The impact of family and child rearing practices on personality development and psychiatric illnesses are well established. The present investigation is directed towards the study of psychopathology and temperamental characteristics of children of alcoholic parents, to find out correlation between these two areas and the role of alcoholism in child rearing practices. A group of 100 children of alcoholic parents was selected through random sampling between the age range of 4-12 years and compared with the children of nonalcoholic parents (N-100). Both groups were assessed on Temperamental Measurement Schedule. The student 't' test and product moment was computed for comparative and correlation purposes. The children of alcoholics were found to be manifesting marked psychopathological disturbances. These children were also found to be more arrhythmic manifesting negative mood and low persistence as compared to the children of control group. The positive correlation between psychopathological and temperamental characteristics have been indicated.

[ABSTRACT]   Full text not available  [PDF]  [PubMed]

The psychometric properties and factor structure of the 12 item General Health Questionnaire used in a sample of women of ethnic Indian origin living in the United Kingdom is described. The Cronbach's alpha was 0.89 and the split half reliability was 0.91. Principal component analysis revealed 2 significant components which accounted for 75.2% of variance. The psychometric properties and factor structure of the Hindi and English versions were similar.The psychometric properties and factor structure of the 12 item General Health Questionnaire used in a sample of women of ethnic Indian origin living in the United Kingdom is described. The Cronbach's alpha was 0.89 and the split half reliability was 0.91. Principal component analysis revealed 2 significant components which accounted for 75.2% of variance. The psychometric properties and factor structure of the Hindi and English versions were similar.

[ABSTRACT]   Full text not available  [PDF]  [PubMed]

Full text not available  [PDF]  [PubMed]

The study aims to find out the sociodemographic profile of HIV-seropositive defence personnel and type of psychiatric morbidity in them. 172 HIV-seropositive subjects in CDC stage II, III and IV were compared with 40-seronegative controls. Driver trade was found to be more susceptible because of high mobility facilitating access to red light areas. Heterosexual promiscuous activity was found to be predominant mode of HIV-infection transmission (92.44%). In 72.09% cases HIV-infection was a chance detection which signifies that if an epidemiological survey is conducted many more cases will come to light. Overall psychiatric morbidity was found in 50% of study groups compared to 10% in controls. Break-up of diagnostic categories as per ICD-10 criteria were depressive episode 22.9%, anxiety disorder 9.86%, alcohol dependence syndrome 6.39%, delirium 1.16% and cognitive impairment 10.47%. The study highlights that HIV-epidemic and its associated psychiatric morbidity is largely a behavioural problem. Hence it calls for an active participation of mental health professionals to counteract the challenge posed by it.

[ABSTRACT]   Full text not available  [PDF]  [PubMed]

The present study has been carried out to examine the concepts of Common Mental Disorders held by primary health care providers in Goa. Ethnographic interviews and focus group discussions with primary health care (PHC) staff (n=33) and traditional healers (n=12) were done. Responses relating to the recognition and nature of case vignettes of depression, panic and agoraphobic disorder and multiple unexplained somatic symptoms and open-ended questions about mental illness were elicited. PHC staff recognised the somatic vignette frequently while the phobic vignette was rarely recognised. Both the somatic and the depression vignettes were related to non-somatic aetiologies frequently; Hindu spiritual healers used supernatural explanations while Catholic priests used psychological and cognitive models. Treatment was either religious/spiritual or psychological respectively. Implications for training and service included closer links between psychiatry and community medicine and avoiding the use of complex classification systems in primary care.

[ABSTRACT]   Full text not available  [PDF]  [PubMed]

Three dermatoglyphic traits, viz; finger patterns, finger ridge counts, and palmer a -b ridge counts of 57 (M-29; F-28) and 64 (M-29; F-35). Schizophrenics with and without positive family history respectively, and 65 controls (M-30, F-35), were analysed to determine their level of fluctuating asymmetry. Uniformly higher fluctuating asymmetry was observed in the loop ridge counts of second digits of males and females of both the groups of schizophrenics. Significantly increased symmetry in the right and left loop ridge counts in the fifth digits of the family history positive female patients was noted. Barring the family history positive female schizophrenics, the rest of the patient groups manifested higher fluctuating asymmetry in their right and left whorl ridge counts of fourth digits. Family history positive patients of both sexes and female patients with negative family history displayed higher fluctuating asymmetry in the right and left palmer a-b ridge counts.

[ABSTRACT]   Full text not available  [PDF]  [PubMed]

Twenty-five subjects were studied who had undergone amputation 6 months to 2 years prior to the time of assessment. The sample was divided into sick (those having psychiatric illness) and non-sick (those without any psychiatric illness) groups, and then compared for various life events following the amputation. It was seen that those who were labelled as psychiatrically sick had more work impairment, change in job, socioeconomic difficulties and social avoidance. The latter two factors were also significantly more in right upper limb amputees than the left upper limb amputees; no such difference existed between the upper and lower limb amputees.

