Publications by authors named "Ashok Vala"
Niger Med J
November 2024
Article Synopsis
- Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS) is a common but often underdiagnosed neurological disorder characterized by an uncontrollable urge to move the legs, particularly at night, which disrupts sleep.
- A study involving 600 psychiatric patients found a prevalence of 41.2% for RLS, with higher occurrences in individuals diagnosed with major depressive disorder, migraines, and anxiety disorders.
- The research indicates a significant relationship between RLS and sleep disturbances, highlighting the need for evaluations in patients experiencing mood, migraine, or anxiety symptoms.
Article Synopsis
- Caregivers of patients with mental illnesses, like Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) and schizophrenia, face significant burdens that can lead to their own mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression.
- A study involving 50 caregivers revealed that those with a higher burden of care are more likely to experience negative impacts on their mental health and quality of life.
- The findings indicate that female caregivers often endure a greater burden, and specific factors like environmental health and socioeconomic status can help predict the level of stress they experience.
Article Synopsis
- - The study investigates how medical students' attitudes towards psychiatry and mental illness change after a six-month clinical posting, revealing an overall shift from neutral to more positive views.
- - Students were evaluated using the ATP-30 and MICA scales at the beginning and end of their psychiatry postings, showing statistically significant improvements in their attitudes and a greater interest in pursuing psychiatry as a career.
- - Results indicate that clinical exposure in psychiatry not only fosters a better understanding among students but also helps reduce stigma surrounding mental illness, impacting both male and female students similarly.
Int J Soc Psychiatry
March 2019
Article Synopsis
- Problematic Internet use (PIU) is defined as an inability to control Internet habits, causing distress or impairing daily life, particularly among adolescents.
- A study of 1,312 adolescents in India found that 16.7% exhibited PIU, with a significant correlation to social anxiety disorder (SAD), poor sleep quality, and reduced quality of life.
- Key predictors of PIU included SAD, sleep quality, and various Internet use behaviors, such as social networking and gaming, with males and those using English medium being more affected.
Indian J Psychiatry
July 2016
Article Synopsis
- PMDD is a severe form of PMS that includes mood changes, anxiety, and physical symptoms, but little data exists on its prevalence among college girls in India.
- This study examined PMS and PMDD prevalence among students in Bhavnagar, identifying demographic factors, common symptoms, and comparing screening methods (PSST vs. SCID-PMDD).
- Results showed an 18.4% prevalence of PMS and a 3.7% prevalence of PMDD, with PSST demonstrating high sensitivity but lower specificity, indicating its usefulness in initiating further assessment.
Indian J Psychol Med
January 2014
Article Synopsis
- - Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) is a serious and potentially fatal reaction to antipsychotic medications.
- - It primarily occurs with typical antipsychotics and is rarely associated with atypical ones, although there have been instances with atypicals like quetiapine.
- - This particular case is noteworthy because it involved a patient who had been stable on a maintenance dose of quetiapine (200 mg/day) for five years before experiencing NMS.
