Family pathology and anorexia in the Indian context.

Frequent associations have been found between family interaction and anorectic behaviour. Family theorists have viewed anorexia as a manifestation of a dysfunctional family system. We report three families of cases of anorexia (one male and two female) where the symptom was a reflection of family pathology and was being maintained by it. The cases emphasize the need to assess families of anorectics in detail and view them in the cultural context of eating.

Social support system and family burden due to chronic schizophrenia in rural and urban background.

The present study discusses the possible relationship between the Family Burden as experienced by the family members of chronic schizophrenic patients and Social Support System as perceived by the patients and compares these two between rural and urban backgrounds. Thirty patients each from rural and urban areas were selected. Subjects were administered the Alan Vax et al (1986) Social Support Appraisal and Pai et al (1981) Interview Schedule for assessing Burden on the family of psychiatric patient. The rural and urban families were found to have experienced equal burden and also perceived equal Social Support System. The study finds no relationship between Family Burden and Social Support System. After discussion suggestions for future studies are offered.

Study of neuroses: ii family interactional patterns and social variables.

In this study four hypotheses are tested in two populations; namely 60 neurotic patients and 60 matched normal control. It is observed that neurotics come from higher income joint families with dissatisfaction from their occupation, income, and status in the family and have unhealthy interaction patterns in the family of orientation as well as procreation. Discriminant analysis shows that the tools used in this study have predictability.

Validation of family interaction patterns scale.

A Family Interaction Patterns Scale (FIPS) consisting of 106 items pertaining to six areas of family functioning: leadership, communication, role, reinforcement, cohesiveness, social support system; was standardised by administering it to 30 neurotic depressives, 30 hysterical neurotics, 20 alcoholics and 30 normal, and one of their family members. HIPS mean score for depressives, hystericals, alcoholics and normals were 243.8, 236.67, 262.75 and 133.17 respectively. The means of patient population were statistically significantly different from the normal population. There was no variation in the scores of patient and his/her family member. All six sub scales of FIPS were compared between the groups. The scale had the capacity to discriminate between neurotics and normals and alcoholics. Based on these observations we feel FIPS is a valid tool to measure the quality of family functioning.

A study of epileptic psychoses - 150 cases.

One hundred and fifty patients of epileptic psychosis, registered over a period of five years in neuropsychiatry clinics at NIMHANS were studied. Patients with organic causes which may produce both epilepsy and psychosis were excluded. The epileptic psychosis ratio to epilepsy was 1:23 and the epileptic psychosis ratio to psychosis was 1:75. The mean age at the onset of epilepsy was 19.4 years, while the mean age at the onset of psychosis was 29 years and thus the mean duration of epilepsy at the onset of psychosis was 9.4 years. With regard to type of seizures, 93 (62%) had grandmal, 50 (33.3%) had temporal lobe epilepsy and 7 (4.7%) had partial motor or sensory epilepsy with generalization. With regard to type of psychosis, 64 (42.7 %) had post-ictal and/or inter-ictal psychosis, 15(10%) paranoid schizophrenia, 9 (6%) mania, 2 (1.3%) depression and 60 (40%) unspecified psychoses. The mean duration of epilepsy was significantly less (p < 0.05) at the onset of acute psychosis than chronic psychosis. Family history of epilepsy and mental illness, premorbid personality and frequencies of seizures were not significantly associated with pathogenesis of epileptic psychosis.

Study of neuroses: iii an empirical model.

The empirical model presented in this paper is based on observations made on 60 neurotics and 60 normals matched at the individual level. Efforts are made to use the systems approach to present this paradigm synthesising both individual and environmental resources. We are of the opinion that this model is not only useful in understanding the genesis of neuroses rather has utility at the intervention level as well.

Study of neuroses : I life events and personality dimension.

With an object to study neurosis through stressful life events, personality dimension, family interactional patterns and other sociological variables, certain hypotheses are tested in two populations, namely 60 neurotics and 60 normals, matched at individual level for age, sex, and education. This paper is divided into two parts. In this part the main observations are that neurotic patients experience more stressful life events as compared to normal population. Stress in the area of education is related with hysteria and anxiety, and bereavement with depression. Neuroticism dimension is related to neuroses as such. However, experience of stressful life events is independent of personality dimension.

Family psychiatric ward treatment in India.

The evolution of family psychiatric ward treatment is reviewed with special reference to the developments at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences, Bangalore, India. The set-up and philosophy of the Family Psychiatric Center are highlighted. Case reports are included. The effects of the patient's preference to be accompanied by a particular relative during family ward treatment was studied. The patient's preference for a particular relative was determined by means of a questionnaire. It was found that staying with the preferred relative was associated with a shorter stay and also that different preferred relatives had a differential effect on the duration of the hospital stay of the patient.

Description and quantification of multiple family group interaction.

Multiple Family Group Interaction as a method of Family Therapy is reported with reference to its development, technique and procedure. A rating system for the categorization and quantification of the therapeutic processes is discussed. The main findings of analysis of 85 sessions are presented.

The study of efficacy of family ward treatment in hysteria in comparison with the open ward and the outpatient treatment.

A comparative study of the efficacy of treatment of hysterical patients is made among three group of patients-patients treated in family wards, open wards and out-patients. The number of patients is fifteen in each group and they are matched for age, sex, per capita income, duration of illness and type of illness. Significant differences among three groups on certain parameters like personality have been eliminated. The results are discussed.