RFP Indian Journal of Medical Psychiatry

Background: India recorded its first case of COVID-19 on January 30, 2020, marking the onset of the first of many waves of the COVID-19 pandemic. The lockdown to curb its spread was instituted on March 25, 2020. The overall situation was unprecedented and dystopian, with imminent mental health corollaries specific to different sociodemographic variables. Aim: The present study aimed to assess coronavirus-related psychological distress, fear of COVID-19, and Coronavirus reassurance-seeking behavior in healthy individuals. Materials and Methods: Consenting individuals were selected by convenience sampling from the community after the end of the second wave of COVID-19 in India. They were required to fill out a Google form online over one year, comprising basic sociodemographic details and the following scales: COVID-19-related psychological distress in healthy public (CORPD), Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV- 19S), and Coronavirus Reassurance-Seeking Behaviors Scale. The information was then charted, tabulated, and statistically analyzed. Results: A total of 229 persons were included in the study. COVID-related psychological distress and fear in the study population were similar to the levels in the general population during the COVID-19 pandemic. Answers revealed that 37.1% of the subjects suffered from COVID-19, 25.7% had lost their close relative due to COVID-19, and 52.8% of candidates harmed their functionality. Most participants (94.3%) had taken preventive measures during the COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusion: The level of psychological distress predicted fear of COVID-19, Coronavirus reassurance seeking, age, adverse effects of the pandemic on functioning, and whether appropriate preventive measures were taken. Fear of Coronavirus persisted even after the pandemic was over.

Context: Childhood development relies on stable caregiving, and disruptions like parental loss can impact emotional and behavioural outcomes. Institutionalized children, often deprived of parental care, are at greater risk for internalizing (e.g., anxiety, withdrawal) and externalizing (e.g., aggression, hyperactivity) behaviours. Understanding how parental living status affects these behaviours is key to improving their psychological well-being. Aims: This research aimed to study and compare the occurrence of internalizing and externalizing behavioural problems among institutionalized children in relation to their parental living status. Settings and Design: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted among school-going children in Krishna district, Andhra Pradesh, India. The sample included institutionalized (Group A, n=120) and non-institutionalized (Group B, n=100) children. Methods and Material: Behavioural assessments using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) were administered to caretakers and teachers. Data on sociodemographics, parental living status, duration of stay, and sibling presence were collected. Statistical analysis used: Chi-square tests analysed associations between variables, with p ≤ 0.05 considered significant. Results: Internalizing behaviours showed no significant group differences (p=0.4224). However, externalizing behaviours, particularly hyperactivity, were lower in institutionalized children (p=0.0025). Parental loss was linked to higher internalizing behaviours (p=0.0074). Gender, duration of stay, and sibling presence were not statistically significant, although siblings showed a near-significant protective effect (p=0.0587). Conclusion: Parental loss heightens internalizing behaviours in institutionalized children. Emotional support, attachment-building, and maintaining sibling bonds may mitigate adverse effects. Targeted interventions are needed to address these children’s psychological needs.

Aim: The present study assessed the relationship between mitral valve prolapse and panic disorder. Methods: This prospective study included 45 patients with echocardiographic diagnosis of mitral valve prolapse (MVP) and an equal number of age and sexmatched patients with panic disorder. All subjects underwent evaluation by a cardiologist with echocardiography and psychiatric evaluation by a psychiatrist. Results: Nine (20%) of the MVP patients had PD. Among the PD patients, 5 (16.67%) had asymptomatic MVP. These were significantly higher than in the general population. Abnormal body habitus occurred in 45.8% of patients. The association between thin body habitus and MVP was supported. Prolapse of AML only was associated with less severe symptoms. Conclusion: The high prevalence of panic disorder in MVP patients and of MVP in panic disorder patients is consistent with earlier studies. Panic disorder associated with MVP is no different from uncomplicated panic disorder and responds as well to antidepressants.