Although depression is one of the most common diseases among older people, it is still underdiagnosed due to frequent misleading symptoms.

The aims of our study were to assess depression in type 2 diabetic insulin-dependent older adults and to identify factors associated with depression among this population.

A cross-sectional study on 100 type 2 diabetic insulin-dependent elderly recruited from the outpatient endocrinology consultation during June and July 2021. We applied the geriatric assessment scores: the Geriatric Depression Scale 15-item, the KATS score, the Lawton scale. the five-word test, the Mini Nutritional Assessment and the Timed Up and Go test.

The mean age of the population was 70.8±5.8 years with sex ratio of 0.85. Depression was noted among 57% of the patients who were distributed as follow: around one fifth (21%) had mild depression while 36% had moderate to severe depression. Around one quarter of the patients (24%) were dependent in the basic activities of daily living. Depression was significantly associated with dependency (β = 5.27; 95% CI, 1.01 to 27.35), ophthalmologic diseases (β = 8.81; 95% CI, 2.18 to 35.63), high frequency of nocturia (β = 3.71; 95% CI, 1.24 to 11.05) and high frequency of bleeding at insulin injection site (β = 4.21; 95% CI, 1.49 to 11.84).

Our findings suggest that the prevalence of depression is high among type 2 diabetic insulin-dependent older adults. Early assessment of depression’s risk factors is a major pillar of the comprehensive care of our seniors.

No significant relationships.

Anti-Hu related Paraneoplastic Neurological Syndrome (PNS) is one of the most common paraneoplastic-associated neurological syndromes (Kayser 2010). While the primary clinical manifestations are neurologic in nature (Smitt 2002), only rare reports exist regarding psychiatric manifestations. Our poster presents two cases of Anti-Hu Encephalitis manifesting as psychosis as well as a systematic literature review on the co-occurrence of psychosis and PNS.

The aim of this case series is to show psychosis as the primary symptom of a paraneoplastic syndrome that does not typically present in this way. It also serves as a reminder to have a detailed work-up and maintain a wide differential diagnosis when evaluating patients with first-episode psychosis.

Two cases of anti-Hu encephalitis primarily presenting with psychiatric symptoms are discussed. A systematic literature review was carried out based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) model on three electronic databases: PubMed, Embase, and PsycINFO. Search terms included were (Anti-Hu) AND (Psychosis OR Hallucinations OR Schizophrenia OR Schizoaffective).

Our case series reports on two patients with diagnosed anti-Hu encephalitis who were treated by our psychiatry team, where the primary manifestations of the illness were psychiatric in nature. Psychotic symptoms in these cases were managed with Risperidone, Olanzapine, and Paliperidone.

Psychotic symptoms are seldom reported in the literature and cases like the ones presented emphasize the importance of a full medical work-up for first episode psychosis as well as a wide differential. Given the increased association between PNS and psychiatric illness, more emphasis and further research is warranted.

No significant relationships.

Expectations and fears about chemotherapy and radiotherapy in patients with oncological illness may not only affect their subjective well-being (Shaverdian et al., 2018) but also treatment satisfaction and complaints of side effects (Guidolin et al., 2018, Dong et al., 2014, Colagiuri et al., 2013).

The aim was to compare beliefs about treatment in patients referred to radiation therapy and chemotherapy, and to reveal their relationship to health anxiety and subjective well-being.

53 patients referred to radiation therapy and 63 patients referred to chemotherapy completed the Treatment Perception in Oncological Illnesses Scale (Kovyazina et al., 2021), Illness and Treatment Self-Regulation Questionnaire (Kovyazina et al., 2019), Satisfaction with Life Scale (Diener et al., 1985) and Scale of Positive and Negative Experiences (Diener et al., 2009).

Compared to radiation therapy, with chemotherapy, patients tend to be more doubtful about the effectiveness of treatment and more anxious about the need for it (p<.05). Moderated mediation analysis demonstrated that lack of understanding, doubts about the effectiveness and anxiety about radiation and chemotherapy are associated with subjective ill-being indirectly - through a higher level of health anxiety (β=-.79--.35, SE=.17-.26, 95% CI [-1.42 - -.75 – -.37 - -0,08]). Feelings of helplessness regarding treatment mediated the relationship between doubts and confidence about treatment effectiveness and well-being in both groups.

Results demonstrated that some fears and expectations about chemo- and radiotherapy could provoke health anxiety and helplessness regarding treatment that is related to poorer well-being.

