The unprecedented Covid-19 pandemic has created havoc in most areas of human lives. Anxiety disorders are most prevalent and disabling psychiatric disorders and the incidence is increased in this scenario. Homeopathy is an established system of medicine with evidence base on effectiveness in mental health issues. There is a dearth of literature concerning the potential utility of Homoeopathy in the management of psychological issues during this pandemic. This overview is aimed to find out the commonly prevalent anxiety disorders and to assess the usefulness of homoeopathic medicines in the management of anxiety through selective literature search of articles and available research studies in homoeopathy on anxiety. In conclusion, mental health is a critical concern in a pandemic's scenario and Homoeopathy can be a safe and effective alternative or adjunctive to the conventional system in the management of anxiety disorders during this chaotic situation.

Background: Schizophrenia is a chronic, debilitating psychiatric disorder which is one of the leading causes of disability worldwide and has a large impact on individuals, families and society. There is paucity of literature on usefulness of Homoeopathy in Schizophrenia. Cases summary: Two cases of Schizophrenia are assessed symptomatically using Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and treated in Psychiatry Department of (blinded for review) Case no.1 (Paranoid Schizophrenia) presented with sleeplessness, irritable mood, referential and persecutory delusions, auditory and olfactory hallucinations and thought broadcasting. The case was analyzed according to Kent’s method and Lycopodium 30c was prescribed. PANSS score of 135 at baseline turned to 30(Normal) within 4 months and maintained for the next 24 months of observation period. Case no.2 (Catatonic Schizophrenia) presented with sleeplessness, laughing and crying alternately, not responding to questions, silly smiling, slow activities, need for compulsion to do her daily activities, standing like a statue for hours assuming strange postures, poor sociability and delusion that her body is split vertically into two. The case was managed acutely with Ignatia 200C followed by a dose of Phosphorus 200C as a constitutional remedy. PANSS score of 157 at baseline turned to 30 (Normal) within 3 months and maintained for 24 months. There is reduction of positive, negative and general symptoms along with good psycho-social adaptation. Causal attribution of changes in condition to the homoeopathic treatment was depicted by the Modified Naranjo Criteria score. Conclusion: Homoeopathic medicines selected on the basis of individualization are useful in the management of Schizophrenia.

Background Schizophrenia is a chronic, complex, highly disabling, serious mental disorder characterised by distortions of thinking and perception. Psychotropic medicines used for management are effective but are characterised by severe limitations. Alternate safe and effective treatment regimens are being explored. Homoeopathy is a system of medicine based on individualistic approach with potential relevance to psychiatry. Purpose The purpose of this case report is to demonstrate the utility of homoeopathy in management of schizophrenia. Client Description A 37-year-old female patient was brought by her husband to outpatient department of psychiatry. Auditory hallucinations, referential delusions, thought withdrawal and emotional outbursts were reported during the interview. Measures and Outcome The physician's initial assessment lead to diagnosis of schizophrenia and confirmed as paranoid schizophrenia by the psychiatrist. Clinical Global Impression-Schizophrenia (CGI-SCH) was used to assess the severity of symptoms at baseline and consecutive follow-ups for 18 months. Intervention The patient was prescribed a single dose of Natrum carbonicum 200C and repeated only once after 8 months, when sleep disturbance demanded repetition. Results Baseline CGI-SCH scores in domains of severity of illness and degree of change were 29 and 20, respectively, which reduced to 5 (normal) in both domains by 4 months and remained the same for the next 2 years. Implications This case study reinforces the utility of homoeopathy in schizophrenia and throws light on importance of a thorough case taking of psychiatric patients to elicit totality of symptoms to arrive at the similimum.

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Background: Pandemics are known to cause poor mental well-being and an increased risk of mental disorders. The foremost concern emerging from different aspects of COVID-19 is its impact on mental health. There were many surveys conducted on the general population related to the effect of COVID-19 and few studies on its psychological impact but there is sparse literature on how the containment measures affected the psychiatric patients. Objective of the study was to investigate whether the COVID-19 related lockdown affected the subjective mood and behavior of psychiatric patients and their caregivers. The secondary purpose is to assess the difficulties encountered in procuring medicines and the effect of non-availability of homoeopathic medicines if any.Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted on mentally ill patients and their care-givers in the Outpatient Department of Psychiatry in National Homoeopathy Research Institute in Mental Health (NHRIMH), Kottayam. Respondents were evaluated with a specially framed questionnaire containing 22 questions to assess the effect of lockdown on psychiatric patients and their caregivers, who attended the OPD after the COVID-19 related lockdown. The data generated through the study are analysed and presented in this article.Results: Out of the total 548 participants (M-65.9%, F-34.1%) who responded to the survey, 290 (53%) cases expressed that they were distressed to be under lockdown. 26.5% of the clients reported worsening of mental health conditions during lockdown compared to pre-lockdown. 54.2% of the patients found difficulty in procuring homoeopathic medicines during Lockdown.Conclusions: Authorities should consider the ways of limiting the effects of confinement on mentally ill patients and their caregivers by developing strategies to mitigate the adverse consequence of the pandemic.