Referral pattern to Department Of Psychiatry during covid period in a covid 19 nodal centre – A Descriptive study

AIM: To study referral pattern to department of psychiatry during covid period in a covid-19 nodal centre. MATERIALS AND METHODS: STUDY TYPE – Descriptive study STUDY PERIOD – 6 months ( may 2020 to October 2020 ) All the individuals referred to department of psychiatry were covid positive. Reasons for referrals are documented and Psychiatric diagnosis was determined using ICD – 10 criteria. Those with depression were prescribed with SSRI’s, patients diagnosed with psychosis were given antipsychotics, symptomatic treatment given to patients with organic delirium. RESULTS: Out of 137 referrals 25.54% were diagnosed with Alcohol dependence syndrome with withdrawal symptoms, 21.89% were diagnosed with organic delirium, 18.24% were with psychosis, 5.83% are with depression, 1.45% were with acute stress reaction, 1.45% with deliberate self harm behaviour, 16.05% were with no disorder, 10.21% were with other disorders. CONCLUSION : During covid period the most common referral to department of psychiatry was altered behaviour and the most common psychiatric diagnosis was alcohol use disorder with withdrawal state. The majority of the patients were males (88).