DOKITA

Editorial

2024-06-24T11:01:24+00:00

No abstract.

Foreword

2024-06-24T11:03:55+00:00

No abstract.

Gender differences in depression - Literature review

2024-06-24T11:05:31+00:00

Background: Depression has been reported to be higher among women than men both in epidemiological and clinical-based studies. Reasons for this disparity are multifactorial and begin to take effect around adolescence.

Objective: This paper seeks to identify causative factors responsible for this disparity in prevalence and report them using the biopsychosocial model of aetiology of depression. Gender differences present in symptomatology, course of illness and patient functioning during the illness are also touched on.

Methods: Google Scholar and PubMed were used to search for journal articles and books relevant to the subject. Reference lists of the published studies and reviews were also consulted along with psychiatric diagnostic manuals.

Results: A multitude of factors contribute and are responsible for the development of depression in females. However, the existence of a male form of depression has been postulated which manifests with differences in symptomatology than is found in the existing diagnostic criteria for depression.

Conclusion: Although women develop depression more, men are a particularly vulnerable group due to lower symptom-reporting and differences in symptomatology. Research has to focus on masculine depression with the possible effect of revising current diagnostic criteria to diagnose more men with depression.

Personality disorders: Challenges in diagnosis

2024-06-24T11:07:49+00:00

The historical background of mental disorders focusing on personality disorders is interesting. It serves as a guide to explore new developments regarding the classification of individuals who do not fit into the normal findings in the general population. It aids balanced review of the uncertainties and challenges of modern psychiatrists in labelling ‘unfitting’ members of the society whose traits have been deemed skewed comparing with the limits of ‘normal’ findings in the general population. This article reviews the challenges associated with diagnosing personality disorders. It expounds on the historical trends and theories describing normal personality and personality disorders, as well as the benefits and shortcomings of advances in diagnosing personality disorders. The article also explores the clinical, ethical and medicolegal issues that pose as challenges to the diagnosis of personality disorders. In conclusion, the article outlines possible modifications and recommendations that would guide future reviews in this area of psychiatry.

“Is this my baby?”: A literature review on puerperal psychosis in Africa

2024-06-24T11:09:59+00:00

Puerperal psychosis although rare is a severe form of psychiatric mental illness with very serious implications such as infanticide and suicide. The symptoms are usually present within the first two to three days after delivery and if close attention is paid a prompt diagnosis will be made. Patients who are treated early have been observed to make full recovery. This literature review hopes to discuss the meaning of puerperal psychosis, its epidemiology, etiological factors, management and prevention.

Materials and Methods: The materials used in this review article come from studies and publications on puerperal psychosis from PubMed, PsycINFO, Google Scholar, Science Direct, Biomed central and Medline 2009 to 2019.

Results: The data suggest that puerperal psychosis occurs in 2-3/1000 of African women within the first 2-4 weeks post-delivery. The incidence, onset and pattern of illness in Africa are all remarkably similar to that described in the international literature. It is associated with hormonal changes accompanying child birth which in turn leads to changes in mothers’ moods and emotions. Other risk factors are primiparous patient; a family history of psychiatric illness; and a personal psychiatric history, particularly a history of mania and substance dependence. Symptoms range from depression to frank psychosis with grossly disorganized behavior which result in poor insight which can lead to devastating effects on the mother and newborn. A high index of suspicion, prompt attention and treatment based on patients’ symptoms can reduce its menace. Patients with family history of mental illnesses or puerperal psychosis will benefit from early social support, psychotherapy, repetitive assessment of mothers’ symptoms and estrogen prophylaxis to reduce the incidence of puerperal psychosis.

Conclusion: Timely accurate assessment and appropriate treatment of puerperal psychosis will significantly improve the prognosis, promote full recovery and reduce morbidity and mortality of mother and baby.

