bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Anxiety and coping in the situation of pandemic as factors of sleep-related complaints during lockdown
Authors: Rasskazova E. , Yavorovskaya A.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Sleep-related complaints are among the most common during pandemic, along with anxiety and depression (Huang, Zhao 2020, Rajkumar 2020). Their prevalence is associated with anxiety about the pandemic (Roy et al., 2020), online information search (Moghanibashi-Mansourieh, 2020, Wang et al., 2020).

Objectives

The aim was to reveal relationship between the type anxiety and coping during pandemic and sleep-related complaints after 3-4 weeks of lockdown.

Methods

203 adults aged 18 to 59 years filled situational version COPE (Carver et al., 1989) and scales measuring anxiety of infection and pandemic consequences (Tkhostov, Rasskazova, 2020) in the mid-April 2020 after 2-3 weeks of lockdown in Russia. After 3-4 weeks, they filled in a modified insomnia severity index (Morin, 1991) appraising how much worse their sleep and daytime functioning during this period (Cronbach’s alpha .62-.73).

Results

Prevalence of sleep and day functioning related complaints during lockdown varied 19.3%-30.5%. Complaints were associated with anxiety only if it reaches dysfunctional level (interfering with daily activities, r = .17-.34, p <.05) and coping strategy of mental disengagement (r = .15-.19, p <.05). Sleep complaints were related to substance use to cope with lockdown problems while complaints on daytime functioning correlated were more common among young respondents (r = -0.22, p <0.01).

Conclusions

Complaints about poor sleep during a pandemic are not related to the general severity of pandemic anxiety, but to the dysfunctional level of anxiety and attempts to avoid it. Research is supported by the Russian Foundation for Basic Research, project No. 20-013-00740.

Conflict of interest

Research is supported by the Russian Foundation for Basic Research, project No. 20-013-00740.
Post-discharge depressive symptoms and health-related quality of life of critical COVID-19 survivors
Authors: Martins S. , Ferreira A.R. , Fernandes J. , Vieira T. , Fontes L. , Coimbra I. , Paiva J. , Fernandes L.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Survivors of critical illness stay frequently experience long-term mental health morbidity, suggesting that many critically ill patients with COVID-19 may also show a high prevalence of psychiatric conditions.

Objectives

To describe depression in COVID-19 survivors 4-months post-hospital discharge and to examine its association with health-related quality of life (HRQoL).

Methods

This pilot study involved COVID-19 adult patients admitted in Intensive Care Medicine Service (ICMS) of a University Hospital. Exclusion criteria were: ICMS length of stay (LoS)≤24h, terminal illness, major sensory loss and inability to communicate at the time of assessment. All participants were evaluated at ICMS scheduled telephone follow-up appointment, with Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) (depression) and EQ-5D-5L (HRQoL). Critical-illness severity was assessed with APACHE-II and SAPS-II.

Results

Twenty patients were included with a median age of 62(range: 24-77) y.o., the majority male (75%) and married (70%). Median (range) APACHE-II and SAPS-II was 17 (5-34) and 32.5 (7-77), respectively, and LoS was 18 (4-58) days. Overall, 25% patients presented depression symptoms and most reported problems on EQ-5D-5L domains of pain/discomfort (65%), anxiety/depression (55%) and mobility (50%). Depression scores were higher in patients with problems in EQ-5D-5L domains of usual activities (median 4 vs 1.5; p=0.046), pain/discomfort (median 0 vs 4; p=0.004) and anxiety/depression (median 4 vs 0;p<0.001).

Conclusions

These preliminary findings show that depression is frequent in COVID-19 survivors and it is associated with worse HRQoL. This pilot study highlights the importance of psychological assessment and treatment of COVID-19 survivors, in order to minimize its negative impact on HRQoL, optimizing their recovery.
Psychopathological consequences related to COVID-19 infection: The most relevant reactions of the general population
Authors: Serafini G. , Aguglia A. , Amerio A. , Sher L. , Amore M.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

As a result of the emergence of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak caused by acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in the Chinese city of Wuhan, a situation of socio-economic crisis and profound psychological distress rapidly occurred worldwide.

Objectives

This work aimed to comprehensively review the current literature about the impact of COVID-19 infection on the mental health in the general population.

Methods

A detailed review has been conducted in order to identify the main psychopatological consequences related to Covid-19 infection in the general population.

Results

Various psychological problems and important consequences in terms of mental health including stress, anxiety, depression, frustration, uncertainty during COVID-19 outbreak emerged progressively. The psychological impact of quarantine related to COVID-19 infection has been additionally documented together with the most relevant psychological reactions in the general population related to COVID-19 outbreak.

Conclusions

The role of risk and protective factors against the potential to develop psychiatric disorders in vulnerable individuals with Covid-19 infection need to be carefully addressed in the clinical practice.
The experience of northern italy in elderly patients with COVID-19 infection and mental disorders
Authors: Serafini G. , Bondi E. , Locatelli C. , Amore M.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

In December 2019, the first cases of Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak related to acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection were reported in the Chinese city of Wuhan. European countries experienced a tragic growth in the number of Covid-19 cases although several restrictions have been imposed.

