Indian Journal of Health and Wellbeing

Deyashini Lahiri ¹, Amool Ranjan Singh ²

Affiliations
1 Ranchi Institute of Neuro-Psychiatry and Allied Sciences, Kanke, Ranchi, Jharkhand, IN
2 Department of Clinical Psychology, Ranchi Institute of Neuro Psychiatry and Allied Sciences, Kanke, Ranchi, Jharkhand, IN

Abstract

Gender specific vulnerability of the brain to neuro-developmental disruption leading to schizophrenia has been evidenced. Gender differences have been noted in two neuro-developmentally underpinned variables- Minor physical anomalies (MPAs) and attentional impairments in schizophrenia. We aimed to compare attention and MPAs in male and female patients with schizophrenia; to find predictors to discriminate the group based on gender; and to assess the influence of MPAs on the association between attentional impairments and gender in schizophrenia. Thirty patients with early onset schizophrenia (in remission) were recruited. While attention was assessed using the Digit span, the Digitvigilance and the Trail Making Tests, MPAs were comprehensively assessed using the 55 item Extended Waldrop Scale. Study variables were analyzed using parametric measures. Male schizophrenia patients were found to have significantly higher MPAs in skull/scalp, which discriminated the gender based classified groups. There was no significant correlation between gender and attentional measures, even with controlling for MPAs. This study supports the finding that total and specific cranio-facial MPA scores and, impaired attention are indeed illness markers in schizophrenia patients. We conclude that although present in higher numbers in male schizophrenia patients, neuro-developmental anomalies do not intercede the relationship between gender and attentional impairment.

Keywords

Gender, Schizophrenia, Neurodevelopment, Neuropsychology, Minor Physical Anomalies, Attention.

Full Text

     

Geo A. Joseph ¹, C. R. J. Khess ², Amool Ranjan Singh ³

Affiliations
1 Central Institute of Psychiatry, Ranchi, Jharkhand, IN
2 Department of Psychiatry, Central Institute of Psychiatry, Kanke, Ranchi, Jharkhand, IN
3 Department of Clinical Psychology, Ranchi Institute of Neuropsychiatry and Allied Sciences, Kanke, Ranchi, Jharkhand, IN

Abstract

Bipolar affective disorder is a devastating mental illness with alternating episodes of mania, depression and mixed mood states with some inter episodic recovery phase in between. Age of onset of this illness can be at any age from childhood to old age. Usually people get affected by this serious illness during their adolescence, hence this affect their study, career and marriage prospects. Damage caused by this illness is not just limited to social, occupational, familial and financial aspects. Fundamental cognitive functions like attention, memory and executive function required for a life time will get badly affected due to the psychotic nature of the illness and long term use of psychiatric medicines. At present in our country, treatment of bipolar affective disorder is grossly centered on pharmacological management with mood stabilizers and antipsychotics. This study is an elementary effort to incorporate cognitive rededication training in the current treatment regime of bipolar affective disorder in order to enhance cognitive functions and thereby improve quality of life and self-esteem of patients with bipolar disorder in remission.

Keywords

Bipolar Affective Disorder, Cognitive Remediation Training, Quality of Life, Self-Esteem.

Full Text

     

Prem Prakash ¹, Amool Ranjan Singh ²

Affiliations
1 Department of Psychiatric Social Work, Ranchi Institute of Neuro-Psychiatry and Allied Sciences, Kanke, Ranchi, Jharkhand, IN
2 Department of Psychology, Ranchi Institute of Neuro-Psychiatry and Allied Sciences, Kanke, Ranchi, Jharkhand, IN

Abstract

Alcoholism is generally regarded as one of the most serious public health problems and a devastating disorder for affected individuals, their families and society. It becomes difficult for the individual to control his alcohol taking behavior, however, it can becured by psycho-therapeutic techniques and improving quality of life. The aim of the present study was to examine the role of group therapy in the enhancement of quality of life in individuals with alcohol dependence syndrome using Group Therapy. Twenty two individuals diagnosed with alcohol dependence syndrome according to ICD-10 DCR were chosen from the inpatient departments of RINPAS using the purposive sampling technique. After taking informed consent from the individuals, Socio-demographic and Clinical Data Sheet, Severity of Alcohol Dependence Questionnaire, and WHO Quality of Life-Bref were administered to establish the baseline. They were randomly assigned to the TAU+GT (experimental) group and TAU (control) group. Group therapy was given in the form of total ten to twelve sessions of 45 to 60 minutes with a frequency of twice a week to the TAU+GT group. After completion of the therapy sessions, post assessment was done and the follow up assessment was done after three months of post assessment. Data was analyzed with the help of Mann-Whitney U test, Wilcoxon Sign Rank test and Chi-square test. Significant better Enhancement was found in the level of Quality of life among individuals with alcohol dependence syndrome in the post intervention phase which was maintained at follow up stage.

Keywords

Group Therapy, Alcohol Dependance, Quality of Life.

Full Text

     

Vishmita ¹, Amool Ranjan Singh ²

Affiliations
1 Department of Psychiatric Social Work, Ranchi Institute of Neuro-Psychiatry and Allied Sciences, Kanke, Ranchi, Jharkhand, IN
2 Department of Psychology, Ranchi Institute of Neuro-Psychiatry and Allied Sciences, Kanke, Ranchi, Jharkhand, IN

Abstract

In this study, we assessed the role of group therapy in the enhancement of self esteem in schizophrenia. The study was cross-sectional hospital based study. 20 patients diagnosed with schizophrenia according to ICD-10 DCR were chosen from different inpatient departments of RINPAS, Kanke using the purposive sampling technique. After taking informed consent from the patients. Socio-Demographic and Clinical Data Sheet, Rosenberg self esteem scale were used for the assessment. After completion of the therapy sessions, post assessment was done and the follow up assessment completed after three months of post assessment. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) 20.0 for windows was used for statistical analysis with the help of Mann-Whitney U test, Wilcoxon Sign Rank test and Chi-square test. Result revealed that there were significant differences in the scores of self esteem between experimental and control group after intervention. Major finding of this study shows that group therapy improves self esteem in schizophrenia.

Keywords

Group Therapy, Social Skill Training and Schizophrenia.

Full Text