Isaiah Berlin’s (1948) exploration of the self-searching of Russian thinkers includes studies of the writers – Tolstoy and others (now – Russian-language texts of the school reader). These studies refute a widespread misconception about the relations between Russian writers and thinkers: namely, that in Russia literature and radical thought form two distinct traditions related only by mutual hostility. The works of Tolstoy, Dostoevsky, Karamzin, Leskov, Ostrovsky, and of minor novelists too, are penetrated with a sense of their own time, of this or that particular social and historical milieu and its ideological content, to an even higher degree than the ‘social’ novels of the west. The personal characteristics of suicide victims, heroines of Russian literature, along with the gender aspects, deserve attention in suicidal behavior (SP) focus.

To study personal characteristics of suicide victims, heroines of fiction.

Qualitative analysis of selected Russian-language texts of the school reader.

At the dawn of literature, we have seen fiery heroines and tremulous victims in the arms of death. Аs psychology approach was developed, and we get acquainted with the tragiс backstory. Psychotypes of suicides are exaggerated and overlapped. «Hysterical»: manipulative, frigid nymphomaniac (e.g., Anna Karenina). «Freedom-loving rebel» (i.e., Katerina reincarnations from A. Ostrovsky) in conditions of excessive regulation. «She-Devil, or Rebel Without a Cause». The obsession with death turns into a criminal and a victim (e.g., «Lady Macbeth of the Mtsensk» by N. Leskov, Turgenev’s Susanna or Klara Milich). The image of a vindictively furious («velvet and tiger claws») woman descends to the Victorian view of female self-will. «Mimosa» is a sensitive, dreamy person, unable to resist the hardships of life, dependent (dies with her beloved, objection). In suicide, the strength of weakness is the outcome of a humiliating life (e.g., Karamzin’s «Poor Liza», «A Gentle Creature» by F. Dostoevsky. The meaning of suicides is the following: a call (to compassion, salvation), a «cry for help», atonement for one’s (imaginary) – someone else’s (by proxy) guilt, and release from encumbrance.

Fiction and life are united by emotionally unstable characters and/or depression as markers of unsatisfactory resilience. The cultural diversity of gender patterns and interpretations of SP challenges the essentialist view that «femininity» and marriage are protective factors. SP patterns illustrate and complement the explanatory concepts of SP. The inner world of suicidal people is fascinating and contributes to the evidence-based optimism in the «patient-centric» crisis care model.

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One of the biggest global crises in our generation is the COVID-19 pandemic. It has had a severe and far-reaching negative impact on our health systems, economies, and societies. Older adults were particularly at higher risk of severe illness, isolation from social distancing measures, and concerns about their health.

The objective of this study is to evaluate the impact of the daily supportive text message program (Text4Hope) on the levels of stress, anxiety, and depression experienced by elderly subscribers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Alberta six weeks after enrollment.

An online survey link was used to gather demographic and clinical information on several self-report scales, such as the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) ≥ 14 and Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD-7). Scale ≥ 10, and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) ≥ 10. Descriptive and inferential statistics were run using SPSS version 25.

172 subscribers out of 1136 completed baseline and six weeks using an online questionnaire, giving a response rate of 15.1%. There were significant reductions in mean scores on the PSS-10 and GAD-7 scales at six weeks compared to baseline (P>.05), but not on the PHQ-9 scale. There were also significant reductions in the prevalence of moderate or high stress (68.6% vs 60.5%, p=0.036) and likely GAD (14.9% vs 22.7%, p=0.029) from baseline to six weeks, with the highest reduction in stress (8.1%). A change (27.6% to 25.2%) in the prevalence of likely MDD from baseline to six weeks was insignificant. (P>.05)

This study’s findings show a decrease in the prevalence rates and the mean scores for stress and anxiety on standardized scales, indicating an improvement from baseline to six weeks. This outcome has potential implications for planning an intervention to meet the mental health needs of the elderly in similar situations like the pandemic

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Pseudologia Fantastica (PF) also called “mythomania” is a disorder centred on the tendency of the sufferer to distort reality through constant lies. These patients find it difficult to moderate their sense of self and their self-esteem. Therefore, they display significant grandiosity, which seems to defend them from intense psychological disturbance, pretending to counteract deep feelings of unworthiness, emptiness and alienation.

