Context: Exponential rise in internet usage over the past two decades has fostered internet addictive behaviors, especially in young adults. In India, medical students undergo tremendous stressful situations and are a vulnerable group for such addictive behaviors. Aims: The aim of the study was to assess subjective happiness of 1^st-year medical students and their internet addiction levels Settings and Design: A cross-sectional study done in a medical college in Bangalore, Karnataka, India. Materials and Methods: Sample consisted of 150 1^st-year medical students, who self-reported about their internet addictive pattern and subjective well-being on Internet Addiction Test and Subjective Happiness Scale, respectively. Statistical Analysis: Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were carried out. Significance is assessed at 5% level of significance. Analysis of variance, Student's t-test, and Chi-square/Fisher's Exact test have been used. Results: Of the total sample, 42.7% of students reported of experiencing subjective happiness below the average, 41.3% had average happiness levels, and only 16% had scores above the average. Out of the students, 42.1% who had no internet addiction, 36.4% who had mild levels, and 54.8% who had moderate levels of internet addiction fell below the average happiness level. Conclusions: Those who had higher levels of internet addiction showed reduced subjective happiness. Thus, those who experience decreased subjective happiness without overt psychological disturbances are still prone to have addictive patterns. This should be considered during screening for addictive behaviors.

[ABSTRACT]  [FULL TEXT]  [PDF]  [Mobile Full text]  [EPub] [CITATIONS]

Most mental health researchers believe that there is a variety of contributing factors to the onset of mental health issues. Studies have found that there are physical, social, environmental, and psychological causes. This paper highlights some of the mental health issues that are prevailing in Kashmir. The research so far conducted in the valley has pointed social, environmental, and psychological issues prevailing in general in the Kashmir Valley. The prevailing disturbances in the valley from the past two decades of turmoil in Kashmir were cited by most researchers as the main reasons for mental health problems. Apart from this, the changing political parties, ethics to divide, and rule resulting economic dynamics of inhabitants are also responsible for this menace. Depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, stress, and anxiety are diagnosed in general to cause mental trauma, and illness.

[ABSTRACT]  [FULL TEXT]  [PDF]  [Mobile Full text]  [EPub] [CITATIONS]

In this systematic review, we summarize the current understanding and controversies on cognitive sequelae after traumatic brain injury (TBI) to understand the cognitive deficits such as memory, attention, executive functions, and unawareness of their deficits in TBI patients. This review presents the cognitive sequel of patients with moderate-to-severe TBI by a comprehensive focused conglomeration of research publications by searching various resources. A search strategy with specific inclusion criteria was performed in PubMed, Cochrane, Web of Science, and the WHO Global Health Library. This review noted that TBI is related with increase of various neurological and non-neurological disorders including problems with attention, inability to concentrate, speech and language dysfunctions, learning and memory impairment, impaired reasoning, impaired planning and problem-solving. This review found that patients' cognitive deficits are common in victims of moderate to severe TBI often as the long-lasting sequalae. The present review suggests that there is a need for further research to develop unique rehabilitation methods that will help to enhance brain plasticity and process of recovery after TBI.

[ABSTRACT]  [FULL TEXT]  [PDF]  [Mobile Full text]  [EPub] [CITATIONS]

[FULL TEXT]  [PDF]  [Mobile Full text]  [EPub] [CITATIONS]

Background: Nutrition and depression among elderly have emerged as a major public-health problem, and depression is one of the leading causes of disease burden worldwide. The evidence shows that more than 50% of the elderly population is underweight and more than 90% has an energy intake below the recommended intake. Objective: The objective of this study is to determine the prevalence and correlates of malnutrition and the relationship with disability and psychological well-being, and to assess the pattern of morbidity, co-morbidity, among the elderly in Udupi taluk of Karnataka. Methodology: This cross-sectional study conducted during January–June 2017 included 570 participants of ≥60 years of age. The data were analyzed for percentages, mean, and standard deviation. The tests of significance such as analysis of variance and Independent t-test were used; P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: It was observed during the study that the majority belonged to the young old age group (63.2%), were financially dependent (55.8%) and most of them are from rural (61. 1%). The prevalence of malnutrition based on the malnutrition indicator score was found to be (11.22%) and (44.73%) are at risk of malnutrition. The mid-upper arm circumference and calf circumference measurements were (8.24%) and (11. 75%), respectively. The prevalence of depression in the elderly was found to be 6.6%. Conclusion: The care of the elderly should also include the nutrition and mental healthcare components for better addressal of the health needs of elderly which requires to be brought on the national health care agenda.

