Asian Journal of Psychiatry RSS feed: Current Issue. The Asian Journal of Psychiatry is the official journal of the Asian Federation of Psychiatric Associations. It is a general and comprehensive journal of psychiatry for psychiatrists, mental health clinicians, neurologists, physicians, students of mental health and those involved in mental health policy development. The journal aims to bridge a knowledge gap of the application and transfer of research findings and clinical practice through Asia to and from the rest of the world. It aims to focus on psychiatric research pertinent to Asia produced either within or from outside the continent. This may include preclinical, clinical, service system and policy development research relevant to psychiatry and will highlight the socio-cultural diversity of the region as it pertains to mental health. The Asian Journal of Psychiatry publishes peer reviewed original research articles; review articles; commentaries on significant articles; synopses of current research highlights from Asia; and letters to the editor. Submit your vital research today! Bibliographic & ordering information ISSN: 1876-2018 Imprint: ELSEVIER Commences publication September 2008 Subscriptions for the year 2009, Volume 2, 4 issues http://www.asianjournalofpsychiatry.com/?rss=yesElsevier Inc.en © 2011 Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Asian Journal of Psychiatry1876-201844December 2011 © 2011 Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. healthpermissions@elsevier.comhttp://www.asianjournalofpsychiatry.com/article/PIIS1876201811001249/abstract?rss=yesEditorial Board10.1016/S1876-2018(11)00124-9Asian Journal of Psychiatry 4, 4 (2011)2011-12-01Asian Journal of Psychiatry2011-12-0144S1876-2018(11)X0006-0CO2CO2http://www.asianjournalofpsychiatry.com/article/PIIS1876201811001183/abstract?rss=yesRace and ethnicity are known to profoundly influence the epidemiology and outcomes of psychiatric and other medical disorders (). The distribution of medical diagnoses differs among minority ethnic groups, who generally have poorer access to healthcare and worse outcomes (). With regard to severe mental disorders, schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders are more likely to be diagnosed among ethnic minority groups (particularly those of African origin) (), who are less likely to receive evidence-based treatments, and generally exhibit worse treatment response and illness course than the majority ethnic group in the same community (). The report by Li and co-workers in this issue of the Journal is a useful addition to the relatively sparse literature on the topic and its findings are in concordance with previous reports. Notably, Li and colleagues found that in comparison to Caucasians, African-Americans wereRace/ethnicity and outcomes in psychosisRajiv Tandon10.1016/j.ajp.2011.10.002Asian Journal of Psychiatry 4, 4 (2011)2011-12-01Asian Journal of Psychiatry2011-12-0144S1876-2018(11)X0006-0Editorial233233http://www.asianjournalofpsychiatry.com/article/PIIS1876201811001146/abstract?rss=yesAbstract: Depressive illness beginning early in life can have serious developmental and functional consequences. Therefore, understanding its etiology and pathophysiology during this developmental stage is critical for developing effective prevention and intervention strategies. There is considerable evidence of sleep alterations in adult major depressive disorder. However, studies in children and adolescents have not found consistent changes in sleep architecture paralleling adult depression. This review article summarizes sleep polysomnography research in early-onset depression, highlighting the factors associated with variable findings across studies. In addition, potential avenues for future research will be suggested in order to develop more comprehensive theoretical models and interventions for pediatric depression.Sleep disturbances in pediatric depressionUma Rao10.1016/j.ajp.2011.09.001Asian Journal of Psychiatry 4, 4 (2011)2011-11-10Asian Journal of Psychiatry2011-11-1044S1876-2018(11)X0006-0Review Articles234247http://www.asianjournalofpsychiatry.com/article/PIIS1876201811001158/abstract?rss=yesAbstract: Self-awareness (SA) is a cognitive ability to differentiate between self and non-self cues and is pivotal to understand the behavior of other human beings. For this reason, there has been a significant interest to investigate the neurobiology of SA in human subjects. So far the majority of such research has been conducted in healthy subjects but a significant relationship between impaired SA and poor psychosocial outcome in schizophrenia has stimulated neuroimaging research in this patient population. The results from small number of neuroimaging studies in schizophrenia suggest that impaired SA may be mediated