Objectives

The study is aimed to describe the first experience of the Hospital Papa Giovanni XXIII in the city of Bergamo, Northern Italy.

Methods

The most relevant clinical characteristics of aged patients with COVID-19 and mental disorders have been described.

Results

According to the experience of the Hospital Papa Giovanni XXIII, medical departments, after appropriate training of all healthcare workers, have been rapidly converted into specific units aimed at treating patients with COVID-19 infection. Specifically, we directly observed a rapidly growing request of psychiatric interventions in aged patients with COVID-19 infection due to the emergence of severe delirium (mainly hyperkinetic) which was reported in approximately 30−50% of cases increasing with age, psychomotor agitation, anxiety, and depressive symptoms. When compared with younger subjects, we found that subjects aged 65 or above with prolonged hospitalization in our hospital are more vulnerable to: 1) environmental factors (e.g., social isolation and distance from family members, stay in intensive/subintensive units, communication difficulties due to therapeutic devices); 2) individual factors (e.g., COVID-19 possible neurotropic properties, impairments in insight and cognitive dysfunctions, comorbid medical conditions, and use of multiple medications).

Conclusions

The main implications of the present findings have been discussed.
Reconceptualising the DSM: Neuroanalysis and digital brain profiling
Authors: Peled A.
Published: February 2022

Recent years have seen a great advancement in the emerging field of Neural Computation, a study of the brain using neuronal network models. As a consequence, another field of science is being developed titled ‘Computational Psychiatry’ where neuronal network models of psychopathology help understand the possible etiology for mental disorders. With Computational Psychiatry we can begin and reformulate mental disorders as brain disorders. Etiological diagnosis in psychiatry will be the next breakthrough which will allow to effectively treat mental disorders and will bring psychiatry back to the realm of medicine Computational Psychiatry together with advances in technology, will transform psychiatry beyond recognition: With the development of the connecting internet and sensor technology (e.g., face speech recognition) mental status examination can be easily extracted and delivered over distance (tele-psychiatry). With the help of AI the extracted psychiatric phenomenology can be interpreted to match most of the diagnostic process of a skilled psychiatrist. Once achieved a continual psychiatric monitoring coupled with new technology of wireless dry-electrode electrophysiological brain imaging can begin and collect big-data. Big-data analysis stand a good chance to reveal the etiological correlations between mental disorders and their brain-related origins. Thus, etiology for mental disorders can begin to unravel. Neural modulation technology will be the answer for effective therapeutic interventions (i.e., future brain pacers).

Disclosure

I am in a preliminary effort to develop a Digital application in the field of Psychiatry
Burn-out syndrome in healthcare practitioners- a narrative literature review
Authors: Vasiliu O.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Burn-out syndrome is an underestimated entity in the medical environment, and lack of health policies for screening, prevention and early phase treatment strategies may be responsable for complications of this syndrome, e.g. major depression, substance use disorders, or anxiety disorders. Large variations in the estimation of burn-out prevalence in healthcare providers may be related to poorly designed epidemiological trials and lack of well-defined criteria for diagnosis.

Objectives

To analyse the current evidence in the literature about the diagnosis and treatment of burn-out syndrome in physicians and auxiliary personnel.

Methods

A literature review was performed through the main medical databases (Cochrane Database of Systematic reviews, PubMed, Thomson Reuters/Web of Science, SCOPUS, EMBASE, CINAHL) using the search paradigm “burn-out” AND “healthcare providers” OR “physicians” AND “nurses”. All papers published between January 2000 and August 2020 were included in the primary analysis.

Results

A large number of papers were detected in the primary analysis (n=245), but only 15 remained after the inclusion/exclusion criteria were applied. Maslach Inventory for Burnout is the most extensively used instrument for screening, but its validity is questioned, and new instruments have been created, but less frequently applied. Cognitive behavioral therapy led to improvement of the emotional exhaustion in multiple trials. Meditation techniques, music therapy, structured physical exercises, and management-related interventions have been associated with low to moderate degree of success.

Conclusions

Burn-out syndrome is a still insufficiently explored diagnosis and more good-quality epidemiological and clinical trials are needed in order to support adequate prevention and treatment strategies.
Online group psychotherapy for patients with binge eating disorder during COVID-19 emergency
Authors: Focà F. , Santucci F.R. , Ferretti S. , Rinaldi L. , Sani G. , Janiri L. , Chieffo D.P.R.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

On March 13th 2020, in execution of the Law Decree 14/2020 regarding the reorganization of National Health Care related to COVID-19 emergency, all non-urgent outpatient healthcare services were suspended in Italy. The present work describes remote support and online group psychotherapy set in motion during COVID-19 emergency for outpatients with Binge Eating Disorder.

