Psychiatry and Society

Over the last two months three teenage students from the same Pune school have died by copycat suicide. 'Copycat’ suicides are frequent among adolescents aged 15-19 years. They occur more often than expected by chance alone. There has been an increase in teenage clusters in more recent years (Gould et al1990). Patterns of ‘copycat’ suicide There are two patterns of suicide clusters: point clusters , which are localised in both space and time (spatio-temporal), and mass clusters , which are localised in time only. Point clusters A point cluster is a temporary increase in the frequency of suicides within a small community or institution like a school or hospital. This differentiation is important as even limited resources can be effectively mobilised for prevention. Mass cluster A mass cluster is a temporary increase in the frequency of suicides within an entire population. Mass clusters are typically associated with high-profile celebrity suicides that are publicised ...

Exams at St Germain's Pune students need to differentiate true exam stress or test anxiety from rational test anxiety  that occurs due to a lack of adequate preparation. Both conditions need to be addressed differently. True test anxiety is diagnosed when the student panics, "blanks out", or overreacts despite the following (Hanoski 2008): there is enough time for studying study strategies are adequate attendance is regular class material is understood Managing rational test anxiety (Morgan et al, 1986) When there is adequate time for preparation effective learning habits minimise rational test anxiety. Effective learning habits We begin at this stage if the student comes to the clinic 6-8 weeks before the exams. Acquiring effective study skills is essential for all students. Plan and stick to a study schedule . This simple yet crucial first step is often neglected. Spend at least half the study time in elaborative rehearsal,  thinking about what is being re...

How to refuse an alcohol containing drink? The lead up to the festive season comes with a slew of articles on how to consume alcohol without experiencing a hangover. Then come the lessons on managing a hangover. Finally by New Year, come the statistics on drunken driving and police action on youngsters partying in rural Pune hideouts. Nothing about how to refuse alcohol while partying. Alcohol refusal strategies MN Gosin(2003) has classified drug resistance strategies into four types summarised by the acronym REAL R - R efuse : say no. E - E xplain : decline with an explanation A - A void : stay away from situations where alcohol is offered L - L eave : exit situations where alcohol is offered Don't reach for it 10 tactics to resist alcohol at a party These tried and tested ways to politely resist alcohol are classified along REAL lines. Remember you have the right to choose not to consume alcohol at any time. If that’s not respected you are probably in the w...

Caregivers of persons with chronic mental illness are usually family members, 'individuals whose own happiness is entwined with the well-being of people who are dear to them'. The burden of care is associated with significant stress. For one family the stress was unbearable. They abandoned their mentally ill daughter in a hospital . This story is repeated often enough in urban areas like Pune. How can a caregiver help a relative with mental illness? DOs Follow the treatment See to it that the person takes the prescribed dosage of medication regularly. Failure to keep to the dosage may lead to a relapse of the illness. Watch for a relapse A person in your care may suffer a relapse for no obvious reason. Watch out for early signs such as sleeplessness, restlessness, and irritability. Take the person immediately to a psychiatrist, so that medication may be adjusted. Take interest and appreciate Talk to the person. Show an interest in what he or she is doing. Apprec...

A Pune school joined the ranks of those in which a punished and humiliated teenager committed suicide. A teenage life snuffed out by the psychological pain of humiliation. It was apparently over his talking with a girl student. He was thrashed by the school principal, two teachers and the girl's uncle. This was not punishment - it was physical abuse. The boy did not return home after school. His father, a labourer, went to the school to look for him. The next morning the teenager’s body was found on the railway tracks. Labourers moving to their work-site Behaviours perceived as undesirable by teachers The chain of events in this suicide apparently begins with the teenager talking to a girl student - normal adolescent behaviour. It is in the stage of adolescence that opposite-sex social interaction begins. A co-ed school would be the ideal place for this adolescent interaction. Yet this behaviour was perceived as seriously undesirable by the school authorities. Let’s loo...

Last week I gave a talk on Personality and Sexuality. One question that cropped up was - "How do I know if my partner is cheating on me?" By chance the next morning there was a newspaper article attributing uncommitted sex, one-night stands, and acts of infidelity to genetics. Individuals who have frequent sex with multiple partners are psychologically different from those who have frequent sex with single partner (Simpson & Gangestad, 1991). This sociosexual difference places individuals in two groups Unrestricted sociosexual types , have a higher number of sexual partners, and one night stands. They have a permissive attitude to casual and uncommitted sex. Restricted sociosexual types , require greater closeness and commitment before sex with their romantic partner.   Genetics plays an important role in sociosexuality Genes evolve to enhance survival of the species. From an evolutionary viewpoint females reproduce with a mate who will invest in ...

Autism, in its broadest interpretation, has a prevalence of about 1:110 population. There is a severe shortage of early intervention facilities for persons with autism in India. World Disability Day is commemorated on 3rd December. Autism is not specifically included as a disability in the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995. This may be contributing to the lack of funding for early intervention facilities. Protodeclarative pointing - joint attention   Disability in autism manifests during infancy in three domains Social - Infants with autism show delays in smiling, gazing at their mothers and responding to their names and gesturing (e.g., pointing, waving bye-bye). This pattern continues, with the most impaired children growing to be avoidant or aloof from all social interaction. Communication - Infants and toddlers with autism have delays in babbling, using single words, and forming sentences. Effective...