To compare psychological morbidity among students appearing for final professional MBBS examination and civil services examination

Pages:436-442
Mamta Singla (Department of Psychiatry, Christian Medical College & Hospital, Ludhiana, Punjab)
Arvind Sharma (Department of Psychiatry, Guru Gobind Singh Medical College, Faridkot, Punjab)
Nidhi Aggarwal (Department of Psychiatry, Christian Medical College & Hospital, Ludhiana, Punjab)

Present educational system is most competitive and lesser opportunities in educational institutes and services later on. High expectations of family and future insecurities among students force them to take pressure of competitive exams beyond their compromised abilities by various factors. It leads to psychiatric problems among students at very young age. To compare psychiatric morbidity in students appearing for civil services and final year MBBS examination. Two study groups of students for MBBS and of civil services were made and students were subjected to structured and standardized PGI-HQ 1 and SCL-80 scales to assess psychiatric morbidity. Data was collected and later subjected to analysis using chi square and p value. Using ICD-10 diagnostic criteria 11% of medical students were found to have Depression [F32] and 7% students were found to have Generalized Anxiety Disorder [F41.1].Various other symptoms as detected on SCL-80 subscale were depression 18%, interpersonal sensitivity 26%, phobia 9%, anxiety 9%, OCD 26% and anger hostility in 20% of medical students. MBBS and Civil services exam is one of the toughest exams to appear for which subject students to rigorous physical, psychological and financial burden putting them to high risk for various psychiatric problems. Timely intervention at various levels of stress can make them perform better and keep them healthy psychologically.