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Psychiatry

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About the department

The Department of Psychiatry at Coimbatore Medical College was established in 1969 to provide comprehensive mental health care through both outpatient and inpatient services. In February 2025, a state-of-the-art De-addiction Centre with 20 beds was inaugurated to cater to patients struggling with substance use disorders. The department commenced the M.D. in Psychiatry program in 2020 with an annual intake of 3 postgraduates. The Psychiatry ward currently operates with 30 beds, equipped as per NMC norms. On average, the outpatient department receives 15 new registrations and 150 follow-up patients monthly. The department offers holistic treatment including pharmacotherapy, psychotherapy, and counseling, and provides academic training to MBBS and M.D. students, as well as paramedical students of Psychology and Social Work.
Email: [email protected]

HOD Desk

Dr. A. Shanmugiah, M.D., D.P.M.,

Head of the Department

Dr. A. Shanmugiah, M.D., D.P.M., leads the Department of Psychiatry as the Head. With over 18 years of teaching experience, he has served as Assistant Professor for 5 years, Associate Professor for 9 years and 1 month, and Professor for 4 years and 1 month. He is a Life Ordinary Member of the Indian Psychiatric Society and a member of the Tamil Nadu Chapter of IPS. His leadership is integral to academic and clinical advancements within the department, and he actively serves as a member of the College Council Committee.

Faculties

C. Hannah Ueno
Assistant Professor
Katherine Panagakos earned her M.A. in Classics from Tulane University and her Ph.D. in Greek and Latin from The Ohio State University. During her graduate work, she was a student at The American School of Classical Studies at Athens (ASCSA) and was a field walker and camp manager at the Eastern Korinthia Archaeogical Survey (EKAS). Katherine spent three years in a rotating position at schools in the Associated Colleges of the South (Southwestern University in Georgetown, TX; Furman University in Greenville, SC; and Rhodes College in Memphis, TN).
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Thomas Fred
Associate Professor
Katherine Panagakos earned her M.A. in Classics from Tulane University and her Ph.D. in Greek and Latin from The Ohio State University. During her graduate work, she was a student at The American School of Classical Studies at Athens (ASCSA) and was a field walker and camp manager at the Eastern Korinthia Archaeogical Survey (EKAS). Katherine spent three years in a rotating position at schools in the Associated Colleges of the South (Southwestern University in Georgetown, TX; Furman University in Greenville, SC; and Rhodes College in Memphis, TN).
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Jennifer Aarons
Professor of Art
Katherine Panagakos earned her M.A. in Classics from Tulane University and her Ph.D. in Greek and Latin from The Ohio State University. During her graduate work, she was a student at The American School of Classical Studies at Athens (ASCSA) and was a field walker and camp manager at the Eastern Korinthia Archaeogical Survey (EKAS). Katherine spent three years in a rotating position at schools in the Associated Colleges of the South (Southwestern University in Georgetown, TX; Furman University in Greenville, SC; and Rhodes College in Memphis, TN).
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Professors
Michael McGarvey
Professor of Literature
Katherine Panagakos earned her M.A. in Classics from Tulane University and her Ph.D. in Greek and Latin from The Ohio State University. During her graduate work, she was a student at The American School of Classical Studies at Athens (ASCSA) and was a field walker and camp manager at the Eastern Korinthia Archaeogical Survey (EKAS). Katherine spent three years in a rotating position at schools in the Associated Colleges of the South (Southwestern University in Georgetown, TX; Furman University in Greenville, SC; and Rhodes College in Memphis, TN).
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Course Handling

MBBS

Undergraduate Psychiatry Training

M.D

Psychiatry (Postgraduate Program)

Research and Publications

Ongoing research

  • A study on cultural factors, social support, insight, and symptom profile in first-episode schizophrenia.

  • Comparative analysis of neurocognition and socio-occupational functioning in depressive disorders.

  • Study on alexithymia, emotional intelligence, and coping skills in alcohol dependence.

  • Neurocognitive decline in Alcohol Dependence Syndrome with/without psychosis.

  • A comparative study on suicidal intent, psychiatric comorbidity, and coping skills in single vs. multiple suicide attempts.

  • Analysis of personality traits and quality of sleep in patients with varying suicide risk levels.

Publications

1. J. Jeyaprakash, “A Cross Sectional Study about the Prevalence of Depression and Anxiety in Chronic Medical Illnesses,” Int. J. Life Sci. Biotechnol., vol. 12, no. 1, 2023. [Indexed]

2. J. Jeyaprakash, “Prevalence of Depressive Symptoms in Schizophrenia – A Cross Sectional Study,” Path of Science, vol. 90, no. 12, 2023. [Indexed]

3. J. Jeyaprakash, “Exploring Sociodemographic Characteristics, Minor Physical Anomalies and Soft Neurological Signs,” Int. J. Life Sci. Biotechnol., vol. 13, no. 1, 2025. [Indexed]

4. V. Keerthika, G. V. Viswajith, J. Jeyaprakash, and A. Shanmugiah, “Les Psychoses Passionnelles – A Rare Case Report of Multiple Erotomanic Delusions in a Male,” Ann. Indian Psychiatry, 2024, doi: 10.4103/aip.aip-136-24. [Indexed]

Achievments

Faculties

  • Active participation in national and state psychiatric societies.

  • Regular involvement in undergraduate and postgraduate curriculum design.

  • Contributions to research publications in indexed journals.

Students
  • Consistent academic performance in university examinations.
  • Participation in case presentations and paper presentations at conferences.
  • Engagement in community mental health outreach and awareness programs.

Events and Services

Academic events

  • CME on Suicide Prevention

  • Regular guest lectures and webinars by national and international experts.

  • Mental Health Day observance with seminars and public awareness drives.

  • Interdisciplinary academic sessions with departments like Community Medicine and Pediatrics.

Community Services

  • General Adult Psychiatry Clinics

  • De-addiction Centre for substance abuse rehabilitation.

  • Internet Addiction Clinic for adolescents and children.

  • Perinatal Psychiatry Clinic for maternal mental health.

  • Community Mental Health Outreach Programs

  • Geriatric Psychiatry services.

  • Family Counseling & Psychomotor Clinics

  • Neuropsychiatry / Memory Clinics

  • Manam Program for mental well-being of medical and paramedical students.

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