Journal of Pakistan Psychiatric Society

JOURNAL OF PAKISTAN PSYCHIATRIC SOCIETY: REFLECTIONS OF PUBLICATION JOURNEY FROM 2021 TO 2024

Muhammad Iqbal Afridi — 2025-03-27

The Journal of Pakistan Psychiatric Society (JPPS) has witnessed remarkable visible growth from 2021 to 2024, solidifying its role as a leading publication in psychiatric and mental health research in Pakistan. Under the current editorial leadership, JPPS has expanded its reach, improved indexing, enhanced its editorial policies, and eliminated financial barriers to publication. Key achievements include recognition by major academic and medical bodies, strategic collaborations, and active participation in global psychiatric forums. Despite these strides, challenges such as maintaining rigorous peer review, securing sustainable funding, and fostering diversity persist. Looking ahead, JPPS aims to enhance its digital presence, focus on emerging psychiatric domains, and strengthen engagement with the psychiatric community. While this editorial reflects on the transformative journey of JPPS, it also paves the way for future innovation, collaboration, and inclusivity in psychiatric publishing. The full editorial highlights these aspects, outlining the roadmap for JPPS’s continued evolution.

BRIDGING THE GAP TO REDUCE THE DURATION OF UNTREATED ILLNESS - SPIRITUALITY AND MENTAL HEALTH

Tayyeb A Tahir — 2025-03-27

Negative outcomes are linked to longer period of untreated illness. Stigma and its perceived consequences may cause a delay in seeking help for mental health conditions. There is no health without mental health and spirituality is integral to biopsychosocial model of care. Seeking help from faith healers and alternative practitioners maybe the initial step for mental health symptoms. Correct early intervention can influence overall prognosis. Hence, there is a need to bridge the gap between clinical approaches with traditional non-medical practices including spirituality. Collaboration between respected qualified knowledgeable religious scholars and trained mental healthcare professionals is essential for better outcomes. This will aid in the early detection of symptoms within the general population, leading to prompt diagnosis and treatment. Informing the public through places of worship and social media, equipped with trustworthy information, will help shorten the duration of untreated illness.

CONTEMPORARY MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES IN PAKISTAN: FOCUS ON FORENSIC PSYCHIATRY

Ahmed Mashood — 2025-03-27

Mental health in Pakistan faces critical challenges, including cultural stigma, socioeconomic barriers, inadequate healthcare infrastructure, and the psychological toll of conflict. Widespread stigma fosters discrimination and silence, highlighting the need for awareness and education. Economic hardship and limited access to education further exacerbate mental health struggles, while an acute shortage of professionals and facilities hampers care. Youth face growing pressures from academics and social media, necessitating school-based counselling services. Prisons and forensic settings lack proper mental health support, endangering both inmates and public safety. To address these issues, policymakers must prioritise increased funding, widespread mental health screenings, community-based interventions, forensic services, and staff training in correctional facilities. Mobile units and rehabilitation programs should be integrated into public health strategies. This editorial emphasises the urgent need for comprehensive reforms to address the mental health crisis in Pakistan, focusing on systemic improvements and societal change.

FREQUENCY AND ASSOCIATION OF COGNITIVE DYSFUNCTION IN SCHIZOPHRENIA: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY FROM A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL IN PAKISTAN

Zainab Sher — 2025-03-27

OBJECTIVE
To assess the frequency of cognitive impairment and sociodemographic association among patients with schizophrenia presenting to a tertiary care hospital in Pakistan.
STUDY DESIGN
Descriptive cross-sectional study
PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY
Outpatient Department of Psychiatry at Dr Ruth K.M. Pfau. Civil Hospital Karachi, Pakistan. The duration of the study was 6 months from February 6, 2020, to August 5, 2020.
METHOD
One hundred thirty patients with schizophrenia were assessed using the Urdu version of Montreal cognitive assessment questionnaire.
RESULTS
out of the 100 patients, 66 had significant cognitive impairment accounting for more than half of the study population at 50.8%. Age, duration of illness and gender showed significant association with cognitive dysfunction in these patients.
CONCLUSION
Cognitive dysfunction is a frequent finding in patients with schizophrenia. Future research is needed to investigate the factors increasing its risk.
KEYWORDS
Cognition; Memory; Outpatients; Pakistan; Schizophrenia; Tertiary Care Centres.

