Alcohol use disorder (AUD) has a significant impact on the individuals affected, their relatives, and the society at large. Given the limited efficacy of currently available treatments, there is a pressing need for a more comprehensive mechanistic understanding. In particular, consideration must be given to the dynamical and real-world aspects. The objective of this study was to investigate the association of dynamic variations across menstrual cycle phases (indicative of progesterone-to-estradiol ratios) in women with AUD and progesterone-to-estradiol ratios in men with AUD with real-world problem drinking. To this end, longitudinal data from the German TRR265 cohort (comprising smartphone entries on alcohol consumption, craving, and loss of control, self-reports on menstrual cycle phases, and blood progesterone-to-estradiol ratios) were subjected to analysis. In women with AUD, the lowest levels of problem drinking, craving, and loss of control were observed during the late luteal phase, when the progesterone-to-estradiol ratios reached their peak. Similarly, in men with AUD, higher progesterone-to-estradiol ratios were associated with lower problem drinking, craving, and loss of control. Some of these effects were moderated by the severity of the AUD. The results highlight the progesterone-to-estradiol ratio as a promising future treatment target and point to the necessity of cycle phase-tailored treatments for women with AUD.

None Declared

An influential current theory suggests that auditory verbal hallucinations (AVH) result from abnormal activity in the auditory cortex. Against this, however, Fuentes-Claramonte et al (Sci Rep 2021; 11 18890) recently found that AVH did not activate the primary or secondary auditory cortex, although there were activations in other areas including Broca’s area. At the level of brain structure, sulcal depth has been increasingly linked to brain function (Natu et al Cereb Cortex 2021; 31 48-61; De Vareilles et al Dev Cogn Neurosci 2023; 61 101249 ). Accordingly, exploring brain structural-functional associations for AVH may provide new insights in their biological basis.

To assess the relationship between sulcal depth and brain activity during AVH and perception of real speech.

Functional (fMRI) and structural (sMRI) 3T scans were obtained from 14 patients with schizophrenia who experienced near-continuous AVH. During fMRI, participants pressed a button when they experienced AVH or heard real speech similar in form to their AVH. Standard fMRI analysis was conducted with FSL, while sMRI images were processed using Freesurfer’s recon-all pipeline to measure sulcal depth. Cross-modal registration aligned whole-brain fMRI activation maps to corresponding structural data and correlations between sulcal depth and brain activity were calculated for each vertex; age, sex and estimated premorbid IQ were covaried for. Cluster-based correction was applied for multiple comparisons.

During real speech, a positive correlation was found between brain activations and sulcal depth in the left superior temporal sulcus (STS, BA 22), and negative correlations in the middle temporal (BA 21), frontal (BA 46), and parietal cortex. On the right, positive correlations were seen in the superior and middle temporal cortex (BA 38, 20, 42), while negative correlations were found in the STS (BA 22), pars triangularis (BA45), and precentral (figure a). During AVH, there was a negative correlation in the left pars triangularis (BA 45) only, including Broca’s area, with no significant correlations in the right hemisphere (figure b).

Image 1:

The left STS, along with frontal and temporoparietal areas, appear structurally and functionally linked to perception of real speech. In contrast, AVH primarily engages Broca’s area and adjacent left inferior frontal regions.

None Declared

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults often presents with nonspecific symptoms that can be obscured by years of compensatory mechanisms and comorbid conditions. Traditional diagnostic approaches may fall short in capturing the nuanced presentation of ADHD in previously undiagnosed adults, leading to potential misdiagnosis or delayed treatment. This talk presents a comprehensive clinical framework for evaluating adult ADHD that integrates structured assessment protocols with thorough clinical investigation.

Our diagnostic model employs a multi-stage evaluation process that includes: (1) comprehensive pre-interview rating scales, (2) in-depth clinical interviews focusing on lifetime symptom presentation and functional impact, (3) systematic gathering of collateral information, and (4) administration of validated assessment instruments with embedded validity scales. The evaluation protocol emphasizes the assessment of executive function, emotional regulation, and adaptive behaviors developed throughout adulthood.

This approach represents a significant advancement in adult ADHD diagnosis by incorporating validated assessment tools with thorough clinical investigation. The model’s emphasis on lifetime symptom patterns, adaptive behaviors, and compensatory mechanisms provides crucial insights into how ADHD manifests in adults who have developed various coping strategies throughout their lives. Furthermore, the integration of multiple data sources with patient insights facilitates better treatment engagement and outcomes.

