bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Insomnia at the onset of addiction treatment may be related to earlier relapses: A one-year follow-up study
Authors: Álvarez R. Palma , Daigre C. , Ros-Cucurull E. , Serrano-Pérez P. , Ortega-Hernandez G. , Fadeuilhe C. , Sorribes M. , Pereira A. , Ramos-Quiroga J.A. , Roncero C. , Grau-López L.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Insomnia has been related to a more severe substance use disorder presentation (1). There are few longitudinal studies in outpatients center for SUD treatment that evaluate how insomnia impacts on relapses.

Objectives

To analyze how insomnia impacts on the time of the first substance relapse in SUD outpatients after the onset of addiction treatment.

Methods

This is a one-year follow-up study performed on 116 patients (73.3% males; mean age 43.4±14.3) for whom we had information from baseline insomnia and the time for the first relapse. A Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was performed. This is part of a greater research on Alexithymia in SUD in a longitudinal study.

Results

The initial sample consisted of 116 patients, information on relapses was available for 113 patients. The main substances used at baseline were alcohol (62.1%), cocaine (56.0%), cannabis (42.2%), and opiates (30.2%).

Conclusions

It is important to evaluate insomnia at the onset of addiction treatment because insomnia may be related to earlier relapses. Furthermore, it should be analyzed further on how insomnia treatment impact on substance relapses. REFERENCES 1. Miller MB, Donahue ML, Carey KB, Scott-Sheldon LAJ. Insomnia treatment in the context of alcohol use disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Drug Alcohol Depend. 2017;181:200-207. doi:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2017.09.029
Method of relieving alcohol dysphoria in the structure of hypertoxic alcohol abuse state with compulsive craving manifestations
Authors: Sosin I. , Mysko G. , Sergienko O. , Honcharova O. , Babenko Y. , Minko O.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Alcohol dysphoria is a pathognomonic, severe, and therapeutically resistant syndrome considerable for alcohol and drug-addicted patients. The term “dysphoria” (from Greek δυσφορέω to suffer, torment, annoy) means an abnormally low type of mood, characterized by anger, gloom, irritability, feelings of hostility to others. In addictology, it is often identified in the withdrawal syndrome structure.

Objectives

To develop innovative improvement in treatment for alcohol dysphoria.

Methods

Valid clinical diagnostic, laboratory, biochemical, electrophysiological, psychological (scaling, testing), statistical methods identifying alcohol dependence complicated by dysphoria.

Results

The proposed method involves a complex of anti-affective, anti-abstinence, anti-craving pharmacological agents and drug-free methods, and differs from those conventional, along with psychotherapeutic potentiation, by additional targeted pharmacological triad (peroral Carbamazepine 200 mg twice a day: in the morning and in the evening; intramuscular Halopril (Haloperidol) 1 ml (5 mg) daily; oral Sonapax 1 tablet (25 mg) three times a day for 3-5 day treatment) used for a new purpose. 17 patients experienced this method. Efficacy: alcohol dysphoria acute manifestations were relieved by our method within 3-5 days that 37.8% exceeds conventional treatment. In 15 minutes, patients decreased irritability, motor restlessness, stress, cravings for alcohol. In 30 minutes, the patients fell asleep. Sleep lasted 3.5 hours on average. Subsequently, patients denied craving for alcohol, calmed down emotionally and psychomotorically, wished to be treated for alcoholism. No dysphoric relapses were observed.

Conclusions

The proposed multimodality method alleviates alcohol-induced dysphoria, involving pharmacotherapeutic triad along with psychotherapeutic potentiation.
Method of treating alcohol dependence complicated by amnestic disorders
Authors: Sosin I. , Babenko Y. , Honcharova O. , Mysko G. , Sergienko O. , Lisova I.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Amnesia and palimpsests occurring and recurring in alcohol addicts due to alcohol intoxication (Ebrietas alcoholica) are accompanied by hazardous memory failures, gradual mental degradation and psychoorganic syndrome, which evidences urgent clinical, therapeutic and therapeutic issue in addictology, psychiatry, forensic medicine, sociology, medical psychology, etc. At EPA initiative (2019), research interest in non-invasive brain stimulation tools and methods for such populations was activated.

Objectives

Development of a patentable method of treatment in addictology using pyracetam and nicotinic acid transcerebral electrophoresis (TCE).

Methods

Valid clinical-diagnostic, laboratory, biochemical, electrophysiological, psychological (scaling, testing), statistical methods for identification of alcohol dependence complicated by amnestic disorders.

Results

The method of treatment of alcohol dependence complicated by amnestic disorders (Patent 141785 UA) provides complex pharmacological and drug-free therapy. Antiamnesic drugs are administered by TCE bilaterally; pyracetam 20% solution to the left orbit through active negative electrodes, and nicotinic acid 0.1% solution to the right orbit (positive electrode in the occipital fossa), current of 2-4 mA, 20-30 minutes exposure. The procedure was performed daily with a TCE device, for a 10-day course of treatment along with psychotherapeutic potentiation. TCE provides the ionic implementation of pharmacological agents in the brain and their physiological electrical stimulation.