Notable characteristics include: normal or above average IQ, absence of formal thought disorder, poor sense of identity, poor sexual adjustment, low frustration tolerance, strong dependency needs and narcissism. The phenomenon of “imposture” (the person’s claim of achievement or having connections to famous or influential people) is frequent. The patient’s history often shows that one or both parents were experienced as rejecting figures. They are more likely to be involved in legal problems and 20% receive some form of psychiatric treatment.

The aetiology and pathogenesis of this disorder requires consideration of developmental disturbances, personal history and current life stressors.

A case of a patient with PF is presented followed by a theoretical review on the topic.

A case is presented with a bibliographic review.

We admitted a 47-year-old man to the Acute Hospitalisation Unit for a suspected “psychotic episode with clinical mania”.

He presented manic and psychotic symptoms, with delusional ideation of months of evolution, megalomaniacal and fantastic discourse, centred on his work with high-ranking government officials and other implausible events. Multiple academic, work and personal life failures, with a diagnosis of depression 15 years earlier.

During admission, he constantly confirms his history. He tends to present a rationalising discourse and a minimising attitude towards behavioural alterations. He appears cooperative and docile at certain times, while at others he is irritable, complaining and threatening.

As for medication, olanzapine was initially prescribed at a dose of 20 mg per day, which was reduced to 10 mg given the psychopathological improvement and the difficulties of adherence.

On discharge, the presumptive diagnosis was “delusional disorder and probable personality disorder with narcissistic traits, with a history of PF, which in recent months has presented a manic episode with psychotic symptoms”.

Their management poses challenges in terms of engaging with treatment and building a therapeutic alliance. It is important to assess the social and legal implications. Ensuring that they have stable relationships and adequate social supports is essential for successful treatment. Further exploration and research into this disorder is needed to better understand its manifestations and psychiatric consequences.

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The COVID-19 pandemic caused an unprecedented major health crisis. Current data suggest that psychiatric sequelae may persist for a long time in survivors after infection.

The objectives of our study were to determine the frequency of anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, and posttraumatic stress disorder in patients after hospitalization for COVID-19 infection, and to investigate factors associated with their occurrence as well as to identify coping behaviors in these patients.

This was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted at Ibn Jazzar Kairouan Hospital between September and December 2021 among patients who consulted three months after their hospitalizations for COVID-19 infection. The assessment of the different psychiatric disorders was performed using the validated Arabic versions of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for DSM-5 and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Coping behaviors were studied using the Brief-COPE scale.

Our work included 104 patients. The median age was 55.5 years [IQR:47-64]. The gender ratio M/F was 1.12. Anxiety and depressive symptoms were found in 26.9% and 25% of cases, respectively. The frequency of post-traumatic stress disorder was 22.1% and that of sleep disorders was 41.3%. Problem-solving strategies were the most widely adopted, followed by emotion-focused strategies. Younger age, female gender, persistence of a physical symptom, impairment of daily activity, and stigma were factors independently associated with psychological distress. No association was found between the intensive care unit stay and psychiatric disorders. Problem-focused and emotion-focused coping were negatively correlated with the different psychological outcomes studied.

Psychological distress in COVID-19 survivors persists beyond the acute phase and results from an intricacy of several factors. This highlights the importance of regular psychiatric follow-up after hospitalization in order to identify and treat, as early as possible, psychiatric disorders.

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There is growing evidence of excitation / inhibition (E/I) balance abnormalities in schizophrenia, which might be associated with abnormal gamma frequency oscillations and glutamate concentrations. However, to the best of our knowledge, only one multimodal study have examined such associations between EEG and metabolite characteristics in patients at clinical-high risk of psychosis (CHR) so far.

We aimed to investigate potential associations between GLX (glutamate + glutamine) levels and resting-state gamma-band power in CHR individuals and healthy controls (HC).

Twenty right-handed male patients (16-27 years, mean age 19.9 ± 2.7) fulfilling CHR criteria and 19 healthy male controls (16-27 years, mean age 21.6 ± 3.6) underwent resting-state EEG (16 leads; 10−20 system) and MR spectroscopy at 3T MRI scanner with voxels of 30×30×30mm located in left and right medial prefrontal cortex. Spectral analysis with estimation of gamma-band power (30-45 Hz) were conducted. MEGA-PRESS acquisitions were analyzed with jMRUi (ver. 5.1 Alpha), levels of GLX were calculated as a ratios to creatine + phosphocreatine (GLX/Cr). Gamma-band (30-45 Hz) spectral power and GLX/Cr were compared between groups. Correlations between EEG and metabolite data were analyzed with regression model including age and chlorpromazine equivalents as covariates.

