bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The COVID-19 pandemic and its psychological impact on tunisian health professionals
Authors: Aribi L. , Jbir R. , Messedi N. , Bouattour O. , Kolsi N. , Kallel Z. , Charfeddine F. , Aloulou J.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

In March 2020,World Health Organization characterized the COVID-19 outbreak as pandemic. This new health situation has created an anxiety-provoking climate among health professionals

Objectives

To provide risks associated with the exposure of caregivers to COVID-19 for their mental health by studying the prevalence and predictors of post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and depression.

Methods

Our study was descriptive and analytical cross-sectional, carried out with healthcare in different hospitals in Tunisia, between 13 May until 20 June 2020. An online survey was sent to caregivers. mental health was assessed using 3 scales: PCL-5:measure the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder HADS :screen for anxiety and depression. PSQI:see the existence of a disturbance in sleep quality

Results

125 caregivers participated in the survey. The average age was 32 years. The participants were predominantly female (72.8%), married (48%), and had at least one child (39.2%). 28.7% of participants had increased their consumption of coffee, especially anxious people (p = 0.001). Anxiety was retained in 44% and depression in 47.2%. Anxiety was significantly related to sex with (p = 0.039) and affects more women. The consumers of coffee developed more anxiety (p = 0.034) and depression (p = 0.026). 42.4% of participants had presented post-traumatic stress disorder. Three parameters were correlated with post-traumatic stress disorder: young age, having children and fewer years of professional experience. 62.4% of caregivers had a bad quality of sleep

Conclusions

This health crisis had a major impact on the mental health of our heroes. So, we should provide for them with the necessary support.
Exercise addiction, body dysmorphic disorder, and use of enhancement drugs during the COVID-19 pandemic confinement period: A transcultural study
Authors: Dores A.R. , Carvalho I. , Burkauskas J. , Beretta V. , Ioannidis K. , Simonato P. , Gomez A. , Demetrovics Z. , Fujiwara H. , Chamberlain S. , Fineberg N. , Barbosa F. , Corazza O.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

The Coronavirus pandemic has originated unprecedented sanitary control measures that have conditioned people’s lifestyles and habits. Little is known about the impact of such measures, especially the most restrictive, on recent and growing phenomena such as exercise addiction, use of enhancement drugs, and Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD).

Objectives

The objective was to investigate the above-mentioned phenomena during COVID-19 pandemic and how they relate.

Methods

The sample consisted of 3161 participants (65% women), from Portugal (11%), Italy (41%), Spain (16%), the UK (12%), Lithuania (12%), Japan (6%), and Hungary (4%). Mean age was 35.05 (SD = 12.10). Participants responded online to the Exercise Addiction Inventory (EAI), the Appearance Anxiety Inventory (AAI), and questions about use of enhancement drugs.

Results

4.3% of the participants scored above the cut-off point of the EAI, with higher values registered in the UK and Spain. Exercise addiction was higher among men. Appearance anxiety and body satisfaction problems were found in participants of all participating countries, with 15.2% scoring over the cut-off point for BDD. Higher numbers of those at risk of BDD were found in Italy, Japan, and Portugal. About 29% reported the use of fitness supplements to make them look better, with 6.4% starting a new use during the lockdown. Change in supplements use and exercise are predicted by EAI scores. Change in mental health is predicted by AAI scores.

Conclusions

This study helps to shed light on how COVID-19 lookdown induced behavioral changes and how they affect physical and mental health-related aspects in different countries.
COVID-19 pandemic: Regarding alcohol consumption
Authors: Gonçalves M.J. , Linhares L. , Sereijo C. , Saraiva R. , Ismail F.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

On March, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the COVID-19 outbreak a global pandemic. Social isolation, unemployment and financial difficulties can have an impact on mental health and trigger the use of alcohol as a form of coping. Since the beginning of this pandemic, the WHO had warned the general public of the potential risks of increased alcohol consumption, which might result in a higher incidence of alcohol use disorders (AUD) in future.

Objectives

The aim is to do a review of the literature of alcohol consumption during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

Non-systematic review of the literature with selection of scientific articles published in the last 7 months; by searching the Pubmed databases, the following MeSH terms were used: COVID-19; alcohol consumption.

Results

A recent article in The Lancet suggested that mental health and alcohol use during the pandemic, a major public health concern, are worthy of attention. Market research showed that alcohol sales increased in several countries compared to the same time last year. However, with the closure of several drinking places, sales are not in themselves reliable enough estimates of alcohol consumption. On the other hand, economic crises can lead to a reduction in alcohol consumption, due to financial problems or the risk of unemployment.

