bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Innovations in treatment of psychosis in southeast europe
Authors: Jovanovic N.
Published: August 2023

Southeast Europe (SEE) is home to 70 million people living across 12 countries. These countries share similar socioeconomic background and tradition of healthcare systems, although many differences exist in the organisation of mental health care. The region has been called ‘the blind spot on the global mental health map’ due to lack of research and innovations in mental health care. In recent years European Commission has invested significant resources to improve mental health care of individuals with severe mental disorders in Southeast Europe. Two major, recently completed, projects are Recover-e and Impulse. This presentation will focus on findings from the Impulse study. We will start with an overview of evidence-based, non-pharmacological interventions for individuals with psychosis, with focus on what is offered and implemented in 12 SEE countries. Next, we will present key findings from the hybrid type II effectiveness-implementation psychosocial randomised-controlled trial. We will show an evidence-based approach how to improve psychosocial aspect of treatment of individuals with psychotic disorders. Mental health services that offer a combined-therapy approach, including psychosocial interventions and pharmacotherapy, can ensure holistic care, preferred by patients and their families. Discussion will include the role of implementation science tool in mental health care and sustainability of implemented interventions.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
Neuroimaging in Internet gaming disorder comorbid with Attention-deficit disorder
Authors: Wildenberg B. , Pires R. , Pereira D. , Faria I. , Madeira N.
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Internet gaming disorder (IGD) refers to a pattern of persistent gambling behaviour or recurring gambling, on the Internet, with impaired control, increased priority, and continuation or escalation of gambling despite the occurrence of negative consequences. Currently, online gambling - more frequent among men - represents a very important, constantly growing economic activity. Since the COVID-19 pandemic and the need to conduct classes online, there has been an increase in the rate of IGD in children and youth (7-25 years old). Comorbidities, namely attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), have been associated with a higher prevalence of IGD. They share core traits, such as impulsiveness, seeking immediate reward, deficient motivation, and hostility, which may translate into neuroimaging similarities.

Objectives

Non-systematic review of the literature about neuroimaging of IGD comorbid with ADHD.

Methods

A search was conducted on PubMed and other databases, using the MeSH terms “Internet Addiction Disorder”, “Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity” and {“MRI” OR “fMRI” OR “functional connectivity” OR “neuroimaging OR neural alteration OR neuronal alteration OR neural change"}.

Results

IGD and ADHD have shared and disorder specific patterns of structural and functional abnormalities, particularly in reward function. For instance, IGD has been associated with lower putamen grey matter volume (GMV), while ADHD patients have lower GMV in the orbitofrontal cortex. Disorder-specific fMRI activation has been observed in the precuneus in IGD; in ADHD, there is special activation in the fusiform gyrus. Finally, shared structural and functional alterations between IGD and ADHD seem to converge in the prefrontal-striatum circuit, especially the anterior cingulate cortex.

Conclusions

ADHD has been suggested as the most significant predictor of IGD in cross-sectional and prospective studies, however there is no study that clarifies their relationship. It is unclear whether IGD causes ADHD symptoms or whether a problem with gambling is a prodromal sign of the development of full ADHD. Studies revealing common neurobiological foundations between these disorders are pivotal to understand their basic mechanisms, while alerting to the necessity to screen for both pathologies when one is present. They may also point to an overlapping target (the reward circuit) for behavioural and pharmacological treatment.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
Heavy and Chronic Cannabis Use Impact on Human Emotions: BOLD-fMRI Study
Authors: Boujraf S. , Jaafari M. , Houate A. , Aalouane R. , Maaroufi M. , Rammouz I.
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Long term cannabis use has been expanding drastically over the last two decades and has become a major health issue worldwide. Recent studies demonstrate that brain complications in adults with cannabis use are associated with cognitive and emotional impairments, but little is known about the relationship between structural alterations and behavioral manifestations. Therefore, studying the relationship between alterations of emotional system, in parallel with structural degenerative phenomena is very critical.

Objectives

Hence, the aim of this study is to demonstrate such alterations by making use of appropriate paradigms during BOLD-fMRI scans. Positive, negative and neutral emotions were examined, in relations with DTI and functional connectivity.

Methods

11 cannabis addicted patients volunteered for the study. Volunteers were fully healthy. However, any additional comorbidity was a strict criterion of exclusion, and a healthy general state was an indispensable criterion of inclusion. Additionally, it was excluded any patient that have any additional substance use such as tobacco, alcohol, cocaine, etc. And strict use of cannabis was a must.

All patients underwent blood and urine assessments to ensure the selection criteria.

All patients underwent BOLD-fMRI and anatomical MRI using both motor and emotional paradigm.

The motor task consisted of rest alternating with finger tapping. The emotional task included 3 conditions. Positive, neutral and negative were each alternating with silent mental counting. The fMRI data was processed using SPM12 package. A sample of 12 age-matched controls was also included.

