Emotional awareness and expression therapy (EAET) is a newer approach that focuses on identifying and expressing repressed emotions.While cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) has ample evidence supporting its efficacy, the benefits provided by EAET are still unknown.

We aimed to compare the efficacy of EAET versus CBT in treating chronic pain and stress-related conditions.

We systematically searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane and Web of Science databases for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing EAET with CBT in patients with chronic pain. Statistical analysis was performed using Review Manager 8.1.1 (Cochrane Collaboration). Heterogeneity was assessed by I². We pooled mean differences (MD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Reduction in pain severity was assessed using brief pain inventory (BPI), anxiety by PROMIS anxiety short form 7a, sleep disturbances by PROMIS sleep disturbances short form 8a and satisfaction with life by NIH toolbox general life satisfaction fixed form B.

Three RCTs reporting data on 333 patients were included.Among them, 173 (52%) received EAET and 160 (48%) received CBT. Follow-up ranged from 3 to 6 months. The mean age of patients between studies ranged from 48 to 75 years. EAET significantly reduced pain severity (MD -0.93 points; 95% CI -1.63 to -0.23 ; p=0.009; I² = 81%) compared with CBT. There were no differences in anxiety (MD -1.62 points; 95% CI -4.30 to 1.05; p=0.23; I² = 91%), Sleep disturbance (MD -0.21 points; 95% CI -0.55 to 0.12; p=0.22; I² = 55%) and satisfaction with life (MD 0.71 points; 95% CI -0.24 to 1.65; p=0.14; I²=94%).

In patients with chronic pain, EAET was associated with a greater reduction in pain severity compared with CBT.

None Declared

High-performance players in sports, poker, or other competitive fields share traits that support them to excel under pressure. Exceptional players show mental resilience, staying focused, and adaptability skills in high-stress situations. However, many players struggle with consistency and discipline when emotional influence occurs over their routine and decision-making on tables. This work addresses common challenges for high-performance poker players and explores therapeutic techniques that improve decision-making and overall well-being.

High-performance poker players, particularly cash game players, encounter unique cognitive and emotional challenges due to high-stakes, financial volatility, and emotional dysregulation. This work addresses common therapeutic demands and multidisciplinary approaches to support high-performance poker players.

Players who received therapeutic support benefited from a combination of cognitive-behavioral strategies and positive psychology, particularly focusing on emotional regulation and goal-setting to enhance their sense of control, motivation, decision-making, psychological well-being, and overall performance. The therapeutic interventions specifically targeted cognitive distortions and behavioral patterns that undermine decision-making and contribute to emotional dysregulation. Techniques such as cognitive restructuring, mindfulness, and problem-solving skills training through deliberate practice, promoting practical tools to manage the unique cognitive and emotional challenges faced in poker.

The findings show that integrating cognitive-behavioral techniques into daily routines improves consistency, making daily strategies more automatic. Mental exercises like mindfulness and cognitive reframing strengthened skills while monitoring emotional states and helped players detect early signs of “tilt” and regulate emotions, diminishing impulsive decisions and heightening emotional responses. Addressing cognitive distortions, such as confirmation bias, through journaling and stress management techniques like deep breathing, helped players maintain composure under pressure. Therefore, these approaches assisted poker players in improving their adaptability skills without sacrificing consistency, leading to better performance and long-term success.

The cognitive and emotional demands of high-stakes poker require a comprehensive mental regulation approach. Combining cognitive-behavioral techniques, psychodynamic strategies, and mindfulness improves emotional stability, decision-making, and performance. Addressing cognitive distortions and using emotional regulation techniques help players avoid emotionally-driven decisions and maintain focus under pressure. By integrating these strategies into their routines, poker players can enhance consistency, optimize cognitive function, and achieve long-term success.

None Declared

Recent studies showed that non-suicidal Self-Injury (NSSI) is a transdiagnostic behavior with multiple functions and motivational factors. More specifically, two key functions have been identified: the first is an interpersonal function (hurting/punishing others, influencing others’ behavior); the second involves personal goals (emotions regulation, dissociation, self-punishment). Some distal factors may contribute to the onset of this behavior (e.g., childhood abuse, emotional neglect), resulting in emotional dysregulation and alexithymia. Alexithymia, also called emotional blindness, a coping strategy to reduce emotional pain following trauma traumatic life events, emerged as a predictor of NSSI.

The study aimed to investigate in a sample of young Italian help seekers referred to an early intervention service and a university counseling and consultation service (1) the prevalence of NSSI behaviors; (2) their correlation to early traumatic life experiences and alexithymia symptoms.

From March 2023, the young adults participating in this study filled a standardized battery (through a QR code). In this preliminary analysis, only data concerning the Deliberate Self-Harm Inventory (DSHI), Childhood Trauma Questionnaire – Short Form (CTQ-SF), and the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS – 20) were considered.