Prevalence and correlates of mental disorders in undergraduates: A global review

2024-06-24T11:15:30+00:00

Background: Mental disorders affect the society as a whole and no group is exempted. However, undergraduate students have been shown to have higher levels of mental health problems compared to their counterparts who are not studying in a university. In order to address this challenge facing these stakeholders in the society, it is important to be familiar with the prevalence and understand the factors associated with mental disorders amongst this group of individuals.

Objectives: The aim of this review article is to identify the prevalence and correlates of mental disorders amongst undergraduates globally as well as their consequences on students’ school performance and general well-being.

Methods: A search for related articles was done using Google Scholar, Pubmed and ScienceDirect in July and August 2018.

Results: Prevalence of mental disorders ranged from 8.3-40%. Most studies revealed higher prevalence of mental disorders in college (undergraduate) students when compared with their non-college counterparts. In some studies, depression was cited as the most prevalent mental disorder among undergraduates, while substance use disorders were reported in other cases. Most studies revealed a higher prevalence of depression in females and a higher prevalence of substance abuse in males. Engineering, Education and Medicine were associated with higher prevalence of mental disorders when compared with other courses. Students in extreme socioeconomic conditions generally had a higher prevalence of mental disorders. Poor family background, being married, living off-campus with parents or guardians and poor academic performance all correlated significantly with depression.

Conclusion: Mental health disorders are common health challenges faced by undergraduates at one point of their study or another. It has substantial impact in the students’ level of functioning, general wellbeing and general academic performance. There is need for students to be made aware of the common mental disorders they may face. Universities and colleges should ensure students have adequate facilities/resources for students to seek help from when necessary.

The role of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in the treatment of mental illness

2024-06-24T11:19:13+00:00

Objectives: The role of Electroconvulsive therapy in treatment of mental illness has long been controversial and misunderstood. This paper aims to elucidate the relevance of Electroconvulsive therapy in the current management of mental illness, its mechanism of action, guidelines for its administration and possible side effects encountered during its use.

Methods: Literature search was carried out on Electroconvulsive therapy using the following database: PubMed, Google Scholar, with emphasis on its role in treatment of mental illness, its mechanism of action and advances in its use.

Results: Electroconvulsive therapy still plays an important and significant role in management of mental illness even though its mechanism of action is still not fully understood. Certain advances and modifications to its use has lessened its side effects even though some still exist. Its method of administration impacts the effectiveness of its use.

Conclusion: The role of Electroconvulsive therapy in current practises of Psychiatry cannot be overemphasized as it is still relevant in the management of Mental illness. Indications for its use must however be established and accurate method of administration ensured to enhance its effectiveness.

The menace of psychoactive substance use among Nigerian undergraduates

2024-06-24T11:22:10+00:00

The use of psychoactive substances has been identified as a public health concern in Nigeria, and this paper is on its use as a maladaptive coping mechanism among university undergraduates in Nigeria. Alcohol, tobacco, caffeine, and marijuana are the more commonly used psychoactive substances among Nigerian undergraduates for various maladaptive reasons which include, coping with the stress of their studies, boosting academic performance, relaxation/recreation, enhancing sexual performances, etc. The use of these psychoactive substances has been reported to be associated with factors such as the male gender, living alone in school, higher classes, older age, etc, and some of the adverse effects reported in users include getting into quarrels and fights, problems with parents and teachers, risky sexual behaviours and health-related problems, etc.

Diagnostic imaging tools in the management childhood epilepsy

2024-06-24T11:24:43+00:00

Epilepsy is a major public health challenge and it is known to affect the paediatric population. Early diagnosis which includes history, physical examination and investigations and treatment is imperative for favourable outcomes in terms of seizure control and neurocognitive development. The management of paediatric epilepsies presents multiple challenges to the clinician because of non-epileptic imitators, evolving classification approaches, clinical presentations, limited clinical trial data for medications, and the toxicities of therapies. Although the diagnosis of epilepsy is clinical, there are many basic neuoroimaging techniques that are currently available for diagnostic classification. Many of the advanced techniques are not universally available; functional neuroimaging techniques, including positron emission tomography (PET) scanning, magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), magnetic source imaging (MSI), single-photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT) scanning, and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), can be extremely beneficial in the localisation of the epileptogenic zone and for mapping functional areas of the brain. This article presents an understanding of the basic diagnostic systems in paediatric epilepsy and to identify the major challenges in the diagnosis of epilepsy.

