Anxiety and Depression amongst the urban females of Delhi in Ante-partum and Post-partum period.

Objectives: To assess and compare the prevalence of anxiety and depression during and after pregnancy. Methodology: This cross sectional study was done in an inpatient setting in Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics in a tertiary level multi-specialty hospital in Delhi, India over a period of nine months.Two groups of women were studied. Group 1 sample included all pregnant women in last trimester awaiting delivery and Group 2 included the women in postpartum period (4-12 weeks after childbirth). Hospital Anxiety & Depression scale (HADS) was used to assess anxiety & depressive symptoms. Results: Of the 100 women included, 59% were awaiting delivery and 41% were in postpartum. The mean age was 23.87 years (SD 3.19), and both the groups were comparable on socio-demographic parameters. Of currently pregnant women 27% & 17% scored above cut-off on anxiety and depression scale respectively while amongst postpartum females 17% scored above cut-off on anxiety and depression scales. Both groups differed significantly (p<0.05) on the total HADS score and Anxiety subscale scores of HADS. There was no significant difference amongst the groups on Depression subscale scores. Conclusions: Prevalence of anxiety and depression is high amongst women during antepartum and postpartum periods. Pregnant women experience more anxiety during ante partum period as compared to post partum period and most of them are not being monitored during this time.

Impact of Hypnotherapy on Examination Anxiety and Scholastic Performance among School Children.

Aim: The aim of the present research was to study the impact of hypnotherapy as treatment intervention in overcoming examination anxiety and improving scholastic achievement. Method: A 10 item anxiety test developed by Nist and Diehl (1990) was administered on 10 school children of 13 and 14 years of age. Following pre and post test design, anxiety and scholastic achievement scores were obtained both before and after hypnotherapy intervention. The children were given 2 sessions each week in a month just before the exams and before each exam day. The hypnosis techniques used were relaxation exercises, anxiety management about taking and giving exams and positive suggestions given to the subconscious mind. Results: Pre test anxiety scores ranged from 80-92% among all the children while post test anxiety scores dropped to a range of 60-68 %. The pre test academic scores ranged 50-57% while post intervention scores increased by 10-15%. Further, anxiety symptoms of forgetting before the exam, excessive nervousness, sweating during and before the exam, going blank after seeing the paper were all controlled/eliminated after hypnotherapy and these were observed by the teachers, parents and the children themselves. Conclusion: These results indicated that hypnotherapy as treatment intervention proved to be effective in reducing exam anxiety and improving scholastic performance among children.

Comparative Trial of Effectiveness of CBT-Medication Treatment Combination on Dimensions of Global Adjustment in Social Phobia.

Objectives: To study the effectiveness of CBT in adjustment dimensions of (family/health/ social/occupational/sexual/emotional) of patients suffering from social phobia & compare effectiveness of CBT- medical treatment combination with medical-treatment alone. Methods: Twenty patients of social phobia (DSM-IV) were randomized to two groups of ten patients each. Group I received CBT intervention and medical-treatment and Group II medical-treatment alone. Study utilized pre-post test design. CBT included thrice weekly, one hour sessions over three months. The assessments were made using the global adjustment scale (including five dimensions). Results: There was statistically significant improvement on global adjustment scale dimensions of social/family/occupational/ emotional adjustment in Group I as compared to Group II. Health/sexual adjustment didn’t differ in two groups. Conclusion: CBT intervention (relaxation techniques, socialskills training, systematic desensitization, A-B-C charting, other behavioral techniques along with counseling) in combination with medical treatment is more effective in improving adjustment in social phobia patients than medications alone.

Anxiety and Depression among the Caregivers of patients with Neurological illness.

Caregivers of the patients have shown to demonstrate high levels of psychological distress and depression; increased rates of physiological illness and personal, financial, family, and social problems. It is important to assess the mental health status and attend to the needs of care givers. The study was carried out in the Neurology in-patient setting in a tertiary care hospital. Thirty consecutive patients receiving in-patient care were included in the study. The anxiety and depression levels of these individuals were assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Male and female caregivers differed significantly on the total HADS score as well as the Anxiety and Depression subscale scores of HADS. The female care givers had significantly higher scores on HADS-Total, HADS-Anxiety and HADS-Depression sub scales. Additionally there was a significant correlation between the number of family members with chronic illness and HADS-Anxiety sub scale scores. It is crucial to screen the care givers, especially female care giver, of the patients with neurological illness for presence of anxiety and depression. This approach will help timely identification and proper management of these individuals.