Nowadays, 73 young adults participated in the study (60% women; mean age 26 years, SD 4.2). A third of the sample reported NSSI behavior lifetime, with a higher distribution among women (χ2= 9.425 p=0.002). By comparing the NSSI and No-NSSI groups, only the emotional neglect dimension exceed the clinical cut-off even if statistically significant differences emerged in all the early traumatic dimensions, with higher scores in the NSSI group as regard the emotional abuse (F= 18.321; p=0.000), physical abuse (F= 17.556; p=0.000), sexual abuse (F= 5.200; p=0.026), emotional neglect (F= 20.053; p=0.000), physical neglect (F= 12.134; p=0.001), minimization/denial (F= 13.384; p=0.000). The alexithymia symptoms, assessed with the TAS-20 scale, the NSSI group showed higher scores with a statistically significant difference compared to the No-NSSI group (F= 15.842; p=0.000) and, specifically, in the “difficulty describing feelings” (F= 10.351; p=0.002) and “difficulty in identifying emotions” (F= 13.543; p=0.000).

According to the social neuroscience model, these preliminary results suggested that young adults that practice self-harm behaviors may have experienced early emotional neglect, determining a vulnerability to recognize and regulate emotions in response to stressful events. It is therefore crucial to assess and monitor this behavior in all young people help seekers from mental health services, concerning the history of traumatic events and emotional difficulties, to plan personalized evidence-based interventions.

None Declared

Autoimmune encephalitis is a new and increasingly well-described entity. The most common is encephalitis caused by antibodies against the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor on the surface of neurons (NMDAR encephalitis). It is a predominant entity in women and young patients and it is often associated with ovarian teratomas, neuroblastomas, Hodgkin’s lymphomas and others.

NMDAR encephalitis can manifest with a diverse range of neurological and psychiatric symptoms (personality change, anxiety, insomnia, confusion, attentional and short-term memory deficits, emotional lability, psychotic symptoms, language impairment, fluctuations in the level of consciousness, seizures and dysautonomia).

Clinical review of Anti-NMDAR Encephalitis for differential diagnosis with Functional Neurologic Disorder.

Clinical case and literature review.

We present the clinical case of a 27-year-old woman with a history of depression and anancastic personality disorder. The patient went to the Emergency Department different days presenting both neurological (facial paresthesias, hypoesthesia, weakness, high-intensity occipital headache, dizziness, loss of consciousness and anterograde amnesia) and psychiatric symptoms (obsessive thoughts, anxiety, visual and auditory hallucinations). She was admitted to the Neurology Unit. Complementary tests were performed: EEG, cranial CT scan, MRI, lumbar puncture, blood tests (including tumour markers) and urinalysis, founding no alterations suggestive of encephalitis or other systemic pathologies. She was also evaluated by the Psychiatry service. The patient described that as a result of a recent change in her job she presented emotional lability, obsessive ruminative ideas and anxiety. Treatment with Sertraline 100mg/day and Lorazepam 1mg/8 hours was started.

After ruling out autoimmune encephalitis, the patient was diagnosed with Functional Neurologic Disorder, given the temporal relationship of the symptoms with the stressful history at work.

Given their growing prevalence autoimmune causes, such as NMDA anti-receptor antibody encephalitis, should always be considered in the cases of neuropsychiatric alterations. It is very important to carry out a correct organic screening prior to the diagnosis of psychiatric pathology. It is also essential an adequate coordination between different medical departments for an accurate and comprehensive approach to the patient.

None Declared

About one million people in Bangladesh are living in different slums in Dhaka and Korail is the largest slum of the city with more than 250000 residents. These slums are deprived from most of the basic services and cares such as sanitation, water supply and healthcare. Moreover, the situation related to mental health care might be more disappointing. However, there is no well organized service delivery map to inform us about the existing the mental health care facilities and service provider to plan a feasible real life solution for this community.

In this research, we aimed to fill this gap by developing Geographical Information Systems (GIS) integrated service delivery mapping of the slum and get a clear idea about the existing service institutional and individual level related to mental health care and related services to design and develop effective and acceptable real life solutions in the TRANSFORM Project for the person with serious mental disorders in the slum.

We followed stepwise apaprach starting from reviewing the literature and other docuements to gain detailed information about the geographical coverage, culture, institutions and services those were working in the Korail slum. After this, we visited the slum to get an idea of the key landmarks and conducted stakeholders and experts meeting about data collection framework design and drafting questionnaire. Based on the discussion, the questionnaire was pretested and finalized. Then this drafted questionnaire was transferred into KoBo Collect for data collection. We tested the feasibility of KOBO tools before final data collection. We recruited the data collector from the local community and trained them to collected service institutions and service providers information with GPS locations captured with 5m accuracy level in 2022. Data was organized and analyzed using Microsoft excel and a KML file was created.

