bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mindfulness Skills Deficits in Pathological Skin Picking Behaviours
Authors: Pozza A. , Dèttore D. 
Published: May 2016

IntroductionPathological Skin Picking (SP) is a psychiatric condition with a 2–5%-prevalence in the community and consists of repetitive picking behaviours associated to marked distress, which can cause significant skin damage. Research has evidenced a Focused SP subtype, typically occurring in response to negative emotions, an Automatic subtype, occurring without awareness during activities not related to the picking behavior, and a Mixed one. Mindfulness skills have been studied as a protective factor involved in the treatment of several psychiatric disorders. Studying Mindfulness deficits in SP might help to identify interventions tailored for specific subtypes of SP behaviours.ObjectivesThe current study examined the relationship between Mindfulness skills and pathological SP behaviours.AimsThe study aimed to investigate whether Mindfulness skills deficits uniquely predicted SP subtypes behaviours after controlling for general distress in a community sample.MethodsNinety-seven community individuals (mean age = 39.71, SD = 16.37, 59% females) completed measures of SP, Mindfulness skills and general distress (anxiety and depression).ResultsLower Mindfulness skills of Describing Internal Experiences (B = −0.12, P < 0.05) and higher anxiety (B = 0.08, P < 0.05) predicted more severe Automatic SP. Lower Mindfulness skills of Non-judging Inner Experiences (B = −0.12, P < 0.05), higher anxiety (B = −0.12, P < 0.05) and higher depression (B = −0.12, P < 0.05) predicted more severe Mixed SP. Focused SP was not associated to Mindfulness skills and general distress.ConclusionsMindfulness skills deficits could be associated to Automatic and Mixed but not Focused SP. Future studies should investigate whether Mindfulness programs are effective for individuals reporting Automatic or Mixed SP behaviours.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Influence Of Family Dynamics In The Development And Recovery Of Patients With Cancer Diagnosis. Report Of Two Cases
Authors: Leon-quismondo L. , Dieguez-porres M.F. 
Published: May 2016

IntroductionNowadays, it is well known that a cancer diagnosis has an important impact on the patient and his family. Given a stressful life event, such as cancer, the family is in crisis, so it is crucial how they facing the process. Two families with different adaptation process at the time of diagnosis are presented and the differences are analyzed.CasesFamily 1: Woman, diagnosis of breast cancer. She lives with her husband and she has two children. Troubled family relationships before the diagnosis. Following the cancer diagnosis, family conflicts increase, both with their children and with her husband. The family is not able to adapt to the new situation and the patient perception is that her family do not care what is happening to her.Family 2: Woman, diagnosis of breast cancer. She lives with her boyfriend, she has no children. She has a good relationship with her family before the diagnosis, without unresolved conflicts in the past. Since cancer diagnosis the whole family has turned to the patient, being more available for her needs, physically and emotionally. She is feeling supported by them and this is making the adaptation process and family adjustment easier, feeling the patient stronger to cope with illness.ConclusionsIn families with unresolved crisis before the disease, the psychological stress increases after diagnosis. The family finds it difficult to react and adapt to the changes caused by the disease and the relationships between its members deteriorate. Conversely, if the family dynamic is good, it is a positive factor in the recovery.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Psychiatric Presentations of Central Nervous System Tumors
Authors: Maia L. , Sofia Coutinho A. , Irina G.C. , Carneiro L. 
Published: May 2016

IntroductionFor the most part, central nervous system (CNS) tumors present themselves with focal neurologic sing or manifestations resulting from increased intracranial pressure. However, in particular cases, these tumors may present exclusively psychiatric symptoms.ObjectiveThis communication explores importance of CNS tumors as differential diagnosis of various psychiatric disorders.AimsHighlight the need of acknowledging this important differential diagnosis (CNS tumors) in current psychiatry practice, while presenting a clinical case as an example of the subject.MethodsIt is exposed a bibliographic review of the topic, followed by the description of a clinical case regarding a patient with pituitary adenoma and simultaneous installation of psychotic symptoms namely delusional paranoid ideation.ResultsThe authors present a case report of a 66-year-old patient admitted compulsively in a Psychiatric ward in the context of behavioral changes associated with delusional ideation of paranoid content. Multidisciplinary assessed by specialties of Psychiatry, Neurology, Neurosurgery, Endocrinology and Psychology, concluded by the presence of nonfunctioning pituitary adenoma associated with cognitive major disturbance.ConclusionsThe tumors of the CNS can be associated with a whole variety of psychiatric symptoms such as psychosis, anxiety, depression or cognitive impairment, even in the absence of organic/neurological symptoms. Its role in the genesis of psychiatric symptomatology makes these neoplasias an important differential diagnosis, whose clinical approach should include different medical specialties integrated as a multidisciplinary team.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Duloxetine Added to Tramadol in Chronic Pain Syndrome
Authors: Domijan M. , Lončar Z. , Udovičić S. 
Published: May 2016

