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Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, perceived stress is an important determinant of mental health problems, especially in health care workers (HCW). By and large, regional language tools to assess perceived stress in the context of the pandemic have not been validated in India. We aim to explore the factor structure of the Telugu translated version of the COVID-19 pandemic-related Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10-C) administered on grassroots frontline HCW of rural Telangana, India. Methods: Data relating to 311 grassroots frontline HCW consisting of accredited social health activists (ASHA), multipurpose health workers (MPHW), and auxiliary nurse and midwives (ANMs) working in rural primary health centers (PHC) in five districts of Telangana were analyzed. An exploratory factor analysis was conducted to identify latent factors. Convergent validity was assessed by computing Pearson product-moment correlations between the scores of PSS-10-C and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) scales. Results: The principal component analysis showed that the 10 items of the scale were significantly loaded by two latent factors with eigen values of 2.792 and 2.009, respectively. Factor solution showed that six and four items correlated with each of the two factors, respectively. Significant correlations between PSS-10-C, GAD-7, and PHQ-9 scores showed convergent validity. The two factors may represent substantive factors "perceived self-efficacy" and "perceived helplessness." There may be an influence of the reverse-coded method on the factor solution. Conclusion: The Telugu translated version of PSS-10-C holds fair-to-good psychometric properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Physical activity and mental health are intimately linked. Graph: 10.1177 0253717620972330-fig1.tif Neurobiology of Exercise and Mental Health Although transient, the commonest known immediate mental health benefit of physical activity is what is termed "runner's high", which is the experience of euphoria post an endurance run. [Extracted from the article]

The overburdened casualty medical officer or treating physician might be reluctant to ponder on the suggested actions and instead choose to register MLC for all attempted suicide cases, thereby reducing their workload. The treating physician can then document all the appropriate and relevant interview findings and avoid registering MLC if there is no suspected abetment to suicide, suspicion of a possible homicidal act, and if the patient is unlikely to become medically unstable. Here, the treating physician earmarks the case as potential MLC, continues to provide routine medical care, and delays the intimation to police until discharge from the emergency medical setting. [Extracted from the article]

Background: Internet use has spread across the world due to easy accessibility and affordability. However, it has been creating many problems at several levels. So, there is a need to identify the suitability of psychometric properties and the factor structure of the widely used Internet Addiction Test (IAT) in the Indian settings. Our objective was to perform an exploratory factor analysis on the IAT and to test the reliability of the scale. Methods: It was a cross-sectional study that included various professional groups. We used an online questionnaire that included sociodemographic details and Young's IAT. Exploratory factor analysis was used to identify the factor structure of Young's IAT in the Indian setup. Results: The mean age of the sample (N = 1,782) was 27.7 years (SD = 8.74) with a predominantly male population 1040 (58.4%). In total, 1.0% (17) of the sample had significant problems with internet usage, whereas 13% (232) were in the range of frequent/occasional problems, and the mean score on IAT was 32 (SD = 16.42). Exploratory factor analysis revealed two factors that explained 49% of the variance (Kaiser–Meyer–Olkin measure of sampling adequacy: 0.95, Bartlett's test of sphericity: P = 0.000). They were "mood and relationship issues" and "duration and productivity." Cronbach's α was 0.92, which indicates a high level of internal consistency. Conclusion: In Indian settings, IAT can be understood based on the two-factor structure. The scale has excellent reliability. Further studies are needed to replicate these results, by using confirmatory factor analysis and validity testing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Subsequently, patient's OCD symptoms (YBOCS: 24) recurred in the last few weeks before another visit (January 2021). Disease burden for OCD ranges 1.2%-3.3%.[1],[2] OCD pathophysiology is functionally correlated with basal ganglia dysfunction, particularly cortico-striato-thalamo-cortical (CSTC) circuitry.[3] Interestingly, this CSTC basal ganglia connectome has also been implicated in brain efficiency and resilience.[4] So, despite extensive basal ganglia insults like calcification, some patients are asymptomatic and never reach the threshold of psychopathology. Dear Editor, Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a disabling and chronic neuropsychiatric disorder. [Extracted from the article]

In patients presenting with manic symptoms and history of opioid use, clinicians should consider the possibility of withdrawal emergent manic symptoms, which might rapidly resolve with opioid substitution alone. He was diagnosed as having opioids-dependence syndrome, with harmful use of sedatives or hypnotics, uncomplicated withdrawal state, and withdrawal emergent mania with psychotic symptoms. This association has been reported to be threefold to fourfold higher for opioid use disorders compared to other substances.[1] Both opioids-induced and withdrawal emergent mania are not reported frequently and, therefore, less understood. [Extracted from the article]

To the Editor, Delusional parasitosis or "Morgellons disease" is a psychotic disorder characterized by a false belief that worms have infested one's skin. Mental status involvement as a part of the neurological manifestation of COVID-19, especially basal ganglia pathology, has also been reported.[7] Specifically, basal ganglia aberrations, both structural and functional, have been significantly associated with secondary delusional parasitosis, albeit not in the context of COVID-19. [Extracted from the article]

Background: Alcohol-dependent patients are traditionally believed to have insecure attachment styles, higher anger expression, and lower self-esteem. There is a need to study them together. Aim: To understand the relationships amongst various of the socio-emotional factors. Materials and Methods: Forty male patients with Alcohol dependence syndrome and 40 matched healthy controls (General Health Questionnaire-12 score <3) were compared on attachment styles (on Relationship Scale Questionnaire), anger domains (on State Trait Anger Expression Inventory), and self-esteem (on Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale). Statistics and Analysis: Comparison using independent samples t test and chi square test; correlation using Pearson's correlation coefficient. Results: Patients had significantly higher anger expression, 'anger in' and 'anger out,' and lower self-esteem than healthy controls. Severity of alcohol dependence had significant correlation with 'anger out,' and self-esteem had significant negative correlation with anger expression. Conclusion: The present study suggests that the socio-emotional factors studied are developmentally linked to each other. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]