Quality of life and suicidal ideation in wives of men with alcohol dependence: A hospital-based study.

BACKGROUND: Addiction to alcohol not only affects the quality of life of the individual abusing it but also of the people living with them. Enormous research has been done on various aspects of alcoholism, but the lives of their caretakers are always considered secondary by society and researchers alike. Very few studies have been done on wives of alcoholic men in the Indian settings. AIM: This study aimed to assess the quality of life and suicide ideation in wives of men with alcohol dependence. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study conducted in a tertiary care hospital. A study group of 50 wives of men with alcohol dependence were included in the study along with an age-matched control group of 50 wives of nonalcoholic men without any medical comorbidities. They were assessed by the perceived quality of life scale, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and Suicidal Behaviors Questionnaire-revised and the results were then correlated. RESULTS: Results revealed poorer perceived quality of life in the study group than in controls. The wives of alcoholic men scored significantly more on depression as compared to control group but not on anxiety. Suicidal ideation and attempts were significantly more common in wives of men dependent on alcohol. CONCLUSION: Alcohol dependence in the husbands is associated with poorer quality of life and higher levels of depression and suicidal ideation in their wives.

Diverse psychiatric presentation associated with child sexual abuse: Case series.

Child sexual abuse (CSA) occurs when a person involves the child in sexual activities for his/her sexual gratification, commercial gain, or both. We report a series of 12 cases of CSA, who presented to the psychiatry department with diverse psychiatric presentations associated with CSA. In most of these cases, the perpetrator was unmarried and known to the child. The presentation was varied with patients being diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder, schizophrenia, acute and transient psychotic disorder, dysthymic disorder, recurrent depressive disorder, acute stress reaction, conversion disorder, borderline personality disorder, and moderate depressive episode with somatic symptoms. Individual and family counseling was an important part of management of these cases along with pharmacotherapy. More vigilance about CSA and mental health in all categories of health-care personnel would help in early detection and timely management of these cases.

Geophagia: A case series.

Geophagia, a form of pica, is often associated with iron and zinc deficiency. However, a number of environmental, cultural, and psychological factors are also implicated. Pica in children is common with those having intellectual disability. In adults, it is most commonly associated with pregnancy. No specific screening tests for pica exist, but many nutritional and psychological complications can be avoided by accurate and timely diagnosis. Even when pica is diagnosed, no proven treatments exist. Two patients who reported to the psychiatry outpatient department with habit of eating nonnutritive substances for a prolonged period associated with apprehension and decreased appetite are reported. Both the patients were diagnosed with adult pica and were treated with selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors and psychotherapy with considerable improvement.

Trichotillomania in childhood: A case series.

Trichotillomania is a psychodermatological disorder characterized by an uncontrollable urge to pull one's own hair. It is often associated with depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder. We report five cases, a young male and four females, who presented with an increased desire to pluck out their hair, leading to large patches of baldness. Despite distinct forms of presentations and different comorbidities, the management more or less remained the same.

Quality of life and disability in males with alcohol dependence syndrome.

AIM: The aim is to study the quality of life (QoL) and disability in persons with alcohol dependence syndrome (ADS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional, analytical, case-control study in a tertiary hospital in a suburb of Maharashtra included 100 cases of ADS and equal number of age- and sex-matched healthy controls fulfilling the various inclusion and exclusion criteria. RESULTS: The study revealed that individuals commonly initiate drinking alcohol between 20 and 30 years and first present to the hospital for seeking medical attention in the age group of 30-40 years after 10-12 years of drinking when they are moderately or severely dependent on alcohol. Alcohol dependence is associated with lower educational levels and lower levels of employment. Many have problems in their marital and intimate relations, making it difficult for them to stay in long-term relationships. As a consequence of their frequent aggressive and violent behaviors, they are more commonly involved in legal matters. Having a positive family history of alcohol dependence and familial psychiatric disorders makes them have a higher chance of developing alcohol dependence. As the number of years of drinking increases, so does the dependency level. CONCLUSION: Alcohol dependence is associated with lower QoL and higher levels of disability levels. The severity of alcohol dependence is inversely proportional to the QoL experienced by them and directly proportional to their disabilities.