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Basic beliefs can be defined as a person’s implicit, global, stable ideas about the world and about himself. The psychological features of people with suicidal ideas can be considered as characteristics of the value sphere of a person who is ready to choose a destructive way of solving problems.
Objectives
The relationship of basic beliefs regarding the general «Benevolence of the surrounding world», its «Meaningfulness» and «Worthiness of the Self» with the presence of suicidal ideas was investigated.
Methods
The study involved 140 people, (117 women). The Janoff-Buhlman World Assumptions Scale (WAS), the short Epstein Rational-Experiential Inventory (REI)), Simptom Check List-90-Revised (SCL-90R), moral dilemmas (proposed by J.D.Green), as well as separate questions about the suicidal ideation, risk tendency were used.
For analysis, the subjects were divided into two subgroups: 98 people without thoughts of suicide; and 42 people answered that they had thoughts of suicide of varying severity. The subgroups did not differ by gender; in the group with suicidal ideation, the average age of the subjects was lower.
Results
In the subgroup with suicidal ideas, almost all indicators of basic assumptions, such as “Benevolence of the World” (average values of 16.10 ± 3.28 and 12.13 ± 4.80 for the control subgroup and the subgroup with suicidal ideas), were lower: “Benevolence of the People “ (15.35±3.07 and 12.42±4.97), “justice” (12.46±3.30 and 10.46±3.60), “value of one’s own self” (16 .21±3.93 and 11.83±5.15), etc., with the exception of the “Self-controllability”, which does not differ between subgroups. Also, in the subgroup with suicidal ideas, the indicators of “randomness” were increased (15.67±3.64 and 18.67±3.96). Indicators on the clinical scale “Hostility” of the SCL-90R questionnaire are also significantly higher in the group with suicidal ideation (average values 0.53±0.5 and 1.29±0.8). In the group with suicidal ideation, there is a higher tendency to take risks. At the level of a statistical trend, the rational method of decision-making in the “Rational - Intuitive” questionnaire is lower (average values 14.3 and 13.0; significance level of differences 0.05). In the “Moral Dilemmas” test, in the subgroup with suicidal ideas, the ratio of choices in personal and impersonal dilemmas is statistically higher (0.67 and 0.93).
Conclusions
It was shown that the presence of suicidal ideas is associated with a reduced indicator of the Worthiness of the Self, the meaningfulness of the world and its benevolence, and with an increased sense of randomness as a principle for distributing ongoing events, which can manifest itself in a propensity for risk, impulsive decisions, devaluation of human life.
Suicide is a serious public health problem. Each year it is estimated that it causes almost one million deaths worldwide, much more than those caused by war or homicide. These deaths are also devastating, affecting not only the person who commits them, but also his or her environment (family, friends, professionals involved, etc.) and society as a whole. The risk and protective factors for suicide are well known in the literature, which gives rise to the estimation of possible high-risk groups according to their characteristics, especially when risk factors are added, protective factors are reduced, and unfavorable life circumstances are present. Among these groups with greater vulnerability to suicidal behavior are homeless people with severe mental disorders, who are unfortunately little visible in society and in the investigation.
Objectives
The aim of this paper is to review the current state of the question of suicide in homeless people with severe mental disorders.
Methods
Review of the international scientific literature on the issue published in the last twenty years.
Results
The few studies available conclude the higher prevalence of suicidal behavior in homeless people with severe mental disorders compared to the general population, which has not been translated into the development of specific care and prevention plans and programs.
Conclusions
It is considered essential to expand investigation in this field, which will be very useful to lay the foundations for the development of guidelines, plans and specific programs, and to know the evidence about them.
Depression is common in schizophrenia and is correlated with suicide risk and poor long-term outcomes. However, the presence of depressive symptoms is often underestimated in both research and treatment, particularly at the illness onset.
Objectives
The goals of this study were: (a) to longitudinally observe anxious-depressive symptom levels in patients with First Episode Schizophrenia (FES) during a 24 months of follow-up period, and (b) to examine their associations with other psychopathology and the intervention patients received in an “Early Intervention in Psychosis” (EIP) program during the follow-up period.
Methods
The Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) and the Positive And Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) were completed by 159 FES patients both at baseline and across the follow-up. Data were analyzed by linear regression analysis and Spearman’s coefficients.
