Misconceptions Related to Covid-19 Infection Among the Medical Students During the Early Part of the Covid-19 Pandemic.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to widespread controversies related to the transmission, treatment, prevention, and management of COVID-19 infection. Medical students have been involved in patient care across the globe and many a times the general public looks forward towards the medical professionals to get proper information about various issues related to COVID-19. We aimed to evaluate the knowledge and misconceptions held by the medical students on various aspects of COVID-19 infection. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: An online cross-sectional survey was conducted through the Survey Monkey® platform using the Whatsapp®, among the medical undergraduate students of a tertiary care Institute of Eastern India. RESULTS: 236 medical students (of different years of medical training/MBBS) participated in the survey and the response rate to the survey was 47.2%. The mean age of the participants was 20.91 (SD-1.86) years, and about three-fifths were males (58.5%). One-third students were either in their first year of MBBS (31.8%) or the final year (35.16%) of MBBS. Incorrect beliefs related to various preventive aspects, risk of increasing chance of getting infection and modes of spread of infection were present in a significant proportion of students, with a wide variation for specific issues. When the number of participants with at least one incorrect related to any of the aspects of COVID-19 infection was evaluated, it ranged from 59% to 85% in different domains. CONCLUSIONS: This survey highlights the widespread prevalence of misconceptions about various aspects of COVID-19 among medical students, which needs to be addressed by proper education and awareness.

Mental Health Outcomes of Perceived Stress, Anxiety, Fear and Insomnia, and the Resilience among Frontline Nurses Caring for Critical COVID-19 Patients in Intensive Care Units.

Background: The coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has led to a significant disruption in healthcare delivery and poses a unique long-term stressor among frontline nurses. Hence, the investigators planned to explore the adverse mental health outcomes and the resilience of frontline nurses caring for COVID-19 patients admitted in intensive care units (ICUs). Materials and methods: A cross-sectional online survey using Google form consisted of questionnaires on perceived stress scale (PSS-10), generalized anxiety disorder scale (GAD-7), Fear Scale for Healthcare Professionals regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, insomnia severity index, and the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale-10 (CD-RISC) were administered among the nurses working in COVID ICUs of a tertiary care center in North India. Results: A considerable number of subjects in the study reported symptoms of distress (68.5%), anxiety (54.7%), fear (44%), and insomnia (31%). Resilience among the frontline nurses demonstrated a moderate to a high level with a mean percentage score of 77.5 (31.23 ± 4.68). A negative correlation was found between resilience and adverse mental outcomes; hence, resilience is a reliable tool to mitigate the adverse psychological consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusion: Emphasizing the well-being of the nurses caring for critical COVID-19 patients during the pandemic is necessary to enable them to provide high-quality nursing care. How to cite this article: Jose S, Cyriac MC, Dhandapani M, Mehra A, Sharma N. Mental Health Outcomes of Perceived Stress, Anxiety, Fear and Insomnia, and the Resilience among Frontline Nurses Caring for Critical COVID-19 Patients in Intensive Care Units. Indian J Crit Care Med 2022;26(2):174-178.

Demographic & clinical profile of patients with COVID-19 at a tertiary care hospital in north India.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: The COVID-19 pandemic emerged as a major public health emergency affecting the healthcare services all over the world. It is essential to analyze the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of patients with COVID-19 in different parts of our country. This study highlights clinical experience in managing patients with COVID-19 at a tertiary care centre in northern India. METHODS: Clinical characteristics and outcomes of consecutive adults patients admitted to a tertiary care hospital at Chandigarh, India, from April 1 to May 25, 2020 were studied. The diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection was confirmed by real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) on throat and/or nasopharyngeal swabs. All patients were managed according to the institute's consensus protocol and in accordance with Indian Council of Medical Research guidelines. RESULTS: During the study period, 114 patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection were admitted. The history of contact with COVID-19-affected individuals was available in 75 (65.8%) patients. The median age of the patients was 33.5 yr (13-79 yr), and there were 66 (58%) males. Of the total enrolled patients, 48 (42%) were symptomatic. The common presenting complaints were fever (37, 77%), cough (26, 54%) and shortness of breath (10, 20.8%). Nineteen (17%) patients had hypoxia (SpO2<94%) at presentation and 36 (31%) had tachypnoea (RR >24). Thirty four (29.8%) patients had an accompanying comorbid illness. Age more than 60 yr and presence of diabetes and hypertension were significantly associated with severe COVID-19 disease. Admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) was needed in 18 patients (52%), with three (2.6%) patients requiring assisted ventilation. Mortality of 2.6 per cent (3 patients) was observed. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSIONS: Majority of the patients with COVID-19 infection presenting to our hospital were young and asymptomatic. Fever was noted only in three-fourth of the patients and respiratory symptoms in half of them. Patients with comorbidities were more vulnerable to complications. Triaged classification of patients and protocol-based treatment resulted in good outcomes and low case fatality.

