Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming (TGNC) individuals are at increased risk of diagnosis with mental disorders, including suicidality and suicidal gestures (Anderson & Ford. Nursing Inquiry 2022; 29). Patients’ psychological distress may be secondary to gender dysphoria; however, the evidence may be unclear.

The goal of this review was to compile current evidence to assess a relationship between gender dysphoria and suicidal ideation, suicidal attempt, and self-harming behavior.

A literature review on PubMed databases was conducted using the search terms “transgender,” “gender non-conforming “suicidality,” “self-harm,” “suicidal gestures,” “child,” “adolescent,” and “youth” in various permutations to assess recent evidence on suicidality and suicidal gestures among TGNC children and adolescents. We also reviewed relationships between gender-dysphoria, social support as a protective factor, and suicidality and/or suicidal gestures among TGNC youths.

A study conducted across 19 states in the United States and large urban school districts found that within the last year, 43.9% of transgender students reported they have seriously considered attempting suicide compared to 20.3% in cis-females and 11.0% cis-males, 39.3% of transgender students reported having a suicide plan compared to <16.0% of cisgender students, and 16.5% of transgender students reported having a suicide attempt requiring medical treatment compared to <2.5% of cisgender students (Garthe et al. Transgend Health 2022; 7 416-422). Another study conducted across three different US cities found higher levels of suicidal ideation and behavior among TGNC youths, compared to their cisgender counterparts (Johns et al. MMWR 2019; 68, 67–71). Also, chosen name use was associated with less suicidal ideation, behavior, and depressive symptoms (Russel et al, J Adolesc Health 2018; 63 503–505). Additionally, a surveillance analysis concluded that TGNC youths reported experiencing higher levels of emotional distress, bullying victimization, risk behaviors (substance use and sexual behavior), and lower levels of protective factors such as internal assets, family connectedness, and feeling safe in their community (Eisenberg et al. J Adolesc Health 2017;61 521–526)

Further research needs to be conducted regarding the relationship between gender dysphoria and suicidality, and the presence of suicidal gestures. However, the current data suggests decreased depressive symptoms, as well as suicidal ideation and behavior associated with increased chosen name usage.

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Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) has long been regarded as highly effective in the treatment of Treatment-Resistant Depression (TRD), with remission rates ranging from 50% to 70%. In recent years, esketamine, an N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist, has emerged as a novel treatment option for TRD due to its rapid and potent antidepressant effects (1).

This case aims to reflect on the comparative use of esketamine versus ECT in the management of TRD, considering clinical outcomes, side effects, and patient response.

A literature review was conducted using PubMed to gather evidence on the efficacy of esketamine and ECT for TRD. We also present a case study of a 53-year-old female patient with TRD to illustrate the clinical application and response to esketamine.

The patient, a 53-year-old divorced woman with a 31-year-old son, has a history of three psychiatric admissions in 2021 due to major depressive episodes. She was previously treated at a day hospital and continues follow-up care in outpatient settings. Her current psychopharmacological regimen includes Venlafaxine 300 mg and Mirtazapine 30 mg, with Aripiprazole recently discontinued.

The patient presented to the emergency department with a marked deterioration in mood, neglect of daily activities, and increased social isolation. Psychiatric evaluation revealed a depressed appearance, slowed speech, bradypsychia, and passive thoughts of death, though without suicidal ideation. Her biological rhythms were disrupted, and she experienced unquantified weight loss, despite good family support.

The patient received her first intranasal dose of esketamine (56 mg) without complications, followed by six additional doses twice weekly. Mild side effects included nausea and occasional depersonalization and derealization. Over time, the patient showed progressive improvement in both affective symptoms and daily functioning.

This case highlights the rapid antidepressant effects of esketamine in TRD patients, aligning with current literature. Esketamine is noted for its quick action and efficacy compared to second-generation antipsychotics (2, 3). Despite these benefits, ECT remains a more cost-effective option with higher remission rates for TRD, even though it is slightly less expensive than esketamine (1). The patient experienced significant clinical improvement with esketamine, which was well-tolerated with minimal side effects. However, the long-term efficacy and cost-effectiveness of esketamine relative to ECT remain under discussion. Further research is needed to clarify esketamine’s role in TRD treatment and to establish the best approach for long-term management.

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Sexual dysfunction, which is frequently observed in cancer patients, especially those undergoing prostate cancer treatments, has significant implications for both psychological well-being and intimate relationships. This review consolidates the current understanding of treatment impacts on this patient group.

This study examines the prevalence and psychological impact of sexual dysfunction among prostate cancer survivors following treatment.

