bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The association between internet addiction, dissociation, and socio-demographic features among college students
Authors: Canan F. , Ataoglu A.
Published: May 2011

Aims

This study aims to investigate Internet addiction among young adult university students and to examine the correlation between excessive Internet use, dissociative symptoms, and socio-demographic features. University student Internet use patterns are also investigated.

Methods

The study was conducted among 1034 students, aged between 18 and 27 years, from the Duzce University. Internet Addiction Scale (IAS), Dissociative Experiences Scale, and a sociodemographic query form was employed in the collection of data. Pearson correlation analysis, the t-test, one-way analysis of variance, and chi-square test were used for data analysis.

Results

According to the IAS, 9.7% of the study sample was addicted to the Internet. The Internet addicts were more likely to use alcohol (p < 0.001). The pearson correlation analysis results revealed a significan positive correlation between dissociative experiences and Internet addiction (r = 0.220, p < 0.001) and weekly internet use (r = 0.227, p < 0.001). Levels of internet addiction were significantly higher among male students than females (p < 0.001). The internet use pattern also differed significantly between genders.

Conclusions

According to the results of this study, Internet addiction is a relatively frequent phenomenon among young adult college students in Turkey. Excessive internet use is associated with higher levels of dissociative symptoms and alcohol use.
How medical student placements at a psychiatry hospital can be utilised to make psychiatry a popular career choice
Authors: Cheema F. , Leuvennink J. , Ee C. , Macklin J. , Graham J.
Published: May 2011

It is perceived that negative attitudes towards mental illness in undergraduate medical students can impact student's decision in choosing psychiatry as a medical career. Improvement in psychiatry placements for undergraduate medical students can result in changing student's attitude towards psychiatry as a career choice. We demonstrate how students’ placements from various medical schools at a major psychiatric hospital contributed towards enhancing student's interest towards psychiatry. Medical students who had their placement over the last one year were contacted for an anonymised student perspective survey.

While majority of students did not have psychiatry as their potential career choice before they started their placements more than two third rated psychiatry as a potential career choice based on their experience from the placements. This encouraged us to improve the placement standards based on student's perspective. Students suggested that more use of medical training in psychiatry, improvement in teaching and placement standards and more psychiatry placements before specialised training can contribute towards making psychiatry as one of the popular career choices. Student's preferred interactive teaching sessions including case based discussions and informal teaching sessions during ward rounds and clinics. Overall students found their placements helpful but more so to perform well in their examinations as compared to coverage of full psychiatry curriculum.

It is planned to conduct the survey again after necessary changes based on student's perspective to evaluate whether further improvement in placements can continue in contributing towards increasing medical recruitment in psychiatry.
Ceruloplasmin serum concentrations in a randomized population sample of 2,445 subjects
Authors: Gedack M. , Schönfeldt-Lecuona C. , Kratzer W. , Kassubek J. , Connemann B.
Published: May 2011

The metalloprotein ceruloplasmin has been of interest to psychiatrists for decades following early observations of elevated serum copper, and oxidase activity, in patients with schizophrenia. While immunological methods did not confirm elevated serum ceruloplasmin concentrations in schizophrenia, low serum concentrations of ceruloplasmin are typical of Wilson's disease, Menkes’ disease, and aceruloplasminemia making low ceruloplasmin an important marker of disease. Unfortunately, available normative values are of limited usefulness, the majority being derived from oxidase studies; very few immunoturbidimetric or nephelometric studies were performed on small samples, or did not account for known influencing factors. Therefore, the present study was planned to determine nephelometric ceruloplasmin serum concentrations in a large randomized population sample. 2,445 subjects between 12 and 65 years of age were randomly selected from a southern German town of 22,000 inhabitants. The mean ceruloplasmin serum concentration was 331 ± 104 mg/l. Ceruloplasmin serum concentration significantly correlated with gender and age and was higher by 23 mg/l on average in women than in men. There also were significant correlations with lipoprotein concentrations, but not with several other liver-associated features, parameters of metabolism, or markers of inflammation.
A case of delusional disorder, diagnostics and therapeutic questions
Authors: Madeira L.A. , Manarte L.F. , Guerreiro D. , Dias C.
Published: May 2011

The Delusional disorder is uncommon, accounting for 2–8% of all hospital admissions for non-organic psychotic disorder and is usually initiated after the third decade of life. It is characterized primarily by one or more non-bizarre delusions, and according to the content of delusions, can be divided into five subtypes: persecution, jealousy, erotomanic, somatic and grandeur.

We present a case of a patient with Jealousy Delusional Disorder and discuss the main difficulties that arise in the differential diagnosis and treatment.

In the differential diagnosis is essential to eliminate the pathologies of organic causes that may have delusions as clinical manifestation. It is then necessary to distinguish delusion from obsessive ideas and overvalued ideas that can lead to misdiagnosis and therefore have serious implications in monitoring and treating of these patients.

The subtype of jealousy seems to have a better evolution and prognosis compared with others subtypes reported.