Conclusions

In a representative clinical trial, using statistical methods and generated bank of patient-specific observations, significant potentiating effects of combined drug-free, non-invasive transcerebral electrical stimulation and electrophoretic implementation of pyracetam and nicotinic acid were demonstrated.
Impact of addictive behaviors on productivity at work among employees working on an onshore oil field
Authors: Rmadi N. , Kotti N. , Masmoudi R. , Dhouib F. , Hammami K. Jmal , Masmoudi M. Larbi , Masmoudi J. , Hajjeji M.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Addictive behaviors on the workplace are a real public health problem because of its consequences not only on workers but also on productivity at work.

Objectives

To explore the relationship between addictive behaviors and productivity at work among employees of a Tunisian oil rig.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted in the first half of 2018. The assessment of work productivity was done using the validated WPAI-GH questionnaire. Smoking dependence was assessed via the Fagerström score and alcohol abuse by the FACE questionnaire.

Results

It was 94 employees working in an onshore oil field with an average age of 41.1 years. Average job seniority was 14.3 years. Active smoking was noted in 34.7% of cases. Alcohol consumption was noted in 19.1% of cases. In the 7 days preceding the survey, the average percentage of absenteeism was 3.64 ± 21.7% and the presenteeism was 17.66 ± 25.58%. The average decline in productivity was 14.8 ± 43.7% and the average decline in daily activities was 20.21 ± 31.45%. These parameters were not correlated with smoking and alcoholism.

Conclusions

Addictive behaviors in the workplace still a denied reality.Increasing awareness and clarifying expectations can be a good first step in order to ameliorate employee functioning and decrease productivity problems.
Generalized problematic internet use: An impulsive-compulsive spectrum disorder?
Authors: Araujo A. , Pereira A.T. , Soares M.J. , Maia B. Rodrigues , Macedo A.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Generalized problematic internet use/GPIU has recently been associated with the impulsive-compulsive spectrum/ICS, but its mapping onto these behaviour dimensions is relatively unexplored.

Objectives

To compare patterns of internet use and scores of BIG-5 personality traits, perfectionism and psychological distress between groups with low/high levels of GPIU.

Methods

475 university students (78.9% girls; mean age 20.22±1.695) answered the Portuguese versions of: GPIU Scale, Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale-13, NEO-FFI-20, Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scales and other questions about internet use. Chi-square and Mann-Whitney tests were performed using SPSS.

Results

Individuals with high levels of GPIU (median+2SD; n=18; 3.8%) spent significantly more time/day in online activities, exceeding what they have planned; had no other hobbies and used social networks to meet friends; reported that GPIU interfered with affective/work relationships and academic performance (all p<.05). There were no significant differences in the purposes of the internet use (e-mail, social networks, shopping, videogames, multimedia, sexual, work…), unless for general information searching and betting games (both p<.05). High-PGIU group also presented significant higher levels of neuroticism, negative (but not positive) perfectionism, depression, anxiety, and stress (all p<.001).

Conclusions

Our results indicate that unlike the purposes of internet use, personality, perceived interference and the associated cognitive-emotional processes and symptoms (psychological distress) may help distinguishing between functional vs. dysfunctional internet use. Considering the preponderance of processes over contents and the presence of certain dimensions, such as perception of uncontrollability, interference and social isolation we add more evidence to consider PGIU as falling within the spectrum of impulsive-compulsive disorders.

Conflict of interest

No significant relationships.
Evaluation of the frequency and predictive factors of psychotropic drugs consumption among students of the university of pharmacy of monastir
Authors: Bensaid N. , Ghorbel A. , Rekik M. , Messedi N. , Smaoui S. , Hachicha S. , Messadi F. , Aloulou J.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Psychotropic medications are widely used in Tunisia. Studies about frequency of substance use are rare

Objectives

The purpose of this work is to determine frequency of use of psychotropic medication among pharmacy students in Monastir University during their university years and during the last year and to assess the factors associated to this consumption

Methods

A retrospective study was used to collect the information about 145 participants using a questionnaire asking about the consumption of psychotropic medications and the factors associated to substance use

Results

145 subjects aged 22.71 years +/- 2.04 among them 25% was men and 75 % women. Psychotropic medication use was 20 % during university years and 17.24 % during the last year. 45 % of the users had their medications without a prescription from a doctor. 17 % of the users of psychotropic medication weren’t informed about the effects of the drugs. A higher consumption of psychotropic drugs was observed among older individuals (p=0.009; F=6.928), redoubling individuals (p=0.003), with conflictive relationships with family (p=0.001), using others psychotropic substances, feeling often nervous (p=0.003; F=9.318) and with personal history of mental illness (p=0.002).

Conclusions

Our finding underlines the need of larger more comprehensive surveys to determine the efficiency of the prevention strategies and to minimize the consumption of psychotropic drugs or to control it.

