Prognostic significance of psychopathology in the abstinence from opiate addiction.

The aim of the present study was to find out the influence of psychopathology on abstinence from opiate addiction. A group of 54 opiate addicts with psychopathology was compared with another group of 55 opiate addicts without psychopathology. Both the groups were detoxified and followed up for a period of 12 months.Common psychopathology in opiate addicts consisted of psychopathic personality disorder, manic depressive psychosis, schizophrenia and psychosomatic and neurotic disorders. Abstinence rate was 18.8% in opiate addicts with psychopathology in contrast to 60.8% in addicts without psychopathology. The implications of the findings have been discussed.

A double blind comparative study of usefulness of clonidine and symptomatic therapy in opiate detoxication.

Several studies in West have indicated that clonidine hydrochloride, an adrenergic blocking agent is both safe and effective for detoxifying narcotic addicts. One hundred and two patients of opium addition admitted in Psychiatry Center Jodhpur were subjects for present study. The patients were divided into group A, B and C having thirty four in each group. These groups were identical with regards to sociodemographic variables, mean dose of opium and duration of intake. Group A was given clonidine in small doses, Group B symptomatic therapy and group C was given clonidine in high doses. Study was double blind. Record of blood pressure, pulse rate, other vital sign and withdrawal symptom (on Physician's Rating Scale) was kept twice daily, Treatment was continued for two weeks. Clonidine in high doses proved to be more effective than other therapies.

Psychological determinants of depression in old age.

The present study investigated the role of recent life events and other psychological factors relating to alienation, hopelessness, personality dimensions and religiosity in patients with first episode of depression in old age. A sample of 50 subjects who had first episode of depression at or after the age of 50 were selected from Psychiatric Centre, Jaipur along with a matched sample of 50 normal controls. They were subjected to different psychological scales viz. socio economic status, life events, alienation, hopelessness, religiosity and P.E.N. Inventory. Results of the study disclosed that life event relating to financial problems, occured with greatest frequency in old age depression as compared to normal controls. As regards to marital status, widowed were more in depressed group (30%) as compared to control group (8%). Furthermore, patients with old age depression had significantly more alienation, hopelessness, neuroticism and psychoticism as compared to their normal counterparts. They scored significantly lesser on Extroversion than the controls. No significant differences were seen in the two groups with respect to attitude toward religion. No effect of domicile was observed on different psychological variables. Significance of these findings is discussed.

Mental morbidity in industrial workers of khetri copper complex.

There is dearth of researches pertaining to prevalence of mental morbidity in Industrial setups, particularly in our country.They are important as psychological ill health of workers may adversely effect the productivity in developing country like India.Khetri Copper Complex in Rajasthan was selected for present study. Aims were to determine the period prevalence of mental morbidity among workers and role of sociodemographic, psychological variables in such disorders. 330 workers were randomly selected from various departments. Each worker was given specially designed proforma and Goldberg's General Health Questionnaire. Workers scoring 12 or more were given "A standardised psychiatric interview schedule" suspected cases were examined by senior consultants to assign them diagnostic categories (I.C.D.-9).Period Prevalence in this study was 186.66/1000. As regards diagnostic categories, 75% were neurotic and 12.5% psychotics. Role of socio demographic, psychological and psychiatric variables in the development of these disorders has been discussed.Findings of this study are in expected direction and results obtained can be easily explained in terms of formulations given by other researchers in this field.Recommendation and plans for further research are discussed.

A study of patients attending mehandipur balaji temple : psychiatric and psychodynamic aspects.

A sample of 100 patients were selected randomly from 10 dharamshalas who qualified the diagnosis of neuroses and developed "trance". They were subjected to tests of suggestability, intelligence, guilt, hostility and neuroticism. Patients with "trance" were significantly more suggestible and expressed more hostility and guilt as compared to those who did not develop trance. Significant differences were found on I.Q, and level of neuroticism in trance and non-trance patients as well. No significant differences were observed on suggestibility, I.Q., hostility, guilt and level of neuroticism in patients who developed trance either early or delayed.Hysterial patients with trance and non-hysterical patients with trance failed to differ on suggestibility, I.Q. and projective measures of hostility and guilt. The significance of these factors in the development of trance and cure of psychoneurotic patients in context of our cultural background and faith healing practices has been discussed.

A psychiatric study of patients attending mehandipur balaji temple.

In the present study 100 cases, randomly selected were studied at famous shrine of Rajasthan, the Mehandipur Balaji. As regards the sociodemographic variables, patients were mainly between 15-39 years of age, 80% were educated, 82% had Urban domicile, 98% were Hindus and Females were 54%. Majority of the visitors being from Northern part of India. Failure of modern treatment and influence of family members and friends were the main motivating factors. Majority of patients were Neurotic (48%), followed by Psychotics (28%). Patients who developed trance (possession) were Neurotics. One quarter of the patients who were mainly psychoneurotics, showed improvement.

Psychosocial aspects of family planning.

PIP: Family planning can be instrumental in preventing the development of mental disorders among some individuals and can be used to prevent the birth of mentally deficient individuals. At the same time, inappropriately applied family planning methods can lead to psychological disturbances. Family planning can prevent the mental stresses and disorders which sometimes accompany pregnancy among 1) emotionally immature who might view an infant as a competitor for affection; 2) unmarried women incapable of withstanding social disapproval; 3) overburdened mothers; 4) women at risk of postpartum depression; and 5) women who place high value on maintaining their figures. Sterilization is sometimes used to discourage the reproduction of retarded and mentally diseased individuals. On the other hand, the use of contraceptive methods may produce negative psychological effects. The use of coitus interruptus and vasectomy for men and of IUDs and tubectomy for women sometimes induces psychological disturbances. 6 cases of sterilization in which the patients suffered psychological side effects were reviewed. Most of the patients had suffered from psychological problems prior to sterilization. This observation led to the recommendation that patients should be screened for psychological disorders before sterilization is prescribed. The age, sex, contraceptive method, and psychological disorders for each of the 6 reviewed cases are presented in tabular form.^ieng