PSYCHIATRIC PROBLEMS OF AFGHAN REFUGEES IN DELHI : A STUDY ON 152 OUTPATIENTS1

A brief review of literature on psychiatric morbidity associated with migration is presented, with particular emphasis on the problems of political refugees. Initial experiences with 152 Afghan nationals attending the psychiatric outpatient department of a general hospital in Delhi during a period of 18 months are described supported by retrospective data from the records. Problems encountered in adequate assessment and management of these patients are highlighted. Need for prospective and longitudinal research on this group of patients is pointed out

HINDI VERSION OF PRESENT STATE EXAMINATION : PROBLEMS OF TRANSLATION AND APPLICATION IN INDIAN SETTING1

The present State Examination (PSE) schedule is a widely used instrument to record mental status of adult neurotic and functional psychotic patients. It has 140 items based in a semi-structured interview. Each item is rated on ordinal scale. Ratings are based on clinical judgement for which comprehensive glossary is provided. PSE has been used in several international collaborative studies which show that this standardised instrument can be used reliably. The experiences gained in using the Hindi version of the PSE have been highlighted. It has been observed that although there are some limitations, the PSE as a research instrument can be used reliably in the Indian setting. There is a need to gain experience in using the PSE in other Indian languages

A FOLLOW UP STUDY OF HYSTERIA1

The present study undertook to examine the outcome of a group of cases who were diagnosed as hysteria, six or more years ago in a general hospital psychiatric unit and correlate various clinical factors with good or bad outcome. Of the 81 cases selected for the study, 57 (67%) could be located and followed up after a gap of 6-8 years. Majority of the cases (74%) had either no symptoms or symptoms less than before at the time of the follow up. In only 3 cases, there was evidence of an underlying organic illness which seemed to have been missed at the initial assessment. A new sub-classification of hysteria with glossary of terms used for this study is presented for future research work

A COMPARISON OF NEUROTIC AND PSYCHOTIC DEPRESSION USING A STANDARDIZED SCHEDULE

Forty-five patients of psychotic depression have been compared with 22 neurotic depressives, on SADD schedule regarding the socioderaographic and clinical variables. Two groups of these patients have differed on variables like age, duration of present attack, past history and family history of psychiatric illness and the precipitating factors

DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS—AN INTERCENTRE COMPARISON

45 Psychotic Depressives from PGI, Chandigarh have been compared with 90 Psychotic Depressives from Madurai Centre on 40 symptoms using SADD schedule. Differences in the symptomatology have been highlightened