Conclusions

The present global circumstance is unique, and there is a need for further research on the relationship between alcohol consumption and COVID-19 to understand its long-term effects and develop specific prevention programs for this population.
Mood disorders and suicides during coronavirus pandemic
Authors: Shah K. , Trivedi C. , Mekala H.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

The outbreak of COVID-19 has disrupted the lives of countless people worldwide. The pandemic has imposed a sense of uncertainty and anxiety, as the world could not predict or prepare for this crisis. It is important to study risk factors, including employment, marital status, and pre-existing medical or psychiatric conditions to effectively handle this pandemic’s mental health impact.

Objectives

We aim to evaluate factors contributing to the suicides and mood disorders during the coronavirus pandemic.

Methods

We examined MeSH terms “COVID-19” in the context of “Mood Disorders,” “Suicide,” “Suicidal Ideation,” “Assisted or Suicide, Attempted or Suicide,” “Risk Factors.” We identified eight case studies for the qualitative synthesis per the PRISMA guidelines, searching Medline, PubMed, PubMed Central, and PsychInfo databases until August 2020.

Results

We identified that the population of all age groups and sex are at risk of stress and mental illness due to the pandemic. Several factors are attributed to the increased risk of mood disorders and suicide. Not having pre-existing psychiatric or medical condition is not a protective factor, since suicide was attempted or committed due to external factors such as economic and social.

Conclusions

The pandemic has increased the risk of mood disorder and suicides in the population. Focus should be on the behavioral and psychological first aid to curb stress.
Family healing: Contextual interventions in perinatal clinical practice
Authors: Kurimay T. , Fenyves T. , Pelikan A.
Published: February 2022

Abstract Body

In perinatal clinical practice (PCP), the focus of care has shifted from the mother and then the baby-mother dyad to the emphasis on the role of fathers. Individual and therapeutic interventions are multimodal, and in almost all cases interdisciplinary cooperation is assumed. The preferred therapeutic methods for perinatal mental disorders are psychological and psychotherapeutic interventions. Through the life-course model, the central, therapeutic-conceptual role of the family can be understood, which - in clinical practice - reflects the need for “think-family” in psychiatric care. Hence there is a growing need for evidence-based family-interventions. Parental mental health disorders may have an impact on family functioning and partner relationship, as well as parent-child interactions, the quality of attachment and relationship with the child. Even though we have an increasing number of evidence regarding the aims and effectiveness of family interventions, additional evidence is needed to determine what interventions and modalities are effective in the perinatal period. And we also need information when these interventions are contraindicated and regarding their risk. It is conceivable that there is not much difference between the efficacy of family intervention methods used in other indications and the perinatal application of the same methods. We have gathered evidence primarily on perinatal depression, which opens the path of family interventions in other disorders. When thinking in the family as a general framework, it should be filled with evidence-based quantitative and qualitative anchors. The conceptual framework can be based on systems- and network theory. The presentation is illustrated with clinical vignettes.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
Evaluation of anxiety and coping strategies among tunisian health professionals in the pandemic of the covid 19
Authors: Messedi N. , Chamseddine A. , Bouattour O. , Turki M. , Halouani N. , Aloulou J.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

The rapid spread of coronavirus has forced the healthcare systems in Tunisia to reorganize its structures, thus mobilizing all caregivers. Their professional and emotional burden was put to the test.

Objectives

To evaluate the level of anxiety and to study coping strategies among caregivers during this pandemic.

Methods

A cross-sectional descriptive and analytical study among150 caregivers in two hospitals in Sfax in Tunisia; during April 2020. We used anonymous questionnaire, the Spielberger State Anxiety Scale(STAI) to assess tension felt at anxiety-producing situations; and the Coping Inventory Scale for Stressful Situations (CISS): to assess coping strategies.

Results

The average age was 30.33± 6,93 years and the sex-ratio M/W = 0,29. Caregivers followed the news of this pandemic with these means of communication: 96% Facebook, 80%TV. The increase of the time spent in front of media:84% Sleep disorders were present in 64.7%: insomnia (36%), chopped sleep(34%). Caregivers used sleeping pills in 12% of case. STAI: The mean ascore =48.85 and a high anxiety level was noted in72% of case. CISS: Task-oriented coping strategies : a mean score= 47.90 and Emotion-centered coping : a mean score = 40,49 High anxiety was correlated with: age>40 years old (p=0.042). The increase of the time spent in front of media, chopped sleep and use of sleeping pills are correlated respectively (p= 0,043, p=0,003, p=0,003) with an emotionally focused coping strategy.

Conclusions

Health professionals had a painful psychological experience with significant anxiety. Strengthening prevention strategies, management of health crises should be a priority of our health-system.
Sharing own story telling during COVID-19’s italian lockdown: An experience with schizophrenic outpatients
Authors: Gentile A. , Matarazzo I. , Marini S.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Affective flattening is one of the main symptoms in Schizophrenia, several studies highlighted the importance of social skills training in improving negative symptoms. However, Covid-19 pandemic is changing our life with limitations in social contacts and in psychosocial rehabilitation; pre COVID-19 strategies should be implemented with new ones.

