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Conversive disorder is characterised by the presence of one or more involuntary neurological symptoms that are not due to a clear medical pathology. On the other hand, consciously simulated illnesses fall into two diagnostic categories: factitious disorders and malingering, which are differentiated by both the motivation for the behaviour and the awareness of that motivation. Factitious disorder behaviours are motivated by an unconscious need to assume the sick role, whereas malingering behaviours are consciously driven to achieve external secondary gains.
Objectives
Study of the differences between conversion disorder and factitious disorder and their repercussions from a case of difficult diagnosis.
Methods
Bibliographic review of scientific literature based on a relevant clinical case.
Results
We present the case of a 14-year-old male patient. Adoptive parents. Studying in high school. Social difficulties since childhood. He comes to the emergency department on several occasions referring stereotyped movements and motor tics in the four extremities with left cervical lateralization. Increase of these symptoms in the last month, so it was decided to admit him to the pediatric hospital. After observation and study of the patient’s movements with normal complementary tests he should return home. The following day he returned to the emergency department after an episode of dizziness, mutism and emotional block. It was decided to admit him to Psychiatry for behavioral observation and differential diagnosis.
Conclusions
In the assessment of patients it is essential to make an appropriate diagnosis taking into account the patient’s symptomatology and the patient’s background and life context. Conversion disorder is the unintentional production of neurological symptom, whereas malingering and factitious disorder represent the voluntary production of symptoms with internal or external incentives. They have a close history and this has been frequently confounded. Practitioners are often confronted to medically unexplained symptoms; they represent almost 30% of neurologist’s consultation. The first challenge is to detect them, and recent studies have confirmed the importance of “positive” clinical bedside signs based on incoherence and discordance. Multidisciplinary therapy is recommended with behavioral cognitive therapy, antidepressant to treat frequent comorbid anxiety or depression, and physiotherapy. Factitious disorder and malingering should be clearly delineated from conversion disorder. Factitious disorder should be considered as a mental illness and more research on its physiopathology and treatment is needed, when malingering is a non-medical condition encountered in medico-legal cases.
Personality Disorders (PD) - specifically Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), and certain Eating Disorders (ED) share common clinical features. One of these features is impulsivity, studied individually in each diagnostic group, and scarcely used to encompass specific profiles of these patients.
Understanding the common clinical variables of this patient population would facilitate therapeutic efforts and enable greater precision regarding the prognosis of these patients.
Objectives
This study aims to study impulsivity in a group collectively formed by BPD and ED, compared to a control group, in contrast to the individualized study approach typically conducted in the literature.
Methods
A cross-sectional descriptive study is conducted to assess impulsivity as a common diagnostic variable in a group of PD and ED in comparison with a healthy control group. The sample was collected between 2016 and 2019 at the Hospital Clínico San Carlos, totaling 108 subjects.
Results
A statistically significant difference is observed (p<0.005 in all scales) in total impulsivity, cognitive impulsivity, motor impulsivity, and unplanned impulsivity in the cases group comprising patients diagnosed with PD and ED, compared to the control group from the general population.
Conclusions
Impulsivity is closely related to the concept of borderline personality disorder. This analysis also includes eating disorders, with the difference from the control group still statistically significant.
The presence of common clinical variables in these groups (PD and ED) may have clinical and therapeutic implications that differ from those pursued thus far. This allows moving away from the categorical model and understanding these disorders from a more enriching and advanced dimensional perspective.”
Introduction: Research indicates that 2-8% of students exhibit ADHD symptoms, a condition impacting personal, social, and academic functionality (Kwon et al., 2018). A significant proportion encounter educational and socio-emotional challenges, often leading to academic disruptions; indeed, 11-21% of such students defer enrollment for two consecutive years (DuPaul et al., 2021). Studies have highlighted pronounced issues related to academic performance within this demographic (Henning et al., 2022). These findings emphasize the critical need for innovative interventions and a deeper understanding of ADHD’s impact on young adults in academic contexts.
Objectives
To investigate challenges and evaluate supportive counseling approaches for students with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)”
Methods
This study utilized a qualitative approach, employing semi-structured interviews to understand the experiences and perspectives of university students with ADHD from across the country. The diverse sample comprised students from various academic disciplines and levels. Data were collected, ensuring participants’ comfort, and were analyzed using content analysis method, revealing insightful themes and patterns about ADHD’s impact in students’ quality of life and academic issues. The findings aim to contribute to a better understanding of ADHD
Results
The results of the study highlight the significant academic and organisational difficulties faced by participants with ADHD. Many struggled intensely to maintain concentration in class, with distractions causing significant attentional lapses and increased anxiety. Procrastination was a recurring problem, leading to last-minute submissions and increased stress. Forgetting to complete academic tasks, such as course registration, had a cumulative negative impact on participants’ academic journeys. These findings highlight the complex challenges faced by people with ADHD in educational settings, and the need for comprehensive interventions. Addressing these multifaceted issues goes beyond academic accommodations and requires inclusive learning environments, counselling, peer support, and specialised faculty training to create a supportive ecosystem conducive to the success of individuals with ADHD.