Objectives

Aim of the present work is to describe and evaluate online support and group psychotherapy for outpatients with Binge Eating Disorder during lockdown due to COVID-19 emergency. Outcomes were evaluated by remote administration of questionnaires.

Methods

20 outpatients with Binge Eating Disorder, treated by psychotherapists of Hospital Psychology Unit in Psychiatry Day Hospital of an Italian General Hospital, received remote support by phone calls and online group psychotherapy from march to may 2020. During the first two weeks, patients were supported via phone calls. From the third week on, they took part to online group psychotherapy sessions, held every week at the same day and time. Pre-post remote administration of Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation-Outcome Measure (CORE-OM) and the Questionnaire of Eating Behaviours (Scheda dei Comportamenti Alimentari, SCA) was used to evaluate outcomes. Data were analyzed by Student’s t-test.

Results

No significant difference was found, thus indicating stability of symptomatology.

Conclusions

Lockdown was a highly stressful period, in which many people lost control on eating behaviours and those with Binge Eating Disorder were expected to have an exacerbation of symptoms. Remote support and online group psychotherapy proved effective in protecting patients from a possible aggravation of their condition.
Difficulties in maintaining electroconvulsive treatment (ECT) in a psychiatric hospital during covid19 pandemic
Authors: Rojo M. , Constantin M. , Langree B. , Marie N. , Bellay R.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

ECT is an effective care with high level of recommendation. During the COVID19, new recommendations to protect patients and caregivers combined with the increasing use of medicines and medical devices (MD) for anesthesia, caused greater difficulties of supply. Even if vital for patients, it is challenging to maintain ECT in this environment.

Objectives

The aim of this study is to resume the measures implemented in order to maintain ECT during COVID19.

Methods

Retrospective analysis of measures implemented to maintain the ECT during COVID19.

Results

As FFP2 masks were restricted to intensive care units, our hospital were not supplied. After negotiations, the regional health agency (ARS) has granted us an allocation of 100 masks to maintain ECT. Our efficient stock management of personal protective equipment as well as our transparency on these stocks with ARS and sharing with other hospitals out of stock played a role in this agreement.We had to adapt our MDs references according to breaks of many ones and new recommendations. The university hospital helping us in supplying certain missing references. Considering the difficulties in supplying drugs and MDs, and limited availability of anesthetists, we have reduced the number of ECT. Prioritization of patients with vital indications had to be achieved.

Conclusions

The prioritization of some services by the regulatory agency causes many supply difficulties for the others. It would be important to reassess the priority of ECT in such crisis because most of the time other caregivers and regulatory agencies are not aware how they are vital for patients.
Symptoms of depression and anxiety among health care workers during COVID-19 pandemia in latvia: A cohort study
Authors: Valaine L. , Ancans A. , Logina L. , Beskrovniijs R. , Bubko L. , Ancane G.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Studies from the beginning of 2020 show that symptoms of depression and anxiety are increasing among health care workers. It is important to assess the dynamics of health care workers mental health.

Objectives

To assess the dynamic of symptoms of depression and anxiety among health care workers over a 3-month period during the COVID-19 pandemia in Latvia.

Methods

A longitudinal cohort study of symptoms of depression and anxiety in the population of physicians, physician assistants and nurses in Latvia during the COVID-19 pandemia. Symptoms of depression were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) scale, symptoms of anxiety were assessed using the General Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) scale, cut-off score for both scales was 10. Initial data was collected on April-May 2020 with a 3 month follow-up.. Data was analyzed using SPSS- Related-Samples McNemar test.

Results

348 physicians were initially included (women 83,9%, mean age 45,17±14,02) and 376 physicians assistants and nurses (women 88,2%, mean age 39,99±12,97). After the 3-month follow up 189 physicians (women 88,40%, mean age 45,01±13,57) and 141 physicians assistants and nurses were left (women 88,00%, mean age 39,96 ±12,59). During the 3 months symptoms of depression among physicians rose from 26,80% (n=94) to 27,5% (n=52), symptoms of anxiety from 17,70% (n=62) to 20,6% (n=39). Depression symptoms among physician assistants and nurses dropped from 25,50% (n=96) to 23,9% (n=34), symptoms of anxiety stayed almost the same 18,20% (n=68) to 18,30% (n=26). Symptoms of depression among physicians changed from 26,80% (n=94) to 27,5% (n=52), symptoms of anxiety from 17,70% (n=62) to 20,6% (n=39), changes were not statistically significant (p=0,281; p=0,725). Symptoms of depression among physician assistants and nurses changed from 25,50% (n=96) to 23,9% (n=34), symptoms of anxiety from 18,20% (n=68) to 18,30% (n=26), changes were not statistically significant (p=0,405; p=0,664).

