Abstract
Aim: To study prevalence of depressive symptoms in schizophrenia patients in HHMH & R, Shimla.
Material and Methods: A cross-sectional observation was done in schizophrenia patients admitted in our hospital with diagnosis of schizophrenia. After informed consent sociodemographic information and clinical characteristics were collected from patients and attendants.
Results: Mean age of participants was around 37 years and most were male and single. Olanzapine was most common prescribed drug second most common was haloperidol. Depressive symptoms were reported by 54% of participants out of which 26% participants had clinically significant depression as per CDSS.
Conclusion: In schizophrenia it is difficult to distinguish true negative and depressive symptoms. But over 50% of patients have depressive symptoms which needs proper assessment and timely measures to prevent suicides and improve quality of life of patients.
Keywords: Calgary depression scale (CDSS), Positive and negative syndrome scale (PANSS).
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Corresponding Author
Dr Abhilaksh Kango
Psychiatrist, Himachal Hospital of Mental Health and Rehabilitation, Shimla (HP), 171005, India