Conclusions
This study highlights the multifaceted challenges, notably in concentration and task management, faced by individuals, presumably with ADHD, within academic settings. The reported struggles emphasize the urgent need for specialized interventions and support structures, focused on fostering concentration, effective task management, and administrative diligence. The insights provided are instrumental, guiding future research and intervention strategies aimed at addressing the identified needs and fostering an inclusive and supportive learning environment.
Headache is often considered as a symptom reflecting mental ill-being of a person. Taking into account heavy academic loads, we should study it in medical students in reference to its connections with various psychosocial risk factors
Objectives
To establish interrelations between the frequency of headaches in medical students and risk factors of psychosocial nature
Methods
We conducted the research based on the Faculty of Medicine of Ulianov Chuvash State University. It covered 546 students of both genders who had no complains of having mental problems. We surveyed the students by means of Sociocultural Health Questionnaire (E. Nikolaev)
Results
The research showed that two out of three students complained of headaches of various intensity and frequency. It was present with statistically equal frequency (p>.05) in domestic (68.85%) and foreign (63.90%) medical students. Females experience headache more often (r=.20), and it more often correlates with a high level of stress (r=.25), lesser satisfaction with studying (r=-.14), higher frequency of e-cigarette consumption (r=.15), higher anxiety due to phantom ringing syndrome (r=.15), lower self-esteem of health (r=-.29), confidence (r=-.16), successfulness (r=-.12), happiness (r=-.18), well-being (r=-.11), liveliness (r=-.16), higher frequency of medication consumption (r=.27), higher frequency of visits to a psychotherapist in the childhood (r=.11), higher current need in the help of a psychologist (r=.21), psychiatrist and psychotherapist (r=.21).
Conclusions
These psychosocial risk factors call for attention from mental health professionals, and we should take them into consideration while providing medical care to medical students and developing health programs in universities.
It is important to prevent school dropout and to help students who have dropped out re-enroll in school. Dropping out of school is associated with an increased risk of unemployment, low salaries, and receiving social security or disability benefits. In this study, we interviewed participants in ‘Guttas Campus’ (The Boys’ Camp), which is a group-based intervention that aims to support disengaged boys from the 9th grade and through their transition to high school. The intervention consists of a two-week learning camp. The students subsequently participate in mentoring groups, with teachers and other camp participants, for a period of 18 months.
Objectives
We present a study of a school dropout prevention program.
Methods
16 students were interviewed qualitatively. The interview data were analysed by drawing on the method of Grounded Theory.
Results
When the students who have completed the learning camp were asked what they believed were the most important and useful parts of the intervention, some common themes emerged: 1) The learning camp community provided a safe environment and helped give the participants learning and coping experiences that increased their self-confidence. 2) The students brought up the method of teaching, which they described as more persistent, adaptive and encouraging than they had been used to from regular school. 3) The students also mentioned the intervention’s focus on character strengths such as willpower, self-control and optimism as central to increasing their motivation to learn.
Conclusions
The students that were interviewed were generally positive to the intervention, as mentioned several factors that they believed were useful in increasing their motivation and ability to learn.
Short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) are bacterial metabolites that, within microbiome-gut-brain axis, make a promising research line on etiopathology of mental diseases like schizophrenia (SZ) and major depression disorder. Besides, depressive symptoms are frequent clinical features of SZ.
Objectives
- Describe fecal SCFA concentrations in SZ patients.
Cross-sectional study of 67 outpatients [mean age=43.52±12.42, range=22-67; males=40 (59.7%)] with diagnosis (DSM-5) of SZ recruited from their mental health clinics in Oviedo (Spain).
- Chlorpromazine equivalent doses (CPZ-ED), use of antidepressants.
- MetS (ATP-III), body mass index (BMI; kg/cm2).
- Statistics: Spearman correlation, U Mann-Whitney, ANCOVA.