Results
Anxious-depressive symptoms had significant longitudinal associations with GAF deterioration and PANSS “Positive Symptoms”, “Negative Symptoms” and “Disorganization” subscores. During the follow-up period, FES participants significantly improved the level of anxious-depressive symptoms. This was significantly associated with the number of case management and individual psychotherapy meetings the patient engaged in, as well as with lower antipsychotic doses prescribed during the follow-up period.
Conclusions
In conclusion, anxious-depressive symptoms are prominent in FES and at the initial entry into EIP programs. Anxious-depressive symptom severity tends to diminish overtime, especially with the provision of specialized EIP treatments. However, since we did not have a control population studied in parallel, we cannot say whether these results are specific to the protocols of EIP programs or just to the intensity of engagement in care.
Virtual Reality (VR) is a transformative technology that facilitates the development of immersive virtual environments. Its application is steadily growing within Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) techniques, notably in virtuo exposure therapy. This is particularly evident in the treatment of specific phobias, with a specific focus on addressing blood-injection-injury phobias.
Objectives
The objective of our study is to design a treatment protocol for patients suffering from blood phobia based on VR.
Methods
We used the following scales:
- Fear Survey Schedule-III (FSS-III) and the Injection Phobia Scale (IPS) for psychometric evaluation of the intensity of avoidance fear.
- Questionnaire on cybersickness: to identify potential adverse effects of exposure to virtual reality.
To conduct a functional analysis of phobias, we used the SECCA grid and the SORC grid.
Results
The therapeutic protocol stages of VR for a patient suffering from Blood-Injection-Injury Phobia (BIIP) are as follows:
1. Collection of sociodemographic and clinical data.
2. Functional analysis to identify triggering factors, contributing factors, and consequences of behavior. The SECCA or SORC grid can help in conducting this functional analysis.
3. Psychometric evaluation of the intensity of avoidance fear using the three scales: FSS-III, IPS, and the cybersickness scale.
4. Patient education on the mechanisms of the phobia.
5. Setting of objectives.
6. Therapeutic contract.
7. The Protocol :
8. Cognitive approach: identification of automatic thoughts and replacement with more rational thoughts.
9. Behavioral approach: Progressive exposure, controlled immersion of the patient in virtual environments corresponding to situations that trigger their phobia. This exposure is coupled with relaxation.
The treatment continues with regular follow-up to ensure the consolidation of progress and to adjust strategies.
For relapse prevention, simple measures ,like personalized exercises to be done by the patient, can favor the long-term maintenance of the acquired skills.
Conclusions
Virtual reality exposure therapies (in virtuo) are as effective as in-vivo therapies. Besides, they offer a significant advantage over the latter as they facilitate access to stimuli or anxiety-provoking situations that are difficult to access or control in the real world.
This article focuses on Ghana’s National Reconciliation Commission’s (NRC) archival holdings, which hold enormous value as a source for scholarly research but constitute a target of destructive forces, prompting the government to impose restrictive policies to regulate access to them. This article argues that in spite of the prevailing restrictions, opportunities exist for original enquiry into the NRC and Ghana’s human rights history through the piecemeal and selective access offered by the various repositories to researchers.
The healthcare workers of military hospitals are actively involved in the fight against covid-19, as part of the national healthcare systems. Therefore, these health professionals may experience symptoms of psychological distress.
Objectives
The study of sociodemographic characteristics and pandemic-related psychosocial factors that affect the psychological distress of healthcare professionals in a military hospital.
Methods
134 health professionals participated (- 34.3% doctors, 53% nurses and 12.7% other staff). A cross-sectional study was conducted using the DASS-21, PVDS, and FCV-19S questionnaires. Demographic variables were also collected. The data was analyzed using student’s t-test and Mann-Whitney test, analysis of variance and Kruskal-Wallis test, Pearson’s correlation coefficient and Spearman’s correlation coefficient, as well as multivariate linear regression.