by a dysfunction of cortical midline structures. This paper is an attempt to review emerging functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data in schizophrenia and to propose a hypothetical model of deficits in SA in schizophrenia that can be tested in future research. The model is refined from the available literature and proposes that self-referential activity appears to reflect a shift from activation of anterior to posterior cortical midline structures in schizophrenia subjects, which may be related to lack of functional connectivity between different cortical midline regions.Neurobiology of self-awareness deficits in schizophrenia: A hypothetical modelMujeeb U. Shad, Benjamin K. Brent, Matcheri S. Keshavan10.1016/j.ajp.2011.09.002Asian Journal of Psychiatry 4, 4 (2011)2011-11-21Asian Journal of Psychiatry2011-11-2144S1876-2018(11)X0006-0Review Articles248254http://www.asianjournalofpsychiatry.com/article/PIIS1876201811001171/abstract?rss=yesAbstract: Introduction: Patients with mixed anxiety and depressive disorder suffer the sub-threshold depressive and anxiety symptoms and their negative impact upon quality of life. This study evaluates their personality dimensions and the possible effect on treatment outcome.Methods: The diagnosis of mixed anxiety and depressive disorder was based on a structured clinical interview in 80 patients. NEO inventory measured five personality dimensions. The depression, anxiety and stress scale (DASS) was used to measure the severity of illness before and after the treatment.Results: Neuroticism, disagreeableness and introversion traits were significantly more expressed among these patients compared to normal population. A significant decrease in the score of depression, anxiety and stress was observed in all patients receiving the treatment. The normalized T-score of the five personality dimensions could not predict the degree of the response to treatment.Conclusions: This study describes the personality characteristics of patients with mixed anxiety and depressive disorder and beneficial effects of treatment of such patients to be independent from personality dimensions.The five factor model of personality in mixed anxiety–depressive disorder and effect on therapeutic responseAlirza Farnam, Sara Farhang, Abbas Bakhshipour, Elnaz Niknam10.1016/j.ajp.2011.10.001Asian Journal of Psychiatry 4, 4 (2011)2011-11-14Asian Journal of Psychiatry2011-11-1444S1876-2018(11)X0006-0Original Research Articles255257http://www.asianjournalofpsychiatry.com/article/PIIS187620181100116X/abstract?rss=yesAbstract: This article describes the organic contribution to morbid jealousy. Although the true prevalence of morbid jealousy is unknown, organic factors contribute significantly to its development. We present an assortment of five case histories to highlight the importance of organic causation in this phenomenon.The first two cases portray organic delusional disorder arising as an aftermath of cerebral infarcts. They are both associated with left sided brain lesions.Though organic processes generally respond poorly to treatment, case 3 (patient with head injury), is unusual as it describes a young man whose symptoms resolve on recovering from the effects of a head injury.Likewise, case 4 (patient with a meningioma) who made a complete recovery following surgery, emphasizes the need for early detection of reversible causes.The difficulty in identifying the common substrate for a phenomenon with such a wide variety of causations is amply displayed by the abundance of theories forwarded. The blurred demarcation between normal jealousy and pathological jealousy leads to further uncertainty. The excess representation of morbid jealousy in organic conditions is not enlightened by these theories. Organic pathology, by affecting the higher centers of the brain, may remove the control over instinctual behaviour. Evidence for this is hard to establish but the evolutionary perspective of jealousy akin to that of the animal kingdom alludes to possible explanations.Organic causation of morbid jealousyK.A.L.A. Kuruppuarachchi, A.N. Seneviratne10.1016/j.ajp.2011.09.003Asian Journal of Psychiatry 4, 4 (2011)2011-11-03Asian Journal of Psychiatry2011-11-0344S1876-2018(11)X0006-0Original Research Articles258260http://www.asianjournalofpsychiatry.com/article/PIIS187620181100092X/abstract?rss=yesAbstract: Aim: To describe obstacles overcome in establishing and implementing a comprehensive community psychiatry program in rural India.Background: Studies in low income countries point to a significant association of common mental disorders with female gender, low education, poverty, lack of access to running water in the home, and experiencing hunger. Gynecological complaints are associated with an increased risk of mental disorders. Suicide is