Results

The present results are based on analysis of behavioral and BOLD-fMRI data of 11patients and similar age-matched controls. Analysis of behavioral data showed an alteration of emotional abilities in cannabis addicted patients compared to controls. Analysis of fMRI data revealed significant changes of activation within a large cortical network including prefrontal cortex and parietal cortex, and that emotional responses and BOLD signal were inversely correlated.

Conclusions

These findings demonstrate that the brain of cannabis addicted patients undergoes and emotional alterations that parallel silent structural degenerative phenomena. Although the causal mechanisms are still to be investigated, the fact that functional impairments can be detected in emotional, cognitive and motor domains calls for the development of preventive measures using neurobehavioral tools for this population of patient, and even in at risk users.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
Neuropsychological diagnosis of impaired mental functions in alcoholic disease of the second stage
Authors: Baranskaya L. T. , Babushkina E. I. , Potapov V. I.
Published: August 2023

Introduction

In the global practice and in Russia, alcohol abuse in the population remains one of the main risk factors for disability and premature death of the able-bodied population

Objectives

Systemic neuropsychological study of impaired mental functions caused by the toxic effects of alcohol.

Methods

The study was in the substance use unit. Patients over the age of 24 years, with a period of abstinence from alcohol of at least 7 days before the study. The experimental group included 24 patients diagnosed with “Chronic alcoholism” stage II, (including 23 men and 1 woman). The age of patients was 47.1±4.5. The research method was standardized neuropsychological technique by A.R. Luria

Results

In the study group, a direct relationship was found between disorders in the mental functions (frontal lobe of the brain) and the age of patients suffering from alcohol dependence (r = 0.477; p<0.05). This indicates premature cognitive aging, which manifested in a decrease in the processes of processing new information and working memory. With age, such patients become emotionally labile, impulsive, with behavioral disorders, similar to what occurs in different types of dementia and is the result of damage to the prefrontal lobe of the brain

Conclusions

Because of the study, moderate and / or pronounced impaired of mental functions revealed in most patients: impaired of dynamic praxis in all processes deployed in the time; impaired of voluntary regulation of behavior and regulatory aspects of memory, attention, thinking, speech; impaired of orientation in space and in performing operations with spatial characteristics

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
New nerurological viewpoints of psychiatric sysndromes
Authors: Krupa M. , Tóth T.
Published: August 2023

Introduction

We research new neurological viewpoints of psychiatric syndromes in social cohesion regarding, especially the problematic of lymbic system and amygdala in adults. Nowadays, the number of the problematic use of internet is higher than before the COVID-19 pandemic. The development of the digital techniques is impulsive, which can be the main reason of most neurological dysfunctions and the change of the social communication.

Objectives

In this presentation, we review studies investigating the relationship among the new digital techniques, limbic system and development of psychiatric syndromes. We attempt to provide a summary of new theories and the areas currently being researched around the topic. Another aim of our research is to present the change of the social communication and emotion regulation, which are risk factors of problematic use of internet and behavioral addictive disorders. These appear in different ways in rehabilitation and social inclusion in Europe.

Methods

In order to learn about recent international results, we conducted a literature search in 4 databases ( PubMed , Medline , Web of Science, Google Scolar) using keywords (amygdala, psychiatric syndromes, adults, emotion regulation, problematic use of internet, social cohesion) over the past 5 years. From the obtained results, the English empirical journal articles were used to prepare the literature review.

Results

The frequency of co-occurrence of amygdala dysfunction, problematic use of internet and behavioral addictive disorders are correlated. The studies examined the presence of symptoms of impulsivity and dopamine level of the brain primarily through cross-sectional studies. The social cohesion and inclusion regarding types are different in the regions of Europe.

Conclusions

The dysfunctions of lymbic system regulation cause maladaptive emotion regulation and are risk factors and make the person vulnerable to the development of psychiatric symptoms, problematic use of internet and behavioral addictive disorders. The differents of regions and areas in Europe with the new neurological viewpoints in psychiatric disorders can help with rehabilitation in the social cohesion regarding. These changes are particularly pronounced during adolescence, when the demand for self regulation across a variety of emotional and social situations may be the greatest.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
Homosexual Obsessive–compulsive Disorder Comorbid with Bipolar Disorder: A Rare Case report
Authors: Gardabbou M. , Feki R. , Smaoui N. , Gassara I. , Omri S. , Maalej Bouali M. , Charfi N. , Ben Thabet J. , Zouari L. , Maalej M.
Published: August 2023

Introduction

While bipolar disorder–obsessive compulsive disorder overlap is quite common, sexuality remains a largely unexplored area of this clinical entity.

Objectives

Illustrate through a clinical vignette the case of a patient with diagnosed homosexual obsessive –compulsive disorder (OCD) comorbid with bipolar disorder (BD).