Keyword

dependence Risk factors drugs students
Further validation of the internet addiction test: Psychometric characteristics in a portuguese university sample
Authors: Bento C. , Pereira A.T. , Marques C. , Mota D. , Macedo A.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

The Internet Addiction Test (IAT) is a 20-item, self-reported questionnaire that measures the presence and severity of Internet addiction which is an increasing problem in adolescents. Although a Portuguese version IAT has been validated in adults, its psychometric properties have never been evaluated before, in adolescents.

Objectives

To analyse the reliability and construct and concurrent validity of the IAT in a Portuguese adolescent sample.

Methods

772 adolescents (53.5% girls), mean aged 13.21±2.246, answered the Portuguese versions of the IAT and the Portuguese versions of validated scales to evaluate: Cyberbullying, Game Addiction, Agressivity and Anxiety, Depression Scales. To study the temporal stability, 377 (60.5% girls) respondents answered the questionnaires again after approximately four-six weeks. The total sample was aleatory splitted to realize the exploratory and the confirmatory factor analyses.

Results

Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses supported a second order two-factor structure - “Isolation and Social Commitment” and F2-“Negligence and Functional Commitment”. The χ2/df value was 2.260 and had a significant p value; it had the lowest RMSEA score = .074 (p< .001) and it had the highest TLI (.980) and CFI (.905). IAT mean scores were no different between genders [Girls=29.25±18.775 vs. Boys: 30.85±17.929, p=.405]. The Cronbach’s alphas were > .85. Pearson correlation between the test and the re-test was r=.660. The IAT, video game addiction (r=.434), Cyberbullying (r=.383), anxiety (r=.209) and depression (r=.263) were significantly correlated (p<.001).

Conclusions

The Portuguese IAT has good reliability and validity, showing to be an adequate instrument for measuring Internet Addiction symptoms in Portuguese Adolescents.
Prevalence of internet addiction in tunisian adolescents
Authors: Daoud M. , Omri S. , Feki R. , Smaoui N. , Zouari L. , Thabet J. Ben , Bouali M. Maalej , Charfi N. , Maalej M.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Internet addiction (IA) is a significant public health issue among adolescents. There is considerable evidence that IA is associated with various psychosocial harms.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to measure the prevalence of internet addiction among secondary school.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was conducted among 152 students enrolled in secondary school. The participants had filled the Internet Addiction Test of Young and a data file regarding the socio-demographic information, physical and information about the internet access and use.

Results

The sample consisted of 90 males and 62 females with a mean age of 13.14 ± 1.2 years. The majority of participants had their own smartphone (83.6%). The average duration of connection among participants was 5.3 hours per day. The prevalence of IA was 14,5%. Results showed that 46,8% feel their internet use significantly hinders their family relationships. Twenty participants (13,2%) reported that they connected to the internet while they were in classroom. The prevalence of IA was higher among boys than girls (p= 0.018). There was, also, a significant relation between IA and having academic difficulties (p=0.037).

Conclusions

The prevalence of IA is elevated in Tunisia. Many negative consequences are identified. Urgent measures should be taken to counter the problem.
Comparative study of psychoactive substance use pattern in romania and hungary
Authors: Costescu C.R. , Nemeș B. , Coman H.G. , Cozman D.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Europe’s drug situation is facing an increasing trend.

Objectives

To compare the psychoactive substance use pattern in Romania and Hungary.

Methods

Data was collected from the electronical databases of the 3rd Psychiatry Clinic of Cluj County Emergency Hospital, Cluj-Napoca, Romania and from the Psychiatry Department of Kenezy Gyula Hospital Debrecen, Hungary. We included adult patients who had at least one hospital admission for mental and behavioral disorders due to psychoactive substance use between 01/01/2013 and 31/12/2016.

Results

96 patients from Romania (80.2% males, mean age 27.8 years (18, 82)) and 816 from Hungary (71.93% males, mean age 47 years (18, 90)) were included. Romanian patients consumed more opioids (31.52% vs 4.34%, p<0.05 Chi-square Test), cannabinoids (66.3% Ro vs 13.04%, p<0.001 Chi-square Test), and synthetic drugs (declared 73.91% vs 8.21%, p<0.001 Chi-square Test), an underlying personality disorder (52.08% vs 34.06% p=0.001 Chi-square test) was more often diagnosed. Hungarian patients consumed more alcohol (89.46% vs 30.43%, p<0.001 Chi-square Test), a comorbid bipolar disorder (18.75% vs 5.2%, p=0.001 Chi-square Test), a major depressive disorder (40.8% vs 16.6% p<0.001, Chi-square Test) or an anxiety spectrum disorder (55.26% vs 7.29%, p<0.001 Chi-square test) were more often diagnosed. Overall, more than 85% had a dependence use pattern, more than 65% having multiple admissions.

Conclusions

Romanian drug users are younger, prefer opioids, cannabinoids and synthetic drugs and have more often a comorbid personality disorder than Hungarian patients, who consume more alcohol and have a comorbid affective disorder.
“New” drugs associated with chemsex? 2C-B in sexual context. A case report and review
Authors: Ramos J. Curto , Dolengevich H. , Romerosa M.A. Morillas , Pascual E. Mateos
Published: February 2022

Introduction

The intentional use of drugs before or during sexual intercourse (chemsex), due to its impact on mental health, is a phenomenon of high importance in men who have sex with men.