Results
21.64%, 17.91%, and 16.42% of the sample showed symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress respectively. A significant correlation emerged between all three dimensions with perceived infectibility and fear of covid-19. Contact with a possible covid-19 patient, female gender, marriage, underlying diseases, increased working hours were found as stressors. The mean values of perceived infectibility and germs aversion were 3.4 and 4.9, respectively. A significant correlation was found between the two subscales with fear of covid-19 (p=0.001 and <0.001 respectively). Participants who had undergone psychotherapy in the past had a higher score of perceived infectibility (p=0.024). Women and staff in the pathological sector showed greater aversion to germs (p=0.040 and 0.001 respectively). Educational level and working hours were negatively correlated with germs aversion (p=0.037 and 0.044 respectively). The mean of fear of covid-19 was 14.5, with 14.2% of the population being above the scale average. Fear of covid-19 showed a positive correlation with female gender, age, family, contact with a possible positive case. It was negatively correlated with the medical staff, the educational level, and the employees in a covid-19 clinic. According to the results of the multivariate linear regression analyses: (i) The increase in educational level was associated with a decrease in the fear for covid-19 score (p=0.026); (ii) The increase in perceived infectibility score was associated with an increase in the fear for covid-19 score (p<0.001); (iii) The increase in germs aversion score was associated with an increase in fear for covid-19 score (p=0.014).
Conclusions
The findings confirm the presence of psychological distress on the healthcare workers of the hospital and its dependence on perceived infectibility and fear of covid-19.
The Acute Organic Change of Character (AOCC) is an organic mental disorder subtype in which perception, thought, mood and personality impairment predominate. It consists in a change in the individual’s general behaviour or attitude, which is shown to be closely associated with or caused by an underlying organic process, and which is rapidly resolved when the organic noxious agent is eliminated (Pintor et al. Journal of Psychiatry and Psychiatric Disorders 4 (2020): 354-358).
Objectives
To describe the importance of taking AOCC diagnosis into consideration and the role of liaison psychiatrists in AOCC management by presenting two AOCC cases admitted to the Hospital Clinic of Barcelona.
Methods
We retrospectively reviewed two AOCC cases in patients followed by our hospital’s liaison psychiatry unit during the summer of 2023. We also searched for previous case reports of AOCC using a PubMed query.
Results
Case 1: A 50-year-old male who suffered a polytrauma with diffuse axonal injury (DAI). His relatives and the referring medical team observed a change in his behaviour consisting in irritability, suspicion, hostility and impatience. No cognitive impairment nor fluctuation in the described symptoms were observed. At the time of discharge character changes were still present due to DAI slow and unpredictable clinical course. Symptomatic treatment with risperidone 6mg/day and quetiapine 100mg/day was administered achieving a satisfactory clinical response.
Case 2: A 47-year-old woman with type 2 diabetes who suffered an infectious cellulitis that spread causing sepsis. The patient began to appear disruptive with verbose and tangential speech during her admission. No cognitive impairment nor fluctuation in the described symptoms were observed. Symptomatic treatment with risperidone 10mg/day and olanzapine 5mg/day was administered achieving a satisfactory clinical response. At the time of discharge character changes described before were almost resolved.
Conclusions
The clinical presentation of both cases suggested organic mental disorders in which a change in general behaviour predominates. Liaison psychiatrists play a key role in AOCC management by recognizing the clinical pattern, helping if needed with psychopharmacological treatment and ensuring a good understanding of the disorder both by the referring medical team and the patient’s relatives. To our knowledge, it would be of great importance to achieve a better understanding of this clinical condition which to date we consider to be underdiagnosed.
Sleep disorders vary widely and its treatment are based on a combination of life style changes and pharmacological therapy adapted to the primer health issue. Ketogenic diet has shown not only its efficacy in different health conditions, but it is also becoming a popular health trend. Could the therapeutic spectrum of ketogenic diet cover sleep disturbances ?
Objectives
The aim of our study is to evaluate the effect of ketogenic diet on sleep disorders
Methods
To identify relevant studies ,our literature review was based on the Pubmed interface and adapted for 2 databases : science direct and google scholar. We used the following key words (ketogenic diet [meSH terms]) and (sleep disorders [meSH terms]).
Results
Our research revealed 14 articles published between 2012 and 2022. We selected 8 which corresponded to the purpose of our review. The ketogenic diet affects sleep hemostasis indirectly. In fact, this diet is associated with weight loss and therefore reduction of metabolic and cardiovascular complications disturbing sleep quality. From a neurobiological perspective, this regimen based on limited carbohydrates is associated with a low Tryptophan intake which is the precursor of melatonin. But on the other hand, Ketone bodies trigger adenosine activity which promotes melatonin liberation, the sleep inducing hormone.