a major public health problem with women outnumbering men in completed suicides in India. Among barriers to care are low value given to mental health by individuals in society, high prevalence of mental and neurological problems, apathy toward psychosocial aspects of health and development, and chronic lack of resources.Design/methods: We developed and implemented a program of care delivery thus (a) targeting the indigent women in the region; (b) integrating mental health care with primary care; (c) making care affordable and accessible; and (d) sustaining the program long term. I also review pertinent articles to demonstrate our success.Results: We provided mental healthcare for the indigent using a successful and vibrant model that overcame hurdles to treat patients from 187 villages in Southern India. Of note are low resource use, and the lack of accessibility, comprehensive care, the use of indigenous case workers and primary care professionals.Conclusions: Rural mental health care must be culturally congruent, integrate primary care and local community workers for success.Overcoming cultural barriers to deliver comprehensive rural community mental health care in Southern IndiaGeetha Jayaram, Ramakrishna Goud, Krishnamachari Srinivasan10.1016/j.ajp.2011.08.005Asian Journal of Psychiatry 4, 4 (2011)2011-11-14Asian Journal of Psychiatry2011-11-1444S1876-2018(11)X0006-0Original Research Articles261265http://www.asianjournalofpsychiatry.com/article/PIIS1876201811000918/abstract?rss=yesAbstract: The purpose of our analyses to examine the outcome differences between African American and Caucasian first-episode psychotic patients over the course of one year, to explore the interactive effects of gender, diagnosis, and race on treatment outcome. A consecutive series of patients (N=199) were recruited into our study from the inpatient and outpatient services at a psychiatric clinic. Global functioning, positive, negative, affective, and depression symptoms and treatment adherence were assessed at baseline prior to treatment and during follow-up up to one year. African American patients (N=62) were found to experience significantly less improvement in symptoms, bizarre behavior, avolition, anhedonia, and functional performance, and affective symptoms than their Caucasian counterparts (N=137). In addition, African American female patients experienced less improvement in affective flattening. While both groups of patients have experienced significant improvement during the one-year treatment, that of the African American patients was less optimal.Longitudinal treatment outcome of African American and Caucasian patients with first episode psychosisHuijun Li, Shaun M. Eack, Debra M. Montrose, Jean M. Miewald, Matcheri Keshavan10.1016/j.ajp.2011.08.004Asian Journal of Psychiatry 4, 4 (2011)2011-10-14Asian Journal of Psychiatry2011-10-1444S1876-2018(11)X0006-0Original Research Articles266271http://www.asianjournalofpsychiatry.com/article/PIIS187620181100089X/abstract?rss=yesAbstract: We present findings of a questionnaire-based survey for practicing psychiatrists in the state of Maharashtra, India as an effort to understand challenges faced and the strategies adopted while treating women in reproductive age, especially during pregnancy. Participants were asked open-ended questions to cover pre and peri-conceptional period where use of psychotropic medication might have specific consequences. The broad areas included impact of psychiatric illness on family and reproductive health, effect of treatment on fertility or obstetric outcome, contraception, pre-pregnancy counseling and vitamin supplementation, structural and functional teratogenesis, choice of psychotropes during pregnancy, obstetric complications and pregnancy outcome and neonatal withdrawal, etc.The observations from this study bring forth various issues such as peri-conceptional care and management options during pregnancy in women on psychotropic therapy. The study reveals that not the years of clinical practice but a formal training with ongoing updates about safe prescription practices and functional effects of these drugs on the developing fetus and newborn is associated with safe prescription practice during pregnancy.A survey among psychiatrists regarding psychotropic drug use in reproductive age womenKoumudi Godbole, Manjusha Vehale, Sanjay Phadke10.1016/j.ajp.2011.08.003Asian Journal of Psychiatry 4, 4 (2011)2011-11-03Asian Journal of Psychiatry2011-11-0344S1876-2018(11)X0006-0Original Research Articles272276http://www.asianjournalofpsychiatry.com/article/PIIS1876201811000888/abstract?rss=yesAbstract: Authors investigated the circumstantial evidence for autoimmunity in schizophrenia patients of Siliguri by considering the immune parameters like HLA Class I genes, IL-2 and IL6 and T cell