'Life Minus Illness = Recovery': A Phenomenological Study About Experiences and Meanings of Recovery Among Individuals with Serious Mental Illness from Southern India.

Traditional medical models have given way to recovery-oriented approaches over the years in the management of individuals with serious mental illnesses. However, very little is known about such recovery-based models in the Indian context. This qualitative study used a phenomenological approach to explore the experiences and meanings of recovery among individuals with serious mental illness in southern India. Purposive sampling with maximum variation was used to recruit participants. In-depth interviews were conducted with ten participants, using a semi-structured interview guide. Thematic analysis resulted in three themes: "The illness journey," "Life minus illness = Recovery," and "It takes a village to recover,". Illness and recovery seemed to be two sides of the same coin with the context playing an influential role in the perceptions of recovery. The term "recovery" seemed to be a misnomer giving the impression that one is expected to return to an illness free state.

Obsessive compulsive disorder with bipolar mood disorder: a rare comorbidity in India.

Obsessive compulsive features occurring in mania have been well documented. Though there have been some studies on obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) comorbid with mania in the western countries, there are very few case reports and studies in India. Our aim is to report one such case here, who presented with OC features which are not typical of the symptom cluster of the OCD commonly seen with mania in earlier reports. Also, the comorbidities in OCD should be recognized as this can have important diagnostic and therapeutic implications.