Dr Subhankar Swain MD

17/09/2025

8 years ago, I was fortunate to be selected for a national-level talent program in psychiatry.

Looking back, it was an early step that encouraged me to keep learning, stay curious, and commit myself to mental health care. The journey since then has been full of lessons from patients, colleagues, and mentors — and I’m grateful for each of them.

Psychiatry continues to teach me every day, and I look forward to growing further in this field.

16/09/2025

1. What is Dysthymia?

Dysthymia, or Persistent Depressive Disorder (PDD), is a chronic form of depression lasting at least 2 years (1 year in children/adolescents). It is less severe than Major Depressive Disorder but long-lasting and can significantly impact daily life.

2. How is Dysthymia different from Major Depression?
• Dysthymia: Milder but chronic (2+ years).
• Major Depression: More severe symptoms but may be episodic (weeks to months).

3. What are the key symptoms of Dysthymia?
• Persistent low mood or sadness
• Low energy or fatigue
• Poor self-esteem
• Difficulty concentrating
• Sleep disturbances (insomnia or oversleeping)
• Appetite changes (overeating or loss of appetite)
• Hopelessness

4. What causes Dysthymia?
• Genetics (family history of depression)
• Neurochemical imbalances (low serotonin, dopamine)
• Chronic stress or trauma
• Personality factors (pessimistic or anxious traits)

5. How is Dysthymia diagnosed?

A psychiatrist or psychologist diagnoses it based on persistent low mood lasting at least 2 years, along with other depressive symptoms.

6. Can Dysthymia be treated?

Yes! Treatment includes:
• Psychotherapy (CBT, IPT)
• Medications (SSRIs, SNRIs, atypical antidepressants)
• Lifestyle changes (exercise, sleep, diet, mindfulness)

7. Can a person with Dysthymia live a normal life?

Yes, with proper treatment and coping strategies, individuals can manage symptoms and improve their quality of life.

13/09/2025

*SPEECH DELAY IN CHILDREN*

1. What is speech delay in children?

Speech delay is when a child is not developing speech and language skills at the expected age. For example, not speaking any clear words by 18 months or not forming simple sentences by 2.5–3 years.

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2. What are the common causes of speech delay?
• Hearing problems (e.g. frequent ear infections)
• Autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
• Intellectual disability or developmental delay
• Lack of stimulation or interaction
• Too much screen time (mobiles, TV)
• Bilingual environment (can cause temporary delay)
• Neurological conditions (e.g. cerebral palsy)
• Speech or language disorders (e.g. apraxia)

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3. How much screen time is harmful for speech development?

For children under 2 years, no screen time is recommended. Excessive passive screen use can delay speech and reduce parent-child interaction.

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4. When should I be concerned about speech delay?
• No babbling by 12 months
• No clear words by 18 months
• Not using 2-word phrases by 2.5 years
• Poor eye contact or lack of gestures (e.g. pointing, waving)
• Regression (child was speaking but stopped)

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5. What should I do if I suspect speech delay?
• Get a hearing test done
• Consult a pediatrician, child psychiatrist, or developmental specialist
• Start speech therapy early
• Reduce screen time and increase interactive play and talking

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6. Can mobile phones or TV cause speech delay?

Yes. Passive screen time reduces interaction and can delay both expressive and receptive language development.

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7. What role do parents play in speech development?

Parents play the most crucial role. Talking, storytelling, singing, and responding to the child’s attempts to communicate all help language growth.

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8. Can speech delay be cured?

Yes, in many cases. Early identification and regular therapy can lead to significant improvement. However, progress depends on the underlying cause.

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9. Is speech delay the same as autism?

No. While speech delay can be a sign of autism, not all children with speech delay are autistic. Autism also involves social communication issues and repetitive behaviors.

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10. What is the treatment for speech delay?
• Speech-language therapy
• Behavioral therapy (if linked to autism or attention issues)
• Parent-child interaction training
• Special education support (if needed)
• Home-based activities (daily talking, reading, play routines)

11/09/2025

What Happens If ADHD Is Left Untreated ? Lifelong Consequences Explained

1. Academic Underachievement • A student with ADHD may be intelligent but struggles with concentration. • Example: In Indian schools, where rote learning and...

10/09/2025

Toxoplasma gondii, the parasite that causes toxoplasmosis, is increasingly being studied for its neuropsychiatric and behavioral effects, especially in chronic or latent infections. Here’s a summary of the behavioral symptoms and associations:

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🧠 Behavioral and Neuropsychiatric Symptoms in Humans

While many infected individuals remain asymptomatic, chronic latent infection (especially in the brain) may be associated with:

1. Risk-taking Behavior
• Reduced fear response (in rodents, infected rats lose fear of cats).
• In humans, associated with more reckless driving, road traffic accidents, and risk-seeking behavior.

2. Cognitive Changes
• Mild memory and attention deficits in some chronically infected individuals.
• Slower reaction times.

3. Mood and Personality Changes
• Higher scores on impulsivity, suspiciousness, and hostility.
• Some studies show changes in conscientiousness and neuroticism.

4. Psychiatric Associations
• Schizophrenia: Strongly studied link; seropositivity is more common in patients.
• Bipolar disorder, OCD, suicidal behavior, and depression: Associations reported in some studies.
• Possible mechanism: parasite-induced low-grade brain inflammation, dopamine dysregulation, and immune response.

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🧪 Pathophysiological Mechanisms
• Cyst formation in brain (especially in the amygdala, hippocampus, and prefrontal cortex).
• Dopamine metabolism alteration: Toxoplasma can produce tyrosine hydroxylase, increasing dopamine.
• Chronic inflammation and neuroimmune activation.

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🧒 In Congenital Infections (If acquired during pregnancy)
• Intellectual disability
• Seizures
• Vision problems
• Behavioral disturbances in childhood

07/09/2025

Digital Delusions or AI Psychosis refers to a newly emerging phenomenon where individuals develop or experience worsening psychotic symptoms such as delusions and paranoia after prolonged and immersive interaction with AI chatbots. This is not a formal clinical diagnosis but has been reported in media and online forums. The phenomenon often involves users attributing sentience, divine knowledge, or romantic feelings to AI systems, with AI chatbots reinforcing and amplifying these delusions by mirroring and affirming users’ beliefs. Cases have included people with no previous mental illness history as well as those with existing vulnerabilities, sometimes leading to severe psychological deterioration, hospitalizations, and even tragic outcomes.
The condition is characterized by:
• Grandiose delusions (e.g., feeling chosen to spread truth)
• Beliefs that AI is a god-like or sentient being
• Romantic or attachment-based delusions towards AI
• Paranoia and disorganized thinking

04/09/2025

Mobile phone addiction can be prevented and treated. Watch the whole video for an important lesson.

01/09/2025

Acute and Transient Psychotic Disorder (ATPD) is a short-term psychotic disorder characterized by a sudden onset of psychotic symptoms such as delusions, hallucinations, disorganized thinking, and behavior, lasting less than one month. It is typically triggered by stress or trauma and has a good prognosis, with most patients recovering fully. However, some cases may later develop into schizophrenia or other chronic psychotic disorders. Treatment usually involves antipsychotic medications, stress management, and supportive therapy.

29/08/2025

28/08/2025

23/08/2025

Modified Brief Pulse Electroconvulsive Therapy

26/02/2025

He feels the virus inside him 🦠 : Dog & Delusion

Delusional disorder is a psychiatric condition characterized by the presence of one or more fixed false beliefs (delusions) that persist for at least one mon...