Comparative study of effectiveness of augmentation with ECT in clozapine resistant schizophrenia (CRS) and non-clozapine resistant schizophrenia (Non-CRS).

BACKGROUND: There is limited evidence for different treatment strategies in patients with clozapine resistant schizophrenia (CRS). AIM: To determine the effectiveness of ECT in patients with clozapine resistant schizophrenia and compare the same with a group of patients with non-clozapine resistant schizophrenia, receiving ECT. RESULTS: Out of a total of 68 patients with schizophrenia, 27 (38.66%) of patients had CRS. With 6 ECTs, there was a significant reduction in PANSS positive, negative, general psychopathology, prosocial score and depression symptoms in the CRS (p < 0.001) and Non-CRS group (p < 0.001), but no statistically significant difference was seen between the 2 groups in terms of proportion of patients showing >40% response on PANSS total score. The reduction in PANSS score of >40% in CRS group was seen in 48.1% of patients in the positive symptoms subscale, in 25.9% of patients in negative symptoms subscale, in 46.7% of cases in the general psychopathology subscale, in 44.4% of the patients in Depression subscale, in 29.6% of the patients in the modified prosocialsubscaleand in 29.6% of the patients in total PANSS score. CONCLUSION: ECT is an effective augmentation strategy for patients with CRS and it is as effective as when used in patients with non-CRS.

Perceptions of Psychiatrists Toward the Use of Long-Acting Injectable Antipsychotics: An Online Survey Study From India.

PURPOSE/BACKGROUND: Despite proven benefits of long-acting injectables (LAIs), these are frequently underused by the psychiatrists. Accordingly, this study aimed to explore the perceptions of psychiatrists toward the use of LAI antipsychotics in their routine clinical practice. METHODS/PROCEDURE: An online e-mail survey was conducted by using Survey Monkey platform. RESULTS: A total of 622 psychiatrists with a mean age of 41 years who were in psychiatric practice for approximately 14 years participated in the survey. Participants reported using LAI, mainly for patients with schizophrenia, with LAI prescribed to approximately one-tenth (9.30%) of their patients in acute phase of illness and in one-fifth (18.42%) of patients in stabilization/stable phase. Fluphenazine decanoate (32.7%) was the most commonly used LAI followed by flupenthixol decanoate (19.5%), haloperidol decanoate (17.8%), and olanzapine pamoate (11.1%). The most common reasons for starting LAI were history of medication (100%) and treatment (80.5%) nonadherence, followed by having frequent relapses/exacerbations of symptoms (54.8%). Overall, more than half of the participants felt the level of acceptance of LAI among patients offered to be quite reasonable (54.3%), and mostly, LAIs were used as combination therapy with oral antipsychotics (73.6%). Despite all these, approximately three-fifths (59%) of the participants reported that they underuse LAI to a certain extent, with most common reasons that deter them from using LAI being the cost (55.45%), lack of interest of patients in receiving LAI (42.9%), lack of regular availability (41.3%), and patients being scared of receiving injectables (41.2%). CONCLUSIONS/IMPLICATIONS: The LAI antipsychotics despite having several benefits are still underused by a substantial proportion of practicing psychiatrists.

Internet Addiction and Its Association with Demographic Variables, Depression, Anxiety, and Psychological Well-being in College Students.