Although the Delusional Disorder present a more favorable course and usually is associated with a smaller disturbance in the overall functioning of the patients, they have a poor compliance to psychiatric treatment. So, they often stop psychiatry follow-up and discontinue therapy.
Medical comorbidity in inpatients with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder: prevalence and length of stay
Authors: Seretis D. , Nika S. , Nikolaidou P. , Papadopoulou A. , Douzenis A. , Lykouras E.
Published: May 2011

Introduction

Medical comorbidity in patients with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder is associated with poor psychiatric treatment outcome and,for inpatients, with increased length of stay (LOS) -either by increasing psychiatric symptomatology or by being the focus of medical attention.

Objectives

To assess the impact of medical comorbidity that receives medical attention (as opposed to lack of concurrent medical problems or to stable comorbidity) on clinical outcomes and LOS within two psychiatric populations.

Aims

To estimate the prevalence of comorbid medical conditions in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. To test for differences, primarily in LOS and psychiatric treatment outcome, between inpatients who received care for physical problems and those who did not need to.

Methods

This was a retrospective study of consecutive voluntary admissions of 106 patients suffering from schizophrenia and 110 patients suffering from bipolar disorder (type I or II). Our main independent variable was whether or not inpatients received treatment for a medical condition after referral from the attending psychiatrist. We used GAF and CIRS-SA assessments.

Results

Most reported problems for schizophrenia patients were cardiovascular/respiratory (notably hypertension) and for bipolar patients endocrine/metabolic. Patients who received medical treatment did not differ in LOS or psychiatric outcome from those who did not receive, in either diagnosis group. 84% of bipolar patients who reported a psychiatric comorbidity received treatment for a medical problem.

Conclusions

Medical care for comorbid physical problems does not impact on LOS, diagnosis being a better predictor of the latter. In bipolar disorder significant medical burden appears to be drug-induced.
The science of well-being: evidence of Eastern therapies enhancing the character traits associated with well-being- well-being psychiatry
Authors: D'Souza R.F.
Published: May 2011

Northern Psychiatry Research Centre, Melbourne University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia Mental health professionals and their patients are increasingly aware of the basic need of all human beings for a source of meaning that is greater than one's self. This growth in awareness is driven by the professional's practical goal of reducing disability from mental disorders and by the heart felt wishes of the suffering for their therapists to recognize of the need for self transcendence. This has resulted in mental health professionals and the general public's growing awareness of the need to foster spirituality and well-being in clinical practice. We now see a groundswell of professional work to focus on the development of health and happiness, rather than merely to fight disease and distress.This presentation will consider the practical necessity to reduce disability, and understanding the science of well-being including the stages of self-awareness on the path to well-being. Considering the interpersonal neurobiology view of well-being. Ultimately discussing the developing of well-being through therapies such as Cloninger's “The happy life- Voyages to well-being” and D'Souza's Evidence based East-West Spiritually Augmented Well-being therapy. seven catalylectic exercises for each day of the week. This allows attention to spirituality based on principles of psychobiology with roots in compassion and tolerance, rather than on the basis of dogmatic judgments that are rooted in fear and intolerance. Thus only by addressing spirituality in a scientific and non judgmental manner can we make psychology and psychiatry into a science of well-being that is able to reduce stigma and disability of psychological disorders
Computer analysis of non verbal behavioral parameters in unipolar major depression
Authors: Enatescu V.V. , Enatescu V.R. , Enatescu I.
Published: May 2011

Background and aims

Beside the interpretation and processing of content of communication, an important part of psychiatric diagnosis is made on behavioral signs and symptoms. While the semantic assessment of the content of thinking through communication was enriched by the development of several psychopathological scales, schedule and structured or semi-structured interviews the assessment of non verbal parameters remains uncovered. Our aims was to analyses the non verbal parameters, by an automatic system conceived by Dr. Enatescu et colab., in patients with mood disorders.

Methods

The instrument we used are: original traductors, systems of calculation and programming belonging to the artificial intelligence which create new pattern of representation of the gait, gesture, sonorous background of the speech, the dynamic of the writing which can be represented or through a matrix or in a n-dimensional space on specific clusters or to some human typology or to some psychical disorders.

Results

The non verbal parameters processed by computer were sensible altered along with switching in the depressive states of subjects. The informatics data has had both diagnostic value and screening value for the course of unipolar depression.

Conclusions

We demonstrate that there is the chances for a new semiology which have objective paraclinic value for psychiatry field of automate analyses, nonverbal behavior parameters having the name “Extraverbale Analysis”.
Comorbidity of affective disorders
Authors: Martín Calvo M.J. , Fernández Mayo L. , García del Castillo I. , Carmona Camacho R. , Serrano Drozdowskyj E. , Ovejero García S. , Baca García E.
Published: May 2011

Introduction

The studies about the comorbidity of major depressive disorder (MDD) and bipolar disorder (BD) have increased in the last years. The comorbidity with Axis I psychiatric disorders complicates the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment.