We found 66 Pharmacies, 50 Schools, 24 Traditional Healers, 20 Religious Institutions (mosjid mondir), 19 Madrasas, 66 medicine store, 13 health care provider chambers, 5 NGOs’ office and 2 private clinics inside the slum. Among 24 traditional healers, 20 were male and all the four female traditional healers had no formal education. The 19 faith based healers (9 madrasa teachers and 10 Imam & muajjin) provide healing practice (Jhar-fook/ panipara/tabiz/ Tadbir etc.). The community health workers of different NGOs work in the slum however, many organizations did not had their official set up in the slum. Moreover, during the service delivery mapping, we found no established mental health service in korail.

GIS based service delivery mapping helps us in a deeper understanding of the community and to design and implement real-life mental health solutions.

None Declared

Despite significant progress in the treatment of schizophrenia, the number of patients with schizophrenia who do not respond to treatment remains constant. Identification of biomarkers of therapeutic resistance in the schizophrenia can help in early prediction of these conditions, as well as in the development of new approaches to treatment. Inflammation is considered as one of the possible mechanisms involved in the development of the pathological process in the formation of resistance to therapy in schizophrenia. The main cells of innate immunity, neutrophils and monocytes, are involved in the implementation of the inflammatory response.

To compare the subpopulation composition of monocytes and the level of other inflammatory markers in patients with treatment-resistant schizophrenia and in the control group.

The study included 17 men with treatment-resistant schizophrenia (TRS) (27.0±8.0 years) and 15 healthy individuals without signs of mental and inflammatory diseases. The relative content of neutrophils and monocytes in the blood, as well as the ratio of monocyte subpopulations, estimated by the expression level of CD14 and CD16 receptors, were determined by flow cytofluorometry. The functional activity of neutrophils was determined spectrophotometrically by the activity of leukocyte elastase in plasma. The level of autoantibodies to S100B in plasma was estimated by ELISA.

A significant increase in the relative content of monocytes (U=28.0, p<0.01) and a decrease in neutrophils (U=35.0, p=0.036) were found in TRS patients compared to the controls. An increase in a proportion of the “transitional” CD14+CD16− subpopulation (U=61.5, p=0.04) and a decrease in the “classical” CD14++CD16− subpopulation (U=60.5, p=0.036) were accompanied by the proportion of “intermediate” inflammatory CD14++CD16+ and “non-classical” CD14+CD16+ subpopulations that did not differ from controls. A moderate increase in leukocyte elastase activity (U=34.0, p=0.001) and a high level of S100B autoantibodies (U = 55.0, p = 0.02) were found in blood plasma of patients. The proportion of “intermediate” CD14++CD16+ monocytes was negatively correlated with the level of autoantibodies to S100B (r= -0.55, p=0.021). It should be noted that this spectrum of immune parameters differs from the corresponding profile that we identified in patients with schizophrenia who responded to treatment. The main differences concern the proportion of “intermediate” monocytes, the relative content and functional activity of neutrophils.

The identified quantitative and functional characteristics of monocytes and neutrophils in patients with TRS indicate the possible involvement of the cellular component of immunity in the development of resistance to treatment and may be associated with the severity of the disease in a long-term pathological process in the brain.

None Declared

Postpartum depression (PPD) is a serious mental health condition that can be challenging to diagnose due to its varying symptoms. As a result, multiple healthcare providers collaborate in its prevention, screening, and treatment. Nurses play a pivotal role in this process, requiring essential knowledge and skills

To assess nurses’ knowledge and attitudes regarding PPD.

A cross-sectional study was conducted among maternity nurses at a university hospital who have direct contact with postpartum patients. Our sample was a convenience sampleData was collected using a self-administered anonymous questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of two parts : the first part collected demographic information about the nurses, and the second part assessed nurses’ knowledge and attitudes regarding postpartum depression.

A total of 50 nurses participated in the study. Nearly half (49%) of participants had over 10 years of professional seniority. The majority (92%) were aware of the postpartum period during which the disorder occurs, as well as the early warning signs of PPD (82%). However, more than half of the participants (52%) were unaware of the risk factors for PPD. The majority (92%) were aware that nurses play a major role in early detection of this disorder. Only 52% knew that the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) is the screening tool for PPD. Nearly half of the suggestions to improve the management of PPD (46%) focused on improving patient conditions and well-being. Moreover, 40% of participants made suggestions centered on collaboration and communication.

Despite their involvement in postpartum care, nurses demonstrated limited knowledge of postpartum depression risk factors, emphasizing the need for enhanced education and support.

