The author has not supplied his declaration of competing interest.

The focus of interest in this study is to investigate the relationship between happiness and optimism, satisfaction with life, hope, depression, and anxiety. Many efficient instruments have been used in this study, however there is no study until this date that has used the Oxford Happiness Questionnaire (OHQ) within Arabic countries and Kuwaiti samples specifically.

The aim of the study is to investigate the correlations between happiness and optimism, satisfaction with life, hope, depression and anxiety.

The sample consisted of 510 students from Kuwait University, 270 females and 240 males, with a mean age of 22.8 (SD = 4.1). The OHQ 0.90 alpha was administered to participants, in addition to the Arabic version of Life Orientation Test-Revised (LOT-R) 0.70, The Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) 0.78, The Hope Scale (AHS) 0.60, Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II) 0.87 and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) 0.95. Correlations were used in this study.

The results revealed that all the correlations between OHQ and other scales were significant. Positive correlations have been found with LOT-R r = 0.50, SWLS r = 0.44, and AHS r = 0.39, while there were negative correlations with BDI-II r = −0.38 and BAI r = −0.17.

It was concluded that happiness correlates positively with other personality variables: optimism, satisfaction with life and hope, while it correlates negatively with Depression and Anxiety.

The author has not supplied his/her declaration of competing interest.

The increase in aging population is a major advance in society, but also a great challenge, imposing the need for actions that promote successful aging, with higher subjective well-being and better health.

(1) analyse the possible influence of socio-demographic variables in self-compassion, satisfaction with life, affection, physical and mental health (study variables); (2) understand how is that the study variables are associated with each other in old age; and (3) explore which variables best predict satisfaction with life and health in the elderly.

The study sample consists of 155 individuals, aged between 65 and 94 years old, institutionalised and non-institutionalised.

(1) significant correlations were found between some demographic and the study variables. (2) Significant associations were also found between self-compassion, subjective well-being and health. (3) linear regression analysis revealed that physical health is best predicted by greater life satisfaction and lower age; mental health is best predicted by increased satisfaction with life, self-compassion and decreased negative affect; and, finally, life satisfaction is predicted by a higher physical health and self-compassion.

These results suggest the importance of developing psychological skills such as warmth, tolerance and the acceptance of suffering bearing in mind that the elderly may experience difficulties resulting from the developmental characteristics of old age. Our findings suggest the possible beneficial effect of compassion, focused therapies designed for this specific population, particularly contributing to the promotion of life satisfaction and mental health of the Portuguese elderly.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

The interest on the possible problems that might be associated with heavy use of the web has increased. The aim of this study was to test the correlates and validity of the Finnish version of the Internet Addiction Test.

1825 students filled a web-based questionnaire that included questions on socio-demographic background factors, reasons for use of the internet, symptom score measures and questions of use of substances. The back-translation of the Internet Addiction Test (IAT) was reviewed by the developer of the scale.

Almost all (99.6%) respondents used the web more than once a week. Those with a CAGE score 2 or above had a mean of 39.4 on the IAT and those below 2 had a mean of 35 on the IAT (p<0.001). Those who were more distressed had a higher mean score on the IAT than those who did not reach the cut-point for being distressed (43.8 vs. 35.2, respectively, p<0.001). High IAT score was also significantly associated with use of the internet for chatting and sexual purposes (p<0.001). Using factor analysis, we found a two factor solution: 1) a depressive isolation factor (eigenvalue 15.02) and 2) loss of control factor (eigenvalue 1.53). The Cronbach-α for the sum factors were 0.91 and 0.81 respectively.

The IAT seems to provide a valid measurement of harmful use of the internet as the score was significantly associated with variables tapping psychopathology. Most of the variance in the score of IAT is explained by depressive isolation.

Intramuscular (IM) medications used in rapid tranquillisation (RT) to manage violent/aggressive behaviour can cause serious physical side effects including sudden death, therefore comprehensive physical health monitoring is advised.

To assess whether physical health monitoring of patients who received IM medication for RT was completed as per the Aggression/Violence NICE-guideline based local Policy.

All patients that received IM benzodiazepines or antipsychotics for RT were identified amongst 822 discharges from February 2014 to February 2015. Demographics, diagnoses, non-pharmacological interventions, types/doses of medication, and associated seclusion/restraint episodes were recorded. Notes were examined to determine whether physical health monitoring protocols involving blood pressure, pulse, temperature, oxygen saturation, respiratory rate and level of consciousness were followed.

There were a total of 218 episodes where these medications were used, in which only 19 (8.8%) had any physical observations completed; only one case (0.5%) was completed fully as per the protocol. Of the cases that did not have observations taken, in 12 (5.5%) cases observations were attempted but the patient was too agitated/aggressive. A doctor was contacted in only 53 (24.3%) cases and an ECG was completed in 120 (55%) cases, of which only 11 were completed within 24 hours.