The proposed comprehensive evaluation framework offers a more sophisticated and nuanced approach to diagnosing ADHD in previously undiagnosed adults. By combining validated assessment instruments with thorough clinical investigation and collateral information, this model enhances diagnostic accuracy and treatment planning. Our findings suggest that this approach not only improves diagnostic precision but also provides valuable insights into the developmental trajectory of ADHD, leading to more personalized and effective treatment strategies.

Adult ADHD, clinical evaluation, executive function, compensatory mechanisms, diagnostic precision

None Declared

The rising rate of suicides among physicians is a critical and concerning issue that has not garnered enough attention. Personal, social, economic factors and working conditions are complicating this problem and a holistic approach is required to work towards a solution.

The aim of this study was to investigate the views of psychiatry residents and young psychiatrists working in EPA member countries on the causes, consequences and solutions of physician suicides.

Under the umbrella of EPA Suicide Prevention and Suicidology Section, a 24-question survey regarding thoughts and beliefs on physicians’s suicide was developed by a group of young researchers participating in EPA Summer School 2023. The questionnaire was disseminated through EPA Early Career Psychiatrists (ECP), European Federation of Psychiatric Trainees (EFPT) email groups, communication platforms for sub-working units, and various national psychiatric associations via their email and social media channels. The goal is to collect data over at least six months. Preliminary results will be shared with participants at the EPA 2025 Congress.

When the initial data is analysed, it is seen that 160 people answered the questionnaire. 69% of the participants were female, 29.4% were male, 1.2% preferred not to say. The proportion of specialists was 64.4% and 35.6% of residents. Detailed responses to the questionnaire and the suggestions of the participants will be shared in detail with the congress participants in the presentation.

This study aims to explore the perspectives of residents and early-career specialists on an issue that is stigmatized within the medical community and often avoided in open discussions. Understanding how young physicians perceive and evaluate this issue amidst increasingly challenging living and working conditions will provide valuable insights, guiding future interventions aimed at addressing and mitigating this burden.

None Declared

The treatment landscape for mental health has transformed significantly with the emergence of digital platforms, which offer a promising public health solution by expanding access to mental health services. Despite their potential, further research is needed to evaluate both the usability and clinical effectiveness of these online interventions.

To investigate the usage patterns of an online mental health app and the effectiveness of chat-based emotional support (ES) in reducing psychological distress and achieving therapeutic goals.

The analysis included data from 3,751 users of ifeel app onboarded in 2023, 58% of whom were female and 42% male. Two main modalities were studied: chat-based therapy,( N= 3,170) and video therapy,( N=1,942), with some overlap as users could engage in both modalities. Key metrics for analysis included session frequency, session timing, session duration, and user demographics. The study also explored chat-based ES therapy by evaluating 113 individuals at two points in time: after one week of therapy, and after three weeks. Psychological distress levels were measured using the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K6), and goal attainment was measured through self-reports over the two time points.

Usage data showed a strong preference for chat-based therapy, with 85% of users engaging in chat therapy compared to 52% who used video therapy. Younger users, particularly those aged 25-34, were the most active in engaging with chat-based therapy. On average, chat therapy users send between 14 to 17 messages per month, whereas video therapy users take 2 sessions per month. These results underscore the higher frequency of engagement in chat therapy, particularly among younger demographics. In terms of clinical effectiveness, psychological distress was reduced significantly at both one week and three weeks of therapy. After one week of treatment, participants showed a significant reduction in distress symptoms (F(1) = 5.10, p = .03*) this was evident also after three weeks (F(1) = 24.25, p = .000***). Goal attainment showed substantial progress over time, with significant improvements in both groups (F(1) = 5.03, p = .03*; F(1) = 31.61, p = .000*), indicating that users were making meaningful strides toward their therapeutic goals.

This study underscores the usage pattern and clear preference for chat-based therapy, particularly among younger users. Chat-based emotional support therapy was found effective in reducing psychological distress, suggesting that online platforms, especially those offering chat-based therapy, are both accessible and clinically effective. Further research should focus on refining these services to maximize clinical outcomes, adapt to diverse user demographics, and ensure long-term engagement.

None Declared

In Georgia, the psychiatry system is predominantly institutionalized, with limited community-based services and inadequate funding for psycho-social rehabilitation. Government finds it challenging to refocus psychiatry care towards deinstitutionalization, often failing to understand the high importance of such a step and the reasoning behind turning it. This research proposal aims to explore strategies to enhance the cost-effectiveness of mental health services in this context.