Methods

The clinical case report was prepared through the review of the patient´s clinical record.

Results

We report a rare case of a 22 year-old man who was diagnosed with Homosexual Obsessive–compulsive Disorder comorbid with Bipolar Disorder, admitted to our department for a suicide attempt. He came from a religious and conservative background and suffered from intrusive, unwanted mental images of homosexual behaviour since the age of 17. He presented periods of remission from his obsessive thoughts, while showing signs of elevated mood, talkativeness, restlessness, agitation and hyperactivity that would last for a few days, with recrudescence of obsessive and depressive symptoms again afterwards. The present case showed a significant reduction in depressive symptoms and in the impact of his obsessive intrusive thoughts after prescription of Risperidone and Sodium Valproate along with Exposure and Response Prevention Therapy conducted over a period of 6 weeks.

Conclusions

The homosexual OCD comorbid with bipolar disorder can cause important distress and impairment and severely impact a person’s life in multifaceted ways. Correct diagnosis, adequate medication and psychotherapy provide the effective treatment.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
Developing as an early-career clinician academic after a baby
Authors: Kilic O.
Published: August 2023

Balancing career and family is a hard job for everyone. Academic life with multiple and conflicting demands on our time necessitates prioritizing among responsibilities. This resonates especially for a woman academic who takes care of a baby. The speaker will address specific challenges of mothers who are in both academia and clinical practice, give reflections and elaborate on patterns and ways of dealing with this challenge. The talk is hoped to promote awareness and discussion on addressing the inner and outer sources and planning one’s own way on a career path.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
Religiosity and Mental Health among Muslim Cancer Patients
Authors: Becarevic N. , Softic R.
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Religiosity and spirituality are resources, frequently used by patients as a strategy against chronic diseases. Islam is the fastest growing monotheistic religion whose belief is based on the unity of God and devotion to God’s will, gratitude, and satisfaction with God’s provision. Despite many researches have proven mostly positive correlation between religion and health, there is a lack of them directed to a single religion.

Objectives

To provide an overview of the most recent researches that have examined the role of Islam religion in cancer treatment.

Methods

PubMed database was screened using the keywords, “Islam, religion, cancer, treatment”.

Results

Patients expressed a lack of religiosity/spirituality support and it is connected to a significantly lower quality of life compared to those who adequately addressed their spiritual needs. The study which included 800 Muslim cancer patients showed that cancer patients (82.8%) prayed more than non-cancer individuals (72.5%). Many Muslim patients do not consider disease as a penance, but rather, as a redemption of sins, because they have trust and faith in God’s will. There are studies postulating the positive effects of fasting on cancer treatment.

Conclusions

Muslim cancer patients are more religious and spiritual than the non-cancer Muslim population, and they are in need of spiritual support with the aim to reduce depression, anxiety, and stress. Health care professionals may encourage the patients to use their religious beliefs to cope with the challenges of therapy.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
Effects of cumulative trauma from multiple natural disasters
Authors: Agyapong B. , Shalaby R. , Eboreime E. , Obuobi-Donkor G. , Owusu E. , Adu M. , Mao W. , Oluwasina F. , Agyapong V.
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Fort McMurray, a city in northern Alberta, Canada, has experienced multiple traumatic events in the last five years, including the 2016 wildfire, the 2020 floods, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Traumatic events often lead to increased mental health burdens in affected communities.

Objectives

To assess if the number of traumatic events experienced by residents of Fort McMurray correlates with the prevalence and severity of mental health issues experienced.

Methods

A cross-sectional study using an online survey questionnaire was used to gather demographic, trauma (wildfire, flooding, and COVID-19), and clinical information from the resident of Fort McMurray between April 24 to June 2 2021. Likely Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and low resilience were measured using standardized rating scales. Data were analyzed with SPSS version 26 using Chi-Square tests and multivariate regression analysis.

Results

Respondents who experienced COVID-19 and either flood or wildfire traumas (N = 101) were eleven times more likely to have GAD symptoms (OR: 11.39; 95% CI: 1.43-91.04), four times more likely to have likely MDD, (OR: 3.85; 95% CI: .995-14.90), ten times more likely to have likely PTSD (OR: 10.47; 95% CI: 1.28-85.67), and low resilience (OR: 10.56; 95% CI: 1.21-92.17). Respondents who experienced COVID-19, flooding, and wildfire traumas (N = 47) were eighteen times more likely to express GAD symptoms (OR: 18.30; 95% CI: 2.20-152.45) and more than eleven times likely to have likely PTSD (OR: 11.41; 95% CI: 1.34-97.37) in comparison to the respondents who experienced COVID-19 only trauma (N = 19).

