Depression after stroke possible..........antidepressants work

http://www.newstrackindia.com/newsdetails/2013/04/28/30-One-third-of-patients-suffer-depression-after-stroke.html

A study by Loyola University Medical Center physicians have found that about one-third of patients suffer depression following a stroke, and depression in turn increases the risk of stroke.
Antidepressant medications known as SSRIs, such as fluoxetine (Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft), and escitalopram (Lexapro), are effective when given to stroke patients as a preventive measure, the physicians said.

Mental disorders are common after stroke. They include anxiety, irritability and agitation, uncontrollable crying, apathy, delusions and hallucinations. But the most common disorder is depression, either major or minor.Some patients recover over time, while others move in and out of depression. For some patients, depression doesn't develop until up to two years after the stroke.

Post-stroke depression (PSD) is linked to worse functional outcomes and increased risks of suicide and mortality.Women are more likely to suffer PSD. Other risk factors include living alone and away from family members, higher levels of education, changes in lifestyle or marital status and degree of functional impairment. Depression, in turn, is a risk factor for stroke and stroke recurrence, even after controlling for other risk factors.

Given the severe effects of PSD, doctors should take an aggressive approach. Timing of medication may be crucial, with early treatment perhaps advantageous. In addition to helping relieve depression, antidepressants also have been shown to improve cognitive and functional recovery. Recent evidence also shows that SSRIs are helpful in motor recovery (improved movement and coordination).




 

'My son is poor in calculation. He cannot write spelling properly' Please contact psychiatrist

http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-04-26/health/38842371_1_dyslexia-child-learning-disability

What is dyslexia?

According to experts, dyslexia goes undetected as parents presume their child is either slow at learning or is not putting enough effort into studies. But in reality, dyslexia is a neuro development disorder that can be corrected with the right help and guidance.

What causes dyslexia?
It may manifest at any time depending on various factors such as academic exposure, environmental stimulation, potential of the child etc. It is known to run in the family and genetic basis has been suspected as the causes of dyslexia. No clear cause is identified but any minor "insult" or harm to the growing brain during pregnancy, birth or even later, may lead to learning problems later on.
What are the types of learning disability?
Learning Disability consists of three distinct types, Dysgraphia (difficulty in writing), Dyscalculia (difficulty in arithmetic) and Dyslexia (difficulty in reading).
How does Dyslexia present itself?
The condition of children with dyslexia is varied. Children may have various combinations of academic and behavioural problems that make each child with dyslexia unique. Since it is a hidden handicap, it may go undetected. A child who is otherwise bright and is able to perform well in other spheres of life does badly in school. The child shows very salient but definitive social adjustment problems if not helped earlier. Most of the children exhibit academic problems by the fourth and fifth standard or even earlier.
What are the signs of Dyslexia?
The child shows reading problems whereby he may hate reading aloud or may not read at all or reads with finger tracing. Usually, his oral performance is much better than the written work. The child may show a lot of spelling errors and slow and inadequate written output. Most of the children just dislike writing. There may be significant problems in mathematics including understanding basic concepts, learning of tables and sequencing.
If my child does not study, what do I do?
An eye checkup and audiogram is required to check the vision and hearing of the child. A detailed evaluation of the child including the Intelligence Quotient (IQ) along with educational assessment helps to understand the child better. In the city of Mumbai, this kind of help is available for evaluation of learning problems in various guidance and counselling centres.

Depression in Indians.....it really exists? Indian research update

http://www.indianjpsychiatry.org/article.asp?issn=0019-5545;year=2010;volume=52;issue=7;spage=178;epage=188;aulast=Grover

An overview of Indian research in depression

Depression as a disorder has always been a focus of attention of researchers in India. Over the last 50-60 years, large number of studies has been published from India addressing various aspects of this commonly prevalent disorder. The various aspects studied included epidemiology, demographic and psychosocial risk factor, neurobiology, symptomatology, comorbidity, assessment and diagnosis, impact of depression, treatment related issues and prevention of depression in addition to the efficacy and tolerability of various antidepressants. Here, we review data on various aspects of depression, originating from India.

Depression is the most common psychiatric disorder reported in most of the community based studies. It is also reported as one of the most common psychiatric disorder in outpatient clinic population and in subjects seen in various medical and surgical setting. It is also reported to be the most common psychiatric disorder in elderly subjects across various settings. Studies from India have also shown that life events during the period preceding the onset of depression play a major role in depression. Studies on women have also shown the importance of identifying risk factors like interpersonal conflicts, marital disharmony and sexual coercion.