Compared to healthy controls, patients showed reduced spectral gamma-band power in 6 leads (Table). No alterations in GLX/Cr were detected. Positive correlations between altered gamma-power in all leads (except Cz) and GLX/Cr in left medial prefrontal cortex were revealed in CHR (F3: r=0.51, p=0.006; F8: r=0. 54, p=0.004; C3: r=0.37, p=0.037; Pz: r=0.51, p=0.039; P4: r=0.56, p=0.009). No correlations in HC group were found. Chlorpromazine equivalents did not correlate with GLX/Cr of gamma power in CHR group.Table.

Results of between-group comparisons corrected for multiple comparisons

The findings suggest that clinical-high risk of psychosis is associated with widespread alterations in resting-state gamma-band power. Positive correlations of such alterations with GLX/Cr and absence of such correlations in HC group are presumably indicative of disturbances in the excitation / inhibition balance in CHR individuals.

This study was supported by RFBR grant 19-29-10040

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Behavioral disorders have been defined as a “health crisis” of modern times that has a significant impact on the parent-child relationship. In this scenario, the emotional regulation (ER) of each partner plays a central role and serves a protective factor, configuring as an area to intervene. The Connect Parent Group, an attachment-based intervention for parents, has shown evidence of effectiveness. However, its online version (e-Connect) has not yet garnered specific evidence related to emotional and physiological regulation in parents and preadolescents.

This study aimed to explore changes in the short and medium term regarding ER abilities - both self-reported and measured through physiological indices - in parents and preadolescents with behavioral disorders, building upon initial findings from an online parenting intervention.

28 parents (82.1% mothers, 17.9% fathers, M_age = 47.48, SD = 4.73) and their 28 preadolescents with behavioral disorders (M_age = 11.22 years, SD = 2.69, 35.7% girls) were recruited from child neuropsychiatry services in Northern Italy and subsequently took part in the pilot study. They were assessed at three time points: before intervention (T1), one months after the intervention (T2) and at 6-months follow-up (T3). ER were assessed with a multimethod approach: parents and children completed a self-report questionnaire (i.e., Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale and How I Feel, respectively) and then they interact during a stress-task in which physiological parameters (i.e., Galvanic Skin Response, GSR; Heart Rate/Beat per Minute, BPM) have been measured.

Regarding self-reported ER, mixed-effects regression models showed an improvement in parent emotion dysregulation between T1 and T3 (p=0.004), a decrease in preadolescents’ negative emotions (p=.012) between T1 and T2 and a lower emotion intensity in preadolescents between the three-time points (p=.003). Regarding physiological ER, the two overall models of GSR and BPM were not significant for both parents and children. Yet GSR correlations within three-time points were positive and significant for children (T1-T2: r=.58; T1-T3: r=.68) but not for parents, while BPM correlations between T1 and T2 were significant for parents (r=.49) but not for children.

The online attachment-based parenting program appears to have contributed to a reduction in emotional dysregulation in parents and preadolescents, which seems to persist to some extent in the medium term. The non-significant results at the physiological level may suggest that changes reported by parents and children through self-report questionnaires do not align with changes in the physiological response to interpersonal stress experienced after an online intervention. Clinical and research implications will be discussed.

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Aggression is a relevant risk factor for criminal behavior. Psychopathy is known to correlate with a higher risk for violent offenses and research suggests that successful therapy of psychopathy is complicated.

Our goal was to explore the overlap between psychopathy and aggression and the specific influence of psychopathic traits on change in aggression during correctional therapy.

A pre-post-study rating psychopathy and aggression in men imprisoned for sexual and non-sexual violent offenses aged between 20 and 67 (M=37.6, SD 11.6) was conducted. The participants filled out standardized pre- and post-treatment ratings after admission and after an average of 16 months (n=144 for pre-rating, n=89 for post-rating). Psychopathy was measured via the PCL-R and aggression with the BDHI (Buss-Durkee Hostility Inventory).

We calculated two-tailed Pearson correlations for BDHI Pre-, Post-, and Change Scores and the PCL-R. Further, the BDHI pre-post-differences were compared using independent t-Tests, effect sizes were calculated using Cohen’s d (small, medium, and large effect sizes are d = .20, .50, and .80). Also, unpaired t-tests were carried out to compare between participants with lower and higher PCL-R sum scores (median split, mdn= 16.8, M=16.8, SD=7.0).

