RESUMO
Background: Background: There are few studies of depression in Indian population which have looked at depression comprehensively covering various facets in a sample population. The objective of the current study was to recognize the clinical features and comorbidities of depression among inpatients in a tertiary care centre. Method: This was an observational study in which 50 patients admitted with ICD-10 diagnosis of depression were assessed for clinical symptomatology and comorbidity. Results: The mean number of somatic symptoms was 11.44 (SD 6.66), and the mean number of stressful life events over lifetime and in past 1 year were 8.02 (SD 3.8) and 1.44 (SD 1.18), respectively. One fifth of the sample (20%) had personality disorder; among them, mixed personality disorder (12%) was the most common diagnosis. Most of the patients had suicidal ideation (62%) and 26% had attempted suicide during their lifetime. Majority (60%) had atleast one psychiatric comorbidity; the most common being anxiety disorder (46%). Physical comorbidity was present in 54% of the patients; the common diagnoses were hypertension (18%), diabetes mellitus (14%) and ischaemic heart disease (12%). Conclusion: The current study found somatic symptoms and suicide ideation to be frequent in the sample. Also, comorbid conditions including personality disorders are frequent in patients with depression.
RESUMO
Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri), an Ayurvedic herb has primarily been used to enhance cognitive ability, memory and learning skills. We present a case study of schizophrenia in which add-on Brahmi extracts 500 mg/day for a period of one month resulted in reduction in psychopathology without any treatment-emergent adverse effect. Although preliminary, our case study suggests therapeutic efficacy of add-on Brahmi in schizophrenia, thus opening up a new dimension of its role in alternative medicines.