subsets. Low resolution PCR-SSP method was applied for typing the HLA genes. Serum levels of IL-2 and IL-6 were measured by ELISA method. The CD4+ and CD8+ subset count were done using flow cytometry. A significant increase in HLA A*03 gene was observed in patients along with the significant decrease of HLA-A*31 and HLA-B*51. Both IL-2 and IL-6 were found to have decreased levels in the patients. Although the mean percentage of CD4+ and CD8+ cells was higher in patients but not significantly higher than controls. These cumulative preliminary findings are suggestive of alterations in the immune system of schizophrenia patients of this region.Immunomodulation in schizophrenia: A study among the Indian schizophrenia patients of Siliguri, West BengalBisu Singh, Nirmal Kumar Bera, Chitta R. Nayak, Tapas Kumar Chaudhuri10.1016/j.ajp.2011.08.002Asian Journal of Psychiatry 4, 4 (2011)2011-10-13Asian Journal of Psychiatry2011-10-1344S1876-2018(11)X0006-0Original Research Articles277283http://www.asianjournalofpsychiatry.com/article/PIIS1876201811000876/abstract?rss=yesAbstract: This is a rural community-based study for screening depression and its risk factors in a geriatric population. A proportionate random sample was collected from six villages in Maval Taluka through house-to-house surveys conducted by the authors. A short (15 item) form of the geriatric depression scale was used, along with a semi-structured questionnaire specially designed for the study. On this 15-item scale, 41.1% scored 5 or higher, which suggests likely depression, and 18.9% scored higher than ten, which suggests definite depression. Depression was significantly more prevalent in those who had faced a stressful event in the past two years, in those lacking emotional support from a close confidant and in those suffering some systemic illness or sensory deprivation. The commonest stressor faced was the death of their spouse or child. This was statistically the most significant finding in those depressed (P=0.0007). The need for treatment was perceived by these old people, but often not by their relatives. They could not seek treatment on their own due to restrictions on mobility due to old age, and being in rural areas, where psychiatric treatment facilities are not easily accessible.Screening for depression and its risk factors in geriatric population: A rural community based studySharmishtha S. Deshpande, Mithila Gadkari, Swati S. Raje10.1016/j.ajp.2011.08.001Asian Journal of Psychiatry 4, 4 (2011)2011-10-14Asian Journal of Psychiatry2011-10-1444S1876-2018(11)X0006-0Original Research Articles284287http://www.asianjournalofpsychiatry.com/article/PIIS1876201811001225/abstract?rss=yesAbstract: Background: Depression in Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) positives has implications such as poor drug compliance, lower quality of life, faster progression to full blown Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and higher mortality.Aims: To assess depression, social support and self-esteem in HIV positives and to find out the association of depression with social support and self-esteem among HIV positive patients.Setting and design: Kasturba Medical College (KMC) Hospital, a tertiary care hospital, Mangalore, India and cross-sectional design.Methods and materials: Study constituted of 105 HIV positive subjects; depression was assessed using BDI (Beck depression inventory), social support was assessed using Lubben social network scale and self-esteem was assessed using Rosenberg self-esteem scale.Statistical analysis: Kappa statistics was used to measure the agreement of depression assessed by BDI with clinical diagnosis of depression. Logistic regression analyses were done to find out predictors of depression among HIV positives. All analyses were conducted using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 11.5.Results: Depression was found to be present in 43.8% of HIV positives. Among the study subjects, 10.5% had high risk for isolation and low self-esteem was found only among 5.7%. In univariate analysis both gender and self-esteem were significantly associated with depression whereas in multivariate analysis only self-esteem was found to be significantly associated with depression.Conclusion: The present study shows a high prevalence of depression in HIV positive patients along with the importance of self-esteem.Association of depression with social support and self-esteem among HIV positivesVinita Jagannath, B. Unnikrishnan, Supriya Hegde, John T. Ramapuram, S. Rao, B. Achappa, D. Madi, M.S. Kotian10.1016/j.ajp.2011.10.006Asian Journal of Psychiatry 4, 4 (2011)2011-12-01Asian Journal of Psychiatry2011-12-0144S1876-2018(11)X0006-0Original Research Articles288292http://www.asianjournalofpsychiatry.com/article/PIIS1876201811001195/abstract?rss=yesAbstract: Patients with anxiety disorder (AD) are more likely to be concurrently comorbid with other ADs or major depressive disorder (MDD). However, it is unknown whether such patients show more severe anxiety symptoms than patients with single AD. We compared anxiety severity among patients with single AD, multiple ADs, and multiple ADs plus MDD. Subjects were 136 consecutive outpatients with any AD who were comprehensively diagnosed. Symptom severity of panic disorder (PD), social anxiety disorder (SAD), obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD), and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) was measured using self-rating questionnaires, and the scores were compared among the 3 comorbidity conditions (single AD vs. multiple ADs vs. multiple ADs plus MDD). PD and SAD scores in the multiple ADs and the multiple ADs plus MDD conditions were significantly greater than the scores in the single AD condition regardless of diagnosis of PD and SAD. OCD scores did not differ among the 3 conditions while the scores in patients with OCD were significantly greater than those in patients without OCD. GAD scores in the multiple ADs plus MDD condition were significantly greater than those in the single AD and the multiple AD conditions. Moreover, in patients with MDD, the GAD scores in patients with GAD were not greater than those in patients without GAD. The results suggest that symptoms of PD, SAD, and GAD but not OCD are affected by the diagnosis of multiple ADs or comorbid MDD and that diagnosis of comorbid MDD affects GAD symptoms more strongly than diagnosis of GAD.Relationships between anxiety severity, diagnosis of multiple anxiety disorders, and comorbid major depressive disorderMasaki Miyazaki, Aihide Yoshino, Soichiro Nomura10.1016/j.ajp.2011.10.003Asian Journal of Psychiatry 4, 4 (2011)2011-12-01Asian Journal of Psychiatry2011-12-0144S1876-2018(11)X0006-0Original Research Articles293296http://www.asianjournalofpsychiatry.com/article/PIIS1876201811001201/abstract?rss=yesAbstract: In Nepal psychiatric services outside big cities are virtually non-existent. This paper reports the observations and findings of a mental health project jointly run by private and voluntary sector organisations at Janakpur in southeast Nepal. The services included monthly outpatient clinics, day care, home visits and psychiatric training for medical students. At the monthly clinic, altogether 396 patients attended the service in 2009: a high proportion had psychoses (30% schizophrenia and 25% bipolar disorder); most (54%) were young; they came mainly from rural areas. Medical students also benefited from the clinical exposure, but the intake of the day care service was poor. The overall success of the innovative project shows how low-cost basic psychiatric services can be delivered in Nepal by private and voluntary sectors in the absence of state health care system.Challenges of setting up psychiatric services in Nepal: Lessons from the first year of Janakpur ProjectA. Jha, S. Ranjan, P.K. Pradhan, T. Jha10.1016/j.ajp.2011.10.004Asian Journal of Psychiatry 4, 4 (2011)2011-12-01Asian Journal of Psychiatry2011-12-0144S1876-2018(11)X0006-0Regional Update297299http://www.asianjournalofpsychiatry.com/article/PIIS1876201811001213/abstract?rss=yesAbstract: This paper attempts to summarize the main postulates of Bhagavadgita, a sacred book of Hindus, with reference to their implications in psychotherapeutic context in the Indian sociocultural set up.The Bhagavadgita's concept of a mentally healthy person is discussed and finally the relevance of the Bhagavadgita's teaching to current psychological medicine is explained.Bhagavadgita and psychotherapyJ.P. Balodhi, M.S. Keshavan10.1016/j.ajp.2011.10.005Asian Journal of Psychiatry 4, 4 (2011)2011-11-17Asian Journal of Psychiatry2011-11-1744S1876-2018(11)X0006-0Asian Pearls300302http://www.asianjournalofpsychiatry.com/article/PIIS1876201811001353/abstract?rss=yesBhagavadgeeta, popularly known as Gita, is the advice The Lord gives to his disciple. Arjuna is the disciple and Krishna is The Lord. This is timed to have occurred about 5000 years ago. The context is a great war between two factions of a royal family. The epic is Mahabharata. The compiler is sage Vyasa and the stenographer is Lord Ganesha (elephant head God). Gita is a section in the Bhishma Parva of the epic. As the war is about to start a leading warrior (Arjuna) is confronted with hypothetical concerns about the ethics of war between the kin and is besieged with a tremendous sense of guilt as well as despair. His charioteer is the Lord Himself. He has a bodily reaction as a consequence that is closely likened to depression. He seeks help from The Lord. Then comes Gita as a series of thoughts that come from the Lord leading to Arjuna becoming resolved for