Results
14 patients showed clinical depression (CDS≥5). There were no differences in age or sex between groups. 36 patients (53.7%) showed systemic low-grade inflammation (CPR≥0.3mg/dL) and 32 (30.8%) MetS.Table 1 shows fecal SCFA levels by depressive state. Means (SD) are ahown.Table 1
CDS≤4
CDS≥5
Total
U Mann-Whitney(p-value)
Acetate
21.449(12.823)
12.911(7.189)
19.665(12.328)
221.000(0.021)
Propanoate
9.170(6.819)
6.848(6.036)
8.685(6.687)
268.500(0.114)
Butyrate
8.529(6.436)
7.875(8.232)
8.392(6.787)
320.000(0.432)
Total SCFA
39.148(23.770)
31.415(24.526)
36.742(23.549)
250.000(0.062)
Correlations were found in Age with Butyrate (r=-0.248,p=0.043) and weekly alcohol units with Propanoate (r=0.250,p=0.041) plus trend to significance with Butyrate (r=0.232,p=0.059). It also showed a trend towards statistical relation for CPZ-ED with Propanoate (r=-0.253,p=0.039) and Total SCFA (r=-0.253,p=0.039). We found no correlation in SCFA with MetS, CGI, PANSS-N, BMI, IPAQ, MEDAS and other toxic habits.
ANCOVA was performed to Acetate and Total SCFA using depression state as independent variable and Age and CPZ-ED as covariates. There was a trend towards statistical significance for Acetate (F=3.937,p=0.052,η2=0.059) whereas Total SCFA showed no difference (F=1.350,p=2.250,η2=0.021).
Conclusions
There seems to be lower levels of fecal Acetate in SZ patients with depressive symptoms, considering age and antipsychotic intake. In our sample there was no relation between SFCA and clinical severity, lifestyle, comorbidities or antidepressant use.
Female sexuality is a complex and multifactorial domain that can be influenced by a variety of psychological, biological, relational, and sociocultural factors. However, sexual dysfunctions in women remain a taboo subject in many cultures and are often underestimated, underdiagnosed, and undertreated. In Tunisia, few studies have been conducted to assess the prevalence of sexual dysfunctions in women and their predictive factors.
Objectives
to determine the prevalence of sexual dysfunctions in a group of Tunisian women and to identify the predictive factors of these dysfunctions.
Methods
This is a cross-sectional, descriptive, and analytical study, over a period of three months, from September to December 2022, conducted online via a pre-established questionnaire to collect various sociodemographic data, personal history, psychoactive substance consumption, weight, and height. We used the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) scale to evaluate sexual functioning in participants. We recruited sexually active Tunisian women over 18 years of age who agreed to anonymously respond to the questionnaire. The form was disseminated on social networks, in groups that focus on women, with a rate of three publications per week.
Results
We collected data from 90 women with a mean age of 35 ± 12.84 years.
More than half of our population (60%, n=54) had at least one sexual dysfunction.
The most common sexual dysfunctions reported were arousal disorders (31.3%), followed by desire disorders (26.8%) orgasm disorders (12.4%).
We found that several factors were significantly associated with sexual dysfunctions : Women over 45 years of âge (p<10-3), who are divorced (p=0,02), have a low socioeconomic status (p=0,04), and report having experienced traumatic romantic/sexual expériences (p<10-3) were found to have a higher prevalence of sexual dysfunctions.
According to our results, cannabis consumption had a negative impact on lubrication (p<10-3) and orgasm (p=0.003) among our study respondents. Personal psychiatric history also had a negative influence on arousal (p=0.02) and sexual satisfaction (p=0.01).
Conclusions
By identifying sexual dysfunctions early and treating them effectively, we can improve the quality of life of those affected and avoid serious consequences on their physical and mental health. It is therefore crucial to promote a proactive approach to sexual health and encourage healthcare professionals to approach sexuality openly and comprehensively.
Borderline personality disorder is a severe mental disorder characterized by generalized instability of emotional regulation of interpersonal relationships and self-image, and marked impulsivity. Several features of this disorder are likely to be associated with problematic sexual health, such as impulsivity (impulsive sexual behavior), identity disorders (unstable sexual identity) and unstable and intense interpersonal relationships. In addition, childhood sexual abuse and violence are common in people’s histories.
Objectives
Assessing sexuality in patients followed for borderline personality disorder at Arrazi Salé psychiatric hospital.
Methods
This is a descriptive cross-sectional study using a questionnaire including socio-demographic criteria with a questionnaire on sexual behavior in female patients followed for borderline personality disorder at the Arrazi Salé psychiatric hospital. Inclusion criteria: women over 18 years of age diagnosed with borderline personality disorder. Exclusion criteria: psychosis, intellectual disability.