Conclusions
ketogenic diet modulates melatonin activity therefore affects sleep architecture. Meanwhile, Its impact on sleep disorders is still controversed due to the variation of its pathophysiological mechanisms.
Participatory research (PF) actively involves people with lived experience (pwle), e.g. for a disease, in research. This improves the relevance, quality and impact of research and can help to raise third-party funds, increase recruitment numbers, select research methods. Pwle can support all stages of the research process, including dissemination. While PF is already standard in other countries, Germany is still lagging behind. Our participatory advisory board aims to create a sustainable structure to involve underrepresented patients.
Objectives
In the PART advisory board, pwle and researchers should actively cooperate in projects in the field of forensic psychiatry. In preparation to establish the advisory board procedures, key documents and training material were developed. In addition experiences, opinions, ideas and concerns of stakeholders and pwle in relation to PF were collected.
Methods
Guided interviews were conducted with stakeholders (clinical, research) and focus groups with in-patient pwle from forensic psychiatry. They were asked how they imagine the structure, tasks and goals of a participatory advisory board, what opportunities and obstacles they see. Anticipated framework conditions and support needs for the successful implementation were also asked. The interviews and focus groups were audio-recorded and transcribed. Data was analysed with MAXQDA using thematic analysis.
Results
In total, 8 expert interviews and 2 focus groups with 15 pwle were conducted in the first half of the year 2023. The analysis so far shows great interest in PF, although the term is mostly unknown and experience seems to be limited. The respondents identified opportunities for participatory research, but also challenges that need to be overcome in terms of its implementation. Both groups emphasise the importance of PF, especially in the field of mental illness, and express ideas for its implementation.
Conclusions
The results will be incorporated into the structure of the advisory board, so that PF in the field of forensic psychiatry will be more successful and the exchange between researchers and pwle will be facilitated. Detailed results as well as impressions from the first meeting(s) of the advisory board will be presented at the EPA conference.
Affective temperaments can play a significant role in the development, progression and outcome of various somatic diseases, as well as in the effectiveness of their treatment. Although infertility is influenced by both physical and psychological factors, the relationship between affective temperaments and infertility treatment success remains unexplored.
Objectives
The aim of this retrospective cohort study was to assess how dominant affective temperaments influence the outcome of infertility treatments.
Methods
Data was collected from a cohort of infertile women who underwent infertility treatment at an Assisted Reproduction Center in Budapest, Hungary. The study recorded treatment success defined as clinical pregnancy, detailed medical history, demographic parameters, and administered the Temperament Evaluation of Memphis, Pisa, Paris, and San Diego Autoquestionnaire (TEMPS-A). TEMPS-A scores then were classified into nondominant and dominant temperaments for each scale, based on their score being above or below the mean+2 standard deviation for the given temperament. The predictive value of dominant temperaments on assisted reproduction outcomes were analyzed by multivariate logistic regression models, using age, BMI and previous miscarriage as covariates.
Results
In the cohort of 578 women who underwent infertility treatment, besides age, BMI, and previous miscarriage, dominant depressive, anxious and cyclothymic temperament decreased the odds of achieving clinical pregnancy by 85% (p=0.01), 64% (p=0.03), and 60% (p=0.050), respectively).
Conclusions
The findings of this study suggest that dominant affective temperaments have a significant impact on the outcomes of infertility treatments. As a clinical consequence, creening for affective temperaments, Identifying dominant affective temperaments, stratifying high-risk patient groups, and offering personalized treatment options may enhance the likelihood of successful pregnancy and live birth for women undergoing in vitro fertilization treatment.
Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), relatively common psychiatric pathologies (5% and 1-2% respectively), share several characteristics, specially impulsivity and emotional dysregulation. With different therapeutic approaches, it is therefore important to distinguish the entities for a correct approach to the patient. Clinical evidence has also demonstrated high comorbidity between two entities, and therefore this recognition is of equal relevance.
Objectives
Analyze the clinical evidence, in order to better understand the dynamics between the two pathologies as comorbid or differential diagnosis, for an appropriate approach to the patient.
Methods
Authors used the Medline database through the Pubmed search engine, with the keywords: “PBP”, “PHDA”.