A narrative review was conducted, analyzing data from six observational studies involving 7,146 participants and one meta-analysis published between 2015 and 2024. These studies focused on elucidating the relationship between sexual dysfunction and psychological well-being post-treatment using databases such as Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science.

All main prostate cancer treatments (surgery, radiotherapy, and hormonal therapy) are associated with substantial risks of sexual and erectile dysfunction, as well as depressive symptoms. Notably, radical prostatectomy significantly reduces sexual function, with about one-third of patients experiencing depressive symptoms post-surgery. Additionally, within a year of undergoing radical prostatectomy, approximately 90% of patients experience moderate to severe erectile dysfunction. The associated depressive symptoms largely stem from diminished sexual activity and dissatisfaction stemming from disrupted sexual normalcy. Anti-androgen therapies also progressively worsen sexual function, impacting perceived masculinity and contributing to psychological distress. Notably, older men generally adapt to these changes more adeptly than younger men.

Persistent erectile dysfunction is a major, detrimental side effect for prostate cancer survivors, profoundly impacting their quality of life. Enhanced education for patients and their partners about potential sexual side effects, along with improved awareness and preparedness strategies, are essential to alleviate the psychological burdens stemming from post-treatment sexual dysfunctions.

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New treatments for negative symptoms (NS) in schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSD) are urgently needed. NS are believed to stem from disruptions between the mesocorticolimbic dopamine system and networks for socioemotional processes. Oxytocin (OXT) enhances connectivity between the neural networks, improving social cognition and NS. Lower plasma OXT levels are linked to greater NS severity and social cognition deficits in SSD. While OXT increases social cognition in healthy individuals, its effects in SSD are inconsistent. The social salience hypothesis suggests OXT’s effect varies with social context. Our pilot study showed reduced NS with OXT administration in a positive social setting using mindfulness-based group therapy (MBGT).

This trial aims to assess the effects of combining OXT with MBGT on each of the five NS in individuals with SSD. We hypothesize that OXT nasal spray administered before MBGT will significantly reduce NS compared to placebo. The primary outcome is the change in NS, measured by the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (T1 - T0 score difference) after 4 weeks and as secondary outcome on the Brief Negative Symptom Scale (BNSS) as well as changes of stress and affect.

The research design is a triple-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled study comparing OXT to placebo. Manual-based MBGT sessions, led by experienced psychotherapists, occur weekly for four weeks with groups of up to six patients. Participants receive intranasal OXT (24 I.U.) or placebo 30 minutes before sessions, aligning with the peak effect window (30-80 min) for optimal social behavior reinforcement. Plasma oxytocin levels are measured by radioimmunoassay. Recruitment will be at the Department of Psychiatry, Charité, Berlin, including both genders in mixed-sex groups, controlling for contraceptive use and menstrual cycle phase. Nasal sprays are indistinguishable. The primary outcome will be analyzed using ANCOVA, with treatment condition and training group as covariates. Based on pilot and previous study effects, a conservative effect size of f = 0.25 is assumed. With 1:1 randomization, 80% power, a 5% two-sided significance level, and a 10% drop-out rate, 140 subjects will be recruited.

This project explores how OXT augmentation enhances the positive effects of MBGT. It is expected that combining OXT with MBGT will significantly improve NS, stress, and affect in SSD patients. Preliminary results already show a significant reduction in social withdrawal and blunted affect in the OXT group compared to placebo.

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Current treatments for NS in SSD are insufficient, highlighting the urgent need for new or combined strategies. Evidence supports the benefits of augmented psychotherapy. This project could pave the way for innovative, personalized psychiatric treatment for SSD.

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The structure of clinical manifestations in patients with a history of mental disturbances who suffered from COVID-19 and were exposed to the stressors of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic is characterized by the predominance of affective disorders of the anxiety-depressive spectrum.

To investigate the structure of affective disorders of the depressive spectrum after COVID-19 in patients with a history of mental disturbances by nosological groups.

95 patients with a history of mental disorders who have experienced COVID-19 were examined and made up the main group (F 32.0-32.2, 33.1, 33.2 – 31 patients, F 06.3, 06.4 – 33 patients, F 41.1, 41.2, 42.2, 45.3, 48.0 – 31 patients). During the study, a thorough analysis of the anamnesis of the disease was carried out, including information about the experienced coronavirus disease COVID-19. Clinical-psychopathological, clinical-amnestic, psychometric (the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS)) and methods of statistical analysis were applied.

