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Aim: This study evaluated the prevalence of sexual dysfunction in patients with bipolar disorder, while receiving valproate monotherapy. Materials and Methods: Sixty-three clinically stable patients with bipolar disorder were evaluated on the Arizona sexual experience scale (ASEX), Udvalg for Kliniske Undersogelser (UKU) other side effect subscale and brief adherence rating scale. Results: The mean age of the study sample was 38.84 (standard deviation: 12.49) years. About three-fourth of the participants were male (76.2%). About one-fourth (28.6%) were found to have sexual dysfunction as per the ASEX. In terms of dysfunction in specific domain of sexual functioning, depending on the cut-off used, problem with sexual desire varied from 13.33% to 35.41% among males and 6.66%-46.66% in females. Erectile dysfunction was seen in 13.33%-31.25% of males and difficulty in vaginal lubrication was reported by 13.33%-26.66% of females. When those with and without sexual dysfunction as per the ASEX were compared, it was seen that those with sexual dysfunction had significantly longer duration of illness, higher prevalence of abnormal blood pressure and higher mean scores on the UKU other side effect subscale. Both the groups did not differ on other clinical variables. Conclusion: A significant proportion of patients receiving valproate experience sexual dysfunction. Higher prevalence of sexual dysfunction was associated with longer duration of illness, higher prevalence of abnormal blood pressure, and higher mean scores on UKU other side effect subscale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of lockdown on sexual functioning in India. In addition, impact of lockdown on relationship with the partner and mental health was evaluated. Materials and Methods: An online survey was conducted using changes in sexual functioning questionnaire, Patient Health Questionnaire-4, and a self-designed questionnaire. Results: The mean age of the participants was 41.5 (standard deviation: 11.2; range: 22--77; median: 39.5) years, with the majority being males 385 (85.6%). The participants reported that lockdown led to reduction in the frequency of sexual intercourse and also touching the partner (fondling, caressing, touching, or kissing) when not indulging in sexual intercourse. Majority of the participants reported improvement in the overall relationship, communication with the partner, and interpersonal conflicts. About two-fifths of the participants reported engaging in sexual intercourse more than twice a week or more. About one-fifth screened positive for psychiatric morbidity, with 14.2% screened positive for anxiety, 14.8% screened positive for depression and 8.7% screened positive for both. In both genders, presence of depression and anxiety were associated with lower sexual functioning in all the domains. Conclusion: Lockdown led to a reduction in the frequency of sexual intercourse, and reduction in the frequency of intimacy in the form of fondling, caressing, touching, or kissing partner when not doing sexual intercourse. However, lockdown led to the improvement in overall relationship and communication with the partners and a reduction in interpersonal conflicts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID19 pandemic is an unprecedented disaster. In India, the spread of COVID19 infection and the subsequent lockdown coincided with a crucial period of the annual examination in almost all educational institutions. The pandemic has created hurdles in the conduct of examination due to many reasons, some of which are spread of infection and associated safety issues, lack of public transport for patients as well as the postgraduates in outstation and examiners, and lack of workforce due to round-the-clock service for rendering health services leading to difficulty in arranging logistics at the examination center. Currently, there are no guidelines or policies on how examinations need to be carried out during such a pandemic. Hence, there is an urgent need to look at solutions within the profession for the completion of examination. Teachers of psychiatry play an important role in the national mental health services. Their expertise can be valuable for finding solutions that work. This article has compiled suggestions from Indian teachers of psychiatry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The objective of the study was to assess the incidence and determinants of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)-induced delirium. Materials and Methods: Using a retrospective study design, data of 488 patients undergoing modified ECT were evaluated for the development of new-onset prolonged delirium. Demographic and clinical parameters of patients who developed delirium and those who did not develop delirium were compared. Results: 5.7% of the patients developed prolonged post-ECT delirium. The use of quetiapine in higher doses and the lack of use of antidepressants while receiving ECT were associated with the development of prolonged post-ECT delirium. None of the other clinical and ECT-related parameters emerged as a significant factor associated with the development of prolonged post-ECT delirium. Conclusions: A small proportion of patients undergoing ECT develop post-ECT prolonged delirium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article present a case study of a 41-year-married male with three episodes of depression and one hypomanic episode in the lifetime. It mentions that initially he was treated with antidepressants in the form of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. It also mentions that his routine investigations, electroencephalogram, and magnetic resonance imaging of the brain did not reveal any abnormality.

Background: Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) involving exposure and response prevention is the gold standard psychotherapeutic intervention for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). However, applying traditional CBT techniques to treat patients with predominant obsessions (POs) without covert compulsions is fraught with problems because of inaccessibility of mental compulsions. In this context, we examined the efficacy of mindfulness-integrated CBT (MICBT) in patients with POs without prominent overt compulsions. Materials and Methods: Twenty-seven patients with Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition diagnosis of OCD were recruited from the specialty OCD clinic and the behavior therapy services of a tertiary care psychiatric hospital over 14 months. Patients had few or no overt compulsions and were free of medication or on a stable medication regimen for at least 2 months prior to baseline assessment. All patients received 12--16 sessions of MICBT on an outpatient basis. An independent rater (psychiatrist) administered the Yale--Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (YBOCS) and the Clinical Global Impression Scale at baseline, mid- and post-treatment, and at 3-month follow-up. Results: Of the 27 patients, 18 (67%) achieved remission (55% reduction in the YBOCS severity score) at 3-month follow-up. The average mean percentage reduction of obsessive severity at postintervention and 3-month follow-up was 56 (standard deviation [SD] = 23) and 63 (SD = 21), respectively. Conclusions: Our study demonstrates that MICBT is efficacious in treating patients with POs without prominent overt compulsions. The results of this open-label study are encouraging and suggest that a larger randomized controlled trial examining the effects of MICBT may now be warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Controversy persists with regard to how best we can categorize symptomatic dimension of Schizophrenia. Aim of the study was to compute factorial dimensions in Indian subset of schizophrenic patients and to compare them with five factor pentagonal model extracted in western studies. Materials and Methods: 150 inpatients of Schizophrenia with acute exacerbation were subjected to PANSS rating within one week of admission and statistical calculation done based on exploratory factor analysis. Results: Five factors namely negative, autistic, activation, positive and depression were extracted wherein negative factors showed highest percentage of total variance supporting five factor modal of western literature Conclusion: A consensus is gradually emerging regarding symptomatic dimensions of Schizophrenia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]