Objectives

We report the case of a patient with polysubstance acute intoxication, including 2C-B, in order to review the evidence about the mechanisms of action of 2C-B, its efects on sexual pleasure, toxicity, patterns of abuse and somatic and mental health related consequences it may present.

Methods

Case report and narrative review.

Results

We present the case of a patient using 2C-B as a substance in chemsex practice. As the patient presented in our emergency with psychotic symptoms, he was diagnosed with “stimulant acute intoxication” and “acute psychotic symptoms induced by stimulants”. 2C-B increases dopamine (DA) serotonin (5-HT) and norepinephrine (NE) and cause stimulating and hallucinogenic effects.

Conclusions

MSM is a group vulnerable to the problematic use of drugs in a sexual context. Several mental health problems have been associated with chemsex users such as psychotic sypmptoms, suicidal ideation, encephalopaty, delirium. Polysubstance use is common in chemsex practice and it can be difficult to identify the drugs used in states of acute intoxication but psychiatrists must explore the use of differents drugs from the “classic chemsex drugs” (mephedrone, GHB and metanphetamine) including 2C-B and other substances such as cocaine, MDMA, ketamine, and other cathinones different from mephedrone.
Managing ethical issues in community-based adolescent self-harm research. ethical practice in an adolescent self-harm preventative intervention research project with pupils in secondary schools in wales
Authors: Parker R.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Adolescent self-harm in Europe is a major public health challenge and shares a risk continuum with suicide. Recent research demonstrates a strong risk correlation with attempting suicide in the community-based adolescent self-harm population group, similar to research findings for populations in health setting-based research. In the UK increasing rates in hospital admissions represent the “tip of the iceberg” within the community, with potentially two thirds of the population group not accessing health services for support. This brings many health risks, including an increased suicide risk. Finding a solution to these issues requires a preventative intervention approach for young people, including community-based delivery to address service access barriers. Secondary schools are posited as key settings where this type of support could be delivered. But emerging UK research demonstrates challenges in completing adolescent self-harm research with young people in schools.

Objectives

This paper centres on a current adolescent self-harm preventative intervention research project in Cardiff University. It focuses on ethical research practice in community-based adolescent self-harm research.

Methods

This paper appraises some of the core ethical issues, challenges and their management in completing adolescent self-harm prevention intervention research in secondary school settings in Wales. It also provides an overview of the project’s innovative safety protocol design.

Results

This project was successful in managing the potential risks to the school-based adolescent research participants.

Conclusions

This work helps address some of the current research barriers to completing adolescent self-harm prevention intervention research in schools, to facilitate shared solutions to the urgent public health challenge of adolescent self-harm.
Suicidal behaviour in medicine students and residents
Authors: Lietor M.D.C. Molina , Cuevas I. , Prieto M. Blanco
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Among medical students the rate of depression varies between 5-32% and it is known that the suicide rate is higher than in the general population.

Objectives

Clear and current data are needed to design studies for the diagnosis and treatment of students and residents of Medicine with psychological and psychiatric disorders in order to reduce rates of suicidal behavior in this population group.

Methods

A systematic search for articles on the UpToDate, PubMed and Mendeley platforms has been conducted with the keywords “suicide”, “suicidal behavior”, “suicidal ideation”, “medicalschool” and “medical students”. We found 435 items from which a total of 42 items were selected.

Results

The prevalence of depression is 27.2%, of which only 15.7% of them are under treatment. Burnout, has a high prevalence of 45-50%. The prevalence of suicidal ideation in the last year is 11.1%. The most commonly used method is medication overdose. Suicidal behavior is greater among students who choose to choose Psychiatry or Family and Community Medicine as a specialty.

Conclusions

The rate of suicidal ideation among medical students is 11.1%. Nearly one out of every three medical students suffers from depression in some degree, and only one in five is treated. The similar prevalence of burnout at all levels supposes poor management of stress from the faculty. Medical schools should reduce the associated stigma and should encourage depressed students to seek treatment.
How genetics can help diagnosis and treatment in psychiatric conditions
Authors: Chaumette B. , Laurent-Levinson C. , Almos P. , Degenhardt F.
Published: February 2022