Objectives

To analyze the prevalence of affective disorders associated with another Axis I psychiatric disorders to treat correctly from the beginning of the diagnosis and to improve the course of the disorder and the quality of life of these patients

Methods

The subjects who participated in the study were diagnosed of bipolar I disorder, bipolar II disorder and MDD, according to DSM-IV-TR criteria. The sample (n = 114) was divided into three groups: MDD (n = 58), BD (n = 31) and a control group of healthy subjects (n = 25). The diagnosis and stability were assessed using the MINI International Neuropsyquiatric Interview and the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS).

Results

BD had a significantly association with risk of suicide (38%), anxiety disorder (3.3%) and social phobia (12.9%). It was also reported a significant association between MDD and risk of suicide (71%), manic/hypomanic episodes (25.9%), anxiety disorder (37.9%), social phobia (25.9%) and generalized anxiety disorder (37.9%).

Conclusions

It is necessary for clinical practice an integrative model which takes into account the comorbidity of affective disorders to improve the response to treatment and the prognosis of these mental disorders
Validation of a web-radio station (“Radio Tab”) run by users of the Reggio Emilia mental health service: A pilot study
Authors: Mazzoni E. , Ferrari S. , Pingani L. , Zanni G. , Rigatelli M.
Published: May 2011

Introduction

A recovery-oriented mental health service system should focus on empowering people with mental illness.

Aim of the study

To analyse the feasibility of setting up a web-radio run by 13 subjects suffering from mental disorders.

Materials and methods

The patients involved in the project attended a one-year preparatory course promoted by the Province of Reggio Emilia, before the factual setting up of “Radio TAB”. After six months, each patient was asked to fill in a qualitative questionnaire addressing motivation and personal competences; opinions on the preparatory course; the identity of the radio, objectives and values shared by participants, the satisfaction they obtained from the activities and their vision of the radio then and for the future.

Results

•

great motivation for joining the project and holding on to it

•

the preparatory course was judged to be effective to acquire technical, communication and interpersonal skills;

•

expectations and objectives of participants were consistent with the values underpinning the radio and the outcomes of the project, suggesting good internal cohesion;

•

a well-defined vision of the radio as a result of the work emerged, which will hopefully lead to setting up an actual workplace in future.

Conclusion

The experience of “Radio TAB” could be a good example of empowerment strategies, encouraging individuals to autonomy, reintegration and sense of active citizenship.
Late onset adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
Authors: Freire Lucas R.M.
Published: May 2011

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common, genetically transmitted neurological disorder, with onset in childhood, probably mediated in part by decreased brain dopaminergic functioning. Prevalence and natural history data suggest that of the 3–10% of children diagnosed with ADHD, one-to two-thirds continue to manifest appreciable ADHD symptoms as adults, interfering in academic, professional, affective and social life. Recently, several studies have challenged DSM-IV's requirement of ADHD onset before age 7 with the questioning of the validity of the age-at onset criterion.

Based on the description of a late onset ADHD clinical case (onset after the age of 7), this presentation shows a review on the recent literature about ADHD, addressing how ADHD in adults can be readily diagnosed and treated using the Wender Utah diagnostic criteria to identify adult characteristics of the disorder. This work also addresses core hypotheses of etiology and treatment. The study was based on a revision of articles from Medline/PubMed, PsycINFO and from books published in the last years.
Olfactory reference syndrome - A case report
Authors: Freitas D. , Ferreira P. , Fernandes N.
Published: May 2011

Introduction

Olfactory reference syndrome (ORS), first described by Pryse-Phillips in 1971, is a rare psychiatric condition whose defining characteristic is a preoccupation with the belief that one emits a foul or offensive body odor, which is not perceived by others. Although the existence of ORS is now widely accepted, current classifications do not explicitly mention ORS as an independent category, but consider it as a delusional disorder, somatic type. Nonetheless, given this syndrome's consistent description along time and cultures, and the associated substancial distress and disability, many authors debate the possibility of a new classification in order to establish its nosological status.

Objectives/aims

The aim of this paper is to show and discuss some troublesome and complex issues of diagnosis and management of patients with ORS.

Methods

Herein we report a case of a 38-year-old woman who presented with ORS.

Results/conclusions

Improvement in ORS can take place, in some extent, with a variety of different modalities of treatment, with the disorder responding to antidepressants and psychotherapy more frequently than to neuroleptics. Data on ORS are still limited and more research in this field is needed. Awareness of this particular diagnosis allows appropriate treatment to be administered.
Delusional disorder with severe weight loss
Authors: Geka A.E. , Venetis C. , Apatangelos D. , Kalimeris S. , Psarra V. , Drakonakis N. , Doulgeraki G. , Evangelatou R. , Garnetas C.
Published: May 2011

Introduction

Delusional disorder is an illness characterized by the presence of non bizarre delusions in the absence of other mood or psychotic symptoms.