Is drug addiction simply a brain disease?

2024-06-24T11:27:31+00:00

This article suggests that addiction should not be looked at only through the prism of the brain-disease model as other important factors play crucial roles in understanding and ultimately treating addiction. The brain-disease model limits research and scientific inquiries into the roles which personality of the addict and the environment play in the addiction conundrum. The addict and the environment are vital players in addiction and the need for further inquiries into their roles cannot be overemphasised. Only when this has been achieved, can we be finally sure of dampening the pains and struggles of the addict and their carers.

Migraine in the medical student- A review

2024-06-24T11:32:38+00:00

Headache disorders, and migraine especially have been found to cause so much disability in the world at large and among medical students. As is the prevalence which has been found to be more in females, so is the severity of disability caused by migraine. Genetics and menstruation are non-modifiable risk factors associated with migraine. Modifiable risk factors that predict or trigger migraine include the year of study, the level of stress and adaptability, lack or absence of sleep, cigarette smoking and mental illness. Persons suffering from migraine have been found to also suffer from various comorbidities which includes sleep disorders, alexithymia and allodynia and among others. The impact of migraine on the level of productivity especially in the academic, social, and psychological aspects of a person’s life have been found to be remarkable. This impact can however be reduced with regular physical activity. Medical students have been seen to resort to self-medication with the use of different classes of analgesics and other forms of therapy as opposed to seeking medical therapy. Only a few were found to use migraine prophylaxis.

Awareness of depression among adolescents in Nigeria. A community-based intervention

2024-06-24T11:39:37+00:00

Background: Adolescents struggle with neuropsychiatric condition with 10%-20% experiencing mental disorders which can lead to severe disability, affecting educational and social performance. Depression is one of the most common of these conditions and a major contributor to the overall global burden of disease. It has also been found to be the strongest single risk factor for attempted or completed suicides. While there is a growing literature on the mental health literacy of adults, there has not been a parallel interest in the mental health literacy of young people in Nigeria and often times, depression in adolescents go unrecognized, misdiagnosed and eventually untreated.

Aims and Objectives: To assess the knowledge of secondary school students on depression and to measure the effectiveness of the intervention (awareness on depression talk).

Methods: The study was a community-based intervention study, 58 school adolescents were screened for the pre- and post-test using a 5 – item questionnaire adapted from the ADKQ from groups of 6-8 across the 8 arms of the senior secondary 2 class in a private secondary school in South west Nigeria. Data collection and analysis was conducted using the Statistical Program for the Social Sciences software program version 25. Data were presented as frequency tables.

Results: 58 students were recruited into the study, 55 students responded to the pre- and post-test, giving a response rate of 94.8%. During the pre-test, only fifteen of the students (27.7%) correctly noted that depression cannot be controlled by willpower; twenty-seven respondents (49.8%) agreed that major depression was not a normal part of adolescence. The post-test saw an improvement in the knowledge of majority of the respondents about depression.

Conclusion: Mental health literacy was relatively low amongst the adolescents surveyed. There is a need to increase mental health awareness in Nigeria. This school-based intervention sought to help adolescents understand the concept of depression and ultimately improve the burden of depression in Nigeria in whatever minimal impact it can achieve.

Interviews: Perspectives in mental and neurosciences (CMD)

2024-06-24T11:43:21+00:00

No abstract.

DOKITA extras: Poems and proses

2024-06-24T11:45:59+00:00

No abstract.

DOKITA News

2024-06-24T11:47:41+00:00

No abstract.