Prevalence and correlates of Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) risk factors among school children in a rural area of North India.

BACKGROUND: Attention-deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders of childhood and has the potential for continuity into adolescence and adulthood. Its presence increases difficulties in academic performance and social interactions besides leading to low self-esteem. The present study aimed to determine the prevalence of ADHD among children of age 6-12 years in Government schools of a rural area in Jammu district of J and K. METHODS: The present study was conducted in R.S. Pura block of Jammu district. Miran Sahib zone of R.S Pura block was chosen randomly and all the government primary schools in this zone were included in the survey. The presence of ADHD was assessed using Vanderbilt ADHD diagnostic teacher rating scale. The children positive for ADHD were visited at their residential places and a personal information questionnaire (PIQ) was administered to their parents-preferably the mother. The data thus collected was presented as proportions. RESULTS: ADHD prevalence was found to be 6.34% (13/205). Majority (69.3%) of the ADHD-positive children were living in a joint family and belonged to lower/lower middle class. Family history of ADHD was absent in all the ADHD-positive children. CONCLUSION: The current study conducted in a rural area among 6- to 12-year-old children of Government schools has shown a reasonably high ADHD prevalence of 6.34%.

Amisulpride Augmentation in Acute Catatonia.

Benzodiazepines are the first-line treatment of catatonia, but a substantial number of patients do not respond to them. Amisulpride is one of the atypical antipsychotic that has been effective for negative symptoms of schizophrenia. We examined the effect of augmentation of oral low doses of amisulpride with lorazepam on resolution of catatonic symptoms. Fifteen patients with catatonia were treated with a combination of oral lorazepam (2-4 mg) with amisulpride (100 mg). Catatonic symptoms were rated using the Bush Francis Catatonia Rating Scale at the baseline and daily thereafter. There was complete resolution of catatonic symptoms on the third day in all patients. There was significant reduction of the total Bush Francis Catatonia Rating Scale score over time (F = 181.38, P < 0.001) with a strong effect size (partial η = 0.96). Augmentation of lorazepam with low-dose amisulpride can be a reliable strategy for management of catatonia.

Psychiatric morbidity in adult Kashmiri migrants living in a migrant camp at Jammu.

BACKGROUND: There are 14.9 million refugees and 22 million internally displaced persons in the world. The clinical and research literature shows a significant degree of psychological stress among refugees with relatively high levels of physical and psychological dysfunction in them. AIMS: To determine the prevalence of various psychiatric disorders among Kashmiri migrants settled in a migrant camp at Jammu MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was conducted on adults of Kashmiri migrant families residing in Muthi camp at Jammu. Three hundred families (150 each from two camps) were taken up for the study. Psychopathology was measured using Mini International Neuropsychiatry Interview Schedule (MINI). The data was categorized according to age, sex, education. The data was analyzed using Chi-square test with Yate's correction wherever required. P-value less than 0.05 was taken as significant. RESULTS: Psychiatric morbidity was more in migrant population 33.66% (n=208) than in controls 26% (n=52) with major depressive episode being the most common diagnosis CONCLUSIONS: Depression, post-traumatic stress disorders (PTSD) and generalized anxiety disorders (GAD) were statistically more prevalent among migrants than in controls.