Carbamazepine/oxcarbazepine and valproate have different effects on the electroconvulsive therapy seizure threshold.

Patients receiving mood stabilizers such as valproate (VAL) and carbamazepine (CMZP)/Oxcarbazepine (OX) may be referred for electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). The relative effects of these anticonvulsants on seizure threshold and seizure duration are unknown. We extracted data for a 20-month period from the medical records of patients who received bilateral ECT while on treatment with VAL (n=102) or CMZP/OX (n=31; 20 on CMZP, 11 on oxcarbazepine).

Diploma in primary care psychiatry: Do primary care doctors need training in cannabis use disorder module?

Background: Cannabis is one of the most used illicit substances in India but is under-recognized and under-represented in clinical settings of India, especially at primary care. Patients usually do not seek treatment primarily for cannabis use, but it is identified on pro-active questioning by doctors. The aim is to study the clinical profiles of patients with cannabis use disorders (CUD) at primary care and to derive learning points from collaborative consultations to devise an optional module for CUD primarily for primary care doctors (PCDs).

An impact of a digitally driven primary care psychiatry program on the integration of psychiatric care in the general practice of primary care doctors.

Introduction: The prevalence of psychiatric disorders among the general population is 10.6%. Primary care doctors (PCDs) are often the first contact for patients with common psychiatric disorders, but the majority of them are ill equipped to handle the same leading to symptomatic treatment.

Telephonic follow-up during COVID-19 to maintain continuity of care for persons with psychiatric disorders.

We describe the utility of telephonic aftercare services (including liaising with primary healthcare providers) rendered to persons with psychiatric disorders (n = 1049) during the lockdown period of COVID 19 pandemic in India. Such consultations can be continued even after the COVID 19 period for suitable patients.

The Future of Telepsychiatry in India.

Technology is bringing about a revolution in every field and mental health care is no exception. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has provided us with both a need and an opportunity to use technology as means to improve access to mental health care. Hence, it is imperative to expand and harness the tremendous potential of telepsychiatry by expanding the scope of its applications and the future possibilities.

Collaborative Video Consultations from Tertiary Care Based Telepsychiatrist to a Remote Primary Care Doctor to Manage Opioid Substitution Therapy Clinic.

Opioid use is a major problem in India and has high morbidity and mortality with a prevalence of 2.06%. There is a huge treatment gap for opioid use disorders (OUDs).

Profile of recipients of holistic health counselling in a psychiatric OPD in South India.

Background Of The Study: Persons with mental illness (PwMI) are prone to weight gain as a side effect of antipsychotics. Health counselling on diet, physical activity, medication adherence, expressed emotions and technology use, by health professionals, can help in managing these side-effects.

Aim: The aim of this study was to identify the pre-counselling profile of the subjects such as body mass index (BMI), diet, physical activity, medication adherence, expressed emotions and technology use among PwMI; to attend the Holistic Health Clinic as part of follow-up services in the psychiatry Outpatient Department (OPD) as well as to find correlation and association between the study variables.

Disability in clinically stable patients of schizophrenia.

Purpose: Disability associated with schizophrenia affects every aspect of life. In India, persons with schizophrenia are eligible for disability benefits. Only a handful of patients are aware and able to avail the benefits.