Results
These two pathologies share impulsive and spontaneous actions with poor thinking about the consequences; nonetheless, ADHD individuals tend to show this impulsivity by being more impatiente when they have to wait, talking over other people, interrupting others; on the contrary, in BPD impulsivity can be showed more as self-harm behaviors.
As for the emotional dysregulation, that both entities share, in the comorbid case it is known that it is the most severe form. This characteristic is part of the central characteristics of BPD where these individuals experience intense and unstable emotions. They have difficulty regulating their emotions which can lead to rapid changes in mood, and they report feelings of emotional emptiness and difficulty in establishing stable relationships. As for ADHD individuals, despite present, it’s not a core symptom, as they have more control over their emotions, and have more adaptative cognitive strategies.
Attention deficit can be a core symptom of a subtype of ADHD and has not yet been reported in patients with PBP, except in comorbid situations. According to studies, 30-60% of patients with PBP report and score on attention deficit scales. Truth is both entities have intelectual disfunctionalities.
Results of genetic studies are very inconsistent, however epigenetic research and reseach focusing on hypothetized vulnerability genes or sites have been promising.
Conclusions
A complete clinical history is particularly important in these cases and sometimes difficult, as so, clinicians should be aware to prevent misdiagnosis and provide the best care for both disorders and the comorbidity. Given that treatment differs between both pathologies, psychotherapy in BPD, and the multimodal approach in ADHD, it is imperative to distinguish the two entities. In comorbid cases, a combination of the two therapies has demonstrated effectiveness but much more studies are needed.
The development of the methodology for the psychiatric care quality managing is associated with the implementation of criteria and standards, systematic evaluation and the continuous improvement of the care quality. Important role in assessing the care quality belongs to the specialists of the psychiatric services, who are both “providers” and “internal consumers” of care. At the same time, it is especially significant to take into consideration the opinion of nurses, as the largest group of specialists working in psychiatric institutions and directly providing treatment and care for patients.
Objectives
To assess the quality of care by nurses of psychiatric institutions and to develop evaluation criteria and measures to improve the quality of care.
Methods
Questionnaire «Assessing the satisfaction with quality of care by medical staff of psychiatric institution», including 78 questions about the quality of the structure, process and results of activities (Solokhina et al., 2014); adapted questionnaire «Assessment of the burden of psychiatric staff working in psychiatric institution», including 52 questions (WHO, 1994). The study involved 35 nurses of inpatient and outpatient services of Moscow psychiatric hospital № 4 named after P.B. Gannushkin.
Results
It was found that 76,5% of respondents were satisfied with the quality of proved care in general and 78,2% of them were satisfied professional level of medical staff. The lower satisfaction was obtained when the other aspects were assessed. For example, only 58,6% of respondents were satisfied by relations with colleagues, 55,9% – by support from administration correspondingly. Dissatisfaction of nurses was related with working conditions, salary, excessive control by administration, insufficient professional training and lack of participation in the assessment of the institution’s activities.
It was revealed that the integral index of professional burden of nurses was at the average level (1,47±0,26). Inverse correlations between burden of staff and satisfaction with quality of care and institution’s activities were established. This allows to consider the professional burden as criterion in assessing the quality of care. Using obtained results, a training aimed at improving the communicative competence of medical personnel was developed and implemented in practice (Trushkina, Solokhina, 2019). For today more the 60 nurses have taken part in this training. The results demonstrate the professional growth of the participants and their communication patterns expansion.
Conclusions
Nurses’ satisfaction and indicators of professional burden both can be used as criteria of assessment of the psychiatric care quality. It is also necessary to introduce in psychiatric institutions training aimed at continuous professional skills improving.
Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) fundamentally posits that our thoughts, beliefs, and interpretations exert substantial influence over how we perceive and react to life’s occurrences. Central to REBT is the process of recognizing and disputing irrational, self-defeating beliefs, in favor of adopting rational and constructive perspectives.
Objectives
This presentation endeavors to introduce the foundational principles of REBT, elucidate its applied techniques, demonstrate its efficacy through compelling case studies, and delineate its spheres of applicability.
Methods
Case Studies:
1. Overcoming Social Anxiety: Illustrating the transformation from debilitating social anxiety to enhanced social functioning.