Objectives

To evaluate the practicability of a narrative method in improving affective flattening, general social skills in stable outpatients with a diagnosis for schizophrenia during Italian lockdown in March – April 2020

Methods

Outpatients with a stable psychopathology have been involved in a narrative project during lockdown. We asked to patients to write daily a story telling about their experience and emotions and send us their diary. Every week the diary has been used to discuss their story telling in group in a web conference. At end of the experience we administered a survey about the enjoyment and the subjective benefits.

Results

From ten people with a known psychopathology we recruited six patients. All participants completed the project and all of them referred for a subjective benefit as to feel more reassured by the contact with their psychiatrist. Four patients explicated initial discomfort about share their experiences in group. One patient started to share his own thoughts about mental disease on social media.

Conclusions

Narrative Psychiatry might be a pragmatic opportunity to implement conventional strategies to contrast affective flattening and negative symptoms in Schizophrenia. Sharing digital story telling is a useful method in lockdown and general social restriction condition.
How are the portuguese coping with the mandatory confinement by COVID-19? Association between mental health and coping strategies
Authors: Jarego M. , Pimenta F. , Pais-Ribeiro J. , Costa R. , Patrão I. , Coelho L. , Ferreira-Valente A.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

The global COVID-19 pandemic has had an unprecedented effect on human behaviour and wellbeing. However, researchers have not yet considered how coping responses to stress related to COVID-19 could influence mental health.

Objectives

This study aims to evaluate the mental health status of Portuguese during the national lockdown; examine how study participants cope with stress during the national lockdown; and assess the association between coping and mental health status.

Methods

We cross sectionally analysed data from a convenience sample of 430 adults living in Portugal. Mental health was measured using the five-item Mental Health Inventory. Coping strategies were assessed using the Brief COPE. We examine the univariate associations between mental health status and coping responses. We performed a multiple hierarchical regression analysis controlling for sex and age, to test the predictive importance of coping responses on mental health status.

Results

Participants’ mental health was lower than the cut-off point for poor mental health (p<.001). The use of instrumental support, emotional support, self-blame, venting, denial, behavioral disengagement, and substance use were positively significantly associated with mental health, while active coping, positive reframing, acceptance, and humor were negatively significantly associated with mental health. The multiple hierarchical regression analyses showed that sex and age accounted for 6% of the variance of mental health. Coping strategies accounted for an additional and statistically significant 30% of the variance of mental health.

Conclusions

The findings provide support for the impact of the coping strategies on mental health. We encourage future research on the present topic.
The mental health of brazilian university hospital’s workers in times of COVID-19
Authors: Floriano L. , Hainosz M. , Arcaro G. , Brabicoski C. , Krum E.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

The Coronavirus pandemic has been causing a significant psychological impact on the population, showing symptoms such as anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, among others. In addition, health professionals, who are on the front line, need to act promptly seeking unceasingly to save lives, predisposing to psychosocial events due to the risk of contamination, family distance and frustration in relation to death.

Objectives

To analyze the profile of the psychosocial care performed in workers of a Brazilian university hospital who sought care to control the anxiety-stress resulting from the pandemic

Methods

Cross-sectional observational study, using a questionnaire to survey psychosocial demands and evaluate the care of workers who sought assistance in this service (n=61). As a dependent variable, the sector of action was stipulated and as independent the sex, age and the demands that justified the need for assistance. The data were analyzed by Pearson’s correlation with 5% of significance through the statistical software SPSS.

Results

There was a statistic difference between the groups in the variables age and psychosocial interventions for anxiety and stress management. The most part of the sample was composed of health professionals, women, with an average of 33 years old, motivated, technically prepared, scared and not overloaded.

Conclusions

Psychosocial care to health professionals for the management of anxiety and depression is indispensable either during or after the pandemic by seeking Mental Health interventions to minimize the suffering of these workers.
COVID-19 and psychological support by phone: Demands assisted at a call center service of a brazilian university
Authors: Floriano L. , Pinto E. , Bordin D.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Throughout the COVID-19 Pandemic, it was recommended to implement mental health care services mediated by Information and Communication Technologies to alleviate the suffering caused by the social distance.

Objectives

To characterize the demands and the possibilities of psychological support at the Call Center of a Brazilian public university, which aims clarifying doubts about COVID-19 and to forward suspected cases of contamination.

Methods

Cross-sectional, quantitative study with secondary data. The data came from 60 Psychological Support attendance records, carried out over 24 weeks. The data were analyzed descriptively and by the paired test and McNemar.