None Declared

As a result of crises such as the Covid-19 pandemic, depressive symptoms are increasing in the European population (Arias-de la Torre et al. Lancet PH 2023; 8: e889-98), with depression being one of the most common illnesses anyway and are even at the highest level ever measured in some countries, like in Germany (Mauz et al. Front PH 2023; 11: 106). Various treatment options are available, depending on the severity and individual preference of patients, but treatment-resistant depression in particular can pose major challenges for patients and clinicians. Transcranial pulse stimulation (TPS), an alternative NIBS method based on shock waves, has been available for several years and is CE-certified for the treatment of Alzheimer’s dementia (Chen et al. CNS Nsc 2023; 00:1-10). It enables, for the first time, a precise and non-invasive modulation of subcortical brain regions where previously surgical intervention was necessary (Legon et al. Hum. Brain Mapp 2018; 39:1995-2006).

The aim of this case series is to examine safety and effectiveness of TPS in patients with treatment-resistant depression.

In the present study, 5 patients (gender ratio female/male 3:2) who met the criteria for treatment-resistant depression underwent a total of 6 treatments within 14 days (each session with 6000 pulses, energy level 0.25 mJ/mm² and frequency 4 Hz). With the help of neuro-navigation using individual MRI scans, pulses were applied bilaterally in the frontal and parietal lobe as well as the precuneus area (Figure 1). Additionally the shell region of the nucleus accumbens was targeted with 300 pulses on both sides due to its involvement in the pathophysiology of depression. Written consent and the approval of an ethics committee were obtained for all patients. Before, during and immediately after the TPS intervention, the antidepressant medication of all patients remained unchanged. The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II) was used to assess the severity of depressive symptoms before the first and after the last treatment session.

Apart from a temporary feeling of pressure in the area of the temples in one patient, none of the patients experienced any side effects during and after the treatment. All patients showed a reduction in the BDI-II total score in the pre-post comparison: the mean value decreased from 41 to 26 (Figure 2).

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Image 2:

The results of this case series show that a significant improvement in depressive symptoms is possible using TPS as a potentially well-tolerated treatment option, even in cases of treatment-resistant depression. Sham-controlled studies with large numbers of patients are required to prove its long-term effectiveness and safety.

None Declared

The war has affected every Ukrainian to some extent. With the mobilization comes the increased risk of people with dark triad traits (DT) (psychopathy, machiavellianism and narcissism) to be exposed to stress on the battlefield. Being vulnerable, these individuals are in need of protection for their mental health. One of such protections is the emotional intelligence (EI). This makes the relation between DT and EI highly valued as the basis for future development of effective measures against stress disorders for combatants.

The aim of this research is to study the existing knowledge exploring the relation between the emotional intelligence and dark triad traits and to determine the limitations of these studies.

In order to analyse this relation the literature review of scientific studies on the topic of the relation between the EI and DT was conducted.

The literature sources published in 1994-2023 years were reviewed for this study. 1,87% of studies showed that DT related negatively to general EI. 5,66% showed that some facets of DT related positively to some facets of EI, while 2,83% showed negative relation. 2,83% demonstrated that psychopathy (P) related positively to general EI, 13,21% reported negative relation, 0,94% showed no relation, 2,83% demonstrated mixed relation. 5,66% reported that some facets of P related positively to some facets of EI, while 38,68% discovered negative relation. 14,15% demonstrated that narcissism (N) related both positively and negatively to general EI, 4,72% observed no relation. 16,98% found that some facets of N related positively to some facets of EI, 21,7% showed negative relation. 5,66% demonstrated that M related positively to general EI, 7,55% reported negative relation. 10,38% found that some facets of M related negatively to some facets of EI.

Among reviewed papers most of them reported that some facets of DT related positively to some facets of EI, with P mostly relating negatively to general EI and some of its facets, N mostly relating positively to some facets of EI and M mostly relating negatively to general EI and some of its facets. Found and known limitations of mentioned studies included: sample population being too heterogenous, sample population including criminal offenders only, size of sample population being too small, use of self-report measures, lack of unified approach to measure EI, possibility of comorbidity influencing EI, possibility of individual’s secondary gain influencing EI measure, non-exclusion of individuals with mental disorders from general population. This highlights the need to take mentioned limitations into account in order to acquire accurate data in further research on the topic.

None Declared

In addition to the typical risks associated with healthcare professions, being a midwife carries a significant psychological and emotional burden. This responsibility extends not only to the mother’s well-being but also to the newborn’s, making the role particularly vulnerable to psychosocial risks, often driven by high-stress situations.

To assess the post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) experienced by midwives.

We conducted a cross-sectional study using a self-administered questionnaire distributed to midwives in the Sfax region. The questionnaire consisted of a first part relating to socio-demographic and professional data and a second part relating to the evaluation of the PTSD in midwives using the Impact of Event Scale (IES).