[ABSTRACT]  [FULL TEXT]  [PDF]  [Mobile Full text]  [EPub] [CITATIONS]

Romantic relationship is one among the defining feature and developmental task of adolescence, often considered to have significant influence on the course of other developmental tasks, overall health and wellbeing. Thus the present paper made an attempt to review different mental health promotion manuals developed for adolescence in India with the aim to understand whether those manuals address the emerging issues of adolescence in romantic relationship. Seven manuals were selected for this purpose and reviewed based on its content, methodology, target population and how issues pertaining to romantic relationship has been addressed. It was observed that all the manuals covered different aspects related to developmental needs and concerns of adolescents in general; especially the developmental significance of romantic relationship with its socio-cultural background has received little attention. Therefore this article implied for developing comprehensive manuals on emerging issues of adolescents in romantic relationship as a great need of the time.

[ABSTRACT]  [FULL TEXT]  [PDF]  [Mobile Full text]  [EPub] [CITATIONS]

Neurocysticercosis (NCC) is an infection caused by the larval stage of the parasite, Taenia solium. Seizures, psychosis, Parkinsonism, and other movement disorders have been described in the literature pertaining to NCC; however, no reports were available on tics. A young female presented to the outpatient department with headache, psychotic symptoms, and tics for a duration of 15–20 days. On examination, she was noted to have fluctuating orientation and was hypervigilant. She also presented with irrelevant speech, ideational perseveration, paranoid ideation, visual/auditory hallucinations, and motor/vocal tics. Following a detailed evaluation with investigations such as magnetic resonance imaging of the brain and ELISA, a diagnosis of NCC with psychosis and tics was made. She was treated with mannitol, steroids, albendazole, and antipsychotics. Psychosis and tics improved within 1 week of treatment. This case highlights an uncommon presentation of NCC as well as the significance of a high index of suspicion and the need for a careful workup to catch these cases.

[ABSTRACT]  [FULL TEXT]  [PDF]  [Mobile Full text]  [EPub] [CITATIONS]

Background: Alcohol dependence is a maladaptive pattern of substance use for a period of 12 months, which is characterized by tolerance, withdrawal symptoms, loss of control, and craving. Burden is defined as the presence of problems, difficulties, or adverse events which affect the life (lives) of the psychiatric patient's significant others. Objective burden is used to identify anything that occurs as a disrupting factor in family life owing to the patient's illness while subjective burden refers to the feeling that a burden is being carried in a subjective sense. Aims: To compare the amount of burden among the caregivers with the severity of alcohol dependence in patients. Methodology: Severity of Alcohol Dependence Questionnaire is used to determine the severity of their condition in alcohol-dependent patients. Caregivers were administered Family Burden Interview Schedule to assess the burden experienced by them. The diagnosis of alcohol dependence syndrome is made in accordance to the ICD-10 criteria. Results: Severe burden is more seen in females, unemployed, in families where domestic violence is present. Conclusions: More severe is the dependence, more is the amount of burden experienced by the caregivers.

[ABSTRACT]  [FULL TEXT]  [PDF]  [Mobile Full text]  [EPub] [CITATIONS]

