Impact of COVID-19 and Lockdown on Children with ADHD and Their Families-An Online Survey and a Continuity Care Model.

Background Little is known about the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic on children with attention-deficit hyperkinetic disorder (ADHD). This study aimed to assess the impact of lockdown on children with the ADHD, and their families. Additionally, feasibility of carrying out "text message-based" intervention was evaluated. Methods An online survey was performed to evaluate the impact of lockdown on children with ADHD and their family members. Additionally, a "text message"-based intervention was performed over 2 weeks. Along with the text-based intervention, we also provided reading materials and an option of telephonic consultation. Results Of the 80 parents who initially consented to participate, 48 filled the baseline survey, and 41 agreed to receive intervention. Out of 41, 29 filled satisfaction survey. During the lockdown period, there was worsening of symptoms of ADHD in the form of increase (slight or marked) in the activity level (50.1%), irritability (45.8%), and disturbing or disruptive behavior (47.7%) in children. In terms of behavior of family members, there was marked/slight increase in irritability (37.5%), and shouting at the child (43.8%), verbal abuse (25%), and punishing the child (27.1%). Additionally, there was an increase in the praising (67.6%) and spending time with the child (72.9%). Text-based messages on a scale of 0 to 10 were rated as 5.79 for the content, 5.76 for the usefulness, and 6 for satisfaction. Conclusion Lockdown resulted in worsening of symptoms among children of ADHD and it had impact on the interaction pattern of the children and parents. A "text message"-based intervention is a feasible and possibly acceptable option to deal with the behavioral problem of the children and adolescents with ADHD.

Social cognitions in siblings of patients with schizophrenia: a comparison with patients with schizophrenia and healthy controls - a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: There are limited number of studies which have evaluated social cognitive deficits among the siblings of patients with schizophrenia. AIM: This study aimed to evaluate the social cognitive deficits and its correlates among siblings of patients with schizophrenia. METHODOLOGY: Patients of schizophrenia (N = 34), their siblings (N = 34) and healthy control subjects (N = 31) matched for age, gender, education and intelligence quotient were evaluated on social cognition rating tools in Indian setting (SOCRATIS). Patients were additionally evaluated on Positive and Negative Symptom Scale (PANSS). Siblings were assessed on Comprehensive Assessment for at risk mental state (CAARMS) scale and Short Wisconsin Schizotypy scale. Neurocognitive test battery was applied to all the groups. RESULTS: Patients with schizophrenia performed the worst and the healthy controls performed the best, with siblings falling intermediate on all the subtests of social cognition (except for externalizing bias and personalized bias) and neurocognition. There were negative correlation between some of the domains of social cognition and various domains of CAARMS. Higher level of schizotypy was associated with higher level of social cognitive deficits. CONCLUSION: Social cognitive deficits can act as an important endophenotype for estimating the risk of schizophrenia in at risk siblings. Further, social cognitive deficits must be considered as important target for intervention among the at risk siblings to improve their outcome.

Depression in Children and Adolescents: A Review of Indian studies.

BACKGROUND: Depression is a common mental disorder seen across all age groups, including children and adolescents. Depression is often associated with significant disability in children and adolescents. AIM: This review aims to evaluate the Indian research on depression in children and adolescents. RESULTS: Available data suggest that the point prevalence of depression/affective disorders ranges from 1.2% to 21% in the clinic-based studies; 3%-68% in school-based studies and 0.1%-6.94% in community studies. There has been only one incidence study from India which estimated the incidence to be 1.6%. With respect to the risk factors for depression, studies have reported various education-related difficulties, relationship issues with parents or at home, family-related issues, economic difficulties, and other factors. A limited number of studies have evaluated the symptom profile, and the commonly reported symptoms include depressed mood, diminished interest in play activities, concentration difficulties, behavior problems in the form of anger and aggression, pessimism, decreased appetite, decreased sleep, anhedonia, and somatic symptoms. None of the studies from India has evaluated the efficacy/effectiveness of various antidepressants in children and adolescents with depression. CONCLUSION: There is a wide variation in the point prevalence reported across different studies, which is mainly due to methodological differences across studies. Limited data are available with respect to symptom profile and factors associated with depression in children and adolescents.