Conclusions

Measures to reduce climate change and associated natural disasters could reduce the impact of cumulative trauma and associated mental health burden in vulnerable populations. It is essential that more mental health resources are mobilized to support communities impacted by multiple natural disasters.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
‘MALADAPTIVE DAYDREAMING’: An introduction to a new condition
Authors: Thorburn C.
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Daydreaming is a normal, very common experience in childhood and adulthood. However, a new phenomenon – termed ‘Maladaptive Daydreaming (MD)’ – which takes daydreaming to an extreme form, is currently being investigated. Maladaptive Daydreaming is not listed as an official disorder in the ICD-10 or DSM-5 presently.

Objectives

I aimed to review current literature on MD and explore whether there is a possibility for MD to eventually be acknowledged and classified as a real psychiatric disorder.

Methods

I gathered information via academic papers found through reliable sites, such as, Ovid, PubMed and Cochrane, and through articles, videos and online forums to gather patients’ perspectives.

Results

My research intimated that there is enough information and literature available to create specific criteria to qualify a diagnosis of MD in patients. Possible aetiologies of Maladaptive Daydreaming have been identified. There has also been exploration into treatment options.

Conclusions

Overall, I believe there is sufficient evidence for Maladaptive Daydreaming to be classified as an official disorder. Being included in the ICD-10 and DSM-5 would motivate research, expand identification of this disorder in patients, and advance access to help and support for patients.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
Psychiatric disorders in women hospitalized at the arrazi psychiatric hospital
Authors: Berrada H. , Azraf F. , Tounsi A. , Laboudi F. , Ouanass A.
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Women get hospitalized for various serious mental disorders that are gender specific, half of them married with children, the other half single\divorced women stigmatized and marginalized in our society.

Objectives

The aim of this study is to describe mentally ill women admitted into the psychiatric hospital, socio demographically and clinically, highlighting differences, specificities and multiple roles distress deviate with the course of disorder.

Methods

This is a prospective cross-sectional study involving 50 patients admitted to Ar-razi Psychiatric Hospital

Results

The average age is 39years, 41% of them are single, with a low educational level (primary school). 77% of our women are from the urban region, 59% are jobless. 19% of patients in our study have positive family history, 65% of them suffered from schizophrenia. 65% of patients are admitted for schizophrenia, followed by bipolar I disorder 22%, MDD is only represented by 10%. 25% of inpatients deal with a toxic habit, 18,5% abuse nicotine and only one woman have tried quitting. Suicide attempts are closely linked to major depressive episodes of MDD and BID, in patients were already under a combination of antidepressants and anxiolytics for at least 3 months. Psychotic features are observed in most of admitted disorders, 80% in BIP and 64% in MDD. According to HAMILTON-DEPRESSION 62,9% of women are admitted for a severe depressive episode, 30% present anxiety comorbidity and a history of CBT sessions months prior hospitalization.

Conclusions

Shading the light into admitted women in psychiatry and deciphering specific demographic, clinical and therapeutic features may improve the global care system and women’s adherence to treatment and follow up.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
Satisfaction at work as a determinant of the mental health of electricians
Authors: Sellami I. , Feki A. , Abbes A. , Ghrab M. A. , Baklouti S. , Masmoudi M. L. , Jmal Hammami K. , Hajjaji M.
Published: August 2023

Introduction

The workplace environment influences employees’ health. Authors widely recognise job dissatisfaction as a workplace. Work satisfaction can influence employees’ psychological health statuses.

Objectives

We aimed to assess the impact of satisfaction at work on the mental health of electricians.

Methods

The study concerned a group of electricians who agreed to answer a face-to-face interview concerning working conditions and mental health status. Data was collected using a pre-designed questionnaire that included socio-professional characteristics, a 10-point scale of job satisfaction, and the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K6) between January and June 2022.

Results

Our study included 74 male electricians. The mean age was 39.3 ± 10.5 years. The average job tenure was 15.5 ± 11.2 years. The mean score of K6 was 5.4±4.8 (range = 0–22). The proportion of respondents with high levels of psychological distress (K6 score of 13 or greater) was 9.5 %. The mean score of satisfaction at work was 7.7±1.8. Low satisfaction at work was correlated with high levels of psychological distress (p = 0.012; r = -0.29).

Conclusions

High job satisfaction was correlated with low levels of psychological distress. Policies and practices should focus on improving working conditions to enhance the mental health of employees.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
Impact of medical TV shows on the surgical knowledge of non-healthcare students of Lahore, Pakistan
Authors: Azeem S. , Mustafa B. , Ahmad A. S. , Rashid S. , Farooq M.
Published: August 2023

Introduction

A popular genre of television shows is medical dramas. Although the primary objective of watching these shows is entertainment, acquiring medical knowledge is a passive by-product. Surgical procedures constitute a large part of the storyline of these shows. This could either serve as a source of medical knowledge or provide false information, the effect being especially important in individuals with no prior medical exposure.