Conclusions

No change in the dynamics of symptoms of depression and anxiety among health care workers over a 3-month period during the COVID-19 pandemia in Latvia was observed.
Digital phenotyping in psychiatry
Authors: Orsolini L.
Published: February 2022

Digital phenotyping represents a new approach aimed at measuring the human behavior by using smartphones and personal device sensors, smartphone apps, keyboard interaction, and various features of subject’s voice and speech. Data collected by a digital phenotyping smartphone application are divided into two categories: a) active data (i.e., those usually collected by using a survey modality) which require an ‘active participation’ from the subject to be generated; and, b) passive data (for instance, those data collected by using Global Positioning System (GPS) traces), usually collected without any participation or action from the subject. Digital phenotyping may theoretically enhance clinicians’ ability to early identify, diagnose and manage any mental health conditions and favoured a more personalized diagnostic and therapeutic approach to several mental conditions. The innovative and insightful approach applied by the digital phenotyping appears to find an interesting and useful application in the field of psychiatry. The digital phenotyping is in line with the new paradigm of the precision psychiatry, i.e. the new approach performed to help clinicians in customizing a psychiatric treatment for each patient, by integrating information about individual phenotypes and genotypes with biographical, clinical and biological data. A precision psychiatry approach would ideally allow clinicians to tailor clinical decision-making and stratify patients to each available treatment according to each one’s likelihood of treatment response and prognosis. Our aims are at providing a comprehensive panorama on evidence-based applications of digital phenotyping in psychiatry.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
Coronavirus lockdown and its impact on mental health of general population
Authors: Dhemaid M. , Abbes W. , Bagane C. , Jradi A. , Hafi S. , Ghanmi L.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

On March, Tunisian government imposed lockdown measures on cities to contain the COVID19 outbreak. Media coverage, social distancing, quarantine and isolation led to a global atmosphere of anxiety and depression.

Objectives

To assess the level of anxiety and depression among citizens of southern Tunisia and theirs associated factors.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional, descriptive and analytical online-based survey, from April 19, 2020, to May 5, 2020 on 331 citizens living in south of Tunisia. During this period, the total confirmed cases of COVID-19 exceeded 900 in Tunisia. We used a self-administered anonymous questionnaire containing citizen’s sociodemographic and clinical data. Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HAD) validated in the Tunisian dialectal version was used to assess anxiety and depression. Data were analysed using SPSS version 21.

Results

The 331 Participants were males (35%), singles (43,2%),aged between 20 and 40 years old(71%). From them, 37.5 % were suffering from anxiety and 42% of them from depression. Anxiety was correlated to the personal history of anxiety (p<10-3), the depression (p<10-3), the fear of contamination (p<10-3), the increased consumption of coffee and tea (p=0.005) and sleep disorders (p<10-3). Meanwhile, depression was associated to a past psychiatric history (p=0.001), a personal experience of psychological violence (p=0.011), increased cannabis use (p=0.011) and a broken sleep (p=0.007).

Conclusions

Our study identified a high prevalence of adverse psychological symptoms experienced by Tunisian citizens during this first wave of virus spread. Mitigating coronavirus effect on mental health is becoming an international public health priority.
Diagnostic automated algorithms in neurodevelopmental disorders: Focus on automatic motor assessment
Authors: Gargot T.
Published: February 2022

Difficulties in motor development are frequent and impairing. However, the assessment of these motor learning skills is difficult and limits early stage rehabilitation. Electronic sensors and algorithms can help to measure motor difficulties more easily and objectively. We will present a systematic review detailing these methods and challenges in Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Electronic tablets, give access to handwriting features that are not usually evaluated in classical assessments. We describe how such digital features (in static, dynamic, pressure, and tilt domains) allow diagnosing dysgraphia and how they evolve during children development. From a finer analysis, three different clusters of dysgraphia emerge, longitudinal studies will allow to underline different patterns of development that seemingly require tailored remediation strategies. However, those digital features are not used in the context of conventional pen and paper therapies. It is possible to engage children with typical development in handwriting exercises by asking them to teach a robot to write. We implemented a long-term case study (20 sessions, 500 minutes in total) observing a child with severe Developmental Co-ordination Disorder who did not progress anymore with a classic pen and paper approach by enriching this setup with various training activities using real-time feedback loops (on tilt, pressure, dynamic, pauses). We show how this new method tackles previous child’s behaviour avoidances, boosting his motivation, and improving his motor and writing skills. This talk demonstrates how new motor digital features allow the implementation of innovative motor remediation interventions, which rely on fostering children’s personal characteristics and adaptation skills.

Disclosure

The work presented in this talk was conducted during a PhD in computer science (funded by APHP and Paris 8 University, France). A company was funded by a PhD collaborator, dynamico.ch. The presenter does not have consultancy or financial connection with d
Post-traumatic stress disorder and its relation to the pandemic of the novel corona virus (COVID-19) in the bahraini society
Authors: Howaihi A. Al , Hamada A. Al
Published: February 2022

Introduction

The world has given serious thought to epidemics, disasters and crises. One of the most important mental disorders that can be caused by epidemics, disasters and crises is the Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is one of the most serious global health crises.