Results
We collected 45 patients with borderline personality disorder. The average age was 22, 80% were single, 58% unemployed, 46% had dropped out of high school. The majority of participants were using psychoactive substances. 25% had attempted suicide. 83% were victims of childhood sexual abuse. The majority were significantly more likely to engage in sexual activity at a younger age than their peers. Over 60% had never used contraception 10% had their first pregnancy at a younger age, with termination. 15% have had genital infections. 53% were attracted to both sexes, and over 66% had more than one sexual partner. Over 73% did not experience sexual satisfaction (sexual satisfaction scale less than 10).
Conclusions
The results indicate that sexuality in patients with borderline personality disorder is present early in the course of the disorder, often at a young age, with significant physical, mental and social consequences. Primary care mental health, sexual health and sexual assault services need to be attentive to the clinical diagnosis of this personality disorder, as the nature of the disorder represents both a risk factor and a health threat.
Liver cirrhosis, a chronic liver disease, can be closely linked to chronic alcohol abuse, posing a significant medical challenge. Hepatic encephalopathy (HE), a neuropsychiatric condition resulting from liver dysfunction, commonly occurs in cirrhotic patients due to the accumulation of neurotoxic substances like ammonia and manganese in the body. Managing cirrhosis and alcohol addiction is crucial to enhancing the quality of life for these patients, as HE can manifest in various ways and with varying degrees of severity.
Objectives
To emphasize the importance of recognizing and treating hepatic encephalopathy as a potential complication of liver cirrhosis and sedatives during alcohol withdrawal.
Methods
We compiled clinical data, medical history, neuroimaging tests, and therapeutic interventions applied.
Results
A 55-year-old man with a complex medical history, including Child-Pugh B liver cirrhosis, portal hypertension, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and chronic alcohol abuse with numerous prior hospitalizations for acute pancreatitis and severe head trauma related to alcohol consumption, presented to the emergency department with symptoms of alcohol withdrawal and suicidal thoughts, leading to lorazepam administration and a recommendation for admission to a specialized Therapeutic Community. After 72 hours, he developed hepatic encephalopathy with symptoms such as confusion, sleep disturbance, sweet-smelling breath, abnormal hand movements, conjunctival icterus, and urinary difficulties.
An EEG revealed a globally attenuated and disorganized bioelectrical activity with triphasic waves. The magnetic resonance imaging showed signs of hepato-cerebral degeneration, including T1-weighted hyperintensity in the lentiform and mesencephalic nuclei due to manganese deposition. Treatment was adjusted to reduce sedative use, and therapy with Rifaximin and Lactulose was initiated to control blood ammonia levels. After a week, the patient exhibited significant neurological improvement, underscoring the importance of appropriate management in patients with hepatic encephalopathy related to liver cirrhosis and chronic alcohol abuse.
Conclusions
This case underscores the complexity of HE in patients with liver cirrhosis and alcohol dependence. HE can present in various ways, from subtle symptoms to severe episodes of confusion and coma. Findings on EEG, such as triphasic waves, are characteristic of HE and reflect brain dysfunction. Furthermore, manganese accumulation in the brain, as evidenced by magnetic resonance imaging, may contribute to neurological symptoms in cirrhotic patients. In this context, the early recognition and multidisciplinary treatment are emphasized to improve the quality of life and prevent the progression of this neuropsychiatric complication. EEG and magnetic resonance imaging findings play an essential role in the evaluation of these patients.
A person diagnosed with a psychiatric illness, must face labels and discriminiation most of the time. Fear of these undermines the motivation of people in need to seek help. A special example of this phenomenon is the case of people experiencing homelessness and mental disorder, avoiding the additional stigma of homelessness and therefore do not seek any help for their mental ill-health. Availability of the specific services complicates their problem.
Fear of stigma, trauma, and previous bad experiences of using services also keep people experiencing homelessness away from services.
In Hungary, the February Third Working Group (F3) Report on the 2020 Homelessness Survey After the Penal Code - Before the Pandemic Homelessness - Services Perspectives by Péter Győri shows in his summary paper that only 29% had received psychiatric treatment.
Objectives
Methodology Center of Social and Its Institutions (BMSZKI), in collaboration with the Awakenings Foundation, developed a complex rehabilitation service for people experiencing homelessness and mental disorder. This presentation aims to present this good practice.
Methods
Complex rehabilitation based on the methodology of community psychiatric care with the involvement of peer support.
Results
- provision of community psychiatric care for people experiencing homelessness and mental disorder,
- introduction of screening for effective care of undiagnosed persons with mental disorders,
- provision of outpatient and day hospital care
- focus of care in accommodation services on persons with mental disorders,
- the involvement of peer-support work in the service,
- building a network of contact points, organizing case conferences,
- developing and organizing training on recovery-based rehabilitation for people with mental disorders in cooperation between the two organizations,
- telemedicine, making digital mental health available
- presence of resources represented by self-help groups
- running a working group to promote improvements based on practical experience homelessness and mental disorder.