The understanding of the genetic architecture of psychiatric disorders has made significant advances in the last decade and some scientific findings can now be translated into clinical practice. The rise of genetic testing and the awareness of patients and their families motivate psychiatrists to examine this approach. The COST Action EnGagE (CA17130) is promoting these developments in Europe. Whereas the findings of common variants are the domain of research, screening for rare variants at the genome-wide level is already applicable in clinical practice. It is now possible to return meaningful results to the individual to help him/her understanding the disease and the comorbidities, to guide treatment and to perform genetic counseling. In this presentation, we will give meaningful examples for psychiatric practice. For instance, around one-third of the patients diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder can benefit from a molecular diagnosis (fragile X syndrome, SHANK3 deletion…). Microdeletion or microduplication may explain a fraction of schizophrenic cases (e.g. del22q11). Identification of rare variants causing the disease may decrease the stigma and feeling of guilt often reported by patients and families. This could also help to detect and manage other comorbidities. It is expected that treatment guidelines and clinical trials would be developed in the near future for patients carrying a rare variant, opening the way to personalized psychiatry. Finally, this effort has a huge impact on the family, by enhancing genetic counseling in psychiatry. The rise of psychiatric genetics might align our field more closely with the other medical specialties.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
Individual factors associated with suicidal recurrence in patients of southern tunisia
Authors: Tfifha M. , Abbes W. , Mahdhaoui W. , Frikha A. , Ghanmi L.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Nowadays, suicide is a global public health problem thus detection of risk factors more specifically individual factors can be used as a method for prevention and intervention.

Objectives

The aims of our study were to assess the incidence of suicidal recurrence and its individual associated factors.

Methods

A retrospective descriptive and analytical study was undertaken including all patients consulting for the first time at Gabes psychiatry department (in southern Tunisia) from the 4th March 2009 to the 25th September 2020 for suicidal attempt. Sociodemographic and clinical data as well as suicidal attempts’ characteristics were assessed. The statistical analysis was executed on the software SPSS (20th edition).

Results

278 patients were collected including 217 female. The mean age was 26. Suicidal patients were unmarried (75.9%), childless (79.1%) and unemployed (47.5%). The common suicidal attempt method was voluntary drug intoxication (67.8%). Interference of individual factors was reported in 77% of cases, especially difficulties to cope with stress (46.4%), followed by low self-esteem (36.5%), personal psychiatric history (17.3%), personal medical history (8.3%) and alcohol or drug abuse (6.1%). A suicidal re-attempt was notedin 24.9 % of cases. Recurrence was associated with the female gender (72.4%), difficulties to cope with stress (<10-3) and low self-esteem (p=0.012).

Conclusions

After the first suicidal attempt, it’s crucial to identify the individual factors that seems to have an influence on subsequent suicidal behaviour in order to ensure a proper treatment.
Relationship to pain and suicidal-related experience: Validation of discomfort intolerance scale и the pain catastrophizing scale in russian female adolescents
Authors: Sadovnichaja V. , Rasskazova E. , Tkhostov A.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Perception of and relationship to pain are considered as important factors of suicidal behavior (Joiner, 2005, Klonsky & May, 2015, O’Connor & Kirtley, 2018, Galynker, 2017). Some studies of pain demonstrated that there are common mechanisms of emotional and physical pain (DeWall & Baumeister, 2006, MacDonald & Leary, 2005, Eisenberger, Lieberman, & Williams, 2003).

Objectives

The aim was to validate Discomfort Intolerance Scale and Pain Catastrophizing Scale on the female adolescent sample and to reveal their relationship to suicidal experience.

Methods

183 adolescents females (13-21 years old) filled Discomfort Intolerance Scale (Schmidt, Richey, & Fitzpatrick, 2006) and The Pain Catastrophizing Scale (Sullivan, Bishop, & Pivik, 1995). Then they replied to items related to their own or their friends’ suicidal experience.

Results

Factor analysis for PCS explained 73.6% of variance with Cronbach’s alphas .77-.91. Factor analysis of DIS explained 67.1% of variance with Cronbach’s alphas .63-.70. There were no relationships between suicidal-related experience and pain-related experience.

Conclusions

Discomfort Intolerance Scale and Pain Catastrophizing Scale could be used as reliable and valid methods of measuring relationship to pain in studies of adolescents, although we found no associations between them and suicidal intentions.
Building interest in psychiatry: Could peer-to-peer learning be a way forward in improving engagement in psychiatric education amongst medical students?
Authors: Cole G.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Stigma, stereotypes, and preconceptions have meant psychiatry has been subject to poor engagement from medical students when compared to other specialties. Whilst efforts have been made to understand reasons for this and formulate strategies to build interest, the problem still exists.

Objectives

This piece explores whether giving those with a passion for psychiatry a platform to share this could gradually but positively influence their peers and thus, be a potential way to drive engagement in psychiatry as a career.

Methods

Advanced literature searches explored items such as engagement in psychiatry and benefits of peer-to-peer education. CASP checklists facilitated selection and appraisal of literature for use in this discussion. Key themes were identified and used to formulate suggestions for the use of peer-to-peer teaching in building interest in psychiatry.

Results

Thematic analysis of the data found 4 main themes relating to engagement in psychiatry. Current strategies to improve this have varying impact and include clinical exposure, using patients with lived experience in learning and enrichment activities, whilst the main negative influence is a long-standing stigma and stereotype around psychiatry. Three themes regarding the relevant benefits of peer-to-peer teaching were found, being peer-to-peer connection, peer influence and means to overcome stigma.

