Browsing by Author "Indira Sharma"

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Clinical profile of psychotic disorders in the elderly: A retrospective study
(Indian Academy of Clinical Medicine, 2015) Keertish Narayana; Ashutosh Kumar; Indira Sharma
Background: Much about psychotic disorders in the elderly remains obscure due to exclusion of this age group in a majority of studies. H owever, as the population ages, this problem is expected to increase. The study was conceived with the aim of assessing the clinical profile of psychotic disorders in the elderly. Settings: Psychiatry out-patient department of a teaching hospital in Northern India. Design: Retrospective chart review. Material and methods: The sample comprised of all the patients with psychosis who were 60 years or older. Data p er taining to socio-demographic details and clinical features were obtained from the medical records and analysed using descriptive statistical methods. The patients with onset of psychosis before 60 years of age wer e compared with those who developed psychosis after or at the age of 60 years using Chi-square analysis. Results: A total of 72 patients met the inclusion criteria. The most common diagnosis was schizophrenia (40%) followed by bipolar disorder (30.5%). Family history of psychiatric illness was present in 34.7% of the sample, out of which psychosis NOS (12.5%) was the most common diagnosis. When compared to patients with onset before 60 years, those with onset af ter 60 years had higher frequency of precipitating factors and co-morbid medical illness and lesser frequency of psychiatric illness in the FDRs. Conclusion: There is an ever increasing need to study the psychotic disorders in elderly as a distinct clinical entit y. Future research could pave the way for better preventive and management strategies for psychosis in this vulnerable age group. © 2015, Indian Academy of Clinical Medicine. All rights reserved.
COVID-19 pandemic hype: Losers and gainers
(Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications, 2020) Indira Sharma; Mrugesh Vashnav; Reet Sharma
Background: Ever since the COVID-19 pandemic was declared by the WHO as a Global Public Health Emergency the COVID-19 pandemic has been hyped by the media. Aim: To review the literature on COVID-19 pandemic hype, losers and gainers. Method: Literature on COVID-19 pandemic hype, January to August 2020, was retrieved from pubmed, google scholar and news media, and reviewed. Results: The COVID-19 Pandemic has been hyped directly by highly disturbing messages from the WHO, news of famous people getting infected and dying because of the coronavirus, and highlighted news in media. Indirect hype has been by fake news and verambitious attempt to contain the virus. There have been many losers and gainers of the corona hype. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic hype has caused huge loss to the world community, but substantial gains are also being witnessed. Media coverage should be balanced. Intensive public awareness programs coupled with best possible medical treatment to symptomatic cases are recommended. © 2020 Indian Journal of Psychiatry Published by Wolters Kluwer-Medknow.
Domestic Violence in Married Women with Mental Illness & Non-Mental Illness
(Institute of Medico-Legal Publications, 2015) Jyoti Srivastava; Indira Sharma; Anuradha Khanna
Background: Domestic violence against women is the most pervasive human rights violation in the world today. According to UNiTE to End Violence against Women (2009) by UN Women, In the United States, one-third of women murdered each year are killed by intimate partners. In South Africa, a woman is killed every 6 hours by an intimate partner. The Objective: To assess the magnitude and causes of domestic violence with mental illness & non-mental illness. Material & Method: The sample of study comprised of 50 women with mental illness and 50 women with non-mental illness. Mental illness patient diagnosed according to with Axis one psychiatric Disorder DSM IV-TR, who were selected from the Psychiatry OPD and ward of the S.S. Hospital, BHU and non-mental illness were be selected from the accompany with patients of Sir Sunder Lal Hospital. The patients were assessed on the structured questionnaire on Domestic Violence. Results – The domestic violence present in married women with mental illness was 72% and non-mental illness was 36%. Perceived causes of domestic violence in married women with mental illness were more compared to those with non-mental illness. The health care personnel should be given an opportunity to update their knowledge regarding domestic violence and there is need education for domestic violence and cessation, so that they can help the women to protect/prevent domestic violence. © 2015, Indian Journal of Public Health Research and Development. All Rights Reserved.