The results show poor compliance (or at least recording) with the guidance, demonstrating the need for further education of nursing and medical staff on the potential dangers of RT and for better physical health monitoring of patients on RT. To improve patient safety, staff training and well-timed recording of physical observations on electronic tablets will commence.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Malondialdehyde (MDA) is a common biologic marker of oxidative stress used in psychiatric research. Data regarding MDA levels in healthy subjects are controversial. One factor affecting MDA levels may stem from the existence of a circadian rhythm of MDA formation. The objective of this study consists of investigating whether MDA formation has a circadian rhythm of formation in healthy human subjects.

The sample was comprised by 9 healthy male subjects. None of them had a history of medical or neurological disease and routine laboratory parameters were normal. The study was carried out in accordance with the Helsinki Declaration and all subjects gave written informed consent before their inclusion. Blood samples were extracted at 12:00 and 2:00 in December 2004. The same routine was followed during the two experimental sessions. Serum MDA was determined by the thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) according to the method of Ohkaba et al (1979).

The sample was comprised by 9 male healthy subjects (age 33.0±11.7). There were significant differences in MDA levels between 12:00 and 2:00 (2.33±1.01 vs. 1.58±0.48, p<0.015).

MDA has a circadian rhythm of formation with higher levels at 12:00 than 2:00. This variation in circadian MDA levels of formation should be accounted when researching in this field.

There are above 170 PICUs identified in the UK. A modest body of research has emerged documenting characteristics of PICU populations. Comprehensive data describing patients admitted to PICUs remains incomplete. There is no data on Female only PICU population's characteristics.

To offer the first and the only project data country wide up to date on Female only PICU population. It describes socio-demographic characteristics, mental state and outcome of treatment for 49 patients admitted to the first Female PICU in NHS in UK in 2008

Prospective case note analysis

65% of patients were single, 73% were Caucasian and 26% had BME background. Most of patients were admitted from police stations and detained under S2 or S3 of the MHA. Most dominant diagnoses were Schizophrenia and Personality Disorder. 77% of admissions were due to physical aggression and severe self harm. Most patients had more than 5 previous admissions to Mental Health wards. Half of the patients received intramuscular Rapid Tranquilization during the admission and 22% were placed in Enhanced Care Area. Median length of stay did not exceed recommended 8 weeks but some patients with the diagnosis of Personality Disorder experienced an excessive length of PICU stay. Most patients were transferred to open acute wards.

Patients admitted to Female PICU were most likely to have major psychosis or personality disorder, admitted due to violence or self harming behavior, more likely to exceed recommended max length of stay if diagnosis of PD was given, BME group being represented.

To assess the impact of a partial smoking ban followed by a total smoking ban in a psychiatric hospital in Switzerland. In this hospital in 2003, smoking was allowed everywhere except in bedrooms and dining rooms. In 2004, smoking was prohibited everywhere except in closed smoking rooms. In 2006, smoking rooms were suppressed and smoking was prohibited everywhere inside hospital buildings.

Patients and staff were surveyed in 2003 (n=106), 2004 (n=108), 2005 (n=119) and 2006 (n=134).

Most participants (55%) answered that the total ban was too strict and preferred the partial ban. Self-reported exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) improved in dining rooms, corridors and offices after the partial smoking ban and further improved after the total ban. Exposure to ETS in bedrooms improved after introduction of the partial ban, but was not further improved by the total ban. Among patients, more smokers reported having made a quit attempt during their hospital stay after (18%) than before the total smoking ban (2%, odds ratio=10.1, p=0.01), and more smokers said that hospital staff gave them nicotine replacement medications after (52%) than before the total ban (13%, odds ratio=7.6, p<0.001).

The partial smoking ban decreased exposure to ETS and the total ban further improved the situation, even though neither the partial nor the total bans were strictly enforced. The total ban increased the proportions of smokers who made a quit attempt and received nicotine medications.

Pregabalin is an analogue of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Recent reports suggest illicit pregabalin use may be increasing among youth, however its addictive potential has not been well established (1).

Drug seeking behavior and chronic drug use are associated with defcits in glutamate clearance and activation of postsynaptic glutamatergic receptors (2). Based upon multiple studies, we compare here the addiction and misuse risks of pregabalin with those of traditional psychoactive substances (3).

Users of pregabalin were identified from 1st January 2019 to 31 December 2019 in Oran Addictology service, at west Algeria. The aim of the study was to establish the addictive potential of pregabalin and to compare the addiction risks of pregabalin with traditional psychoactive substances in west Algerian population. Clinical diagnosis was established according DSM-5 diagnosis criteria.