2. Managing Work-related Stress: Exemplifying the alleviation of chronic stress in a high-pressure work environment.
3. Overcoming Depression: Demonstrating the journey from persistent despondency to restored vitality and engagement.
Results
In total, REBT furnishes a methodical and pragmatic approach to therapy, affording individuals agency in steering their emotional well-being towards positive and enduring transformation. It is imperative to acknowledge that the suitability of REBT hinges on the idiosyncratic needs, inclinations, and circumstances of each patient.
Conclusions
By internalizing and applying these foundational principles, REBT empowers individuals to identify and dispute irrational beliefs, paving the way for more adaptive emotional responses and an enhanced overall state of mental well-being. It equips individuals with tangible tools to navigate life’s challenges with heightened resilience and emotional equilibrium.
The European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) detected 330,000 irregular border crossings last year.Tunisian nationals are among the top three nationalities reported.While there are many reasons for illegal immigration,the social driver is one of the most important to study.
Objectives
To highlight the role of the social environment in promoting illegal immigration and its impact on the psychosocial well-being of individuals in Tunisia through a clinical case study.
Methods
we reported the clinical case of a 32 years old tunisian patient who was diagnosed with severe major depressive disorder and post traumatic stress disorder after an illigale immigration to Europe.
Results
A 32-year-old Tunisian man from Tataouine,a region in southern Tunisia,was the subject of this case study.He was the youngest of four siblings,had a secondary education,and worked as a shepherd.His socio-economic status was moderate,unstable and seasonal.He had already attempted to immigrate to Italy twice illegally,by sea,but had been deported both times.The patient sought consultation for depressive symptoms.In January 2023,he made a third attempt to immigrate to Europe,this time by plane.He traveled with two of his cousins,aged 18 and 20,and paid 22,000 Tunisian dinars for the trip.Both cousins died during the journey,one from hypothermia and the other from police pursuit.The patient was deported again and was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and a major depressive episode.
Hamilton Depression scale
PTSD checklist scale
Rosemberg self esteem scale
22 severe depression
66 sup 44
Poor self esteem 21
Tataouine is konwn as “little Paris” a region in the south-east which,according to the National Institute of Statistics,had 71 emigrants/1000 inhabitants or 7.1% of the population.Where the society promotes youth immigration through societal values.
Conclusions
The social environment in Tataouine,which has a high rate of emigration,promotes the idea that immigration is a way to achieve social status and economic security. This can lead to young people feeling pressured to immigrate, even if they are not prepared for the risks involved.
Schizophrenia is a common mental illness with a wide range of symptoms.
Given the high metabolic comorbidity observed in schizophrenia and the metabolic side-effects induced by the antipsychotics used in practice, the detection of eating disorders is crucial.
These disorders may occur at the same time as psychotic symptoms or independently of them.
Objectives
we aim to provide an overview of eating disorders in schizophrenia.
Methods
We conducted a systematic search using the 2 bibliographic databases PubMed and Google scholar including the following keywords: “Schizophrenia”, “Eating disorders”, “Reward mechanisms”.
Results
Eating disorders are a frequent comorbidity in schizophrenia.
Authors have reported that some patients with schizophrenia have an increased appetite and craving for fatty foods, increased caloric intake and frequency of consumption, which may be associated with increased disinhibition.
According to the literature, binge eating and night eating are frequently observed in patients with schizophrenia, with a prevalence of around 10%.
Studies have shown that people suffering from psychosis and treated with antipsychotics have high rates of binge eating, ranging from 4.4% to 16% for binge eating and from 8.9% to 45% for binge eating symptoms (without reaching the diagnostic threshold for binge eating).
Rates ranging from 16.1% to 64% for cravings were reported.
Anorexia nervosa appears to affect between 1% and 4% of schizophrenic patients.
Conclusions
Despite their frequent association with schizophrenia, eating disorders remain little studied. However, it is important to detect these disorders and elucidate the underlying psychopathological and neurobiological mechanisms in order to better manage metabolic comorbidity and improve patients’ quality of life.
Difficulties in emotional, cognitive, behavioral, and social functions are considered important factors of global functioning in schizophrenia.