Objectives

This study aims to assess the impact medical TV shows can have on the surgical knowledge of non-healthcare students and the difference in knowledge between different demographic groups (among those with relatives in the medical community and those without).

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted among the non-healthcare students of Lahore, Pakistan. A self-administered questionnaire was used containing socio-demographic factors (age, gender, educational discipline), history, and hours of medical TV shows watched. It also contained ten questions each with a score of 1 to assess surgical knowledge. Data was analyzed using SPSS v.26.

Results

Among the 1097 respondents, 450 (41%) had a history of watching medical TV shows. The majority, 319 (29.1%), had seen these shows for < 24 hours. The mean score of all respondents was 5.79 out of a maximum score of 10. Respondents with a history of watching medical TV shows were more knowledgeable than those who did not (p < 0.001). Similarly, respondents with a history of watching more hours of medical TV shows were more knowledgeable than those who watched for a lesser number of hours (p < 0.001). Respondents with relatives in the healthcare profession were also more knowledgeable than those without (p = 0.049).

Conclusions

If properly developed, while maintaining their primary entertainment value, medical TV shows can also be used as efficient learning tools. Quality controls must also be applied to minimize the risk of false information.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
The study of speech and communication in preschool children with autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Akhmetzyanova A. , Artemyeva T.
Published: August 2023

Introduction

At preschool age, children develop all the speech functions, including the planning function, which allows them to think through the future speech statement. Researchers find a link between impaired ability for speech forecasting and anxiety disorders, as well as emotional disorders.

Objectives

identifying the specifics of speech forecasting in preschool children with emotional disorders.

Methods

the study involved 48 children: 24 children of preschool age without developmental disorders, 24 children of preschool age with emotional disorders. Empirical examination was carried out using the “Prognostic stories” technique.

Results

Children with autism spectrum disorders often have speech disorders, speech may manifest stereotypes in speech, the appearance of echolalia, many children do not use speech for communication. Among the functional characteristics of forecasting, the cognitive forecasting function has a statistically significant difference (t=4.165<.001). Children with autism spectrum disorders, having difficulties in social interaction, can choose ways of action that are not suitable for the existing situation. Children’s forecasts are usually short-term, invariant, generalized and minimally verbalized.

Conclusions

Indicators of speech-communicative function confirm the presence of difficulties in children with emotional disorders in the ability to verbalize information, however, they have a realistic vision of the future and are focused on following the social norm. This paper has been supported by the Kazan Federal University Strategic Academic Leadership Program.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
An interesting clinical case. New therapies in Dissociative Identity Disorder.
Authors: García Vázquez P. , Seijo Zazo E. , Vilellla Martin C. , Serrano García A. , Franch Pato C. M. , Martína Gil E. , Alvarez Vazquez C.
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Dissociative identity disorder (DID) also referred as multiple personality disorder is a chronic post-traumatic condition. It is characterized according to DSM-5 by “disruption of identity characterized by two or more distinct personality states”, with “marked discontinuity in sense of self… accompanied by related alterations in affect, behavior, consciousness, memory, perception, cognition, and/or sensory-motor functioning.”

Objectives

Here, we present a case of a 33-year-old Caucasian female with no psychiatric history until 2 years ago, privately. The patient is admitted to the Psychiatry Service due to worsening. During admission, consultations are made to the Neurology Service and the Neurophysiology Service, who request an electroencephalogram, an MRI and a brain scan, resulting in normality.

After discharge, she returns home with her parents, and the crisis become more frequent and of longer duration. She acknowledges that during these periods she is dominated by her alternate personality, which she is unaware of until her family informs her. This personality is a demon, who verbally assaults and even physically threatens her surroundings, and can hardly be controlled by the prayers of her family.

Methods

Despite psychopharmacological treatment, as well as the cognitive-behavioral therapy carried out by the patient for more than two years, there was no improvement. Once she comes to the consultation, it is decided to carry out a therapy guided by the central Rogerian attitudes, originating a process of empathic resonance of the therapist, which influences the experience of the patient. Three main interventions are carried out, the awareness of the disease, the regulation of the intensity of this experience, to maintain the attention and the exploration of what guides the change. After carrying out this intervention, the patient is currently asymptomatic.

Results

Currently, there are not evidence-based treatment guidelines. The most common approach is individual psychodynamic psychotherapy according to practice-based guidelines initiated by the International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation.

To handle the present case, we used a model with two pillars, the patient’s commitment and the investigation of microprocesses within a process of experiential exploration, in which the therapist is a facilitator of reflective attention and experimental awareness.