[ABSTRACT]   Full text not available  [PDF]  [PubMed]

Sixty six patients of either sex with a diagnosis of schizophrenia as per DSM lll-R criteria were enrolled in an open, non-comparative study. They were treated with loxapine over a duration of 6 weeks. The assessment of the patients was carried out using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and Clinical global Impression (CGI) Scale. The side effects were noted on the Extrapyramidal Rating Scale and Asberg Scale for side effects. There was a statistically significant improvement in all the item scores of PANSS except 'Guilt Feeling' and 'Depression'. A similar significant improvement was also observed in the factor scores and cluster scores of PANSS. On analysis there was substantial improvement in the negative scale ratings on PANSS in the negative subtyped group (13 sub). The average dose of loxapine received by patients at the time of completion of the study was 96.75+36 mg per day. The most commonly reported side effects were dryness of mouth, constipation & drowsiness. Loxapine appeared to be effective and well tolerated in the treatment of acute exacerbation in schizophrenia. Evaluation of loxapine in the treatment of negative symptoms of schizophrenia merits particular attention.

[ABSTRACT]   Full text not available  [PDF]  [PubMed]

IgG viral antibodies for herpes simplex virus -1, varicella zoster virus, cytomegalovirus, measles and mumps were studied in 76 subjects with obsessive compulsive disorder and compared with a control population. There was a significantly higher titre for some of the antibodies, most specifically for herpes simplex virus type 1 and mumps. This suggests a possible role for these viral infections in the pathogenesis of obsessive compulsive disorder.

[ABSTRACT]   Full text not available  [PDF]  [PubMed]

Childhood onset schizophrenia is a rare disorder whose prognosis is generally worse than that in the adult onset type of schizophrenia. Conventional neuroleptics have yielded inconsistent results with the risk of exposing the child to extrapyramidal and cognitive adverse effects which could interfere with proper development of the child. Effective and safe use of clozapine in children with schizophrenia has been reported. This drug is recently introduced in India and reports of its use in children are yet to come from this part of the world. This case report is on the effective and safe use of clozapine in a girl child with schizophrenia who became ill at 9 years of age.

[ABSTRACT]   Full text not available  [PDF]  [PubMed]

Development of obsessive-compulsive symptoms during clozapine treatment in schizophrenics has been noted in few reports from west. In our cases, three schizophrenic patients resistant to typical antipsychotics developed obsessive-compulsive symptoms during clozapine treatment. Since clozapine is a potent 5-HT2 receptor blocker, role of serotonergic systems in the development of obsessive-compulsive symptoms may be considered. It may be prudent to be vigilant for the emergence of obsessive-compulsive symptoms in all patients treated with clozapine.

[ABSTRACT]   Full text not available  [PDF]  [PubMed]

A case of delusional misidentification syndrome presenting with MacCallum and De Clerambault variants is described. Psychopathology and management are discussed.

[ABSTRACT]   Full text not available  [PDF]  [PubMed]

This study was carried out to find out the drinking pattern in a rural population, using multivariate techniques. 386 current users identified in a community were assessed with regard to their drinking behaviours using a structured interview. For purposes of the study the questions were condensed into 46 meaningful variables. In bivariate analysis, 14 variables including dependent variables such as dependence, MAST& CAGE (measuring alcoholic status), Q.F. Index and troubled drinking were found to be significant. Taking these variables and other multivariate techniques too such as ANOVA, correlation, regression analysis and factor analysis were done using both SPSS PC + and HCL magnum mainframe computer with FOCUS package and UNIX systems. Results revealed that number of factors such as drinking style, duration of drinking, pattern of abuse, Q.F. Index and various problems influenced drinking and some of them set up a vicious circle.' Factor analysis revealed mainly 3 factors, abuse, dependence and social drinking factors. Dependence could be divided into low/moderate dependence. The implications and practical applications of these tests are also discussed.

[ABSTRACT]   Full text not available  [PDF]  [PubMed]

A study was conducted on 19 community volunteers and the training module they underwent is presented. The subjects were given 7 days in-training with the objectives of imparting knowledge ana skill to identify and motivate alcohol and drug dependent person, to motivate them and their family to seek treatment to provide social support to them and to organise prevention programmes in the community. Their knowledge, skills and attitudes have shown significant improvement and change as a result to training. Extraversion was found to be significantly related to change in all the above variables, psychoticism was related to attitude and self-esteem was related to improvement in skills. Need for under taking further research in this area is also emphasized.

[ABSTRACT]   Full text not available  [PDF]  [PubMed]

Whether there is an increased risk of occurrence of neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) on combined treatment with lithium and neuroleptic is a controversial issue. Patients seen in a general psychiatry unit of a university hospital in India were prospectively screened for NMS over a 2 year period. Diagnosis of NMS was made on operational criteria and the details of treatment at the time of occurrence of NMS were collected systematically. Eight cases of NMS were identified during the period of the study, out of which 5 (62.5%). were taking lithium and a neuroleptic together at the time of occurrence of NMS. The high prevalence of patients on lithium and neuroleptic concomitantly in our sample of NMS, and the similar findings in many of the earlier prospective studies, makes it possible to speculate whether there is an association between combined use of lithium and neuroleptic and occurrence of NMS. Findings are discussed.

[ABSTRACT]   Full text not available  [PDF]  [PubMed]

Full text not available  [PDF]  [PubMed]

Full text not available  [PDF]  [PubMed]

Full text not available  [PDF]  [PubMed]

Full text not available  [PDF]

Full text not available  [PDF]

Full text not available  [PDF]