Hinduism, marriage and mental illness
(2013) Indira Sharma; Balram Pandit; Abhishek Pathak; Reet Sharma
For Hindus, marriage is a sacrosanct union. It is also an important social institution. Marriages in India are between two families, rather two individuals, arranged marriages and dowry are customary. The society as well as the Indian legislation attempt to protect marriage. Indian society is predominantly patriarchal. There are stringent gender roles, with women having a passive role and husband an active dominating role. Marriage and motherhood are the primary status roles for women. When afflicted mental illness married women are discriminated against married men. In the setting of mental illness many of the social values take their ugly forms in the form of domestic violence, dowry harassment, abuse of dowry law, dowry death, separation, and divorce. Societal norms are powerful and often override the legislative provisions in real life situations.
Impairment and classroom environment in adolescents with conversion disorder
(Indian Association for Child and Adolescent Mental Health, 2015) Narayana Keertish; Indira Sharma
BACKGROUND: Conversion disorder has been found to be the most common neurotic disorder in children and adolescents. Yet, little attempt has been made to look at the school environment and pattern of impairment in conversion disorder, which may have a bearing on management of the same. OBJECTIVE: Aim of the study was to assess the magnitude and pattern of impairment and the classroom environment in adolescents with Conversion Disorder. METHODS: Thirty school going adolescents with Conversion Disorder, diagnosed as per DSM-IV-TR criteria, and thirty healthy matched controls, comprised the sample. Patients and controls were assessed by the Brief Impairment Scale (BIS) and Classroom Environment Scale (CES). RESULTS: The patient group had significantly higher mean total score on the BIS when compared to the control group. Impairment was also found to be significant in each of the subscales, namely; interpersonal, school/work and self fulfillment. When compared on the CES, the patient and the control group did not show any significant difference in the mean scores of the various dimensions of classroom environment. CONCLUSION: Conversion Disorder in adolescents is associated with impairment in various domains of life and these impairments should also be the focus of management and rehabilitation in such patients. © 2015, Indian Association for Child and Adolescent Mental Health. All right reserved.
Lifestyle modification for mental health and well‑being
(Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications, 2024) Indira Sharma; Arun V. Marwale; Roop Sidana; Ishwar D. Gupta
Background: Unhealthy life-style leads to mental ill-health and poor quality of life and is the major determinant of a wide range of lifestyle disorders. The aim was to 1) review the work relating to life style modification for promoting mental health and 2) Present recommendations on life-style modification for mental health and wellbeing. Material and Methods: The work on life style changes for promotion of mental health was retrieved from the scientific literature and critically reviewed. Conclusions: Recommendations on ‘Life-style modification for mental health and wellbeing’ are presented. 20 specific components of healthy life style included are: Routine, time management, prayer, basic activities, reading newspaper, study/work, exercise, recreation/ relaxation/ talent promotion, education, cognitive activities, social networking, guidelines for behavior, peer group, social group, marriage/family, life skills, physical health, health education, mobile use, and digital media. The lifestyle modification package is comprehensive and geared to promote mental health and well-being. © 2024 Indian Journal of Psychiatry | Published by Wolters Kluwer - Medknow.
Management of issues relating to marriage, mental illness, and Indian legislation
(Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications, 2022) Mrugesh Vaishnav; Indira Sharma
[No abstract available]
Marriage, mental illness and law
(Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications, 2015) Indira Sharma; Karri Rama Reddy; Rabindra Mukund Kamath
The Special Marriage Act (SMA), 1954 and the Hindu Marriage Act (HMA), 1955 have put restrictions on the marriage of persons with mental illness, which are proving to be detrimental to patients and their families. There is an urgent need to address this problem. The deficiencies in the existing legislation have been projected and constructive suggestions have been put forward.
Postpartum psychiatric disorders: Early diagnosis and management
(Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications, 2015) Shashi Rai; Abhishek Pathak; Indira Sharma
Postpartum period is demanding period characterized by overwhelming biological, physical, social, and emotional changes. It requires significant personal and interpersonal adaptation, especially in case of primigravida. Pregnant women and their families have lots of aspirations from the postpartum period, which is colored by the joyful arrival of a new baby. Unfortunately, women in the postpartum period can be vulnerable to a range of psychiatric disorders like postpartum blues, depression, and psychosis. Perinatal mental illness is largely under-diagnosed and can have far reaching ramifications for both the mother and the infant. Early screening, diagnosis, and management are very important and must be considered as mandatory part of postpartum care.
