Patients with mental disorders mainly schizophrenia represent a vulnerable population. In Covid-19 pandemic situation, could schizophrenia be considered as a significant mortality risk factor ?

In this study, we aimed to explore the odds of significant COVID-19 mortality among schizophrenia patients

Our literature review was based on the PubMed interface and adapted for 2 databases: Science Direct and Google Scholar using the following combination ( schizophrenia [MeSH terms]) AND (COVID-19, mortality[MeSH terms])

Our review included 4 population-based cohort studies covering the period from december 2019 to May 2021. The data showed increased mortality risk among individuals with schizophrenia who have had COVID-19. Indeed, this high rate of mortality maybe associated with multiple factors such as unhealthy lifestyle, low socioeconomic status and comorbidities as obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular conditions. The use of antipsychotics can be considered as a risk factor regarded its immunomodulatory effects. Furthermore, stigma and discrimination towards mental illnesses particularly schizophrenia might have contributed to a worse prognosis.

Schizophrenia is a severe mental disorder ,associated with an increased high risk Covid-19. Thus, this population require enhanced preventive and disease management strategies.

No significant relationships.

The social media platform Reddit is a contemporary context where we have an opportunity to identify problems experienced by people regarding different aspects of life. The platform is virtually anonymous which might make users discuss their problems more freely. Reddit is divided in subreddits where different subjects are discussed and the discussions are controlled by creators and moderators. I have identified a quite active subreddit targeted towards recovering addicts of benzodiazepines; r/benzorecovery.

* To analyze strategies of recovery in user narrative * To identify techniques commonly used and the how they are described * To construct metadata in order to assess how frequent the discussion of a different techniques are

Technically, what is done in this study, is adding mark-up metadata to different discussion. A rudimentary form of analysis suitable with a larger digital corpus where content metadata is added (Gilliland Swetland 2000). The metadata is constructed through a hermeneutical method in which the researcher analyses the subreddit.

Answering question like: Example: DIY-tapering; different ways to limit drug use by using less. 1) how common are discussion of taperings in relation to other subjects? 2) Is tapering commonly discussed together with other subjects and techniques?

Using a method of categorization and metadata mark-up we could gain a good understanding of the problems among recovering benzodiazepine addicts. We will also have the possibility to identify concepts that addicts themselves discuss and relate these to professional concepts thus creating better possibilities of communication between professionals and clients.

No significant relationships.

Burden among family caregivers of patients with mental illness can be mediated by resilience and perceived social support.

The present study aimed to explore the relationship between perceived social support and resilience levels among caregivers of patients with mental illness and to identify its associated factors.

This was a cross-sectional, descriptive and analytical study conducted on caregivers of patients followed in the outpatient psychiatry department at the university hospital of Sfax (Tunisia), during septembre 2021. Resilience was assessed with the Connor–Davidson Resilience Scale and the social support with the social provisions scale. High scores indicate high resilience and support.

We have involved 34 family caregivers with an average age of 47.47 years(SD=12.4 years). The mean resilience score of caregivers was 42.85 and the mean social support score was 28.09(SD=5.54). The score of resilience correlated positively with the score of social support among family caregivers of patients (r= 0.76 ; p=0.0001). Furthermore, resilience and social support were significantly lower among caregivers with a history of chronic illness (p=0.0001 and 0.002 respectively). Regarding clinical factors, the scores of social support and resilience decreased significantly with the duration of providing care to patients (r=-0.60; p=0.0001 and r=-0.75; p=0.0001 respectively). Similarly, they decreased significantly with the number of hospitalizations of patients (r=-0.53; p=0.001 and r=-0.62; p=0.0001 respectively).

The findings suggests that high social support promotes better resilience among family caregivers of patients with mental illness. So, a better adjustement to the role of caregiver can be effectively achieved by improving the perceived social support.

No significant relationships.

When speaking of behavioral addictions (especially to the Internet and social media), it is emphasized that it is not the environment that is the main contributor to addiction, but rather certain behaviors and personality traits.

The aim of this study was to assess the level of Internet and social media addiction on the example of Facebook with regard to psychological and social factors.

This survey-based study involved a group of women representing the female population in the West Pomeranian Voivodeship, Poland (N = 556). Research instruments were a self-developed questionnaire concerning sociodemographic data, the De Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale, the Beck Depression Inventory, the Internet Addiction Test, and the Bergen Facebook Addiction Scale.