ASSOCIATION BETWEEN DEPRESSION AND SOCIAL NETWORKING SITE USE: A CROSS-SECTIONAL SURVEY AMONG STUDENTS OF A MEDICAL COLLEGE IN PAKISTAN

Sadaf Riaz — 2025-03-27

OBJECTIVE
To assess if there is any association between symptoms of depression and social media use among medical students in Pakistan.
STUDY DESIGN
Analytical cross-sectional research
PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY
The study was conducted at HITEC Institute of Medical Sciences, Taxilla, Pakistan over a period of about one year, from August 2019 to August 2020.
METHOD
The study participants were medical students. The total sample size was 410. Random sampling was used. Data was collected by using a structured questionnaire. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the MDI (Major Depressive Inventory scale). Time spend on social networking sites was measured using a modified SONTUS scale (Social Network Time Use Scale). The data was analysed with SPSS v21.0 software.
RESULTS
The study found out that there was a significant association between Social Networking Site (SNS) use and depression. A total of 267 (65 %) students reported some form of depression. For SNS use, 163 (40%) were high users and 19 (4.6%) were extremely high users.
CONCLUSION
This research suggests an important relationship between social media usage and depressive symptoms. A high number of students were found to be severely depressed. This reveals a neglected area of mental health and needs to be addressed. Also, almost half of the respondents were high users of social networking sites, while most others were average users. This might indicate that excessive use of SNS might either be a contributing factor or a perpetuating factor for depression in medical students.

ASSOCIATION BETWEEN ORTHOREXIA NERVOSA TENDENCY, EATING ATTITUDES AND ANXIETY STUDIED AMONG MEDICAL STUDENTS OF RAWALPINDI MEDICAL UNIVERSITY: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Mehak Asim — 2025-03-27

OBJECTIVE
To assess how prevalent Orthorexia Nervosa is among students at the Rawalpindi Medical University and to explore its relationship with dietary attitudes and anxiety.
STUDY DESIGN
Descriptive cross-sectional study
PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY
This study was conducted at the Rawalpindi Medical University, Pakistan from April to October 2023.
METHOD
Two hundred and eighty three 283 medical students were assessed using a questionnaire which incorporated items from three standardized tools: ORTO-15 (Orthorexia Nervosa assessment), Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A), and Eating Attitude Test (EAT-26). The completed questionnaires were collected and analysed.
RESULTS
The research revealed that a majority, 62.9% of the medical students exhibited signs of Orthorexia Nervosa. However, analyses did not show significant association between the levels of Orthorexia Nervosa with either eating behaviours or anxiety levels.
CONCLUSION
The study concludes that there is no significant relationship between the tendencies towards Orthorexia Nervosa and dietary behaviours or anxiety levels. Additional research is required to identify potential risk factors associated with orthorexia nervosa.

ASSESSING THE CHANGE IN ANXIETY OF PATIENTS BEFORE AND AFTER THE ELUCIDATION OF DENTAL PROCEDURE AT A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

NUMRAH MALIK — 2025-03-27

OBJECTIVES
To compare the levels of anxiety among patients prior to and subsequent to having a description of dental procedures, and also to examine differences in patient anxiety between various dental departments.
STUDY DESIGN
Cross-sectional research
PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY
The research was conducted at Foundation University College of Dentistry & Hospital in Islamabad, Pakistan for a period of 3 months from March 2023 to May 2023.
METHOD
There were two hundred and thirty-eight (238) patients who took part in the research. The patients filled in a Proforma consisting of 2 parts: the initial section demonstrated demographic and the portion followed included the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) scale one before explaining the procedure and one after it.
RESULTS
Using the Wilcoxon Test, there is high evidence to determine that the intervention (elucidation) had a significant impact in decreasing anxiety levels. Prior to procedure explanation, 65.5 % of patients had low anxiety. Moderate anxiety was exhibited by 31.9%, while 2.5% had severe level of anxiety. But upon explanation, severe anxiety decreased significantly at 0.2%. A drop to 15.1% of moderate anxiety, and most i.e., 83.2% of the participants were low-anxious. This difference is indicative of the positive effect procedure explanation has on minimizing anxiety
CONCLUSION
Our research illustrates that educating patients about dental treatments in a transparent manner helps a great deal in reducing anxiety. By dispelling patient anxieties and maintaining openness, healthcare professionals can increase the comfort of patients during dental treatment.