No significant relationships.

The diagnosis of pediatric cancer is a traumatic event that is considered to be one of the most adverse situations the child and his family can experience. The psychological impact of this diagnosis on the parents has triggered a great scientific attention in these recent years.

Estimate the prevalence of depression and post-traumatic stress among parents of children with cancer.

Our study was cross-sectional over a period of 1 month in the medical carcinology department at the Salah Azaeiz Institute. We used the Beck Depression Scale II and the Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Cheklist-Civilian assessements.

Thirty parents participated in our study. Most of whom were mothers (73%). The educational level was primary in 63% of cases and socio-economic level was average in 60% of parents. 40% of parents were assessed within six months after diagnosis. Prevalence of depressive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder were 73% and 57% respectively. The low educational level was correlated to the presence of these two disorders. Similarly, the low educational level was correlated to the presence of depressive disorders (p=0.008). The number of children in the family was also associated to the presence of post-traumatic stress disorder (p=0.029).

The prevalence of depressive and post-traumatic stress disorders was high among parents of children diagnosed with cancer. The low socio-economic and educational level and the large number of children in the family are risk factors for psychological distress. Psychosocial support should be offered to parents of children with cancer to optimize the management of this disease.

No significant relationships.

The diagnosis of leukemia in a child is traumatic life experience that negatively affects parents and especialy the mother which is the “caregiver” who assists and coordinates all stages of treatment.

To determine the prevalence of psychological distress among mothers of tunisian children with leukemia and to investigate their coping strategies.

A cross-sectional study was conducted at Aziza Othmana hospital department of pedo-oncology in Tunisia between June and July 2021. HADS scale was used to estimate the prevalence of anxiety and depression and coping strategies were measured via arabic version of the brief cope scale.

We included 31 mothers, their middle age was 41 years old. In this study we didn’t include mothers with psychiatric history. Acute lymphoblastic leukemia was the most frequent type of cancer in our sample (94%). The middle age of the children was 10 years old and all of them were under chemotherapy. Clinically significant levels of anxiety and depression were reported by 58% and 49% of mothers, respectively. In our study, 81% of the participants practiced prayer and all mothers turned to religion as a coping strategy. Approach coping styles (especially acceptance and planning) were more frequently used than avoidant coping styles (especially substance use and denial).

Mothers are profoundly affected by a child’s cancer diagnosis, they should have early assessment of their mental health needs to have access to appropriate interventions.

No significant relationships.

What does the physician think in his/her intimacy about clinical care for when his/her death would be near? Living Will is a type of advance directive with the aim to guarantee the testator’s autonomy when faced with death. Particularly oncologists are often faced with human finitude. Their delicate work does not protect them from the possible anguish of thinking and preparing for their own death. It is pertinent to know the psychic mechanisms normally present in the management of this expectation.

To explore symbolic representations of oncologists such as referred to the possible elaboration of their own Living Will.

Qualitative design. Eight participants, clinicians, sample closed by theoretical saturation of information. Semidirected interviews in-depth were conducted online during the pandemic, fully transcribed. Technique of Clinical-Qualitative Content Analysis used for data treatment to generate categories of discussion. The authors search for core meanings in the corpus of interviews, after free-floating readings.

Three categories emerged from the material: Living Will: postponing the decision in order to not anticipate death; From Rationalization Mechanism to Intellectualization: a more sophisticated defensive strategy; Loss of Autonomy: the doctor’s belief while to feel him/herself patient.

(1) Even with all scientific knowledge, respondents have archaic thoughts on defining advance directives as healthy individuals would mean rushing time of their death. (2) Resistance of these professionals to an imagined scenario of end reveals underlying anguish in writing of living will. (3) There is fear of losing autonomy when they do not know how their Living Will can be seen.

No significant relationships.

Cancer survivors frequently report suffering from neurocognitive impairment, that persists after physical recovery from their disease. Cognitive impairment is associated with important emotional disturbances, socio-professional consequences and diminished quality of life.

This observational study aims to assess the effectives of an integrative neurocognitive remediation therapy (iNRCT), offered as a 12-week program (1day/week), organized within our Cognitive Remediation Clinic. The iNCRT combines personalized computerized cognitive training and neurocognitive strategy training, with group sessions of physical exercise, mindfulness, and cognitive behavior therapy (CBT).

The assessment before and after NCRT includes neuropsychological testing (10 subtests), assessment of daily functioning and subjective neurocognitive function (NCF).