Age, depressive symptoms, loneliness were the variable contributing to Internet and Facebook addiction among the studied. Available studies confirm the results of their own research.

Depressive symptoms and dependence on the Internet and Facebook were more common among single women. In the employed women, we only observed higher levels of Internet and Facebook addiction. The level of dependence on the Internet and Facebook was higher among younger women. Loneliness correlated with Internet and Facebook addiction, and more severe depressive symptoms entailed higher levels of Internet and Facebook addiction.

No significant relationships.

Primary care physicians tend to examine patients with conversion disorder (CD) first. A good knowledge of this disorder will allow an early diagnosis and avoid unnecessary investigations for the patient.

To assess the knowledge of primary care physicians about patients with CD.

We conducted a cross-sectional and descriptive study among 90 primary care physicians in Sfax (Tunisia). We used an anonymous self-questionnaire for data collection.

The response rate to our questionnaire was 60%. The participants’ age ranged from 25 to 70 years, with a median of 41 years. The sex ratio (M/F) was 0.92. The majority of physicians (75.9%) have practiced in the public sector. Among the respondents, 75.9% had theoretical training in CD, 14.8% had continuing medical education (CME), and 42.6% had hospital experience in a psychiatric department. The overall proportion of correct answers was 71.8%. The most recognised symptoms of CD were: dysphonia-aphonia, paresthesia or paresis. All doctors mentioned at least one criterion to distinguish CD from epileptic seizures and loss of consciousness.

There are some gaps in primary care physicians’ knowledge of CD. Thus, we propose to reconsider the conduct of CME, to favour small group training workshops with role-playing and to improve the collaboration between the psychiatrist and the primary care physician.

No significant relationships.

No significant relationships.

No significant relationships.

Mental health literacy (MHL) could be defined as a knowledge of mental health, comprehension of its importance, adequate attitude to information about mental health, possession of skills and abilities to provide assistance and self-help to maintain and promote mental health.

The aim of the present study is to identify possible relationships between the components of mental health literacy and the manifestations of the emotional sphere of the respondents.

The sample consisted of 220 young people from 16 to 23. Emotional Empathy Questionnaire (A. Mehrabian, M. Epstein), self-assessment of mental states (G. Eysenck), questionnaire from the study of Reavley et al., and the custom MHL questionnaire were used.

Most significant of relationships revealed by Pearson’s Product-moment correlation analysis: Adequate actions of respondents in a mental health-threatening situation inversely correlates with anxiety (r=-0.38, p=0.0002), aggressiveness (r=-0.22, p=0.017), frustration (r=-0.35, p=0.00008), rigidity (r=-0.29, p=0.0012). Comprehension of the importance of specialized care inversely correlates with frustration (r=-0.2, p=0.027). Helping others in difficult situations correlates with empathy (r=0.48, p=0.0000).

A low level of the behavioral component of MHL is often manifested with high anxiety, aggressiveness, rigidity, frustration. Correlation between the cognitive component and frustration may indicate that sufficient level of this component does not allow the individual to fall into a state of deep frustration in mental health-threatening situations. Individuals with low level of anxiety, rigidity, aggression are more inclined to understand the importance of seeking professional help. An individual with lower frustration and aggressiveness will less likely choose destructive behaviors (addictions to alcohol, self-harm, etc.).

No significant relationships.

The therapeutic interview is one of the cornerstones of psychiatric practice. When practitioners are skilled in the art of interviewing, patients are allowed to share their narratives and explore their emotions, while the clinician can diagnose and treat more effectively. Discussions with colleagues can be used to share knowledge and experience. As part of a student project undertaken in Summer 2021, two students were tasked with producing a series of educational podcasts to be used for psychiatric training. Both students chose to complete several interviews with professionals in psychiatry. In this study, they will reflect on the efficacy of interviews as a learning tool, their experiences of podcast interviewing, and the transferable skills that they learned.

To reflect on the use of interviews within podcasts and how this can be transferred to practice.

Based on the literature review, medical students conducted interviews with specialist clinicians in order to gain information around patient treatment. They then reflected on this experience.

The practice of interviewing allowed for the development of a range of skills. It improved communication with senior professionals, provided a deeper knowledge of different psychiatric fields, and developed the written skills needed for the creation of engaging questions.

Interviews are a useful tool in educational podcasts and producing these helped medical students gain specialist insight and learning into different medical fields not thoroughly covered in the undergraduate curriculum. Producing the podcasts helped to develop the key skill of interviewing and communicating with more senior colleagues.