Objectives

We deal with the appearance of symptoms of PTSD among Bahraini society as a consequence to COVID-19 pandemic. We aim to investigate two main aspects: PTSD and the correlation between the pandemic COVID-19 and the appearance of PTSD symptoms in the Bahraini society.

Methods

This research was conducted based on the Davidson Trauma Scale (DTS), developed by Jonathan Davidson in 1995, according to the DSM-IV criteria.

Results

The findings of our research concluded that the percentage of PTSD among a group of Bahraini society members following the outbreak of COVID-19 was 11.1%.

Conclusions

conducting awareness campaigns as part of the media plan to combat COVID-19. Designing and applying treatment programs for PTSD for those in need. Allocating mental institutions from the public and private sectors to be used as rehabilitation centers for PTSD patients.

Conflict of interest

No significant relationships.
Initial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on tunisian parents and children
Authors: Manaa R. , Bourgou S. , Kouki N. , Belhadj A.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Due to the Covid 19 pandemic, the Tunisian government has taken several measures, which had a psychological impact on adults and children.

Objectives

Studying the initial impact of the Covid 19 pandemic on Tunisian parents and children.

Methods

One week after the proclamation of sanitary lockdown in Tunisia, parents were invited to answer voluntarily an anonymous questionnaire posted on social media. The stress level of the parent was measured by the Impact Event Scale Revised (IES-R).

Results

This questionnaire was answered by 138 parents.88% of them were mothers. Changes in working arrangements were made by 87.2% of fathers and 79.8% of mothers. Only 1% of parents did not teach their children about hygienic rules. Parents had a child aged 12 or less in 91% and aged more than 12 in 41.4%. Behavioral changes were reported in 60% for children aged 12 or younger (Graphic 1) and in 20% for those older than 12 (Graphic 2) The IES-R mean score was 28.9 ±18.The severity of the impact was associated with the female sex (p=0.04).We found a positive correlation between the IES-R score and the symptomatology of children with p=0.001 and r=0.518 when the age was superior to 12 and with p<0.001 and r=0,52 when the age was under 12.

Conclusions

The Covid pandemic in Tunisia affected both parents and children. Psychological intervention is essential to help them get out of this crisis with less damage.
Pregnancy and mental health in times of COVID-19
Authors: Solis M.O. , Barea M. ValverDe , Fernandez S. Jimenez , Rus S.S. Sánchez
Published: February 2022

Introduction

The new coronavirus (COVID-19) is being a threat to global health. Pregnancy is considered a state of vulnerability to mental health and can be even greater if they are facing the current pandemia.

Objectives

Within this framework, we wanted to inquire about the state of mental health, and more specifically, about depression, during pregnancy during pandemia COVID-19 and their opinion of the health team∙s professionals that controls pregnancy and how they are involved in the assessment of their mental health status. Also know her fears and uncertainties about the virus and its possible consequences (complications during pregnancy, childbirth or confinement at home, possible contact with COVID-19 positive patients).

Methods

A cross-sectional study was carried out that includes 73 pregnant women from Spain, during September 2020, through an anonymous, voluntary and multiple response type online survey which included questions about socio demographic aspects and the Beck Depression Inventory.

Results

The average age was 32 years. 90.41% were with a partner or married. The results of Beck’s questionnaire: 24.65% have moderate/severe depression. 25.65% had or had thought about consulting a mental health professional, 90.41% considered that professionals had not asked about their mental health during pregnancy. 98.89% reported fear of becoming infected and having to confine themselves at home and 97.26% reported fear of get COVID and affect the health of the unborn baby.

Conclusions

COVID-19 represents a huge challenge for pregnant women’s mental health. The Development and implementation of mental health service, skilled and aware of this area is crucial, for this vulnerable population.
Psychiatric symptoms and COVID-19, the importance of differential diagnosis. about two cases
Authors: Barea M. ValverDe , Solis M.O. , Rodriguez L. Soldado , Osuna A. España
Published: February 2022

Introduction

The COVID-19 pandemic presents symptomatic heterogeneity, so the differential diagnosis is even more relevant and more in patients with mental disorders. COVID-19 is a new disease that is under study and affects people over 65 with the greatest severity worldwide. The most frequent psychiatric symptoms are behavioral disturbances and confusional syndrome among those affected.

Objectives

The objective is to demonstrate the importance of differential diagnosis in patients with psychiatric symptoms and covid-19.

Methods

Patients aged 71 and 77, admitted to psychiatry. They present drowsiness that alternates with episodes of psychomotor agitation in which they verbalize fear of the coronavirus. Personal history: bipolar disorder and schizoaffective disorder. Psychopathological exploration: Spatial-temporal disorientation, uncooperative, fluctuating state of consciousness, verborrheic, salty and incoherent speech at times. Dysphoric mood. Psychomotor restlessness predominantly at night, verbal heteroaggressiveness. Negative to ingestion due to odynophagia. Sensory-perceptual alterations and nihilistic delusions “the virus has killed me, I’m already dead.” Upon admission, they present a cough and fever and are treated with azithromycin and dexamethasone for suspected COVID-19. Complementary tests: chest X-ray bilateral pleural effusion. Cranial CT: Diffuse cortical and subcortical brain parenchyma retraction pattern. PCR positive coronavirus.