Our population comprised 74 midwives with an average age of 45.6 ± 10.3 years. Only 21.6% reported engaging in regular physical activity. The midwives worked in both public and private health facilities, with a mean of job tenure of 20.3 ± 10.6 years. A stressful event in their professional life was reported by 68.8% of midwives. The PTSD was detected in 30 midwives (40.5% of the midwifery population surveyed), 8 of whom had severe symptoms. The traumatic events reported by the midwives were related to injury to the newborn, injury to the parturient or working conditions.

We found that the factors related to the PTSD were the number of dependent parents, a history of anxiety, depression or hypothyroidism, and working fixed hours. Physical activity was a protective factor against post-traumatic stress. A statistically significant link was found between severe forms of PTSD and taking leave in the last three months. Binary logistic regression confirmed that while physical activity was protective, anxiety, depression, and hypothyroidism were independent risk factors for PTSD.

PTSD is a common issue among midwives. It should be studied and identified early in at-risk populations to prevent lasting consequences.

None Declared

Schizophrenia is a disorder associated with significant morbidity, largely due to poor treatment outcomes with existing interventions. Emerging evidence demonstrates that stem cell therapy using either patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) or mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), may offer an effective alternative for treating schizophrenia by promoting the restoration of excitatory interneurons. However, given the variability in the therapeutic potential of iPSCs and MSCs, adopting a progressive computational approach to predict the clinical outcomes of these therapies might be an effective strategy.

The objective was to evaluate the efficacy of stem cell therapy in schizophrenia and to explore the role of computational models in predicting the outcomes of this therapy.

We conducted a systematic search of clinical trials and studies published (since 2015) in PubMed, SCOPUS, and EMBASE. The review included all randomized controlled trials involving iPSC or MSCs-based interventions and studies that incorporated computational models to predict outcomes. A total of 22 studies including 1436 individuals were included in the review. Meta-analytic methods were used to calculate pooled effect sizes on cognitive outcomes and reduction or improvement in negative symptoms was recorded using standardized mean difference (SMD) and risk ratios (RR).

This involved 979 patients with schizophrenia from four studies that met quality review criteria, revealing that MSC-based therapies using positive controls significantly improved negative symptoms with a standardized mean difference (SMD) of 0.52 (95% CI, 0.32–0.73; P < 0.001). Improvements in cognition, especially in the domains of memory and executive function, were significant in treated groups using iPSCs (SMD = 0.61, 95% CI, 0.40–0.82; P < 0.0001). The predictive models that classified interneuron (PV and SST) restoration in terms of sensitivity (83.4%) and specificity (78.2%) enhanced the ability to predict responder treatment effects. Ultimately, computational modeling reduced predictive variance in therapeutic efficacy by 18.7% (p = 0.006).

Our meta-analysis revealed that stem cell therapies, particularly MSCs and iPSCs, significantly improved both negative and cognitive symptoms associated with schizophrenia. Additionally, predictive models using computational methods were found to accurately predict the therapeutic outcomes for intervention treatments based on the resting patient subgroups that received interneuron restorations. We conclude that stem-cell-based therapies especially when used alongside computational models have tremendous potential to provide precise and personalized psychiatric care.

None Declared

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) affects approximately 3% of children and adolescents in the U.S. This condition is increasingly prevalent worldwide and presents significant treatment challenges. Preliminary evidence suggests that cannabidiol (CBD) cannabis extracts may help manage ASD symptoms, but their efficacy and potential harms have not yet been systematically investigated.

To systematically review and meta-analyze the evidence from clinical trials investigating the efficacy and safety of CBD cannabis extracts in alleviating symptoms of ASD in children and adolescents.

We conducted a comprehensive search in MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials using MeSH terms including “Autism Spectrum Disorder,” “Cannabidiol,” “Cannabis,” “Child,” and “Adolescents.” No language or publication date restrictions were applied. The search was last updated on September 8, 2024. We included randomized, placebo-controlled trials on the efficacy or safety of CBD cannabis extracts in children and adolescents with ASD. For outcomes with limited study data, we used a fixed-effects model. The risk of bias in the included studies was evaluated using the Risk of Bias 2 tool.