Objectives

Subtypes of delusional disorder are defined as erotomanic, grandiose, jealous, persecutory, somatic, mixed and unspecified. We will present a case of somatic subtype.

Aims

The core belief of somatic type of this disorder is delusions around bodily functions and sensation, the presence of an infection or a disease.

Methods

We report on a 40 years old female with delusional disorder who had a severe weight loss during last two years. Her weight was 60 kgr and she became 29 kgr. Her BMI was less than 12.

She was brought to a general hospital because of her severe malnutrition and somatic symptoms such as weakness, fatigue, dizziness. Her blood exams were abnormal because of starvation. She also had amenorrhea. After taking first aid treatment from general practicians she was transferred to our psychiatric clinic with their diagnosis anorexia nervosa.

Her mental status examination was normal with exception of the abnormal delusional belief that she had a serious gastroenterological disease and any food could cause her pain in stomach and other gastroenterological annoyances. She had visited at past many gastroenterologists and she had done many laboratory exams with no abnormal result. In differential diagnosis she was not anorectic because she did not like her skinny appearance and avoid looking herself at mirrors.

Results

She was treated with olanzapine and gained weight.

Conclusions

In somatic type of delusional disorder the patient is totally convinced in physical nature of his disorder.
Stiff person syndrome and pschiatric disorders
Authors: Ghaffarinejad A.
Published: May 2011

Stiff person syndrome is a rare neurological disorder associated with episodic muscle spasms, which could resulting in falling down and restriction of movements. They are especially sensitive to sudden sounds, stimulation, stressful events, which all of them result in muscle spasm.

We described a 40 year old educated man who was diagnosed as stiff person syndrome since 3 years ago when had fell down during an important meeting. He receives IVIG and 60 mg diazepam as a treatment regimen. He referred to psychiatric clinic due to his nocturnal panic episodes.

Regarding the case we want to investigate psychological problems in this rare syndrome. Rarity of disease make discussion and researches difficult, its prevalence is one individual among one million, so the analysis of patients’ history may be the best way of study. Phobias may be the most important disorders in these patients, as any noxious stimuli could provoke sever spasms, so patient may consciously automatically avoid specific situations such as steps, street, toilet etc.

Avoidance could make patient phobic of being alone and being dependent on others. Patient may also experience degree of frustration and then often aggression toward others especially relatives. Depression anxiety and panic are other problems could be raised. The patient may think, the do not understand the situation.

Rare syndromes potentially are accompanied by variety of psychological problems which should be tried to be understood and solved.
Improving emergency medical care for psychiatric inpatients
Authors: Gordon C. , Cheema F. , Graham J.
Published: May 2011

Introduction

At the European Psychiatric Association's International Congress 2010, we reported on psychiatric staff confidence regarding emergency medical care in our poster: “How Well Prepared is a Psychiatric Ward for Dealing with a Medical Emergency?”. This work highlighted areas for improvement, including staff confidence and familiarity with equipment. Consequently, several aspects of practice were enhanced, including addressing training shortfalls alongside adopting a uniform layout for emergency trolleys. In order to identify improvement, the process was re-audited with a new qualitative component to gather staff opinion.

Objectives

Our primary objective was to examine whether our interventions had improved staff confidence with regard emergency medical care. Our secondary objectives included exploring staff attitudes toward delivery of such care and to identify further areas for improvement.

Aims

Our primary aim was to evaluate the impact of our interventions on delivery of emergency medical care

Methods

Our original questionnaire survey was repeated and the results compared with those obtained previously. Additionally, a series of semi-structured qualitative interviews will be performed with staff to compliment the questionnaires.

Results

Results will be available in February 2011.

Conclusions

Given that psychiatric patients often suffer from significant physical health problems, it is imperative that staff are comfortable in delivering initial emergency medical care. We anticipate our results will demonstrate modest improvement. Clinical governance is an ongoing process, therefore the most important conclusions to be drawn will be our recommendations for future work, which will encompass the next step in our efforts to improve delivery of emergency medical care.
Effect of electroconvulsive therapy on patients hearing under treatment with ECT in Moradi hospital of Rafsanjan
Authors: Goshiri A. , Mokhtari M.R. , Aghamohammad Hassani P. , Sayyadi A.
Published: May 2011

Background

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is widely and effectively used to treat psychiatric disorders. When electrodes are placed on both sides of the head on temporal bones it is unclear whether ECT affect on hearing system because hearing system situated in temporal lobe. Whereas these electrodes are placed on temporal bone and hearing system in TEMPORAL LOBE this study was designed.

Methods

We studied the effects of electroconvulsive shock on hearing system. Audiometric tests were performed in 15 adult patients with major depression under treatment with ECT before and 24 h after ECT.

Results

Hearing was decreased at 24 hours after ECT about 5 db. Right ear was affected more and the most changes were observed at 8000 khz.