Out of 16 eligible cancer survivors, 12 patients were recruited and 11 completed the iNCRT; median age 53 years [range, 41-71]; 3 patients had a prior history of a central nervous system tumor, 5 patients of breast cancer, 2 patients of stage-IV melanoma, and 1 patient of gastric cancer. After iNCRT subjective NCF did not improve significantly (p=0.13) according to the Cognitive Failure Questionnaire. However neuropsychological assessment revealed an improvement on ≥ 1 impaired subtest in all patients; 6 patients improved on ≥ 4 impaired subtests. Improvement was most prominent in long-term verbal and visual memory, working memory and executive function. All patients reported a clinical benefit in their daily function after completion of iNCRT.

Our iNRCT, which combines personalized neurocognitive training with physical exercise, mindfulness and CBT can be an effective therapeutic model for treating neurocognitive impairment in cancer survivors, with a clinically relevant impact on their daily function.

No significant relationships.

Even if breast cancer is a severe pathology that can cause the death of a person, nowadays there are effective screening methods that could help us to discover in due time the tumor formation and thus be able to benefit from conservative breast surgery.

Evaluating the feasible relationship between the noted levels of procrastination and the educational level of subjects

The analyzed group comprises a number of 152 female subjects (n=152). They were divided in three subgroups: subgroup I(26) composed of women with lower education, subgroup II(66), women with medium education level and subgroup III(60), women with higher education. A socio-demographic questionnaire and the Tuckman Procrastination Scale have been applied.

Comparing the three subgroups, the levels of procrastination were similar. Low levels of procrastination were most common in all three subgroups: in the subgroup I 57,69%, in the subgroup II 56,06% and in the subgroup III 53,33%. Average procrastination levels were observed in 34,61% of women in subgroup I, 42,42% of women in subgroup II and 45% of women in subgroup III. Concerning high levels of procrastination we can affirm that they involve a small number of subjects. Measuring the degree of connection between the two variables, we obtained as a result r=0.13, which means a very weak, non-existent correlation.

The study revealed that there is no relationship between the level of education and the levels of procrastination that include postponing the presentation to the doctor.

No significant relationships.

Cancer is the second major cause of death among people with psychotic disorders. With the same incidence, mortality in these patients remains higher than in the general population. As stigma has been identified as a risk factor for excess mortality, we focused on oncologists’ beliefs and attitudes towards people with psychotic disorders.

The aim of this study was to uncover physicians’ representations about the impact of psychosis on oncological care.

In this qualitative study, individual semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 physicians working in oncology in the University Hospital of Brest (France). Transcribed interviews were thematically analyzed. This study meets the COREQ criteria.

Psychosis is described as a broad-spectrum condition whose severity ranges from the “mild” patient with imperceptible abnormality to the “severe” patient with cognitive and affective deficits. Oncologists identified behavioral and emotional symptoms which may modify the patient-physician relationship with difficulties to interact. Some of them consider that these patients are not interested in their health and will not get involved in oncological care. While the psychotic disorder is not considered as a limiting factor per se, oncologists felt concerned about being stigmatizing. They mentioned different aspects (like anticipation of non-compliance or inability to get help) that lead to changes in conventional treatment regimens and may result in a loss of opportunity.

Oncologists’ beliefs may lead to stigmatizing attitudes towards people with psychotic disorders who may not be given the best possible chances. Thus, these specific elements should be the basis for collaboration between psychiatrists and oncologists.

No significant relationships.

Paraneoplastic syndromes (PS) result from indirect effects of neoplasms. In 50% of the cases the symptoms precede the diagnosis and run independently. PS may involve the peripheral or central nervous system, resulting in symptoms from sensory neuropathies to several neuropsychiatric manifestations.

To review the psychiatric manifestations of paraneoplastic syndromes affecting the nervous system.

Selective literature review via PubMed search, using the keywords “paraneoplastic syndromes”, “endrocrine paraneoplastic syndromes”, “neuropsychiatric manifestations”, “limbic encephalitis”.