Conclusions

The torpid evolution suffered by the patient, with little clinical improvement to the interventions carried out, and the absence of evidence on the treatment, led to a therapeutic approach focused on the empathic resonance process of the therapist, with good results.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
Promoting health and wellbeing through building the relationship with build and cultural heritage
Authors: Abdelmoula E. , Bouayed Abdelmoula N.
Published: August 2023

Introduction

For over two decades, much has been written about the role of heritage buildings and historic places on individual and societal well-being. Numerous manuscripts have been devoted to study the relationship between built and cultural heritage and well-being and to decrypt their mental and physical health benefits at the personal and societal levels. Other studies have focused on the diverse types of heritage experiences that enable these health benefits, ranging from perceptions, to the individual and societal engagements through exposure, protection and conservation of historic places and environment. Social benefits encompass enhancing of collective memories and identities, sharing experiences, social interaction, creative opportunities, etc.

Objectives

The objective of this research is to explore the relationship between personal and societal health and well-being, and cultural heritage. The main objective is to disclose international strategies and programs for assessing and promoting heritage-led wellbeing benefits.

Methods

We comprehensively reviewed the scientific literature using qualitative data-analysis methods to state, international frameworks for promoting heritage-led wellbeing benefits.

Results

Our bibliographic review revealed that there has been rising recognition that the conservation of cultural heritage is not just about the preservation of materials, but rather about safeguarding and sharing heritage for the improvement of people’s lives. According to the WHO, culture and cultural heritage are recognized as fundamental determinants of what makes personal and social lives meaningful. Consequently, many countries such as the UK and Canada, have developed people centred approaches achieved by local authorities as a means of ensuring inclusivity and diversity, so that heritage is able to contribute to people’s wellbeing. Politically, few agendas promoting wellbeing and engagement with the historic environment included guidelines of community-oriented projects and management systems that benefit people with building the relationship between people and place, while demonstrating the public value of the historic environment.

Conclusions

All professionals, at the architectural and urban level, as well as health and psychology level should have awareness about the concept of heritage-led wellbeing benefits and strategic views of the value of cultural heritage as process, as participation, as mechanism, as healing, as place and as environment to raise the planned positive effects by local authorities when promoting the perception of the role of cultural heritage in health and wellbeing.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
Autoimmunity associated with first psychotic episode. A Systematic review.
Authors: De La Fuente Ruiz E.
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Autoimmunity mechanisms involve many cells that produce inflammatory cytokines which damage different organs, like the brain. There is a relationship between neuropsychiatric diseases, such as psychosis, and autoimmune diseases. In this article we try to demonstrate that treating autoimmune diseases appropriately improves clinical evolution of patients with a first psychotic episode.

Objectives

The purpose of this article is to emphasize the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to a first psychotic episode. It is very important to perform autoimmunity tests to rule out secondary psychoses, even more so if the patient does not respond correctly to treatment with antipsychotics, to improve his/her prognosis and quality of life.

Methods

We performed a literature search of PubMed database using the following MeSH terms: “Autoimmune Diseases” and “Psychotic Disorders”. 134 studies were published between 2017-2022. We selected the original papers that analyzed the association between autoimmune diseases and first psychotic episodes. Finally, 18 were selected.

Results

In secondary psychoses, early diagnosis and treatment of the underlying pathology can lead to rapid improvement.

Conclusions

A multidisciplinary approach is necessary from the first moment that a FPE is diagnosed, even more so in middle-aged women.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
Symptomatological Transversality and the Absence of Pathognomonic Symptoms in Psychiatry
Authors: Gomes A. I. , Jesus S. , Simões G. , Vicente S.
Published: August 2023

Introduction

The diagnosis of the main psychiatric syndromes is still almost exclusively phenotypic and depends essentially of the recognition of characteristic signs and symptoms. The clinical evalution allows the formulation of a set of differential diagnoses, according to the pathological meaning of certain symptomatic patterns and combinations. Aside from the entire dependence on the clinical interview, there are still no complementary psychiatric diagnostic exams and it is also worth noting the absence of pathognomonic symptoms.

Objectives

Through the presentation of the case of a patient with Bipolar Affective Disorder who manifests, during a manic episode, a Capgras delusion, we intend to approach the heterogeneity of the manifestation of some symptoms that tend to be specific of concrete psychiatric syndromes.

Methods

Clinical case presentation and non-systematic literature review using Pubmed plataform.

Results

AB, female, 49 years old, diagnosed with Bipolar Affective Disorder. Hospitalized for a manic episode with dysphoric mood, increased energy levels and delusional activity of grandiose and persecutory content. During hospitalization, a Capgras delusion centered on the husband emerged: he was replaced by a stranger, I was able to detect him by smell.

Capgras delusion is a delusional misidentification syndrome characterized by the belief that someone close has been replaced by an imposter. Despite being a rare syndrome, vastly more common in schizophrenia, affecting about 73% of cases, it can also occur in other psychiatric conditions such as dementia syndromes and, less often, mood disorders (16.7%).