According to the results of the psychodiagnostic study, the features of affective disorders of the depressive spectrum of various degrees of severity were established, which had certain differences according to nosological groups. Patients with depressive disorders have depressive disturbances in the form of sleep impairment (4.48 points, p = 0.0001), manifestations of sadness (4.27 points, p ≤ 0.021), internal tension (3.95 points, p = 0.01), difficulties in experiencing feelings (3.87 points, p ≤ 0.019), concentration difficulties (3.85 points, p = 0.031), appetite disturbances (3.11 points, p ≤ 0.012), manifestations of fatigue (3.06 points, p = 0.027), pessimistic (2.78 points, p ≤ 0.026) and suicidal thoughts (1.67 points, p = 0.038). Patients with mental disorders of organic genesis are characterized by depressive disturbances in the form of a feeling of fatigue (4.18 points, p ≤ 0.021), significant concentration difficulties (4.16 points, p = 0.024), sleep deterioration (3.87 points, p = 0.018), feeling and expressing sadness (3.16 points and 3.49 points, respectively), difficulties in experiencing feelings (2.43 points, p = 0.035). Patients with neurotic, stress-related and somatoform disorders are characterized by depressive manifestations in the form of expression of sadness (4.78 points, p = 0.034), feeling of internal tension (3.67 points, p = 0.027), concentration difficulties ((2 .68 ± 0.29) points).

The results of the study of the structure of affective disorders of the depressive spectrum after COVID-19 in patients with a history of mental disturbances should be used as targets for effective therapeutic influence.

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Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) may experience impairments in memory functions and visuospatial skills. Despite this, research exploring the relationship between ADHD subtypes, psychiatric comorbidities, and these neurocognitive functions is limited. This study focused on cognitive disengagement syndrome (CDS) and anxiety as comorbid conditions, both of which independently impact neurocognitive functions. However, the combined effects of these conditions with ADHD remain poorly understood. Moreover, investigating how CDS influences neurocognitive domains is essential for a comprehensive understanding of the syndrome’s cognitive aspects. Therefore, identifying the factors that impact memory functions and visuospatial skills in children with ADHD is expected to facilitate the recognition of cases at risk.

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between ADHD subtypes, psychiatric comorbidities, and memory functions and visual spatial skills in children with ADHD.

The study recruited 120 children with ADHD aged 6-12 years. ADHD subtypes, anxiety, and CDS symptoms were assessed using standardized scales and DSM-5-based psychiatric evaluations. The participants were then administered the Visual Reproduction Subtest of the Wechsler Memory Scale, Oktem Verbal Memory Processes Test, Block Design Subtest of the WISC-IV, Judgment of Line Orientation Test and Benton Visual Recognition Test to measure visuospatial skills and working memory functions.

The results showed that 28% of the sample group was diagnosed with inattentive type ADHD (ADHD-IN), while 72% were diagnosed with combined type ADHD. Additionally, 33.33% of participants had CDS+ADHD. When comparing children with CDS + ADHD to those with ADHD alone in terms of visual-spatial and organizational processing abilities, it was found that those with CDS + ADHD were impaired. Children with ADHD-IN also scored lower on a verbal memory test compared to those with combined-type ADHD. On the other hand, anxiety scores were found to be positively correlated with memory functions.

The study found that ADHD subtypes, the presence of CDS symptoms, and anxiety impact the neurocognitive profile of children with ADHD. Further research is needed to understand the various areas of cognitive function that may be affected. The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

None Declared

The research revealed significant correlations between cognitive performance, assessed by psychometric scales, and variations in frequency bands in the electroencephalography (EEG), illustrating the link between electroencephalographic activity and cognitive functions in schizophrenic patients

Our study aimed to explore the relationship between the electroencephalographic spectral power of slow frequency bands (delta and theta) and cognitive functions in patients with schizophrenia by comparing them to healthy subjects.

We conducted a cross-sectional, descriptive, and analytical study involving 15 schizophrenic patients and 15 healthy controls. The study was performed at the Psychiatry Department “C” outpatient unit at Hedi Chaker University Hospital in Sfax in Tunisia. We used the Arabic literary version of the Screen for Cognitive Impairment in Psychiatry (SCIP) scale to assess cognitive functions. Participants underwent a standard wakefulness EEG with eyes closed at the Functional Explorations Department of Habib Bourguiba Hospital in Sfax in Tunisia. Linear regression analysis was used to examine correlations between the total SCIP score and the absolute spectral density (ASD) values of EEG oscillations.