Introduction: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome is more in patients with schizophrenia receiving first- and second-generation antipsychotics. Aim and Objectives: The aim is to study the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in patients with schizophrenia treated with first-generation and second-generation antipsychotics and to compare the prevalence between two generations. Materials and Methods: The study sample was obtained from the patients attending the outpatient clinic or admitted to the inpatient unit of the department of psychiatry at tertiary care unit. Patients with schizophrenia, 50 each on treatment with first- and second-generation antipsychotics for a minimum of 4 months were measured for fasting blood glucose, blood triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein, blood pressure, and waist circumference. Adult treatment panel diagnostic guidelines were used to diagnose metabolic syndrome. Results: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome in first-generation group was (18%) and second-generation group was (40%). Comparison of the prevalence between the two groups showed Mann–Whitney value of −2.412*, which was statistically significant at P < 0.05. There was significant difference found in the chlorpromazine equivalent dosage of antipsychotics at P < 0.001. It signifies that though the second-generation group had received lesser amount of antipsychotic dose when compared to first-generation group, the prevalence of metabolic syndrome was more in the second-generation antipsychotic group. Conclusion: Metabolic syndrome is seen in both the group of patients taking antipsychotics. In line with previous studies, our study also found that the prevalence of metabolic syndrome is more in patients taking second-generation antipsychotics.

[ABSTRACT]  [FULL TEXT]  [PDF]  [Mobile Full text]  [EPub] [CITATIONS]

Functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) are chronic, recurrent, frequently debilitating disorders with no identifiable underlying pathology. They occur due to a complex interplay between biological, psychological, and social factors and are some of the most common conditions encountered in general clinical practice as well as the specialist gastroenterological clinic. The top-down regulation of visceral sensations plays an important role in the pathophysiology of the disease, i.e., the central processing of emotions and stressors altering the sensory and motor components of the gut, which increases hypersensitivity and therefore symptom severity. In addition, the core personality traits of the individual play their part in the way symptoms are perceived, further providing proof for the long-prevailing belief that the gut and emotions are linked, the so-called “gut feeling.” The current diagnostic criteria for FGIDs are entirely based on subjective symptoms, challenging in itself due to the varied presentations, and further complicated by the current unavailability of objective laboratory tests which could confirm its presence in the symptomatic individual. The various treatment modalities include psychotherapies ranging from cognitive behavioral therapy to mindfulness, along with appropriate pharmacotherapy to treat physical and psychiatric comorbidities. Addressing all these underlying causes, in addition to weighing in the genetic makeup of the individual, is necessary for delineating accurate prognosis, reducing attending health-care costs, and improving overall outcome of the individual.

[ABSTRACT]  [FULL TEXT]  [PDF]  [Mobile Full text]  [EPub] [CITATIONS]

Play is children's innate mode of self-expression and a method through which they explore the world. It has important implication for overall (physical, psychological, and psychosocial) development of any children. Play therapy capitalizes on such therapeutic powers or changing mechanisms within play and considers its strategic use through trained professionals to promote specific therapeutic outcomes within therapeutic contexts. This review article aims to provide a brief description on the use of play as therapeutic agent for change, different processes expressed in play, therapeutic powers within the play, and major approaches to play therapy. An attempt has also been made to list out some of the research studies from the available literature to prove the efficacy of play therapy in different conditions. The article concludes with highlighting the current issues and challenges faced by play therapy practice as a therapeutic medium to be used with children and way forward has been suggested.

[ABSTRACT]  [FULL TEXT]  [PDF]  [Mobile Full text]  [EPub] [CITATIONS]

Cellular therapies represent a new frontier in the therapy of neurological diseases. Earlier, regeneration of neurons has been admitted as an impossible event. Thus, neurodegenerative disorders (e.g., Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and multiple sclerosis), vascular events (e.g., stroke), and traumatic diseases (e.g., spinal cord injury) have been identified as incurable diseases. Later on, tissue reparative and regenerative potential of stem cell researches for these disorders drew attention of scientists to replacement therapy. Now, there are hundreds of current clinical and experimental regenerative treatment studies. One of the most popular therapies is cell transplantation. Transplanted neural stem/precursor cells protect the injured central nervous system using a variety of articulated mechanisms, a mode of action named ''therapeutic plasticity,” encompassing both bystander effects (immunomodulation and enhancement of endogenous repair mechanisms) and cell replacement. An extensive search was made using PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar using the following search terms: stem cells, neurodegenerative disorders, Alzheimer's disease, and stem cell therapy. In this review, we presented the possible benefits of stem cell therapy in neurodegenerative disorders.

[ABSTRACT]  [FULL TEXT]  [PDF]  [Mobile Full text]  [EPub] [CITATIONS]