Assess the current landscape of psychiatry services in a middle-income country, focusing on institutional care versus community-based services. Identify barriers and challenges faced by key actors in transitioning towards community-oriented psychiatry care. Investigate the cost-effectiveness of community mental health interventions compared to institutional care, considering long-term outcomes and societal impacts. Develop evidence-based recommendations to advocate for policy changes and resource allocation towards community-oriented services.

Literature Review: Conduct a comprehensive review of existing literature on cost-effective analyses and community interventions in middle-income countries.Policy Analysis: Examine existing mental health policies and budget allocations to identify gaps and opportunities for reallocating resources toward community-based care. Stakeholder interviews: interview policymakers, mental health professionals, and patients to collect information from different perspectives. Quantitative Analysis: Use health economics methods to analyze the cost-effectiveness of community-based mental health services compared to institutional care.

Insights into the economic impact of transitioning towards community-oriented mental health services in middle-income countries. Policy recommendations aimed at increasing investment in community-based interventions and resocialization programs. Increased awareness among key actors about the long-term benefits and cost savings associated with community-oriented mental health care. Improved understanding of societal attitudes and barriers towards mental health reform.

Key discussion points include: How can advocacy efforts be reinforced to persuade governments that community mental health care is more affordable and beneficial? What obstacles might stand in the way of expanding community-based services, and how might they be overcome? How can stakeholders work together to guarantee resocialization programs receive ongoing financing and support? What role can international partnerships and collaborations play in supporting mental health reform in Georgia? By addressing these critical questions, this research proposal seeks to provide a roadmap for enhancing the cost-effectiveness and accessibility of mental health services in Georgia and similar middle-income contexts.

None Declared

Anticipation forms the basis of all human activity, enabling people to plan and carry out their activities, as well as to communicate and interact with others. Well-developed anticipatory abilities allow adolescents to successfully adapt to society, establishing effective communication with adults and peers.

To study the specifics of anticipatory competence in adolescents with intellectual disabilities.

The study involved 40 adolescents (aged 12-15) attending educational institutions for children with disabilities and intellectual impairments (6A00.0, ICD-11). The research employed the following methods: the “Achenbach’s Questionnaire,” V.D. Mendelevich’s “Test of Anticipatory Competence,” V.P. Ulyanova’s “Anticipation of the Outcome of a Situation with Norm Violations,” and the authors’ method “Study of Anticipatory Competence of Adolescents” by A.I. Akhmetzyanova and T.V. Artemyeva.

The study results show that adolescents with intellectual disabilities are capable of predicting future situations. However, these children exhibit insufficient development in the key components of anticipatory competence: personal-situational, spatial, and temporal anticipation. Adolescents in this group experience difficulties in anticipating conflict situations in interpersonal relationships and in predicting others’ responses to their own behavior. The methods’ results indicate that adolescents with intellectual disabilities often exhibit spatial anticipatory incompetence: common traits in this group include general motor awkwardness and difficulties in spatial orientation (M=41.65; N=52); sometimes they cannot predict the timing of a stressful situation in advance and struggle with time orientation (M=39.45; N=42). While most adolescents with intellectual disabilities recognize and understand societal norms and rules, they face significant difficulties in accepting them (M=11.05; MAX=32).

The data obtained in this study allow for the development of programs aimed at adapting adolescents to society, taking into account their ability to predict future situations and their anticipatory competence in various spheres: family relationships, virtual reality, and academic and extracurricular activities.

This paper has been supported by the Kazan Federal University Strategic Academic Leadership Program (PRIORITY-2030).

None Declared

Suicide represents a serious public health problem. Suicidal gestures make up a significant proportion of the psychiatric emergencies treated in Emergency Services.

The study aimed to identify which of the total emergency visits were related to suicidal ideation or suicide attempts, and to analyze the epidemiology of these patients in terms of age and gender.

A retrospective, observational study was conducted by collecting and analyzing data from July 2024 in the Emergency Department of the Clinical Hospital of Salamanca.

Out of a total of 201 patients treated by on-call psychiatry in the Emergency Department, 64 patients (31.8%) presented suicidal ideation or suicide attempts. Of these, 43 were women (67%) and 21 were men (33%). By age group, among the women, 5 were under 18 years old, 11 were between 18 and 35 years old, 16 were between 36 and 55 years old, and 11 were over 55 years old. Among the men, 1 was under 18 years old, 7 were between 18 and 35 years old, 8 were between 36 and 55 years old, and 5 were over 55 years old.