The prevalence of PS varies with the type of cancer (<1% for breast and ovarian cancers; 3-5% for small cell lung cancer; 20% for thymomas). The general mechanisms behind PS are related to the production of substances by the tumor that directly or indirectly cause distant symptoms, the depletion of substances or the host response to the tumor. Frequently there are autoimmune phenomena involved, with the production of antineuronal antibodies that recognise various antigens at the nervous system. Paraneoplastic neurological disorders include limbic encephalits that can present subacutely with symptoms of depression, irritability, hallucinations, cognitive impairment associated with sleep alterations, confusion and seizures. Others include psoclonus-myoclonus ataxia syndrome, neuromyotonia and cramp fasciculation syndrome. Metabolic and endocrine paraneoplastic syndromes (hypercortisolism, carcinoid tumors, pancreatic cancer) can result from the production of cytokines and hormones by the tumor and produce mood disorders, confusional states and psychosis.

PS can be related to various neuropsychiatric manifestations affecting consciousness, cognition, mood and perception. The recognition of this association can alert for the possibility of a cancer diagnosis specially when facing a patient with unusual clinical presentation.

No significant relationships.

Breast cancer is a serious public health problem and one out of every 4 women diagnosed with cancer is breast cancer. Although the survival rate has increased due to advances in diagnosis and treatment, getting a cancer diagnosis is a highly stressful life event and seriously affects the lives of patients.

Therefore, the aim of this qualitative study is to explore the experiences of women with breast cancer.

Data were gathered using semi-structured forms, in-depth interviews with 7 patients aged between 29 and 64 who had been diagnosed with breast cancer in 2017 and after. All interviews were tape-recorded and the themes have resulted in analyzing the content of the recorded data.

It has been determined that women have difficulties in getting information from healthcare professionals, emotional supports from their partners and family members, dealing with losses in roles and femininity, and coping with intrusive thoughts. However, it has been highlighted that women have experienced some positive changes in certain areas such as deeper interpersonal relationships with others, appreciating health and life.

As a result of the study, it has been thought that it is important to reduce the distress level of women with breast cancer related to their needs and difficulties and to encourage their positive changes. Besides, working in cooperation with healthcare professionals responsible for their treatment will be beneficial to reduce the distress level of the women.

No significant relationships.

Chronic pain has a significant impact on individuals’ daily lives, and its control is essential for improving quality of life. In this sense, the practice of Mindfulness is a useful non-pharmacological technique for self-management of chronic pain.

This study aims to identify the level of knowledge regarding the effectiveness of Mindfulness for self-control of pain by people with chronic pain.

A cross-sectional study was conducted on a sample of 23 adults with chronic pain. The online survey assessed sociodemographic characterization, Brief Pain Inventory, and knowledge/opinion about the effectiveness of mindfulness strategies.

The sample consisted mostly of middle-aged women, with family support, employed and with higher academic qualifications. 47.8% of the sample had experienced pain for over 20 years with the most prevalent diagnosis being fibromyalgia. The average intensity of chronic pain corresponded to moderate pain and the level of acceptance of it was low, interfering in instrumental activities of daily life. Although they had never tried the technique, most of the sample knew what mindfulness consisted of, considering it as a viable option for self-management of chronic pain. Moderate and positive correlations were found between the level of acceptance of pain and greater availability for the practice of mindfulness (rho=.137; p<.001), the same happened between satisfaction with the practice of mindfulness and self-control of pain (rho=.259; p<.001).

Our findings outline the need to include non-pharmacological measures such as mindfulness in therapeutic schemes for chronic pain management, given the manifest interest of this population.

No significant relationships.

Chronic pain syndrome is still one of the leading complaints of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Study the relationship between chronic pain syndrome of different duration and the level of anxiety disorders.

Clinical and psychophysiological examination of 76 patients with RA was carried out, the average age was 42.4 ± 7.2 years. The severity of pain syndrome was determined on the VAS scale, the level of anxiety by the Spielberger-Hanin technique

Analysis of pain syndrome according to YOUR revealed higher rates (p < 0, () 1) in patients with shorter periods of disease: up to 12 months and more than 12 months: 66.0 ± 1.5 mm and 61.9 ± 1.5 mm, respectively, than in patients with a longer period of war - more than 3 years (53.7 ± 1.0 mm). Psychophysiological examination of RA patients revealed anxiety spectrum disorders in 53 (69.7%) patients. The severity of anxiety disorders was different depending on the duration of the chronic pain syndrome: the highest indicators of reactive anxiety were detected in patients with a length of pain syndrome of up to 12 months: 45.7 ± 0.6 points, in patients with a disease period of more than 12 months - 42.4 ± 0.5 points, and in patients with a disease period of more than 3 years 37.6 + 0.5 points.