Additionally, there are several examples that demonstrate the versatility of psychiatric symptom occurrence in different diagnoses, with first-rank symptoms serving as an example. Described in 1959 by Kurt Schneider, they were considered specific symptoms of schizophrenia, assuming this diagnosis based on the recognition of only one symptom. Over time, its pathognomonic character has become extinct, and its detection in mood disorders and acute psychotic disorder is relatively common.

Another example is the overlap between depressive and anxious symptoms. In fact, anxiety symptoms occur in about 85% of patients diagnosed with depressive disorder and, in turn, the presence of depressive symptoms in about 90% of patients diagnosed with anxiety disorder. This evidence has allowed, over time, a review of the diagnostic criteria for these disorders, leading to a progressive blurring of the threshold between them.

Conclusions

Psychiatric diagnosis is still a delicate task, totally dependent on the clinical interview. The lack of analytical and imaging tests, as well as the absence of pathognomonic symptoms, constitute a particular challenge in diagnosis. For this reason, we highlight the importance of recognizing combinations and patterns of symptoms rather than the specificity of just one symptom.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
Psychopathological characterization of modern-type depression in subjects with Internet Gaming Disorder
Authors: Orsolini L. , Longo G. , Ambrosi C. , Volpe U.
Published: August 2023

Introduction

In recent years, more evidence is emerging in favor of a new form of depression, aka “Modern-Type Depression” (MTD). It has also been theorized that MTD may have multiple relationships with other psychiatric disorders, including techno-addictions.

Objectives

Our study aims at clinically characterizing subjects with MTD in a sample of individuals affected with Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD).

Methods

1,157 subjects were recruited from a sample of Italian young people (aged 18-35), and selected only if they declared to be video game players (48.6%, n=542). Video game players filled out the 22-item Tarumi’s Modern-Type Depression Trait Scale (TACS-22), Motives for Online Gaming Questionnaire (MOGQ), Internet Gaming Disorder Scale-Short-Form (IGDS9-SF), Problematic Online Gaming Questionnaire (POGQ), Multidimensional State Boredom Scale (MSBS), Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90). Subjects were classified as IGD+/IGD- and MTD+/MTD-. Descriptive analysis, Mann-Whitney’s U-test for independent data and Chi-square tests were carried out.

Results

60.5% (n=328) of the sample were male. 21.7% (n=118) were positive to MTD. MTD subjects reported significantly higher scores at IGDS9-SF (p<0.001), POGQ (p<0.001), MOGQ (p=0.003), MSBS (p<0.001). Significant higher scores were found at the MOGQ subscales “reality avoidance” (p<0.001), “coping” (p=0.001), and “fantasy” (p<0.001) and at the SCL-90 subscales “interpersonal sensitivity” (p<0.001), “phobic anxiety” (p<0.001), and “psychoticism” (p<0.001).

Conclusions

MTD displayed a strong association with technopathies, particularly IGD. Therefore, further studies should evaluate whether MTD could represent a predictor to IGD onset and/or maintenance and adequately address this aspect from a preventive and treatment perspective.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
INTERNALIZED STIGMA – HOW WE VIEW OUR MENTAL ILLNESS
Authors: Vieira M. , Fonseca Silva B. , Silva Ribeiro J.
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Stigma in mental health settings is described as a set of negative and unrealistic beliefs about those with mental illness. Authors suggest that stigma is consistently underdefined and overused, leading to resources toward preventing and managing this problem lacking intention and efficiency. Three interacting levels of stigma are defined: social, structural, and internalized or self-stigma. Internalized stigma refers to how people with mental illness see themselves as mentally unwell and, therefore, of lesser value.

Objectives

We aim to discuss the impact of internalized stigma on psychiatric patients and ways of prevention and stigma resistance.

Methods

We performed a non-systematic literature review from the data base PubMed using the key words “internalized stigma” and “mental illness”.

Results

Internalized stigma is one of the major factors leading to delayed contact with psychiatric care up to two years in outpatients. In psychiatric patients, higher internalized stigma was associated with weakened social support and integration, hopelessness and lower self-esteem and sense of coherence. Low self-esteem is the most significantly associated factor and mediates lower quality of life and higher treatment avoidance. The risk of self-esteem loss seems higher in patients with more insight, especially if they also have a loss of valued social identity. Although some studies suggest higher levels of internalized stigma in female, single and lower educated patients, adjusted statistical analyses do not validate these sociodemographic variations. It is however more prevalent in those with depression and who had been hospitalized because of their mental illness. The impact of internalized stigma is often compared to the levels of the illness burden itself, leading to higher levels of depression and greater psychiatric symptom severity. Additionally, more self-stigma seems to predict suicidal ideation, particularly in young adults.