Three studies met our criteria, comprising 276 participants (78.3% male; mean age 10.5 years, range 5 to 21). Interventions included orally administered CBD cannabis extracts, with tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) present in minimal amounts or in ratios of 9:1 to 20:1 CBD to THC. Dosages of CBD started at 1 mg/kg per day and were titrated up to 10 mg/kg per day. CBD cannabis extracts significantly enhanced social responsiveness (SMD = -0.75 [-1.08, -0.43], p < 0.01, I² = 17%), reduced disruptive behavior (SMD = -0.36 [-0.67, -0.06], p = 0.02, I² = 0%), and alleviated anxiety (SMD = -0.33 [-0.63, -0.03], p = 0.03, I² = 59%). CBD cannabis extracts also improved sleep quality, without reaching statistical significance (SMD = -0.19 [-0.49, 0.11], p = 0.21, I² = 0%). There was no significant difference in adverse effects between interventions and placebo (odds ratio = 2.11 [1.00, 4.46], p = 0.05, I² = 38%).

CBD cannabis extracts appear to provide meaningful benefits for children and adolescents with ASD, showing moderate improvements in social responsiveness and small yet notable reductions in disruptive behaviors and anxiety. They do not seem to significantly increase adverse effects compared to placebo, suggesting a favorable safety profile. These findings support the potential consideration of CBD cannabis extracts in ASD treatment plans. However, the review’s limitations include a small number of studies, limited sample sizes, and significant heterogeneity. Future research with larger, robust trials is needed to clarify the efficacy and safety of CBD cannabis extracts in managing ASD.

None Declared

Sweden has a long history as a host country for refugees. In recent years there has been a shift from being one of the most generous host countries in Europe to one of the most restrictive. In Sweden, refugees with a residence permit have a full right to care, but asylum seekers and undocumented migrants only have a right to care that cannot be deferred. Despite relatively good formal access to mental health care, and so far, the availability of free language interpreters, refugees face barriers to and within mental health care.

To give a brief overview of the current challenges for mental health care in Sweden and the work on solutions for people on the move.

Ongoing research and clinical development are summarised in parallel with the identification of challenges.

A complex picture of the development and challenges of mental health care for people on the move in a situation of increasing social pressure on refugees is described.

There is a need for equal treatment of people on the move without discrimination and exclusion.

None Declared

This study aimed to identify the big five personality factors among cybercrime victims in Jordan and to investigate the differences in the level of the big five personality factors due to the type of crime, gender, age, and educational level. The descriptive analytical approach was used. The study sample consisted of (515) cybercrime victims in Jordan. To achieve the aims of the study, the five major factor scale was used, and its reliability and validity were checked.

Study Objectives:

1. 1. ersonality traits of cybercrime victims in Jordan.

2. 2. The differences in the Big Five personality traits of cybercrime victims based on the type of cybercrime.

3. 3. whether Big Five personality traits among cybercrime victims varied significantly with regard to gender, age, and educational status of respondents.

Study Tool: The Big Five Personality Traits Scale

This study used The Big Five Personality Traits Scale (Costa & McCrae, 1992) . In its original configuration, the scale consisted of 60 items or questions.

Item Characteristics of the Assessments Scale: 1.Internal Construct Validity. Internal consistency was checked using Cronbach’s alpha. The Cronbach’s alpha reliability coefficient was 0.701to 0.818, which was above 0.70; therefore, it is acceptable. Scoring of the scale: A 5-point Likert scale was employed .The second question was approached with One-way ANOVA. The third question was addressed via MANOVA.

The results show that the level of extraversion and openness factors came at a high level, while the conscientiousness, agreeableness, and neuroticism factors came at a moderate level. Also, the results found that there were no differences due to the type of crime in the neuroticism factor and there were differences in the factors (extraversion in favor of device hacking crime, openness in favor of unwanted sexual crime, conscientiousness, and agreeableness in favor of identity theft crime). Also, the results show that there are differences in the factors (neuroticism, extraversion, and openness) due to gender in favor of females, and due to age in the factors (neuroticism, acceptability, and conscientiousness) in favor of less than 30 years, and the level of education in the openness factor in favor of a secondary class or less, while in the acceptability factor in favor of a bachelor, while in the scientific factor in favor of postgraduate students.

Actions should be taken against cybercrimes, which include:

• - More education about cybercrimes and how to use internet in a safe way.

• - Supervision of people who are still not efficient in using technology and close supervision of the way that teenagers are using high technology devices.

• - Trainings should be done to start protecting people from such crimes.

None Declared

A migrant is any person who moves or has moved across an international border regardless of the legal status of the person, whether the movement is voluntary or not, the reasons for the movement or the length of stay. In recent decades, migratory flows have increased significantly also in Italy. The migration process has highlighted the need to explore the potential challenges within the local multicultural context, as well as the difficulties that migrant patients with mental health issues may face. The assistance, diagnosis, and treatment of patients of foreign origin have become essential aspects of the pursuit of overall well-being within the community.

According to the literature, migration can represent a stress factor that leads to an increased risk of developing psychiatric symptoms or disorders. It should be emphasized that, although the organization of mental health services in Italy is strongly based on territorial outpatient services, the first contact of migrants with psychiatry occurs through the emergency room and the psychiatric wards of hospitals that usually admit patients with disorders in the acute phase.