Social and legal aspects of marriage in women with mental illness in India
(Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications, 2015) Indira Sharma; C. Tripathi; Abhishek Pathak
The institution of marriage in Hindus is regulated by the prevailing social norms and the Hindu Marriage Act (HMA), 1955. Married women with mental illness are heavily discriminated. This paper examines the social and legal aspects of Hindu marriage in women with mental illness. The HMA, 1955 lays down the conditions for a Hindu marriage and also provides matrimonial reliefs: Nullity of marriage, restitution of conjugal rights, judicial separation and divorce. The application of the provisions of HMA in the setting mental illness is difficult and challenging. There is a wide gap between the legislative provisions of HMA, and societal value systems and attitudes towards marriage in Indian society. Societal norms are powerful and often override the legal provisions. The disparities are most glaring in the setting of mental illness in women. This is a reflection of social stigma for mental illness and patriarchal attitude towards women. Concerted efforts are needed to bridge the gap between the legislative provisions of HMA and societal value systems and attitudes toward marriage. Awareness programs regarding the nature and types of mental illness, advances in treatment and information about good outcome of severe mental illness will be helpful. Improvement in moral and religious values will overcome to some extent the negative attitudes and patriarchal mind set toward married women with mental illness.
Study of frustration in adolescents with conversion disorder
(Indian Association for Child and Adolescent Mental Health, 2015) Narayana Keertish; Indira Sharma
CONCLUSION: Adolescents with conversion disorder, instead of evading the frustrating situation, are excessively pre-occupied with the barrier causing frustration. Thus, efforts to overcome this deficiency should be a part of management of conversion disorder in adolescents in order to achieve early recovery and to prevent relapse.; BACKGROUND: Conversion disorder has been found to be the most common neurotic disorder in children and adolescents. The relationship between temperament and conversion disorder is well documented, but there is dearth of Indian studies directed at studying the psychosocial and temperamental/ personality factors in adolescents with conversion disorder.; OBJECTIVE: Aim of the study was to assess the reactions of adolescents with Conversion Disorder to frustrating situations as measured by the Rosenzweig’s Picture-Frustration Study.; METHODS: Thirty school going adolescents with Conversion Disorder, diagnosed as per DSM-IV-TR criteria, and thirty healthy matched controls, comprised the sample. Patients and controls were assessed by the Rosenzweig’s Picture-Frustration Study.; RESULTS: The patient group was superficially well adjusted, as evident by the Group Conformity Rating score. However, the patient group was deficient in other areas, both in the type (higher scores on obstacle dominance) and direction of aggression (lower scores on imgression). The patient group also had deficiency in the superego defense patterns (lower scores on intropunitive deviant and combination of intropunitive deviant and imgression) and pattern of 3 most frequent responses (higher frequency of extrapeditive scores). © 2015, Indian Association for Child and Adolescent Mental Health. All rights reserved.
Training CAMHS professionals in developing countries: An Indian case study
(2005) Nisha Dogra; Clay Frake; Karen Bretherton; Kedar Dwivedi; Indira Sharma
This paper presents a rationale for the education of CAMHS staff and service development as a partnership between the UK and developing countries. The local context and background of child and adolescent mental health services in India are described, and the rationale for the teaching principles is outlined. The planning and delivery of the teaching, following these principles, is illustrated through a case study of work in India. The discussion focuses on what worked well, problems and difficulties faced, how these were managed, and how visitors can influence change whilst respecting the local perspective. Suggestions are made for improving future programmes so as to maximise the outcomes of such links. © 2005 Association for Child and Adolescent Mental Health.
Violence against women
(Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications, 2015) Neena Bohra; Indira Sharma; Shruti Srivastava; M.S. Bhatia; Uday Chaudhuri; Sonia Parial; Avdesh Sharma; Dinesh Kataria
Violence against women (VAW) is a major public health problem in the country. The problem is grossly under-reported. A number of factors have been blamed for crimes against women. An inefficient law enforcing machinery has often been targeted for the increasing number of cases being reported. There is little recognition that psychiatric morbidity can perpetuate such crimes. Of late, there appears to a continuous increase in the number of crimes committed against women; especially the very serious ones like gang rapes. The latter have shaken the very conscience of people. Even harsher legislation does not seem to have made any effect. One wonders how this could be possible in a society heading toward high education, economic and technological development. Media has played a pivotal role by highlighting the problem to the masses. The need for the hour is for mental health professionals to take the challenge and present a comprehensive proposal for definite action to prevent all forms of VAW.
Violence against women: Where are the solutions?
(Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications, 2015) Indira Sharma
[No abstract available]
Women mental health in India
(Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications, 2015) Indira Sharma; Abhishek Pathak
[No abstract available]