Results

After overcoming the infection and with psychopharmacological treatment the confusional syndrome remitted.

Conclusions

Confusional syndrome can present with different psychiatric symptoms, so the differential diagnosis is very important and even more so in patients older than 65 years who present somatic pathologies or acute infections. The differential diagnosis of confusional syndrome is key to adequate treatment and favor the prognosis.
Suicide: The pandemic inside the pandemic
Authors: André R. , Sereijo C. , Abreu M.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Covid-19 was declared a pandemic by the WHO on March 11th and efforts have been made to minimize the impact that this new disease can produce. The mental health effects of this pandemic can be severe considering that each year close to 800.000 people die by suicide. This pandemic could increase those numbers, although this is not inevitable.

Objectives

This work reviewed the current available data on possible causes for a suicide rate increase and to try to understand if suicide is already increasing worldwide.

Methods

Non-systematic review of the literature with selection of scientific articles published in the past 6 months; by searching Pubmed and Medscape databases using the combination of MeSH descriptors. The following MeSH terms were used: Covid-19; suicide; SARS-Cov2; pandemic.

Results

Multiple factors can account for an increase in suicide rates such as isolation with a sense of decreased belongingness and increased burdensomeness. A synergy with known suicide precipitants can also occur such as domestic violence, intra-familiar conflicts, alcohol consumption and access to means. Media communication can represent a danger with constant reports about the crisis. And lastly the loss of employment and financial stressors can produce an important impact.

Conclusions

In conclusion, Covid-19 will produce an important impact in many spheres of society, one of which will be mental health. If at the start of this crisis a widespread sense of solidarity was present with the maintenance of precipitant factors for suicide we expect to see an increase in suicide rates.
Individually tailored digital self-care, with and without therapist-guidance
Authors: Kraepelien M.
Published: February 2022

Introduction: Digital mental health services have been a part of routine care at a few locations worldwide since almost 15 years, most often in the form of Internet-based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (ICBT) with scheduled weekly therapist-guidance. Personalization in the form of individual tailoring of treatment content is promising in ICBT. Digital Self-care, interventions constructed to be self-guided, would need to be constructed carefully to achieve equal levels of adherence and symptom reductions compared to therapist-guided interventions, especially when including individually tailored content. Objectives: To construct an individually tailored self-care intervention including a technical solution, acting as a proof of concept that self-guided digital interventions for mental health can be administered in a safe, effective, personalized and cost-effective way. Methods: In step I, a new digital platform is created based on the experience from previous successful implementations of ICBT together with experts on user experience. A series of digital mental health tools based on ICBT are tested for safety, usability and credibility. In step II these tools are combined into individually tailored package interventions for different conditions and optimized for greater efficiency. In step III these optimized interventions would be compared to their counterpart therapist-guided interventions in randomized trials. Results: Preliminary results from step I will be presented, including the current development of the digital platform and feasibility data from the first three studies.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
The individual patterns of anxieties and defense mechanisms in COVID pandemic context
Authors: Sokolova E. , Ryzhov A. , Pechnikova L.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

The COVID-pandemic context is characterized by a global ambiguity, reflecting the unexpected onset of pandemic, unpredictability and amplitude of the related dangers, questionability and the side effects of the policy measures used to protect people.

Objectives

The development of theoretical framework for understanding variability in the reactions to COVID situation and self-regulatory mechanisms.

Methods

Conceptualization and analysis of individual psychotherapy cases in the framework of psychodynamic approach.

Results

Five typical patterns of anxiety, defensive functioning and mentalization structures were identified: Paranoial pattern is marked by flooding with persecutory anxiety, exaggerated subjective uncertainty. reflected in chaotic boundlessness, incoherence, fantasies of hostility, splitting and polarization of self and others. Depressive pattern reflects inability to sustain ambiguity due to deficiency of internal supports, overly dependence on others, conformity, obedience to authority and denial of personal standards and individuality. Noogenic pattern refers to negative affective states, generated by the ambiguity, contradictions and ambivalence of information. The means to regulate it include the lowering of the level of psychical functioning, with cognitive simplification, preference for order, routine and predictability. Transgression pattern suggests maniacal fascination with the dissipation of limits, normative restraints and rules, and the triumph of the narcissistic-perfectionist permissiveness. Constructivity pattern consists of the pleasure from explorations and insights, creation of new meanings, creative reappraisal and reconstruction of ambiguous situations.

