Heroin dependence; family support and relapse in patients

To determine the frequency and level of family support in Heroin Dependent patients presenting with 1st treatment and also the patients presenting with relapses. A descriptive study. The study was conducted in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Nishtar Hospital, Multan from September, 2013 to December, 2013. The sample consisted of 50 consecutive inpatients presenting with Heroin Dependence. They were interviewed and Family support Scale [FSS] was administered to know the level of support in heroin dependent patients. Results showed that 20% patients relapsed 3 times while 38% had more than three times relapses among whome 30% patients have family support, but 70% have very low level and family support decreased with increasing number of replace. We concluded that higher level of family support was during in the 1st treatment of Heroin Dependence and family support decreased as the number of relapses increased

Conversion disorder; psycho-social stressors and life events in children

Objective: Frequency of the psychosocial stressors and stressful life events in children presenting with conversion disorder. Study design: A descriptive study. Place and duration of study: The study was conducted in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Sciences, Bahawal Victoria Hospital and Quaid-e-Azam Medical College, Bahawalpur from January, 2010 to October, 2010

Subjects and Methods: The sample consisted of 100 in-patients [62 Female, 38 Male] with Conversion Disorder. They were interviewed and results were analysed from the entries in a Performa. The Presumptive Stressful life Events Scale [PSLES] was administered by an open ended interview to elicit major life events in the past 10 months

Results: Stressors were clearly identified in 100 patients. In all patients, we found more than one stressor. Among patients, there were [29%] Educational and study stressors, [20%] Parent's death / Separation, [20%] Sexual Abuse, [14%] Sibling Rivalry, [13%] Pampered / Demanding Child, [10%] Attention Seeking, [8%] Peer Group Problems, [8%] Improper Parenting, [8%] Learned behaviour, [7%] Emotional Involvement Issues, [5%] Habit of stealing and [4%] Adopted Child

Conclusions: We concluded that stressors and life events were present in all conversion disorder's patients and these stressful life events are important causal factors for Conversion Disorder. Severe and sudden emotional stress serves to precipitate conversion reaction in predisposed children. The symptom serves to solve the conflict and the gain obtained served to perpetuate the illness

Acne vulgaris; psychosocial stressors in patients

Objective: To find out the frequency and pattern of psychosocial stressors and adverse life events in patients presenting with Acne vulgaris

Study design: A descriptive study

Place and duration of study: The study was conducted in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Sciences, in collaboration with Dermatological Department, Nishtar Hospital, Multan from September, 2012 to November, 2012

Subjects and Methods: The sample consisted of 50 consecutive out-patients [Female-42, Male-8] with acne. They were interviewed and The Presumptive Stressful life Events Scale [PSLES] was administered to elicit major life events and psychosocial stressors they had to face. Results were analysed from the entries in a semi structured Performa

Results: Out of 50 patients, 94% subjects reported more than one stress and 6% reported no stress. 15[30%] were suffering from the disease 6 months to one year. We found more than one stressor. Results showed 46% of the participants reported Social Withdrawal, 40% had Academic Problems, 38% showed Frustration and Anger, 32% had to face Critical Remarks / Stigmatization, 30% had Low self esteem and Negative thoughts about self, 12% presented with Suicidal Ideas / Attempts, about 22% reported disturbed Relationship with Spouse while 14% reported the Relationship problems with other family members

Conclusions: We concluded that psychosocial stressors and life events were present in significant majority of patients with acne and these emotional, social, behavioural and psychological reactions have strong association in patients suffering from acne vulgaris