IntroductionAbout 15–20% of the population suffering from the chronic pain. Over time, chronic pain can result in different emotional problems, social isolation, sleep disturbances, which reduce the quality of life. Chronic pain syndrome (CPS) indicates persistent pain, subjective symptoms in excess of objective findings, associated dysfunctional pain behavious and self-limitation in activities of daily living. Duloxetine is a potent antidepressant approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the chronic musculoskeletal disorder, diabetic neuropathic pain, fibromyalgia, generallized anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder.ObjectiveTo determine the effect of duloxetine on the reduction of pain and psychosocial suffering.AimsThe goal of the treatment should be to effectively reduce pain while improving function and reducing psychosocial suffering.MethodsThirty-six adult, nondepressed patients, already on tramadol therapy were included. Patients with VAS (visual analogue scale) ≥ 4were treated with duloxetine for 13 weeks. We measured pain intensity with the McGill Pain Questionnaire-Short Form (MPQ-SF) and compared VAS before starting the treatment with duloxetine and weekly for 13 weeks.ResultsPain response was defined as a 30%decrease in the MPQ-SF. A total of 62.5% of the sample met these criteria for response. Among them, 13.8% of patients were discontinued because of adverse effects. Duloxetine significantly improved functioning and the quality of life in patients with CPS.ConclusionsBecause of it is analgesic properties, duloxetine in the lower antidepressant doses (60 mg taken ones daily) combined with tramadol (another analgesic agent) can be useful in CPS for patients who do not respond satisfactory to monotherapy.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Distinct Subgroups Derived By Cluster Analysis Based on Pain Characteristics and Anxiety-Depression Symptoms in Swedish Older Adults With Chronic Pain (Pains65+)
Authors: Dragioti E. , Gerdle B. , Larsson B. , Bernfort L. , Levin L.Å. 
Published: May 2016

IntroductionThere is a lack of research on subtypes of chronic pain (CP) characteristics in the elderly.ObjectiveTo scrutinize major subgroups based on pain aspects and psychological factors on an elderly population.AimsTo determine possible differences between the derived subgroups with respect to pain aspects and anxiety-depression symptoms, health aspects and health care costs.MethodsA cross-sectional study was implemented. A large sample of 2300 individuals (M = 75.9 years, SD = 7.4) participated. Self-reported postal measurements regarding pain intensity, spreading of pain, anxiety and depression (General well-being schedule [GWBS]), and pain catastrophizing [PCS]) were used as classification variables. A two-step cluster analysis was employed. We further investigated whether the derived subgroups experienced different quality of life and general health. Calculations regarding health care costs were also performed.ResultsTwo major subgroups were identified: one low symptom severity subgroup (Cluster 1; n = 1326; 58%) and one high symptom severity subgroup (Cluster 2; n = 974; 42%). There were statistical significant differences on pain intensity, spreading of pain, anxiety, depression and pain catastrophizing between the two subgroups (P < 0.001). Significant lower levels for quality of life and general health (P < 0.001) were found for the high symptom severity subgroup. Health care costs in the high symptom severity subgroup were significantly higher than those of the low symptom severity subgroup (P < 0.001).ConclusionsOur findings exhibit the necessity for subgroup-specific treatment services for improving pain management and reducing health care costs in the elderly.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Ziconotide and Amnesia: a Case Report
Authors: Marini S. , Lalli V. , Costantini A. , Gambi F. 
Published: May 2016

IntroductionZiconotide is a new class of non-opioid analgesic that selectively blocks the neuron-specific (N-type), voltage-gated calcium channels, preventing the release of substance P and calcitonin gene-related peptide.MethodsA literature search was conducted in September 2015 using Pubmed and Scopus databases. No articles speaking about the direct correlation between ziconotide and amnesia were found.DiscussionA 56-year-old female patient, in treatment with ziconotide for chronic phantom pain syndrome, reported amnesia and dysgeusia symptoms. No psychiatric pathologies were diagnosed except for the high anxiety state correlated to the amnesia for recent events. The ziconotide treatment was reduced from 2,4 μg/day to 1,5 μg/day. Clonazepam was prescribed to treat the anxiety state. The subject clinical conditions did not require hospitalization.ConclusionsIt is recommended that patients in treatment with ziconotide be monitored for changes in mood, suicidality ideation, thoughts or consciousness. Ziconotide could have serious neurological or psychiatric signs/symptoms (Table 1). Amnesia is a rare side effect of intrathecal administration of ziconotide. Severe psychiatric adverse effects may require ziconotide discontinuation, treatment with psychotropic agents and/or acute hospitalization.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Recurrent Depression Over An Schizoid Personality. Case Report
Authors: Cancino Botello M.C. , Molina López F. , Hernández Sánchez J.M. , Peña Serrano A. , Canseco Navarro M.D.L.A. 
Published: May 2016