It becomes necessary to learn more about this topic, given the limited or insufficient national and international studies on these issues.

This study aims to investigate and describe the characteristics of migrants admitted to three Emergency and Acceptance Departments (DEA) in Northern Italy: Novara, Alessandria, and Borgomanero in comparison with natives, to investigate any differences between the two populations regarding the variables described above.

Through an electronic data acquisition research software solution (REDCap), the clinical and socio-demographic characteristics of migrants hospitalized at the three DEA will be collected. The data of migrants who received psychiatric consultation (PC) from January 2020 to December 2024 will be compared with those of natives. Data will include socio-demographic and clinical aspects, with a specific focus on mental health disorders (such as suicidal behaviours), type of intervention and outcome of the consultation. The only inclusion criterion used was the presence of PC after triage while no exclusion criteria were used except for age under 16.

Ongoing analyzes will provide an in-depth description of the correlation between migrant status and the mental well-being of patients accessing the DEA who have received a PC. Particularly, the analyzes will allow us to outline the risk factors for psychiatric diagnosis and the choice of treatment strategies.

The data could suggest the need for prevention and intervention programs aimed at the migrant population, oriented towards cultural differences in the expression of discomfort, linguistic difficulties and/or mutual understanding between healthcare personnel and patients.

None Declared

Psychoeducation is a well-supported intervention in psychiatry aimed at improving outcomes for patients with serious mental disorders and their families. It primarily focuses on enhancing family understanding of the illness, reducing stress, and fostering a supportive environment for the patient. However, traditional psychoeducation often emphasizes increasing caregivers’ capacity to manage the illness, rather than addressing the family as a unit coping with care needs and the stigma associated with mental illness. Family mental health cafés have been developed to address these broader issues.

The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of participants in family mental health cafés and evaluate its impact on feelings of stigma and isolation.

The Family Mental Health Cafés were implemented in five Ontario cities from 2018 to 2019, these cafés were organized in collaboration with the Canadian Mental Health Association. They drew on the World Café and Death Café models, focusing on caregiving and care-receiving within the family unit and its interactions with the community. Discussions included managing illness and other stressors, successful strategies, and improvements needed for family well-being. Participants completed evaluations with both closed and open-ended questions

A total of 67 individuals participated, identifying as diagnosed individuals, family members, service providers, or combinations thereof. Sixty-six completed evaluations, with 99% finding the cafés well-planned and engaging, and 88% recommending them to others. Qualitative feedback emphasized the value of shared experiences, resource exchange, and diverse perspectives from patients, family members, and service providers. Participants appreciated the integration of these perspectives as a positive aspect of the café experience.

The cafés offer a novel approach to psychoeducation by focusing on the well-being of the entire family, their mutual caregiving investments, and challenges in navigating social and institutional environments. Participants valued the process for addressing isolation, and engagement with others with similar experiences may have helped reduce stigma, though this was less clear. Future research could explore the long-term outcomes of single or repeated café experiences.

None Declared

It is necessary to know how the pharmacokinetics of psychotropic drugs changes in the body of patients during their long-term use.

To study the pharmacokinetic parameters of the anticonvulsant galodif in experimental rats at different times of drug administration.

Galodif (meta-chlorobenzhydryl urea, 100 mg/kg) was administered in rats (in suspension, intragastrically) for: 1, 5 and 15 days. Galodif was determined in the microsomal fraction of rat liver. Pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated by a model-independent method of statistical moments. The statistical significance of differences was assessed using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov λ-test at p<0.05.

A single administration of galodif to rats is accompanied by a slowdown in its elimination from the body: the values of T1/2 (18.82±6.25h), MRT (22.41±7.07h), MET (10.64±2.84h), AUC (15.01±4.86 mcg/ml) increase, indicating the retention of galodif in the body tissues. A 5-fold administration of galodif stimulates the elimination of the drug: T1/2 (2.22±0.52*h), AUC (3.68±0.79*mcg/ml), MRT (2.95±0.73*h), MET (3.00±0.65*h) decrease. The pharmacokinetic parameters of the drug indicate a pronounced tissue availability of galodif molecules. With a 15-fold administration of galodif, the elimination of the drug from the body slows down somewhat, remaining accelerated relative to a single administration: T1/2 (10.79±2.90*h), MRT (3.97±1.03*h), MET (12.05±4.10*h), AUC (19.28±7.13*mcg/ml). The revealed changes in kinetic parameters during long-term administration of galodif to rats stimulate the elimination of the drug by inducing the microsomal liver oxidative system.

The choice of a drug that combines anticonvulsant and detoxifying properties is of great importance in long-term therapy of paroxysmal disorders, epilepsy and alcoholism.

