ITBPF
August 26, 2017
Editor-in-Chief of the Open Journal of Psychiatry & Allied Sciences (OJPAS®), Shyamanta Das had an interactive session in the Transit Camp of the Indo-Tibet Border Police Force (ITBPF) at Jalukbari, Guwahati.
Sexual Dysfunction and Antipsychotic
August 25, 2017
In an Interactive Workshop on Schizophrenia Management, Shyamanta Das, Editor-in-Chief of the Open Journal of Psychiatry & Allied Sciences (OJPAS®) spoke on Sexual Dysfunction and Antipsychotic at Hotel Gateway Grandeur, Guwahati.
Anubhav
August 25, 2017
Anubhav, the souvenir of the Gauhati Medical College Hospital Karmachari Santha (GMCHKS) is released during its 35th biennial conference held in Academic Hall, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, GMCH, Guwahati. Shyamanta Das, the Editor-in-Chief of the Open Journal of Psychiatry & Allied Sciences (OJPAS®) wrote on ‘stress at workplace’.
The article, titled “Karmasthanat manoxik chap” began with mention about the journal’s editorial board member Professor Russell Franco D’Souza, MD and his International Institute of Organisational Psychological Medicine. The article also discusses the original work “A study to assess burnout among nurses of maternity department in Gauhati Medical College Hospital, Assam” by Marami Baishya and Bivarani Goswami that was published in the January-June 2016, Volume 7 Issue 1 of the journal.
Adult
Hiranya Saikia joins OJPAS®
August 22, 2017
Dr. Hiranya Saikia, M. Sc., M. Phil., Ph. D. joins the Open Journal of Psychiatry & Allied Sciences (OJPAS®) as Statistical Consultant. Dr. Saikia is the Senior Lecturer (Biostatistics) in the Department of Community Medicine (SPM), Assam Medical College, Dibrugarh-786 002, Assam, India.
Clinical Research
August 18, 2017
With the patronage of Professor Hemendra Ram Phookun, HOD and the initiative of the Open Journal of Psychiatry & Allied Sciences (OJPAS®), Dr Niyati Prasad conducted a workshop on “Clinical research” in the Seminar Room of the Department of Psychiatry, Gauhati Medical College Hospital, Guwahati, Assam, India.
Dr Niyati is the Medical Director of Vertex from Paddington, London and in the workshop she covered study design, randomised controlled trial, sample size, and drug development in different phases. Dr Jyotismita Choudhury convened the workshop and the event was made lively by the participation of the following:
- Prof Shailendra Kumar Talukdar
- Dr Bobby Hmar
- Dr Shyamanta Das
- Dr Utpal Bora
- Dr Simanta Talukdar
- Dr Bishnu Baishyal
- Dr Bornali Das
- Hemanta Sharma
- Dr Juhi Gupta
- Dr Rajnikant Mehar
- Dr Sanjay Singh
- Dr Sanju Borgohain
- Dr Suranjita Mazumdar
- Dr Arundhati Bhagabati
- Dr Jita Baruah
- Dr Jyotismita Choudhury
- Dr Rajvardhan Narayan
- Dr Amlanjyoti Deb
- Dr Chayanika Chaudhury
- Dr Nilofar Rahman
- Dr Porinita Chutia
- Dr Priyam Sharma
- Dr Sasanka Kumar Kakati
ABCD of child psychiatry
July 29, 2017
Shyamanta Das, Editor-in-Chief of the Open Journal of Psychiatry & Allied Sciences (OJPAS®) attended the Mid Term CME of the Meghalaya Branch of the Indian Psychiatric Society at Shillong as a speaker on the topic, “ABCD of child psychiatry- a newer understanding”.
Psychotropic use and sexual dysfunction
July 23, 2017
Shyamanta Das, Editor-in-Chief of the Open Journal of Psychiatry & Allied Sciences (OJPAS®) delivered a talk on “Psychotropic use and sexual dysfunction – is there a practical solution” in the Midterm CME of the Indian Psychiatric Society, Eastern Zonal Branch held in Kolkata on 22 and 23 July 2017 with the theme of “Clinical dilemmas in psychiatry”.
Dr. Mekhala Sarkar in the Editorial Board
Welcome Dr Mekhala Sarkar to the editorial team of the Open Journal of Psychiatry & Allied Sciences (OJPAS®). She is an Assistant Professor in National Institute of Mental Health, Bangladesh. She also holds the position of Scientific Secretary, Bangladesh Association of Psychiatrists and is the Executive Editor of the Bangladesh Journal of Psychiatry.
Samrat Singh Bhandari, the Assistant Editor
19 July 2017
Earlier Editorial Board Member Dr. Samrat Singh Bhandari, MD assumed the post of Assistant Editor of the Open Journal of Psychiatry & Allied Sciences (OJPAS®). Dr. Samrat is the Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry, Sikkim Manipal Institute of Medical Sciences, Gangtok, Sikkim, India. He is also Member, International Forum of Teachers (IFT), UNESCO Haifa Bioethics Chair.
Russell F D’Souza in Editorial Board
18 July 2017
Professor Russell Franco D’Souza, MD joins the Editorial Board of the Open Journal of Psychiatry & Allied Sciences (OJPAS®). Professor D’Souza is Head, Asia Pacific Division, UNESCO Chair in Bioethics (Haifa) as well as Dean and Executive Director, Professor of Psychological Medicine, International Institute of Organisational Psychological Medicine (www.iiopm.org). Professor D’Souza is also the founding managing editor of the Asian Journal of Psychiatry.
OJPAS® in Index Copernicus
12 July 2017
The July-December 2015, Volume 6 Issue 2 of the Open Journal of Psychiatry & Allied Sciences (OJPAS®) is now in Index Copernicus.
Putul Mahanta joins Editorial Board
11 July 2017
Dr. Putul Mahanta, MBBS, MD, FIAMLE, FICFMT joins the Editorial Board of the Open Journal of Psychiatry & Allied Sciences (OJPAS®). Dr. Mahanta is the Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal of Health Research and Medico Legal Practice (IJHRMLP) and currently holds the post of Associate Professor, Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Tezpur Medical College, Bihaguri, Tezpur-784010, Assam, India. Dr. Mahanta authored the Modern Textbook of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology.
OJPAS® in Index Copernicus
10 July 2017
The January-June 2016, Volume 7 Issue 1 of the Open Journal of Psychiatry & Allied Sciences (OJPAS®) is now in Index Copernicus.
OJPAS® in Index Copernicus
8 July 2017
The July-December 2016, Volume 7 Issue 2 of the Open Journal of Psychiatry & Allied Sciences (OJPAS®) is now in Index Copernicus.
OJPAS® in Index Copernicus
5 July 2017
The January-June 2017, Volume 8 Issue 1 of the Open Journal of Psychiatry & Allied Sciences (OJPAS®) is now in Index Copernicus.
OJPAS® in Index Copernicus
4 July 2017
The current issue (July-December 2017, Volume 8 Issue 2) of the Open Journal of Psychiatry & Allied Sciences (OJPAS®) is now in Index Copernicus.
OJPAS® in ResearchBib
2 July 2017
The current issue (July-December 2017, Volume 8 Issue 2) of the Open Journal of Psychiatry & Allied Sciences (OJPAS®) is now in ResearchBib.
OJPAS® in Google Scholar
2 July 2017
The current issue (July-December 2017, Volume 8 Issue 2) of the Open Journal of Psychiatry & Allied Sciences (OJPAS®) is now in Google Scholar.
OJPAS® in DOAJ
2 July 2017
The current issue (July-December 2017, Volume 8 Issue 2) of the Open Journal of Psychiatry & Allied Sciences (OJPAS®) is now in the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ).
OJPAS® in IndianJournals.com
2 July 2017
The current issue (July-December 2017, Volume 8 Issue 2) of the Open Journal of Psychiatry & Allied Sciences (OJPAS®) is now in IndianJournals.com with DOIs.
New Issue
2017 June 28
The July-December 2017 Volume 8 Issue 2 of the Open Journal of Psychiatry & Allied Sciences (OJPAS®) is released and uploaded.
President speaks
31 May, 2017
Dr. Mythili Hazarika, the President of the Society for Mental Health in LAMIC (SoMHiL) had been invited as a resource person in one of the reputed schools in Guwahati “Army Public School” to deliver a talk to the primary, high school, and higher secondary school teachers on various issues related to students’ emotional, behavioural, and academic issues which are a matter of concern in today’s world. She had administered a scale regarding the teachers’ knowledge, attitude, perception, and belief towards mental illnesses. There were altogether 96 teachers and they were taught various strategies to identify normal “difficult” behaviour, problem behaviour, and pathological behaviour among students. The intervention strategies to deal with depression, anxiety, addiction to social networking, gaming, sleep hygiene, too much socialising, lack of motivation in academics were received very positively. The relationship between teacher-student was focused for the academic success of the students. The teachers’ expressed the great need for understanding a child’s mind from a child’s perspective and reiterated their belief on positive communication. The Principal Mrs. Prabha Dastidar expressed her enthusiasm to apply the skills learnt in the seminar and expressed her appreciation towards the speaker for a comprehensive presentation.
