Jitender Aneja

Do the various categories of somatoform disorders differ from each other in symptom profile and psychological correlates.

Background: In routine clinical practice, the subcategories of various somatoform disorders are rarely used by the primary care physicians and there is lack of data to suggest any difference in the clinical manifestations of these subcategories. Aim: To compare the symptom profile, anxiety, depression, alexithymia, somato-sensory amplification and hypochondriasis of patients with persistent somatoform pain disorder with other subtypes of somatoform disorder. Method: A total of 119 patients diagnosed with somatoform disorders according to the International Classification of Diseases–10th Revision (ICD-10) were evaluated for prevalence of somatic symptoms, anxiety, depression, alexithymia, hypochondriacal worry and somato-sensory amplification. Results: No significant differences were found in the prevalence of various somatic complaints between those with persistent somatoform pain disorder group and those diagnosed with other somatoform disorders. Co-morbid anxiety and depression were seen in two-thirds of the patients, but again there was no difference in the prevalence of the same between the two groups. Similarly, no significant differences were found on alexithymia, hypochondriasis and somato-sensory amplification scales between the persistent somatoform pain disorder group and the group with other somatoform disorders. Conclusion: There are no significant differences between the various subcategories of somatoform disorders with regard to the prevalence of somatic symptoms, anxiety or depression and psychological correlates of alexithymia, hypochondriasis and somato-sensory amplification.

Stigma and its correlates among patients with bipolar disorder: A study from a tertiary care hospital of North India

This study aimed to assess stigma and its sociodemographic and clinical correlates among patients with bipolar disorder while in remission. 185 patients currently in remission were assessed on Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness Scale (ISMIS) for internalized stigma, Explanatory Model Interview Catalogue Stigma Scale for perceived stigma and Participation scale for restriction of activities. About 28% patients reported moderate to high level of self stigma as assessed by ISMIS total score. Discrimination experience (38.9%) was reported to be the most commonly experienced self stigma followed by alienation (28.6%) and social withdrawal (28.6%). On the participation scale, about two-fifth (42%) of the participants had severe restriction of activities. Internalized stigma was higher among those with lower age and lesser income. Higher level of stigma was associated with shorter mean duration of remission, income, mean duration of depressive episodes, higher severity of residual depressive symptoms and current level of functioning. Higher internalized stigma was associated with greater restriction in participation of activities. To conclude, present study suggests that self stigma is highly prevalent among patients with bipolar disorder in India and is associated with clinical variables like duration of depressive episodes and level of functioning.

Influence of religion and supernatural beliefs on clinical manifestation and treatment practices in patients with bipolar disorder

Abstract Background: Religious and supernatural beliefs influence help seeking and treatment practices in bipolar disorder, but these are rarely explored by clinicians. This study aimed to understand religiousness, magico-religious beliefs, prevalence of religious and supernatural psychopathology and treatment practices among patients with bipolar disorder in euthymic state. Methodology: A total of 185 patients of bipolar disorder currently in remission were assessed cross-sectionally for their clinical profile, current clinical status on the Hamilton Depression Rating Sscale (HDRS), Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) and the Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF). A semi structured instrument for magico-religious beliefs, aetiological models, treatment seeking and treatment practices was administered. Results: More than a third of patients (37.8%) had psychopathology with either religious or supernatural content or both in their lifetime. Almost half (45.4%) the patients believed in a supernatural/religious aetiology for their illness. Among the specific causes, planetary influences (13.5%) and God’s will (30.8%) were the most common supernatural and religious cause, respectively. Almost half (44.3%) of patients had first treatment contact with religious/supernatural treatment providers. More than 90% of patients reported belief in God, yet about 70% reported that their doctors did not ask them sufficient questions to understand their religiosity. Conclusion: Magico-religious beliefs are common in bipolar disorder and a large number of patients attribute these as aetiological factors for their illness. Consequently they tend to seek treatment from traditional practitioners prior to approaching medical practitioners and may continue treatment with them alongside medical management.

Cotard's syndrome: Two case reports and a brief review of literature.

Cotards syndrome is a rare neuropsychiatric condition in which the patient denies existence of ones own body to the extent of delusions of immortality. One of the consequences of Cotards syndrome is self-starvation because of negation of existence of self. Although Cotards syndrome has been reported to be associated with various organic conditions and other forms of psychopathology, it is less often reported to be seen in patients with catatonia. In this report we present two cases of Cotards syndrome, both of whom had associated self-starvation and nutritional deficiencies and one of whom had associated catatonia.

Eosinophilia induced by clozapine: A report of two cases and review of the literature

Clozapine, an atypical antipsychotic, has been used in the treatment of schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders. Although it has good therapeutic effect but many a time it use is overridden by the associated adverse effects which range from minor to severe life-threatening events. There has been extensive literature for severe side effects like leukocytosis but limited data are available for transient eosinophilia. Here, we present two cases of benign transient eosinophilia and discuss the importance of recognizing eosinophilia while using clozapine.

Can masturbatory guilt lead to severe psychopathology: a case series.

Masturbation is common in all societies. Despite being common, it is admonished culturally and almost all religions prohibit masturbation and consider it an act of immorality. The prohibition for masturbation leads to a lot of cultural beliefs, including certain myths, which influence sexual behavior of the person. The impact of these common cultural myths associated with masturbation, are clinically understood as Dhat syndrome and masturbatory guilt. Although there is a reasonable literature on Dhat syndrome, there is limited literature with regard to masturbatory guilt especially linking the same with axis-I psychopathology. In this case series, three cases of masturbatory guilt are presented in whom masturbatory guilt was associated with manifestation of severe psychopathology. This report suggests that masturbatory guilt must be enquired for in patients presenting with severe mental disorder.

