Retrospective review: Factors impacting length of stay in Bipolar Disorder at a tertiary hospital.

Background: Bipolar disorder (BD) is a chronic, disabling mental illness that may require recurrent hospitalisation. The length of hospital stay (LOS) for BD patients is variable, and literature suggests that this is because of clinical and socio-demographic factors.

Aim: To determine the average LOS for patients admitted for BD at a hospital and its relation to clinical and socio-demographic factors.

A description of COVID-19 related delusional content in admissions to an acute psychiatric unit.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic had a profound global impact, affecting individuals, including those with mental illness, through early and widespread information dissemination. Although the neurobiological basis of delusions remains unclear, external stimuli and historical events are known to influence them. The pandemic provided a unique opportunity to explore this phenomenon.

Sleep quality of adult psychiatric outpatients at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital.

Background: Sleep disorders are increasingly prevalent among the general population and individuals with mental disorders. However, little research has focused on the sleep quality of psychiatric patients beyond depression, despite its relevance in diagnostic criteria.

Aim: This study aimed to assess overall sleep quality in psychiatric outpatients and to assess for an association with socio-demographic variables.