Results

The majority of consultations were for people aged among 51 and 60 years (21.7%). The main demands were social (40.0%), related to feelings (40.0%) and self-reported diagnosis (18.3%), with each service mostly split into two (31.7%) or three (31.7%) conducts. There was a significant increase in the average number of reports of symptoms of psychological distress experienced during the pandemic (p <0.001), including changes in sleep patterns (p <0.001) and appetite (p = 0.002), physical symptoms (p = 0.001), physical and emotional discomfort (p <0.001) and crying / depressive mood attacks (p = 0.002). As conducts, there was a predominance of psychoeducation (78.3%) and strategies for managing suffering (68.3%) at the expense of referrals to specialized in-person services (21.7%).

Conclusions

There were several demands of the evaluated Psychological Support service, which presents an important and promising strategy for meeting the demands of psychological distress in the midst of Pandemic, especially for the adult and elderly public.
The behavior of tunisians during the lockdown of COVID-19
Authors: Jomli R. , Sahbani A. , Jemli H.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

The general confinement in Tunisia in the covid-19 pandemic is a new event for the Tunisian society with economic, social and psychological repercussions.

Objectives

To evaluate the behavior of Tunisians during the general confinement of 2020.

Methods

descriptive and analytical study through a questionnaire sent online under the model of “google forms”.

Results

Our sample is composed of 500 people, mostly women, with an average age of about 40 years, an average to good economic level, and a secondary and higher education level. In the Tunisian family, the most discussed topic during the lockdown is the covid-19 and its evolution in the world and the country. The most avoided subject is the behavior of neighbors. The Tunisian’s main sources of information on covid-19 are television and social networks. The behavior most adopted to avoid contamination is hand washing. Only 2/3 of the group applied the measures announced by the government. A quarter of our sample spent more than 5 hours in front of the computer screen or smartphone. During confinement the most important behaviors are smoking, eating, doing nothing and playing cards. Only 10% of our sample have plans for next year.

Conclusions

For our sample, covid-19 has greatly transformed the behavior in daily life which has become dominated by anxiety and fear of contamination.
Acceptability of COVID-19 vaccine by paramedics
Authors: Kefi H. El , Kefi K. , Krir W. , Brahim C. Bencheikh , Baatout A. , Bouzouita I. , Slema H. , Oumaya A.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

The year 2020 was marked by the COVID-19 pandemic that killed more than one million people. Scientists around the world are looking for an effective vaccine against this virus.

Objectives

The objective of our study was to assess the acceptability of the COVID-19 vaccine by paramedics.

Methods

Descriptive and cross-sectional study including paramedics (nurses, orderlies) from the military hospital of Tunis. Data collection was carried out by a clinical psychologist. We studied the associations between the different characteristics of our population and the decision to accept or refuse vaccination against COVID-19.

Results

A total of 161 paramedics agreed to answer our questionnaire. The average age was 37.73 years. The average number of years worked was 14.95 years. There were 85 women (52.8%) and 76 men (47.2%). The rapid discovery of the vaccine was hoped for by 94.4%. Vaccination was considered a means of collective protection by 84.5%. However, only 52.8% agreed to be vaccinated by the COVID-19 vaccine. The main factors significantly associated with refusal of the COVID-19 vaccine were previous refusal of influenza vaccination (p = 0.006).

Conclusions

Apprehension about vaccination does not appear to be sparing the future COVID-19 vaccine. To achieve vaccination coverage that would protect health care workers, several awareness and communication activities must be carried out.
The impact of COVID-19 on psychoactive products consumers
Authors: Bouighoulidne S. Ait , Elgot A. , Laamiri F.Z.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

The emergence of COVID-19 changed the lifestyle of individuals through the appearance of lockdown. This period seems to have potential effect on some health determinants related to behaviors such as drug addiction.

Objectives

Compare the prevalence and behavior of drug consumers before and during the lockdown.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was carried out on 1001 Moroccan addict between April and July 2020, using two international questionnaires: The global drug survey “Special Edition on COVID-19” and the survey on impact of COVID-19 on patients and families.

Results

before lockdown, tobacco use (80.2%), alcohol (70.9%), cannabis (46.3%). During lockdown: tobacco consumption remains unchanged (80.7%), alcohol and cannabis consumption reduced significantly, respectively (39.6%) and (40.8%). Results show also the weaning of hallucinogens and solvents. 76.3% decreased their use, the raisons behind these changes were: 39.8% worried about health issues, 26.6% have less opportunities to consume, 23.7% think that the current life style make it difficult to use, 23.4% think they have less ability to obtain drugs.

Conclusions

The lockdown seems to be an opportunity for addicts to reduce drugs consumption. However, setting up support services with targeted interventions is the best chance to decrease psychological stress and avoid the consequences of this reduction.
Family well-being as an important protective factor in the treatment of stress and emotional burnout among medical professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic in Russia
Authors: Koniukhovskaia J. , Pervichko E. , Mitina O. , Stepanova O. , Dorokhov E.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

The COVID-19 pandemic and the need to fight it disrupt the balance between work and rest for health workers that can lead to a decrease in stress tolerance and emotional burnout appearance. The lifestyle and well-being of personal and family life can be both a “depletion” and a “resource” factor for health professionals when working under stressful conditions.