No significant relationships.

Depression is known to be associated with changes in the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis and the brain is a major target organ for thyroid hormone. Overt hypothyroidism can cause symptoms compatible with depression. However, its relationship with subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) is not well established.

To review the literature regarding the effect of levothyroxine therapy among patients with SCH and coexistent depression.

We conducted a MEDLINE search using depression, subclinical hypothyroidism and levothyroxine as keywords, selecting studies written in English.

SCH is defined as an elevated thyroid stimulating hormone with normal peripheric hormone levels. The association between SCH and depression is controversial. Some studies indicate that SCH had the same propensity with overt hypothyroidism, while others report that major affective symptoms are not associated with SCH, but are likely due to independent psychiatric diagnoses, which are common in the general population and occur with similar frequency in patients with SCH. Individuals with SCH are recommended to initiate levothyroxine replacement therapy only when their TSH level is above 10 mIU/L or if symptoms are present. There is a lack of evidence supporting the use of levothyroxine therapy to improve mental health outcomes and the majority of meta-analysis do not show relief of affective symptoms after levothyroxine therapy, among individuals with SCH.

Routine screening for depressive symptoms among individuals with SCH is important to prevent morbidity. Nevertheless, there is no evidence enduring levothyroxine supplementation in these cases. Further studies, with larger sample sizes and longer follow-up periods are needed to enlighten the potential benefit of this therapy.

No significant relationships.

There is a widely known stereotype about medical majors repeated by generations of medical practitioners called ,,medical student disease”. It’s based on a belief that unexperienced students are prone to develop pathological fear of medical conditions they are studying about.

The aim of the study was to examine two populations of students - medical and non-medical ones in order to compare their level of hypochondriacal behavior and health-related anxiety. Moreover we looked for other factors which might have had an influence on hypochondria and nosophobia among them.

The proprietary questionnaire was completed by 606 students (303 medical students of the Medical University of Silesia in Katowice and 293 students of the 3 largest non-medical universities in Katowice).

The results show that medical students receive same scores on a nosophobia scale as students of non-medical universities (p=0,5). The analysis of hypochondriacal behavior showed significantly higher results in non-medical students group (p=0,02) .The higher medical students were at the stages of academic education, the higher the results of nosophobia they obtained. In the entire study group female received higher score in relation to the fear of illness (p = 0.001). People with mental disorders achieve significantly higher results of nosophobia (p <0.001 in the entire group) and of hypochondria (p <0.001 for the entire cohort).

Our study challenges the widespread belief that medical students, compared to their peers, are overly anxious about their own health. Gender and having a mental illness are predictors of hypochondria and nosophobia.

No significant relationships.

Sleep disturbances are common following traumatic brain injury (TBI) worsening morbidity and other neuropsychiatric symptoms. Post-TBI alterations in sleep architecture require further study.

(1) To evaluate polysomnographic measures of sleep architecture in participants with history of TBI compared to controls and as meta-analyses of pooled means. (2) To evaluate effects of timing and severity of TBI on polysomnographic outcomes.

PRISMA compliant systematic review was conducted of MEDLINE, PsycINFO, EMBASE and Scopus. Inclusion criteria: 1) reporting polysomnography in the context of TBI and 2) operationalizing TBI using clear/formalized criteria. Data were pooled in random-effects meta-analyses with outcomes expressed as mean differences (MD).

In participants with TBI, sleep was comprised of 19.39% REM sleep, 8.13% N1, 51.18% N2, and 17.53% N3, as determined by meta-analyses of single means. Total sleep time was reduced in chronic (>6 months) TBI compared to acute-intermediate TBI (<6 months) (p=0.01). Compared to controls, participants with TBI differed with increased N1 sleep (MD=0.64%; 95%CI=0.02,1.25; p=0.04), reduced sleep efficiency (MD=-1.65%; 95%CI=-3.18,-0.12; p=0.03), and reduced sleep latency on the multiple sleep latency test (MD=-5.90mins; 95%CI=-10.09,-1.72; p<0.01). On sub-group analyses, participants with mild TBI differed from controls with reduced total sleep time (MD=-29.22mins, 95%CI=-54.16,-4.27; p=0.02). Similarly, participants with acute-intermediate TBI exhibited increased sleep latency compared to controls (MD=8.96mins; 95%CI=4.07,13.85; p<0.01) and differed significantly from participants with chronic TBI (X2(1,N=608)=6.54; p=0.01).

