Department of Psychiatry

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The Missing Link Between Opioid Use Disorder and Seizures During Opioid Withdrawal: A Case Series from North India
(PUBMED, 2023-04-17) Rohit Gondwal1 ,; Priyaranjan Avinash; Robin Victor; Dharuvika
The term “opioids” includes compounds extracted from the poppy plant/pod and semi-synthetic and synthetic compounds with similar properties that can interact with opioid receptors in the brain. These produce mental relaxation, pain relief, and euphoric feelings. Their regular use, abuse, and misuse, often without medical super- vision, can lead to opioid dependence and other health problems. Almost 2.1% of the Indian population uses opioids. The pattern of use varies across different states of India. While the use of inhalational opioid (smack/brown sugar) is much more common in Uttar Pradesh, that of injectable heroin is more common in Punjab and the northeastern states. Percentage-wise, the states of Mizoram and Nagaland are the worst affected by opioid use. The prevalence of opioid use in Uttarakhand is 0.8%. According to an article published in Times of India 2020, there was a record rise in synthetic-drug trafficking in Uttarakhand, especially in our catchment area of Dehradun and the neighboring areas of Rishikesh and Haridwar. Widespread available literature mentions opioid use disorder, intoxication, withdrawal, and other opioid-induced disorders, which include depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, sleep disorder, and sexual dysfunction. However, information is scanty on seizure episodes happening during opioid intake or withdrawal. Few studies have described complicated opioid withdrawal where a seizure occurred along with other features of opioid withdrawal.
Evaluating the influence of a psychiatry training program on nursing students’ attitudes towards mentally ill
(PUBMED, 2025-07-04) Praveen Rikhari; Vishal Sinha; Gyanendra Kumar; Ayushi Bisht; Aayush Kapoor; Pragya Rikhari
BACKGROUND: Mental disorders are a global concern, affecting millions worldwide. Despite effective therapies, societal stigma toward mental illness persists, hindering access to healthcare and perpetuating negative stereotypes. These prejudiced attitudes are also present in nursing professionals and impact the quality of care provided by them. This study aimed to explore the impact of a month‑long residential psychiatry training program on the attitudes of nursing undergraduate students toward mental illness. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a longitudinal study with pre‑post design conducted at a government mental health hospital and training institute in north India using convenient sampling. The Community Attitude Towards Mental Illness (CAMI) Scale, which has subscales of Authoritarianism, Benevolence, Social Restrictiveness, and Community Mental Health Ideology was used to measure the attitudes towards the mentally ill in nursing students before and after the training program. Descriptive statistics were used to present the data while paired t‑tests and McNemar test were used for analysis. RESULTS: A total of 970 students were included. A significant improvement in Social Restrictiveness, Community Mental Health Ideology, and the total CAMI score was noted post‑training (P < 0.001 for each) while changes in Authoritarianism (P = 0.87) and Benevolence (P = 0.1) were nonsignificant but positive. Furthermore, increased willingness to work in psychiatry wards post‑training was found, indicating a positive influence on career choices (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The results emphasize the effectiveness of combining theoretical knowledge with real‑life exposure in mental health nursing. Despite limitations, like a single‑center study and no control group, the study’s pre‑post design and large sample size contribute valuable insights.