There is need for further study of factors like cost, attitude towards treatment, adherence, compliance and neurobiological correlates. There is also a need to study the course of depressive disorders in India so as to determine the need and duration of continuation treatment. Studies should also evaluate the cost-effective models of treatment which can be easily used in the primary care setting to effectively treat depression.


 

Interesting story on patient with schizophrenia...............

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/what-makes-bunty-chor-steal--doctors-say-it-is-paranoid-schizophrenia/1104113/0 Three medical boards at IHBAS examined serial thief and came to same conclusion. He is known as the slippery one, the thief who strikes at will, and the one who often fakes mental illness to get away. His exploits even inspired the Hindi movie Oye Lucky, Lucky Oye. But not many know that Devinder Singh alias Bunty Chor was diagnosed — not once, but thrice — with paranoid schizophrenia at the government-run Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences (IHBAS) last year.

According to documents accessed by Newsline, the three teams came to the same conclusion: "The board is of the opinion that the patient is suffering from paranoid schizophrenia and requires continued treatment for the same." One of the common types of schizophrenia, patients of this subtype have traits of paranoia with delusions about themselves and people around them.

Bunty's claims of being a "perfectionist thief" and his obsession for stealing, "could be attributed to the diagnosis of schizophrenia".

While antidepressants played a role, yoga enhanced their effect

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/fitness/Asanas-that-chase-away-the-blues/articleshow/19536458.cms

While medicines played a role, yoga enhanced their effect, says Dr B N Gangadhar, programme director at Nimhans' Advanced Center for Yoga. "The effect of yoga on mental health is not anecdotal anymore. There is evidence that yogasanas impact electrical and chemical transmissions in the brain," he says.
The hippocampus is vulnerable to stress and atrophy is seen in patients of schizophrenia, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and severe depression. "Yoga acts as an antidepressant ," he says.
"We recommend against using it for obsessive compulsive disorder, early onset of schizophrenia, severe depression and severe anxiety. It can complicate their symptoms. It is best suited for mild to moderate depression, anxiety and schizophrenia under medical supervision ," says Desai.

The analysis concluded that yoga therapy reduced psychotic symptoms and depression, improved cognition and quality of life, and produced neurobiological changes such as increased oxytocin levels, a powerful hormone associated with love and communication.

Dementia needs early identification and management....................

http://www.deccanchronicle.com/130408/lifestyle-health-and-well-being/article/dementia-doom

Management of Dementia Patients

• Treatment of co-morbid conditions like diabetes and hypertension.
• Minimise sensory deprivation by treating cataracts, providing suitable spectacles, removing ear-wax and making sure hearing aids are available.
• Maintain good dental and oral hygiene.
• Provide adequate nutrition, avoid constipation.
• Prevent and treat urinary infections.
• Provide aids for walking.
• Take precautions to prevent falls and fractures.
• Regularise sleeping hours and ensuring adequate, peaceful sleep at night.
• Periodically review patients’ medicines.

Ways to tackle Dementia in elderly.....media writing good for care

Mental health: Ways to tackle Dementia in elderly

There is no one way to 'prevent' dementia, but one can certainly aim at eliminating the risk factors. Help guide elaborates on 6 pillars of a healthy brain-body
1.Regular exercise
2.Healthy diet
3.Mental stimulation
4.Quality sleep
5.Stress management
6.An active social life

Develop a routine
A routine is important as it also acts as an aid for orienting the elderly.
Do-away with Distractions
Eliminate all distractions from the environment; it is important to make their living place elderly-proof.

Bear a Positive demeanour
When communicating with the elderly, be careful of your tone and body language. Attempt to make them feel comfortable and loved.

Clear Communication
Say exactly what you mean! A person with dementia will most have compromised capacities of abstract thinking and hence maybe unable to decipher even the most common metaphors.

Make the environment Dementia-friendly
Get a digital clock instead of an analogue one, a calender where the date can be marked, put up a family chart with pictures, etc. These simple changes go a long way in aiding the memory.

Games are great
Try engaging the elderly in board games, card-games, even computer games if they're comfortable. Even the age-old 'Xs and Os' is a great way to stimulate the brain and jogs quite a few cognitive capacities.