EXPLORING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CLASSROOM CLIMATE, ACADEMIC SATISFACTION, AND LIFE SATISFACTION OF UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

Yusra Ahmed — 2025-03-27

OBJECTIVE
To assess the relationships between the classroom climate, academic satisfaction, and life satisfaction of university students in Pakistan.
STUDY DESIGN
Cross-sectional study
PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY
The study was conducted at the Institute of Professional Psychology at Bahria University Karachi, Pakistan, from May to October 2022.
METHOD
A sample of 271 university students, aged 18 to 45 were approached via convenience sampling. The College and University Classroom Environment Inventory was administered to measure the classroom climate while the Satisfaction with Life Scale was utilized to evaluate academic and life satisfaction.
RESULTS
The study found a significant positive correlation between Classroom Climate (CC) and both Academic Satisfaction (r = .26, p < .01) and Life Satisfaction (r = .18, p < .01). Regression analysis showed that CC explained 35% of the variance in Academic Satisfaction (R² = .35, p < .001) and 32% in Life Satisfaction (R² = .32, p < .001). Graduate students reported higher academic satisfaction and better classroom climate perception than undergraduates (F = 10.95, p < .05), while doctoral students exhibited lower satisfaction levels.
CONCLUSION
The findings show how crucial the classroom climate is in influencing students' academic satisfaction and life satisfaction. An encouraging and dynamic classroom climate promotes better learning experiences and wellbeing.

EXPLORATION OF INTERNALISED STIGMA AND EMOTIONAL DISTRESS AMONG INDIVIDUALS WITH PSYCHIATRIC ILLNESSES

Sibgha Sheikh — 2025-03-27

OBJECTIVES
To explore the level of internalized stigma and emotional distress in people with different psychiatric disorders including anxiety disorders, mood disorders, and obsessive compulsive disorders.
STUDY DESIGN
Cross-sectional comparative study
PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY
Department of Psychiatry at the Services Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan from 1st June 2021 to August 2022 (period of one year).
METHOD
A total of 180 participants which comprised 60 with each psychiatric condition (anxiety disorders, mood disorders, and obsessive compulsive disorders) were recruited from psychiatric department (Ward/OPD) using Purposive and convenience quota sampling technique. Internalized stigma was measured using the Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness Inventory (ISMI) Scale, while emotional distress was examined using the Perceived Emotional Distress Inventory (PEDI).
RESULTS
Variations of stigma in different psychiatric populations experiencing mood disorders, anxiety disorders and OCD were observed. It was found that the higher the experience of internalized stigma, higher the levels of emotional distress.
CONCLUSION
The research observed the variations in impact of internalized stigma among individuals with mood disorders, anxiety disorders, and OCD. It was also found that the higher the experience of internalised stigma, the higher were the levels of emotional distress.

MIND MEDICINE - A BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO PSYCHOTROPIC DRUGS

JPPS — 2025-03-27

SEASONAL AFFECTIVE DISORDER AMONG UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS IN PESHAWAR DISTRICT

JPPS — 2025-03-27

VOYAGE OF UNITY

JPPS — 2025-03-27

Progress and growth often stem from collective effort, shared vision, and a commitment to moving together forward. History proves that societies, organizations, and individuals thrive by working in unison, supporting one another, and striving toward common goals-whether in exploration, innovation, or collaboration. A fleet traversing wide oceans in unison is a stunning embodiment of this collective ambition, where strong leadership, adaptability, and teamwork steer efforts to reach new horizons. Like past voyages expanded possibilities, today’s societies advance through shared purpose, whether in technology, education, or sustainable development. Even in turbulent times, coordinated action turns challenges into opportunities for growth. The strength of a fleet depends on its ability to navigate together, each vessel contributing to a broader purpose. This imagery symbolises the essence of progress which is not as an isolated quest, but as a shared endeavour where collaboration leads to breakthroughs and unlocks boundless potential. Thus, by embracing change and charting new courses together, we unlock limitless opportunities, proving that the greatest achievements are built on unity, vision, and determination.

DILKIBAAT (HEART TO HEART): THE FIRST NATIONAL CBT SERVICE IN GLOBAL SOUTH

Mirrat Butt — 2025-03-27