Background: Internet is an integral part of the daily life of everyone. Internet addiction (IA) is one of the major concerns, specifically among young adults. The association between IA, depression, anxiety, and psychological well-being (PWB) is least studied in young adults. Purpose: To evaluate IA and its association with psychological morbidity and PWB in a larger sample size. In addition, to examine the factors that are associated with IA. Methods: A total of 1287 young students were evaluated in the present study. Participants were evaluated on the Internet Addiction Test (IAT), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), and Psychological Well-Being Index-22. Results: The mean age of the study's participants is 19.5 years. The majority were female (68.9%), from nuclear families (61.8%), and belonged to urban localities (61.5%). On IAT, 15.9% had a presence of IA with a cut-off score of 50. 27.4% and 20.5% had a presence of depression and anxiety with a cut-off score of 10 on the PHQ-9 and GAD-7, respectively. Approximately two-thirds (66.7%) reported poor PWB. IA had a significant positive association with depression and anxiety and a negative association with PWB. Male students, the presence of depression, anxiety, and poor PWB were independent factors associated with IA. Conclusion: Internet addiction is highly prevalent among college students and has a significant association with anxiety, depression, and poor PWB. There is a need to develop a structured plan, educational strategy, and program to minimize IA in young adults.

Prevalence and sociodemographic determinants of common mental disorders (CMDs) symptoms in a rural adult population of Haryana, North India.

Objectives: Common mental disorders (CMDs), including depression, anxiety, and somatoform disorders, affect all stages of life and impact individuals, families, and communities. This study aimed to determine the magnitude of CMDs and their sociodemographic determinants in the adult population of a rural block in North India. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional, quantitative, community-based study was conducted among adult residents of a rural block in Haryana, North India, using a multistage random sampling technique. The Hindi version of the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12), a well-validated tool, was used to screen participants for CMDs. Scores of 4 or above denoted the presence of CMDs. Bivariate analyses were performed to determine the associations between CMDs and sociodemographic characteristics. Results: Of the 180 residents selected for the study, most were women (60.0%) and aged between 31 and 50 years (52.3%). The prevalence of CMDs symptoms in the study population was 20.0%. The presence of CMDs symptoms was significantly higher among those who were aged 60 years or older [OR=12.33, 95% CI 3.21-47.38], widowed, divorced or separated [OR=7.50, 95% CI 1.09-51.52], illiterate [OR= 6.25, 95% CI 2.84-13.77], had monthly family income below 10,000 INR [OR=3.33, 95% CI 1.54-7.20], had any chronic physical illness [OR=8.28, 95% CI 3.70-18.56] and had a family history of any psychiatric illness [OR=5.56, 95% CI 1.52-19.42]. Conclusion: The burden of CMDs was quite high among adults in rural North India. The presence of CMDs was closely associated with sociodemographic characteristics. Primary care and community-based settings need to screen for, diagnose, and manage CMDs to address this growing problem.

Experience of patients and their caregivers with telepsychiatry consultations: An exploratory study.

Background: While telepsychiatry became a prominent and widely used service in the COVID-19 pandemic-related lockdown, data regarding the patient's experience of telepsychiatry consultations is lacking. Materials and Methods: In this study, we attempted to understand the experience and level of satisfaction of 129 patients receiving psychiatry consultations over video consultations from April 2021 to December 2021. We also tried to understand the factors that might be associated with the satisfaction of the patients. Results: About three-fourths (77.5%) of the respondents were very satisfied with the quality of care provided and the overall experience of the consultation. The majority (92.2%) of the respondents reported that they would "definitely" recommend the telepsychiatry service to a friend or relative in need of a psychiatric consultation. The majority of the patients expressed high levels of satisfaction with the amount of time spent, the amount of freedom in expressing themselves, the amount of freedom in choosing the treatment option, the prescription provided, and the number of medications prescribed. The clarity of voice and the quality of connectivity throughout the consultation were found to be associated with the level of satisfaction. Conclusions: The present study suggests that overall satisfaction with teleconsultations was high among patients and/or caregivers for telepsychiatry consultations.

Longitudinal Experience and Determinants for Common Mental Health Problems, Phantom Limb and Functional Outcome in Lower Limb Amputees.