Conclusions

It appears that electroconvulsive shock has early effects on hearing system. Further studies should be performed with more cases and Delayed effects should be investigated.
The working model of doctors should be changed immediately
Authors: Han-You X.
Published: May 2011

Purpose

The paper is to improve the quality of life and health of the peoples of the world by fostering and maintaining high standards of care in general practice/family medicine and other clinicians.

Method

By comparing the general practitioners/family physicians with the other clinicians of specialities, summarizing the shortcomings of present health care services of clinicians of specialities, the proposals for promoting health care services and the working model of doctors around the world were suggested.

Results

The article initiates that the values of general practice/family medicine should be fostered into other clinicians when all the clinicians take care of the patients in any conditions, critical or ordinary, by adopting to the values of general practice/family medicine. While the clinicians also take into account of their own specialities. The author outlines how the working model of doctors will be changed.

Conclusions

In applying these proposals, a healthy world and high quality of life of the peoples of the world will come soon after the working model of doctors is changed into right. So the quality of life and health of the peoples of the world can be promoted and enhanced.
Abstracting the triad of death, existence and adjustment to death: death and adjustment hypotheses
Authors: Hossain M.
Published: May 2011

Viewed from a naturalistic and scientific perspective, death appears to represent the permanent cessation of human existence, contributing to the widespread experience of death anxiety. The present argument attempts to deconstruct this argument on epistemological grounds by analyzing

1)

the prevailing universal concept of death in naturalistic discourse,

2)

the issue of our adjustment to this presumed reality, and

3)

the relationship between existence and death in the context of their social evolution.

Integrating this conceptual analysis with empirical observations, the paper then explores the contrasting postulate, namely that death may not be the end of our existence, and the moral implications of this alternative assumption. This position, termed the death adjustment hypotheses,” would seem to offer an alternative grounding for theory and research in Thanatology.
An audit on driver and vehicle licensing agency medical standards of fitness to drive in mentally ill patients
Authors: Jayan R. , White R.
Published: May 2011

Background

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency in UK have published guidelines on driving for mentally ill patients. An earlier audit done in 2008 showed that none of the 25 patients included in the audit received advice on driving.

Aims

A re-audit was done in terms of documentation of

1)

the driving status of patients,

2)

advice on driving at time of discharge.

Methods

Retrospective audit was done by retrieving 25 case notes and discharge summaries of patients admitted. Demographic details, driving status and driving advice given were collected using a pre-defined proforma.

Results

25 patients admitted to adult wards were included (16 males, 9 females, and mean age 46). 15 patients were admitted as informal while 5 each were on section 2 and 3 of Mental Health Act (MHA). The following were the diagnoses; mental disorders due to alcohol (2), Schizophrenia (8), manic episode (1), bipolar affective disorder (5), depressive episode (8) and personality disorder (1). 16 patients (64%) were documented to have current driving licence and this information was not recorded in 9 cases (36%). 12 (48%) patients were current drivers and 4 of them were professional drivers. 13 (52%) patients were given documented advice regarding driving at the time of discharge.

Conclusion

52% of patients admitted to general adult mental health wards were given advice regarding driving at the time of discharge and compared to previous audit data, there has been a significant improvement. However this needs to be improved by increasing the awareness among healthcare professionals.
A survey on psychiatric training in greece from trainees’ perspective
Authors: Kokras N. , Samiotakis G. , Gerasi E. , Oikonomou D. , Ntoumanis A. , Psarras R.
Published: May 2011

Introduction

In order to promote the harmonisation of training in psychiatry and facilitate mobility of psychiatrists across Europe, the European Board of Psychiatry is developing appropriate training recommendations. In a recently conducted European survey, Greece was partly under-represented and there is lack of recent data regarding national psychiatric training.

Objectives

The present survey aimed to investigate, from a trainee's point of view, the degree of compliance of Greek training centres to what the European Board of Psychiatry recommends.

Methods

An on-line survey, accessible only to invited trainees, was constructed in close adherence to previous questionnaires and guidelines set by the European Board of Psychiatry. Training centres in psychiatry were identified and trainees were invited by e-mail to complete the survey in autumn 2010. All responses were tracked and only valid completed questionnaires were included in the final results.

Results

Preliminary results from the first quarter of the sample clearly indicate that the overwhelming majority of Greek psychiatric trainees do not have individualized training programs (88%) and logbooks (99%). There is no auditing experience (90%) and no exposure to internal (90%) or external (93%) evaluation. On the other hand, structured theoretical training is available to the majority of trainees (94%) although psychotherapeutic supervision is offered to only 25% of trainees.

Conclusions

Much improvement had been observed over the last decade in psychiatric training in Greece. However, results of the present survey show that there is still inadequate compliance to some of the recommendations developed by the European Board of Psychiatry.
Psychotic disorder after radioactive iodine treatment in a 42-year-old woman thyroidectomized for papillary thyroid carcinoma: case report
Authors: Manea M. , Rusanu V. , Patrichi B.E. , Stoean R.M. , Cristina M.M. , Bectas S.M. , Frunza A.A.
Published: May 2011

Introduction

Reports in the medical literature describe several cases of acute onset psychosis as a result of hypothyroidism, and a small number related to radioactive iodine treatment (RAIT). The effectiveness of RAIT in the therapy of differentiated thyroid cancer depends on a sufficient TSH level elevation obtained by discontinuing thyroid hormone replacement therapy.