Regarding the profile of patients with suicidal behavior, there is a higher presence of women with suicidal tendencies, as reported in the literature and other studies. No clear relationship was observed between age ranges and suicide attempts. It is important to note that the sample size is not statistically significant to determine representativeness.

None Declared

There is a potential for new technologies in mental health and psychiatry. Artificial intelligence enables the design models that categorize different groups and predict different prognosis trajectories.

Natural language processing enables to use classical text data from electronic health records, for instance, to detect suicide trends and their risk factors (Bey et al., 2024). This opens new perspectives in the analysis of large Electronic Health Records databases.

Artificial intelligence can extract and combine new features, like posture, physiological signal of stress and facial expression. This could be particularly important to bypass insight development in children of adolescents (Bourvis et al., 2021) while taking the opportunity of early management. This could help to optimize exposure therapy (Mahmoudi-Nejad et al., 2024), detect tantrums in non-verbal children (Cano et al., 2024) or even improve motivation for physical activity (Nuss et al., 2020).

In motion assessment, we could detect motor assessment difficulties in children with autism from typical counterparts (Gargot et al., 2022). We can also automatically detect writing difficulties (Agarwal et al, 2023).

However, AI struggles with an interpretability problem (black box). Their model are complex, the features extracted are not always obvious (Minh et al, 2021 ; Linardatos et al, 2020) .

Fine motor skills classic signal processing allows to tailor specific exercises to reeducate children with writing difficulties (Gargot et al., 2021).

Digital psychiatry however is impeded by poor user experience (Witteman et al., 2011), complex market models (Gollier-Briant et al., 2024).

None Declared

Apathy frequently occurs in older persons but its aetiology is not understood as of yet. One hypothesis, the vascular hypothesis of apathy, suggests a link between apathy and vascular factors such as cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD), that may cause lesions in the reward network of the brain. In previous studies, a cross sectional association was found between lower blood pressure (BP) and symptoms of apathy in older persons with more CSVD, potentially through reduced cerebral blood flow (CBF). However, longitudinal studies on associations between vascular factors and apathy are scarce.

We investigated whether in older persons, structural and dynamic vascular factors are associated with apathy symptoms over time. We hypothesized that a higher burden of CSVD, a lower BP and lower CBF, would be related to an increase in symptoms of apathy.

This study is a longitudinal cohort study involving community-dwelling older participants of the Discontinuation of Antihypertensive Treatment in the Elderly (DANTE) Study, all using antihypertensive treatment and with mild cognitive deficits. At baseline BP was measured and apathy was assessed with the Apathy Scale (AS, range 0-42) at baseline and after four years of follow-up (n=178). Additionally, a baseline MRI sub study (n=109) was conducted to measure CSVD and CBF. Univariate and multivariate linear regression analyses were performed using CSVD, BP and CBF as determinants and the change in Apathy Scale score over time as an outcome.

Mean age of the population was 80 years (SD 4) and 63% was female. In the MRI sub study, no significant association was found between the summary CSVD scores (β (95% CI)=0.018(-1.089-1.125), p=.975) or it’s separate features; WMH (β(95% CI)=0.012(-0.011-0.035), p=.318), CMB (β (95% CI)=-0.017(-0.605-0.572), p=.956), lacunar infarctions (β(95% CI)=-0.413(-1.266-0.440), p=.339), and a change in Apathy Scale score. Additionally, no significant association between the dynamic vascular factors; CBF (β(95% CI)=-0.029(-0.152-0.094), p=.640), systolic BP (β (95% CI)=-0.019 (-0.056-0.018), p=.310) and diastolic BP (β(95% CI)=-0.029(-0.099-0.042), p=.425), and change in Apathy Scale score was found. The multivariate linear regression model, which incorporated all the structural and dynamic vascular parameters, age, and gender, was not significant.

In older persons with mild cognitive deficits, structural and dynamic vascular factors were not associated with symptoms of apathy after four years of follow-up. Our findings thus do not support a ‘vascular apathy hypothesis’. Potentially, other factors such as life style factors confound the cross sectional association between vascular factors and apathy, or different apathy syndromes may have different aetiologies. Larger studies with less baseline vascular burden, are needed to confirm our results.

None Declared

Comprehending metabolic syndrome (MetS) risk factors in schizophrenia patients is pivotal for devising effective treatment strategies.

This study aims to explore the relationship between MetS and psychological resilience in schizophrenia patients.