Objectives

To study the presence/absence and severity of burnout symptoms in medical professionals in the COVID-19 pandemic context; to investigate the interaction between burnout severity and overall stress levels, family well-being, and the presence of children.

Methods

The author’s socio-demographic questionnaire, Stress Perception Questionnaire (Linville, 1987), modified Pandemic Perception Questionnaire (Broadbent et al.,2006), Maslach Burnout Inventory (Maslach et al.^1996), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (Spielberger et al., 1983) were used. The study was conducted online from April 27 to October 26. It involved 249 medical workers, including 58 men and 191 women.

Results

Health workers who have children show greater confidence in their professional competence(41.28±6.3vs39±7;p=0.007) and (at the trend level) have a lower level of exhaustion(34.53 ±9.2vs36.71±10.8;p=0.09) than their colleagues without children. Although health workers in both groups have approximately the same scores for perceived stress, however, those with children put less effort to counteract stress(9.31±2.5vs10.19±2.9;p=0.012). They describe the pandemic as less dangerous compared to colleagues who do not have children(15.4±5.7vs16.7±5.1;p=0.042).

Conclusions

Perhaps the very possibility of switching attention from a vitally dangerous topic to more positive aspects of life allows medical staff who have children to feel less exhausted and maintain faith in their own strength.
Mental health in pandemic times - a review
Authors: Jeremias D. , Moura A. , Rodrigues D. , Laginhas C. , Isaac J. , Albuquerque R.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Any outbreak of pandemic dimension will most likely produce a serious amount of distress and prejudice to anyone, in particular when it comes to mental health. The pandemic impact in primary care and in the psychiatric emergency department are some of the topics discussed in this review.

Objectives

It aims to review, evaluate and reflect over the impact of a deadly coronavirus pandemic on mental health, as well as presenting possible long-term challenges and potential ways to approach it.

Methods

A non-systematic literary review was performed on the Pubmed, PsycInfo and Cochrane databases using the key words “covid-19”, “psychiatry”, “self-isolation” and “telepsychiatry”.

Results

Globally and, as expected, there has been a general increase in need for psychiatric assessment and treatment due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Conclusions

The role of psychiatry has faced quite some challenges in such a short period of time: the rise of telepsychiatry; the management of patients with both a psychiatric disorder and an infection with the new coronavirus and the need to provide an adequate psychiatric assistance in the emergency room has become the new normal.
Psychosocial consequences of the COVID-19 social isolation in the italian general population: Preliminary results
Authors: Ciaramella A. , Rossi M. , Jarego M. , Ferreira-Valente A.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Although some philosophers recognize in the loneliness an evolutionary existential process, a 2019 declaration of World Health Organization underlines the major health problem in the worldwide is the perception of state of loneliness. The feeling of loneliness linked to the social isolation (SI) or a lack of social opportunity activate a stressful condition associated to an increase of social dependence. This ‘learned social helplessness’ can be dangerous so that it is associated with an increased prevalence of suicides (Cacioppo and Cacioppo, 2018; Bzdok and Dunbar, 2020). Considering the impact of loneliness on the mental health we can assume that the COVID-19 forced SI affects the state of health and psychosocial well-being.

Objectives

To evaluate the psychosocial impact of the SI in Italy.

Methods

An ad hoc survey have been sent from May to June 2020.

Results

These results refer to the Italian survey of a multicenter investigation with partnership of Spain and Portugal universities. The investigation is in progress being a longitudinal study. Of the total 292 subjects investigated (age xM: 34; sD14.13), 118 (40,41%) had been in SI. Subjects forced into SI report more interference in the life satisfaction (p=0.003) though no more anxiety, depression and hostility we found in the SI group.

Conclusions

During the phase 2 of Italian COVID-19 diffusion, we found an impact on the life satisfaction more than psychopathology. We can assume that the impact of mental health it may occur as the reduction in life satisfaction associated with forced SI continues.
Emergency state in COVID-19 pandemic: Hungarian patients’ experiences
Authors: Pogany L. , Horváth A. , Rozsavolgyi E. , Slezák A. , Lazary J.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

The COVID-19 pandemic made neccessary the declaration of emergency state in Hungary from 11 March 2020 to 18 June 2020. During this period hospitals were reserved for emergency use, ambulatory care was limited and replaced by telemedicine.

Objectives

We assessed the opinions of patients of two ambulatory psychiatric care units in Budapest regarding the emergency state.

Methods

We enrolled 438 outpatients in the survey (305 women and 133 men, mean age:51.9±16.2 years).Our questionnaire comprised 10 items on emotions and mental state and a 12 item „Problem evaluation scale”(included ’Fear’, ’Isolation’ and ’Health status’ subscales).General linear model (GLM), pairwise comparison and Tukey’s post hoc test were performed.

