Exploring the enigma of low prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder in India

Introduction: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a chronic psychiatric condition associated with significant distress and dysfunction. While worldwide estimates of prevalence range from 3.9% to 24%, little research has been conducted to identify the prevalence of PTSD in the general population...

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Main Authors: Ateev S. Chandna, Satish Suhas, Rahul Patley, Damodharan Dinakaran, Narayana Manjunatha, Girish N. Rao, Gopalkrishna Gururaj, Mathew Varghese, Vivek Benegal, NMHS National Collaborators Group
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2023-12-01
Series:Indian Journal of Psychiatry
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Online Access:https://journals.lww.com/10.4103/indianjpsychiatry.indianjpsychiatry_830_23
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author Ateev S. Chandna
Satish Suhas
Rahul Patley
Damodharan Dinakaran
Narayana Manjunatha
Girish N. Rao
Gopalkrishna Gururaj
Mathew Varghese
Vivek Benegal
NMHS National Collaborators Group
author_facet Ateev S. Chandna
Satish Suhas
Rahul Patley
Damodharan Dinakaran
Narayana Manjunatha
Girish N. Rao
Gopalkrishna Gururaj
Mathew Varghese
Vivek Benegal
NMHS National Collaborators Group
author_sort Ateev S. Chandna
collection DOAJ
description Introduction: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a chronic psychiatric condition associated with significant distress and dysfunction. While worldwide estimates of prevalence range from 3.9% to 24%, little research has been conducted to identify the prevalence of PTSD in the general population of India. This study analyzes data from the National Mental Health Survey 2015-2016, a comprehensive epidemiological study of mental health disorders in India, to explore the unique characteristics and prevalence of PTSD in the Indian population. Materials and Methods: The National Mental Health Survey 2015-2016 employed a multiple-stage, stratified, cluster-sampling methodology, covering 39,532 individuals in 12 states of India. The Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) version 6.0.0 was used to diagnose psychiatric disorders, including PTSD. A detailed analysis of sociodemographic profiles, prevalence patterns, comorbidities, economic and social impact, and treatment-seeking behavior was conducted. Firth penalized logistic regression was employed to identify associated sociodemographic factors. Results: The study revealed a low prevalence of PTSD in India at 0.2%, significantly lower than global averages. Factors associated with PTSD included female gender, middle age (40-49 years), and urban residence. The study also highlighted a high rate of comorbid mood and anxiety disorders, substantial disability, poor treatment-seeking behavior, and significant suicidal risk among individuals with PTSD. Conclusion: Our findings underscore the need for culturally informed diagnostic and management programs to accurately identify and address PTSD in the Indian population. Cultural nuances, stigma, and the use of Western-derived diagnostic instruments likely contribute to the underidentification and undertreatment of PTSD in India. The study emphasizes the importance of recognizing and addressing these challenges to improve mental health outcomes in India.
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spelling doaj-art-536984b4eb4b49cd9e8ef049004e846e2025-01-26T09:00:55ZengWolters Kluwer Medknow PublicationsIndian Journal of Psychiatry0019-55451998-37942023-12-0165121254126010.4103/indianjpsychiatry.indianjpsychiatry_830_23Exploring the enigma of low prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder in IndiaAteev S. ChandnaSatish SuhasRahul PatleyDamodharan DinakaranNarayana ManjunathaGirish N. RaoGopalkrishna GururajMathew VargheseVivek BenegalNMHS National Collaborators GroupIntroduction: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a chronic psychiatric condition associated with significant distress and dysfunction. While worldwide estimates of prevalence range from 3.9% to 24%, little research has been conducted to identify the prevalence of PTSD in the general population of India. This study analyzes data from the National Mental Health Survey 2015-2016, a comprehensive epidemiological study of mental health disorders in India, to explore the unique characteristics and prevalence of PTSD in the Indian population. Materials and Methods: The National Mental Health Survey 2015-2016 employed a multiple-stage, stratified, cluster-sampling methodology, covering 39,532 individuals in 12 states of India. The Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) version 6.0.0 was used to diagnose psychiatric disorders, including PTSD. A detailed analysis of sociodemographic profiles, prevalence patterns, comorbidities, economic and social impact, and treatment-seeking behavior was conducted. Firth penalized logistic regression was employed to identify associated sociodemographic factors. Results: The study revealed a low prevalence of PTSD in India at 0.2%, significantly lower than global averages. Factors associated with PTSD included female gender, middle age (40-49 years), and urban residence. The study also highlighted a high rate of comorbid mood and anxiety disorders, substantial disability, poor treatment-seeking behavior, and significant suicidal risk among individuals with PTSD. Conclusion: Our findings underscore the need for culturally informed diagnostic and management programs to accurately identify and address PTSD in the Indian population. Cultural nuances, stigma, and the use of Western-derived diagnostic instruments likely contribute to the underidentification and undertreatment of PTSD in India. The study emphasizes the importance of recognizing and addressing these challenges to improve mental health outcomes in India.https://journals.lww.com/10.4103/indianjpsychiatry.indianjpsychiatry_830_23indianational mental health surveypost-traumatic stress disorderptsdresilience
spellingShingle Ateev S. Chandna
Satish Suhas
Rahul Patley
Damodharan Dinakaran
Narayana Manjunatha
Girish N. Rao
Gopalkrishna Gururaj
Mathew Varghese
Vivek Benegal
NMHS National Collaborators Group
Exploring the enigma of low prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder in India
Indian Journal of Psychiatry
india
national mental health survey
post-traumatic stress disorder
ptsd
resilience
title Exploring the enigma of low prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder in India
title_full Exploring the enigma of low prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder in India
title_fullStr Exploring the enigma of low prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder in India
title_full_unstemmed Exploring the enigma of low prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder in India
title_short Exploring the enigma of low prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder in India
title_sort exploring the enigma of low prevalence of post traumatic stress disorder in india
topic india
national mental health survey
post-traumatic stress disorder
ptsd
resilience
url https://journals.lww.com/10.4103/indianjpsychiatry.indianjpsychiatry_830_23
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