Conclusions

The typical patterns of experiencing ambiguity that were singled out may have diagnostic and prognostic significance in evaluating the individual resource potential in situations of COVID related dangers and isolation.
Anxiety and depression among students in a greek university amidst COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Sazakli E. , Leotsinidis M. , Bakola M. , Kitsou K.S. , Argyropoulos K. , Konstantopoulou A. , Katsifara A. , Gourzis P. , Jelastopulu E.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

The coronavirus pandemic has challenged the world with an unprecedented situation. Social distancing, self or quarantine isolation, personal hand hygiene, self-protection, and the fear of becoming infected with the virus, come with a psychological fallout. The COVID-19 pandemic has affected students around the world, in terms of their education and lifestyle.

Objectives

To investigate the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the students’ mental health and well-being at the University of Patras, in Western Greece.

Methods

An online questionnaire was prepared to collect responses from students during April 2020. Socio-demographic data, academic status, opinions about distance learning, changes in daily routine during the lockdown and anxiety and depression scores, according to the Greek version of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), were gathered.

Results

The total number of responders was 2009, of which 67.3% women. During lockdown, the 68% of the students returned to their family home. Anxiety and depression scores were higher in students with a low income, poor self-rated health, not informed about COVID-19, not satisfied with distance learning and being annoyed at staying home. Prevalence of anxiety and depression was found to be 35.8% and 51.2%, ranging from 26.7% to 48.2% for anxiety and from 36.3% to 60.5% for depression in Health Sciences and Humanities and Social Sciences, respectively.

Conclusions

Depression rates among university students in Greece were alarmingly high, denoting the impact of lockdown and changes in students’ life, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
New measure of defensive and constructive optimism towards COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Gordeeva T. , Sychev O.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Individuals’ beliefs about COVID-19 pandemic may affect their health-related behavior including self-isolation. “Positive” beliefs may be realistic (constructive belief that efforts help to prevent infection and spread of the virus) or rose-colored glasses (defensive belief that coronavirus problem is exaggerated aimed to cope with anxiety) with different consequences for behavior and mental health.

Objectives

Objectives: The aim was to develop the scales of defensive and constructive optimism towards COVID-19 pandemic (DCO-Covid) and analyze their psychometric properties, factor structure using CFA, internal consistency and validity.

Methods

The sample comprised 1403 university students (68% women, M=20.59, SD=3.66) from large cities of Russia. Online survey conducted from 10/4/2020 till 25/4/2020. Test battery included the scales of constructive and defensive optimism (each of 3 items) and measure of dispositional optimism (LOT-R, Scheier et al., 1994). Part of the sample (N=306) completed anxiety in a pandemic questionnaire (Tkhostov, Rasskazova, 2020).

Results

CFA indicated a good fit for the two-factor model (χ2=27.11, df=8, p<.001, CFI =.985, TLI=.971, RMSEA = .041, p[RMSEA≤.05] = .78) with negative correlations between factors (–.28). Cronbach’s alpha for defensive optimism and constructive optimism were α=.75 and α=.70 respectively. As expected constructive and defensive optimism correlated with dispositional optimism (r=.24; p < .001 and r=–.06; p<.05 respectively) and anxiety (fear of infection, r=.08; n.s and r= –.23; p < .001).

Conclusions

The results show that DCO-C is a reliable measure of defensive and constructive optimism towards COVID-19 pandemic. The construct validity of these scales is confirmed by CFA and obtained correlations.
The psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and confinement period on a tunisian sample
Authors: Bejar M. , Mohamed B. Ben , Faouel N. , Ali R. Belhadj , Zaafrane F. , Gaha L.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Coronavirus disease 2019, is now a global pandemic that has spread rapidly causing many deaths. Most countries have opted for compulsory confinement which had repercussions on mental health and well-being.

Objectives

The purpose of this study is to assess mental health consequences during the confinement period.

Methods

This is a cross-sectional descriptive study of 360 Tunisians in April and May 2020. We used an anonymous E-questionnaire that included a socio-demographic fact sheet, The HAD questionnaire, and a Q-EDD questionnaire to explore eating disorders.

Results

The subjects of our sample were mostly males with a mean age of 31. The body mass index was 25.5 (range 16.10 -46.24), 15% suffered from obesity. Half of the subjects were single and 6.7% spent the confinement time alone. 11.1% were smokers while 4.4% were alcohol users. The HAD-A and the HAD-D scores had an average of 9.1 and 8.48 respectively.A pathological threshold of anxiety and depression was found in 20% and 30% of the sample respectively.15% had an eating disorder: 76% had binge eating, 20% had bulimia and 17% had anorexia. In our study, we found an association between eating disorder and obesity, single marital status (p=0.007), living alone (p=0.001), history of depression (p=0.046), anxiety (p=0.049) and depression (p=0.038).

Conclusions

Reduced social interactions, decreased physical activity and increased stress are potentially harmful causes for our brain. Confining the population for several weeks has a negative impact on our physical and mental health. A crisis unit has been formed in Tunisia to help subjects overcome these psychological difficulties.
Religious coping in time of covid 19 in tunisia
Authors: Ajmi S. , Hentati S. , Masmoudi R. , Sellami R. , Feki I. , Masmoudi J.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Religion belongs among well-documented coping strategies, through which one can understand and deal with stressors.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to examine religious coping responses face to the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic among Tunisian people.