Sleep architecture is altered following TBI with potential implications regarding functional outcomes and recovery. These alterations appear to differ based on severity of injury and time since injury.

No significant relationships.

No significant relationships.

In Denmark, about 14% of patients with depression develops treatment resistant depression (TRD) in the following year after the first hospital contact. Possible explanations for TRD include lack of adequate clinical effect of pharmacological treatment and reluctance to treatment due to unacceptable side effects. Cold water swimming (CWS), also known as winter swimming, describes swimming outdoors - mainly during the winter season in cold to ice-cold water on a regular basis. Many winter swimmers believe that exposure to cold water is beneficial for their health. However, evidence of health effects have been anecdotal or based on results from small sample-size studies. The availably studies report that winter swimming abolishes general tiredness, boosts self-esteem and improves mood and/or general well-being.

To test if it is possible for patients with depression to participate in two weekly sessions of CWS and to measure the effects of CWS on general well-being and depression among the participating patients.

All psychiatric in- and outpatients from the department of psychiatry at Little Belt Hospital, Vejle with a diagnose of depression are eligible for inclusion. CWS-sessions will include a dip in an inlet - and if desired a short swim for a few minutes – depending on individual preferences. The CWS sessions will take place at the local inlet at a recreational area with sauna and changing facilities available.

The study starts in October 2021 and we expect to have results by April 2022.

Conclusion: Awaiting.

No significant relationships.

Neuroscience advances open the debate on improving brain functionality and human behavior. Transhumanism advocates the use of biotechnology for the betterment of man, transcending into another nature. Neuroethics marks limits of the application and experimentation in neuroscience, also proposing an interdisciplinary philosophical reflection valuing the multidimensionality of human mind.

To analyze the transhumanist approach of domining human nature controlling cognitive and moral functions through technique. A critique from neuroethics in an interdisciplinary key to evaluate the complexity of mental functionality and the derived issues that go beyond the scientific scope, with the help of philosophy.

A bibliographic review on neuroscience and neuroethics is carried out, finding a core consensus in the warning of the biopsychosocial complexity of the set of realities that shape the human being, facing a reductionist vision of neuroscience.

Despite the advances in biotechnology and neuroscientific research, the transhumanist approach of brain enhancement transgressing human reality and reducing its nature to a mechanical question that can be controlled through psychopharmacological resources, becomes dystopian due to the lack of ontological continuity in the deconstruction of the human being in a set of neural circuits, and the lack of consideration of all the dimensions that configure the human mind and existence.

An interdisciplinary vision is necessary to analyze the human mind, avoiding falling into the brain reductionism of the neuroscientific paradigm, for an holistic understanding of the human mind and behaviors, beside the integration of a philosophical reflection to join neurobiology and moral dimensions, in a humanist return from transhumanism.

No significant relationships.

Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension (IIH) is a condition characterized by an increase of intracranial pressure (ICP) with no identifiable cause to date. One-half of patients who suffer from IIH have co-morbid mood disorders, such as Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), that can be refractory to pharmacologic treatment. Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) is a safe and effective treatment for treatment-refractory mood disorder, but possesses a relative contra-indication for IIH due to its theoretical increase in ICP. Can ECT become the gold-standard treatment modality for mood disorder from IIH?

We aim to synthesize and summarize the state of the literature surrounding the intersection of ECT and IIH. We will present notable findings and propose avenues for future investigation.

We conducted a literature review using PubMed’s search function. Key terms that were queried are as follows: Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension, Pseudotumor Cerebri, Benign Intracranial Hypertension, Mood Disorder, Major Depressive Disorder, ECT, Electroconvulsive Therapy.

The prevailing theory of IIH and mood disorder centers around HPA axis dysfunction, which has been heavily theorized to be positively impacted with ECT. ECT itself may not increase the ICP, but the anesthesia might. The only two case reports in the literature presented safe and successful use of ECT’s in patients with IIH and MDD.

More data is needed to draw conclusions, as the literature surrounding ECT’s use in patients with IIH remains sparse. Further studies must explore whether ECT’s use in IIH remains effective. Through this, we may understand more about both IIH and ECT itself.

No significant relationships.