UGC Approved
31 May 2017
The University Grants Commission (UGC)-approved List of Journals includes the Open Journal of Psychiatry & Allied Sciences (OJPAS®).
Mohapaalnaam
May 13, 2017
Under the Secretary-ship of Dipa Das, the Gopal Krishna Naamghar Unnayan Xamiti organised the 19th annual Mohapaalnaam at its premises situated in Ambari Railway Colony, Guwahati-781001. The Secretary’s speech on the occasion was printed by Academy Publisher.
Leslie Marneau joins Editorial Board
May 9, 2017
Leslie Marneau, Clinical Psychologist and Consultant on Mental Health and Autistic Spectrum Disorders joins the Editorial Board of the Open Journal of Psychiatry & Allied Sciences (OJPAS®). She is from France.
After her Master of Psychology of Child Development from the University Paris, she had University Degree on Developmental Disorder from the same university. Leslie also holds Professional Development Training Certificate, France as well as had undergone Humanitarian Project Management and Design from BioForce Institut.
Her professional experiences include Psychosocial Desk in French Red-Cross where she formalises data collection tool and database on Excel as well as offers training for psychosocial activities in Cameroun, Severe Acute Malnutrition Program. Leslie is consultant trainer in mental health, France, Laos, Thailand. She is founder and manager of “A Bus for Autism” (Development and Research on care for ASD in South East Asia). In Vientiane Autism Centre, Laos, Leslie looks after proposal and project management of “Diagnostic Clinic” where her work covers diagnostic consultations and assessments for children, training of staff, training of trainers. She is psychologist in France, Spain, Laos, Thailand. In addition, Leslie does management and coordination, short term respite care for adults with special needs.
She participated in the International Conference on Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorder, World Health Organization, Shuchona Fondation, Buthan (2017), International Journal of Child Development Conference, Rajanagarindra Institute, Thailand (2016), and Conference on Traditional Thai Medicine for Developmental Disorder, Rajanagarindra Institute, Thailand (2015).
Leslie authored “Adaptation of assessment for autism in countries with lower income”, published in the International Journal of Child Development and Mental Health as well as the Guest Editorial, titled “About some problems in the epidemiological studies of autism”, published in OJPAS®.
Army Institute of Nursing
2017 May 3
Shyamanta Das, Editor of the Open Journal of Psychiatry & Allied Sciences (OJPAS®), formerly Dysphrenia talked on ‘psychiatric emergencies during postpartum and puerperium’ during the workshop on ‘Obstetrical emergencies’ held in the Army Institute of Nursing, Basistha, Guwahati.
OJPAS® in Hinari
2017 May 2
“Hinari Programme set up by WHO together with major publishers, enables low- and middle- income countries to gain access to one of the world’s largest collections of biomedical and health literature.”
The Open Journal of Psychiatry & Allied Sciences (OJPAS®), formerly Dysphrenia is now in Hinari (http://extranet.who.int/hinari/en/browse_publisher.php?n=100000&all=true&pub=86).
Parenting manual launch
2017 April 29
The Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP), Guwahati City Branch and Guwahati Psychiatry Club had organised a CME where the parenting and caregivers’ manual in Assamese version: “Asar Beboharor Pora Protipalonoloi… Ek Obhivabokor Haat Puthi”, coauthored by Dr Bornali Das, Senior Lecturer of Psychiatric Social Work, Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) as well as Secretary of the Society for Mental Health in LAMIC (SoMHiL) along with Prof Dipesh Bhagabati, Former HOD, Department of Psychiatry, GMCH was inaugurated that focused on parents’ communication styles and discipline issues.
The manual will be helpful not only for children with emotional and behavioural issues but also for parents of normal child. The manual described the mal-behaviours and underlying emotions of parents with examples, and the conversations between parent and child. This will help for better autonomy of parenting role. Lastly the manual provides better self-direction and enrich resilience for parents with parenting stress.
The manual was launched by Prof HR Phookun, HOD, Department of Psychiatry, GMCH. IPCA Laboratories Ltd has supported and cosponsored for the manual as well as for the event. Many senior paediatricians congratulated and expressed gratitude to select the platform to launch and expressed the need to join hands in treating autism and ADHD. It was requested that copies of the parenting and caregivers’ manual are made available in their clinics.
Unaiza Niaz joins Editorial Board
2017 April 29
Unaiza Niaz, MD, DPM, FRCPsych joins the Editorial Board of the Open Journal of Psychiatry & Allied Sciences (OJPAS®). Prof Niaz is a Consultant Psychiatrist & Psychotherapist.
She is Honorary Member of The World Psychiatric Association (WPA) as well as Arab Federation of Psychiatrists. She is also Advisory Council Member, Section on Women’s Mental Health, WPA; Distinguish International Member, American Psychiatric Association; Advisory Board Member, International Association of Women’s Mental Health; and Vice President, Eastern Mediterranean Region, & Board Member, World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH).
“The Pakistan Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (PSTSS) was founded in December 2005, following the Pakistan Earthquake. Soon a virtual Institute of Psycho Trauma Pakistan (IPTP) was formed as a project of PSTSS .The idea was for the professionals to share information about the effects of trauma, both locally & internationally. IPTP, is dedicated to the discovery and dissemination of knowledge about psycho trauma and service initiatives that seek to reduce traumatic stressors and their immediate and long-term consequences.” Prof Niaz is the President of PSTSS (http://psychotrauma.pk) and one of the trustees of PANAH (http://www.panahshelter.org/) that “provides shelter and solace to women who are victims of domestic and societal injustices and empowers them to take the path of soico- economic independence”.
She authored the Guest Editorial, titled “Women and mental health”.
Mental Health and Emotional Wellbeing
2017 April 19, 20
Dr Bornali Das (MSW, MPhil, PhD), Senior Lecturer, Psychiatric Social Work, Department of Psychiatry, Gauhati Medical College Hospital, Guwahati, Assam and Secretary, Society for Mental Health in LAMIC (SoMHiL) was invited for a two-day workshop on “Mental Health and Emotional Wellbeing” held on 19 and 20 April 2017 in Rajiv Gandhi Central University, Doimukh, Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh. Dr Bornali delivered on ‘Risk and protective factors of suicide prevention’ and ‘Psychological first aid training for youth’. In her presentation she showed videos related to suicide survivors, activities like balloon burst, role play done from stories of real life situations and related to suicide risk; these generated interesting discussion and insights. Delegates were taught to administer SADPERSONS suicide assessment scale and few key questions to assess the intent. Oxford Happiness questionnaire was distributed and assessed towards the end of the sessions. Delegates reported they were enriched to gain knowledge on their happiness index. Faculties and delegates of the university have applauded on her deliberation.
Recent statistics say that there is a rise of youth suicide attempt and suicidal behaviour in the state of Arunachal Pradesh along with substance abuse. The university is planning to open “Centre for Youth Development” under Department of Social Work. Psychological counselling and community support services will be undertaken.
The workshop was attended by 70 delegates from across departments like Economics, Mathematics, Sociology, Education, Commerce, Physical Education apart from Department of Social Work students. Dr Tame Kena, Psychiatrist, RK Mission Hospital, Itanagar spoke on ‘Role of depression in suicide’. Ms Buli Daimari, Department of Psychiatric Social Work, LGB Regional Institute of Mental Health, Tezpur, Assam energised the delegates with activities focusing on ‘Lifestyle and stress’. Dr Apurba Saha, Assistant Professor, Department of Social Work, Tezpur Central University delivered on ‘Identifying emotions and stress and prevention of suicide’. The session of Mrs Angshu Lama, Lecturer cum Vice Principal, School of Nursing, Down Town Hospital, Guwahati was on ‘Positive metal health perspective and strengthening gatekeepers of suicide prevention’.
Women & Wellbeing
2017 April 12
“It is not the woman who is the problem;
it is not you who is the problem,
it is the domestic violence
that is the problem,”
stated by Dr. Mythili Hazarika, President of the Society for Mental Health in LAMIC (SoMHiL) in today’s (12/04/17) training course on “Gender Sensitisation” sponsored by Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT), Government of India at Assam Administrative Staff College, Khanapara, Guwahati as a resource person. Dr. Hazarika gave an insight on the psychological effects of gender-based violence on women, and issues like role strains, role conflicts, and role ambiguities leading to various emotional and behavioural problems in women were discussed. The interactive session led to clarification of various myths associated with psychiatric illnesses.
Disaster mental health
8 April 2017
Jayanta Dutta of Morigaon Civil Hospital organised the 12th Midterm CME of the Indian Psychiatric Society, Assam State Branch (IPSASB) on 8 April 2017 at Zizina Otis Resort, Mayang, Pabitora, Morigaon in collaboration with the Assam Medical Service Association (AMSA), Morigaon on behalf of IPSASB. C Naveen Kumar and E Aravind Raj from the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bangalore were among the resource persons in this CME with the theme of “Disaster mental health: resilience to rehabilitation”.