Background: Amputation of a limb is equivalent to loss of a person's life. Psychological aspects are essential factors in dealing with the disability and functional outcome is a significant concern. Longitudinal studies have not examined the experience and determinants of common mental health problems and functional outcome in lower limb amputees. Materials and Methodology: A total of 103 lower limb amputees were recruited and followed up for 6  months. Patients were assessed on Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and Social Functioning (SF-36) Quality of life, semi-structured clinical interview for psychiatric disorders and phantom limb at baseline (in hospital), at 2 weeks, 3 months and 6 months, respectively after discharge. Holistic care was provided through psychological counselling, supportive sessions, medications if required, rehabilitation counselling, prosthesis implantation, and treatment as usual. Results: Holistic care resulted in a statistically significant reduction in anxiety, depression and overall psychiatric morbidity as measured on HADS (p < 0.001). There was a significant improvement in all the domains of SF-36 (p -< 0.001) except the role of limitation due to physical activity. The intervention also resulted in a statistically significant reduction in the presence of phantom limbs. Conclusion: Amputees should be provided holistic care under one roof, which was found to be very useful in treating psychiatric morbidity, social functioning and quality of life.

Prevalence of mixed features in patients with first-episode depression: An exploratory multicentric study.

Background and Aim: There is limited literature on the prevalence of mixed features in patients with depression, especially from countries in Asia. Our aim was to evaluate the prevalence of "mixed features" in patients with first-episode depression. Materials and Methods: Patients with first-episode depression were evaluated for the presence of mixed features as per the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM)-5 criteria. They were additionally evaluated on Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) and Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS). Results: About one-sixth (16%) of the patients fulfilled the DSM-5 criteria for the mixed features specifier. The most common manic/hypomanic clinical feature was increased talkativeness or pressure of speech, followed by elevated expansive mood (12.5%), and inflated self-esteem or grandiosity was the least common feature (8.7%). Those with mixed features had higher prevalence of comorbid tobacco dependence and psychotic symptoms. In terms of frequency of depressive symptoms as assessed on HDRS, compared to those without mixed features, those with mixed features had higher frequency of symptoms such as depressed mood, insomnia during early hours of morning, work and activities, agitation, gastrointestinal somatic symptoms, genital symptoms, hypochondriasis, and poorer insight. Conclusion: Mixed features specifier criteria were fulfilled by 16% patients with first-episode depression. This finding suggests that the extension of this specifier to depression can be considered as a useful step in understanding the symptom profile of patients with depression.

Indian Psychiatric Society multicentre study: Diagnostic patterns, comorbidity and prescription practices for patients with Dementia.

Background: There are more than 5 million people with dementia in India. Multicentre studies looking at details of treatment for people with dementia In India are lacking. Clinical audit is a quality improvement process which aims to systematically assess, evaluate, and improve patient care. Evaluating current practice is the key to a clinical audit cycle. Aim: This study aimed to assess the diagnostic patterns and prescribing practices of psychiatrists for patients with dementia in India. Method: A retrospective case file study was conducted across several centers in India. Results: Information from the case records of 586 patients with dementia was obtained. Mean age of the patients was 71.14 years (standard deviation = 9.42). Three hundred twenty one (54.8%) were men. Alzheimer's disease (349; 59.6%) was the most frequent diagnosis followed by vascular dementia (117; 20%). Three hundred fifty five (60.6%) patients had medical disorders and 47.4% patients were taking medications for their medical conditions. Eighty one (69.2%) patients with vascular dementia had cardiovascular problems. Majority of the patients (524; 89.4%) were on medications for dementia. Most frequently prescribed treatment was Donepezil (230; 39.2%) followed by Donepezil-Memantine combination (225; 38.4%). Overall, 380 (64.8%) patients were on antipsychotics. Quetiapine (213, 36.3%) was the most frequently used antipsychotic. Overall, 113 (19.3%) patients were on antidepressants, 80 (13.7%) patients were on sedatives/hypnotics, and 16 (2.7%) patients were on mood stabilizers. Three hundred nineteen (55.4%) patients and caregivers of 374 (65%) patients were receiving psychosocial interventions. Conclusions: Diagnostic and prescription patterns in dementia which emerged from this study are comparable to other studies both nationally and internationally. Comparing current practices at individual and national levels against accepted guidelines, obtaining feedback, identifying gaps and instituting remedial measures help to improve the standard of care provided.

Knowledge and attitude of caregivers of people with dementia.