Linear regression analysis revealed a negative correlation between the total SCIP score and the delta wave ASD at T5 (left temporal) (r = -0.37; p = 0.025) and theta wave ASD at Fp2 (right prefrontal) (r = -0.131; p = 0.006). A positive correlation was found between theta wave ASD at F3 (left frontal) (r = 0.125; p = 0.02) and the total SCIP score. It revealed a negative correlation between the total SCIP score and the age of onset of schizophrenia (r = -0.647; p = 0.001).

These results suggest that theta and delta power at rest, as measured by EEG, may serve as potential biomarkers for cognitive deficits in patients with schizophrenia. These findings could contribute to a better understanding of the neurophysiological basis of cognitive alterations associated with this condition.

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Bipolar depression is a severe type of depression that poses a clinical challenge when treating it, as it can often be resistant to treatment and there is also the possibility that when treated with antidepressants the patient may switch to a manic episode. In addition, there are few medications indicated for the depressive phase of bipolar depression, which reduces the therapeutic possibilities and makes the treatment of these patients even more complicated. Bipolar depression is associated with high rates of dysfunctionality and suicide, being a serious condition that can cause severe damage to the patient. Treatment with inhaled esketamine has been shown to be safe and effective in patients with bipolar depression.

The present study shows the response in a series of cases with bipolar depression treated with inhaled esketamine, showing their evolution through the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) as main outcome.

The main objective of this study is to describe the use of inhaled esketamine in patients with bipolar depression in real clinical practice, using the MADRS as main outcome to show the evolution.

Retrospective descriptive study with a sample selected by non-probabilistic consecutive sampling, retrospective type, in a time interval of 2 years. The patients selected were those who completed treatment with inhaled esketamine and had a diagnosis of bipolar depression at Hospital Universitario Infanta Elena. A descriptive analysis was performed. Mean and standard deviation were calculated for quantitative variables and N and percentage for categorical variables.

A total of 3 patients diagnosed with bipolar depression were included in the study (n: 3). Treatment with intranasal esketamine showed a clear improvement in the 3 patients with bipolar depression included in the study (100% response), greatly improving the MADRS score and restoring functionality to the patients. In addition, the treatment was well tolerated and no serious adverse effects occurred, with no switch to mania occurring in any of the patients.

This study shows that inhaled esktemina may be a useful drug in the treatment of bipolar depression, showing high efficacy and good tolerability. No switch to mania was observed in any of the patients in this study. Longitudinal studies must be carried out to confirm this hypothesis.

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Speech patterns offer valuable insights into cognitive and emotional states, particularly in mental health conditions such as Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). Traditional assessments often fail to capture its full severity, prompting the need for objective, non-invasive tools.

The objective of this study is to explore the potential of automatic speech analysis as a new method for distinguishing between varying severities of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), and to assess how childhood trauma may further influence speech characteristics in individuals with depression.

Participants were recruited from the psychiatric clinic at the University Hospital in Nice, France. The cohort consisted of 27 patients diagnosed with MDD, divided into mild-to-moderate and severe depression groups based on Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Montgomery–Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) scores. Speech recordings from semi-structured (V0) and free (V1) clinical interviews were analyzed using automatic speech recognition and feature extraction. Linguistic, prosodic, and spectral features were examined. Additionally, childhood trauma was assessed using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ), and associations with speech characteristics were explored.

In the severe depression group, longer pause durations and lower word frequency were observed in V0 interviews. Word frequency and proper noun usage were significantly different between groups, but the small differences in means made interpretation difficult. Free speech analysis (V1) showed that more severe depression correlated with fewer repetitions and reduced semantic richness. In BDI-based analysis, severe depression was associated with lower F2 frequency and bandwidth, alongside lower Harmonics-to-Noise Ratio (HNR), which persisted in both V0 and V1. Prosodic parameters revealed less speech duration and articulatory effort in severe cases. Analysis of childhood trauma showed that traumatic load correlated with longer speaking time and greater discourse complexity, in contrast to depression severity, which was associated with shorter speech and fewer repetitions.

Speech parameters, particularly pause duration and word frequency, demonstrate potential for distinguishing depression severity. Childhood trauma influences linguistic complexity, suggesting different underlying mechanisms between trauma and depression. Further studies are needed to validate these findings and explore the clinical applicability of speech analysis in psychiatric assessments.

A. König Employee of: Employee at the company ki:elements, E. Ettore: None Declared, H. Lindsay: None Declared, J. Tröger: None Declared, M. Benoit: None Declared, P. Robert : None Declared

Prospective longitudinal research on the offspring of parents with mood and substance use disorders allows to identify specific symptoms that occur before the onset of full-blown mood episodes in these offspring at high-risk of mood disorders.

