Historical aspects of the Institute of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Goa.

Organized delivery of mental health services in Goa had its origin during the Portuguese regime. From the inception of a mental asylum in the 1500s, mental health services have come a long way. In post liberation period, after 1961, under the guidance of a WHO Consultant, Dr. Govindaswamy, a new mental hospital was built at Panaji, Goa and it was named as the Abbe de Faria Institute. The Department of Psychiatry in Goa Medical College was established in 1968, and unlike in most parts of the country, where Psychiatry was a part of Medicine; here in Goa, it enjoyed an independent departmental status. With the merger of Department of Psychiatry with the mental hospital, an independent Institute of Psychiatry and Human Behavior emerged in 1980, a status it continues to retain till date. In 2016, the Institute of Psychiatry and Human Behavior has been identified to become a "Centre of Excellence" by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India.

Stevens johnson syndrome in a bipolar patient treated with lamotrigine.

A male patient with bipolar disorder who developed Stevens Johnson Syndrome following treatment with a combination of sodium valproate and lamotrigine is reported. This case report emphasises the importance of being cautious when such a combination is used in patients with associated medical conditions.

Geriatric patients attending tertiary care psychiatric hospital.

This retrospective study aimed to explore the Socio-demographic characteristics and clinical profile of patients aged 60 years and above, attending psychiatric services for the first time at the Institute of Psychiatry and Human Behaviour, Goa during 1993-1998. Hospital case files of six hundred and ninety-eight patients formed the study sample. Preliminary analysis revealed that 70% of the sample was between 60-69 years. Mean age was 65.8 years (Sd ±6.11). Sex ratio male to female was 38:62. 59% came from extended families. The commonest psychiatric diagnosis was mood (affective) disorders seen in 43% of the sample, of which more than half had depression. Associated physical illnesses were seen in 68% of the sample. The differential occurrences of various psychiatric diagnostic categories as well as associated physical illnesses were significantly associated with the sex of the patients.