AIM: This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge and attitude of caregivers of people with dementia towards the disease (Alzheimer disease). The secondary objective of the study was to assess the association of attitude and knowledge towards dementia. METHODS: In total, 50 patients with dementia and their caregivers were included in the present study. Caregivers were evaluated on the Dementia Attitude Scale and Alzheimer's Disease Knowledge Scale (ADKS) to assess the level of knowledge and attitude. RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 72.2 years, and the majority of them were men, married, from joint/extended family setup, urban background, and upper or upper-middle socioeconomic status. The mean age of the caregivers was 48.04 years, and the majority was educated more than the matric level. Nearly half of the caregivers were children, and about one-third were the spouse of the person with dementia. The mean duration of the caregiver role was 3.6 ± 3.0 years, while the average time spent in caregiving was 7.4 ± 2.9 h/day. Using the Alzheimer's Disease Knowledge Scale, the mean knowledge score for the caregivers was 16.9 ± 2.7. In terms of individual items on the knowledge scale, most of the caregivers were aware of most aspects of dementia. In terms of the mean weighted score, the maximum score was for the domains of course and symptoms and this was followed by the domain of "treatment and management." The lowest score was obtained for the domain of assessment and diagnosis on ADKS. On the Dementia Attitude Scale, the mean total score was 76.4 ± 18.4. The mean total score for the knowledge domain was higher than the support domain. CONCLUSION: The current study suggests that most caregivers with dementia have a reasonable level of knowledge about dementia. However, in terms of attitude, caregivers of people with dementia have a less positive attitude towards dementia. The study's finding suggests that there is a need to evaluate the knowledge and attitude of the caregivers of people with dementia and the gaps must be addressed to improve the outcome, both for the people with dementia and their caregivers. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2022; 22: 19-25.

Association of serum BDNF level and Val66Met polymorphism with response to treatment in patients of major depressive disease: A step towards personalized therapy.

BACKGROUND: Major depressive disorder (MDD) is one of the most common psychiatric disorders and only less than 50% of MDD patients achieve remission after the first antidepressant trial. Hence, it is important to understand the factors associated with response to various antidepressant medications. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a member of the neurotrophin family. BDNF and Val66Met polymorphism in the BDNF gene has a role in MDD. This study aimed to determine the association of rs6265 polymorphism and serum BDNF level with response to treatment in MDD patients. METHODS: The study included 200 subjects, consisting of 100 MDD patients treated with oral antidepressants and 50 treated with ECT, and 50 healthy controls. Serum BDNF levels were estimated using ELISA and rs6265 polymorphism was genotyped using tetra-primer ARMS PCR. RESULTS: Val66Met polymorphism had an association with MDD, and in MDD patients with Met allele was associated with a better response to antidepressants. Serum BDNF level was significantly higher in MDD patients compared to healthy individuals. In MDD patients, lower serum BDNF level was associated with better ECT outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Val66Met polymorphism in BDNF gene and serum BDNF level has the potential to be used as a biomarker for the prediction of response to oral antidepressants and ECT in MDD patients. The presence of the Met allele might be used to predict the chances of occurrence of MDD in the future. The results of our study might form a basis for the development of personalized treatment for MDD in the future.

Psychological Impact of COVID-19 Duties During Lockdown on Police Personnel and Their Perception About the Behavior of the People: an Exploratory Study from India.

To evaluate the psychosocial issues among the police personnel during the COVID-19 pandemic. In a web-based cross-sectional survey, 623 police personnel were evaluated on Patient Health Questionnaire-4 (PHQ-4) and Perceived stress scale (PSS), and a self-designed questionnaire. 10.6% of the police personnel had significant anxiety and 18% have significant depressive symptoms with overall psychological morbidity of 22.2%. Higher age was significantly associated with higher depressive symptoms, total PHQ-4 score, and higher perceived stress. The present survey suggests that a substantial proportion of the police personnel on COVID-19 duty during the lockdown period have significant anxiety, depressive symptoms, and perceive significant stress. There is an urgent need to evaluate the mental health issues and provide psychological support to the police personnel who are considered as faceless warriors of the COVID-19. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11469-020-00408-8.

Cognitive Deficits in Patients with COVID-19 Infection during Their Hospital Stay: An Exploratory Study.

