsoft excel software and SPSS .

Results: A sum of 69 subjects had anxiety and 71 subjects had depression. 51 patients had significant stress. A remarkable positive correlation was established between psoriasis variables like severity and duration of psoriasis and psychological variables such as stress, anxiety, and depression. The severity of psoriasis had a significant negative relation to social relationships and environmental domains of WHOQOL. QoL was significantly poor in patients with psoriasis with existing comorbidities like anxiety or depression.

Conclusion: Patients suffering from psoriasis have a significant rate of depression, anxiety, and stress. This study signifies the relationship between psoriasis, Quality of life, and psychiatric comorbidities and the need to consider dermatological and psychological factors.

Keywords: Depression; Anxiety; Psoriasis; QOL.

The family is a fundamental unit that is responsible for maintaining the integrity of the individuals who make up the unit. Families provide emotional, social, and financial assistance to its members. A high functioning family assists its members in maintaining communication, emotional, and behavioral control, as well as problem solving and coping practices. A serious and chronic illness like schizophrenia puts a financial and emotional strain on the caregivers.

Aims and Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine whether patients with unremitting schizophrenia and their primary caregivers had different perspectives on family functioning and social support, and whether social support is linked to healthy functioning of the family.

Materials and Methods: A questionnaire-based, cross-sectional study. Fifty unremitting schizophrenics diagnosed by diagnostic and statistical manual (DSM)-5 criteria and their family members were interviewed. The family assessment device (FAD) was used to assess family functioning, and the multidimensional scale of perceived social support (MSPSS) was used to assess social support. Research was conducted at psychiatric outpatient department (OPD) of a tertiary care hospitals.

Results: Schizophrenic patients had more difficulty on problem solving as compared to their relatives, while no prominent differences were seen on the other dimensions of FAD in the two groups. Furthermore, schizophrenics saw friends as providing more social assistance than their family. All aspects of family functioning were linked to the Family support in schizophrenia patients.

Keywords: Family functioning; Schizophrenia; Social support; MSPSS; FAD.
 

Background: Patients, their families, and society frequently fail to notice and take care of those with mental health problems. Epidemiological research over the past ten years has revealed that mental diseases are widespread around the world and are linked to severe functional impairment.
Aims: To estimate the prevalence and pattern of psychiatric disorders among patients attending a Tertiary care centre in Bagalkot.Materials and Methods: This cross sectional study was carried out from January to March of 2022. Details of 512 consecutive subjects in total were gathered. The cases were classified using ICD-diagnostic criteria (international classification of diseases). The SPSS trial version was used to examine the data after it was entered using MS Excel. Quantitative data were analysed using frequency, percentage, and proportion.Results: The study included 512 subjects, who attended psychiatry OPD. The sociodemographic details(Age,sex, Residence) of the patients were collected from old records. The mean age of the study sample is 37.10+ 14.6 years. The majority of subjects were males (n=285, 56%), New cases (n=185, 36.13%). Regarding habitat, maximum patients (n= 303, 59%) came from rural area. The most prevalent disorders were Anxiety and stress-related disorders (n= 154, 30.1%), Affective (n= 140, 27.3%).Conclusion: The results of this survey showed that anxiety and stress related disorders were the most common condition, followed by depression. To take the early and necessary steps for better care, accurate and relevant statistics of the pattern of psychiatric disorders are required. We anticipate that the findings of this study will be useful in developing a strategy for improving mental health services in tertiary carefacilities.Keywords: Common mental disorders; Anxiety disorders; Depression; Substance use disorders; Systematic review, Prevalence.
 

The proportion of problematic internet usage (PIU) varies from 7.3 to 51% globally due to population variety. The purpose of this study is to identify correlates of problematic internet use among Telangana undergraduate medical students and to develop a model for distributing new courses across different internet user groups.

Material and Methods: From May 1 to June 30th, 2022, 201 medical undergraduate students at medical colleges in Telangana participated in a cross-sectional survey. Demographic data and elements affecting PIU were gathered using a semi-structured, pre-tested questionnaire. PIU was evaluated using Dr. Kimberly Young's Internet Addiction Test (IAT) instrument. In order to evaluate the correlates of PIU, binary logistic regression has been used, and stepwise discriminant analysis (DA) has been used to create a model for allocating new subjects among different groups of internet users. The statistical analysis was performed using SPSS Inc.'s (Chicago, IL) Statistical Package for Social Sciences (Trial version 27.0).

Result: PIU was present in all 41.3 percent of the individuals. However, in binary logistic regression, chatting, emotional support, and watching online adult content were significant risk factors for PIU. Univariate analysis demonstrates that internet use for emotional support, watching adult content, and gambling were significantly linked with PIU. The average and problematic internet user categories were accurately assigned to 66.2 percent of respondents by the discriminant model.

Conclusion: The foundation course of the curriculum implementation support programme (CISP) for MBBS students could include a discussion of problematic internet use and its possible negative effects.