Glaucoma is a heterogeneous group of conditions which result in optic neuropathy and visual defects, majorly linked with the increase of intra-ocular pressure (IOP). It is known that psychotropic drugs have been implicated in drug induced angle-closure glaucoma, mostly through its anti-cholinergic effect.

Systematize the drugs most and least implicated in its appearance and worsening and understand the care needed on prescribing.

A search on Pubmed database was made having in consideration the Mesh Terms Glaucoma and Psychotropic Drugs and its different classes. Specific searches were made when appropriate on different platforms.

Implications on the appearance and worsening of glaucoma are clear for tricyclic antidepressants. The evidence is not clear for SSRIs, SNRIs and mirtazapine, but they might be related with increased IOP. Other classes of antidepressants seem to be of lower risk. Antipsychotics do not seem to be greatly associated with angle closure, although there are some case reports. There are descriptions of the potencial use of haloperidol, anti-convulsive mood stabilizers, with exception of topiramate, melatonin and anti-dementia drugs on the treatment of this condition. In practice, benzodiazepines do not seem to precipate angle-closure. Methamphetamines are contraindicated. Eletroconvulsive therapy its an option.

Although not prevalent, angle-closure glaucoma can have serious implications and culminate in irreversible blindness. In patients with known risk-factors its important to have it on consideration at the time of the prescription and warn on seeking immediate help if having acute ocular pain, redness and/ or cloudy vision.

No significant relationships.

Kleptomania is characterized by recurrent failure to resist the impulse to steal items of little value despite the ego-dystonic impulse and awareness of the wrongfulness of the act. Its prevalence is considered to be 0.6–0.8% in the general population and it is mostly comorbid with other psychiatric disorders. Kleptomania is a disabling disorder since patients suffer from emotional distress and impaired functioning.

Although there is no cure, treatment may help prevent Kleptomania worsening and its negative consequences. We propose a review of the therapeutic approach to this disease.

Non-systematic literature review.

No effective treatment is available for Kleptomania. Better efficacy can be achieved by combining psychotherapy with pharmacotherapy. Different treatment interventions can be selected based on clinical similarities to other disorders, co-occurring conditions or behavioral core features. Patients with significant mood symptoms may benefit from mood stabilizers or antidepressants. For patients with shoplift cravings and/or family history of substance use disorders, Naltrexone may reduce symptoms. Stimulants may be useful for Kleptomania bassociated with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder impulsivity. Benzodiazepines are effective in tension relief when used as adjuvants, at the beginning of treatment. Electroconvulsive therapy should be reserved for patients with treatment-resistant symptoms and comorbid depression. Cognitive-behavioral therapy has replaced Psychoanalytic and Psychodynamic psychotherapies.

Treatment helps decrease disruption to the person’s life, preventing the intense shame, legal, social, family, and occupational repercussions of Kleptomania. Although pharmaceutical and psychosocial interventions are available, we still lack specific treatments for Kleptomania.

No significant relationships.

No significant relationships.

Burnout is understood as a stable professional and personal deformation, which can be typical for teachers (Maslach, Schaufeli, 1993). Multilevel structure of burnout that include physiological, affective-cognitive, and behavioral dimensions was described (Perlman, Hartman, 1998). С. Maslach proposes a three-dimensional burnout model, including emotional exhaustion, depersonalization and reduction of personal achievements (Maslach, 2000; Schaufeli, Enzman, 1998). It is especially important to prevent burnout by effective using of self-regulation resources during the COVID-19 pandemic, when the level of stress increases (Samanta et al., 2020; Pascale, 2020).

The study was held in 50 teachers, who worked remotely during the self-isolation due to COVID-19 pandemic, and aimed to estimate the relationship between psychological resources of self-regulation and signs of reduced professional burnout in teachers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

. The assessment methods included: 1) Maddi’s “Hardiness survey”; 2) Hobfoll”s “SACS”; 3) Maslach’s “Burnout inventory”.

The results revealed that the teachers with high and medium burnout differ in terms of engagement as a component of hardiness (p=0,002). The teachers with less pronounced burnout syndrome have more developed involvement, which means that these teachers enjoy their own activities and, perhaps, this is what becomes a psychological resource and allows to overcome emotional exhaustion. There is an inverse relationship between such a sign of professional burnout as emotional exhaustion and involvement as a component of hardiness (r=- 0,521, p=0).

The results of the study can be applied to develop programs to improve the psychological well-being and performance of teachers working under stress due to COVID-19 pandemic.

No significant relationships.