psychiatry

Ecstasy is the street name for the psychoactive drug 3,4-MethyleneDioxy-N-MethylAmphetamine or MDMA. A part of the rave culture, it provides relaxation and helps to dance the night away.

Hanging is the oldest method of execution in the world and traces its origin to Persia, now Iran, 2500 years ago. It continues to enjoy patronage to this day.

Decreased connectivity between emotion processing regions of the brain maybe responsible for major depressive disorder especially in women.

The rate of first time psychiatric contact before and after first trimester induced abortion is almost the same.

ADHD is quite common among children; if untested it can result in various health hazards. Adequate treatment is essential to fight the disorder and avoid indulging in any criminal act.

Adolescent depression is an ailment that occurs during the teenage characterized by persistent melancholy, disappointment and loss of self-esteem.

Angry people with aggressive behavior have a higher risk of hypertension and stroke due to atherosclerosis (thickening of arterial walls).

Agoraphobia is an anxiety disorder characterised by the patient avoiding spaces, crowds, or situations

Alcohol is the most commonly abused drug in the world and its excessive usage may have severe social, economic and health-related implications

Children with ADD need extra attention through interactive sports and purposeful play to help improve the quality of their lives.

Amnesia, is profound memory loss caused by a physical injury inflicted on the brain, by an infection or by a traumatic or emotional experience.

Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder an overview and its early history

Antidepressants may provide little benefit in dementia patients suffering from depression, a study suggests. They appear to increase adverse effects instead.

GLP-1 analogs used to treat diabetes may also help with weight loss in schizophrenia patients with anti-psychotic induced weight gain.

Schizophrenia is a chronic distressing and debilitating ailment. About 80% of the patients report recurrence within 5 years. Antipsychotic drugs are effective in keeping a check on this recurrence.

Anxiety is a state of mind where a person experiences fear, uneasiness, tension, irritability or apprehension in response to an unfamiliar stressful situation or object.

Anxiety disorder involves excessive worry about actual circumstances, events or conflicts. Anyone can develop this disorder. Genes may play a role.

New research shows that arty students are likely to feel more depressed in comparison to their sporty counterparts.

Asperger’s Syndrome or (AS) is a neurological condition marked by delay in the development of motor skills, difficulty in social interactions, strange facial expressions, misplaced gestures and fixed routines. .

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurobiological disorder that affects normal behavior and impairs the ability to concentrate.

Bereavement is a word used to denote grief, pain and sadness following the loss of a loved one.

Binge eating is a common eating disorder characterized by overeating. It is a form of mental illness affecting females more than males.

Bipolar Disorder is a brain disorder in which people show “mood swings”. Changes in the level of neurotransmitters in brain, and psychosocial factors are thought to be involved.

Nearly one in five Americans reportedly use prescription painkillers to experience an instant high. This could lead to the drug abuser turning entirely dependent on the contents of the drug.

It is common knowledge that we blink spontaneously to clean and lubricate the eyes. Scientists have found that blinking gives a chance for our brains to power down.

Patients with diabetes and depression were found to have a poorer control over their blood sugar as compared to diabetic patients without depression.

Recent studies suggest that with enough time, and proper treatment, probability of full recovery from body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is high.

A number of research experiments have focused on foods that tend to improve brain function and prevent different conditions related to mental health. Read on to find out 7 ways to boost brain health.

Brain scans make it possible to identify those who are at risk for bipolar disorder long before the clinical symptoms set in.

Illness found commonly in adolescent girls characterised by episodes of uncontrolled eating followed by vomiting

The link between the social structure and bullying

Burnout is an emotional and physical tiredness which is caused by stress.

Students must learn to develop a positive attitude towards life, and condition themselves to look at failure as a stepping-stone to success

Cannabis has a long history of medicinal, recreational, and industrial use and comes from a bushy plant with thick sticky flowers called Cannabis Sativa

Researchers globally are optimistic that family interventions can lead to a significant dip in cases of relapse amongst schizophrenic patients.

Chess encourages the overall development of a person where the game prepares one to handle life with astuteness and sensibility.

There has been no overall decrease in child maltreatment despite decades of policy changes. Interventions seem to be failing to fulfil our hopes

An ongoing study evaluates the effectiveness of a newly developed, trauma focused, secondary preventive intervention program to help the children exposed to interparental violence.

Delirium is not a disease but a syndrome characterized by general disorganized behavior and attention deficits. It involves cognitive disorders, hallucinations, delusions, deranged sleep-wake cycle.

