Utility of Cupping Therapy in Substance Use Disorder: A Novel Approach or a Bizarre Treatment?

Substance use disorder is a psychiatric problem not bound by age, sex, ethnicity, sexual preference, geography, socio-economic status, educational level, or political and religious ideologies. While robust pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy treatments are available for de-addiction and managing withdrawal symptoms, patients from rural areas and lower socio-economic classes often prefer alternative medicine. Cupping therapy is one such ancient practice used mainly for organic physical conditions. A patient addicted to alprazolam, codeine, and tobacco presented to our psychiatry outpatient department for de-addiction and management of his withdrawal symptoms. He came to seek professional help after a trial of cupping therapy by an alternative medicine practitioner, which did not improve his condition. His withdrawal symptoms subsided after standard treatment. As found in this case, cupping therapy is not beneficial in treating substance use disorder or managing withdrawal symptoms. Awareness of the utility and consequences of cupping therapy and other alternative therapies is required to promote rational scientific treatments. Substantial reforms in health promotion and health education are required to educate the general population regarding the most effective treatments available, and the risks of iatrogenesis associated with traditional cures that are not evidentially backed.

Impact of Parenting Styles and Socioeconomic Status on the Mental Health of Children.

Background The relationship parents share with their children is unique and very important for their overall growth and development. Parenting is classified into the following four types: authoritarian, authoritative, permissive, and uninvolved. This study aimed to understand the relationship between socioeconomic status and parenting styles adopted by parents and compare various factors affecting the mental health status of children. Methodology An observational cross-sectional study was conducted among 480 students from four different schools in Valsad, Gujarat, India. The chief parenting style of both parents was determined, and the Pediatric Symptom Checklist (PSC) scores were calculated for the students. Data were analyzed and various tests of significance were performed. Results There was a highly significant association between various parenting styles adopted by both parents and the PSC score of children. Interparental consistency showed a lower score on the PSC scale. There was a moderate positive correlation between an authoritarian parent and the poor mental health status of the child. As age advanced, children were seen to experience more emotional and psychological troubles. The education of the mother had a significant association with the well-being of the child. However, there was no impact of socioeconomic status on parenting style and PSC score. Conclusions Poor parenting technique contributes to various psychological problems in children with advancing age. The involvement of healthcare facilities in this field at the earliest will ensure a better environment for the child to grow and learn.

Determinants of Health-Seeking Behavior in Major Depressive Disorder: An Observational Study.

BACKGROUND: Major depressive disorder (MDD) is one of the most common illnesses in the world and a major cause of years lived with disability. It is necessary to diagnose and treat depression promptly. OBJECTIVES: To identify and compare factors affecting health-seeking behavior in patients suffering from MDD. METHODS: An observational cross-sectional study was conducted. The study population was divided into two groups: early and late health seekers (cut off: three months). Patient Health Questionnaire - 9 (PHQ-9) as well as Perceived and Personal Depression Stigma Scores were calculated. Data were analyzed and the chi-square test and z-test were used to calculate statistical significance. RESULTS: There were 102 participants. The majority were female (62.75%) and the maximum number of participants were from the age group of 26-45 years (65.69%). There were more early help seekers (61.76%) than late help seekers (38.24%). The majority of early help seekers were married individuals. Distance played a vital role in help-seeking behavior. A significant association was also found between participants' personal stigma and late treatment seeking. The most common reason for delaying medical attention was that patients thought that they could cure themselves, followed by a lack of awareness. CONCLUSION: Delay and hesitance observed concerning health-seeking behavior are assumed to be associated with factors such as gender, income, family or marital status, stigma, lack of awareness, beliefs and practices, and deficient health facilities causing delays in the diagnosis and management of MDD. The research supported that involving primary health care centers, spreading awareness about the disease, and increasing psychiatric facilities, along with a special emphasis on factors as mentioned like gender, marital status, stigma, and feasibility of reaching facility as distance plays a major role in causing delay, and can help decrease the duration of symptom from the onset, initiating appropriate treatment, and improving prognosis.