Objectives
A better understanding of difficulties in the mentioned facets might lead to the development of better-adjusted treatment approaches for individuals with schizophrenia, as well as impacting to reduction and elimination of stigma in Bosnia and Herzegovina’s wider social context in relation to difficulties spanning the daily life of individuals with schizophrenia.
Methods
Thirty- one patients with schizophrenia (SCH), and 30 healthy controls (HC) participated in our study. The Adult Self-Report (ASR), Achenbach’s scale for adults (ASEBA- Achenbach System of Empirically Based Assessment), and World Health Organization, Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 (WHODAS 2.0) tests were administered.
Results
Groups differed in age, education, employment status, marital status, friendships existence, and disability existence. According to the regression equations, thought problems predicted Getting around; withdrawn predicted Getting along with people and Life activities- Household, School/Work in the group of individuals with schizophrenia.
Conclusions
Our study revealed the role of different facets of difficulties in the prediction of global functioning in SCH. These findings might directly point to the importance of eliminating stigmatizing beliefs in a wider social context, developing techniques for improving the social support segment, focusing on healthy family functioning, as well as investigating job presence and perceived quality of life.
Patients with Brugada Syndrome (BS), a rare inherited cardiac channelopathy, with an increased risk of developing arrhythmias, syncope and sudden cardiac death, also present serious adverse psychological outcomes that require medical support to improve their health and well-being as well as those of their families.
Objectives
Here we report psychological concerns of a Tunisian patient who presented to our genetic counselling, with his three children, for molecular exploration of BS type 1.
Methods
Clinical, electrical, biological and psychological characteristics of the patient and his offspring were identified. Cytogenetic exploration using RHG banding and molecular screening of SCN5a gene mutations using High Resolution Melting and sequencing were carried out. Subsequently, genetic counselling was undertaken for all the family members and psychological concerns were reported.
Results
A 51-year-old married man with an academic career was born from a consanguineous couple, with a family history of sudden cardiac death. He was diagnosed with BS1 based on the pathognomonic ST-segment elevation in leads V1–V3, after experiencing palpitations and syncope. He was treated by implantable cardioverter defibrillator. The patient was also being treated for diabetes and dyslipidemia. His children, a girl and two boys, were investigated by ECG, which revealed no electrical disorders. However, both boys reported chest pain on exertion. The 18-year-old girl presented with primary amenorrhea and infantilism, along with a Turner syndrome formula. Molecular analysis revealed none of the targeted mutations in the SCN5a gene. Psychologically, the patient had a phobia of death and reported painful sensations of imminent death at each palpitation. He was anxious about the clinical outcome of his children. The children reported anxiety about their autosomal dominant fathers’ disorder.
Conclusions
Approximately 16% of BS patients experience depression and anxiety. More attention needs to be indorsed to the psychological distress of BG patients and their families.
Caregivers in the Sfax region, Tunisia, having been at the forefront in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic, were therefore faced with intense stress. It seemed useful and interesting to us to study their adaptation strategies during this period of pandemic.
Objectives
The aims of our study were to identify the coping strategies used by Tunisian Healthcare workers (HCW) during the Covid-19 pandemic and to study the links of the different coping strategies with perceived social support and trait anxiety.
Methods
A cross-sectional, descriptive, and analytical study conducted among 254 Tunisian HCW working at the Habib Bourguiba and Hedi Chaker university hospitals in Sfax, during period from January 2021 to April 2021. the questionnaire used included an information sheet and three scales; “Social support questionary 6” (SSQ-6), “State Trait Inventory Anxiety Form Y2” (STAI-Y2), and “Ways of Coping Checklist” (WCC).
Results
Using the WCC scale, the strategy most used by participants was the problem-focused one (M = 2.98 ±0.53), followed by the emotion-focused strategy (M = 2.65 ±0 .58), and that centered on the search for social support (M = 2.64 ±0.59). Using the SSQ-6, the mean score for the availability of perceived social support was equal to 8.91±4.59 and the score mean perceived satisfaction was equal to 28.63±5.84. The prevalence of trait anxiety was 50%, according to the STAI-Y2. Statistical tests showed that problem-focused coping was the strategy most adopted by non-anxious participants. They also showed that the higher the availability of perceived social support, the more the social support-seeking coping strategy was chosen, and the higher the perceived satisfaction with perceived social support, the less the emotion-focused strategy was chosen.