Thus, a direct correlation between the degree of pain severity and the level of anxiety disorders is revealed, which is desirable to consider when selecting pathogenetic therapy

No significant relationships.

Individuals with personality disorders have a decreased life expectancy when compared to the general population in particular due to physical illnesses. Many factors can be associated with those physical illnesses such as lack of physical activity and bad nutritional habits. Moreover, physical activity and nutrition (lifestyle) intervention have shown great results in decreasing symptoms and improving condition in affective and anxiety disorders. However, little is known about the relation between lifestyle, and personality disorders.

The purpose of this review is to regroup the available information on this topic.

In February 2021, we searched the literature using 4 databases for articles analyzing the relation between lifestyle and personality disorders. Twenty-one articles were included.

In this review, we found few studies analyzing the relation between lifestyle and personality disorders. Most studies either used lifestyle measures as control variables or did not use such variables at all. Moreover, instruments used to measure lifestyle variables lacked precision at best. Two studies demonstrated a relation between early malnutrition and further development of personality disorders, but those results may be influenced by confounding variables and cannot indicate a clear link between nutrition and personality disorder.

Few evidences are available linking lifestyle to personality disorders in any way. This lack of evidence is surprising considering the multiple benefits individuals with personality disorders could get from it. More studies are needed to thoroughly analyze the impact of lifestyle on personality disorders and vice versa. Those studies need to use validated instruments to provide strong evidence about this relation.

No significant relationships.

Self-harming behavior is a frequent problem seen at patients admitted to closed wards in psychiatric hospitals. People who self-harm have al higher risk of other forms of aggressive behavior as well. Little is known about prevalence and characteristics of this behavior, the preceding triggering factors and the relation with other aggressive behaviors.

To gain insights in the self-harming behavior of patients admitted to a closed ward in a psychiatric hospital.

From September 2019 till January 2021 information on self-harming incidents and aggressive behavior towards others or objects, of 27 patients admitted to the closed department of the Centre Intensive Treatment (Centrum Intensieve Behandeling), has been gathered. The Self-Harm Scale and Social Dysfunction and Agression Scale were used to gather the data.

Twenty of 27 patients examined (74%) showed self-harming behavior. Head banging (41,9%) and self-harming using straps/ropes (30%) occurred most. Tension/stress as triggering factor was mentioned most (19,1%), followed by reliving (13,5%) and team interaction (11,8%). Self-harming behavior occurred more in evenings then during the rest of the day. No significant difference was found in the degree of aggressive behavior towards others or objects between the group of patients harming themselves and the group that didn’t.

This study delivers insights in self-harming behavior of patients admitted to closed psychiatric departments that can be used for prevention and treatment.

No significant relationships.

Research studies suggest that mental health nurses hold negative attitudes towards patients diagnosed with borderline personality disorder (BPD).

The aim of this study was to explore mental health nurses’ experiences and attitudes towards BPD patients in Greece, using a qualitative approach.

Data were collected through two audio-recorded focus group discussions. The participants were twelve nurses who work in two General Hospital Psychiatric Units –one in Athens and one regional– and have direct clinical experience with BPD patients. The audio recordings were transcribed verbatim and analysed using thematic analysis in the context of grounded theory.

One overarching theme and three main themes were identified. The overarching theme that emerged was: “Futility”, which refers to feelings that the provision of nursing care to BPD patients is devoid of purpose and meaning. The main themes were: “Uncertainty”, which refers to the absence of valid causal explanations for mental disorders and on the perplexity of the BPD psychopathology; “Frustration”, which refers to challenges and barriers to providing care to BPD patients; “Unsupportiveness”, which refers to a complex mental health system, where there is a lack of guidance and goal orientation. Of significance are the nurses’ feelings of frustration and futility creating a sense of being burdened and leading to negative attitudes and behaviours towards BPD patients.

Understanding treatment goals from the recovery model perspective and developing guidelines to help nurses revisit the concept of medical futility, may improve care to BPD patients.

No significant relationships.

Self-Generated Stress might be defined as stress that is created by oneself by engaging in behavior or making decisions that ultimately add strain to pre-existing personal stress. The Self-Generated Stress Scale (SGSS; Flett et al. 2020) is a seven-item self-report measure built to assess this tendency to make one’s own life more stressful.

To analyze the psychometric properties of the Portuguese Version of the SGSS.

