INTRODUCTION

Psychiatric disorders or Mental illnesses are a group of medical disorders characterized by disturbances of mind or psyche. It includes disorders of thought, perception, emotion, cognition and behavior. Psychiatric disorders are very common in general population both in India and worldwide. It is estimated that more than 1 billion people around the world are affected by psychiatric disorders which also contributes to majority of disease burden in India. Commonly found psychiatric disorders in adults are Schizophrenia, Depression, Bipolar disorders, Anxiety disorders, Sleep disorders, Sexual disorders, Addiction disorders and Dementia. Behavioral problems are also highly prevalent in children and elderly age group which requires special attention. The causes of Psychiatric disorders are diverse which includes biological, psychological and social factors. Most of the disorders could be easily treated with medicines and other simple psychological and behavioral interventions. Hence early the diagnosis and treatment, the better is the rate of recovery from illness.
The Department of Psychiatry started functioning right from the beginning of AIIMS, Gorakhpur on 24th February 2019. Since then the number of patients visiting the OPD for treatment of psychiatric disorders has been gradually increasing. The OPD now is actively dedicated to serve people coming from different regions within and outside the state

FACILITIES

CURRENT SERVICES

• Consultation for various Psychiatric Disorders and behavioral problems.
• Detailed history taking, diagnosis, assessment, and appropriate treatment.
• Counselling.
• Student counselling cell- ‘MANODAYA’
• Addiction Treatment Facility (ATF clinic)
• Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)
• Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS therapy)
• Inpatient facility for patients requiring admission
• 24x7 Emergency psychiatric services

About ATF clinic

Addiction Treatment Facility (ATF clinic) is an initiative for the management of various substance use disorders. This is coordinated at national level by National Drug Dependence Treatment Center (NDDTC), AIIMS, New Delhi under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE), Government of India. Under this scheme, AIIMS Gorakhpur had started the ATF clinic (OPD only) in the Department of Psychiatry for the benefit of patients seeking treatment for drug addiction. The clinic is actively involved in providing specialist services in the management of substance addiction.

Services offered in ATF clinic:

• Detailed assessment of various problems related to drug addiction
• Diagnosis and treatment for various substance use disorders such as Alcohol, Nicotine Opioid, Cannabis and other drugs of abuse
• Counselling, Motivational enhancement, behavioural interventions and other Psychosocial intervention in the management of drug addiction.
• Regular follow up services
• Few medications are offered free of cost from the clinic as mentioned under the scheme guidelines for the benefit of patients.

About ECT and rTMS

ECT is a well-established technique over the last 60-70 years in the treatment of patients with severe mental illness. It involves the use of mild electric energy in the treatment of various psychiatric disorders. The ECT treatment can be given in patients with severe depression, acute suicidal thoughts or behaviour, schizophrenia, severe psychosis, ad other severe mental health disorders which is not responding to routine medications. ECT is a very effective, simple procedure and can be safely given to patients without any serious or major side effects. The therapy is a very short procedure which can be completed within 20-30 minutes and involves the use of general anesthesia and muscle relaxants. The patient does not have any remembrance for the procedure and immediately recovers without any difficulty in carrying out the routine activities. The therapy is noninvasive, painless procedure which can benefit the patients with serious mental illness visiting AIIMS Gorakhpur in a great way.

ECT suite in OT complex

rTMS uses magnetic energy in the treatment of psychiatric disorders. Repetitive magnetic pulses are used to stimulate various areas of the brain based on defined protocols. It has been approved for the treatment of Depression, Obsessive compulsive disorders. Certain other disorders such as anxiety, alcohol and nicotine addiction, neurologic pain conditions, patients with stroke, migraine and parkinsonism can also be treated effectively with rTMS therapy. This procedure is given in multiple sessions with the help of advanced magnetic stimulator without any serious or major side effects.

rTMS therapy room

MANODAYA- Student counselling cell:

A dedicated student counselling cell is functional to address the various psychological and emotional needs of the student population and provide support, guidance, and treatment.

Objectives:

1. Counsel and guide students to deal with various day to day problems whenever required
2. Treatment for any serious mental health concern
3. Promote healthy life style and positive attitude for improving overall physical and mental well being
4. Work upon adaptive and resilience skills of students to face life challenges
5. Educate about stress management
6. Improve coping skills, problem solving and decision making abilities
7. Periodic assessments of mental health of students
8. Develop peer, seniors and teachers oriented help and support groups
9. Plan activities focusing on promotion of psychological wellbeing among students
10. Spread awareness regarding mental health in student population
11. Sensitize the importance of seeking timely consultation and professional help whenever required

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

• To provide high quality mental health care and treatment facilities to the people.
• To create mental health awareness, promotion and prevention of Psychiatric disorders.
• To engage in educational and research activities.
•  To develop a Center of Excellence for treatment of psychiatric disorders in this part of the country

FUTURE VISION

• To induct Clinical Psychologists, Psychiatric Social Work and Nursing professionals for providing comprehensive assessment and treatment care.
• To start Psychotherapy, Behavioral therapy, Family therapy and Psychosocial rehabilitation services.
• To start Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT), Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation(rTMS) treatments.
• Specialty clinics focusing on Addiction disorders, Child Psychiatry, Geriatric Mental health and other specific disorders.
• To start Emergency and Community Psychiatric services.
• To conduct training programs, workshops for students and allied Mental health professionals.
• To start Post Graduate courses in Psychiatry.

OTHER INFORMATION

COURSES PLANNED TO START

• MD Psychiatry
• PDF course in Addiction Medicine