The goal of the present analysis was to assess early psychopathology dimensions measured by the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), completed by parents and separately by their offspring, as potential clinical manifestations occurring before the onset of mania/hypomania or major depressive disorder (MDD) in these offspring.

As part of a family study, we have collected information on 105 interviewed probands with bipolar disorder, 76 with MDD, 21 with substance use disorders (SUD) and 101 controls, as well as on their 239 children with follow-up information. The mean age of the offspring at study intake was 10.0 (s.d. 4.4) years and the mean follow-up duration was 16.3 (s.d: 5.6) years. The CBCL was completed by the parents describing their offspring as well as by the offspring themselves at their first assessment. Parent-offspring correlation coefficients were calculated and associations of the CBCL dimensions with the subsequent risk of mania/hypomania or MDD in offspring according to either informant were established using multinomial logistic regression models, adjusted for demographics, parental mood disorders or SUD and intrafamilial correlations.

According to offspring reports, 17 of them developed mania/hypomania and 92 MDD over the follow-up. Offspring reported more withdrawn/depressed symptoms as predictors of mania/hypomania than controls, whereas parents reported their offspring to have more anxious/depressed symptoms before mania/hypomania. As predictors of MDD, offspring reported more withdrawn/depressed symptomatology but less somatic complaints than controls, whereas no significant predictors of MDD were identified by parents. Among the dyads where both offspring and parents had provided information (n=206), offspring were less likely to report rule-breaking behaviors as predictors of mania/hypomania, whereas their parents reported the opposite association. Parent-offspring correlations for all CBCL dimensions were statistically significant, ranging from 0.16 to 0.32, the correlation being 0.21 for rule-breaking behaviors.

Offspring and parental reports of predictors of mood disorders were discordant and the parent-child agreement for CBCL dimensions in the restricted sample was moderate. Whereas parent-offspring concordance for depressive symptoms as predictors of mania/hypomania in offspring was higher than for anxious or somatic problems, the reports of rule-breaking behaviors as predictors showed the highest discordance. This underscores the necessity to include information from multiple informants in the assessment of predictors of mood disorders in offspring.

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Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS) is a rare, idiosyncratic, and potentially lethal reaction to psychopharmacological treatment. Several heat-related disorders are influenced by psychopharmacological use, making differential diagnosis challenging. As there are no specific clinical or laboratory findings for NMS, excluding other causes of hyperthermia is essential for accurate diagnosis.

To describe a case of severe NMS and review the key elements of differential diagnosis and treatment options.

A case report and a non-systematic review of the literature.

A 54-year-old male was admitted to the hospital after being found unconscious on the street during a hot August day, with apparent cranioencephalic trauma and a core temperature of 41°C. The patient had a known history of chronic schizophrenia, managed with risperidone (6 mg/day) and quetiapine (800 mg/day), with no recent medication changes. Initial examination in the Emergency Department revealed tachycardia, tachypnea, normotension, diaphoresis and confusion. Laboratory results showed mild leukocytosis with neutrophilia, hyperkalemia, hypernatremia, and elevated acute phase reactants, including a creatine kinase (CK) level exceeding 3000 IU/L. Lactic acidosis and impaired renal function (creatinine 1.9 mg/dL) were also noted. Infectious causes were ruled out, and neuroimaging did not reveal any acute findings to account for the symptoms. Due to persistent decreased consciousness, the patient required intubation and supportive care in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

The patient exhibited persistent hyperthermia that was unresponsive to antipyretics and physical cooling measures. Upon suspicion of NMS, antipsychotic medications were discontinued, and treatment with a dopamine agonist and dantrolene was initiated. Muscle rigidity, which developed later, further supported the NMS diagnosis. Electroencephalography (EEG) findings were consistent with NMS. Given the patient’s slow recovery, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) was started but discontinued after two sessions due to ICU-related infectious complications.

After 19 days of hospitalization and treatment, the patient showed significant clinical improvement, allowing for extubation and discontinuation of intensive care interventions.

This case emphasizes the importance of early recognition and treatment of Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome to avoid complications and mortality. Differentiating NMS from classical heat stroke can be challenging, with muscle rigidity serving as a critical diagnostic feature.

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Categorization is one of the main processes representing human thinking. There is plenty of categorization study methods, but none use the same methodology to study categorization in different modalities. Notably, it is hard to compare results of such categorization directly due to the different category familiarity degree. For example, visual forms and number of visual stimuli are more familiar than number of syllables, plural or singular word form. However, it is possible to compare quality (type) of categorization errors in different modalities considering the relation to different cognitive processes.

To explore the categorization errors in visual and verbal modalities.