Participants (127 medicine and dentistry students; 78.0% female) answered an online survey including the preliminary Portuguese version of the SGSS and other validated questionnaires: Maslach Burnout Inventory – Students Survey, Depression Anxiety and Stress Scales, HEXACO-60 and Big Three Perfectionism Scale.

Confirmatory Factor Analysis showed that the unidimensional model presented good fit indexes (χ2/df=1.546; RMSEA=.0666, p<.001; CFI=.982 TLI=.972, GFI=.960). The Cronbach’s alfa was .868. Pearson correlations between SGSS and the other measures were significant (p<.01) and moderate/high: Burnout, .412; Stress/Anxiety/Depression, >.550; Perfectionism, .600; Emotionality, .315; Extroversion, -.411. After controlling for the effect of Emotionality and Extroversion, SGSS explained significant additional increments of 19.9% and 14.0% of the DASS and MBI variance; controlling for Perfectionism, the increments were respectively of 27.9% and 2.0%. SGSS mean score (22.96±5.90 was not significantly different by gender.

As observed with the original English-language scale, the Portuguese version of SGSS showed good validity (construct and convergent-divergent) and internal consistency. As such, the SGSS might be useful in further investigation, particularly to explore the different pathways between personality traits, emotional regulation processes and psychological distress.

No significant relationships.

There has been a growing interest in our society for aesthetic interventions and achieving perfect beauty standards. We analyze its relationship with the mental health of our present time.

1. Describe the most frequent pathologies associated with aesthetic interventions.

2. Describe the population that most frequently uses these interventions.

3. Management of this pathology.

Systematic bibliographic review of the literature of the last 5 years following the PRISMA recommendations between March and June 2021.

4 articles were included. Most of them coincide in a high prevalence of borderline personality disorders, high impulsivity, high levels of anxiety, low perceived self-esteem and dysmorphophobia. Greater coordination between physicians who are dedicated to aesthetics and mental health is proposed due to the rise of this fashion.

1. High increase in the use of aesthetic techniques.

2. Women who consume these techniques more.

3. High prevalence of personality disorders.

4. High prevalence of dysmorphophobia.

5. Referral is recommended in some cases to mental health consultations for specific treatment.

No significant relationships.

The spectrum of suicidal behavior is a core factor of the prognosis and care of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD).

Identify possible BPD specific personality traits that could act as protective factors of nonsuicidal self-injuries (NSSI).

We performed a cross-sectional, observational and retrospective study of a sample of 134 BPD patients aged from 18 to 56. We assessed the presence or absence of suicidal behavior and NSSI as well as different sociodemographic variables. Millon, Zuckerman-Kuhlman and Structured Clinical Interview for DSM personality questionnaires were also applied. The analysis of the association between variables was carried out with a multivariate negative binomial logistic regression model.

A statistically significant association between NSSI and suicidal behavior was found. Elseways, statistically significant differences were also found in the association between NSSI and the SCID variables for Narcissistic Disorder, which appears as protective variables. These results provide an idea of the dynamic relationship between NSSI and suicidal behavior in a BPD population with particularly severe characteristics.

The role of narcissistic personality traits appears to be important in identifying protective factors for NSSI and suicidal behavior in BPD patients and could be the subject of further research projects.

No significant relationships.

Self-injury, defined as inflicting damage or pain to one’s own body, is a way to deal with unbearable emotions. Unfortunately, it can become addictive through the rewarding effect, and this makes it also really hard to stop with this destructive behavior. Currently, there is a lack of specific treatments.

The aim of the research is to investigate whether the “Protocol imaginary execution of self-damaging behavior” leads to a reduction of self-damaging behavior and the urge to self-damaging behavior.

We have investigated the “Protocol Imaginary execuTion of self-injury” as a potential treatment for self-injury. In this protocol the patient is asked to imagine he/she is performing the self-injury and at the same time a distracting task is offered. This ensures the working memory is double burdened as is with EMDR. We expected a reduction of patient’s self-injurious behavior. For this study, a single-case experimental design with 11 clinical patients is used, aimed to investigate whether there is a functional relationship between the treatment, the urge to self-injure and the frequency and seriousness of the self-injury. Data are analyzed with a multivariate analysis. The results of this study will contribute to expanding and improving treatment options for self-injury.

At the moment the results are not yet available, but they will be known in April 2022.

Respondents indicate that they experience more control over self-injurious behaviour. We hope to have confirmed this in April 2022 with the analyzed data.

No significant relationships.