Psychopathy facets 3 and 4 (lifestyle, antisocial) and the sum score correlate significantly with the pre-, and post-BDHI total score and the subscale direct hostility but not with indirect hostility. Regarding BDHI change scores, only the interpersonal facet of PCL-R correlated significantly with direct hostility and the total BDHI score. In the whole population, a significant reduction of the BDHI was only found in the subscale indirect hostility (p=.015, cohens d= .26). In the subgroup of individuals with lower PCL-R (<16.8) showed a reduction of indirect hostility (p<.001, cohens d= .50) and the total BDHI score (p=.003, cohens d=.42). Interestingly, in the group with higher PCL-R scores no significant reduction of self-assessed hostility via BDHI was observable during therapy.

We identified a significant correlation between psychopathy and aggression, especially regarding facets three, four, and the sum score. Only the interpersonal facet correlated with the change in aggression during treatment in prison. In the group with higher psychopathic traits, no change in aggression was achievable during therapy. Thus, in the aspect of aggression and hostility, our data suggest that higher psychopathic traits may be viewed as a complicating factor for successful therapy.

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People with personality disorder (PD) often experience suffering, suboptimal psychiatric treatment outcomes, and early mortality due to chronic physical illness (CPI) and multimorbidity (≥2 CPI)  (CPM). Increasing research underscores the elevated prevalence of CPI and CPM in those with PD.

To compare the prevalence of CPI/CPM between the general population and those with PD and to explore the relationship between CPI/CPM and various aspects of PD.

This cross-sectional study enrolled 126 PD patients (70.6% female, mean age 41.22 years) based on the ICD-10 criteria, and 126 socio-demographically matched individuals from the general population. The participants completed the following instruments: the ICD-11 Personality Disorder Severity Scale (PDS-ICD-11), the Personality Assessment Questionnaire for ICD-11 (PAQ-11), Subjective Emptiness Scale (SES), the Reflective Functioning Questionnaire-Revised-7 (RFQ-R-7), and self-reported chronic physical illnesses questionnaire.

The mean number of CPI in patients with PD and matched controls was 2.69 (SD=2.371) and 1.02 (SD=1.702), respectively, and this difference was statistically significant. Patients with PD also suffered more often from CPM than none or one CPI, compared to matched controls. In the multivariate logistic regression analyses among the patients with PD, higher personality disorder severity, increased trait Negative Affectivity and poorer reflective functioning/mentalizing were predictive of having CPM. These relationships were independent of age, gender, education status, income level, length of psychiatric treatment, and smoking status. Subjective emptiness was not significantly predictive of having CPM.

This study highlights a higher prevalence of CPI and CPM in individuals with PD compared to the general population. Factors such as higher PD severity, increased Negative Affectivity, and poorer reflective functioning were identified as predictors of CPM. These findings underscore the necessity for integrated healthcare approaches to address the multifaceted needs of PD patients, emphasizing the importance of considering both mental and physical health in treatment strategies.

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The diagnosis of a severe chronic illness represents a deeply impactful traumatic event, frequently giving rise to initial adverse consequences that can manifest as post-traumatic stress. The duration and characteristics of these effects exhibit considerable variation among individuals.

This study aims to explore the levels of post-traumatic stress, post-traumatic growth, and psychosocial adaptation among individuals coping with chronic diseases.

This cross-sectional study involved 92 participants with chronic illnesses, recruited through convenience and snowball sampling. Data collection utilized an online questionnaire that included both demographic questions to provide a comprehensive understanding of participants’ experiences, as well as psychometric scales for measuring post-traumatic stress, post-traumatic growth, and psychosocial adaptation.

Instruments used :

1.PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5)

2.Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI) and Tedeschi and Calhoun Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (TCGI).

3.Psychosocial Adjustment to Illness Scale (PAIS).

Analysis included descriptive statistics and inductive analysis using SPSS (p < 0.05). Ethical considerations were observed, with informed consent and data confidentiality.