None Declared

Recently, there has been an increase in media reports regarding crimes committed by individuals with mental disorders, leading to a deterioration in public opinion on this issue. Misconceptions about the dangerousness of individuals with mental disorders can negatively impact the prevention, treatment, and social reintegration of these patients.

Public attitudes toward crimes committed by individuals with mental disorders are influenced by media and public opinion, and psychiatric hospital staff are not exempt from these influences. Since the prejudices of these staff members can directly affect psychiatric patients, it is crucial to assess their attitudes.

This study surveyed the attitudes of psychiatric hospital staff regarding the risk of criminal behavior in individuals with mental disorders and compared these attitudes with those of the general population.

The findings revealed that psychiatric hospital staff exhibited less prejudice than the general population across six dimensions related to crimes by individuals with mental disorders: recent increase in crime, cruelty, impulsivity, violence, criminal tendency, and crime rate. Additionally, psychiatric hospital staff displayed less prejudice regarding specific disorders (schizophrenia, depression, bipolar disorder, panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, dementia, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, intellectual disability, and developmental disorders) compared to the general population.

Psychiatric hospital staff demonstrated less prejudice toward the criminal behavior of individuals with mental disorders than the general public. This difference may be attributed to their direct contact with psychiatric patients. The findings suggest potential directions for policy development aimed at reducing public prejudice toward mental disorders and associated criminal behavior.

None Declared

Lithium is a mood stabilizer, causing various dose related adverse effects. Cardiac adverse effects are seen more frequently in patients with previous cardiac diseases, overdoses, and chronic use.

We report the case of a woman treated with lithium who developed bradycardia and syncope, which are rare adverse effects of lithium.

A 39-year-old woman was hospitalized due to suicidal ideation during a psychotic depressive episode. She had a previous supraventricular tachycardia episode requiring ablation but was asymptomatic for a long time. On admission, she was using sertraline 100 mg/day and olanzapine 10 mg/day. Lithium was initiated at 600 mg/day due to previous suicide attempts and being in the fourth depressive episode. On the second day of lithium therapy, the patient had a syncope lasting a minute. Electrocardiogram (ECG) showed sinus bradycardia at 46 bpm and 417 msec of QTc. She was normotensive. Her serum electrolytes, myocardial enzymes, thyroid hormones, and thyroid-stimulating hormone levels were within normal limits. Lithium was stopped. The following ECG showed sinus rhythm at 65 bpm. Cardiology consultation resulted in no contraindication to lithium therapy. Lithium was reinitiated with 300 mg, no syncope or bradycardia was observed, and the patient was discharged after 9 days. Lithium concentration was 0.66 mEq/L. The Naranjo Advers Drug Reaction Scale was scored as 5, indicating a probable relationship between syncope, bradycardia, and lithum. She is still using lithium 300 mg/day for four months with no adverse-effects.

At both therapeutic and toxic lithium levels, ECG changes such as T-wave inversions, sinus bradycardia, sinoatrial blocks, PR prolongation, QTc prolongation, and ventricular tachyarrhythmias can be observed. Lithium cardiac adverse effects have been shown to increase with age and duration of treatment and can be seen in both therapeutic and toxic concentrations. Our case is unique, occurring in a relatively young patient in the early phase of lithium treatment.

Other causes of bradycardia should be eliminated by performing a workup that includes calcium level, thyroid function, and cardiac workup, and checking medication interactions. Lithium-induced bradycardia is reversible upon discontinuation of lithium, but irreversible sinus node may occur when long-term lithium therapy is required. As lithium is an indispensible option for such patients with severe recurrent depression, lithium may be rechallenged with a lower dose and close followup of the ECG despite previous episodes of bradycardia and syncope.

None Declared

Depression is one of the most prevalent mental disorders worldwide, and network analyses in psychopathology allow for an improved understanding of its development, maintenance, and treatment. Evidence suggests that sexual minority individuals are more vulnerable to depression.

The objective of this study was to analyze the correlations between depressive symptoms in heterosexual and sexual minority students using network analysis.

This cross-sectional study was conducted with 1,271 university students to assess depressive symptoms using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). Network analyses were performed to identify influential symptoms and their correlations.

The results showed that sexual minority students had significantly higher scores for all symptoms of depression than heterosexual students did. Guilt and suicidal ideation had the strongest association with the symptom network of heterosexual students. Among sexual minority students, the strongest associations were between lack of energy and depressed moods. The most influential symptom in the heterosexual student network was suicidal ideation, whereas in the sexual minority student network, guilt was the most influential symptom.

These results demonstrate that in network analyses, different depressive symptoms play distinct central roles between heterosexual and sexual minority groups. These differences indicate the need for interventions that are adapted to the specificities of each group to promote mental health.

None Declared