The imposition of compulsory supervision fails to reduce the rate of readmission of psychotic patients.

Gripping over 2 million elderly people worldwide, Alzheimer’s disease is a serious neurological condition, still devoid of an appropriate treatment.

with increased use of the Internet, there has been a parallel increase in the incidence of the so-called cyber sex.

Encyclopedia section of medindia gives general info about Depression

Depression defined as “a state of low mood and aversion to activity that can affect a person's thoughts, behavior, feelings and physical well-being.”

Depression is widely affecting people across the globe. Generally patients respond well to CBT; some fail to respond to drug therapy.

Depression is a serious medical concern that adversely affects one's behavior, attitude and sentiments. Recent researches reveal that Deep Brain Stimulation can be used to treat depression.

Depression occurs due to alterations in the levels of neurotransmitters in the brain.

Marriages (read heterosexual) are made in heaven, they say. But what about homosexual partnerships? Are they made for each other?

Disabled adults are more prone to be victims of violence as compared to the adults who are not disabled. This can be accounted to their physical vulnerabilities and intellectual impairments.

Medindia Special report underlines the importance of early breast cancer detection and the influence of celebrities over the same.

Depression has various direct and indirect biological effects which may explain its link with cardiovascular disease.

A survey conducted by the Cosmopolitan suggests that porn ‘addiction’ could negatively impact intimacy.

Several studies and anecdotal evidence go to show that domestic violence takes a serious toll of mental and physical health of women.

The special report on Medindia brings to the spotlight the problem of domestic violence and its consequences

Antidepressant therapy with bupropion may hold the key towards methamphetamine addiction

Dream theories and meaning of dreams abound while our dreams continue to intrigue us, puzzle us, even embarrass us, and we often wonder if our dreams have a bearing on something in our real life.

The use of Drugs for reasons other than its prescribed recommendation, is known as Drug abuse.

Drug abuse during pregnancy has an adverse effect on the mother as well as the fetus. It is advisable to stop usage of illicit drugs well before pregnancy.

Duloxetine reduces fatigue in fibromyalgia patients.

Scientists at the Hotchkiss Brain Institute found links between dual parenting and brain cell production in the offspring.

A new study shows that eating fish provides omega-3 fatty acids, which could in turn, boost working memory in young adults.

Sound mental health is essential for effective workforce. It’s the responsibility of the employer to be considerate about the mental health of his employees and resort to active interventions.

Regular exercise can keep neuro-degenerative Alzheimer’s disease in check by replacing toxic molecule with beneficial molecule

Exorcism or the ritualistic act of driving out evil spirits is a special type of faith healing. The heated Psychiatry vs Exorcism debate still goes on….

David Kinchin, author and expert on PTSD sheds light on the invisible injury that continues to haunt many who have experienced a significant traumatic event.

Family intervention for people with schizophrenia may decrease the risk of relapse.It may also help people with schizophrenia to consistently take their medication.

‘Phantom’ Limb is a sensation in an amputee’s stump that generates the feeling that the amputated limb is still present.

Recent research suggests that widening of eyes in response to fear helps easily identify threats and also helps others in recognizing danger.

There is a complicated nexus between genes, environment and drug response. Studies in genetic variability would help to understand drug response in the mentally ill who are drug-resistant.

Genuine laughter turns out to be the best medicine and has evolved over seven million years and sounds more like a wild primates call - according to a study.

People on a high-fat diet experience changes in the brain which can bring about a cycle of poor dieting and depression.

Gender and diabetic status are better predictors of depression in Hispanic Cuban-American population.

Depression is a common disorder and many worldwide suffer from depression. Early recognition of symptoms and signs of depression can help in taking a holistic approach to the management of depression.

Mortality rates are higher in the homeless population, Danish researchers reveal.

Every once in a while, you may hit a spell of depression and sadness. Chew down these words of wisdom to clear the depression buzzing around, for good.

Lie Detector or Polygraph is a test carried out as part of criminal investigation. It detects lies by monitoring the physiological changes in the body when subjected to stress.

Mumbai is no stranger to terror , but the recent episode is certainly the mother of all attacks. It is the worst nightmare the nation has ever witnessed.

Infidelity is no longer seen as a midlife crisis alone because younger people are beginning to cheat on their spouses

Internet addiction disorder is of 3 types, excessive gaming, sexual preoccupations and email / text messaging.

Women get confused by the behavior of men in their lives. It is time they realize that men too have frequent mood swings.