Conclusions
extra-institutional teamwork multiplies the resources for people experiencing homelessness and mental disorder.
Keywords
mental disorder, homelessness, community psychiatric care, peer support, collaboration
The neurocognitive deficit model as a characteristic of patients with borderline personality disorder (BPD) has been the focus of research for the past 20 years. However, no such studies have been performed in Russia.
Objectives
The aim of the present study was to investigate the neurocognitive profile of patients with BPD.
Methods
Fifty patients with BPD (according to DSM-V criteria) in stable mental state (72% women; mean age 22.44±4.32) were examined. BPD symptom severity was assessed using the Borderline Personality Disorder Questionnaire (PBQ-BPD), which was validated in the Russian population (34 points or more indicated a higher probability of BPD diagnosis). The Brief Assessment of Cognition in Schizophrenia (BACS) was used to assess cognitive function (in order to use these data for differential diagnosis with schizophrenia spectrum disorders). The study was approved by the ethical committee of Saint Petersburg State University.
Results
On the PBQ-BPD results, 38% of patients (n=19) scored over 34 points, despite being stable. BACS subscales T-scores (presented as median [Q1; Q3]) were within normal limits (Verbal memory - 49.81 [46.56; 53,06]; Working memory - 43.73 [38.0; 47.50]; Motor function - 44.08 [41.0; 47.25]; Coding - 45.56 [42.50; 48.63]; Verbal fluency - 48.14 [46.0; 52.0]; Tower of London test - 52.33 [47.0; 57.0]). A number of patients had low scores on the BACS subscales (T-score < 40), particularly working memory (33.3%), coding (20.8%), and verbal memory (18.8%). The BACS Composite T Score (46.02 [43.65; 48.39]) correlated with the PBQ-BPD score (32.00 [27.00; 36.00]; r=-0.316; p=0.028). To better characterize the cognitive functioning of patients with BPD, patients were divided into two groups: those who scored less than 34 on the PBQ-BPD (group 1) and those who scored more than 34 on the PBQ-BPD (group 2). Group 2 patients had a lower BACS Composite T-score (42.32 [38.06; 46.58]; 48.45 [45.87; 51.03]; p=0.009) and nominally lower mean scores on all BACS subscales, compared with Group 1 patients. We found significant differences in T-scores values on the Working Memory subscale (Group 1 - 45.0 [41.0; 49.0]; Group 2 - 38.0 [33.0; 43.5], p=0.003), Verbal Fluency (49.0 [47.25; 53.75]; 48.0 [44.0; 49.0]; p=0.047), Tower of London Test (57.0 [52.0; 57.0]; 48.0 [42.0; 57.0]; p=0.036).
Conclusions
Neurocognitive impairment was detected in 33.3% of patients with BPD. The dominant cognitive impairments in the patients were decreased working and verbal memory and information processing speed. The severity of BPD symptoms has been confirmed to correlate with the neurocognitive functioning of these patients.
Female Autism Spectrum Conditions (FASC) often go without a proper diagnosis, receive misdiagnoses, or are diagnosed late in life compared to males.These circumstances can lead to negative consequences in their overall health, emotional well-being, educational attainment, job opportunities, and independence. There is a growing body of literature highlighting distinctions between females and males in the context of autism. Regrettably, these insights are not effectively making their way into practical applications. While shifting entrenched perspectives among practitioners is a gradual process, there is an immediate and pressing need for change in this regard. Numerous misconceptions persist regarding the presentation of FASC, hindering the recognition of its diverse effects based on an individual’s cis-gender identity or other factors.
Objectives
The purpose of this study is to identify key challenges associated with the identification of ASC symptomatology in girls, with the goal of informing future research and clinical practice.
Methods
Using constant comparative analysis applicable to grounded theory lite with an inductive approach, this study employs an interpretative research methodology with a focus on generating theory from qualitative data, albeit with certain shortcuts or less resource-intensive steps. Data were collected through interviews providing insights into their experiences, behaviors, and developmental history, observations enabling to capture real-time behavioral and communicative patterns., and notes during first and initial developmental assessment, as well as using ADOS-II with some participants (according to referrals and parents’ decision), in the period of 3 years (2020-2023) from 25 girls age 18 months to 15 years and their mothers, and occasionally both parents.
