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ABSTRACT: Introduction: The ST population, residing in isolated, underdeveloped areas, faces significant health disparities compared to non-tribal communities. In particular, the lack of mental health infrastructure in these regions exacerbates their health challenges. Tribal communities possess distinct cultural beliefs surrounding health and illness, yet scant information exists regarding their physical and mental well-being. In addition, limited access to mental health services prevails, and many tribal individuals opt for traditional healing methods. Methodology: This study is part of the "Tele-mentoring for Rural Health Organizers of Chhattisgarh (TORENT)" project, which aims to equip rural health organizers and community health officers (CHOs) with training to screen, identify, counsel, refer, and follow up with community members facing mental health issues. Results: Covering 27 districts in Chhattisgarh, this study enlisted trained CHOs to employ the MERIT tool for mental health screenings. Among the tribal population, the study unveiled elevated rates of tobacco and alcohol use, anxiety, depression, hallucinations, and substance use disorders. Challenges in seeking professional help were widespread, driven by transportation difficulties and limited awareness. Field visits (77%) played a pivotal role in identifying cases, alongside self-referrals and referrals by Mitanin or ASHA workers. Notably, a significant proportion had a family history of alcohol use, with a preference for a locally brewed liquor called Mahua. Discussion: This study provides vital insights into the mental health status of Chhattisgarh's tribal populations. It underscores their socioeconomic challenges, high prevalence of substance use disorders, and barriers to accessing mental health services. The study highlights the importance of delivering mental health care within tribal communities, emphasizing the engagement of locally available primary care health workers. Furthermore, it advocates for an integrated approach that acknowledges the role of faith healers in tribal communities' mental health care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Internet use has spread across the world due to easy accessibility and affordability. However, it has been creating many problems at several levels. So, there is a need to identify the suitability of psychometric properties and the factor structure of the widely used Internet Addiction Test (IAT) in the Indian settings. Our objective was to perform an exploratory factor analysis on the IAT and to test the reliability of the scale. Methods: It was a cross-sectional study that included various professional groups. We used an online questionnaire that included sociodemographic details and Young’s IAT. Exploratory factor analysis was used to identify the factor structure of Young’s IAT in the Indian setup. Results: The mean age of the sample (N = 1,782) was 27.7 years (SD = 8.74) with a predominantly male population 1040 (58.4%). In total, 1.0% (17) of the sample had significant problems with internet usage, whereas 13% (232) were in the range of frequent/occasional problems, and the mean score on IAT was 32 (SD = 16.42). Exploratory factor analysis revealed two factors that explained 49% of the variance (Kaiser–Meyer–Olkin measure of sampling adequacy: 0.95, Bartlett’s test of sphericity: P = 0.000). They were “mood and relationship issues” and “duration and productivity.” Cronbach’s α was 0.92, which indicates a high level of internal consistency. Conclusion: In Indian settings, IAT can be understood based on the two-factor structure. The scale has excellent reliability. Further studies are needed to replicate these results, by using confirmatory factor analysis and validity testing.

Objective: Catatonia can be life-threatening unless timely identified and treated. Lorazepam's ubiquitous response has led to its universal acceptance as being the first-line management of catatonia and alludes to catatonia's neurobiological underpinnings. Lorazepam challenge test (LCT) is widely used to either confirm a catatonia diagnosis or determine lorazepam sensitivity. It has a proposed schedule for administering lorazepam. However, efficacy of recommended LCT doses lack systematic evidence, resulting in variable LCT doses used in clinical and research settings contributing to findings that are challenging to generalize or assist with developing standardized lorazepam treatment protocols for catatonia. Given the same, this study aimed to objectively compare the response between two groups receiving different LCT doses and factors influencing the same. Methods: The 6-month study in a psychiatric emergency setting at a tertiary neuropsychiatric center in India evaluated 57 catatonia patients, before and after administration of single 2 mg (n = 37; LCT-2) or 4 mg (n = 20; LCT-4) lorazepam dose, applying Bush Francis Catatonia Rating Scale (BFCRS), Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI 5.0) and obtaining sociodemographic, clinical data. Results: No between-group differences (LCT-2 vs LCT-4) for sociodemographic, clinical profiles or BFCRS severity score changes to lorazepam on Mann–Whitney U test were noted. Applying Wilcoxon signed rank test comparing individual sign severity demonstrated response variability, with significant response noted to both doses (stupor, mutism, staring, posturing, withdrawal, ambitendency, automatic obedience) and others selectively to 2 mg (echolalia, rigidity, negativism, mitgehen). Notably, sign resolution (present/absent) only to 2 mg was significant for stupor, mutism, staring, posturing, echolalia, rigidity, negativism and mitgehen. Conclusion: This study suggests 2 mg lorazepam may be an optimal LCT dose, given significant response to most catatonic signs thereby ensuring accurate detection and preventing misinterpretation of response. It offers future studies direction for standardizing lorazepam dosing schedules for catatonia management and exploring neurobiological underpinnings for individual catatonic signs that may be potentially different, given these findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Panic disorder (PD) is one of the most common and debilitating anxiety disorder. Individuals with PD seek frequent healthcare and emergency services leading to frequent work absenteeism and economic burden. However, its prevalence patterns in the Indian context are poorly understood. Hence, this article discusses the epidemiology, disability, and treatment gap from India's National Mental Health Survey 2016., Materials and Methods: National Mental Health Survey 2016 was a nationally representative epidemiological survey of adult respondents from 12 states of India. Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview 6.0.0 is used to diagnose psychiatric disorders. Sheehan disability scale was used to assess the disability. The current weighted prevalence of PD was estimated. Association between PD and its sociodemographic correlates was done using Firth penalized logistic regression. The treatment gap and disability in PD were also calculated., Results: The lifetime and current weighted prevalence of PD was 0.5% (95% confidence interval 0.49-0.52) and 0.3% (95% confidence interval 0.28-0.41), respectively. The male gender and unemployed have significantly lesser odds with current PD. The elderly, Urban metro, and the married/separated group have significantly higher odds with current PD. The most common comorbid psychiatric disorder is agoraphobia (42.3%) and depression (30.9%) followed by Generalized Anxiety Disorder (10%). Among respondents with current PD in the past 1 month across three domains, around 80% had a disability of any severity and 20%-25% had marked disability. The overall treatment gap of current PD is 71.7%., Conclusion: It is the first study reporting prevalence from a nationally representative sample from the general population of India. The survey has shed light on the epidemiology and the challenges faced by those with PD which emphasizes the urgency of bridging the treatment gap. These findings are paramount to the development of more inclusive and effective mental health policies and interventions to tackle the current burden due to PD., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest., (Copyright: © 2023 Indian Journal of Psychiatry.)