Uddip Talukdar, Editorial Board Member of the Open Journal of Psychiatry & Allied Sciences (OJPAS®) spoke on ‘Psychiatric complications in disaster survivors’ in session A. Session B was co-chaired by Bornali Das, Secretary of the Society for Mental Health in LAMIC (SoMHiL) and Editorial Board Member of OJPAS®. One of the speakers in this session was Mythili Hazarika, President of SoMHiL and Editorial Board Member of OJPAS® who spoke on ‘Psychosocial intervention in disaster mental health’.
The inaugural issue of Susthamon, a biannual magazine on mental health in vernacular language, i.e. Assamese with Hrishikesh Kalita as Executive Editor is released during the CME. One of the articles is penned down by Shyamanta Das, Editor of OJPAS®.
“Depression: Let’s Talk”
‘World Health Day 2017 in Guwahati, Assam’ Event
7 April 2017
It was a cold and windy Friday morning in Guwahati. The Organising Team gathered at NEDFi House, the venue. The delegates started pouring in. Registration number crossed 170. Dr Bornali Das, Psychiatric Social Worker from the Department of Psychiatry, Gauhati Medical College Hospital (GMCH), Guwahati and Secretary of Society for Mental Health in LAMIC (SoMHiL) started the proceedings with recitation of a caption that won the first prize among adults:
Tired of trying
Tired of hoping
Tired of coping
Tired of existing
Tired of breathing
Tired of living
“I am done”
Organising Chairperson Prof Hemendra Ram Phookun, Professor and Head of the Department (HoD), Department of Psychiatry, GMCH welcomed the delegates and invited Prof Atindra Kumar Adhikari, Principal-cum-Chief Superintendent, GMCH and Dr Debashish Roy, Regional Team Leader, East, World Health Organization – India (NPSP) to the dais. There was lighting of the lamp.
Distinguished dignitaries were felicitated with assists from Gitali Kakati (Editorial Assistant, Open Journal of Psychiatry & Allied Sciences [OJPAS]) as well as Arundhati Bhagawati, Jyotismita Choudhury, and Manisha Bora from the Department of Psychiatry, GMCH.
Prof Adhikari delivered the keynote address, followed by World Health Day (WHD) theme presentation by Dr Roy.
Next was a skit on depression by Aawaz Foundation from Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Guwahati and the performers were Devdarshan Chetia, Anuraag Khaund, Priyam Bhardwaj, Sagarika Pathak, Mandit Bhuyan, Anamriya Baruah, Annesha Goswami, Medha Kaushik, and Gaurav Barthakur.
Former HoD, Department of Psychiatry, GMCH Prof Dipesh Bhagabati delivered his lecture on “Depression: relevance and way forward in the state of Assam and North East Region of India” followed by the narration of his suffering from depression by Biswajyoti Das.
Dr Mythili Hazarika, Clinical Psychologist, Department of Psychiatry, GMCH and President of SoMHIL played a video on depression in vernacular language, i.e. Assamese. Thereafter an interactive session with audience was started. Prompt participation was rewarded with chocolates instantaneously. Happiness questionnaire was also presented and explained.
Prof Seema Rekha Devi, Professor and HoD, Department of Plastic Surgery, GMCH presented on depression from the perspectives of individuals after burn injury. It was followed by Rocky Srivastava’s speech on his experience following a burn injury who has successfully recovered from depression.
Prof Phookun moderated the Panel Discussion participated by Manisha Hazarika, Dr Srutimala Duara, PJ Baruah, Dr Debajit Nath, and Neelotpal Deka representing personalities from music, academics, literature, media, police, and law. It was followed by a lively participation from the audience.
Prize distribution of the build-up events followed. The judges were Dr Ahalya Raguram (Professor and Former HoD of Clinical Psychology, NIMHANS, Bangalore) and Varsha Avadhany (Organisational Development Consultant, Bangalore). Children’s caption competition was won by Dyuksha Hazarika from Royal Global School, Guwahati, Rinkie Bora from Shrimanta Shankar Academy, Guwahati, and Nimisha Patra from Royal Global School. Adults’ caption competition was won by Ricky Khuraijam, Sarangthem Bijeeta, and Lalnunmawie; all of them were from Arya Nursing College, Guwahati. The award for poster went to Nilakshi Kalita of Cotton College State University, Guwahati.
Organising Secretary Dr Shyamanta Das, Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry, GMCH and Editor, OJPAS offered the vote of thanks on behalf of the Organising Team: the World Health Organization (WHO) represented by Dr Roy, Dr Subhajit Bhattacharjee (North East Sub-Regional Team Lead [Assam & 6 Sister States], WHO India -NPSP, Guwahati), and Dr Arup Kumar Deka (State Surveillance Medical Officer, Assam, WHO India – NPSP-Unit, Guwahati) and the Department of Psychiatry, GMCH.
DMHP & GMCH: a report
2017 April 1
Dr Rajeev Kumar Sharma, Addl Director of Health Services (G), Assam cum State Programme Officer, National Mental Health Programme, Assam requested Prof Hemendra Ram Phookun, Professor and Head of the Department, Department of Psychiatry, Gauhati Medical College Hospital (GMCH), Guwahati to conduct training of different categories of staff working under District Mental Health Programme (DMHP). The Department agreed and thus, under the stewardships of Prof Phookun and Dr Ramen Talukdar, Superintendent, GMCH, a team of faculties of the Department consisting of Dr Shyamanta Das (Editor of the Open Journal of Psychiatry & Allied Sciences [OJPAS®]), Dr Bornali Das (Secretary of the Society for Mental Health in LAMIC [SoMHiL]), Dr Simanta Talukdar, Dr Mythili Hazarika (President of the Society for Mental Health in LAMIC [SoMHiL]), and Dr Utpal Bora took the responsibility for the event with assist from office staff Dhanti Borah.
The following 12 districts of Assam were approached where currently DMHP is going on: Dhubri, Goalpara, Baksa, Nalbari, Darrang, Morigaon, Nagaon, Karbi Anglong, Karimganj, Majuli, Tinsukia, and Dhemaji. Sixteen doctors working as Medical Officers as well as ten psychologists and social workers from the above mentioned districts turned up. They include: Dr Bhaskar Singha, Dr Probin Kr Nath, Dr Dhrubajyoti Deka, Dr Kaushik Kr Doloi, Dr Pabitra Mahilary, Dr Basob Jyoti Hazarika, Dr Nazrul Islam, Dr Aparajita Pator, Dr Lakshi Kanta Teron, Dr Rahul Nath, Dr Devraj Deori, Dr Amit Kumar Deka, Dr Abinash Talukdar, Dr Kiran Borah, Dr Guljar Hussain, Dr Sandip Roy, Pranjal Rajkhowa, Hinse Boru, Gitamoni Borah, Nirupama Chetia, Momi Devi, Snigdha Pathak, Susmita Sarkar, Prodip Timung, Puspa Kalita, and Lakhyajyoti Das.
Maslow’s basic needs were taken care of in the forms of gut satisfying food and accommodation in comfort. Thereafter resumed the brainstorming sessions of five days from 27 to 31 March 2017 having 15-class a day from 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. The nature of training was in the forms of both induction and refresher training with the expected outcome of capacity enhancement to implement the activities of DMHP as per national guidelines.
Apart from the above mentioned faculties of the organising team, the resource persons also included other faculties of the Department: Dr Deepanjali Medhi, Dr Bobby Hmar, Dr Amal Chandra Baishya, and Hemanta Sharma. Dr Lakshya Basumatary from Department of Neurology, GMCH and Chandranshu Chaturvedy, Research Officer, Judicial Academy, Assam added shine to the glitterati of resource persons. While Basumatary talked on ‘epilepsy’, Chaturvedy deliberated on the ‘legal aspects in psychiatry’.
The faculties of the Department covered all the relevant topics related to mental health: aetiology of mental illness, classification of symptomatology, case history taking, case presentation, neurosis, anxiety disorders, generalized anxiety disorder, panic and phobia, conversion disorder/ somatisation, obsessive-compulsive disorder, depression, mania, schizophrenia, dementia, organic psychosis, delusional disorder, psychotic disorders, mental retardation, externalising disorders, internalising disorder, geriatric psychiatry, suicide and prevention, acute psychiatric emergency, alcohol and substance abuse disorder, counselling and psychotherapy, casework and group therapy, group therapy in community, microskills of counselling and practice, family therapy, cognitive behaviour therapy, community based rehabilitation, stress management, psychometry, life skills education, motivational interview, psychodiagnostic and testing, advocacy and networking, parent management in childhood, ethics in counselling, integration of mental health, community mental health, research in mental health.
There was an exposure visit on 30 March 2017 to Astitva, the multispeciality clinic for holistic management where the founder Kakoli Nath, Audiologist and Speech Pathologist gave the participants orientation. Pre- and post-assessments were done along with feedback as well as certificates for participation were distributed among the participants by the faculties of the Department.