Objectives

Describing a case of new-onset psychotic disorder in a 42-year-old woman following a RAIT session, one year after total thyroidectomy for papillary thyroid carcinoma developed on multinodular goiter.

Aims

Identifying a relation between the psychosis onset and the therapeutic protocol the patient underwent for the thyroid disease treatment.

Methods

We present the case of a patient with a medical history of thyroid disease, secondary posttraumatic epilepsy and minor thalassemia; the clinical and paraclinical evaluations; the psychiatric presentation, treatment and evolution.

Results

The overt psychotic symptomatology developed in this case a few days after RAIT and led to an emergency psychiatric hospitalization, the laboratory findings showed a TSH value of 75 microunits/ml. The psychotic episode remitted after a month of antypsichotic medication and levothyroxinum replacement therapy. The patient has been receiving psychotropic medication for a year, during which she was readmitted for a depressive episode (6 months after first discharge).

Conclusions

The patient's psychotic disorder developed after a period of thyroid hormone replacement therapy discontinuation and consecutive to the RAIT session, which indicates that in susceptible individuals there is a risk for psychosis with this therapeutical strategy.
Impulsivity in pathological gambling
Authors: Marazziti D. , Baroni S. , Picchetti M. , Catena dell’Osso M.
Published: May 2011

Introduction

The pathological gambling (PG) is an impulse control disorder with clinical features common to other psychiatric disorders such as addictions and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The pathophysiology of PG is still unclear, but it is hypothesized that it might include environmental factors coupled with a genetic vulnerability and dysfunctions of different neurotransmitters such as norepinephrine, dopamine, glutamate and serotonin. The serotoninergic system seems to be primarily involved, as has been shown to regulate the impulsivity and aggression.

Aims

With this study we aim to assess the impulsivity in 26 PG as compared with a matched group of healthy controls (HC).

Methods

Twenty-six outpatients, with a diagnosis of PG according to DSM-IV criteria, and 26 HC were included in the study. The severity of symptoms was evaluated by the South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS) and the impulsivity was assessed by Barratt Impulsivity Scale, version 11 (BIS-11).

Results

The results showed that the PG patients had a higher BIS-11 total score, as compared with HC, and higher scores of two factors of the same scale: the motor and attentional impulsivity. Even the motor and non-planning impulsivity subscales scores were higher in patients than in HC.

Conclusions

These results suggest that PG patients are more impulsive than control subjects. This feature could lead to a loss of control typical of PG.
Widespread smallpox. hallucinations after an occipital lobe ischaemia episode
Authors: Martínez Manjarrés J.D. , Martínez Martínez C. , Gallardo Ponce R. , Gómez Pizarro D.
Published: May 2011

Visual hallucinations are not an infrequent reason for psychiatric consultation, oftenly we found that are produced, as in this case, by an organic background. A 72 years old woman was entered in the hospital and she had an open-heart surgery (mitral prosthesis replacement) Two days after the surgery she begins to have visual hallucinations. The visual hallucinations consisted in images of family pictures, and images of person's faces with eruptions due to a smallpox infection.

She was able to see that the hallucinations weren’t real, and it didn’t exist secondary delirium nor changes in the condition of consciousness.

We have to outline that the patient just after the surgery suffered auricular fibrillation, and 24 hours after was detected and the anticoagulant treatment started. After the interview we suspected that the patient wasn’t suffering of psychiatric affects nor an organic related delirium. The ophthalmologist rejects a Charles Bonet Syndrome, neurologists diagnosed a cerebral stroke, located in the occipital region, which was confirmed by a TCA 72 hours later. During the time that the patient was in auricular fibrillation grew up a thrombus that provoked the stroke which resulted in visual hallucinations, in which the patient revealed her memories (her son have had smallpox during vacations in Africa). Maybe this outlines the interconnections between affective memories and the central system dysfunctions, standing up the memories when the primary function is changed. Is really important to realize a good multidisciplinary diagnosis in case of having cases like this one.
A case of psoriasis: The skin that expresses the emotional silence
Authors: Martinez Martinez C. , Ortega Garcia M.D. , Martínez Manjarrés J.D. , Alonso de la Torre M.A. , Blanco del Valle P. , Arribas Simon B. , Gómez Martínez M.R. , Salazar Li C. , Agundez Modino A.
Published: May 2011

Introduction

Alexithymia is a term to describe a state of deficiency in understanding, processing, or describing emotions. It expresses the cognitive-emotional state of vulnerable subjects who prone to suffer from psychosomatic illnesses. It’s characterized by difficulties in relationship and emptiness of feelings. It has been incriminated in genesis and maintenance of various psychosomatic pathologies, included psoriasis. Psychological stress is important in onset and exacerbation of psoriasis. We assume hypothesis that emotions that cannot be expressed through the appropriate symbolic language will be expressed through a symbolic somatic symptom.