A total of 140 schizophrenia patients with no hospital admissions or treatment changes in the last 6 months were enrolled in the study. For metabolic syndrome screening, patients’ blood pressure, height, weight, waist circumference, and hip circumference measurements were taken; these data, along with blood lipid levels and fasting glucose, were recorded on the sociodemographic and clinical data form. Patients were categorized into two groups based on the presence or absence of MetS. The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and the Resilience Scale for Adults were applied cross-sectionally.

MetS was identified in 33.6% of the included patients, with 88.6% exhibiting abdominal obesity. There were no statistically significant differences between groups in terms of gender, marital status, education level, employment status, type of antipsychotic, and use of single or multiple antipsychotics. In the MetS group, PANSS negative symptom scores were significantly higher. No significant differences were observed in psychological resilience between the groups.

Image 1:

The demonstration of the relationship between the presence of MetS and the severity of negative symptoms is one of the significant outcomes of our study. These outcomes may contribute to formulating personalized treatment approaches.

None Declared

Violence is commonly conceptualized as a behavioural act, yet its phenomenological underpinnings reveal significant distinctions between its manifestations in psychopathological conditions and in the general population. This presentation explores how violent behaviour, when emerging as a symptom of psychiatric disorders, differs in its affective structure, intentionality, and embodiment from other forms of aggression. Drawing from phenomenological theories of emotions, we will examine how emotions such as anger, rage, resentment, and hatred manifest differently in psychopathology, particularly in psychotic states, mood disorders, and personality disorders. Emotions are not merely internal states but are lived experiences embedded in bodily spatiality, affecting contraction, expansion, and relationality. In psychopathological contexts, these emotions frequently exhibit disturbances in their anchoring point (what triggers them) and condensation area (where they settle), often leading to dysregulated, disproportionate, or delusionally overdetermined expressions of violence. By contrasting normative anger—typically goal-directed, normatively regulated, and socially embedded—with its pathological counterparts, we uncover crucial distinctions. In conditions such as paranoid psychosis, anger is fused with persecutory delusions, altering its structure from a transient reaction to an entrenched, self-perpetuating stance. Similarly, borderline personality disorder presents dysregulated anger as a core feature, where affective instability fosters reactive aggression that lacks modulation. In psychotic disorders, violent outbursts may emerge in a dissociative or hallucinatory framework, leading to actions detached from conventional interpersonal dynamics. Through a phenomenological analysis, we emphasize how aggressive emotions in psychopathology lack the typical integration of selfhood and social intelligibility, contributing to a distinct kind of violence—one that challenges legal and ethical frameworks regarding responsibility, intentionality, and treatment. By refining our understanding of these differences, we improve both clinical assessment and therapeutic interventions for patients at risk of violent behaviour.

None Declared

Research has consistently highlighted the vulnerability of medical students to poor mental health and wellbeing. The COVID-19 pandemic has further exacerbated this issue. However, there is limited understanding of medical students’ mental wellbeing dynamics after the pandemic.

The aim of the study was to comparatively analyse the mental wellbeing and mental health needs of medical students in comparison with those during the COVID-19 pandemic.

An anonymous structured online survey was conducted among students of a medical institute in St. Petersburg, Russia. The sample included responses from 152 students (76.3% women) of all courses of study. The results were compared with the data of a survey conducted at the same institute in 2020 (Chumakov et al. Middle East Curr Psychiatry 2021;28, 38).

The majority of respondents (n=145; 95.4%) reported experiencing significant stress in their lives (95.8% in 2020). The main sources of stress included education-related factors (83.6%), uncertainty about the future (72.4%), financial problems (48.0%), intimate/family relationships (46.7%), work (27.6%), and housing problems (19.1%). Thirteen students (8.6%) reported that they had been diagnosed with a mental health disorder prior to enrolling in the institute (6.1% in 2020; p=0.393). Twice as much students (n=27; 17.8%) were diagnosed with mental disorders during institute studies (15.2% in 2020; p=0.53). The mental disorders reported by the respondents were dominated by depressive disorders (n=7), anxiety disorders (5), mixed anxiety and depressive disorder (5), ADHD (5), bipolar disorder and cyclothymia (3). At the time of the study, 26 students (17.1%) were being seen by a mental health professional (10.9% in 2020; p=0.111), the same number of students were taking any prescribed medication for mental health (10.9% in 2020; p=0.111). One-third of respondents (n=53; 34.9%) had taken non-prescription medication in the last year to improve their well-being or mood (27.3% in 2020; p=0.143), and 45 (29.6%) had taken medication in the last year to improve concentration or academic performance (38.3% in 2020; p=0.107).