Child and adolescent mental health
2017 March 30
Shyamanta Das, Editor of the Open Journal of Psychiatry & Allied Sciences (OJPAS®) talked on “Management of child and adolescent mental health problems” in the workshop on “Child and adolescent mental health: a challenge for teachers” organised by Asian Institute of Nursing Education, Guwahati on 30 March 2017 at Pragati Manor, Guwahati.
Academic Search Alumni Edition (EBSCO Publishing)
‘Indexing and Abstracting’ of the ‘Peer-Reviewed’ ‘Academic Journal’, Open Journal of Psychiatry & Allied Sciences (OJPAS®),[www.ojpas.com] formerly ‘Dysphrenia’ (‘ISSN: 2249-9377’) in ‘Academic Search Alumni Edition (EBSCO Publishing)’ ‘started from 07/01/2012’ and Availability is ‘Available Now’.[https://www.ebscohost.com/titleLists/a2h-journals.htm]
'Registered'
Open Journal of Psychiatry & Allied Sciences (OJPAS) is ‘Registered’ with Controller General of Patents Design & Trade Marks, Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India; thus, OJPAS™ becomes OJPAS®
Interface of Emergency Medicine and Mental Health: Part II
In the follow-up Guest Lecture at the Department of Emergency Medicine, Gauhati Medical College Hospital, Guwahati, today the Tuesday 14 March 2017, Shyamanta Das continued deliberating upon the psychiatric disorders having implication in the Emergency Department setup with assist from Olivia Kakati.
Registration Forwarding Letter
March 14, 2017
Academy Publisher has received the Registration Forwarding Letter along with the Certificate of Registration in respect of the title OPEN JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY & ALLIED SCIENCES in accordance with the provisions of the Section 19 of the Press and Registration Book Act read with rule 10 of the Press and Registration of Newspapers (Central) Rules, 1956 from the Registrar of Newspapers for India.
Editorial Board Meeting
At Rajdhani Regency, Guwahati on Thursday 9 March 2017, Shyamanta Das participated in the Editorial Board Meeting of the International Journal of Health Research and Medico-Legal Practice (IJHRMLP).
Interface of Emergency Medicine and Mental Health: Part I
On Thursday 9 March 2017 in the Seminar Room of the Emergency Department (ED), a Guest Lecture was delivered by Shyamanta Das with assist from Olivia Kakati, deliberating upon the psychiatric disorders having implication in the ED setup.
Certificate of Registration
Certificate of Registration from the Office of the Registrar of Newspapers for India (RNI), Government of India issued to certify that Open Journal of Psychiatry & Allied Sciences (OJPAS) has been registered under the Press and Registration of Books (PRB) Act, 1867 (Online Registration Certificate).
RNI
Open Journal of Psychiatry & Allied Psychiatry (OJPAS) has been registered with Registrar of Newspapers for India (RNI) with registration number: ASSENG/2016/70661.
ICD-11
Shyamanta Das, MD, as a member of the Global Clinical Practice Network (GCPN), participated in the Internet-Based Field Study for ICD-11 Mental and Behavioural Disorders: Disruptive Behavior and Dissocial Disorders, conducted by the World Health Organization: Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse.
Psychological aspects in selecting children for cochlear implants
Dr Bornali Das, PhD, Senior Lecturer, Psychiatric Social Work (PSW) and the Secretary of the Society for Mental Health in LAMIC (SoMHiL) was invited as a speaker to deliver on a topic, “Psychological aspects in selecting children for cochlear implants” on 1st March 2017. The workshop was organised by the Composite Regional Centre for Persons with Disabilities, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DIVYANGYAN) under Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India in collaboration with Prateeksha Hospital, Guwahati at Grand Starline Hotel, Guwahati.
The workshop was attended by around 70 participants from various specialties- Medical, Non-Medical, Paramedical fraternities. There was interactive session with the speaker. Dr Bornali highlighted on various parent-based interventions for the children of cochlear implants. All the participants have well-received and given feedback of benefits from the workshop.
ITBPF CME
Shyamanta Das, MD, Editor of LAMIC Psychiatry spoke on “Alcohol & Stress” in the NORTH EAST FRONTIER CONTINUING MEDICAL EDUCATION (CME) PROGRAMME 2016 on the Theme “Awareness and Healthy Living—Makes a Healthy Force” organized by 33rd Bn, Indo-Tibet Border Police (ITBP) Force under the aegis of North-East Frontier Headquarter on 18th of January 2017 at Conference Hall, Transit Camp ITBP, Jalukbari, Guwahati, Assam. Other speakers include Dr NK Das, MCh (Neurosurgery), GNRC Hospital, Guwahati, Dr Pranab Deka, DM (Cardiology), Narayana Super Specialty Hospital, Guwahati, and Dr DJ Borah, NACO, Guwahati.
Inauguration
Print copy of the new issue of the Open Journal of Psychiatry & Allied Sciences (OJPAS™) is inaugurated by Sugandha Kashyap1 in presence of Ranjit Baruah2.
1BSc (Psychology Honours) from Calcutta University, Kolkata, worked as Research Assistant in the Department of Psychiatry, Gauahti Medical College Hospital, Guwahati, and pursuing Diploma in Psychological Counselling from Indian Institute of Counselling, New Delhi
2Proprietor, Academy Publisher, publisher of the OJPAS™
Skill training for adolescent girls
“Women hold up half the sky” and much more was what Dr. Mythili Hazarika, the Deputy Editor of the Open Journal of Psychiatry & Allied Sciences (OJPAS™) highlighted in her panel discussion at the National Institute of Public Cooperation and Child Development (NIPCCD), Guwahati. She was invited as a panelist in a workshop on skill training on ‘Life Skill Education for Adolescent Girls for District Level Officials of ICDS and NHM’ on 8 December, 2016. The programme was attended by 40 district level officials of both ICDS (implementing the Rajiv Gandhi Scheme for empowerment of adolescent girls – SABLA) and NHM (district programme managers of RKSK/ WIFS/ ARSH). Participating states were Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Odisha, West Bengal, Manipur, Meghalaya, and Mizoram. Dr. Mythili had highlighted on four critical issues of adolescent girls, i.e. sexual and reproductive health, including gender-based violence, malnutrition and anaemia, mental health and substance misuse, and unintentional injuries and other forms of violence.
Psychology and paediatrics
Dr. Mythili Hazarika, the Deputy Editor of the Open Journal of Psychiatry & Allied Sciences (OJPAS™) was invited as a guest speaker in the 31st Annual Conference of Assam State Branch, Indian Academy of Pediatric in the Assam Medical College and Hospital, Dibrugarh on 3 December 2016. She spoke on “Toxic stress and resilience among children” from an eco-biopsychological perspective. She highlighted on toxic stress creating negative attitude among the adolescents in academics, relationships, and other domains. She had focused on children and adolescents’ impact of stress from the mother’s womb and beyond which gets manifested in health and mental health problems, including obesity, heart disease, and psychotic disorders.
World Congress of Social Psychiatry: Paper Presentation
In The Ashok, New Delhi, the 22nd World Congress of the World Association of Social Psychiatry (WASP 2016) is going on from 30 November to 4 December. The paper, titled “A different stigma and attitude in child psychiatry” is presented on 2 December by Simanta Talukdar and Samrat Singh Bhandari (Editorial Board Member of the Open Journal of Psychiatry & Allied Sciences [OJPAS™]), and co-authored by Shyamanta Das (Editor-in-Chief of OJPAS™), Bornali Das (Member of the Society for Mental Health in LAMIC [SoMHiL]), Kakoli Nath (Audiologist and Speech Language Pathologist from Astitva: a multispeciality clinic for holistic intervention), and Marami Baishya.
World Congress of Social Psychiatry: Poster Presentation
The 22nd World Congress of the World Association of Social Psychiatry (WASP 2016) is held in The Ashok, New Delhi from 30 November to 4 December. The poster, titled “Impact of stress, coping, social support, and resilience of families of autism spectrum disorder: a Northeast-based study” is presented on 1 December by Bornali Das (Member of the Society for Mental Health in LAMIC [SoMHiL]), Kakoli Nath (Audiologist and Speech Language Pathologist from Astitva: a multispeciality clinic for holistic intervention), and Shyamanta Das (Editor-in-Chief of the Open Journal of Psychiatry & Allied Sciences [OJPAS™]).
SnakSymp 2016
Dr Sashibha Barman from the Academia Dysphrenia spoke on ‘Snake bite management at GMCH with emergency care’ in the National Seminar on “Snake Venom Research and Snake Bite Therapy: National and International Perspectives” at the Tezpur University on 23 November 2016.
Chief Guest in Annual Sports Day
Deputy Editor of the Open Journal of Psychiatry & Allied Sciences (OJPAS™), Mythili Hazarika was invited to be the Chief Guest in the Annual Sports Day in Royal Global School on 19 November, 2016. Her speech had enlightened the audience on the essentials of sports in a child’s life not only as a regular exercise but to experience the communal feeling of being in a team, like learning to trust and depend on others, to accept hope, to give hope, to work together towards a common goal. And in addition to commitment to a team and doing something which is fun, sports participation have also found to reduce the risk of various mental illnesses in children like anxiety, emotional and behavioural problems and build resilience in children by building up their tolerance to frustration.