The study revealed the presence of low to moderate levels of post-traumatic stress (M= 2.45), moderate levels of post-traumatic growth (M= 2.90), and moderate levels of psychosocial adaptation in various aspects of participants’ lives, including work (M= 2.36), sexuality (M= 2.11), sociability (M= 2.28), relationships with partners and family members (M= 1.92), and perception of their health (M= 1.94). Furthermore, the overall psychosocial situation of the participants was found to range from low to moderate (M= 2.48). Notably, individuals with fewer chronic illnesses tended to experience lower levels of post-traumatic stress and exhibited less adaptation in their work. Additionally, higher levels of post-traumatic growth were observed in women and patients with higher educational backgrounds. The analysis revealed a positive and statistically significant correlation (sig.<0.05) between post-traumatic stress, post-traumatic growth, and various dimensions of psychosocial adjustment among the participants.

A chronic illness diagnosis can be deeply traumatic, potentially causing post-traumatic stress. However, it’s crucial to understand that this doesn’t diminish the possibility of post-traumatic growth and effective psychosocial adaptation. To foster this positive path, individuals must receive holistic psychological and emotional support, along with essential social assistance as they navigate life with chronic diseases.

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Abstract: This presentation seeks to explore the interplay between various types of psychological traumas and their potential correlation with the development of distinct types and severities of eating disorders. Emphasis will be placed on elucidating the underlying biological underpinnings and psychological and developmental factors that contribute to the manifestation of diverse eating disorder phenotypes in individuals who have experienced childhood maltreatment.

Drawing upon existing research and novel insights, I will present some data from studies investigating the notion that the observed variations in eating disorder presentations may be linked especially to environmental influences. Contrary to the conventional focus on genetic determinants, our findings suggest that the differential ecophenotypic expression of eating disorders may not solely be attributed to DNA variants but rather to the complex interplay between genetic predispositions and environmental contexts.

In particular, I will expose the concept of an ecophenotype characteristic of eating disorders associated with childhood maltreatment, positing that the unique ecological context in which an individual is raised significantly influences the trajectory and severity of their eating disorder. This exploration extends beyond a mere examination of genetic markers, shedding light on the environmental and ecosystemic factors that shape the development of an individual’s relationship with food and body image.

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People with severe mental disorder (SMD) determine the goals and paths of recovery with professional and nonformal supporters such as family and friends. It is crucial that these people, as well as everyone who participates in the recovery process, are familiar with all the elements that contribute to the recovery of mental health in order to help people with SMD identify goals and assess their achievement. We have therefore created a Recovery Helm to assess the functioning in the various areas necessary for recovery to help us assess the needs and monitor the recovery process of people with mental health problems.

The goal is to assess the initial state of mental health and monitor the effects of the mobile rehabilitation team program on the recovery of people with SMI through the use of the Recovery Helm.

We used the Recovery Helm: http://shorturl.at/gyCDQ as an instrument for the initial assessment of all areas crucial for recovery to determine the goals of recovery and interventions needed to achieve these goals of rehabilitation in 30 patients included in the program of the mobile rehabilitation team applying different psychosocial interventions according to the individual recovery plan made as a mutual agreement between patients and rehabilitation team. The status of recovery is evaluated after 3 and 6 months.

The results indicate significant improvements in most areas of the recovery assessed at the Recovery Helm selected as individually important goal for a person included in the rehabilitation program

The Recovery Helm is an excellent clinical assessment instrument that helps determine recovery goals and rehabilitation interventions that promote recovery and monitor the achieved results.

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In DSM-5 Section III, the Alternative Model for Personality disorders (AMPD), a dimensional approach for conceptualization and diagnosing complex character problems was introduced. Based on recent findings, AMPD aligns well with the theory of Young’s Schema Therapy (ST). ST seems to offer a valuable clinical framework that complements the empirically based AMPD, which is not built upon a certain theory of psychopathology.

The aim of the current study was to explore the association between early maladaptive schemas (EMSs), DSM-5 pathological personality traits and certain psychological symptoms to gain a better understanding of their relationship and highlight the connection points between AMPD and the theory of ST.

A total of 490 Hungarian participants, including 98 males, took part in the cross-sectional research, with an average age of 26.9 (SD = 9.34). All participants completed the short form of Young’s schema questionnaire (YSQ-S3), the brief form of PID-5 (PID-5 BF) and the revised version of the Derogatis Symptom Checklist (SCL-90 R).

Results of a series of hierarchical regression analyses found that all five schema domains were able to predict psychological symptoms and DSM-5 pathological personality traits at a statistically significant level. Moreover, in accordance with our data, specific EMS patterns are associated with different psychological symptoms and pathological personality traits. Ultimately, we identified two EMSs, namely Negativity/Pessimism and Insufficient Self-control, which predicted all of our dependent variables.

