Eastern Journal of Psychiatry

Memory Disorders and Assessment : A mini-review

2019-11-28T00:25:45+00:00

Memory disorders and disturbances are frequently encountered in the clinical practice and are aÂ feature of the majority of psychiatric and neurological conditions causing significant disability.Â With the rapidly evolving understanding of the nature, different forms and assessments ofÂ memory disorders, it becomes crucially important to periodically take stock of the nature ofÂ research that falls within its purview. Assessment of the nature of the memory disorder andÂ the functional consequences for the individual should precede remediation and interventionÂ planning. The present mini-review is one such attempt to provide a scan of the emergingÂ empirical literature that has attempted to understand, assess and enhance memory disturbancesÂ in the clinical setting.

Keywords: Memory, Amnesic syndromes, Assessment

Assessing Sensory Processing Disorders in a Child Guidance Clinic with Focus on ADHD

2019-11-27T23:57:15+00:00

Introduction: Sensory processing generally refers to the handling of sensory information byÂ neural systems, including the functions of receptor organs and the peripheral and central nervousÂ systems. Sensory processing difficulties occur in a host of neuro developmental problems likeÂ Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)Â among several others. These can also occur in children considered otherwise normal. Aim: ToÂ assess prevalence and distribution of Sensory Processing Difficulties among children attendingÂ the Child Guidance Clinic with focus on ADHD (excluding ASD) in a tertiary care hospitalÂ in Kolkata. Methodology : All new cases attending the Child Guidance Clinic during studyÂ period were included. Serious comorbid physical illness requiring admission, refusal to giveÂ consent and cases diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, learning disorder, IntellectualÂ Disabilities and Psychiatric sequelae of serious physical illness were exclusion factors. AllÂ children who were referred to the Child Guidance Clinic were routinely administered the ChildÂ Symptom Inventory (CSI), followed by detailed evaluation. Cases were selected as per inclusionÂ and exclusion criteria. Final diagnosis regarding psychopathology was made on the basis ofÂ DSM-5 criteria. Following this, another researcher (Occupational therapist) who was blind to
the diagnosis screened the patient for Sensory Processing Difficulties using the validated toolsÂ Winnie Dunn Short Sensory Profile (SSP). Results: Difference of mean SSP scores betweenÂ two groups i.e. ADHD (mean score â€“ 134.41) and others including ODD, CD, Mood disordersÂ (mean score-153.10) was statistically significant. Conclusion: Clinicians should be aware thatÂ children with externalizing behaviors like ADHD may also have underlying sensory processing
difficulties which may be masked. Hence evaluation of sensory processing difficulties should form an integral part of the assessment process in such conditions.

Key word : Sensory Processing Difficulties, ADHD, Occupational therapy.

Pathways of Psychiatric Treatment in Rural Patients with Psychosis

2019-11-28T00:19:53+00:00

Background: Pathways of care support the development of care partnerships and empowerÂ patients and their care providers along with necessary modifications in the existing healthÂ services.Â Aim: To examine the various pathways of psychiatric treatment in rural patients with psychosisÂ and to know the source of referral, first contact for treatment, awareness about the signs andÂ symptoms and various symptoms (complains) with which the patients presented themselvesÂ to the different modalities of treatment.Â Methods: It was a cross sectional hospital based study conducted at Out-Patient DepartmentÂ of Ranchi Institute of Neuro-Psychiatry & Allied Sciences (RINPAS) Kanke, Ranchi. PurposiveÂ sampling technique was used for the study, total 96 participants were selected in 1 monthÂ duration. Subjects were evaluated using socio demographic datasheet, WHO counter form andÂ BPRS-24.Â Results: The present study found that the mean duration of untreated psychosis wasÂ 558.80Â±707.08 days. First symptoms appeared at onset of illness, in which fearfulness (13.5%) appeared in most patients. Time taken to decide to go for consultation after onset of illness wasÂ 417.67Â±621.11 days. Maximum first consultations were to native & faith healers (69.8%) andÂ only 17.7% consulted psychiatric services at first contact. For the first referral, 64.6% patientsÂ shifted to psychiatric services from other modes such as native / faith healer, general hospitalÂ and medical practitioner.Â CONCLUSION: The study provides an insight into the nature of the pathway and referralÂ taken by rural patients with psychosis and their caregivers.

Key Words: Pathways, Psychiatric treatment, rural patients.

Initial Page

2019-11-28T00:12:55+00:00

Suicide and the Role of Media

2019-11-28T00:37:56+00:00

Media plays a significant role in todayâ€™s society byÂ providing a very wide range of information in aÂ variety of ways. Various media strongly influenceÂ community attitudes, beliefs and behaviour. TheÂ factors contributing to suicide and its preventionÂ are complex and not fully understood, but thereÂ is evidence that the media plays a significant role.Â On the one hand, vulnerable individuals may be
influenced to engage in imitative behaviours byÂ reports of suicide, particularly if the coverage isÂ extensive, prominent, sensationalist. On the otherÂ hand, responsible reporting may serve to educateÂ the public about suicide, and may encourage those
at risk of suicide to seek help. Restriction of access toÂ means of suicide and â€œinfluencingâ€ media reportingÂ of suicide in the positive direction are two most
accepted methods of suicide prevention

We beg to differ!

2019-11-28T00:17:53+00:00

Last month an editorial in the reputed internationalÂ journal LANCET on â€œFear and uncertainty aboutÂ Kashmirâ€™s futureâ€1 created a major uproar in theÂ medical and academic circles of the country. WhileÂ expressing concern regarding the mental health issuesÂ of people in Kashmir, the editorial has transgressedÂ its academic boundaries by pointing fingers at theÂ decisions taken by the Indian government regardingÂ its own territorial administration. Quoting a reportÂ by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights2,Â the editorial points fingers at the actions of theÂ Indian Government as well as the Indian army.Â It also ends with a concern regarding â€œfurtherÂ violence and subjugationâ€ referring to the IndianÂ Governmentâ€™s decision to revoke Article 370. SuchÂ a statement, if made in the editorial of a reputedÂ international journal, sets a wrong precedence forÂ the entire academic world. It gives false credence to the fact that in the name of â€œshowing concernâ€œ