The study showed high mental health care needs among medical students with a tendency to self-medication. Notably, mental health indicators have not improved since 2020 despite the end of the COVID-19 pandemic. Our findings highlight consistent trends in medical students’ mental health and underscore the need for targeted interventions to support this vulnerable population.

None Declared

Intrusion, hyperarousal, avoiding triggers and alterations in cognition and mood are the symptoms defining a post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

While PTSD can occur in individuals from all walks of life, its prevalence and severity are higher among military veterans, exacerbating the impact of other mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression and impairing quality of life.

The current study sought to determine the prevalence of comorbid anxiety and depression with PTSD among Tunisian military veterans.

A cross-sectional descriptive and analytical survey was conducted between September and November 2024, focusing on Tunisian veterans seeking consult, using a data file and 2 self-report scales :

The PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) to assess current PTSD symptoms with a cut-off score of 33 or higher to detect PTSD cases.

The Hospital Anxiety and Depression (HAD) scale, which consists of two subscales: the Anxiety (A) subscale and the Depression (D) subscale. For both subscales, scores are ranging from 0 to 21: [0-7]: normal, [8-10]: borderline case, [11-21]: an abnormal level of anxiety or depression.

To analyze the obtained data, IBM SPSS was used.

The study enrolled 24 veterans diagnosed with PTSD, with the majority being male (87.5%). Mean age of the participants was 34 [23-50] years. Most (58.3%) were married, 33.3% were single, 4.2% were divorced, and 4.2% were in a relationship.

A significant proportion of the surveyed (79.2%) were smokers, while 29.2% reported occasional alcohol consumption. None reported using illicit drugs, such as cannabis.

Regarding medical history, 29.2% had medical health conditions including asthma, diabetes, hypertension, herniated disc, and kidney stones.

In terms of psychiatric care, 95.8% were under regular psychiatric follow-up and 54.2% reported having a support system.

Regarding psychiatric comorbidities, 95.8% (N=23) of participants presented with anxiety symptoms with 4.2% falling into the borderline category. For depression, 66.7% reported depressive symptoms, 25% were classified as borderline cases and 8.3% showed no depressive symptoms.

Median PCL-5 score was 55.5±12.15. Half of the population (N=12) had a score higher than 55. All of them exhibited depressive symptoms. In contrast, among those with lower scores, only 33.3% had depressive symptoms, 50% had borderline cases and 16.7% had no depressive symptoms.

A significant correlation was found between PCL-5 scores above 55 and the presence of depressive symptoms (p=0.02), suggesting a strong association between higher PTSD severity and depression in this sample.

This study reveals a high prevalence of comorbid anxiety and depression among Tunisian Military veterans suffering from PTSD with a significant association between higher PTSD severity and depressive symptoms, highlighting the need for integrated mental health care that addresses both PTSD and its comorbidities.

None Declared

As mental health challenges among adolescents continue to rise, hospitalized Adolescents in psychiatric units often face complex and evolving challenge.A lot of current research aims to optimize treatment strategies for this vulnerable population.

This study aims to explore evolution and therapeutic approaches of adolescents hospitalized for the first time in the psychiatric department.

It’s a retrospective and descriptive study covering the files of patients who consulted the Avicenna Psychiatry department of Razi hospital aged under 19, during the year 2023.

The collection of anamnestic and clinical data was established using a pre-established form.

Our study included 24 patients aged between 16 and 18 years, with a mean age of 17 years, comprising 13 males and 11 females.

Patient follow-up in our service was regular in 58.33% of cases, while 20.83% of patients were lost to follow-up.

Psychotherapy was recommended in most cases, and medication was prescribed in 100% of cases, with only 58.3% adhering to the treatment. Relapse with rehospitalization was observed in 45.8% of cases, with a range of 1 to 35 readmissions. Parents of these patients were cooperative and receptive to the care in 62.5% of cases, while 12.5% of parents remained rejecting.

Clinical outcomes showed improvement in 33.3% of cases and worsening of symptoms in 45.8% of cases.

Early and individualized therapeutic planning, in collaboration with family and social services can play a crucial role in preventing future hospitalization.

None Declared

Within the range of psychotic symptoms, negative symptomatology is the one that presents the least effective treatments. Depressive symptoms share characteristics with this symptomatology, making it difficult to distinguish between the two (Edwards et al. Psychol.Med. 2019; 1-13). In daily practice, antidepressants are used to treat the negative symptoms of psychosis, due to the absence of therapeutic alternatives.