Our findings suggest that the relationship between EMSs and DSM-5 pathological personality traits goes beyond the established fact that EMSs, like any other indicators of personality problems are associated with psychopathological symptoms and traits. This is supported by the fact that we could link specific EMS patterns to the pathological personality traits and psychological symptoms that we investigated. We believe that our results contribute to the clinical utility of AMPD, by assisting the creation of schema profiles tailored to personality pathologies, thereby facilitate the diagnostic process and the development of schema - focused interventions. Furthermore, it seems that the identified EMSs, Negativity/Pessimism and Insufficient Self-control play a special role in relation to pathological personality traits and psychological symptoms and should be considered with particular emphasis in terms of risk group classification and vulnerability.

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The transition from hospital to community settings for most mental health service users is often hindered by challenges that affect community adjustment and continuity of care. The first few weeks and days after discharge from mental health inpatient units represent a critical phase for many service users.

This paper aims to evaluate the changes in quality of Life status, resilience, and personal recovery of individuals with mental health challenges recently discharged from acute mental health care into the community.

Data for this study were collected as part of a pragmatic stepped-wedge cluster-randomized, longitudinal approach in Alberta. A paired sample t-test and Chi-squared/Fisher test were deployed to assess changes from baseline to six weeks in the recovery assessment scale (RAS), brief resilience scale (BRS), and EuroQol-5d (EQ-5D), using an online questionnaire.

A total of 306 service users were recruited, and 88 completed both baseline and six weeks, giving a response rate of 28.8%. There was no statistically significant change in the level of resilience, recovery and quality of life as measured with the brief resilience scale, recovery assessment scale and EQ-5D from baseline to six weeks (p > 0.05).

The study showed that there was neither an improvement nor deterioration in resilience, recovery, or quality of life status of service users six weeks post-discharge from inpatient mental health care. The lack of further progress calls into question whether the support available in the community when patients leave inpatient care is adequate to promote full recovery.

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Several studies have called atention to the mental health disorders associated with chemsex -the intentional use of drugs before or during sexual intercourse GBMSM (gay, bisexual and men who have sex with men) population-. Sexualized intravenous drug use is also known as slam or slamsex. There are few studies that analyze the mental health differences between intravenous drug users compared to non-intravenous drug users in chemsex context.

We aim to analyze the relationship between the practice of slamsex and the development of drug-induced psychosis.

A cross-sectional descriptive analysis of a sample of users attended by the non-governmental organization Apoyo Positivo in the program “Sex, Drugs and You” between 2016-2019 was performed.

We included 217 participants. Drug-induced psychosis was found in 80 participants. Drug-induced psychosis was significantly higher in the intravenous drug use group compared to the non-intravenous drug use group (p<0.05).

Previous studies have reported that MSM who practiced chemsex were more likely to experience from different mental health disorders, being psychosis one of the most frequent psychiatric diagnoses. In our study, drug-induced psychosis was higher in participants who engaged in intravenous drug use. Further studies analyzing the relationship between slamsex and drug-induced psychosis are needed.

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The war in Gaza is a stressful life event. Due to its significant human and financial losses, it affected the mental health of people around the world including the middle east citizens.

To study the coping strategies of Tunisian people toward Palestine-Israel war in its first month and the factors associated with them.

It was a cross-sectional, descriptive and analytical study, conducted among Tunisians. Data were collected during October and November 2023, through an anonymous online questionnaire, spread throughout social media (Facebook/Instagram), using the Google Forms® platform. We used a socio-demographic and clinical data sheet and the “Brief-COPE” to assess coping strategies.

A total of 1091 participants completed the questionnaire. Their mean age was 32,7± 9.8 years, with a sex-ratio (F/M) of 3.5. Among participants, 46,1% are married, 42,5% have children and 19,5% have a psychiatric follow history. Sport’s practitioners represent 23,3% of the participants and 10,6% increased their use of sports after the war news.

In terms of coping strategies: problem focused coping was the most used strategy (mean= 2,02) followed by emotional focused coping (mean= 1,98) and avoidant coping (mean= 1,63). Tunisians rely the most on religion, accepting reality and planning as coping mechanisms (score= 2,85; 2,4 and 2,23 respectively). Substance use was the last resort option (score= 1,11).