A special task inspired by Bruner concept formation study was used. 49 children with developmental learning disorder had to recognize common features in series of visual or verbal stimuli (5 series of 30 stimuli in each modality).

15 error types were identified in both visual and verbal modalities indicating the impairment of working memory, executive control, nominative processes, cognitive speed and categorization level.

Studying types of categorization errors may indicate the cognitive processes impairment and helps to clarify the relation between categorization and modality of input information.

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The emergence of the internet and social media has not only changed the way people communicate, but has also brought with it a new type of bullying: cyberbullying. This type of bullying causes negative effects on the quality of life of individuals, especially adolescents and young adults, and becomes a serious problem for their mental health.

The aim of our study was to examine various factors that may be related to cyberbullying in adolescents applying to child psychiatry outpatient clinics and the psychiatric diagnoses of adolescents.

A total of 174 patients aged 14-18 years who applied to the Department of Child Psychiatry and gave their consent to participate, were included in the study. The Cyberbullying Scale was applied to the youth, and the sociodemographic data form, cyberbullying study questions were applied to their parents.

The average age of the group was found to be 15.60±1.15. 122 (70%) participants were female and 52 (30%) participants were male. Of the 174 adolescents included in the study, 61 (35%) were found to be cybervictims, 29 (17%) were found to be cyberbullies, and 25 (14%) were found to be both victims and bullies. Cyber victimization was found to be significantly related to broken family type, mother’s exposure to cyberbullying on the internet, father’s internet usage time, and father’s exposure to cyberbullying on the internet. Cyberbullying was found to be significantly related to male gender, father’s low level of education, divorce, and mother’s and father’s internet usage time being between 0-1 hour/day. When the diagnoses of the patients were examined, 39 (22%) adolescents were diagnosed with neurodevelopmental disorders, 37 (21%) adolescents with mood disorders, and 68 (39%) adolescents with anxiety disorders. When the diagnosis groups were examined and the status of being a cyberbully or cybervictim, no significant difference was found in any diagnosis group. No significant relationship was observed between the adolescent’s diagnosis of any mental disorder and being a cyberbully or victim.

Cyberbullying is not an issue to be taken lightly, and because it often co-occurs with traditional bullying, prevention and intervention programs need to address both contexts. In our study, it was determined that the majority of cyber victims were also cyberbullies. This situation shows the importance of evaluating bullying situations even though adolescents apply as victims in the clinic interviews. The results suggest that parents do not have enough knowledge about safe internet use and cannot control and guide their children properly. Therefore, during clinical interviews, cyberbullying/victimization issues should be discussed with mothers and fathers and how they can provide information to their children on this issue and safe internet use should be discussed.

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Anorexia nervosa is a complex eating disorder often associated with various psychological factors, including maladaptive coping mechanisms and dysfunctional family dynamics. This case report illustrates the impact of parental overcontrol on the development and persistence of anorexia nervosa in a young female patient.

To present the case of a 19-year-old female patient with anorexia nervosa, emphasizing the influence of her childhood experiences, particularly parental overcontrol, on her eating behaviors and psychological state.

Case report.

The patient presented to the emergency room accompanied by family members due to extreme weight loss (29.6 kg; BMI 11.4 kg/m²) and severe purging behaviors, including self-induced vomiting and the consumption of 400 laxative tablets daily for six months. Her history of mental health issues began in 2013, characterized by severe anxiety related to separation from her parents and academic performance, culminating in a suicide attempt. In 2019, she developed purging behaviors and received outpatient treatment for eight months, which she discontinued. Symptoms resumed, and after reaching a target weight of 30 kg, she set a new target weight of 20 kg. The patient’s behavior was influenced by insecure attachment modeled by her father, who exhibited controlling and intrusive parenting styles.

A review study (Gale C.J., et al. A review of the father-child relationship in the development and maintenance of adolescent anorexia and bulimia nervosa. Issues Compr. Pediatr. Nurs. 2013;36:48–69. doi: 10.3109/01460862.2013.779764.) investigated the role of the father–child relationship as a risk or maintenance factor of Eating Disorders in developmental age. Results showed that within the relationship of the father and child, and especially with daughters, there are several themes such as conflict and communication, parental protection and psychological control, emotional regulation and self-esteem, and self-perfectionism that appear to condition the child’s level of self-determining autonomy and can consequently impact maladaptive eating attitudes and psychopathology. (Criscuolo, M., et al (2023). Parental Emotional Availability and Family Functioning in Adolescent Anorexia Nervosa Subtypes. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(1), 68. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20010068)

This case highlights the significant association between parental overcontrol and the development of anorexia nervosa, illustrating the need for targeted interventions that address both psychological and familial factors contributing to the disorder. Further discussion is warranted on the implications of parenting styles in the management and prevention of eating disorders.