Conclusions
It seems necessary to propose a learning program for coping strategies to counter the potential emergence of ineffective strategies and to reinforce the use of effective strategies, in order to improve or maintain optimal well-being of health personnel.
Mental health at work is increasingly an essential element to assess, especially in sectors with a high risk of psychological and physical stress. Working in a healthcare environment and particularly work in a psychiatric environment can constitute a psychological risk for workers. Among the risks faced by emergency psychiatric medical staff is the risk of developing PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder), which occurs after a traumatic event and results in moral suffering and physical complications that profoundly alter life:personal, social and professional life.
Objectives
Screening psychiatric emergency nurses for post-traumatic stress disorders.
Methods
This is a cross-sectional study carried out in the psychiatric emergency department of the Arrazi University Hospital in Salé, using an anonymous questionnaire distributed to nurses. It includes a 1st part on sociodemographic and professional data, a 2nd part focused on the evaluation of mental health through the GHQ12 and a 3rd part which evaluates post-traumatic stress made by the scale of post-traumatic stress disorder (PCLS).
Results
60 pourcent of women are more able to have ptsd disorder
40 pourcent men 95 pourcent are under the age of 30 and 5 pourcent have more than 30 years
80 pourcent have morked less than 5 years in the emergency hospital
and 20 pourcent have worked more 73 pourcent have scored more than 44 in pcls score
23 pourcent have scored less than 44 in pcls score
Conclusions
This work highlighted an extremely high rate of exposure to a violent event among psychiatric emergency nurses, even if in this study the prevalence of PTSD found among nurses is lower than expected, in this professional environment overexposure a violence requires special attention to protect and prevent the development of PTSD in professionals
Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) is a condition characterised by multiple polyps inside the colon or rectum, leading to colorectal cancer in all patients who do not perform prophylactic colectomy and a higher risk of cancer in other organs. Nevertheless, it has been reported that 14-48% of patients do not comply with regular endoscopic surveillance, which seems to be related to the lower levels of emotional distress observed in these patients. Also, APC gene polymorphisms have been described as being related to neurodevelopmental disorders, such as autism.
Objectives
To study the prevalence of alexithymia, autistic traits and emotion regulation strategies in patients with FAP.
Methods
We conducted a cross-sectional study of patients with a genetic or clinical FAP diagnosis and assessed for alexithymia, autistic traits and emotion regulation using psychometric tests - Toronto Alexithymia Scale - 20 items (TAS-20), Autism-Spectrum Quotient Test (AQ) and Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ), respectively. The control group were patients with Lynch Syndrome. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS vs.26.
Results
We recruited a total of 20 patients (10 with FAP vs 10 with Lynch Syndrome). Nine patients were male (45%) versus 11 female (55%). The mean age was 53,35 years (SD 18,4). Half the sample presented a low educational level (equal or inferior to 4th grade).
The overall prevalence of alexithymia was 65%, with an 80% prevalence in FAP patients and 50% in Lynch Syndrome. TAS-20 total score was higher in FAP patients (69,0 vs 60,7; p=0,68). Externally-oriented thinking subscale score was statistically higher in FAP patients (p=0,024).
The overall prevalence of autistic traits was 25%, and the mean AQ score was higher in FAP (23,4; SD 4.97) compared to Lynch Syndrome patients (20,2; SD 5.57), but there were no statistically significant differences between the diagnoses (p=0,192).
A moderate positive correlation exists between Total AQ and Total TAS (r=0.51; p=0.020).
Concerning the scores obtained on the ERQ scale, most participants (14; 70%) use Expressive Suppression as a regulation strategy. Patients with Lynch Syndrome had higher scores than those with FAP, both in the Cognitive Reappraisal (4.22; SD 1.58 vs 4.28; SD 0.90) and Expressive Suppression (4.58; SD 1.08 vs 5.15; SD 1.03) domains.
The average AQ score for patients who mostly use expressive suppression is significantly higher than for those who use cognitive reappraisal (23.86 (3.63) vs 17.00 (6.6); p=0.039).
Conclusions
The preliminary results of this study point to high levels of alexithymia and autistic traits in this population, and a higher tendency to regulate emotions by expressive suppression.
The main limitation of the study was the small sample size, which reduced the power of the study to find statistically significant differences. Also, in future studies, a different control group should be considered.