Conclusions

Three key strategies for the use of peer to peer learning are suggested. These are ‘learning from students with lived experience’, ‘peer-teaching from passionate students prior to clinical exposure’ and ‘using peer learning to initially introduce topics in psychiatry in a relatable manor’.
A COVID-19 necessity or the future of medical education? An evaluation of online psychiatry tutorials for medical students
Authors: Wyke C. , Butler S.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Following the national lockdown in the UK in March 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we instigated regular online tutorials for fourth year medical students undertaking their psychiatry placement.

Objectives

The aims of these tutorials were threefold: to ensure that students covered a range of key psychiatry topics, to enable them to have the opportunity for interactive tutorials with experienced psychiatrists and, not least, to create a sense of continuity and connection with their tutors and peers across the mental health block.

Methods

Each student was allocated to a tutorial group comprising 10 – 15 medical students and a psychiatrist facilitator. These groups met weekly for 7 consecutive weeks at an agreed time for 60 – 90 minutes via an online platform and all covered the same allocated topic each week. We evaluated these groups via an online survey sent to the students following the programme.

Results

The students rated the tutorials on average as 4.5/5 on whether they met the defined learning outcomes. On average the students did not consider that the virtual format made a significant difference to their learning, but this disguised a wide range of views that were expressed via a comment box.

Conclusions

The evaluation of this project supports the use of virtual tutorials as a valuable learning tool but educators need to be aware that student views’ on these can be varied and so, long-term, a blend of virtual and face to face learning is most likely to meet the needs of all students.
Medical education in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic: The challenge of collaborative learning in three european countries
Authors: Salas D. Gurrea , Álvarez R. Palma , Toparlak S.M.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

COVID19 keeps being a challenge, not only facing the outbreak and the treatment of the cases, but also in the education sector. Most learning centres and high schools in the world are closed to avoid further outbreaks, as well as institutes for psychotherapy throughout the world.

Objectives

To gain a better knowledge and understanding about alternatives identified in the scope of psychiatric trainee training, through the support provided by digital resources.

Methods

Systematic review on PubMed and Uptodate databases since declaration of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020 was performed using the keywords: Distance Education, Pandemia, COVID-19, Medical Residency. Discussing online-learning.

Results

The described European countries (Germany, Spain, United Kingdom) used different strategies to maintain the e-learning. Practical undergraduate education was replaced in countries like Spain by “problem-based learning” tasks, clarifying and commenting case reports or videos through working groups. The increase of the resources from teachers and trainers wasn´t taken in account for the preparation of the digital program. Social inequities for the digital access for groups of students or clients were also claimed.

Conclusions

Each of the described countries adopted different strategies regarding continuing training of residents, their assessment and their certification. Covid-19 should set down a trend of social collaborative learning as part of resident training and asset hybrid or even digital methods for the mental health training.
Examining online postings on a russian internet self-harm message board: Further evidence of addiction to self-harm?
Authors: Lewis C.A. , Davis S. , Khukhrin M. , Galyautdinova S.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

There has been an increasing amount of research examining the addictive nature of self-harm (non-suicidal self-injury). One such area of research has examined if themes related to addiction are present in self-harm board postings on imessages. Recent research from the UK suggests that such themes are evident.

Objectives

The present aim was to build on previous research to examine if themes of addiction are present in other cultural contexts.

Methods

A sample of 254 online postings from a self-harm discussion forum on a Russian Internet message board were translated, extracted, read, and re-read before being coded using inductive content analysis to identify themes.

Results

Five themes were extracted and labelled: “Relationships with Family and Friends”, “Self-Blame and Hatred”, “Ongoing Battle”, “Positive affect”, “Other Mental Health Problems Difficulties”. These themes are somewhat similar to those found within messages in a UK based self-harm forum.

Conclusions

The present findings, obtained from Russian respondents, provide further evidence demonstrating that repetitive self-harming seems to have addictive aspects.
Correlation between perceived infertility-related stress and fertility quality of life in women diagnosed with primary infertility
Authors: Batinic B. , Milovanovic J. , Dragojevic-Dikic S.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

A diagnosis of infertility is a stressful emotional experience for women, leading to a significant detrimental impact in many domains of life quality.

Objectives

The aim of this study is to explore the correlation between perceived infertility-related stress and fertility quality of life in affected women.

Methods

The study sample comprised 236 women diagnosed with primary infertility, recruited from the Gynecology Obstetrics Clinic, with a mean age of 33.21 years (min 20, max 46) and with a mean duration of conception attempts of 3.24 years (min 1, max 16), assessed by the Fertility Problem Inventory (FPI) and the Fertility quality of life questionnaire (FertiQol).

Results

The mean FPI and FertiQol were 137.23 (SD=29.066) and 65.356 (SD=11.119) respectively. There was a significant negative correlation between perceived infertility-related stress and fertility quality of life (r= -.513; p<0.01). All the subscales of the applied questionnaires showed significant negative correlations, with exception of Need for parenthood and Rejection of childfree lifestyle subscales of FPI and Treatment related quality of life of FertiQol. Furthermore, the total FPI score could significantly predict the total FertiQol score (F=83.386; df=1:234; p<0.01). On the basis of perceived infertility-related stress, a 26.3% variance of fertility quality of life can be explained.