Results

Up to 34% of patients considered that their condition worsened during this period, but 12% of them thought that this was not related to emergency state. Twice as many participants (12.8%) were concerned about their financial situation than about their health status (6.1%). Worsening health status, higher fear and more common adaptation difficulties were reported by patients < 50 years, than by subjects> 50 years (p=0.001; p=0.045; p=0.003). Isolation caused higher distress among women than in men (p=0.003). The abundance of information caused higher distress in patients with anxiety disorder than with psychotic disorders (p=0.024).Patients with affective disorders perceived higher vulnerability compared to subjects with psychotic disorders (p=0.004).

Conclusions

Adaptation difficulties were reported by the half of the sample.Depletion of psychological resources can be expected during the next stage of the pandemic.
Personalized ECT: Much ado about nothing?
Authors: Sienaert P.
Published: February 2022

The discussion about whether or not to focus our attention on the ‘average’ ECT-treatment technique that suits the majority of our patients or tailor the treatment to the needs of individual patients is ongoing. The question is, however, whether the available evidence permits us to to offer treatment ‘à la tête du client’. The start of a treatment course can be personalized by choosing electrodeplacement (EP) (e.g. bilateral in case of a severe or life-threatening condition, when fast improvement prevails over cognitive impact), parameter selection (e.g. a shorter pulse-width in order to avoid cognitive side-effects), and a dosing strategy. A fixed-dose will lead to overdosing in some patients (causing side-effects) and under-dosing in others (delaying/decreasing response) (1) Adjusting an ongoing treatment-technique can be based on response, side-effects or on the quality of the elicited seizure (EEG). In case of inadequate response, the clinician can decide to switch EP or to increase dose. There is no consensus as to the number of sessions after which technique should be changed. In case of intolerable side-effects, parameter selection and/or EP can be adjusted. The evidence that is available to guide these steps is limited. There is some evidence for a relation between several EEG-characteristics and outcome. Thus, in the event of an inadequate seizure, changing the anesthetic regimen, optimizing ventilation, lengthening the anesthetic-ECT time-interval or increasing the stimulus dose, can be of help. 1. Sackeim et al. Treatment of the modal patient: does one size fit nearly all? J ECT 2001;17:219-222.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
The impact of protective face masks and coverings on patient-health provider communication
Authors: Ganhao I. , Trigo M. , Paixao A.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic the trend points to universal use of protective face masks. The impact posed on verbal and non-verbal communication by masks is yet another challenge to be addressed in clinical care.

Objectives

To reflect on the consequences of face mask and covering use on communication in the clinical setting, including mental health settings.

Methods

Pubmed and Google Scholar literature search using terms face mask / face covering and communication / emotion.

Results

There is a lack of literature on the impact of protective face masks and coverings on communication in clinical settings. Face masks and coverings may have a significant impact on patient-healthcare professional relationship due to disruption of verbal (poorer quality of speech transmission) and non-verbal communication (emotional expression and recognition) with consequences on: 1) clarity of communication with potential for misunderstanding clinical information, advice and prescriptions posing safety issues, 2) emotion perception, expression and reciprocity, 4) perception of healthcare professionals’ empathy and therefore, 3) patient satisfaction, 4) quality of care, and 5) clinical outcomes. Difficulties in communication between the patients´family or other carers and healthcare providers and between healthcare professionals are likewise challenged. People with hearing impairment, children and people with mental illness may be especially vulnerable to these difficulties in communication.

Conclusions

Protective face masks and coverings are undoubtedly important in preventing spread of COVID-19, nonetheless mental healthcare professionals should take into account their significant impact on verbal and non-verbal communication in clinical care. Alternative strategies to enhance communication and rapport may be warranted.
Depression among pregnant women with husbands abroad: Case control study in hostile region of AZAD jammu and kashmir
Authors: Zubair U. , Ali S.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Going abroad for employment is one of the common social problems which have been faced by the young males of developing countries. This included both highly qualified individuals as well as the labor class.

Objectives

To determine the difference in the presence of depressive symptoms among pregnant women with husbands living abroad and those with husbands living with them in Azad Jammu and Kashmir

Methods

The sample population comprised of pregnant women reporting for ante natal checkup at Amna hospital Rawalakot. Cases constituted the pregnant women with husbands living abroad while controls were the pregnant women with husbands living with them.PHQ-9 was used to record the presence and severity of depressive symptoms. Age, gestation, parity, rural or urban origin, education, level of family income, daily contact hours on telephone or what’s app, previous pregnancy loss or complications, number of years abroad and visits to home per year were associated with depressive symptoms.

Results

Mean age of the study participants was 29.73±5.395 years. 66 (66%) had significant depression in the case group while 14 (14%) had in the control group (p-value<0.001). Education and rural background had significant difference among the case and control group. Less number of visits per year of husband was strongly linked with presence of depressive symptoms among the cases.