IntroductionAccording to Millon, personality is a “complex pattern of psychological factors, which are mostly unconscious and express themselves automatically in almost every functional dimension of the subject”. It has been described how personality traits can modify the expression of other mental diseases, leading to confusion in diagnosis and treatment of the patient.MethodSystematic review of the literature in English (PubMed) and clinical history of the patient. Keywords: “recurrent depression disorder”; “schizoid personality”.ObjectiveTo highlight the importance of making an accurate and detailed diagnostic formulation, in patients with both mental and personality disorders.CaseSixty-seven-year-old woman, with many psychiatric hospitalizations, secondary to a recurrent depression disorder with psychotic symptoms and schizoid personality disorder. Both psychiatric monitoring and pharmacological treatment have been erratic. Initially, depressive episodes were considered as symptoms of her personality disorder. However, over the years, it was possible to make a more accurate diagnosis and a better treatment adjustment. In this case, lack of adherence is probably due to multiple factors, but no awareness of illness and personality disorder itself are the most important ones. This fact makes the patient less concerned about her personal care, leading to irregular treatment.ConclusionsPeople with schizoid, schizotypal or paranoid personality traits usually have a worse outcome, and they interfere with the functionality of the patient. This explains the importance of making an accurate and detailed diagnostic formulation, in order to benefit the course of the underlying mental disorders.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Borderline Personality Disorder in Adolescence. Prevention and Early Intervention From a Cognitive Analytic Approach
Authors: Gimeno E. , Chiclana C. 
Published: May 2016

IntroductionBorderline personality disorder begins in adolescence, however, its diagnosis is subject to some controversy and tends to be underdiagnosed. Stigma associated with its diagnosis, comorbidity with other axis I disorders or the changeable sense of identity during adolescence are some of the elements that obscure the diagnosis. Increasingly, recent studies have shown the utility of prevention programs as well as instituting early intervention in adolescents, with very hopeful outcomes.ObjectivesThe aim of this study is to review the benefits derived from early prevention and intervention programs in adolescents with borderline symptoms from a cognitive analytic approach.MethodsA systematic review for scientific articles extracted from research databases including Dialnet, EBSCO, Pubmed, Unika and Scholar Google was conducted. Other high-impact studies in the field were also included.ResultsEvidence reported by reviewed articles supports Cognitive analytical therapy as one of the most successful approaches, the same as Mentalization based therapy, in the treatment of Borderline personality disorder. From this approach, prevention and early intervention have shown their effectiveness in reducing borderline symptoms and risk factors besides they contribute to interpersonal functioning improvement.ConclusionsPrevention and early intervention constitute the main pillars to prevent the potential development of Borderline personality disorder or its evolution in more complex and irreversible forms. But this intervention must be carried not only in young already diagnosed, but also in those who are on the diagnostic threshold, presenting risk factors for further development.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Anger in Personality Disorders – Catalyser of Violence – Bio-Psycho-Social Mechanisms
Authors: Ciubară A. , Săcuiu I. , Untu R.A. , Radu D.A. , Untu I. , Poroh V. , Ştefănescu C. 
Published: May 2016

IntroductionPersonality disorders designate a series of personality traits involving a behavioural pattern characterized by the recurrent violation of social norms, the importance of medico-legal implications associated to personality disorders being incontestable.ObjectiveThis study aims to obtain a clear image regarding the particularities of violent behaviour, and also the mechanisms of anger in personality disorders, in relation with the legal implications of those reactions.MethodsThe present study is a synthesis of recent literature (2012-2014) regarding the role of anger in violent behaviour with legal implications, in personality disorders. The research was made on PubMed, by the following keywords: personality disorder; violence in personality disorders; anger.ResultsThe core element that determines violent behaviour is anger. The physical effects of anger include increased heart rate and blood pressure, as well as an increase in the level of epinephrine and norepinephrine. Therefore, anger can be considered an integrant part of the response to a potential aggression or a potentially dangerous environment. Several general circumstances can activate anger. A strong example in supporting this theory is the bidirectional relation between anger within personality disorders and the use of alcohol and psychoactive substances. The individual gets extra stimulation, including through their psychopharmacological properties, thus exacerbating anger.ConclusionsIn conclusion, it is necessary to conduct future studies focusing on the underlying causes of violence in personality disorders, as well as on the warning signs of potential violent acts, considering that personality disorders alone often cannot explain criminality.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
On Becoming Ill: An Exploration of the Concept of “Transition” to a Mental Disorder
Authors: Moura B. 
Published: May 2016