Mental health and social work
Dr Bornali Das of the Society for Mental Health in LAMIC (SoMHiL) was invited to be the resource person in the Rajiv Gandhi Central University for conducting a full day workshop on mental health, stress management, and life skills, and importance of mindfulness. Beneficiaries were students and faculties from the Department of Social Work in the premises of the Rajiv Gandhi Central University in Doimukh, Rono Hills, Arunachal Pradesh on 18 November 2016. The training was attended by 40 participants. Emphasis was laid on various student issues, and psychological and positive mental health. The entire team was well received and they expected long term association. A study on knowledge, attitude, and perception on mental illness was also conducted.
Panelist in skill training on guidance and counselling
Mythili Hazarika, Deputy Editor of the Open Journal of Psychiatry & Allied Sciences (OJPAS™) was invited to be a panelist in the National Institute of Public Cooperation and Child Development (NIPCCD) for a programme on “Skill training on guidance and counselling for teachers of government schools of greater Guwahati, Assam” on 18 November, 2016 in its premises at Jawahar Nagar, Guwahati. The training was attended by more than 40 senior teachers of Rashtriya Madhyamik Siksha Abhijan (RMSA) of greater Guwahati. Her emphasis on tools to detect learning problems in Assamese medium schools which her team is working on was well received and the teachers had expressed their solidarity and support if required.
Index Copernicus
The Index Copernicus Value (ICV) of the Open Journal of Psychiatry & Allied Sciences (OJPAS™) in 2015 is 70.57. Please visit: http://journals.indexcopernicus.com/Open+Journal+of+Psychiatry+andamp+Allied+Sciences,p24783829,3.html
Mental health awareness camp
The Indian Psychiatric Society, Assam State Branch (IPSASB) under the stewardship of Dr Utpal Bora, MD in association with Proyax, an initiative of the Pathan Hazarika Charitable Trust organised a mental health awareness camp at Khetri. Dr Bornali Das, PhD from the Society for Mental Health in LAMIC (SoMHiL) as well as Dr Mythili Hazarika, PhD and Dr Shyamanta Das, MD, the Deputy Editor and Editor-in-Chief of the Open Journal of Psychiatry & Allied Sciences (OJPAS™) were among the resource persons.
It’s different
Shyamanta Das, Editor-in-Chief and Mythili Hazarika, Deputy Editor of the Open Journal of Psychiatry & Allied Sciences (OJPAS™) presented the symposium, “It’s different! Stigma and attitude in child psychiatry” on Saturday 5 November at ITC Sonar, Kolkata during the 17th Annual National Conference of Indian Association of Private Psychiatry (ANCIAPP 2016).
Announcement
It’s different!
Environment, Culture, Health Orientation (ECHO) has been registered under the Societies Registration Act. XXI of 1860 at the Office of the Registrar of Firms & Societies, Assam, India in Guwahati on 19 October 2004 with No. RS/KAM/240/U/190 of 2004-2005. As part of its Health Orientation wing and according to the constitution, ECHO has formed a subcommittee, namely Society for Mental Health in LAMIC (SoMHiL).
In collaboration with Academia Dysphrenia, a registered institution [Registration Number 120 (B)/50 dated 24/08/2015 with Guwahati Municipal Corporation, Guwahati, Assam, India], SoMHiL strives to promote research in behavioural sciences related to mental health among the Low and Middle Income Countries (LAMIC). In pursuit of this, SoMHiL will take charge of running the Open Journal of Psychiatry & Allied Sciences (OJPAS™).
OJPAS™ is edited by Shyamanta Das and published by Academy Publisher. This journal was earlier named Dysphrenia. Like the journal’s renaming, it is felt that in the endeavour of promoting mental health in LAMIC, the name Academia Dysphrenia may come as a hindrance. Thus, this new development in the form of SoMHilL.
http://somhil.wixsite.com/ojpas
SoMHiL@hotmail.com
Members Updated!
| Association Members of Academia Dysphrenia: Updated (Friday 21 October 2016) | |
| Hemendra Ram Phookun | MD
Professor, Department of Psychiatry, Gauhati Medical College Hospital, Bhangagarh, Guwahati-781032, Assam, India |
| Debasish Basu | MD, DNB, MAMS
Editor, Indian Journal of Social Psychiatry Professor of Psychiatry, Drug De-addiction & Treatment Centre, Department of Psychiatry, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education & Research, Chandigarh-160012, India |
| Samrat Singh Bhandari | MD
Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry, Sikkim Manipal Institute of Medical Sciences, 5th Mile, NH 31A, Tadong, Gangtok-737102, Sikkim, India |
| Tanushree Sharma | MBBS Fourth Semester
All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India |
| Dan Joseph Stein | FRCPC, PhD
Professor & Head Dept of Psychiatry & Mental Health University of Cape Town & UCT-Affiliated Hospitals South Africa |
| Unaiza Niaz | MD, DPM, FRCPsych
Consultant Psychiatrist & Psychotherapist Honorary Member, The World Psychiatric Association Honorary Member Arab Federation of Psychiatrists Advisory Council Member Section on WMH, WPA Distinguished International Member, American Psychiatric Association Advisory Board Member, International Association of Women’s Mental Health Vice President, Eastern Mediterranean Region & Board Member, WFMH |
| Smita N Deshpande | MD, DPM
Consultant, Professor & Head, Department of Psychiatry & De-addiction Services & Resource Centre for Tobacco Control, PGIMER- Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, Park Street, New Delhi-110001, India |
| Soumitra Ghosh | MD
Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry, Assam Medical College Hospital, Barbari, Dibrugarh-786002, Assam, India |
| Leslie Marneau | Clinical psychologist, Trainer and Consultant, 53 rue de la Greffiere, 91700 Fleury-Merogis, Paris, France |
| Kornilia Hatzinikolaou | PhD
Lecturer of Developmental Psychopathology, School of Early Childhood Education, Faculty of Education, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, University Campus, 541 24, Thessaloniki, Greece |
| TS Sathyanarayana Rao | Editor, Indian Journal of Psychiatry
Editor, South Asian Societies for Sexual Medicine Chief Advisor, Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine Indian Journal of Social Psychiatry, Indian Journal of Geriatric Mental Health Editorial Board Member, SPF Journal of Psychiatry (SAARC Psychiatric Federation) Advisory Board Member, Open Journal of Psychiatry & Allied Sciences President, Indian Association for Geriatric Mental Health Secretary, Human Sexuality Section, WPA Member, Positive Psychiatry Section – WPA Professor, Department of Psychiatry, No 1111, 1st Floor, ‘B’ Block, JSS University, JSS Medical College and Hospital, M.G. Road, Mysore – 570004 http://www.indianjpsychiatry.org, http://www.tssrao.com, http://www.totalsexsolutions.com |
| Anweshak Das | MD
Consultant Psychiatrist, Guwahati Psychiatric Clinic, Guwahati, Assam, India |
| Arabinda N Chowdhury | 62 Abbots Way, Kettering, Northants NN15 6FW, United Kingdom |
| Krishan Kumar | Editor, Journal of Rural and Community Psychiatry
Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry, PGIMS, University of Health Sciences, Rohtak, Haryana, India |
| Sashibha Barman | MD (EM)
Registrar, Department of Emergency Medicine, Gauhati Medical College Hospital, Bhangagarh, Guwahati-781032, Assam, India |
Dysphrenia in Index Copernicus
It was in 2011 when Dysphrenia, the earlier name of the Open Journal of Psychiatry & Allied Sciences (OJPAS™) was indexed in Index Copernicus (http://journals.indexcopernicus.com/jml_archives/ICJML_2011.pdf).
President speaks at IPSASBCon 2016
Prof. Rezib-uz Zaman, Professor and Head of the Department, Department of Psychiatry, Silchar Medical College Hospital, Silchar delivered the Presidential speech, “Translational Science in Psychiatry”, co-authored by Shyamanta Das, Editor-in-Chief of the Open Journal of Psychiatry & Allied Sciences (OJPAS™) in the 26th Annual Conference of the Indian Psychiatric Society- Assam State Branch (IPSASBCon 2016) held at Silchar Medical College Auditorium, Silchar.
Guest Speaker
Guest Speaker, Shyamanta Das, the Editor-in-Chief of the Open Journal of Psychiatry & Allied Sciences (OJPAS™) talked on “Endocrinopsychiatry & Women” in the 26th Annual Conference of the Indian Psychiatric Society- Assam State Branch on ‘Women & Mental Health’ held at the Silchar Medical College Auditorium, Silchar on 24 September 2016.
Book release
Today at Press Club, Guwahati a book is released, “Lokabandhu Rajendranath Talukdar avinandan-grantha”; it contains a chapter, “Paribortanar tsunami” by Shyamanta Das, Editor-in-Chief of the Open Journal of Psychiatry & Allied Sciences (OJPAS™).