Conclusions

This study showed a high frequency of depressive symptoms among pregnant women with husbands abroad as compared to those with husbands living with them. Special attention should be paid to the women whose husband had lesser number of visits to the country
When healing becomes a burden: The feedback of tunisian psychiatrists
Authors: Faouel N. , Mohamed B. Ben , Bejar M. , Ayoub R. , Zaafrane F. , Gaha L.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Psychiatry is a fascinating medical specialty. Many reasons may motivate early career doctors to choose this field. However, this experience could have a different impact on their quality of life and social functioning.

Objectives

we aimed to assess the impact of psychiatry as a medical career, on the psychiatrist’s quality of life, and to evaluate their feedback on their experience and how it effects their life.

Methods

This is a cross-sectional descriptive study of 68 psychiatrists. An E-questionnaire has been sent via a psychiatrist’s closed groups on social media. We collected sociodemographic data, we also used the stress perceived scale, and we explored the quality of life using the SF-12 questionnaire.

Results

The participants were mostly females with a mean age of 32 years (range25-65). Only 10% of psychiatrists had psychiatric history mostly depression. Concerning substance use, 15% were smokers, 17% used alcohol, 10% smoked occasionally cannabis and 23 % used different psychotropic drugs. 73% our sample were interested in psychiatry during their studies. 60% of our population considered the role of psychiatrists ambiguous among other colleagues. A very high perceived stress was noted in 90 % of our sample. Physical health status was in the average of standard deviation wether mental health status was below average among psychiatrists. The most frustrating situation mentioned was the absence of intermediate structures to receive psychotic patients.

Conclusions

Tunisians psychiatrists are facing many obstacles during the practice of their job, that would transform their passion into demotivation and a desire to leave the country.
Local and exhaustive study of transmission of detected psychopathological dimensions in family groups in the “albanova” area
Authors: Serritella C. , Russo A. , Rossi G. , Paolino M. , Baldascino M. , Vecchio H. Del , Cimmino M. , Salvati T.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

It is not known with certainty how different phenotypes are transmitted in groups of families divided into three generations.

Objectives

Having meticulously searched for terms of psychopathogic lexicon that best translated the sterile categorical diagnosis, we obtained three dimensional groups for all six families in the three generations.

Methods

We calculated the frequencies and percentages of the three dimensional groups for the three generations of families based on sex.

Results

The chi-square TEST attests a p-value = 0.049, statistically significant for the dimensional group “A”. (Tab. 3)

Conclusions

The genetics, and above all the epigenetics, of the phenotypes are periodically transmitted in group “A” and group “C” in the female and male sex. (Graphs 2.1.1 and 2.3.1) Different phenotypes indicate that the complexity of the interactions of the regulatory mechanisms of genes with the environment is extremely significant for the group with the most severe psychiatric pathology.
Acute family marital psychosis
Authors: Falfel D. , Homri W. , Ghrissi F. , Stambouli M. , Bechir M. Ben , Mouelhi L. , Bram N. , Romdhane I. Ben , Labbane R.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Acute marital psychosis is an acute psychotic episode occurring in a particular context which is marriage. In fact, marriage represents an event with a very important emotional load especially in the Arab-Muslim culture. This event can, in some people, induce a relapse of certain psychiatric disorders, particularly psychotic ones. We propose in this work to report two clinical observations concerning two brothers who both presented, a few years apart, an acute nuptial psychosis with two different evolutions.

Objectives

Studing the characteristics of nuptial psychotic episode in a one family and the different evolution of each one.

Methods

Reporting two clinical cases of two brothers who represented both acute psychotic episode in a nuptial context with different evolution.

Results

The two patients are brothers with common psychiatric background which is their mother treated for chronic psychotic disorder. They were hospitalized in our psychiatric service for acute psychotic episode occuring in a nuptial context with chronic evolution for the first one and a partial recovery for the second one.

Conclusions

Marriage represents an event with a very important emotional load especially in the Arab-Muslim culture. In thiscontext, acute psychotic episode can occur with different evolution for patients predisposed. Studing socio-cultral circumstances related to psychotic episode can help mental health professional to improve the quality of health care service.
Lived experience roles in forensic in-patient treatment
Authors: Drennan G.
Published: February 2022

wThe development of recovery-oriented practice in mental health has brought about a much greater prominence to the place of lived experience workers. Many aspects of indvidualised recovery-oriented care have been taken up in forensic mental health settings. However, the introduction of lived experience workers is arguably significantly more difficult when the dual vulnerabilities of forensic mental health services users are considered (Drennan & Alred, 2012). This paper will describe a multi-layered approach to the introduction of lived experience roles in a forensic in-patient unit. Roles have developed from being solely ward-based, to service-wide roles that include participation in management and service development, the creation of a Recovery College Forensic Campus, and to co-production and co-delivery of the psychological therapies programme. In addition to ‘mapping’ these developments in co-production, this paper will also describe the development of the governance structures that have been necessary to support this infrastructure. Lived experience workers require recruitment, vetting, placement, and aftercare, when they engage in the activities available. On-going mental health and risk stability cannot be assumed, and so regular formal and informal psychosocial support is required to ensure that workload pressures do not negatively impact on other service users and staff. The paper will suggest that much more attention needs to be paid to the development of organisational infrastructure to sustain and manage the growth of lived experience roles in forensic mental health settings than is currently in place.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
Inverse autonomic stress reactivity in depressed patients with and without prior history of depression
Authors: Agorastos A. , Heinig A. , Wiedemann K. , Demiralay C.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