Results
Preliminary findings indicate a complex interplay of behavioral, communicative, and social challenges in these girls, shedding light on potentially distinctive patterns of symptom expression in comparison to boys. Furthermore, barriers hindering parental involvement in the diagnostic process have also been identified. This study holds significant importance as it may inform future research efforts aimed at addressing these challenges that currently impede clinicians in the early identification of FASC, which manifests quite differently in girls compared to boys.
Conclusions
Taking into account certain study limitations, the significance of this research lies in its capacity to influence future research initiatives. By illuminating the obstacles that hinder clinicians in the early detection of FASC, which manifest distinctively in girls compared to boys, it emphasizes the pressing need to address these challenges. This, in turn, enhances early detection and support systems for FASC, ultimately contributing to their well-being and quality of life.
Lithium is a well-established mood stabilizer used in the management of bipolar disorder, that is generally well-tolerated; however, it is associated with rare but potentially severe neurological side effects. Lithium-induced encephalopathy is characterized by a spectrum of symptoms, ranging from subtle cognitive deficits to severe manifestations such as altered mental status to overt delirium, seizures and coma. Risk factors include advanced age, concomitant medication and underlying renal impairment. This symptoms do not consistentely correlate with lithium concentrations.
Objectives
This abstract aims to provide an overview of the clinical characteristics, underlying mechanisms, and management of lithium-induced encephalopathy.
Methods
We discuss a case of a 62-years-old woman diagnosed with bipolar disorder under treatment with lithium and olanzapine, without recent changes of posology. She presented to emergency department with subacute and fluctuating neuropsychiatric symptoms, including confusion, disorientation in time and space, complex visual hallucinations, delusional ideas, alteration in memory and logic thinking, dysarthria and dyspraxia. Neuroimaging showed no structural abnormalities, blood tests were normal and serum lithium levels were within the therapeutic range (0.8 mEq/L). Upon discontinuation of lithium, the patient exhibited a gradual resolution of symptoms. We conducted a comprehensive search of medical databases, including PubMed, to identify relevant articles related to lithium encephalopathy published up to September 2023.
Results
This case challenges the conventionally established threshold of elevated serum lithium levels in the development of encephalopathy. The underlying pathophysiology is complex and multifactorial, with proposed mechanisms including alterations in neurotransmitter balance, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction and individual susceptibility to idiosyncratic reactions. Early diagnosis is challenging, necessitating a high clinical suspicion, neuroimaging and exclusion of other etiologies. Management strategies involve discontinuation of lithium, even when serum lithium levels are within the therapeutic range, supportive care, and, in severe cases, hemodialysis to reduce lithium levels rapidly.
Conclusions
Clinicians should maintain a high index of suspicion of lithium-induced encephalopathy, especially in patients presenting with neurological symptoms while on lithium treatment. Early recognition and intervention are essential for minimizing morbidity and preventing potentially irreversible neurological damage. Further research is needed to better understand the precise mechanisms underlying it, risk factors and to refine treatment strategies.
Mental health reform represents one of the most transformative changes in the field of healthcare, as it not only changes the forms of services but also the nature of services offered. While many countries have successfully implemented such reforms, others, including Georgia, have struggled with a protracted and inconsistent process. Despite decades of advocacy by professionals for deinstitutionalization and the development of community-based services, psychiatric hospital treatment continues to dominate in Georgia.
Objectives
The purpose of the review is to explore the concept of deinstitutionalization within the mental health landscape and assess its status in the context of Georgia. It aims to study the lessons learned from successful deinstitutionalization and illuminate achievements and challenges surrounding deinstitutionalization in Georgia’s reality.
Methods
A qualitative analysis including desk review, in-depth interviews and focus group discussions was conducted. Proceeding from the research objectives we analyzed the existing legislation, strategic documents and clinical practices concerning individuals with mental disorders; Interviews were also conducted with key informants on the shortcomings and problems in deinstitutionalization practices
Results
The review findings reveal, that despite recent progress such as the development of community mobile teams and increased funding allocated for community services within mental health budget, several issues persist: there is no agreement among stakeholders on how to restructure existing hospital beds and financial provisions remain unresolved. The field of mental health in Georgia suffers from a lack of human resources. Attracting new personnel, ensuring regional distribution, and enhancing qualifications are necessary components of deinstitutionalization that require the involvement of all stakeholders, coordinated and time-planned action. The current mental healthcare system in Georgia is characterized by a lack of coordination and collaboration among its various components. Establishing patient care pathways with clear referral criteria is crucial for improving the efficiency of mental health services. This research highlights that successful deinstitutionalization requires additional funds, time, and trained people. Institutions should have a long-term (3-5) year development plan, detailing the source of funding, activities to be implemented, and expected outcomes. In the absence of such a plan, progress remains sporadic, intermittent, uncoordinated, and less effective.