Rajendranath Talukdar is the father of Dr. Ramendranath Talukdar, Medical Superintendent of the Gauhati Medical College Hospital, Guwahati.
Notes to Myself: Shyamanta Das
President speaks at CEZIPS 2016
Prof. Hemendra Ram Phookun, Professor and Head of the Department, Department of Psychiatry, Gauhati Medical College Hospital, Guwahati delivering the Presidential speech, “Cart before the horse”, co-authored by Shyamanta Das, Editor-in-Chief of the Open Journal of Psychiatry & Allied Sciences (OJPAS™) in the 42nd Annual Conference of Indian Psychiatric Society Eastern Zonal Branch (CEZIPS 2016) held at Sinclairs Retreat, Kalimpong.
Tripura State Conference 2016
The 8th Biennial State Conference of the Indian Psychiatric Society, Tripura State Branch was held at Shaheed Bhagat Singh Yuba Awas, Agartala on 11 September 2016 with the theme of “The rising addiction- a global challenge”.
Guest Lecturer Shyamanta Das, Editor-in-Chief of the Open Journal of Psychiatry & Allied Sciences (OJPAS™) spoke on “The challenge of rising addiction: a Northeastern perspective”.
Shyamanta was honoured with a memento and a certificate.
A Souvenir was released to commemorate the event.
There was a banquet dinner in Assam Rifles’ campus at night.
Guest Lecturer
Shyamanta Das, Editor-in-Chief of the Open Journal of Psychiatry & Allied Sciences (OJPAS™) spoke on “Genetic counselling” in the 15th SUN PG CME at Imphal, Manipur as Guest Lecturer.
Scientific World Index
After review process and evaluation, “Open Journal of Psychiatry & Allied Sciences” has been accepted in Scientific World Index.
Renaming childhood psychiatric disorders
Shyamanta Das, Editor-in-Chief of the Open Journal of Psychiatry & Allied Sciences (OJPAS™) talked on “Renaming childhood psychiatric disorders: work in progress” in an interactive session with the doctors from the Lokopriya Gopinath Bordoloi Regional Institute of Mental Health (LGBRIMH). The session, held in the Aditya’s Centre Point at Tezpur on Saturday 13 August 2016 was chaired by Prof Aparajeeta Baruah.
Bharat Gaurav Award
The India International Friendship Society has chosen to honour Shyamanta Das, the Editor-in-Chief of the Open Journal of Psychiatry & Allied Sciences (OJPAS™) with Bharat Gaurav Award on 2nd August 2016.
Scientific Update
The 26th Annual Conference of the Indian Psychiatric Society, Assam State Branch with the theme of “Women & Mental Health” will be held on 23 and 24 September 2016 in Silchar Medical College Auditorium, Silchar.
A souvenir will be released to commemorate the event. In addition, a scientific update is planned that will be an ISBN publication (978-93-85063-18-3). Academy Publisher is publishing the update in collaboration with Bookbell on behalf of the organising committee.
Uniformity of Articles
Along with the theme of women and mental health, any article on subjects of contemporary relevance with recent developments is welcomed. The article is preferred to be within 3000 words, prepared in word format (.doc or .docx), and send by 22 August 2016 as email attachment to academypublisher@outlook.com with the following reference pattern-
Citations appear parenthetically in the text and listed in alphabetical, not in numbered order. In-text-citations should be as follows:
“… was reported (Sreevani 2015).”
or : “Sreevani (2015) reported …”.
In the case of 2 authors, use the “&” sign: (Kumar & Phookun 2015).
In the case of 3 and more authors, use “et al.”: “(Alam et al. 2015)”.
References should be listed in ALPHABETICAL ORDER at the end of the article as follows:
Das D, Talukdar U, Chisty SJS, Das MK, Das S. Serum prolactin level in patients taking olanzapine. Open J Psychiatry Allied Sci. 2015;6:50-8.
Sadock BJ, Sadock VA, Ruiz P. Kaplan & Sadock’s synopsis of psychiatry: behavioral sciences/clinical psychiatry. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer; 2015.
Nonacs RM, Cohen LS. Postpartum psychiatric syndromes. In: Sadock BJ, Sadock VA, editors. Kaplan & Sadock’s comprehensive textbook of psychiatry. 7th ed. New York: Lippincott Williams and Wilkinson; 2000. p. 1276-83.
Day Three
| Association Members of Academia Dysphrenia: Day Three (Thursday 15 July 2016) | |
| Krishan Kumar | Editor, Journal of Rural and Community Psychiatry
Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry, PGIMS, University of Health Sciences, Rohtak, Haryana, India |
Day Two
| Association Members of Academia Dysphrenia: Day Two (Thursday 14 July 2016) | |
| Unaiza Niaz | MD, DPM, FRCPsych
Consultant Psychiatrist & Psychotherapist Honorary Member, The World Psychiatric Association Honorary Member Arab Federation of Psychiatrists Advisory Council Member Section on WMH, WPA Distinguished International Member, American Psychiatric Association Advisory Board Member, International Association of Women’s Mental Health Vice President, Eastern Mediterranean Region & Board Member, WFMH |
| Smita N Deshpande | MD, DPM
Consultant, Professor & Head, Department of Psychiatry & De-addiction Services & Resource Centre for Tobacco Control, PGIMER- Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, Park Street, New Delhi-110001, India |
| Soumitra Ghosh | MD
Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry, Assam Medical College Hospital, Barbari, Dibrugarh-786002, Assam, India |
| Leslie Marneau | Clinical psychologist, Trainer and Consultant, 53 rue de la Greffiere, 91700 Fleury-Merogis, Paris, France |
| Kornilia Hatzinikolaou | PhD, Lecturer of Developmental Psychopathology, School of Early Childhood Education, Faculty of Education, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, University Campus, 541 24, Thessaloniki, Greece |
| TS Sathyanarayana Rao | Editor, Indian Journal of Psychiatry
Editor, South Asian Societies for Sexual Medicine Chief Advisor, Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine Indian Journal of Social Psychiatry, Indian Journal of Geriatric Mental Health Editorial Board Member, SPF Journal of Psychiatry (SAARC Psychiatric Federation) Advisory Board Member, Open Journal of Psychiatry & Allied Sciences President, Indian Association for Geriatric Mental Health Secretary, Human Sexuality Section, WPA Member, Positive Psychiatry Section – WPA Professor, Department of Psychiatry, No 1111, 1st Floor, ‘B’ Block, JSS University, JSS Medical College and Hospital, M.G. Road, Mysore – 570004. http://www.indianjpsychiatry.org, http://www.tssrao.com, http://www.totalsexsolutions.com |
| Anweshak Das | MD
Consultant Psychiatrist, Guwahati Psychiatric Clinic, Guwahati, Assam, India |
| Arabinda N Chowdhury | 62 Abbots Way, Kettering, Northants NN15 6FW, United Kingdom |
Day One
| Association Members of Academia Dysphrenia: Day One (Wednesday 13 July 2016) | |
| Hemendra Ram Phookun | MD
Professor, Department of Psychiatry, Gauhati Medical College Hospital, Guwahati, Assam, India |
| Debasish Basu | MD, DNB, MAMS
Editor, Indian Journal of Social Psychiatry Professor of Psychiatry, Drug De-addiction & Treatment Centre, Department of Psychiatry, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education & Research, Chandigarh-160012, India |
| Samrat Singh Bhandari | MD
Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry, Sikkim Manipal Institute of Medical Sciences, 5th Mile, NH 31A, Tadong, Gangtok-737102, Sikkim, India |
| Tanushree Sharma | MBBS Fourth Semester, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India |
| Dan Joseph Stein | FRCPC, PhD
Professor & Head Dept of Psychiatry & Mental Health University of Cape Town & UCT-Affiliated Hospitals South Africa |
Academia Dysphrenia
Academia Dysphrenia is a registered institution that strives to promote research in behavioural sciences among the Low and Middle Income Countries (LAMIC). In pursuit of that, it is currently running a journal, namely the Open Journal of Psychiatry & Allied Sciences (OJPAS™). OJPAS™ is edited by Shyamanta Das and published by Academy Publisher. In order to move ahead in this endeavour, your association and consent to be a Member of Acedemia Dysphrenia is highly solicited. The association and consent “should cause no more discomfort than you would experience in your everyday life”, as they say in the WHO ICD-11 Beta Draft. The only thing that will be required is your expert guidance from time to time to enrich this movement (academia.dysphrenia@gmail.com).
New issue
About the Journal says, “New ideas come from fresh minds before they are bogged down by conventional thinking. In the journal, we plan to tap those materials, ideas, and discussions”. Keeping in line with that, the July-December 2016, Volume 7 Issue 2 of the Open Journal of Psychiatry & Allied Sciences (OJPAS) is released by young aspirants, Jeeta, Jyotishmita, and Manisha, who will be psychiatrists soon!