There is a considerable association between major depressive disorder (MDD) and cardiovascular disease, most possibly relying on abnormalities in the autonomic nervous system (ANS)-related cardiac reactivity, although the exact underlying pathophysiological pathway is unclear.

Objectives

This study tends to shed some additional light on this background by investigating ANS reactivity in MDD with respect to previous depression history through an objective stress challenge paradigm.

Methods

The study assessed the effects of an overnight hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis stimulation with metyrapone (MET) on baseline ANS activity through linear and non-linear heart rate variability (HRV) measures in the morning of two continuous days in a group of 14 physically healthy, antidepressant-free patients with clinical, non-psychotic MDD, to investigate differences in autonomic reactivity with respect to prior MDD history.

Results

The main findings of this study include statistically significant time x group interactions with respect to several HRV measures, suggesting substantial differences on autonomic reactivity between patients with and without depression history. Hereby, recurrent-episode MDD patients showed lower vagal activity, while first-episode MDD patients increased PNS activity after HPA axis stimulation.

Conclusions

These findings indicate that HPA axis stimulation in MDD patients leads to inverse vagal response according to MDD history. We suggest that chronic stress system overactivation, as found in MDD, might lead to a progressive inversion of the original stress response through HPA axis and ANS divergence over the course of a recurrent illness. HRV could, thus, represent a significant biomarker in MDD with temporal sensitivity.
Implementation of a peer support worker in a forensic hospital in germany
Authors: Walde P. , Benz C. , Völlm B.
Published: February 2022

Experienced Involvement (also called Peer Support Work, PSW) has existed in mental health care in Germany since 2005 though its implementation lags behind, compared to other countries. Due to the unique challenges of forensic-psychiatric settings, implementation of PSW in these settings is even less developed. We prepared the implementation of a peer support worker in our forensic hospital for addicted offenders in Germany in several steps: A survey amongst the 75 forensic hospitals in Germany was conducted to evaluate the prevalence of PSW in these settings. Individual interviews were conducted with directors and peer support workers of forensic clinics nation-wide to investigate their facilities’ experiences with PSW. Focus groups with several occupational groups of the clinic in Rostock addressed staffs opinions, expectations and reservations regarding peer support work. These were recorded and transcribed for thematic analysis. Results: revealed that the majority of forensic hospitals (83.6%) has no experience with peer support work. Interviews with external clinic directors revealed similar concerns and expectations among the employees as our focus groups did. Staff at the clinics expected the peer support worker to offer useful experiences and new perspectives. Concerns occurred about stability of health condition of the peer support worker, trust issues because of former criminal behavior and attitudes towards psychiatric treatment that might interfere with professional treatment negatively. Furthermore the clinic directors stressed the importance of a well prepared implementation and a good “fit” of the peer support workers background to the patients (e.g. regarding diagnosis).

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
On psychosocial pathomorphosis of depression
Authors: Krasnov V. , Semenova N.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

The concept of depression has long been a matter of controversy. Sociocultural factors greatly influence the phenomenology of depression and the meaning that patients assign to their symptoms.

Objectives

The aim is to determine the changes in the phenomenology of depression over the past decades.

Methods

To compare the proportions of biologically mediated symptoms of typical recurrent melancholic depression with the ideator components of the depressive syndrome and a depressive decrease in reactivity. We compared the archival data of one of the authors (V.N.K.) obtained in the study of depression: 1980-1987 (first group) and 2014-2020 (second group). The groups are age-comparable (21-64 y.o.). The Hamilton Depression Scale has been used to assess depression (score of 21–32, in both groups).

Results

Basic, i.e., biologically mediated symptoms, were not statistically different in the study groups. Whereas symptoms associated with emotional reactivity, the patient’s introspective abilities and capacity to identify and verbalize feelings - in the second group, were statistically rare, except for anhedonia, which, on the contrary, came to the fore. Based on some longitudinal studies of the dangers of excessive reliance on computer-mediated communication, one could foresee such contrasting phenomenology changes, which were especially clearly manifested in young patients.

Conclusions

Over the past decades, there are changes in the phenomenology of depression. The same underlying disorder can produce different clinical presentations, and agreement on a pathological entity does not necessarily mean deal with a descriptive label.