Explanatory models of somatoform disorder patients attending a psychiatry outpatient clinic: A study from North India:

Background: The symptoms of somatoform disorders are very distressing to the sufferer as well as pose significant burden on the health-care delivery system. Although the nature of symptoms is physical, the underlying mechanisms are not clearly understood. Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the explanatory models of patients with somatoform disorders presenting to a tertiary care hospital in Northern India. Method: A total of 99 consecutive adult patients (≥18 years) with diagnosis of somatoform disorders according to the International Classification of Diseases–10th Revision (ICD-10) were evaluated for their explanatory models using the causal models section of Explanatory Model Interview Catalogue (EMIC). Results: The mean age of the study sample was 36.52 years, and the mean duration of illness was 59.39 ± 57.68 months. The most common clinical diagnosis was that of persistent somatoform pain disorder. The most common explanations given belonged to the category of psychological factors (68.7%) followed by weakness (67.7%), social causes (51%) and karma–deed–heredity (53.5%) category. The mean number of etiological categories reported were 2.6 (standard deviation (SD) = 1.7). Among the various specific causes, the commonly reported explanations by one half of the sample in decreasing order were general weakness (63.6%), mind–thoughts–worry category (59.6%) and loneliness (53.5%). The mean number of specific etiologies was 4.9 (SD = 3.83). Conclusion: Most of the patients with somatoform disorder attribute their symptoms to psychological factors. It also becomes imperative to understand the physical symptoms in somatoform disorders from the sociocultural aspects of patients.

Metabolic syndrome in alcohol-dependent men: A cross-sectional study

Background: In the context to mental illness metabolic syndrome (MS) has gained significant attention in the last decade. The present research aimed to study the prevalence of MS and its correlates among the alcohol-dependent men at a deaddiction center in Northern India. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional analysis was done for consecutive male subjects who met the diagnosis of alcohol-dependence syndrome currently using alcohol according to the International Clinical Diagnostic criteria- tenth revision mental and behavioral disorder- Clinical description and diagnostic guidelines criteria (ICD-10). The subjects were evaluated for alcohol consumption and the components of MS as per the International Diabetic Federation (IDF) and National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel-III (NCEP ATP-III). Results: A total of 200 male subjects were studied: 100 subjects meeting ICD-10 criteria for alcohol dependence currently using alcohol; 50 each of genetically related controls and nongenetically related healthy controls. As per the IDF (with ethnicity specific modifications for waist circumference) and NCEP ATP- III definitions, respectively, MS was found to be less prevalent in alcohol-dependent subjects (27% and 18%) in comparison the healthy controls (30% and 20%). Conclusion: Findings of the study suggest that irrespective of the amount the current alcohol intake is associated with a lower prevalence of MS and a favorable effect on serum high density lipoproteins and waist circumference. However, the cross-sectional nature of our study does not allow any definitive causal inference.

Recovery and its correlates among patients with bipolar disorder: A study from a tertiary care centre in North India.

Background and Aim: The goal of treatment in mental illness has evolved from a symptom-based approach to a personal recovery–based approach. The aim of this study was to evaluate the predictors of personal recovery among patients with bipolar disorder. Methodology: A total of 185 patients with bipolar disorder, currently in remission, were evaluated on Recovery Assessment Scale (RAS), Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness Scale (ISMIS), Brief Religious coping scale (RCOPE), Duke University Religiosity Index (DUREL), Religiousness Measures Scale, Hamilton depression rating scale (HDRS), Young Mania rating scale (YMRS) and Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) scale. Results: The mean age of the sample was 40.5 (standard deviation (SD), 11.26) years. Majority of the participants were male, married, working, Hindu by religion and belonged to extended/joint families of urban background. In the regression analysis, RAS scores were predicted significantly by discrimination experience, stereotype endorsement and alienation domains of ISMIS, level of functioning as assessed by GAF, residual depressive symptoms as assessed by HDRS and occupational status. The level of variance explained for total RAS score and various RAS domains ranged from 36.2% to 46.9%. Conclusion: This study suggests that personal recovery among patients with bipolar disorder is affected by stigma, level of functioning, residual depressive symptoms and employment status of patients with bipolar disorder.

Recovery among patients with severe mental illness: Factor analysis of recovery assessment scale in Indian setting

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate recovery among patients with severe mental disorders by using Recovery Assessment Scale (RAS). Additionally this study evaluated the, factor structure of RAS in the Indian setting, and assessed the correlates of recovery in severe mental illness. Methodology: Two hundred and eighty-five patients with severe mental illness (bipolar disorder-185 [BD], schizophrenia-100) currently in remission were recruited for the study. Clinical rating scales - Young Mania Rating Scale, Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, and Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale for Schizophrenia were used for assessing remission and residual symptoms. RAS was administered for recovery assessment. Results: Majority of the patients were married males belonging to urban background with no significant difference in sociodemographic profile of schizophrenia and BD groups. On factor analysis of RAS, all 41 items had loaded on one of the factors (compared to 24 items on the old factor structure). Five-factor were obtained with two factors - personal confidence and hope, goal and success orientation being similar to the old factor structure and three new factors being identified as awareness and control over the illness, seeking and relying on social support and, defeated/overcome the illness. Overall recovery measures were higher in BD group, and higher levels of residual depressive symptoms were associated with significantly lower level of recovery in BD. In the schizophrenia group, level of positive symptoms correlated negatively with goal and success orientation (as per the current analysis) and higher level of negative symptoms correlated positively with the domain of “reliance on others” as per the old factor structure. Conclusion: RAS follows a five-factor structure in Indian context, which is different than that reported in the previous study. There are few sociodemographic and clinical correlates of recovery.