Prevalence of mixed features in patients with first-episode depression: An exploratory multicentric study.

Background and Aim: There is limited literature on the prevalence of mixed features in patients with depression, especially from countries in Asia. Our aim was to evaluate the prevalence of "mixed features" in patients with first-episode depression. Materials and Methods: Patients with first-episode depression were evaluated for the presence of mixed features as per the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM)-5 criteria. They were additionally evaluated on Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) and Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS). Results: About one-sixth (16%) of the patients fulfilled the DSM-5 criteria for the mixed features specifier. The most common manic/hypomanic clinical feature was increased talkativeness or pressure of speech, followed by elevated expansive mood (12.5%), and inflated self-esteem or grandiosity was the least common feature (8.7%). Those with mixed features had higher prevalence of comorbid tobacco dependence and psychotic symptoms. In terms of frequency of depressive symptoms as assessed on HDRS, compared to those without mixed features, those with mixed features had higher frequency of symptoms such as depressed mood, insomnia during early hours of morning, work and activities, agitation, gastrointestinal somatic symptoms, genital symptoms, hypochondriasis, and poorer insight. Conclusion: Mixed features specifier criteria were fulfilled by 16% patients with first-episode depression. This finding suggests that the extension of this specifier to depression can be considered as a useful step in understanding the symptom profile of patients with depression.

Clinical features and outcomes in acute psychosis: A retrospective hospital-based study in rural patients of central India.

Background: Acute and transient psychotic disorder (ATPD) is a distinct diagnostic category (F23) in ICD-10 which includes non-schizophrenic and non-affective psychoses following a transient course. The clinical features, diagnostic stability, and epidemiology of ATPD have not been adequately explored in the developing countries. The aim was to explore the socio-demographic and clinical characteristics of ATPD as well as examine the diagnostic stability and longitudinal revisions in the diagnosis of ATPD. Material and Methods: An observational retrospective study based on 10-year OPD records of ATPD patients was conducted in a tertiary health care center after ethics committee approval. A total of 120 patient records were analyzed for socio-demographic data, clinical symptoms, mental status examination findings, diagnosis on the first visit, and subsequent revisions in the diagnosis. Results: The mean age of ATPD patients was 31.8 (±11.73) years. Delusion was the most common psychiatric symptom in ATPD patients followed by abnormal speech, hallucinations, and disorganized behavior. Antecedent psychosocial stressors were found in 44.2% cases. More than half of ATPD patients (51%) followed up after initial symptom remission and were diagnosed with chronic mental illnesses (schizophrenia or bipolar affective disorder). The ATPD patients experiencing a stressor at the onset of illness were less likely to develop chronic mental illness compared to the ones who did not have antecedent stressors. Conclusion: Irrespective of the genetic and phenomenological distinctiveness of ATPD, which has led to its inclusion as a separate diagnostic category in ICD-10, ATPD is an unstable diagnosis.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on psychosocial health and well-being in South-Asian (World Psychiatric Association zone 16) countries: A systematic and advocacy review from the Indian Psychiatric Society.

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has emerged as a global health threat. The South-Asian (SA) countries have witnessed both the initial brunt of the outbreak as well as the ongoing rise of cases. Their unique challenges in relation to mental health during the pandemic are worth exploring. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A systematic review was conducted for all the original studies on the impact of COVID-19 and lockdown on psychological health/well-being in the SA countries of the World Psychiatric Association Zone 16. PubMed, Google Scholar, PSYCHINFO, EMBASE, and SCOPUS were searched till June 2020. Studies conducted in the age group of 18-60 years with a minimum sample size of 10, and statistically significant results were included. RESULTS: Thirteen studies were included in the review. They showed increase prevalence in nonpsychotic depression, preanxiety, somatic concerns, alcohol-related disorders, and insomnia in the general population. Psychological symptoms correlated more with physical complaints of fatigue and pain in older adults and were directly related to social media use, misinformation, xenophobia, and social distancing. Frontline workers reported guilt, stigma, anxiety, and poor sleep quality, which were related to the lack of availability of adequate personal protective equipment, increased workload, and discrimination. One study validated the Coronavirus anxiety scale in the Indian population while another explored gaming as a double-edged sword during the lockdown in adolescents. Another study from Bangladesh explored psychosexual health during lockdown. Most studies were cross-sectional online surveys, used screening tools and had limited accessibility. CONCLUSION: The ongoing COVID-19 crisis and its impact serve as an important period for adequate mental healthcare, promotion, research, and holistic biopsychosocial management of psychiatric disorders, especially in vulnerable groups. Mental healthcare and research strategies during the pandemic and preparedness for postpandemic aftermath are advocated subsequently.

Gender differences in obsessive-compulsive disorder: Findings from a multicentric study from India.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is phenotypically heterogeneous. Gender is an important factor mediating this heterogeneity. We examined gender differences in a large sample (n = 945) of OCD patients under a multi-centric study in India. Cross-sectional assessments were done on consecutive adult (>18 years) treatment-seeking patients with a DSM-5 diagnosis of OCD. Subjects were assessed on Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5-Research Version for comorbid psychiatric illnesses, Yale Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale for OCD phenomenology and symptom severity, Brown Assessment of Beliefs Scale for insight, Beck's Depression Inventory for severity of depressive symptoms, and the Obsessive Beliefs Questionnaire. On multivariate backward Wald logistic regression analysis, males (59.7%) had more years of education, had a higher rate of checking compulsions and comorbid substance use disorders. Women were more likely to be married, more commonly reported precipitating factors, had a higher rate of hoarding compulsions and comorbid agoraphobia. Findings from this large study validate gender as an important mediator of phenotypic heterogeneity in OCD. The mechanistic basis for these differences might involve complex interactions between biological, cultural and environmental factors.

Prolonged Apnea During Modified Electroconvulsive Therapy in a Patient of Suicidal Attempt by Organophosphorus Poisoning: A Case Report.

Organophosphorus (OP) pesticides are commonly used in agricultural fields to control pests in India. However, exposure to it can cause poisoning in humans and animals, or it can be taken intentionally as poison to commit suicide. We present a case of a 35-year-old suicidal man who developed prolonged apnea for almost 4 hours on day 13 of OP poisoning after brief general anesthesia induced by propofol and 1 mg/kg of suxamethonium, during the first session of the third cycle of modified electroconvulsive therapy, despite all due precautions. Such prolonged apnea secondary to complex interactions has been reported very rarely in literature. This case therefore, highlights the importance of careful evaluation and monitoring while giving anesthesia to OP-poisoning patients.

Genital self-mutilation in a suicide attempt: a rare sequela of a hypochondriacal delusion of infection with HIV.

Genital self-mutilation is mostly seen among psychotic, affective and gender identity disorder(s). We present here a rare case report of such genital self-mutilation in a person with a hypochondriacal delusion of infection with HIV precipitated by erroneous and anxiety-provoking miscommunication during HIV testing. Such cases remind us of the need for systematic and appropriate pre-test and post-test HIV counseling, to help prevent such outcomes.