IntroductionAs a general problem in nosology, the moment when one becomes ill may be hard to define. In Psychiatry, the boundaries of disease may be more difficult to establish. In the last decade, we’ve been observing a growing interest in early diagnosis in this field, and the concept of “transition” to a mental illness became an important topic of discussion with implications in clinical practice.ObjectiveTo review different author's models of evolution of symptoms and transition to mental illness and discuss their advantages and limitations in the actual context of Psychiatry research and clinical practice.AimTo increase understanding on the different paradigms of becoming ill and their relevance to present and future psychiatric practice.MethodsNon-systematic review of literature devoted to the creation of models that describe the establishment of a mental disorder.ResultsOne of the first accounts of becoming mentally ill was developed by K. Jaspers within a phenomenological life-history analysis. Nonetheless, a cross-sectional approach to diagnosis has dominated Psychiatry for most of the time. With the advent of early intervention studies, longitudinal models of disease have been emphasized. The concept of a transition to disease was then operationalized but also highly criticized. Recently, McGorry proposed a staging model for psychiatric disorders in continuum with the non-clinical population. Finally, a dynamic systems approach to diagnosis in Psychiatry will be discussed.ConclusionDriven by research in early phases of mental illnesses, current models of disease propose a longitudinal approach that emphasizes the complex and non-linear course of symptom clusters.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Wittengstein's Private Language Argument: Does it Pass the Schizophrenic Mind Challenge?
Authors: Santos G. 
Published: May 2016

IntroductionThe private language argument was introduced by Ludwig Wittengstein in his Philosophical Investigations (1953). For Wittengstein, language is a rule-governed activity and a language in principle unintelligible to anyone but its originating user is impossible, as even the originator would fail to establish meanings for its putative signs. The private language argument is of paramount significance in modern debates about the nature of language and mind and continues to be disputed. Language disorder has been described since the first accounts of Schizophrenia. Multiple studies have reported anomalies at multiple levels of language processing, from lexical and syntactic particularities to the discourse field, as well as structural and functional abnormalities in brain regions that are involved with language perception and processing.Objectives and aimsWe aim to critically assess the Wittengstein's argument in the light of recent developments in neuroscience of language.Results and conclusionsWe conclude that in some patients diagnosed with schizophrenia, presenting a significant language impairment, one can infer a dysfunctional process, in which the language becomes progressively more private and the meaning of utterances harder to ascertain in the realm of interpersonal communication. The privatization of language might contribute to the social cognition deficits and the so-called negative symptomatology of these patients.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Prevalence of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Associated Events in Adults Victim of Displacement in the Colombian Caribbean
Authors: Cabas-Hoyos K. , Ospina-Buelvas J. , Lopez-Sierra M.A. , Ochoa-Reyes A. , Uribe-Urzola A. , Villamil-Benitez I. , Otero-Suarez C. , Cardenas-Lopez G. 
Published: May 2016

The forced displacement in Montería, a region from the Colombian Caribbean could become a risk factor for the existence of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), nevertheless, there isn’t data of the prevalence of this disorder.AimTo identify the prevalence of the PTSD and associated events in adults victims of the displacement in the city of Montería.MethodTransversal and explorative study, 117 adults (M: 40,41; SD: 13,14). The PTSD was verified with the checklist for PTSD (Weathers, Litz, herman, Huska & Keane, 1993) and according to criteria of DSM-5 (APA, 2014). The 3 factors associated with the disorder were analyzed according to age groups. To evaluate the events associated to the disorder was used the checklist of events (Blake, Weathers & Nagy, 1990). Occurred and witnessed by the subject events were analyzed. Descriptive were used to determinate the existence of the PTSD and an ANOVA to contrast the symptomatology of the PTSD by age groups.ResultsThe 26,49% (n = 31) of the sample had the clinic criteria of PTSD. An ANOVA of a factor evidenced that the activation was present in a biggest proportion in the range of 53-59 years old (M = 18.73); intrusion and avoidance was shown mostly in the range of 60-71 years old (intrusion M = 14.00; avoidance M = 14.85). In relation to the associated events occurred to the subjects, there was found that the highest incidence were: natural disasters (42.7%) and unexpected death (35.9%); the witnessed events with higher percentage where: unexpected death (19.70%) and traffic accidents (15.4%).References not available.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.