Children with ADHD develop learning disability which can be treated with the intervention of medical practitioners and Occupational therapists

According to an Australian study, young kids with severe or persistent asthma are more prone to develop anxiety and depression.

Stress is a demand on the physical and mental energies of an individual. It is, in effect, a response to one or more conditions.

New studies on lucid dreaming have now helped scientists discover the seat of meta-consciousness of the brain.

In a fast-paced life of the 21st century, it is difficult to avoid crossing paths with anxiety and stress. Discover 7 easy tips to turn stress into a health benefit for you.

Bipolar disorder is marked by severe mood variations like sudden expression of excitement or physical hyperactivity. FDA has particularly approved lithium for treatment of mania and bipolar disorder.

A recent study has discovered that memory loss could begin even when people are in their thirties.

Common mental disorders are known to be associated with eating disorders (disordered eating), both over-consumption and under-consumption, which are responsible for increase in body weight and fat.

A study on Transgender population in Chennai, reveals a strong need for both Psychologists and Physicians to first understand and accept transgender persons and then improve their general wellbeing.

Mental health issues are common in people with hearing impairment. Deaf individuals are dependent upon body language and gestures.

It is estimated that nearly one in ten, worldwide, are grappling with mental health problems, of which anxiety disorder has acquired a ‘household’ status.

Errors are a part of human nature. But is it always minimalistic in damage? Read on to find out how small judgment errors could go seriously wrong.

'Psychosomatic Illness', is a stress-related disorder and causes psychological problem that can worsen physical ailments.

Gardner’s theory of Multiple intelligences is a salutation to the different types of intelligences that are inherent in humans. It has strong implications on children’s education & adult lifestyles.

Nail biting may soon be included under obsessive compulsive disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V).

Late life depression is a serious problem amongst elderly. Depression, stress, loneliness could lead to the development of conditions like cardiovascular disease, diabetes and physical impairment.

If at all pregnant women take antipsychotic drugs, it should be only under the supervision of a physician who can manage any potential adverse effects in the fetus.

Noetic science is a fast-emerging field of science. Noetic theory has faced controversies due to lack of enough evidence to support their effectiveness as a form of medicine.

Obesity may be a bad thing but researchers have found that the obesity gene can protect a person against depression.

Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is an anxiety disorder characterized by anxious unwanted thoughts or behavior, which the patient is unable to control.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder is an anxiety disorder in which people have persistent, upsetting thoughts (obsessions) and/or repetitive behaviours (compulsions).

The risk of youngsters attempting suicide is higher if a parent has been treated for mental illness or if a parent has attempted suicide.

Inter relationship between neuroendocrine system and immune system in modulation of the inflammatory responses to central and peripheral stimuli.

A person may be diagnosed with ‘personality disorder’, when pervasive pattern of behaviors and thoughts cause problems in work and relationships.

Pet Therapy is used to cure PTSD and long-term depression involving pet animals. Pet animals share a deep bond with patients, who tend to be relaxed in the presence of their pets.

Do you feel your phone vibrating and find that no one is calling? It might be Phantom Vibration Syndrome.

Simple fears become phobias when a person goes to extreme lengths to avoid the distressing object or situation.

Pica is a complex behavior and refers to excessive / abnormal craving for normal food or for other substances not commonly regarded as food such as earth, charcoal, raw rice, ice etc.

Research has confirmed that having a job which is not satisfying can be as stressful as having no job at all.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), is a mental condition triggered by a traumatic event that causes victims to experience recurrent flashbacks of the event followed by acute stress, anxiety, fear and panic

A study has helped to identify that stereotyping can result in prejudice and this can, in turn, cause depression.

Pregnancy is an experience of growth, change, enrichment and challenge. During the 40 weeks of pregnancy, the expectant mother will go through several physical and emotional changes.

A recent study finds that decreased brain activity in regions for evaluation and decision-making is responsible for the lack of empathy among psychopaths.

Psychological treatments may help alleviate the physical symptoms of skin diseases according to a new study.

In radiosurgery - “gamma knife” is used to deliver an intense beam of radiation to anterior cingulate cortex – an area of brain that causes OCD symptoms.

One of the most ignored body parts, the brain is capable of achieving astonishing feats when put to proper use. Read on to discover different ways to ‘train your brain’

Elderly people can reduce their risk for dementia if they remain physically active says a new study.

Medindia interviewed Shanthi Ranganathan, Founder, Director of TTK Hospital, an NGO famed for the holistic treatment and rehabilitation of persons addicted to alcohol, narcotic drugs and smoking.

