Study of attitude of interns toward psychiatry: A survey of a tertiary level hospital in Ahmedabad.

BACKGROUND: Worldwide, multiple studies demonstrate a negative attitude of interns toward psychiatry. Scenario in Gujarat state has never been looked upon. The objective of this study is to identify the situation in this region by studying the attitude of interns toward various areas of psychiatry and to study the gender differences if any. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For study, all 122 interns who attended psychiatry posting for the 1st time in their internship, over a period of 8 months were approached amongst which 100 (56 males and 44 females) consented to be a part. Attitude was measured with 30 items attitude toward psychiatry (ATP 30) questionnaire on the 1st day of their posting. The data thus collected were analyzed by SPSS version 20. RESULT: The results showed a neutral to the negative attitude in major areas of psychiatry. Most neutral responses were seen regarding contribution of psychiatric hospitals in the treatment, regarding psychiatric patients considered to be interesting and psychiatry enabling people to have rewarding relationships. Negative attitude toward areas on scientific information in psychiatry and psychotherapy's validity were obtained. While attitude was positive in areas of psychiatric knowledge and teaching, but female interns were lagging behind their male counterparts. Psychiatric treatment lessens worries and psychiatric illness should be considered at par with other medical illnesses, were most common positively viewed attitude. CONCLUSION: Interns overall shared a neutral to negative ATP. Adequate rectification is required in existing medical curriculum, and more exposure to the subject is essential to improve the attitude of interns toward mental health.

Alternative Psychosis - Is it a Defined Clinical Entity?

Following seizure control with antiepileptic drugs and normalization of electroencephalogram, behavioral problem may appear for the first time in an epileptic patient. This phenomenon has been termed 'alternative psychosis'. However, it remains poorly understood in absence of any definite diagnostic criteria, and there are no specific guidelines to treat the condition. Here we report a case of an untreated patient of epilepsy of 13 years duration, who had onset of first episode non-specific aggressive behavior within 1 week after starting treatment with sodium valproate, which responded adequately to a short course of low dose risperidone. We conclude that alternative psychosis may have a variable clinical presentation and may respond favorably to antipsychotic drugs.

Comparison of suicide attempts in schizophrenia and major depressive disorder: an exploratory study.

INTRODUCTION: Schizophrenia and major depressive disorder (MDD) are among the most common psychiatric diagnoses associated with suicide. There is a dearth of published research systematically comparing suicidal behavior in schizophrenia and MDD. The present study aimed to compare suicide attempts in schizophrenia and MDD. METHODS: In this hospital-based, cross-sectional study, 50 outpatients each of schizophrenia and MDD were evaluated for their sociodemographic characteristics. In subjects with a history of suicide attempt(s), additional information related to the attempt(s) was obtained. Suicide Intent Scale (SIS) was used to assess the suicidal intent and Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) was used to measure the current suicidal risk. RESULTS: Thirty-four percent and 44% of patients with schizophrenia and MDD, respectively, attempted suicide. The attempters in schizophrenia compared to those in MDD were younger and more likely to be single (unmarried, separated or divorced). Suicidal intent was stronger in schizophrenia, while the attempters with MDD were more often preoccupied with a death wish and reported that stressful life events influenced the attempt. There were no differences in the attempt methods of the two groups. Current suicidal risk was higher in attempters compared to the non-attempters in schizophrenia as well as MDD. DISCUSSION: Suicide attempts in schizophrenia and MDD have similar features, with quite a few notable differences, which have been discussed at length in the present paper.

Adolescent male peer sexual abuse: an issue often neglected.

Traditionally, sexual abuse is under-reported and under-recognized when the victims are boys. A study carried out by the Government of India in 2007 suggests that every second child/adolescent in the country faces some form of sexual abuse and it is nearly equally prevalent in both sexes. The significance of the problem is undermined all the more when the abuse is perpetrated by a peer. Sexual activity between children and adolescents that occurs without consent or as a result of coercion is tantamount to abuse. A majority of the victims do not disclose the occurrence to anyone. This often neglected issue of adolescent male peer sexual abuse in a sexually conservative country like India is highlighted and discussed through this case, which came to light only after the victim developed a venereal disease.

Portrayal of psychiatrists in Hindi movies released in the first decade of the 21st century.

CONTEXT: Of late, there has been an increase in the number of psychiatrists shown in Hindi movies. There is dearth of systematic research that focuses specifically upon the depiction of psychiatrists in Hindi cinema. AIM: To explore the portrayal of psychiatrists in recent Hindi cinema. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-six Hindi movies released between January 2001 and March 2010 portraying 33 'psychiatrist' characters in a main or a secondary (but significant) role, were reviewed and data related to the personal attributes and professional conduct of the movie psychiatrists was collected. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The portrayal of psychiatrists in Hindi movies released in the first decade of the 21st century is unflattering. Hindi movies depicted psychiatrists as most likely to be male, middle-aged, and friendly in their attitude towards the patients. 42.4% of them were clinically incompetent, and only 30.3% could make an accurate diagnosis. 39.4% of them breached professional ethics. Eight (24. 2%) transgressed non-sexual boundaries, whereas five (15.2%) violated both sexual and non-sexual boundaries. The most common clinical/treatment setting was outpatient (53.8%), and pharmacotherapy was the most common treatment modality used. Treatment outcome was depicted positive in only 23.1% of the movies analyzed.