Work in progress
Editorial Assistant Gitali Kakati in work for the next issue of the Open Journal of Psychiatry & Allied Sciences (OJPAS), i.e. July-December 2016 Volume 7 Issue 2.
Rashtriya Gaurav Award
The India International Friendship Society has chosen to honour Mythili Hazarika, the Deputy Editor of the Open Journal of Psychiatry & Allied Sciences (OJPAS™) with Rashtriya Gaurav Award on 18th June 2016.
Focused Group Discussion (FGD) on Specific Learning Disability (SLD)
Friday 17 June 2016 at Pragati Manor, Guwahati
Professor Hemendra Ram Phookun introduced the purpose of developing a tool to detect learning disability in vernacular language in the state of Assam and for that formation of this focused group. Dr Mythili Hazarika, Deputy Editor of the Open Journal of Psychiatry & Allied Sciences started her presentation with a case report. Thereafter she briefed the gathering on learning disability. Need and time to act for developing a detection tool in vernacular language is highlighted. Methodology to develop such a tool like content validity and reliability are covered. Feedback to the whole concept in general and regarding items to be included in the tool in particular are welcomed. This is the first focused group discussion for the purpose participated by 20 delegates from various fields including psychiatry, psychology, social work, special and remedial education, audiology and speech language pathology, counselling, along with teacher and student.
Editor-in-Chief, Open Journal of Psychiatry & Allied Sciences Dr Shyamanta Das talked about work already done for development of tool in vernacular medium in different area of mental health field and that can be taken as a guide. Special Educator Jyoti Gogoi introspected by our own lack of knowledge in certain domains as service providers. Lack of awareness in the schools including those in teachers is brought to attention by Counsellor Medini Devi. With support and attention, this group of population does improve is the observation made by Mayurakkhi Goswami, Counsellor
According to Rahul Gautam Sharma, now from Cotton College earlier Jatiyo Bidyalay, speaking in English is a fear for most of the students educated in vernacular language and for Assamese language some need symbolic cues. Consultant Clinical Psychologist Jayashree Das lauded the initiative and vowed to be a part as well as asked for involvement of teachers; even the education boards may need to be incorporated in this programme.
Kakoli Nath, Audiologist and Speech Language Pathologist shared her experience of working with these children for last many years. The importance of being able to enjoy working in this field, to overcome our own lack of knowledge by learning is stressed. Moreover, the underreporting as a result of not identifying iws pointed out by her. School Counsellor Moitrayee Gogoi was alarmed by the lack of knowledge in the subject and shared some of her own interactions with few such students.
Bobby Hararika, Assistant Teacher of Maidam Vidyapeeth ME School, an Assamese medium school said that the lower primary level students are comparatively worse because of the socioeconomic background of the families from which these children come, and hence, intensive work in these classes should be the initial priority. Dr Myhtili Hazarika reoriented that screening will be first step and then intervention. Remedial Educator Neel Harit Kaushik shared the fact of lacking awareness in the form of learning disability meaning all developmental disorders for most of the people.
Professor Hemendra Ram Phookun gave feedback in the form of literal translation being not able to express the internal meaning at times; he also gave certain examples. Here, Senior Consultant Psychiatrist Dr Jayanta Das throw light on abstract translation and he is optimistic that this is achievable. Dr Mythili Hazarika introspected by our own inadequacy of the Assamese language. The invention of words in vernacular language and continuous use of them will gradually make them acceptable, according to Dr Jayanta Das. Approaching persons who are working in fields of vernacular language can be a big advantage was Dr Jayanta Das’ observation.
To Consultant Psychiatrist Dr Nahid Suraiya Islam’s query, Dr Mythili Hazarika gave few examples of auditory discrimination screening. Chandamita Barua, School Counsellor shared few examples of students with such disorders being in the receiving end of punishment from teachers. Assistant Professor of Psychiatry Dr Bobby Hmar wanted an encompassing approach keeping in view the comorbidity. Neel Harit Kaushik reiterated what symptom led to what again calls for a combined approach.
Dr Anweshak Das, Consultant Psychiatrist liked the concept and also is in favour of all developmental disorders being attended to since these disorders go hand in hand. Going of this focused group to grass root level, e.g. village and school is important is what Dr Anweshak Das feels. Follow-up is another importance step according to Dr Anweshak Das. Dr Jayanta Das enriched the discussion by his input regarding making available handouts in vernacular language as an addition.
Funding is another area that has to be explored is what Dr Mythili Hazarika introduced. Neel Harit Kaushik shared her own difficulties in terms of funding. Assistant Professor of Psychiatry Dr Utpal Bora started by speaking on intrinsic and extrinsic factors as well as the need to draw flowcharts for identification. Here, involvement of paediatrician and neurologist can be an essential integral part. Instead of generalising, school and family specific factors need to be kept in mind and the feasibility of negotiating such issues are areas for introspection, according to Dr Utpal Bora. The questions should be from the viewpoint of understandability of the service users instead of service givers. A pilot project is a must before going ahead with the large-scale implementation, Dr Utpal Bora concluded.
Medical & Health Officer Dr Jayanta Dutta, a psychiatrist enquired about the question setup for the different classes. Dr Nahid Suraiya Islam came across many children with mental health-related problems which resulted from learning disabilities. Selection of schools is also a matter of concern where we should overcome biasness, according to Professor Hemendra Ram Phookun. But, for the pilot project a convenient centre that is accustomed with the procedure can be explored is what suggested by Dr Mythili Hazarika.
Dr Shyamanta Das draws attention to the fact that when the end is far, we need to break it down our journey into sub-stations. Also we need to keep on publishing our works in between to keep us motivated and for that platform already exists in the form of a journal. Dr Bornali Das, Psychiatric Social Worker said about this area being very common and still called invisible disability. She briefly highlighted the main areas of the disability and the need of forming subcommittees to carry forward the work efficiently. The discussions that came up were summed up by Dr Bornali Das.
Skin and psychiatry
On 4 June 2016, the Midterm Continuing Medical Education (CME) of the Indian Psychiatric Society, Assam State Branch (IPSASB) was held in the Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed Medical College (FAAMC), Barpeta. The theme of the CME was “Skin & Psychiatry”.
Suresh Chakravarty delivered the initial talk on “Skin & Psychiatry: Reciprocal Sympathiser” followed by Pankaj Adhicari who spoke on “Clinical Manifestations of Common Psychodermatoses”. The next lecture was by Sumi Baishy Choudhury on “Dermatological Manifestations of Psychiatric Conditions”. Shyamanta Das, Editor-in-Chief of the Open Journal of Psychiatry & Allied Sciences chaired this session.
Shyamanta Das recalled his working days in the Silchar Medical College Hospital. He came across patients attending psychiatry outpatient department with complains of hair fall and graying of hairs. It surprised him and thought that may be dermatology would have been a more appropriate department for such consultations instead of psychiatry department. When the same was conveyed to those patients, the reply used to be that the hair fall and graying of hairs are result of ‘tension’. If in a lighter vein that is the similarity between dermatology and psychiatry, then on a serious note we often tend to forget that it is the same ectoderm of our embryonic life from which both skin and brain are derived.
Shyamanta Das appreciated the “clear, distinct, and to-the-point” presentation of Sumi Baishya Choudhury. He also mentioned that with the introduction of the fifth edition of the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, we moved ahead in our understanding. Inclusion of the same in the presentation by Sumi Baishya Choudhury was befitting to the platform here, i.e. CME. Moreover, her highlighting the new learning points from earlier speaker (on “Clinical Manifestations of Common Psychodermatoses”) like that of ‘trichotillosis’ and ‘Monalisa smile’ are the examples of things that make participation in this type of CMEs worthwhile, Shyamanta Das winded up.
The final two talks were on “Adverse Cutaneous Drug Reactions of Psychomimetic Medications” and “Clinical Manifestations of Common Psychodermatoses” by Ashimav Deb Sharma and Raj Kumar Seal respectively. The CME concluded with a Panel Discussion on “Stress & Acne” that was participated by Anal Bordoloi, Indrani Dey, Kaberi Baruah, Nahid Suraiya Islam, and Utpal Bora, and hosted by Uddip Talukdar, the Executive Editor of the Open Journal of Psychiatry & Allied Sciences. In the end, Bornali Dutta (Ray Baruah) offered the Vote of Thanks.
In accordance with the CME, a Scientific Update was released with International Serial Book Number (ISBN) (978-93-8506316-9), titled “Psychodermatoses”. The book is edited by Shyamanta Das, Uddip Talukdar, and Bornali Dutta (Ray Baruah). It contained five chapters: ‘Stress and Acne’ by Bornali Dutta (Ray Baruah), ‘Is beauty only skin deep? Revisited with a psychotherapeutic approach’ by Mythili Hazarika, the Deputy Editor of the Open Journal of Psychiatry & Allied Sciences, ‘Immunopsychiatry in Systemic Sclerosis’ by Puneet Mathur, ‘Trichotillomania: “wind of change”’ by Shyamanta Das and Tanushree Sharma, and ‘Adverse Cutaneous Drug Reactions (ACDR) associated with psychiatric medications’ by Ashimav Deb Sharma. The book is published by Organising Committee of Midterm CME 2016 IPSASB in collaboration with Bookbell and Academy Publisher.