Objectives

A case study of psoriasis in a woman of 27 years without a previous psychiatric history. She was treated jointly by the service of psychiatry and dermatology. Methodology: We performed a detailed history in the course of the disease, summarizing vital changes and outstanding events of her lifetime in the different vital areas (family, work, school and sex life).

Results

From the comprehensive revision of the ailments and pathobiography we can establish a clear relationship between physical-psychological symptoms.

Conclusions

Skin is an envelope that represents the boundary line between body-psyche. Skin and psyche interact in many ways. The skin reacts to feelings and perceptions. Psychosomatic patients feel extreme anxiety when they have to cope with separation and merger situations. They experience these situations as if they were to lose their physical limit. Broadly speaking, because of their alexithymia, they cannot process a painful emotion properly, and though they will express it through somatisation disorders and the development of diseases. In the case of our patient, the skin verbalizes her emotional silence.
Teenagers’ perception of their sexuality
Authors: Ben Thabet J. , Feki A. , Zouari N. , Masmoudi J. , Zouari L. , Maâlej M.
Published: May 2011

The objective of this work was to study the perception of teenagers for their own sexuality in the Tunisian socio-cultural context. One hundred teenagers participated in the study. They filled in an anonymous self-report questionnaire, consisting of 14 items relative to the aspects that seemed to us the most meaningful concerning teenage sexuality. Eighty-one percent of the participants did not manage to provide answers, in conformity with scientific data, to a minimum of 75% of the items. Fifty percent considered masturbation at adolescent age to be pathological. The possibility of a homosexual tendency during adolescence was rejected by 75%. Eighty-one percent perceived the subject of teenage sexuality as embarrassing. They were not permissive regarding the issue of sexual protected relations amongst adolescents in 44% of the cases, and regarding the interest that a female teenager could have in sexuality in 23% of the cases. Our study demonstrated a relatively high frequency of prejudice relating to teenage sexuality amongst the teenagers, reflecting the impact of the taboo on sexuality and particularly on the female teenager in the Tunisian socio-cultural context. The change in mentalities regarding teenagers’ sexuality should take place very smoothly.
Doctors’ recruitment in psychiatry - possible causes and solutions
Authors: Mihai A.
Published: May 2011

The psychiatry is a relatively new field of medicine, which appeared because of the society's demands in taking care of a specific group of patients. These needs still exist and some studies showed that the demand for psychiatrists (Workforce NHS), or at least for psychiatric services (Vernon, 2009), will grow, above all also in developing countries (Patel, 2009).

Concern about recruitment and retention of psychiatrists is longstanding.

Purpose of this study was the evaluation of studies and data related with recruitment issues. Method consist in analysis of data published related with this topic and trying to find the causes and the ways to improve the actual situation.

Results

Was remarqued the insufficient representation of psychiatrists in the physician workforce throughout the world (Rao, 2003) and the increasing number of unoccupied vacancies in psychiatry (Brokington, 2002). Most developing countries need to increase and improve training of mental health professionals. Once trained, these professionals should be encouraged to remain in their country in positions that make the best use of their skills.

Conclusions

Recruitment in psychiatry remain a problem, strongly related with definition of identity of psychiatrists and with community view regarding this need of taking care for this category of patients.
Smoking among young people
Authors: Miskovic M. , Zoric D. , Zivlak Radulovic N. , Ilic D.
Published: May 2011

Smoking is considered one of the most widespread pandemic today. Tobacco smoke is one of the most toxic poisons which people knowingly enter into themselves disturbing at the same time their health and the health of people around them. Smoking among young people is more present in areas that have a negative attitude to this phenomenon, as well as in areas that are insufficiently informed about the harmful consequences of this habit.

According to WHO, smokers on average, lose 20–25 years of their life expectancy due to premature death, and 50% of smokers who smoke continuously since adolescents are likely to die from diseases caused by smoking.

The survey was conducted on a sample of 370 students of secondary mechanical and electrical school in Prijedor, Bosnia, in the period of 2006. and 2007. Its goals were to determine the prevalence of this practice, reasons for start smoking and the occurrence of these habits in families of patients.

It was confirmed that a group of young average age of 16.03 years, smoking is present largely in the form of permanent or intermittent, which suggests that awareness of youth about the effects of smoking on health is insufficient.
Biology of homosexuality
Authors: Moutinho A. , Pereira A.V. , Jorge G.
Published: May 2011

Research into the biological bases of homosexuality has continued unabated in the intervening decade in such diverse areas as endocrinology, genetics, neuroanatomy, family demography, or animal behavior.

In this work is covered this current strongest research lines on male and female sexual orientation.

