Objective: It has been hypothesized that an unstable arousal system exists in patients with obsessivecompulsive disorder (OCD) and P300 is commonly used to investigate for such information-processing abnormalities. However, studies of P300 in OCD have had inconclusive results, regarding both amplitudes and latencies, along with poor correlation with clinical variables. This study aimed to further investigate the suggested misallocation of cognitive resources and attentional disorder in OCD. Methodology: Thirty patients of OCD, taken from the outpatient department of Central Institute of Psychiatry, and 27 age-, sex-, and education-matched normal volunteers were examined in this study. The psychopathology in the patients was evaluated using the Y-BOCS and HDRS scales; GHQ-5 was used to screen the normal controls. P300 was recorded by an auditory two-tone discrimination task in both groups using Neuropack Sigma-8 Nihon Kohden software. Results: P300 amplitude did not differ between patients and controls; neither was it correlated with most of the demographic and clinical variables. Patients had a significantly longer latency of P300 especially in frontal areas, those on medication also having a significantly longer latency than those off drugs. However, P300 latency did not vary significantly with sex, age, education, onset, duration, or course of illness, and severity of depression or obsessions & compulsions. Conclusion: This study replicated previous ones in showing no significant difference of P300 amplitude in OCD patients compared to controls. P300 latency was significantly increased (p = 0.035, 0.024 & 0.044, in Fz, F4 & F3, respectively) in frontal leads, suggesting an electrophysiological abnormality in this part of OCD brain, correlating well with other neuro-imaging and neuropsychological studies that have also implicated the frontal lobe in OCD.

Background: The aims of this current study were to prepare and validate a Bengali questionnaire to assess knowledge and attitude of adolescents about the various mental health issues related to them, and to conduct a pilot study with this questionnaire. Method: It was a cross sectional study conducted on adolescent school girls (N=l07, 12 to 18years age) from rural background of West Bengal. A 13 item Bengali questionnaire was constructed, validated and administered on the subjects. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS (16th version). Results: Most of the items had good test re-test reliability. Mean age of the population was 13.09 years. Three knowledge based questions had more correct responses (50.5%, 52.3%, 50.5%) and one had 72% incorrect responses. Majority of the subjects recognised problem behaviours, expressed an helping attitude, tended to seek help from parents, and thought sharing worries with others and spending time with friends could make them happy. Conclusions: This questionnaire appears reliable to assess knowledge and attitude of adolescent girls. There is need to inform adolescents about various mental health issues. Attitude to help and a sense of cohesion was conspicuous in this population. A larger and more inclusive study needed to generalize the findings.

Background: Adequate sexual expression is an essential part of many human relationships, and may enhance quality of life and provide a sense of physical, psychological, and social well-being. Epidemiological and clinical studies show that depression isassociated with impairments of sexual function and satisfaction, even in untreated patients. Most antidepressant drugs have adverse effects on sexual function, but accurate identification of the incidence of treatment-emergent dysfunction has proved troublesome. However, few investigators have reported the base rate for disturbances in sexual desire, arousal, and orgasm or ejaculation in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) prior to antidepressant treatment. The purpose of this study is to define the frequency of sexual dysfunction (SD) in 60 patients with MDD and examine the relationship between SD and quality of life enjoyment and satisfaction variables. Materials and Methods: A consecutive series of 24 male and 36 female MDD patients diagnosed by SCID-DSM IV assessment completed a series of psychometric measures including a Sexual Function Questionnaire ASEX (Arizona Sexual Experience Scale) which asked about change in sexual interest and function as well as quality of life of life enjoyment using QLESQ-SF. Results: Over 33.33% of men and 42% of women reported decreased sexual interest. Reduced levels of arousal were more common in both men and women (8-22%) than ejaculatory or orgasm difficulties (1116%). In women, SDs were more than males. Quality oflife was more impaired in sample with SDs than those without dysfunction showing significant impact of SD on quality of life. Limitation and Conclusion: Although limited by a relatively small sample of drug-free patients with MDD, and by the absence of a non-depressed comparison sample, these results emphasize the importance of factors beyond specific drug effects in the assessment of SD in drug naive-depressed patients.

The objectives of the study were to determine the prevalence of depression in elderly population and also study the sociodemographic correlates of the depressive disorders among the elderly in an old age home in Kolkata, West Bengal, India. It was cross sectional study performed on the elderly subjects of the said centre for 2 months period. A total of 227 elderly individuals of age group of 60 years and above, were interrogated: results were subjected to statistical analysis. Proportions and Chisquare tests were computed. The prevalence of depression in elderly population was determined to be 64.5%. The prevalence of depression in the age group of 80 years and above was found to be 83.3%, 75.3% among males and the highest was found among widowed/divorced/separated groups (95.8%).

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a frequently encountered chronic metabolic disease with various complications throughout its course which causes severe restriction and disability in an individual's life. Diabetes mellitus is a well known cause of sexual dysfunction in both men and women. AIM: To study the prevalence and nature of sexual dysfunction in patients with type 2 diabetes. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Single centre, cross sectional, single interview. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 100 Keywords: Diabetes mellitus, Sexual dysfunction patients with type 2 diabetes were included in the study. The patients were assessed using Structured Clinical Interview for DSM IV to diagnose sexual dysfunction. Subsequently the patients were given ASEX scale to evaluate the type of sexual dysfunction. Socio demographic characteristics were assessed using a semi structured socio demographic proforma. RESULT: Sexual dysfunction was reported in 48% of the subjects (n=96; 42 males, 54 females). Among them majority had low desire (n=70, 35%) followed by arousal and excitement problem (n=60, 30%). Orgasmic satisfaction, problem with orgasm and erection/lubrication problems were 28% (n=56), 26%(n=52) and 19.5%(39) respectively. There was a significant positive correlation between ASEX scores and HbAlc level (r=0.428, p=0.000) & duration of illness (r=0.304, p=0.000). CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrates that sexual dysfunction is quite common in patients of type 2 diabetes. Duration of disease and poor glycaemic control further impairs the sexual functioning in patients of type 2 diabetes.

Introduction: Alcohol & Opioid dependence as well as Schizophrenia causes major distress among the family members and caregivers. Aims & objectives: The study aims to compare the socio-demographic parameters, both in families of men with alcohol and opioid dependence, as well as in families of men with schizophrenia, the burden on caregivers and coping strategies. Material and methods: Alcohol, Opioid & Schizophrenic group each comprises 30 samples. The information regarding the burden and coping styles were obtained from key relatives. Results: Age difference is significant (p=0.02) and majority of caregivers are women (n=75; 83.3%). Most caregivers were married (n=88; 97.8%). There was association of negative symptoms scale score with ‘distancing’ coping strategy. Conclusions: The social support of substance dependence groups is more than that of schizophrenia. Marital status of the patient again. Demon's trated significant associations with caregiver copmg.

In depression, the domain involved includes depressed mood, anhedonia, cognitive disturbances, psychomotor disturbances, vegetative symptoms and frequently encountered anxiety symptoms. In this case of depression there is depressed mood, associated signs and symptoms of depression with acute situational distress. The unusual and unique presentation of emission of foul smell during a particular situation is clearly not a delusional disorder as it has been corroborated by her spouse and colleagues. Is there an explanation for it?

Folie a trios is defined as an identical or similar mental disorder affecting three individuals, usually the close members of a family. One case reports of this condition are presented with a brief review of the literature. Early recognition of this condition is very much important in the management of the person having the disorder. The most of the patients with folie a trios require multiple treatments including separation, antipsychotics, individual and group psychotherapy, and family therapy.