Our survey revealed significant associations between coping mechanisms and several factors: Venting, humor and behavioral disengagement were significantly correlated with sex gender (p=0,000 ; 0,000 ; 0,000 respectively); Substance use coping mechanism was significantly correlated with participants having a psychiatric follow history (p=0,001); Avoidant coping subscale was significantly correlated with having children (p=0,000); Self distraction was significantly correlated with the increase use of sport among Tunisians (p=0,000).

These findings underscore the need for healthcare and productive coping strategies for Tunisians and middle east people during the Palestine-Israel war.

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We present the case of a 48-year-old woman, a nurse, referred from the Internal Medicine department for evaluation of depressive symptoms and accompanying somatic presentation following COVID-19. The aim is to highlight a recently emerging condition that we are increasingly encountering in our clinics, which can complicate the diagnosis of an underlying affective disorder

Diagnosed with COVID-19, confirmed by a positive PCR test, 6 months ago following an infection in the workplace. The clinical picture consisted of mild symptoms, with a ten-day course and apparent resolution at the time of hospitalization. She returned to her work activities and gradually began to report fluctuating symptoms, including headaches, mild shortness of breath, fatigue, as well as a tingling sensation in the upper extremities, especially in the hands. Additionally, she described feelings of restlessness, depressive mood, and intense fatigue. In additional tests: (CT-Scan) there are signs of mild bilateral lower lung fibrosis.

Treatment with Duloxetine was initiated for a case of depressive symptoms with accompanying physical symptoms. The differential diagnosis considered Major Depressive Disorder, Single Episode, and Adjustment Disorder with Depressed Mood.”

We are facing a clear case of depressive clinic that may have endogenous features, if we adhere to criteria such as those in the DSM-5, as it would meet the criteria for Major Depressive Disorder, Single Episode. However, we have a clearly identified trigger, so we also need to perform a differential diagnosis, primarily with Adjustment Disorder with Depressed Mood: here, the symptoms appear within 3 months following the stressful agent (in this case, SARS-CoV-2 infection). Unlike Major Depressive Episode, once the agent has ceased, the symptoms do not persist beyond 6 months (which we do not know because the physical symptoms causing disability have not disappeared).In addition to purely psychiatric diagnoses that we are accustomed to, we must consider a new diagnostic entity that is becoming more prevalent as the pandemic progresses, namely “long-covid” or persistent COVID.These are generally middle-aged women who, several months after infection, continue to manifest a multifactorial complex of symptoms. These symptoms persist over time, not only the classical ones but also many others that can appear during the ongoing course of the disease.

Beyond the purely psychiatric diagnoses we are accustomed to, we must also consider a new diagnostic entity that is becoming more prevalent as the pandemic continues to advance: Persistent COVID or ‘long-COVID.’ Generally, this condition affects middle-aged women who, several months after contracting the virus, continue to exhibit a multifactorial complex of symptoms. The most common symptoms include fatigue/asthenia (95.91%); general discomfort (95.47%); headaches (86.53%); and low mood (86.21%)

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There has been rapidly growing interest in understanding the pharmaceutical and clinical properties of psychedelic and dissociative drugs, with a particular focus on ketamine. This compound, long known for its anesthetic and dissociative properties, has garnered attention due to its potential to rapidly alleviate symptoms of depression, especially in individuals with treatment-resistant depression (TRD) or acute suicidal ideation or behavior. However, while ketamine’s psychopharmacological effects are increasingly well-documented, the specific patterns of its neural impact remain a subject of exploration and basic questions remain about its effects on functional activation in both clinical and healthy populations.

This meta-analysis seeks to contribute to the evolving landscape of neuroscience research on dissociative drugs such as ketamine by comprehensively examining the effects of acute ketamine administration on neural activation, as measured by functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), in healthy participants.

We conducted a meta-analysis of existing fMRI activation studies of ketamine using multilevel kernel density analysis (MKDA). Following a comprehensive PubMed search, we quantitatively synthesized all published primary fMRI whole-brain activation studies of the effects of ketamine in healthy subjects with no overlapping samples (N=18). This approach also incorporated ensemble thresholding (α=0.05-0.0001) to minimize cluster-size detection bias and Monte Carlo simulations to correct for multiple comparisons.

Our meta-analysis revealed statistically significant (p<0.05-0.0001; FWE-corrected) alterations in neural activation in multiple cortical and subcortical regions following the administration of ketamine to healthy participants (N=306).