The aim of this work is to analyse the correlation between these symptomatic groups, comparing the effectiveness of treatment with antidepressants during a three-month follow-up.

Longitudinal and prospective clinical trial on a sample of 127 patients (95 men, 32 women) with dual psychosis (85 with schizophrenia, 42 with schizoaffective disorder), recruited from community or hospital facilities of the Hospital Provincial of Castellon. The mean age was 38.5 years. Antidepressant prescription was analysed at 4 different times, each month during follow-up, with PANSS-N for negative symptoms and MADRS and CDSS for depressive symptomatology.

Psychometric comparisons were made between the intervention group (16 patients with prescribed antidepressants, in therapeutic doses during the three months) and the control group (111 patients).

Regarding the correlation between the 3 scales, we observed that at T0 there is no significant correlation, while at T1, T2 and T3 this correlation is significant (p<0.01), as the scores improve. A progressive increase in Pearson’s coefficient (PCC) is observed between T1 and T3, emphasizing a higher correlation between MADRS and CDSS (PCC of 0.920 at T3) with respect to PANSS-N and the other two questionnaires (PCC of 0.587 and 0.619 at T3, respectively).

Comparing the means between the scales, there is a significant decrease in MADRS between T0 and T3 (61.8% decrease from baseline, F: 4.49, p<0.05), as well as in CDSS (-68.7%, F: 4.53, p<0.05). In PANSS-N there are no significant differences (F: 0.57, p: 0.45), despite a relative decrease of 51.9%.

Considering clozapine prescription, there is a significant decrease in MADRS and CDSS during the first month, with no differences in PANSS-N throughout the evolution.

The reduction obtained in the MADRS and CDSS scales can be associated with the prescription of antidepressants, as opposite to the reduction obtained in PANSS-N. This implies that antidepressants do not influence the reduction in negative symptoms, reflecting the clinical impression that the two entities are distinct (despite areas of overlap).

The analysis using clozapine treatment reinforces the existence of a different idiosyncrasy between symptomatic groups. This can be explained at the neurobiological level by the different mechanisms of action involved (monoamine depletion vs. dopaminergic blockade), but keeps the debate open as to how they can be differentiated and treated in clinical practice.

None Declared

The Recovery Assessment Scale-Domains and Stages (RAS-DS) is a recently developed measure that builds on the original Recovery Assessment Scale (RAS). Within the RAS-DS, which measures one’s recovery from mental illness, a specific domain is called “Clinical Recovery” (RAS-DS-CR). It extends the “Not Dominated by Symptoms” subscale of the original RAS, which only has three items. The RAS-DS-CR provides a more comprehensive assessment of the sense of control over symptoms and is a promising, easily-administered outcome measure for evaluating early interventions such as psychoeducation and skills training programs.

This study examined the psychometric properties of the 7-item RAS-DS-CR in a Chinese sample of treatment seekers.

We analyzed data from 91 participants from a two-month psychoeducation program (Mage = 28.87; SD = 7.84, 89.0% female). At baseline, they exhibited high levels of post-traumatic (mean PCL-5 = 57.18; SD = 14.68) and dissociative (mean DES-T = 47.90; SD = 23.13) symptoms. All participants completed the baseline assessment, 83 completed the 2nd pretest, 58 completed the posttest, and 44 completed the two-month follow-up test. They completed the RAS-DS-CR and other validated self-report measures at each time point.

The RAS-DS-CR revealed good internal consistency (α = .805 to .871) at each time point. Intraclass correlations of two tests taken pre-intervention (ICC = .524, p <.001) and post-intervention (ICC = .613, p <.001) indicated moderate test-retest reliability. At each time point, the RAS-DS-CR was significantly correlated with self-esteem (r = .338 to .574), depressive symptoms (r = -.402 to -.486), and PTSD symptoms (r = -.245 to -.462), indicating its construct validity. The paired sample t-test also suggested that participants scored significantly higher on the RAS-DS-CR post-intervention compared to pre-intervention (t = -4.330, p < .001; Cohen’s d = 0.56), providing evidence for its sensitivity to change.

This study provided new evidence for the reliability and validity of the RAS-DS-CR. The RAS-DS-CR is a short and easy-to-use outcome measure of one’s mental health recovery in terms of the confidence in symptom management.

None Declared

Breast cancer (BC), one of the most common cancer types among women, affects one in four women according to global cancer statistics (Ferlay et al., 2021; Yusof et al., 2021; Sung et al. 2021; Li et al. 2023). Despite the increase in the life expectancy of cancer patients with advances in treatments and developing technology, its diagnosis as a disease with a high risk of death causes anxiety and stress in individuals (Solomon et al., 2000; WHO, 2018; Miller et al., 2019; Abdollahi et al., 2019).

