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Background: Menopausal transition (MT) is the period of irregular menstrual activity which directly precedes menopause and is characterized by widely fluctuating hormone levels and reproductive, metabolic, and psychological disturbances. We aimed to study the prevalence of psychiatric comorbidity among ambulatory women in MT. Materials and Methods: One hundred consecutive ambulatory women in MT were assessed using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition criteria by means of the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview, English version 5.0.0. The diagnosis of MT was made according to the Stages of Reproductive Aging Workshop. Results: About 28% of the cases had major depressive disorder (MDD), 14% had anxiety disorders, and 7% had anxiety with depression. A statistically significant difference in psychiatric comorbidity was found between the age groups of 45–50 years and 51–55 years. There was a statistically significant difference between onset of menarche and psychiatric comorbidity. Women in the late MT had statistically significant sleep disturbances. Conclusion: A high prevalence of mental disorders was observed which included MDD and other anxiety disorders. The results suggested that screening and appropriate management for psychiatric disorders should be part of the routine evaluation that would help in early recognition of symptoms and reduction in discomfort of these symptoms.

Background: Frontline healthcare workers (FHCWs) are at an increased risk of contracting COVID-19. We aimed to assess the stress and psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic among FHCWs. Methods: This was an exploratory hospital-based study. A semistructured e-questionnaire was developed and shared through emails, WhatsApp groups, Facebook, and Twitter. The study instruments used were stress questionnaire and the impact of event scale—revised. Results: We received 133 valid responses. A total of 81 (61.4%) of the respondents were single, 74 (55.6) were male, 70 (52.6%) were between 20 and 29 years of age, and 91 (68.4%) were from urban background. A total of 83 (62.4%) of respondents were doctors and 28 (21.1%) were registered nurses. A total of 36 (27.1%) were posted in emergency and 34 (25.6%) were in the in-patient department. Feeling sad and pessimistic, feeling of being avoided by others, the burden of change in the quality of work, and worrying whether the family will be cared for in their absence were significantly more in nurses as compared to the doctors. Stress due to burden in an increase in the quantity of work was seen more in FHCWs working in the swab collection center as compared to those working in the in-patient department, emergency, or theaters. Severe psychological impact was seen in 81 (60.9%) of FHCWs. The psychological impact was significantly more in males and in those who were married. It was also significantly related to the place of posting. Conclusion: More than half of the FHCWs had a severe psychological impact owing to COVID-19. The psychological impact was more in males and those who were married, and it was related to the place of posting of the FHCWs. Nurses had significantly higher stress as compared to doctors.

Background and Aims: Globus is the physical sensation of a lump in the throat presenting as difficulty in swallowing. Since there is a paucity of literature regarding the psychiatric comorbidity in globus, we aimed to study the psychiatric comorbidities in these patients visiting a tertiary care center in Kashmir. Materials and Methods: It was a noncontrolled, noninterventional, cross-sectional, hospital-based study carried out from August 2014 to July 2015 among the patients with a diagnosis of globus. Patients were selected from the outpatient unit, visiting the Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences Kashmir. About 51 patients with globus who fulfilled the inclusion criteria and gave written informed consent were selected as study cases. For diagnosing psychiatric comorbidities, we used the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview. Results: The mean age of our cases was 39.58 years. Females outnumbered males in cases by a ratio of 3:1 approximately. Psychiatric disorders were seen in 70.588% of globus patients. Major psychiatric disorders seen in our patients were major depressive episode (23.53%) and generalized anxiety disorders (11.76%). Conclusions: Majority of patients with globus who present to a tertiary care center have comorbid psychiatric disorders. We need to screen these patients for such comorbidities and develop a holistic approach for better outcome in such cases.

Background Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) has not only spawned a lot of stigma and discrimination towards its survivors but also to their corpses. We aimed to assess the magnitude and correlates of stigma in these survivors, on return to their communities. Methods This was a cross-sectional, hospital-based, exploratory study conducted by the postgraduate department of psychiatry, in collaboration with the postgraduate department of chest medicine, Govt. medical college, Srinagar. The study was performed among COVID-19 survivors, who attended the outpatient department after their discharge from the hospital. Socio-demographic characteristics were recorded through semi-structured proforma. Stigma was measured by the stigma questionnaire. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and regression analysis. Results A total of 91 survivors consented to participate in the study. Almost half (46.2%) of them were in the age group of 30–49 years and close to two-thirds (68.1%) were males. About three–fourths (74.7%) were from the urban background. The mean time from hospital discharge to study entry was 11.7±5.1 [Range(R) = 7–21] days. 98% of survivors provided at least one stigma endorsing response and the total mean stigma score was 28.5±7.1[R = 6–39]. The mean stigma sub-scores were highest for enacted stigma (7.6±1.8) [R = 2–9] and externalized stigma (15.0±4.1) [R = 1–20]. Enacted stigma was significantly high in males as compared to females. Enacted stigma and internalized stigma were both associated with education. Enacted stigma, externalized stigma, disclosure concerns, and total stigma was significantly associated with the occupation. Being unemployed and time since discharge were identified as independent predictors of total stigma. Conclusion Our study results showed high levels of enacted and externalized stigma among COVID-19 survivors. Enacted stigma was more among males and in those who were highly educated. Survivor centered and community-driven anti-stigma programs are the need of the hour to promote the recovery and community re-integration of these survivors.