Tips to relief from tension.................a good news from Amar Ujala

http://www.amarujala.com/news/lifestyle/health-fitness/stress-management/easy-tips-for-instant-relief-from-tension/

अगर आप भी अक्सर छोटी-छोटी बातों पर तनाव लेते रहते हैं तो ये उपाय आपके तनाव को पल में छूमंतर करने में आपकी बहुत मदद करेंगे।

10 मिनट की फ्रेश वॉक
तनाव से आराम और तुरंत तरोताजा होने के लिए 10 मिनट की सैर से बेहतर क्या होगा। पार्क या गार्डेन में हरी घास पर टहलने से आपका तनाव दूर होगा और आप फ्रेश महसूस करेंगे।

रिलेक्स‌िंग एक्सरसाइज
सीधे खड़े हो जाएं। अब झुकें और हथेलियों को जांघ पर रखें। ठुड्डी जमीन के समानामतर हो यानी चेहरा सामने रखें। लंबी सांस लें और छोड़ें। कुछ देर इस अवस्था में रहने के बाद सामान्य अवस्था में आ जाएं। आप हल्का महसूस करेंगे।

गुब्बारा फुलाएं
तनाव की अवस्था में गुब्बारा फुलाना सुनने में भले ही अटपटा लगे लेकिन तनाव दूर करने के लिए यह कारगर वर्कआउट है। इससे फेफड़ों में ऑक्सीजन पहुंचता है और रक्त संचार ठीक हो जाता है।

करें मसाज
पीठ के बल लेट जाएं और कमर के मध्य में टेनिस बॉल रख लें। पीठ के सहारे इसे ऊपर और नीचे रोल करें। इसके अलावा हेड मसाज में तनाव से राहत दिलाने में कारगर है। मसाज से रक्त संचार तेज हो जाता है और थकान दूर होती है।

स्टीम लें
तनाव से राहत के लिए स्टीम एक आसान और कारगर उपाय है। सादे पानी से या किसी अरोमा ऑयल को डालकर स्टाम लेने से आप तरोताजा महसूस करेंगे।

Autism in children......still unknown in society

Autism in children and myths

What is Autism? Autism is a neurodevelopment condition which mainly affects areas of social interaction and communication. These children also may have some motor movements like hand flapping, rocking which are repeated over and over again. The manner in these children behave is quite different and represent a spectrum of symptoms from mild ones which are considered as shy to the real aggressive ones.
The younger children with autism are referred to me with complains of speech delay or hyperactivity while older children lag behind in studies at an early stage because of inability to follow classroom instructions.
Autism facts
The parents notice the soft subtle signs of autism like poor eye contact of the child while talking, most of the children were late to start talking and have inadequate speech. Usually stay in a world of their own, these children are happy alone and find it difficult to play and interact with other children. Inability to focus and hyperactivity with unpredictable aggression also is noted in the children.
Doctors, school teachers and parents have become increasing aware of this condition in the last decade. The awareness has been greatly increased by media with main stream movies like 'My name is Khan 'and 'Barfi' depicting main characters with autism spectrum disorder. Many Hollywood movies like Dear John, Mercury Rising and Rain Man showed autistic characters and popular serials like the Big Bang theory have depicted the main character as suffering from Asperger's syndrome.

It's not good for future of Psychiatry......

http://bjp.rcpsych.org/content/202/3/228.full

Junior doctors’ views about psychiatry as a possible career range from high levels of enthusiasm to antipathy, and are more polarised than views about other specialties. Shortening of working hours and improvements to working practices in other hospital-based specialties in the UK may have reduced the relative attractiveness of psychiatry to women doctors. The extent to which views of newly qualified doctors about psychiatry can be modified by medical school education, and by greater exposure to psychiatry during student and early postgraduate years, needs investigation.

Preparing yourself for Alzheimer's

http://www.dnaindia.com/health/report_preparing-yourself-for-alzheimer-s_1808084

An important article for dementia caregivers to read

'When he lost everything he had ever learnt, every behaviour the world had taught him, my father's good heart still shone through. Of course, he sometimes got angry and scared and confused, but he continued to love us, and he was always kind. That's what he was his whole life, and that's what he was at the end. And that's what I need to learn. I need a heart true enough to survive being stripped of all else by dementia.

I don't want to get Alzheimer's. Nobody does. And I'm doing all I can to prevent it. But, like many misfortunes, dementia cannot be prevented. All one can do is reduce the odds, and mine are still worse than most. If it comes for me, though, I'll be ready.'



 

Sorry, depression is still undiagnosed and undertreated in India...

http://www.speakingtree.in/spiritual-blogs/seekers/faith-and-rituals/wealthy-and-depressed-or-poor-and-happy

Misleading article appeared in speaking tree- Times of India

Wealthy and depressed...........???????????.

I grew up in India and when I was growing up I never once met a person suffering from depression. In fact in India depression was and still is probably unheard of. I met a lot of poor people who were sad;met a lot of homeless people who were unhappy but none depressed.