In addition to physical and emotional changes, the diagnosis of cancer brings about changes in social relationships and roles. In coping with these processes, it has been reported that social support and social support management will have positive effects on coping with the problems brought by the disease, improvement in prognosis and self-management levels of patients (Xiang, 2010).

Interpersonal Relationship Psychotherapy (IRPT), which has been recommended as monotherapy for mild to moderate depression in treatment protocols in recent years (Spinelli, 1997; Spinelli and Endicott., 2003; APA, 2010; Brandom et al. 2012) Interpersonal psychotherapy has been found to be effective in the short and long-term treatment of cancer patients with major depressive disorder (Blanco, Hershman et al., 2014). Grief, interpersonal conflicts, role changes and social isolation (lack of interpersonal skills), which are the focus of IPT, are frequently experienced problems in cancer-related processes. IPT works by associating the social support and interpersonal problems that patients receive with disease symptoms (Sayar & Omay, 2019).

This study will examine the effect of Interpersonal Relationship Psychotherapy (IRPT), which is recommended as monotherapy for mild to moderate depression in treatment protocols, in breast cancer patients.

Studies conducted in the last 10 years and in Turkish-English are included.

95 publications were reached. 73 publications were reached after removing duplicate publications.

We included randomized controlled trials of interpersonal relationship psychotherapy in breast cancer patients, comparing it with combination therapy, and applying it by telephone. The study included 4 studies.

Having examined a total of 73 abstracts, we retrieved 10 full-text papers for further study. Of these, we excluded 6 papers that did not meet inclusion criteria. A total of 4 studies met all inclusion criteria and were included in this systematic review.

Image 1:

Image 2:

When the results of four studies examining the effectiveness of interpersonal relationship psychotherapy were examined, it was found to have a positive effect for breast cancer patients. This study, which examines the effects of interpersonal relationship psychotherapy, a therapy with proven positive effects on depression in different samples, on breast cancer patients, is important because it provides evidence to the literature.

None Declared

The constant contact with death and dying processes increases the risk of mental suffering in nurses. The evidence suggests the need for training programs in the area of promoting emotional competence that allow the management of emotions and consequently the improvement of care for people at the end of life.

Capacitate a group of nurses to promote emotional competence towards end-of-life patients, through a specialized intervention in Mental Health and Psychiatric Nursing; and evaluate attitudes and coping with death and levels of emotional competence [and respective capabilities], pre and post-intervention.

A continuous quality of care improvement project was carried out based on the Deming cycle, with pre and post intervention evaluation. The following instruments were applied: Veiga-Branco Emotional Competence Scale - Reduced (EVCE-reduced); Scale for Assessment of the Profile of Attitudes about Death; and, Coping with Death Scale. The training program consisted of seven in-person sessions, in groups, with approximation to the principles of psychoeducational intervention and based on the cognitive- behavioural sequence.

Eleven nurses participate in program. Most of respondents were female (90%) aged between 26 and 50 years (M=36±7.98). Regarding the coping with death scale, it was possible to observe in the factor “coping with one’s own death”, after application of the program, an overall average of 73.38 (SD=4.21), verifying statistically significant differences between the pre- and post-intervention (Z=1.963, p< 0.05). It was also possible to observe an increase in the global score of EVCE-reduced (M=170.01; SD=20.88), accompanied by a slight increase in capabilities: self-awareness (M=45.88; SD=4.64) and empathy (M=28.13; SD=3.44). Regarding the scale referring to the profile of attitudes towards death, there was an increase in the attitude of acceptance by approach (M=44.00; SD=12.22). On the contrary, there was a decrease in the fear attitude (M=24.63; SD=9.61), in the avoidance attitude (M=11.25; SD=4.49) and the attitude of acceptance as an escape (M=14.25; SD=4.50), compared to pre-intervention values.

Our findings indicate that there is an integration of death as a natural event and an integral part of life. On the other hand, adequate management of fear of death and a non-avoidance attitude contribute to more compassionate care, and therefore more centered on the person at the end of life. Besides, this study allow us to confirm the importance of training programs in socio-emotional regulation, as they focus on the mobilization of intra and interpersonal resources, as well as the expressiveness of emotions in the face of one’s own death and the death of others, enabling the development of deeper levels of introspection.

None Declared