Conclusions

Women diagnosed with primary infertility who experience higher levels of infertility-related stress had a lower level of fertility quality of life.
Severe hypoglycemia revealing a münchhausen syndrome by proxy : A case report
Authors: Aribi L. , Mhiri E. , Messedi N. , Charfeddine F. , Gdoura D. , Aloulou J.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Munchausen syndrome by proxy, is a very rare form of abuse, lying on the border between pediatric, psychiatric and legal fields.

Objectives

To describe a case of Munchausen syndrome by proxy in a mother after the discovery of severe hypoglycemia in her 14-month-old child, hospitalized in the CHU Hédi Chaker Sfax pediatric ward.

Methods

This is a presentation of a clinical case and review of the literature via pubmed using the following keywords : “children, abuse, maltreatment, Munchhausen syndrome”.

Results

This is a 23-year-old woman, mother of two daughters, with a psychiatric history, married to a 43-year-old men known to have diabetes on insulin for several years. The patient was admitted to our ward under constraint for aggressiveness towards her one-and-a-half-year-old daughter. Indeed, one month before her hospitalization, her youngest daughter was hospitalized (accompanied by her mother) in the pediatric department at the Hédi Chaker Sfax University Hospital for severe hypoglycemia (0.3g / l). During hospitalization, the girl presented a more severe hypoglycaemia relapses (0.1g / l) and neurological complications. As the mother was indifferent to her daughter’s troubles and was neglectful of her while caring for the other hospitalized children, a mother-child separation was decided and then the blood sugar levels was stabilized. Besides, several other incidents have been happening repeatedly for the two children. In view of the total history, Münchhausen syndrome by proxy has been mentioned.

Conclusions

Munchausen syndrome by proxy is a complex form of child abuse by the mother, representing a major diagnostic and therapeutic challenge for both somaticians and psychiatrists.
Black and south asian women’s pathways to accessing community and inpatient perinatal mental health services: An analysis of local service data from the paam study
Authors: Jovanovic N.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Women from ethnic minorities who experience mental health problems during the perinatal period are disproportionately represented in involuntary care. They have poorer access to community care but have higher engagement with services once accessed. Their pathways to accessing perinatal mental health care remain underexplored.

Objectives

To investigate the pathways to perinatal mental health services for women across different ethnic groups, including number of caregivers encountered and time elapsed between referrals.

Methods

Analysis of patient records and routine service data from community and inpatient perinatal mental health services in the United Kingdom. Use of an adaptation of the WHO’s pathway encounter form.

Results

Women from ethnic minority groups experience increased levels of complexity on their journey to accessing perinatal mental health care. We will present a detailed analysis of patient and service characteristics.

Conclusions

Referral pathways to perinatal mental health services need to be optimised for women from underrepresented groups.
What interventions work for suicide prevention? and do they work for the elderly?
Authors: Van Der Feltz-Cornelis C.
Published: February 2022

Background

Suicides occur more often in the young and in the elderly. However, although several studies have been performed to evaluate the effect of suicide prevention in the young, no studies have explored this in the elderly. Somatic comorbidity is associated with elevated suicide risk, especially in case of pain, which occurs often in the elderly.

Objective

To explore if suicide prevention interventions might be applicable in the elderly and if somatic comorbidity might be relevant for their application.

Method

Evidence synthesis of controlled studies evaluating suicide prevention interventions and of collaborative care trials for depressive disorder in patients with and without somatic comorbidity.

Results

Elderly living alone and with multimorbidity are more prone to suicide risk. Hence interventions involving admission in a general hospital after a suicide attempt, short intervention and follow up might be well applicable in the elderly. In terms of outpatient interventions, and IPD analysis found that collaborative care for depressive disorder is effective in reducing suicidality, especially in the elderly. This effect is independent of somatic comorbidity.

Conclusion

There is potential to develop and evaluate suicide prevention interventions for the elderly. Such interventions should address depression, multimorbidity and social isolation and may be provided at general hospital and at outpatient level.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
Dermatitis artefacta and psychiatric illness: Brief review and case report
Authors: Oliveira C. , Caldas F. , Gonçalves M.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Psychodermatologic disorders are conditions involving an interaction between the mind and the skin. Dermatitis artefacta (DA), also known as factitial dermatitis, is a frequently unrecognized psychocutaneous illness, in which the patient creates skin lesions to satisfy the unconscious need to presume a sick role. It is more common in women and in patients with a diagnosis of psychiatric illness. This is an exclusion diagnosis and organic causes should be ruled out. Treatment of DA can be challenging and it needs to involve a multidisciplinary approach consisting of dermatologists and mental health professionals.

Objectives

From a case report the authors intend to present a literature review of dermatitis artefacta.

Methods

Observation the patient and review the clinical file. Consultation published and referenced scientific articles on PubMed.

Results

60 year old man, diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder, was admitted for manic decompensation of his pathology. During physical examination he had sparse erythematous lesions, more exuberant in the neck, scalp, belly and upper limbs. The diagnosis of artifact dermatitis was made after excluding other possible causes.