A total of 92 cases of pregabalin abuse or dependence were identified. The principal population at risk consists of patients with other current or past substance use disorders, for the most part opioid and multi-drug users, the age group were between 17-38 years old, mostly single men. The mean daily dose of pregabalin was 1200 mg. Almost all patients experienced withdrawal symptoms when pregabalin was discontinued.

The misuse of pregabalin often leads to abuse and dependence, mostly in the context of multiple drug addiction, especially in youth population.

Indicated that the OCD group differed significantly from the social phobia group on generalized self-esteem assessments (p<0.001). Both groups showed a lower self-esteem but there was some evidence of OCD specific effects; depressive cognitions altered significantly self-esteem in OCD patients (p<0.001). Obsessionals were more likely than anxious controls to link their self-worth to other people and their relationships. They also regarded the possibility of causing harm as likely to result in other people making extreme negative and critical judgements of them. The implications for future research and for treatment of OCD are discussed.

Suicides that occur during psychiatric hospitalization are tragic events causing immense distress to relatives, peers, and physicians. Suicide risk is particularly high in patients with mood disorders.

To identify a clinical risk profile which can be predictive of suicide in patients undergoing a major depressive episode, hospitalized and within three months after discharge.

We are going to include consecutively admitted depressed patients in San Raffaele Turro hospital (Milan), with a diagnosis of major depressive disorder or bipolar disorder, for a longitudinal prospective study. Demographical and clinical characteristics will be assessed. Barratt impulsiveness scale, aggression questionnaire, Hamilton psychiatric rating scale for depression, scale for suicide ideation, Columbia suicide severity rating scale will be administered to evaluate, respectively, traits of impulsiveness and aggression, severity of psychopathology and suicidal ideation. A follow-up program has been established to evaluate suicidal ideation one month and three months after discharge.

Considering suicide rates in other psychiatric wards, we retrospectively analyzed in our mood disorder unit the inpatient suicide rate of the last 3 years. In this period, we admitted 1794 patients. The suicide rate has been cumulatively of 0.17% (4 patients): 0.16% in 2014, 0.16% in 2015, and 0.19% in 2016. In the same period, outpatient suicide rate has been of 0.39%; 57.14% of outpatient suicides happened within three months after discharge.

Hospitalization and discharge are critical circumstances for psychiatric patients. Evaluation of risk factors will contribute to explain our ward suicide rate and hopefully to reduce it in the future.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Schizophrenia is associated with an increased risk of violence. The successful identification of the illness specific factors that contribute to that risk could lead to the development of novel therapeutic risk management strategies.

To identify cognitive and emotion processing deficits that are linked to violence risk in schizophrenia.

Fifty male patients with DSM-IV schizophrenia and thirty-nine healthy controls were assessed across a range of intellectual, executive, emotion and social processing domains. Lifetime propensity to violence was quantified in terms of frequency, severity and victim outcome.

General intellectual ability and memory were not significantly associated with violence propensity. Violent patients showed significantly poorer response inhibition, after accounting for relevant clinical variables. A greater lifetime propensity to violence was associated with an attentional bias towards anger, a heightened sensitivity to the recognition of fear, with poorer complex Theory of Mind performance.

Our results allow us to propose a hypothetical model of the risk of violence in schizophrenia. We suggest that heightened sensitivity to environmental negative emotional cues and poorer understanding of complex social situations, combined with a poorer ability both to quickly process but also inhibit pre-potent responses, results in a greater propensity to violence in schizophrenia. We propose that this model sits alongside risk associated with other factors such as illicit drug use. These findings need replication but could have implications for more effective treatment and management of patients with schizophrenia.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) and major depressive disorders (MDD) are frequent diseases worldwide with a high comorbidity rate. Omega-3 fatty acids have been suggested as disease modulators for both CVD and MDD.

Therefore, we studied whether polyunsaturated fatty acids and the Omega-3 Index may represent markers for assessment of the cardiovascular risk in physically healthy patients suffering from MDD.

Case-control study in 166 adults (86 MDD patients without CVD, 80 matched healthy controls). Baseline examinations included depression ratings, conventional cardiovascular risk factors, fatty acid, and interleukin-6 determinations.

Several conventional risk factors were more prevalent in MDD patients. The Omega-3 Index and individual omega-3 fatty acids were significantly lower in MDD patients. An Omega-3 Index < 4% was associated with high concentrations of the proinflammatory cytokine IL-6.

Conventional cardiovascular risk factors, the Omega-3 Index and IL-6 indicated an elevated cardiovascular risk profile in MDD patients currently free of CVD. Our results support the employment of strategies to reduce the cardiovascular risk in yet cardiovascularly healthy MDD patients by targeting conventional risk factors and the Omega-3 Index.