These results offer valuable insights into the functional neuroanatomical effects caused by acute ketamine administration. These findings may also inform development of therapeutic applications of ketamine for various psychiatric and neurological conditions. Future studies should investigate the neural effects of ketamine administration, including both short-term and long-term effects, in clinical populations and their relation to clinical and functional improvements.

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Religiosity is believed to be a factor that may reduce the risk of addiction and substance use both in adults and in young people. It is a complex construct that is neither measurable nor objectifiable, thus it must be estimated from proxy characteristics. For this purpose, researchers differentiate between subjective religiosity (i.e., individual religious experience) and extrinsic religiosity, that is, participation to religious services (extrinsic-personal subtype) or to social activities consistent with religion-based principles (extrinsic-social subtype).

This work aimed at exploring the role of different facets of religiosity – intrinsic (subjective), extrinsic-personal (service attendance), and extrinsic-social (church-based social activities) – in terms of deterring cannabis use among adolescents.

Aggregated data of NSDUH (2015-2019) on 68,263 adolescents between 12 and 17 years of age were analysed using a structural equation modelling (SEM) to determine pathways of intrinsic and extrinsic components of religiosity in cannabis use. Several covariates were considered in the analyses, including comorbid depression and civil volunteering activities.

About 15% of participants admitted cannabis use in the previous year. Intrinsic and extrinsic-personal religiosity was reported by 66% and 25% of the sample, respectively. A percentage of fifty-seven of participants were involved in at least one faith-based activity, while 74% reported participation in secular community activities. Both intrinsic and extrinsic-personal religious components were likely to reduce cannabis use at the SEM regression model analysis controlling for putative confounders (cannabis use coeff.: -0.065, p=0.001; coeff.: -0.176, p<0.001, respectively). Considering the joint contribution of relevant covariates (community-based activities, lifetime MDE, sex, and poverty status), the outputs were similar. Cannabis use was not influenced by extrinsic-social component of religiosity, even though the involvement in non-faith based volunteering activities was protectively associated.

From a policy-makers perspective, the reduction of cannabis use among young people may be obtained by supporting secular volunteering programs, which seem to be a cost-effective strategy. Moreover, whilst promoting religiosity is beyond the scope of any preventive programs, religious practices should be considered relevant protective factors.

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The purpose of predictive genetic tests is to identify carriers or the onset of a disease in pre-symptomatic individuals. Prediction is linked to a negative psychological impact (anxiety, depression, etc.), depending on the perception of risk, the severity of the disease, and the availability and effectiveness of treatments.

Here, we report on genetic counselling during predictive genetic testing offered to an Arab family affected by fragile X condition (FXS) caused by the unstable expansion of a CGG repeat (CGGR) in the FMR1 gene.

A 10-year-old boy who harbored a mental retardation was referred to our genetic counselling for genetic testing as he was suspected to be affected by FXS. Screening of FMR1 gene mutations was conducted for the index case and his mother. A predictive genetic testing for the family members (brothers, sisters and others) was offered, focusing on knowledge of genetics and medical risks of FXS.

FMR1 molecular analysis showed a full mutation (300 to 2000 CGGR) for the boy and a large premutation (100 CGGR) for the mother. During genetic counselling, the family was informed about the significance of the genetic results. In FXS initiated by an expansion of over 200 CGGR. While mental retarded males usually harbor the full mutation, the mother carry a premutation (70 to 200 CGGR). The deficiency of FMR protein (FMRP) in the neurons of affected males leads to brain developmental abnormalities. Some pre-mutated children may show signs of the autism spectrum disorder and females may develop FMR1-related premature ovarian insufficiency. An increased risk of a late onset fragile X tremor ataxia syndrome is identified in pre-mutated men (55 to 200 CGGR) and less in women.

The reduction or loss of FMRP leads to multisystem damage. Neuropsychiatric disorders such as mental retardation, speech and language delay, autism spectrum disorder, sensory hyperexcitation, social anxiety, abnormal eye contact, shyness and aggressive behaviour are common in individuals with the mutation. Affected women are often under-diagnosed because mental retardation is not constant, but minor disorders including a borderline IQ with learning difficulties and emotional disturbances have been reported. Conditions associated with fragile X premutation, a term proposed by the European Fragile X Network (FXPAC), seem to be characterized by many physical and psychological health symptoms. Anxiety, depression, sleep disorders and mood disorders are more common in permutated individuals. However, new reports suggested that FXS patients could be at unusually low risk of cancers, because FMRP is over-expressed in multiple cancer tissues.

None Declared