District mental health program: Then and now.

District Mental Health Program (DMHP) is part of the broader National Mental Health Program (NMHP) launched in 1982. In India, DMHP has evolved over the years, moving from a pilot project to an integrated component of the NMHP. Efforts have been made to expand services, protect the rights of individuals with mental illness, and integrate mental healthcare into the primary healthcare system.

A Study of Neurological Soft Signs and Cognition in Schizophrenia.

Introduction: Neurological soft signs (NSS) are delicate neurological abnormalities that comprise deficits in motor coordination, problems with the sequencing of complex motor acts, and sensory integration difficulties. These are nonspecific with no specific localization in the brain. NSS are found in many patients with Schizophrenia.

Comparison of cognition and alexithymia in patients of schizophrenia with and without comorbid alcohol use: A cross-sectional exploratory study.

Background: Cognitive impairment and alexithymia are commonly associated with schizophrenia and alcohol use disorder independently. Both can lead to poor prognosis and recovery. In patients with dual diagnosis, this association can be more prevalent and severe.

Valproate-Induced Bicytopenia: A Case Study.

This case report describes a 22-year-old male patient diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder. A multidrug regimen including olanzapine and lorazepam was initiated for the patient. Sodium valproate was added to the regimen in due course and it was associated with bicytopenia in the form of thrombocytopenia and leukopenia.

Olanzapine-Induced Parkinsonism and Akathisia: A Case Report.

This article sheds light on the case of a 22-year-old patient with paranoid schizophrenia. A treatment regimen of olanzapine (an atypical antipsychotic) of 15 mg/day was initiated for the patient and it was associated with extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) such as drug-induced parkinsonism (DIP) and akathisia. Based on the different treatment regimens available, the patient was switched to an alternate antipsychotic along with anticholinergics, antihistamines, and benzodiazepines, following which the patient recovered well and did not report any further side effects.

Lurasidone-induced anemia: Is there a need for hematological monitoring?

Lurasidone is a newer drug used for treating schizophrenia and depression in bipolar disorder. Although comparatively safe, some side effects can occur with its use such as akathisia, extrapyramidal reaction, metabolic syndrome, and hyperprolactinemia. Blood dyscrasia with lurasidone is rarely reported in the literature except for few case reports.

Clozapine-induced bicytopenia: An unusual side effect.

Agranulocytosis is a rare documented side effect of clozapine which can be associated with grave consequences. When it is associated with other blood dyscrasia, prognosis worsens further. In literature, there are very few cases of pancytopenia and bicytopenia caused by clozapine.

A case of psychosis due to Fahr's syndrome and response to behavioral disturbances with risperidone and oxcarbazepine.

Calcification of basal ganglia or Fahr's syndrome is a rare disease characterized by bilateral and symmetrical intracranial deposition of calcium mainly in cerebral basal ganglia. Motor and neuropsychiatric symptoms are prominent features. We report a case presented with a few motor symptoms, features of delirium and prominent psychiatric symptoms (disorganized behavior) predominantly evident after the improvement in delirium.

Emetophobia: A fear of vomiting.

Emetophobia is an intense, irrational fear of vomiting including fear of feeling nausea, seeing or hearing another person vomit, or seeing vomitus itself. It may occur at any age and we need to understand its symptomatology. We report a case of emetophobic child whose fear of vomiting started after an attack of acute appendicitis.

SSRI-induced coagulopathy: is it reality?

Objectives: To study the effect of escitalopram and fluoxetine on coagulation profile in patients with major depression.

Method: This was a prospective, open-label, single-centre study in 40 patients diagnosed with major depressive disorder. The patients were diagnosed using Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition criteria.

Psychiatric morbidity following motor vehicle crashes: a pilot study from India.

Background: Motor vehicle crashes can result in significant posttraumatic psychiatric morbidity. While the psychological impact of major disasters has been extensively studied in developing nations, psychological distress resulting from personal disasters such as road traffic crashes is sadly lacking.

Method: Thirty inpatients who had been involved in a motor vehicle crash, either as a driver, passenger, or pedestrian, were assessed for psychiatric morbidity using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and the Impact of Events Scale.

Evaluation of efficacy and tolerability of dothiepin hydrochloride in the management of major depression in patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis.

Several studies have shown that 20 to 66.2% of patients with rheumatoid arthritis have associated psychiatric comorbidity especially depression. Dothiepin hydrochloride is a well-established and effective antidepressant in patients with depressive symptoms of varying severity and co-existing anxiety.