Conclusions
In conclusion, the protracted nature of deinstitutionalization in Georgia requires a multifaceted approach involving various stakeholders. By addressing identified challenges and promoting coordination among mental health components, Georgia can guide a more effective course toward a community-based, patient-centered mental healthcare system.
Erotomania, was described in 1942, is more common in women than in men, although the incidence is unknown. This syndrome is usually characterized by a young woman with the illusion that a man whom she considers to be of a higher social or professional position is in love with her. Developing an elaborate delusional process about this man, his love, his pursuit and total commitment to the idea. Two forms, pure or secondary, are described. As well as fixed or recurring
52-year-old female patient in outpatient follow-up with a diagnosis of schizophrenia with long-term follow-up, start of follow-up by a new therapist, in this context intensive follow-up is carried out in the event of the appearance of pharmacological secondary effects, pharmacological readjustment is carried out with good results.
During the joint follow-up with nursing, the cessation of secondaryisms is confirmed and we are informed of the gradual appearance of overvalued ideas in relation to the new therapist, which are gradually structured in the form of erotomanic delirium that coincides with the cessation of follow-up by said therapist. Consultations in the emergency room occur on a couple of occasions due to mild behavioral alterations secondary to messages and communications that he reports receiving where said love is confirmed. Despite readjustments, there continues to be an increase in clinical symptoms due to abandonment of medication, finally producing serious alterations aimed at the search for said therapist, finally culminating in admission to the acute care unit for containment of said condition.
Objectives
The objetives is the diferencial diagnosis, in this case symptoms could be classified as positive symptoms of schizophrenia, although it is its own nosological entity.
Methods
.
Results
.
Conclusions
This patient represents a classic example of De Clerambault syndrome and is a faithful expression of the recurrent syndrome associated with delusions of grandeur, eroticism and jealousy. There have also been ideas of reference and agitated behavior associated with his delusional process.
Suicide is a multifaceted subject that encompasses a broad spectrum of perspectives, spanning philosophy, the arts, social sciences, neuroscience, neuropsychiatry, and public health. The history of suicide is intricately intertwined with the history of humanity itself, and examining the shifting attitudes towards suicide holds significant implications for the field of suicide prevention.
Objectives
The objective of this paper is to offer a timeline of the social perspectives about suicidal behavior throughout history in order to showcase the influence of cultural and contextual factors.
Methods
This poster is based on the Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) “Focus on Suicidal Behaviour” provided by the European Psychiatric Association. We performed a brief overview of the chapter on history of suicide and updated data on this topic with recent literature findings.
Results
In antiquity, suicide was sometimes regarded as justifiable, whether to preserve honor or protest injustices. However, during the Middle Ages, suicide was primarily seen as a criminal act, violating the rules of the Christian religion. The Renaissance brought about a shift in the perception of suicide, as it began to be depicted in art as a heroic or philosophical act. Moving into the Romantic period, suicide took on a tragic and noble connotation, often seen as an escape from unbearable suffering.
The 19th century marked a significant turning point when the social context started being recognized as a crucial factor in the development of suicidal behavior. In the 20th century, suicide was increasingly considered a public health problem. In the 21st century, the discourse on suicide has become multifaceted. On one hand, network analysis has enabled the development of an integrated model of suicide, emphasizing the complex interactions among various risk and protective factors. On the other hand, ethical and moral debates persist regarding assisted suicide and its indications.
This summary primarily centers on the historical context of suicide within Europe. However, attitudes toward suicide vary significantly across cultures. For instance, in China, suicide rates are higher for women than for men, while Japan has historically displayed a relatively tolerant attitude toward suicide, particularly within the military. In contrast, Islamic countries consider suicide a major sin and implicitly associate it with stigma.
Conclusions
The understanding of suicide evolves over time and is deeply influenced by cultural contexts. Familiarizing ourselves with the historical perspectives on suicide is essential for comprehending this complex social and personal phenomenon. Such knowledge forms the foundation for the creation of effective prevention strategies.
Anxiety and mood disorders are frequent causes of consultation in child psychiatry. In pediatrics, they can be the cause of life-threatening or psychological complications, such as suicidal ideation, anxiety attacks, scarification or suicide attempts.
Objectives
Discuss the clinical and therapeutic features of anxiety-depressive syndromes.
Methods
We shed light on anxiety-depressive syndromes through the study of complex clinical cases encountered in child psychiatric hospitalization.
Results
We report a case series of 10 patients, the majority of whom were female. The age range was 12 to 17 years. Clinical features included emotional manifestations such as sadness, tantrums and anxiety, as well as cognitive symptoms such as memory and concentration problems, with dark or suicidal ideation, and occasional endangerment behaviors such as scarification or suicide attempts.