Methods

The survey was conducted using the online anonymous questionnaires and distributed through social networks from 24 April to 23 May 2020. It included sociodemographic questions, participants’ experience of SARS-CoV-2related stressful events and the frequency of religious practice during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Brief RCOPE was used to assess religious coping.

Results

Our study included 80 participants: 71.3%female and 42.5%married. The mean age of the participants was 29.30 years (SD = 8.72). The religion of all participants was Islam, and 72.5% of them had religious practices. Participants reported much lower levels of negative religious coping than positive religious coping (5% versus 37.5%). There were no significant differences in religious coping activities as a function of gender (p=0.180, p= 0.192). Significant relationships were found only for demographic variables: level of education with Higher-educated reported more PRC (p=0.002). Having a family member with a suspected or confirmed infection was correlated with PRC (p=0.016).Concern with becoming infected or having a friend with a suspected or confirmed infection did not correlate with any coping strategy (p=0.112; p=0.489). No correlation was found between religious commitment and religious coping (p=0.897; p=0.504) however increasing religious activity during this pandemic was correlated with PRC (p=0.013).

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that lockdown experience is associated with higher use of NRC strategies.
The impact of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic on developing obsessive-compulsive disorder in saudi arabia
Authors: Alateeq D. , Almughera H. , Almughera T. , Alfedeah R. , Naser T. , Alaraj K.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a contagious disease. Its potential psychological impact could involve fear of being contaminated by germs and dirt, which may lead to washing hands repeatedly until harm the skin.

Objectives

To explore the incidence of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) symptoms during COVID-19 pandemic among the Saudi general population, and to explore its correlation with stress and the associated factors.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey of a sample consisting of 2909 participants was conducted during COVID-19 outbreak consists of socio-demographic characteristics, Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and The Brief Obsessive–Compulsive Scale (BOCS).

Results

Most participants were female (73.9%) with university level or above (81%) and were disciplined with quarantine (75.6%). New onset symptoms of obsessive thoughts (worries about germs, dirt and viruses), and compulsive behavior (excessive hand washing) were reported by 57.8% and 45.9% of the participant. Participants who developed these symptoms only during CODIV-19 pandemic were significantly higher than asymptomatic participants or those who developed symptoms before the pandemic (p-value< 0.000). New onset symptoms were significantly more among participants with high stress (57.5% and 51.4%; p-value
<0.000). Some sociodemographic characteristics were significantly associated with new onset OCD symptoms such as age group (40-49 years), employee in non-medical field, housewives, students, being disciplined and spending more days in quarantine (p- value<0.000, p-value<0.047, p-value<0.012, p-value<0.015).

Conclusions

This study revealed a significantly higher prevalence of high perceived stress in respondents with new onset OCD symptoms. This implies that bio disaster is associated with a high psychological morbidity which needs interventional programs.
Impact of personality hardiness on anxiety dynamics during the COVID-19 outbreak in russia
Authors: Dovbysh D. , Epishin V. , Salikhova A. , Bogacheva N. , Bogdanova M. , Kiseleva M.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Hardiness is a set of attitudes, providing courage and motivation to cope with stress (Maddi, 2006). The COVID-19 outbreak and the response to it caused exceptional stress and drastically changed the everyday routine, endangering many people`s psychological well-being and mobilizing coping resources.

Objectives

The study aimed to determine whether hardiness provided coping resources to deal with COVID-19 outbreak-related stressors.

Methods

949 participants from Russia (ages 18-66) voluntarily completed online questionnaires: BAI; BDI; SCL-90-R; Personal Views Survey III during the early COVID-19 restrictions (24 March - 15 May). Subsamples from four time periods were compared using ANOVA. The first dataset was collected before the official restrictions’ introduction (n=88). The second subsample was gathered during the “days off” week (n=262). The third period started with the “days off” extension and ended with the strict self-isolation announcement (n=296). The fourth dataset was gathered during self-isolation (n=303). General linear models (GLM) were used to determine the effect of variables on anxiety, depression, and general symptomatic index (GSI).

Results

Hardiness, anxiety, depression, and GSI differed significantly between the time-periods (F=4.899, p<0.01; F=3.173, p<0.05; F=8.096, p<0.01; F=3.244, p<0.022 ; F=4.899, p<0.01 respectively). GLMs showed gender, chronic diseases, self-assessed fears, and hardiness contribution to anxiety, depression, and GSI. Hardiness had the biggest effect on all models. Anxiety was additionally influenced by the time factor, which also interacted with hardiness (see Figure 1). With lower hardiness, higher anxiety arose over time.

Conclusions

Hardiness notably contributes to personal adaptation during the COVID-19 outbreak-related restrictions.