Tau proteins are produced and accumulated in the brain cells due to stress, according to a new study carried out on mice by scientists at the San Diego school of medicine.

Tough times and sadness help an individual emerge as a stronger person. Read on to grasp the real deal; how sadness can actually be good for you.

Schizophrenia is a mental disorder characterized by symptoms of thought, behavior and social problems.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that triggers at a certain time of the year. The type that occurs in winters is the Winter Blues.

Is sex addiction a malady that can be treated or is it only an excuse for celebrity romps?

Sexual deviance includes a range of abnormal sexual expression from fetishism, cross dressing, sexual sadomasochism to pedophilia, incest and rape at the extreme end of the continuum.

From infants to the infirm, music’s appeal is universal and nonpareil, wafting its way to the heart! Get cured by music therapy and feel overwhelmed

Being spiritual may give a deep-seated purpose to life, but new research suggests that it can also make you more susceptible to mental illness.

The word stress, as is commonly known, is generally referred to any factor that affects the physical, physiological and emotional well being

Stress has become entwined in the current lifestyle of a young working couple and has resulted in the rise in incidence of hypertension, diabetes and psychosomatic illnesses.

We know that stress can cause havoc but a study says that stress can actually be good for us.

Medindia interviewed Sushama Saldhana, co-founder trustee of the Pranic Healing Foundation of Tamil Nadu, on the ancient art of energy healing that promotes overall good health and wellbeing.

A new study reveals how chronic stress may cause sperm damage and affect mental development in children.

A new study aims to find the genes responsible for anorexia nervosa, a disorder that commonly affects young adolescent women.

Suicide is an act of ending one's own life and it usually results from emotional isolations and inability to adjust and cope with one's environment.

Suicides can be prevented. Medindia interviewed Dr. Lakshmi Vijayakumar international resource person for suicide prevention and research and learnt how to save desperate lives.

With the help of a tailored weight-loss programme, people with serious mental illness can attain weight loss and stay healthy.

Intermittent Explosive disorder, the reason behind the angry teens, is a very controversial mental illness. Parents can do a lot to prevent their kids suffer from Teen Anger Disorder.

Laughing keeps you in good health and The Laughing Club is all set on a rolling, laughing marathon through life to keep oneself hale and healthy.

Brain–thyroid relationships are less apparent in the adult brain, though important. These are more significant in a developing brain.

If you are always exhausted and feel like you haven’t slept a wink even after a long night sleep, then you may be suffering from TATT.

Autism is characterized by developmental disturbances in social interaction, behavior and language. Air pollutants exposure can lead to autism development in infants and during pregnancy.

Researchers suggest that the unquiet mind, ruminating in bipolar disorder suffers from executive dysfunction.

Research has shown that video gaming can be as addictive as alcohol, heroin or gambling.

Dr. V. Jayanthini, Psychiatrist addresses the concerns, the attention and the approval necessary while raising a sibling of a child with special need.

If you find your self getting mad and cursing under your breath while driving, you are a victim of road rage.

World Alzheimer's Day falls on September 21st, 2009, embodying the theme, 'Diagnosing Dementia: See It Sooner'.

World Cup Cricket Finals is here and the underground betting syndicate is abuzz with excitement on the India-Sri Lanka cricket World Cup final in Mumbai.

World Mental Health Day, which falls on October 10th, 2007, embodies the theme ‘Mental Health in a Changing World: The Impact of Culture and Diversity’.

The cornerstone of World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH) campaign includes prevention of mental health disorders amid the backdrop of cultural and geographical barriers.

World Mental Health Day which falls on October 10, 2009, was created to educate and spread vital information about mental health and forms of illnesses.

World Mental Health Day on October 10th, 2010, is an annual event to increase public awareness about mental health issues with the theme "Mental Health and Long-term Illness: The Need for Continued and Integrated Care."

The theme for this year’s World Mental Health Day is "Depression: A Global Crisis".

The World Mental Health Day (WMH) falls on October 10th 2011 each year. The theme this year is “The Great Push: Investing in mental health."

Preventing suicides is a social responsibility.“Suicide Prevention in different cultures” should remind people that though suicides are committed on an impulse, the reasons may differ according to countries and cultures.

Xenophobia can be studied from two different perspectives. First, as a medical condition, a ‘phobia’ like all others, but second and more importantly, as a cultural and social malaise that has spoilt a utopian world.