Background:Studies comparing the stress perceived by parents of mentally retarded and normal children are limited.Aim:(i) To find whether there exists a difference in the perceived stress between both the parents of mentally retarded children, (ii) to study whether these stresses occur more frequently in parents of mentally retarded children compared with those of normal children, and (iii) to find any correlation between the severity of perceived stressors and the anxiety state of these parents.Methods:This study was conducted in the Child Guidance Clinic of a tertiary care psychiatry hospital. The study sample, comprising 180 subjects, was categorized as: group A (60 parents of profound to moderately mentally retarded children), group B (60 parents of mild to borderline mentally retarded children) and group C (60 parents of children with normal intelligence), which served as the control group. Each parent was evaluated using the Family Interview for Stress and Coping (FISC) in Mental Retardation, and the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HARS).Results:Parents in group A had a significantly higher frequency of stressors and level of anxiety as compared to those in groups B and C. A positive correlation was found between the level of anxiety and stressors.Conclusion:Multifaceted factors made parents in groups A and B more vulnerable to stress compared with parents in the control group.

Aims and methodTo explore the patterns of alcohol consumption and its impact on clinical outcomes in schizophrenia in low- and middle-income countries. We performed a cross-sectional survey of 315 patients with schizophrenia and calculated the prevalence of alcohol consumption and alcohol use disorder. The patients' sociodemographic profiles and clinical outcomes, including Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) scores, were compared between abstainers and drinkers using the χ2- andt-tests.ResultsThe 1-year prevalence of drinking, hazardous drinking and alcohol dependence was 16.8% (95% CI 12.9–21.4), 5.7% (95% CI 3.4–8.9) and 2.5% (95% CI 1.1–4.9), respectively. Male gender, single or post-marital status, higher education and being economically active were significantly associated with alcohol consumption. Alcohol drinkers were significantly more likely to be on combination psychotropics compared with abstainers. The mean total BPRS score was significantly lower in alcohol drinkers compared with abstainers. Drinking alcohol was associated with fewer deficit symptoms.Clinical implicationsCultural settings have a significant impact on the prevalence of alcohol use disorder in schizophrenia.

Although neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) manifests consistently with hyperthermia, muscle rigidity, altered mental state, and autonomic instability, heterogeneity exists in the onset, initial manifestations, course, laboratory findings, response to treatment, and pattern of resolution. Comorbid physical conditions tend to confuse the picture. We report a case of NMS with such a presentation.

An elderly female patient with Zolpidem dependence, who was successfully detoxified using Gabapentin is reported. Gabapentin may be considered as an alternative in the detoxification of non-benzodiazepine hypnotics.

BACKGROUNDAripiprazole is a third generation antipsychotic introduced in 2004 for treatment of Schizophrenia and bipolar disorders. It has partial agonist activity at dopamine D2 receptor and D2 antagonist activity under hyperdopaminergic condition. In addition, it is a partial agonist at serotonin 5HT1A receptor and antagonist at 5HT2A receptor. Because its pharmacological profile differs from other atypical antipsychotics, it was initially thought to produce lesser side effects and movement disorders. But over the years, there is a growing body of evidence in the form of case reports and case series of Aripiprazole induced movement disorders like Tardive dyskinesia, Parkinsonism, akathisia and dystonia. Of late it has been advocated for irritability associated with autism and as an augmenter for depressive disorder. It has lower potential for weight gain and sedation, as it has relatively low affinity for H1[Histamine] receptor compared to clozapine, olanzapine and quetiapine. Based on this unique mechanism, it is claimed to have minimal or non-significant motor side effects like Tardive dyskinesia. We document a case series of 8 patients who developed Tardive dyskinesia, Parkinsonism and akathisia following treatment with Aripiprazole (ARP).