Treatments range from psychosocial interventions, including therapeutic mediation, psychotherapy and social support, to pharmacological treatment with antidepressants, hypnotics, neuroleptics and, rarely, mood regulators.
Conclusions
The frequency and severity of anxiety-depressive syndromes in the absence of adequate care underlines the importance of screening, early diagnosis and treatment of children with these disorders.
Mental health problems have increased following the pandemic and are associated with considerable health, economic and societal outcomes, particularly affecting youth. In co-creation with young people several European prevention and early intervention strategies to promote mental wellbeing of youth are currently being developed. The development and implementation of easy-access youth mental services across Europe will be presented and discussed. In addition pilot data of online, hybrid treatment platforms and self-management ecological momentary intervention apps will be presented. Ultimately the aim is: 1) to develop clinical guidelines, best practices, and policy recommendations to mitigate the youth mental health challenges and 2) improve (cost-) effectiveness of early intervention strategies for promotion and prevention in mental health, including enhancing mental health literacy, resilience and self-management, while 3) actively involving young people in the process of these innovative developments. To amplify the reach, campaigns designed in co-creation with young people, to increase awareness, literacy, wellbeing and help-seeking among young people, targeting schools, further-education colleges, universities and other specific settings will need to be developed, specifically paying attention to high-risk groups within this young population, including children of parents with mental disorders, migrants, young people growing up in poverty, those in/leaving care, and the LGBTQ+ community, with coordination across domains: schools, general practitioners, and specialized mental healthcare facilities.
ADHD is a diagnosis almost always made in childhood or adolescence and oftent difficult to make it new in adults because it is not thought of in the differential diagnosis process and for the lack of experience from adult devices.
- ADHD in adults is characterized by symptoms of executive dysfunction, inattention, emotional dysregulation. The symptoms of impulsivity and hyperactivity tend to be less evident.
Objectives
- Frequently, the adult patient with ADHD comes to the consultation with a secondary symptom and the primary pathology is hidden and often not evident at first glance.
Methods
- A 20-year-old woman, university student, with no relevant medical or psychiatric history, without toxic habits, who attended her first consultation referred by her primary care physician for long-standing insomnia, restless legs and anxiety.
- The patient’s underlying complaint and her bigger concern is her poor academic performance. It is striking that she has just started her third year at the university, the first year she did not pass any subjects, the second year she changed majors and only passed two, now she is repeating the course.
- The examination did not reveal overt affective symptoms, nor psychotic symptoms or other notable psychopathology. The patient’s speech tended towards superficiality, inconcretion, it was salty, it was difficult for her to express herself, even suggesting a certain intellectual disability.
- In the first consultation sleep study is requested. And referral to clinical psychology consultation for psychometric study.
Results
- She is administered Clinical interview and WAIS IV (Adult Intelligence Scale), Trail Making Test, d2 and Stroop, Diagnostic Interview for ADHD in adults (inattention items).
- The WAIS-IV demonstrated global cognitive abilities within normality, although with significantly lower scores in the IMT and IVP indices which involve the functions of attention, concentration, mental control and short-term visual memory). Trail Making Test, d2, Stroop and Diagnostic Interview of ADHD in adults (inattention items) yielded profile results highly suggestive of Attention Deficit Disorder without Hyperactivity.
- The insomnia subsided with a regimen of 7.5 mg of mirtazapine per day. Subsequently, after starting treatment with low-dose methylphenidate (20 mg/day), the patient improved very significantly, both academic performance and social functioning and mood, self-esteem and subjective well-being.
Conclusions
- We must always include ADHD in the differential diagnosis of a young adult patient when faced with a wide variety of consultation symptoms, especially if they report some type of deterioration or dysfunction in their social, family or academic life.
- An adequate clinical evaluation supported, if possible, by psychometric tests is essential to reach the diagnosis, which allows establishing an effective treatment that modifies the patient’s overall prognosis.
Care and treatment of prisoners with intellectual disabilities I will describe what is the care, from different points of view when an offender with intelledtual disabilities entry in the penitentiary system. As a vulnerable population, people with intellectual disabilities have to be treated in a more specific manner, and both prison managers and clinciacal staff have to be aware of of that. This prisoners, sometimes, also belongs to another vulnerable population ( illegal inmigration, fenmales, ehtnic groups ,etc) that make this cases as a complex ones. The care have to be as a comprehensive, with thr higest standards of care a nd avoid neglicence en treating this cases. We have to emphasize about rehablitation and a goodl coordnation with the intellectual disability community services to avoid relapse and recidivism