Middle aged man who could not stop weeping and impervious to suggestion
Shyamanta Das
In the Behavioral and Neuroscience Academy of India (BANAI) programme organised by Torrent Pharma at The Lily Hotel, Guwahati on 28 May 2016, Shyamanta Das, the Editor-in-Chief of the Open Journal of Psychiatry & Allied Sciences (OJPAS) talked on ‘Middle aged man who could not stop weeping and impervious to suggestion’
The title of my talk is quite long, almost never ending that goes something like this, ‘Middle aged man who could not stop weeping and impervious to suggestion’. So, as the title itself suggests it is a case vignette, i.e. the ‘HIStory’[1] of a patient. Now, let us look into what the ‘story’ of ‘his’ is!
He is a middle-aged man in early forties, married, graduate, self-employed from urban background of middle socioeconomic status. Total duration of his illness is ten years and he had four past episodes. The current episode is 15 months long. If we draw a timeline of his illness (Figure 1), we get two downward slopes (in 2008 and 2012) apart from the current one (from 2014 onward) and two uphill (in 2010 and 2014). Thus, he is having history of depression and mood instability. Coinciding with the onset of the current episode, there was a financial loss in his business 15 months back. His symptoms included low mood, crying, and feeling like to die. He lost motivation as well as interest and mostly remained withdrawn. Somatic symptoms include difficulty in onset of sleep, frequent wakening during night, and loss of appetite.
Figure 1: Course
In the past two episodes of hypomania, he felt energised, spoke loud, thoughts were jumbled, he was irritable and impulsive resulting in financial loss. In between these high and low moods, he has anger outbursts and violent behaviours. There is alcohol use which increased for last ten months. Investigations revealed elevated liver enzymes and dyslipidaemia; he has pre-diabetic status; neuroimaging and electrophysiology studies were normal. He is on lithium 1200 mg/day for 24 weeks and response is partial. Divalproex was tried in the past up to the dose of 1500 mg/day, again with partial response. Quetiapine was started and titrated up to 600 mg/day. Somatic symptoms improved but depressive cognition persisted. Trial with a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) at adequate dose and duration resulted in partial response. Ten sessions of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) failed since the patient was ‘impervious to suggestion’ and he discontinued.
At present, there is sadness, anhedonia, anergia, crying excessively, death wishes, occasional irritability, hopelessness and worthlessness, social withdrawal, alcohol use, and overweight. Question is what will be our diagnosis?
If we club normal mood with episodes of major depressive disorder, mania, hypomania, and so-called ‘mixed’ where mania and major depressive disorder coexist, what we found is the typical picture of a bipolar disorder. Episodes of major depressive disorder and mania (some episodes of ‘slight’ depression are not uncommon) constitute what we call ‘bipolar I disorder’. But, when only hypomania is associated with another episode of major depressive disorder in the life course then we get ‘bipolar II disorder’.
And speaking about bipolar II disorder, or for that matter, bipolar disorder in general, there are some conceptual dilemmas.[2] Some of the characteristics are shared with schizophrenia and depressive disorder. But, still these disorders are not considered as part of a continuum. Instead, a categorical diagnostic system is followed. Recurrent mood episodes impairing cognition and functioning is common in all of these disorders.
Leaving aside these dilemmas, there are some pertinent issues. If we look into the prevalence (Table 1),[3] we get figures of bipolar II disorder and hypomania that cannot be simply ignored. Moreover, mortality risk in bipolar disorder is significant. Twenty five per cent patients attempt suicide and 11% complete the act. Unfortunately, bipolar depression in undertreated and delay in diagnosis is common. Comorbidity is high in the forms of physical, psychiatric, and substance use. Ultimately, life expectancy is reduced and quality of life goes down.[4]
| Table 1: Prevalence[3] | |
| Disorder | Life time prevalence (%) |
| Bipolar I disorder | 0-2.4 |
| Bipolar II disorder | 0.3-4.8 |
| Cyclothymia | 0.5-6.3 |
| Hypomania | 2.6-7.8 |
Various factors like antenatal, perinatal, developmental, academic performance, and interpersonal skills have a cumulative effect resulting in vulnerability that following stressor manifest in disorder. And these factors can be grouped under biological, psychological and social factors that support the bio-psycho-social model of aetiology. So, the question with practical implication is how will we manage this patient? Several related questions need answer: Will we introduce an antidepressant? Will we add a mood stabiliser? Will we add an antipsychotic? Any other augmenting strategies? Biological methods of treatment? Psychotherapy? Anything else? Finding answers to them will be a long story. But, to keep this talk short, let us concentrate on the initial three points.
In these days of evidence-based medicine (EBM), we look up to the various guidelines. In fact, a lot of such are in vogue, e.g. American Psychiatric Association (APA) guidelines 2002, Indian Psychiatric Society (IPS) guidelines 2005, Texas Medication Algorithm Project (TMAP) 2007, Canadian Network for Mood and Anxiety Treatments (CANMAT) guidelines 2013, National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines 2014, and Maudsley prescribing guidelines 2014. Though there are some variations in these guidelines, one thing is common. The consensus is that in patients with bipolar disorder the predominant unmet clinical need is bipolar depression.
In bipolar disorder, goals for optimal treatment can be divided into three components: effective treatment of acute episode, consolidate the gains and prevent relapse or switch, and manage risk factors.[5] Sustematic Treatment Enhancement Program for Bipolar Disorder (STEP-BD) found no benefit when antidepressant is added to mood stabiliser. Bupropion and paroxetine are studied.[6] Questions remain however whether we will consider other antidepressants? But, one thing is for sure that they should not be used alone. While treating bipolar depression, they should always be combined with an effective antimanic agent.[7] Coming to adding a mood stabiliser, lamotrigine heads the list followed by lithium and divalproex. And about the antipsychotics, the efficacy is not a class effect. Thus, generalisations cannot be made. Instead individual atypical antipsychotic agents have their own unique benefits.[8] Quetiapine and the combination of olanzapine and fluoxetine have the most evidence.
For treating acute bipolar disorder, first line agents include quetiapine (300-600 mg/d), olanzapine/fluoxetine combination (olanzapine 6-12 mg/fluoxetine 25-50 mg), and (lamotrigine 200 mg/d). Second line agents include lithium (blood level of 0.6-1.2 mEq/L; usual dose 900-1800 mg) and divalproex (blood level of 85-125 µg/mL; up to 60 mg/kg); combination of SSRI or bupropion with second generation antipsychotic, lithium, or divalproex is another option.[5,8]
With these available options to treat bipolar depression, do we require new molecules? Any new addition in our armamentarium to fight bipolar depression is welcome! This demand is fulfilled by the introduction of lurasidone. It got approval in 2013. Along with the dopamine type 2 (D2) receptor blocking property, its profile reports favourable scenario as far as extrapyramidal symptoms, hyperprolactinaemia, and cardiovascular side effects are concerned. Effectiveness in bipolar disorder is indeed a serious advance in the field. Does this signify a new era in pharmacology of psychiatric disorders?
Acknowledgement: Rajesh Nagpal, MD, Director, Behavioral and Neuroscience Academy of India (BANAI), New Delhi
References
- Jackson M. HIStory: past, present and future, book I. Epic, Sony, MJJ Productions; 1995.
- Beyer JL. Bipolar and related disorders. In: Steffens DC, Blazer DG, Thakur ME, editors. The American Psychiatric Publishing textbook of geriatric psychiatry. 5th ed. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Publishing; 2015: 283-308.
- Sadock BJ, Sadock VA, Ruiz P. Kaplan & Sadock’s synopsis of psychiatry: behavioral sciences/clinical psychiatry. 11th ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins; 2014.
- Hilty DM, Leamon MH, Lim RF, Kelly RH, Hales RE. A review of bipolar disorder in adults. Psychiatry (Edgmont). 2006;3:43-55.
- Malhi GS, Berk M. Pharmacotherapy of bipolar disorder: the role of atypical antipsychotics and experimental strategies. Hum Psychopharmacol. 2002;17:407-12.
- Sachs GS, Nierenberg AA, Calabrese JR, Marangell LB, Wisniewski SR, Gyulai L, et al. Effectiveness of adjunctive antidepressant treatment for bipolar depression. N Engl J Med. 2007;356:1711-22.
- Connolly KR, Thase ME. The clinical management of bipolar disorder: a review of evidence-based guidelines. Prim Care Companion CNS Disord. 2011;13. pii: PCC.10r01097.
- Yatham LN, Kennedy SH, Parikh SV, Schaffer A, Beaulieu S, Alda M, et al. Canadian Network for Mood and Anxiety Treatments (CANMAT) and International Society for Bipolar Disorders (ISBD) collaborative update of CANMAT guidelines for the management of patients with bipolar disorder: update 2013. Bipolar Disord. 2013;15:1-44.
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