Despite inconsistent results across studies, some support for the neurohormonal theory is garnered, but mostly in men. Genetic research using family and twin methodologies has produced consistent evidence that genes influence sexual orientation, but molecular research has not yet produced compelling evidence of specific genes. Anatomically there is evidence of some degree of cerebral sexual dimorphism, but it's not established yet the correlation to sexual orientation.

This studies indicate biologic factors have an important role on homosexuality, the degree and the way this factors act and interact with psychosocial determinants still being a clue.
Effect of religious cognitive- behavior therapy on religious content obsessive compulsive disorder and marital satisfaction
Authors: Omranifard V. , Akuchakian S. , Almasi A. , Maraci M.R.
Published: May 2011

Objective

Religious themes commonly feature in religious with Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). OCD which includes cognitive, emotional, and behavioral components, is a debilitating chronic disorder and can affects on patient’ marital satisfaction. The aim of us was to evaluate efficacy of Religious Cognitive- Behavior therapy (RCBT) on religious oriented Obsessive-Compulsive disorder and marital satisfaction.

Method

This is a randomized controlled clinical trial. This study conducted on 90 OCD outpatients with 17 and more Yale Brown obsessive compulsive scale(Y-BOCS) and religious content OCD. Intervention consists of 10 weekly RCBT. We used Enrich scale for asses’ marital satisfaction and Y-BOCS scale before and after treatment.Data were analyzed by ANCOVA/ANOVA repeated measure test using SPSS version ver.15.

Result

In our study duration of OCD was 11.5 ± 8.6 years & 11.5 ± 8.8 years and duration of marriage was 16.88 ± 11.6 & 13.51 ± 10.9 years Yale Brown scores after intervention decreased with significant difference (p = 0.001). There were significant difference between mean scores of two groups (p = 0.001). Comparison of obsession subscale and compulsion subscale of Yale Brown scale showed decreasing trend in both of obsession subscale and compulsion either within or between group is statistically significant (p = 0.001).Also marital satisfaction significantly improved in case group (p = 0.001).

Conclusion

In religious patients with religious contents, religious based interventions like religious CBT could significantly increase clinical responses. Also theses interventions could improve marital status. These results suggest that Religious Cognitive-Behavior Therapy can be effective for religious oriented OCD patients.
Depression and anxiety in patients with diabetes mellitus: a conceptual discussion of treatment adherence issues and current treatment recommendations
Authors: Osborne P.J.
Published: May 2011

A growing body of literature suggests that depression and subclinical diabetes-related distress are common in patients with type 1 and 2 diabetes. Likewise, anxiety disorders are more prevalent in patients with diabetes compared to the normal adult population.

Importantly, both depression and anxiety have been associated with non-adherence to the diabetes self-care regimen, thus increasing the risk for hyperglycemia and other serious diabetes-related complications.

This presentation will discuss the recent literature on the association between depression, anxiety, and reduced treatment adherence, including evidence for plausible biological and behavioral mechanisms. We will then examine current treatment recommendations for both diabetes specialist and generalist healthcare providers. Recommended screening and assessment measures will be reviewed, as well as individual and group stress management and other cognitive-behavioral interventions. The suitability and adaptibility of general cognitive-behavioral and stress management approaches will be discussed, including suggestions for tailoring them to patients with diabetes and specific diabetes components. In general, through this evidence-based discussion, we hope to increase awareness of and sensitivity toward these important issues in the general medical and psychological communities. Further, we hope to encourage dialogue between providers and patients regarding stress in managing diabetes, and make prevention and screening for co-morbided psychological illnesses a focus in routine clinic visits.
Periodic catatonia treated with lithium and carbamazepine and can its nosological status be debated?
Authors: Padhy S.K.
Published: May 2011

Introduction

Catatonia refers to a broad group of movement abnormalities usually associated with mood disorders and schizophrenia. Periodic catatonia is characterized by catatonic episodes occurring in a cyclical pattern with clinical features of combined stupor and excitement, remissions to an interval state and an autosomal dominant pattern of transmission (Meyer et al, 2001; Stober, 1995). The role of benzodiazepines, antipsychotics and Lithium in the prevention of recurrence in periodic catatonia has been documented. We present two cases of periodic catatonia treated with Lithium and carbamazepine. Also, we want to discuss the salient features of periodic catatonia cases reported so far in the literature, to the best of our knowledge. Can we consider periodic catatonia as a different nosological status? Or it is early or it is late?

Aim and objectives

To describe two cases of periodic catatonia and their treatment with mood lithium/carbamazepine

To discuss the cases of periodic catatonia in the literature

To examine the nosological status of this entity

Methods

Medline search will be made using appropriate key words

Results

Total number of cases of periodic catatonia is more from asian countries, other case characteristics will be descriptive.

Conclusions

Catatonia less prevalent in European countries unlike in developing countries including India. Recurrent catatonia, as expected, is still less common. Sometimes treatment of periodic catatonia is beyond Benzodiazepines / ECT /antipsychotics. In such cases Lithium and Carbamazepine may be helpful. Weather periodic catatonia needs a different nosological status is to be debated.