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Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder in women of reproductive age, characterized by hyperandrogenism, oligomenorrhea/amenorrhea, and polycystic ovary morphology. PCOS can negatively impact sexuality due to physical issues like hyperandrogenism, metabolic syndrome, and infertility, as well as the psychological burden of the disease and associated mental health issues. Psychological resilience, defined as the ability to cope with stress and recover, is known to aid in managing physical illnesses and improve treatment outcomes. Although psychological resilience and sexuality are individually studied in relation to physical and psychological problems, research on their relationship, especially in PCOS, is limited.

This study aimed to explore the relationship between psychological resilience and sexual satisfaction in women with PCOS, comparing it with a healthy control group, and to identify factors affecting sexual satisfaction in PCOS patients.

70 women aged 18-40 with a PCOS diagnosis and 69 healthy controls matched for age and education participated in this study. Participants underwent a psychiatric interview according to the SCID-5 and completed the Sociodemographic Data Form, Psychological Resilience Scale for Adults (RSA), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Golombok Rust Inventory of Sexual Satisfaction (GRISS), and Arizona Sexual Experiences Scale (ASEX). Blood tests requested by the gynecologist were also documented for the PCOS group.

Women with PCOS exhibited lower psychological resilience than healthy controls, particularly in self perception area as shown in Table 1. They also reported lower sexual satisfaction with partners. No significant difference was found in masturbation frequency between the groups, nor was masturbation related to sexual satisfaction in either group. However, increased psychological resilience was associated with higher sexual satisfaction in both groups, with future perception area on the RSA significantly impacting sexual satisfaction. Examination of the relationship between RSA scores and GRISS and ASEX scores in women with PCOS is presented in Table 2 and Table 3.

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Psychological resilience, especially the future perception area, may play an influential role in sexual satisfaction. In light of these findings, it can be suggested that the treatment of PCOS should involve a multidisciplinary approach that includes mental health professionals. It is important to evaluate the sexual life of these women during follow-ups, provide psychoeducation, and adopt a hopeful approach. Considering factors that influence psychological resilience, interventions aimed at reducing risk factors and increasing protective factors could be anticipated to be important tools in preventing and treating sexual problems.

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The co-occurrence of severe mental disorders (SMD) and physical health issues requires integrated care models that address both effectively. While interest in this area is growing, recent syntheses remain limited, particularly regarding technological advancements and the sustainability of health systems. This scoping literature review (SLR) supports the EUropean Mental and Physical Health Initiative (EU-MIND, THCS Horizon Europe) by examining integrated care for comorbid SMD and physical health conditions.

The review aimed to identify integrated care models for SMD and physical health conditions, with a focus on technology and sustainability. Findings will inform subsequent EU-MIND phases, including a Delphi survey, financial impact assessment, and feasibility pilot studies.

Following PRISMA-ScR guidelines, we conducted a comprehensive search strategy in PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and gray literature from inception to November 2024. Data were analyzed using the SELFIE framework, categorizing findings by WHO health system components (service delivery, governance, workforce, financing, technologies, and information).

We reviewed over 75 studies on integrated care models, highlighting the value of coordinated mental and physical healthcare, particularly in community settings. Digital tools such as telemedicine and electronic patient-reported measures (ePREMs, ePROMs) enable sustainable care and efficient data-sharing. Challenges identified include workforce training gaps, inconsistent financing, and limited support for addressing social determinants of health (SDOH). The integration of roles like nurse practitioners and lay workers remains underutilized due to system barriers. Collaborative care models and self-management interventions, especially those involving primary care and mental health professionals, have proven effective in reducing depressive symptoms, improving quality of life, and lowering healthcare costs. Despite progress, challenges in fully integrating care systems persist across healthcare settings. Understanding these barriers requires exploring the perspectives of all stakeholders (patients, healthcare professionals, policymakers).

This SLR identifies key components and gaps in integrated care for individuals with comorbid SMD and physical health conditions. It highlights the importance of flexible governance, strategic integration of digital tools, and context-specific policies. Addressing these gaps can lead to more adaptive, sustainable, and patient-centered service delivery models. These findings provide a foundation for evidence-based decisions aimed at advancing multidisciplinary, integrated care approaches across European healthcare systems to better meet the complex needs of individuals with SMD.