the war that he eventually wins.Bhagavadgeeta: The Indian treatise on mental health care and promotionB.N. Gangadhar10.1016/j.ajp.2011.11.001Asian Journal of Psychiatry 4, 4 (2011)2011-12-01Asian Journal of Psychiatry2011-12-0144S1876-2018(11)X0006-0Asian Pearls303303http://www.asianjournalofpsychiatry.com/article/PIIS1876201811001365/abstract?rss=yesAbstract: Practicing evidence-based medicine (EBM) requires the ability to evaluate relevant evidence for the purpose of making an evidence-based treatment decision. Broadly, there are three available sources of information available to the practicing clinician: individual studies, literature reviews, and practice guidelines. In the first two articles in the series, we described the threats-to-validity (T2V) approach in evaluating evidence and specifically discussed the different threats to validity in applying the findings of a single study or a systematic review to an individual patient. In this article, we describe the elements of a treatment practice guideline and evaluate threats to validity at each of these steps. We illustrate the method by evaluating a practice guideline relevant to the treatment question presented in a clinical vignette. We briefly review practice guidelines for the pharmacological treatment of schizophrenia, discuss recommendations from an exemplar guideline about antipsychotic choice in patients with schizophrenia and consider application of its conclusions to the question of which antipsychotic to select for the particular patient with schizophrenia utilizing the T2V approach.Practicing evidence-based psychiatry. 3. Interpreting treatment guidelinesAshley Clark, Babu Rankupalli, Rajiv Tandon10.1016/j.ajp.2011.11.002Asian Journal of Psychiatry 4, 4 (2011)2011-12-01Asian Journal of Psychiatry2011-12-0144S1876-2018(11)X0006-0Medical Education Corner304308http://www.asianjournalofpsychiatry.com/article/PIIS1876201811001389/abstract?rss=yes“Fundamentals of Psychiatry” by Allan Tasman and Wanda K Mohr (Wiley-Blackwell, 2011) is a concise introduction to the basic principles of Psychiatry. It has been written specifically for an audience looking for an introduction to Psychiatry. Its target audience would be comprised of medical students, resident physicians and the occasional medical practitioner looking for an additional reference for a clinical case.Paroma Mitra10.1016/j.ajp.2011.11.003Asian Journal of Psychiatry 4, 4 (2011)2011-12-01Asian Journal of Psychiatry2011-12-0144S1876-2018(11)X0006-0Book Review309309http://www.asianjournalofpsychiatry.com/article/PIIS1876201811001419/abstract?rss=yes Several activities of the Asian Federation of Psychiatric Association (AFPA) have occurred in the recent months. On the 2nd August 2011 the 2nd General assembly of AFPA was held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre during the 3rd World Congress of Asian Psychiatry. Forty-four members participated. The constitution was amended to include board members representing the Asian Federation of early career psychiatrists, the Asian Journal of Psychiatry and the coordinating of AFPA Congresses and a council of elders where all board members on completing their terms will be admitted to this council to continue to contribute to AFPA and its directions.AFPA news and updatesRussell D'Souza10.1016/j.ajp.2011.11.004Asian Journal of Psychiatry 4, 4 (2011)2011-12-01Asian Journal of Psychiatry2011-12-0144S1876-2018(11)X0006-0AFPA Section310311http://www.asianjournalofpsychiatry.com/article/PIIS1876201811001420/abstract?rss=yesThe second Training and Education Fellowship Programme The Asian Federation of Early Career Psychiatrists (AFECP) has received a support from Indian Global Psychiatric Initiative (IGPI) 2012, taking place on 17th and 18th January 2012 in Kochi, Kerala, South India. The event is planned for Pre-congress period on 15th and 16th January 2012. Programme will include lectures, workshops, interactive discussions, poster session of participants and site visits to Amritha Institute of Medical Sciences and Mental Health care units. The Training is devoted to the theme of “Image of modern psychiatrist: leadership, professionalism and humanism” and address the issues of academic skills, issues of teaching, mentorship, providing a research and publishing, bipolar disorder, management of personality disorders, humanistic approaches within aspects of compassion, empathy and well-being. The application forms posted on the web-site: www.afpapsy.com, should be filled and sent to AFECP Chairs of the organizing committee Darya Smirnova, Hussien Elkholy and Sandeep Grover till the deadline of 30th November.Early Career Psychiatrists Corner10.1016/j.ajp.2011.11.005Asian Journal of Psychiatry 4, 4 (2011)2011-12-01Asian Journal of Psychiatry2011-12-0144S1876-2018(11)X0006-0AFPA Section312312