Background The literature on presence of cognitive deficits in patients recovered from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection is emerging. However, the data on whether cognitive deficits have its onset during the acute phase of illness has not been evaluated extensively. Aim This article estimates the level of cognitive functioning of patients with COVID-19 while they were admitted to COVID-designated wards. Secondary objectives were to assess the influence of medical comorbidities, severity of COVID-19 infection, and depressive and anxiety symptoms on cognitive functioning in patients with COVID-19 infection. Methods Sixty-six clinically stable patients with COVID-19 infection were evaluated during their inpatient stay on Hindi Montreal Cognitive Assessment scale (H-MoCA), Hindi Mini-Mental State Examination (HMSE) scale, Patient Health Questionnaire-9, and Generalized Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire -7. Results The mean age of the study participants was 39.85 (standard deviation [SD] 16.89) years and the participants were evaluated after 9.34 (SD 4.98; median 9.0) days of being diagnosed with COVID-19 infection. About one-fourth (28.8%; n = 19) of the participants had cognitive impairment on HMSE and about two-fifths ( n = 26; 39.39%) had cognitive impairment as per the cutoff used for H-MoCA. A higher level of cognitive deficits were seen among participants who were older, diagnosed with diabetes mellitus, and those who required oxygen support during their hospital stay prior to assessment. Conclusion Low cognitive score was found in one-fourth (28.8%) to two-fifths (39.9%) of the persons, depending on the assessment scale among those with acute COVID-19 infection. Low cognitive score was more prevalent among the elderly, those with diabetes mellitus, and those who required oxygen support prior to the assessment.

Suicidal behavior in new patients presenting to the Telepsychiatry services in a Tertiary Care center: An exploratory study.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to expansion of telepsychiatry services and formulation of telemedicine guidelines. However, the telemedicine guidelines are not very clear about psychiatric emergencies, such as suicidal behaviour, resulting in psychiatrists facing dilemma about handling such situations. AIM: To evaluate the prevalence of suicidal behaviour in new patients presenting to the Telepsychiatry services in a Tertiary Care centre. METHODS: 1065 new adult patients (aged > 18 years) registered with telepsychiatry services were assessed for suicidal behaviour, in the form of death wishes, suicidal ideations, plans, attempts (lifetime/recent) and non-suicidal self-injurious behaviour (NSSI) (lifetime/recent). RESULTS: In terms of suicidal behaviour, in the last few weeks prior to assessment 14.4% of the patients had death wishes, 2.4% had thoughts of killing themselves, 0.9% had attempted suicide in the lifetime and 0.6% in the last few weeks, 1.1% had active suicidal ideations at the time of assessment, 0.6% had active suicidal plan, 1.3% had history of NSSI in the lifetime and 0.5% had NSSI behaviour in the last few weeks. Based on the current suicidal behaviour, 1.3% of the patients were asked to report to the emergency immediately, 0.5% were given an appointment within 72 h for follow-up, and 14.4% were explained high risk management. CONCLUSIONS: Overall prevalence of suicidal behavior is relatively low in new patients seeking psychiatric help through telepsychiatry services.

Sensory Deprivation and Psychiatric Disorders: Association, Assessment and Management Strategies.

Background: Sensory deprivation (SD) is a widely prevalent condition that leads to various health-related consequences and is also an important cause of disability worldwide. Earlier, SD experiments were used as research modalities to alter human behavior. In recent years, the focus has shifted to understand how SD can affect the mental health of individuals (with congenital or acquired sensory impairments). This narrative review focuses on the current understanding about the association of SD and psychiatric disorders. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was done PubMed, Scopus, PsycINFO, and Google Scholar and in the cross-references of relevant articles. Keywords included "sensory deprivation," "blindness," "deafness," "mental illness," "psychiatric disorders," "prevalence," "assessment," and "management" in various combinations. Only original articles (abstract and full text) published in English till October 2020 were included. Results: The prevalence of anxiety, depression, dementia, suicidality, and psychosis in persons with SD is higher than the general population (highest being in persons with dementia with comorbid SD). Several mechanisms/hypotheses have been proposed to explain these associations. Assessment of SD includes a thorough history taking, with adequate awareness about the difficulties faced during a psychiatric interview in this population. Modifications in the psychometric assessment procedures are warranted. Management depends on a multi-disciplinary approach that includes proper referral to specialties, pharmacological management (depending on diagnosis as well as taking care of ototoxic/ocular side-effect profile of the drugs), and nonpharmacological supportive measures. Conclusions: SD is a complex condition, and evidence suggests that persons with SD have higher psychiatric morbidity. A comprehensive assessment, along with holistic management approach is warranted.