Conclusions

Treatment of DA can be challenging and it needs to involve a multidisciplinary approach. Dermatitis artefacta is a long-term disorder, and patients need regular follow up with a dermatologist and a psychiatrist because relapses are common. These doctors must be aware of this possible pathology in order to make a correct diagnosis and treatment of psychiatric disorders that sometimes coexist with skin lesions. The prognosis for most patients is poor leading to self-injury, scarring and poor cosmesis.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
Narcolepsy and anxiety. Is this association possible?
Authors: Martinez G.M. Ruiz , Rodriguez L. Soldado , Barea M. ValverDe
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Excessive daytime sleepiness, hypnagogic-hypnopompic hallucinations, sleep paralysis, and cataplexy are symptoms associated with narcolepsy. It is not uncommon to occur co-morbidly between narcolepsy and psychiatric disorders. This association is poorly understood. Recent findings indicate that anxiety disorders also are associated with typical symptoms of narcolepsy.

Objectives

Study of the comorbidity between narcolepsy and psychiatric disorders, like anxiety, through a clinical case.

Methods

A 21-year-old female patient with no psychiatric history who consulted due to anxiety and panic attacks related to poor narcolepsy control. Debut of the neurological disease during adolescence with frequent cataplexy attacks that condition their daily activity and generate avoidance behaviors and agoraphobia.

Results

The patient complained of poor quality of sleep and reported a large number of different types of situations (eg, surprise, embarrassment) associated with cataplectic events. Treatment with SSRIs first and bupropion with pregabalin later was partially effective. Recent studies suggest efficacy of vagus nerve stimulation.

Conclusions

Anxiety disorders, especially panic attacks and social phobias, often affect patients with narcolepsy. Anxiety and mood symptoms could be secondary complications of the chronic symptoms of narcolepsy. Recent studies have shown that narcolepsy is caused by defective hypocretin signaling. As hypocretin neurotransmission is also involved in stress regulation and addiction, this raises the possibility that mood and anxiety symptoms are primary disease phenomena in narcolepsy. Recent studies suggest that vagus nerve stimulation could be potentially useful in the treatment of resistant depressive and anxiety disorder and it is not a contraindication in patients with narcolepsy.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
Media and suicidal behaviour
Authors: Hegerl U.
Published: February 2022

Media coverage of suicidal behaviour can induce copycat suicides. This has been clearly confirmed by analysis of suicides following the huge media coverage of the railway suicide of the German national goal keeper in 2009. A socalled ‘Werther effect’ was not only visible in Germany, but also in neighbouring countries (1). Even more disturbing is the fact that these effects were not only short-lived, but a higher number of railway suicides was observed compared to baseline over a two year period (2). Increased cognitive availability of railway suicides might explain this finding. It adds to the important discussion concerning the risks and benefits of public antisuicidal campaigns. Destigmatisaton and normalisation of suicidal behaviour will on the one hand, facilitate helpseeking behaviour of people at risk, but on the other hand, will lower the threshold for committing suicide. Even when the wording within a antisuicide campaign is in line with recomendations of media guidelines, secondary reporting e.g. within social media will not be controllable. Social media are likely to contribute to the spreading and the choice of more lethal suicide methods, as has been shown for carbon monoxide poisoning and poisoning by other gasses (3). An increase of knowledge about and access to more lethal poisoning methods will have a major impact on suicide rates. 1) KOBURGER et al (2015), J Affect Disord 185:38-46 2) HEGERL et al (2013), J Affect Disord. 146: 39-44. 3) PAUL et al (2017), PLoS One 12: e0190136.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
Adults with adhd symptoms express a better inhibitory capacity when the perceptual load is higher
Authors: Carreiro L.R. , Machado-Pinheiro W. , Junior A. Afonso
Published: February 2022

Introduction

ADHD is associated with impairments in different inhibitory functions, including suppression of an already initiated response and inhibition of distracting information. This work used a protocol that combines the Stroop-matched and stop-signal tasks to examine the association between the frequency of ADHD symptoms and different inhibitory abilities in a young adult.

Objectives

To investigate how the symptoms of inattention and hyperactivity / impulsivity are associated with three forms of inhibition evaluated by the Stroop-matched / stop-signal task: inhibiting an automatic response, controlling interference and canceling a response.

Methods

38 participants (33 women; mean age = 23.3; SD = 5.17) completed Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS) assessing ADHD symptoms before performing the task. Reaction times, accuracy and stop-signal reaction time (SSRT; the latency of the inhibitory process of response cancellation) were calculated for each task condition.

Results

There was a significant correlation of ADHD symptoms and SSRT in the condition with the higher perceptual load (i.e., a greater number of colors presented in the same test). This correlation was negative (r = - .36, p <.05), which indicates that participants with higher ADHD symptoms frequency had more efficient inhibitory processes in this condition.

Conclusions

(1) the perceptual load of the task influences the cancellation of responses; (2) individuals with higher frequency of ADHD symptoms may have a better inhibitory capacity when the perceptual load is high, possibly reflecting a lower availability of attentional resources to process distracting information.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.