Attempted suicide and seriousness of intent

This descriptive research was conducted to estimate the method of suicide and suicidal intent among hospitalised suicide attempters at Pakistan Ordinance Factory [POF] Hospital, Wah Cantt, from December 2012 to June 2013. Data were collected from 49 hospitalised suicide attempters through purposive sampling technique by using Suicidal Intent Scale. Majority of suicide attempters [92%] used self-poisoning as the method of suicide regardless of their gender, age, occupation, past medical history, past psychiatric history, and history of suicide and psychiatric illness in their families. Additionally, most of them [43%] reported high level of suicidal intent, while 16 [33%] reported medium suicidal intent and 12 [24%] reported mild suicidal intent. Keeping in view the fact that majority of suicide attempters used self-poisoning as a method and most of them reported high level of suicidal intent, it is important to plan preventive measures

Effects of electro convulsive therapy on cognitive functions in patients of depressive episode

The objective of the study was to determine the effect of Electro Convulsive Therapy [ECT] on cognitive functions in patients of depressive episode. Design and It was an observational analytical study conducted in Departments of Psychiatry Military Hospital Rawalpindi and the Naval Hospital [PNS Shifa] Karachi. Fifty-five patients with depressive episode who were to undergo ECT treatment were included. They were administered translated versions of Mini Mental State Examination [MMSE] 24 hours before first ECT and 3 hours after first, second, fourth and sixth ECT and one month after the last ECT. Pre ECT cognitive functions were compared with those after subsequent ECTs. Data was compiled and analyzed by using Statistical Package for Social Sciences [SPSS] version 10.0 calculating mean values and p-value for determining the significance of difference which was set at 0.05. Mean age of the subjects was 29 years. Thirty-nine [71%] were males, 16 [29%] were females; 24 [44%] were taking tricyclic antidepressants as compared to 31 [56%] who were on other antidepressants. ECT had a significant effect on registration and recall of memory in the depressed patients who underwent six ECTs given by bilateral electrode placement and this persisted one-month after the last ECT. There was no significant effect of ECT on orientation, attention and concentration component of cognitive functions one month after last ECT. Language functions including comprehension and articulation remained unaffected. This study finds no persistent cognitive impairment after 30 days in patients treated with ECT, except for a decline in registration and recall aspects of short term memory

Myths and realities of psychiatric disorders

Prevalence of psychiatric disorders is on the rise and causing massive global health burden which myths and misconceptions about psychiatric disorders and their available treatment abound in our society. Stigma attached with these disorders is phenomenal. This leads to avoidance of the patients in seeking prompt and appropriate treatment. This demands an instant realisation of the gravity of the problems related with mental health and adoption of appropriate measures to increase awareness, in both masses and the health professionals, of psychiatric disorders and their scientific treatment

Effect of acetazolamide and dexamethasone on psychiatric symptoms at high altitude

Psychiatric symptoms were studied in 20 healthy volunteers at 15000 feet above sea level for 6 days. Relative frequency of psychiatric symptoms were noted and compared with acclimatised low landers with a mean stay of 3 months. Prophylactic effect of acetazolamide and dexamethasone on psychiatric symptoms was studied and it was found that these drugs are associated with significant reduction in psychiatric morbidity in nonacclimatised low landers. Further studies with larger population are required to confirm their effect