Catatonia in The General Hospital: A Case Series Wading Through Diagnostic & Management Challenges

ABSTRACT Catatonia is a cluster of affective, behavioral, and motor symptoms. Its causes are multifactorial ranging from severe and untreated psychiatric illnesses to neurological diseases and other general medical conditions. It is estimated that 20% of catatonia causes are due to medical conditions out of which two thirds are due to an underlying neurological condition which might include encephalitis, neural injury, developmental disorders, structural brain pathology, or seizures. Symptoms of catatonia can wax and wane, fluctuating between the retarded and the excited type within hours making it more difficult to identify and diagnose. If left untreated, catatonia can lead to multiple medical complications which can lead to significant long-term morbidity and mortality. The initial complications include dehydration, malnourishment, electrolyte imbalance, deep venous thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, pneumonia, urinary tract infection, and retention. In the long run, patients can have sepsis, rhabdomyolysis, DIC, decubitus ulcers, arrhythmia, renal failure, and liver dysfunction. This article will describe three patients (adolescent & adult) that presented to Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH), Karachi with challenging presentations of catatonia. Their diagnostic and management difficulties will be discussed

Eating disorders in medical and nursing students of a private university: Relationship with depression, anxiety, and stress

The study aimed to identify the relationship between Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID), Anorexia and Bulimia nervosa with stress, depression, and anxiety, among undergraduate students at Aga Khan University (AKU) in Pakistan. The data collection was done online using Eating Attitude Test-26 (EAT-26), Nine Item ARFID Screen (NIAS), and Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21). A total of 79 responses were received. Among them, 83.5% (n=66) were females and 16.5% (n=13) were males. On the NIAS screen, 16.5% participants tested positive and 15.2% indicated high risk of eating disorders on EAT-26. There were 26% participants who were underweight while 20% were overweight. Anxiety was significantly associated with all eating disorders while depression and stress were significantly associated with positive EAT-26 results too. Females and early- year students were at higher risk. We recommend regular monitoring for eating changes which may improve psychological and physical wellbeing of medical and nursing students. Key Words: Eating disorders, Stress, Dysfunctional eating behaviours, Students, Pakista

Experiences from implementing an Lessons from teaching psychiatry trainees at a tertiary care hospital in Karachi, Pakistan

Early childhood trauma can have adverse effects on brain development. This results in higher rates of mental health and medical problems in adults. Unfortunately, psychiatry trainees are not adequately trained in dealing with trauma survivors. Hence, we implemented an online trauma curriculum and assessed its efficacy. Socratic methods of teaching, flipped classroom approach, brainstorming, role play, and case-based discussions were utilized. Participants were able to exhibit good knowledge and clinical skills as assessed through summative assessment and communication skills assessment. This curriculum showed online training can help with clinical skill development along with improving knowledge when dealing with trauma survivors