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Cognitive disruption is a key feature in schizophrenia, and the identification of the neurophysiological underpinnings is of particular interest. One of the most promising markers of cognition is aperiodic activity, which is considered as a proxy measure of excitation inhibition (E/I) balance, stemming from the equilibrium between glutamatergic and GABAergic neurotransmission. E/I alteration has been found in multiple disorders, but its relationship with cognition in schizophrenia has never been explored.

This study aims at demonstrating the link between aperiodic activity and cognition in schizophrenia, and at creating neuropsychophysiological profiles, associated with clinical and functional features.

48 patients with schizophrenia were assessed for cognition, well-being and the severity of psychopathology and underwent an electroencephalogram (EEG) recording during a resting state. EEG tracks were processed to extract aperiodic parameters (offset and exponent). Pearson correlation analyses between aperiodic and cognitive measures were performed. Aperiodic indexes and the related cognitive domains were used to create neuropsychophysiological profiles, using a two-step cluster analysis. Analyses of Variance were performed to characterize significant differences in severity of psychopathology and well-being between profiles. Moderation analyses were run to identify the interplay between profiles, psychopathological severity and well-being.

The mean aperiodic offset was -12.45 (± 0.65), while the mean exponent was 0.85 (± 0.28). Significant correlations with aperiodic parameters were found for: Working Memory, Processing Speed and Psychomotor Speed (Fig1-2). Cluster analysis identified two profiles (Profile1 N=15, Profile2 N=33): Profile1 had a higher offset, a steeper slope. ANOVAs revealed that Profile1 showed significantly higher scores in Working Memory and Processing speed, and lower levels of General Psychopathology, Anxiety/Depression and Uncontrolled Excitement and Hostility. Lastly, mediation models, showed an interaction between Profiles (R2=0.21, p=.04) and Anxiety/Depression as well as between Profiles and General psychopathology (R2=0.30, p=.003) on Self-Acceptance, with significant negative relationship only in Profile2 in both models (Fig 3).

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Our data support an altered E/I balance in schizophrenia and innovatively show a direct link between aperiodic activity and the cognitive disruption. This relationship is further confirmed by the identification of two profiles, characterized by distinct neuropsychological and neurophysiological measures, with a flatter aperiodic slope, corresponding to an altered E/I balance, being associated with more severe cognitive impairment and illness severity. The clinical relevance is highlighted by the interplay between symptoms severity and neuropsychophysiological patterns on subjective well-being.

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Mental health literacy (MHL) is crucial for undergraduate students as it empowers them to recognize, understand, and address mental health challenges. This knowledge contributes to improved happiness by reducing stigma, fostering resilience, and promoting positive coping strategies. Enhanced emotional well-being results from effective stress management and the ability to seek help when needed. Ultimately, mental health literacy positively influences academic life satisfaction by creating a supportive environment, reducing the impact of stressors, and fostering a holistic approach to well-being in the challenging context of higher education.

To assess the association between MHL and satisfaction with academic life, happiness, psychological well-being and psychiatric symptoms in undergraduate students. It also aimed to analyse the relationship between MHL and sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of these students.

Under the ongoing prospective project called “SMILE”, this preliminary study integrated a sample of undergraduate students from a private higher education institution in northern of Portugal. The research protocol included a semi-structured interview (sociodemographic and clinical data) and the Mental Health Literacy Questionnaire (MHLq-SVa), Satisfaction with Academic Life Scale (SALS), Subjective Happiness Scale (SHS), Psychological Well-Being Scale (PWBS) and Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS). Non-parametric statistical tests were used, as the data did not follow a normal distribution.

Twenty-four students were evaluated (75% female, 92% single; mean age=25.5y y.o.). Around 67% were nursing students and 42% in their 4th year. Regarding support needs for mental health problems, 74% had support at some point in their lives and about 17% were currently receiving support. (22% were taking psychotropic medications). Also, 57% had a family history of mental disorders. Women had a greater knowledge of mental health problems (MHI domain), compared to men (median=28vs.25; p=0.025). This MHL domain was negatively correlated with satisfaction with the academic environment (rs= -0,571). Higher scores in MHL total and in its self-help strategies domain were identified among students with previous mental health support needs (median=72vs69.5, p=0.20; median=19vs18, p=0.44, respectively). Lower level of erroneous beliefs/stereotypes (MHI domain) were more evident in students with family mental health history (median=15vs13.5, p=0.007). No relations were found between MHL and other assessed variables.

These findings are important for designing interventions to promote mental health in academic contexts, aimed at positive and healthy changes in the academic environment, particularly in line with their expectations and needs, with the aim of reducing levels of psychological distress.

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