Conclusions

The internalization of negative stereotypes undermines empowerment and negatively impacts the evolution and recovery of psychiatric patients. There’s strong evidence that general stigma constitutes a risk factor for poor biopsychosocial health outcomes. Programs addressing multiple stigma components seem to be most effective in improving suicide prevention. However, most self-stigma interventions involve groups, which can create barriers for people who are not comfortable disclosing a mental health condition to others. Anti-stigma programs are most effective when they involve people with lived experience of mental health conditions in all aspects of development. Interventions from a younger age should focus on prevention of general stigma by improving understanding of mental illness and reducing self and outwards discrimination. Working on professionals own stigmatizing behaviors is also key to improve the way we communicate and educate populations on how to internally process mental health problems.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
PSYCHOTIC DISORDER DUE TO PSYCHOSOCIAL STRESS EPISODE. REVIEW OF A CASE.
Authors: Gonzalez-Mota A. , Peso-Navarro I. M. , Garcia-Cerdan C. , Munaiz-Cosio C. , Ligero-Argudo M. , Martin-Gomez C.
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Psychotic disorder is defined as a loss of contact with reality. Those who suffer from it perceive an altered reality, assuming it to be true.This feeling of unreality generates nervousness, anguish, hypervigilance and even social and emotional isolation.

We present the case of a 18-year-old woman who attended the Emergency Department accompanied by the director of her college due to behavioral alterations. The patient reports that since she has moved to Salamanca to study,she has the feeling that her father has hired spies, one of them being her classmate, being able to hear sounds and voices, which she defines as motivating her to go on with her life. She reports that she is in a lower mood in this context and that there have been some days when she has not been able to attend class.

Objectives

The objectives are to study the severity of the psychotic disorder in a young patient subjected to an episode of stress and to observe the reaction of the patient when it has been properly treated.

Methods

We carry out a review of the clinical history of a 18-year-old female patient with psychotic disorder, admitted to the Psychiatric Brief Hospitalization Unit (PBHU) in Salamanca.

Results

The patient was treated with Risperidone 2mg/24h. After a few days in the PBHU, total disappearance of the psychotic symptoms was observed and the patient is completely self-critical. Once she was discharged, it was decided that she should return home with her parents for several months and continue treatment with Aripiprazole and Sertraline.

Conclusions

Occasionaly, there are ethical dilemmas about beginning to treat young patients with psychotic ideas derived from external situations. Optimal treatment including drugs, psychotherapy and family support are essential. According to the scientific literature,a greater involvement in diagnosis,treatment and follow-up is recommended in patients with psychotic symptomatology derived from stress.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
Schizophrenia: the announcement of the diagnosis
Authors: Azraf F. , Chtibi M. , Laboudi F. , Ouanass A.
Published: August 2023

Introduction

For many years, the question of the announcement of the diagnosis in psychiatry has been controversial. It is the starting point of a management allowing access to psychoeducation and to the patient’s recovery. In the case of schizophrenia, the cognitive impairment and the stigmatizing nature of the pathology jeopardize the announcement of the diagnosis. However, recommendations and legislation emphasize the need to inform the patient about his or her pathology. In Morocco, the law n° 131-13 of February 19, 2015 relating to the practice of medicine has made information about the diagnosis to patients an obligation for doctors and a right for patients

Objectives

The interest of our work is to try to evaluate the current state of this practice, its ethics and its representations among psychiatrists.

Methods

This is a descriptive study on the announcement of the diagnosis of schizophrenia in a population of psychiatrists. The data collection was carried out by a questionnaire including: Socio-demographic and professional data, opinion on practice and training concerning diagnostic announcement in psychiatry, physicians’ representations concerning announcement: frequency, opinion on the importance of this practice.

Results

31 participants responded to our questionnaire. More than 9 out of 10 participants would not benefit from training on diagnostic announcement. Only 22.6% of physicians reported being very or somewhat familiar with medical information laws and their content regarding the regulation of diagnostic announcement. All participants considered schizophrenia to be the most difficult pathology to announce, followed by personality disorders and bipolar disorder. 74.2 of the participants considered it “rather” or “completely” essential to inform the patient of his or her psychiatric diagnosis. 77.4% of the participants considered it necessary to announce the diagnosis of schizophrenia and 80.7 often or systematically announce this diagnosis. Three situations considered appropriate to announce a diagnosis of schizophrenia: 74.2% announce it in general when the patient or the family asks for information about the diagnosis, 42% advise the patient when he/she mentions schizophrenia on his/her own. The patient’s functional inability to understand the diagnosis (77.4%) and the fear of negative clinical and therapeutic repercussions (41.9 and 38.7 respectively) were reported to deter physicians from making the announcement. More than half of the participants (64.5%) thought that the announcement of the diagnosis improved therapeutic compliance. Conversely, 35.5% considered that the announcement had no impact on therapeutic compliance.

Conclusions

The announcement of the diagnosis of schizophrenia remains today a complex and evolving subject. Even if great progress has been made to inform patients as well as possible, practices remain disparate from one doctor to another and this information is not well traced.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared