bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mental health stigma among Oman Medical Speciality Board (OMSB) residents
Authors: Musharrafi S. , Al-Ruzaiqi W. , Al-Adawi S. 
Published: June 2017

BackgroundArab/Islamic culture such as those in Oman has been prescribed to be part of “collective culture” where family is central to one's identity. It is not clear how mental illness is perceived among young doctors in Oman in the light of modernization and acculturation.AimsExplore the socio-cultural teaching impact on attitudes towards mental health problems among Omani physicians.MethodThe consenting residents were asked to fill self-reported questionnaire Attitudes towards Mental Health Problems (ATMHP). It measure: external shame (beliefs that others will look down on themselves self if one have mental health problems); internal shame (related to negative self-evaluations); and reflected shame (believing that one can bring shame to their family/community). Socio-demographic information was also sought, including age, gender and previous contact with a person with mental illness.ResultsOne hundred and seventy residents filled the questionnaire. The response rate was > 80%. The majority were female. It showed elevated scores in indices of external shame and reflected shame. However, having a history of mental distress or having contact with a person with mental illness have moderate indices external shame and reflected shame.ConclusionThis study suggests that medical education has little eroded societal teaching among physicians under training in Oman. Thus, their attitude toward mental disorder appears to be expressed in term of external shame and reflected shame, which, in turn, encapsulate cultural patterning of shame and the centrality of family identity in Oman. Such socio-cultural teaching could lay groundwork for further research to mitigate mental illness in Oman.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Performance of cognitive measures and affective ranges in clients marked with spirit possession in Oman
Authors: Musharrafi S. , Al-Kalbani Y. , Al-Adawi S. 
Published: June 2017

BackgroundThere is a dearth of studies that have explored cognitive performance in different grades of spirit possession.AimThis study was undertaken to investigate two areas: the first was to explore whether there is a difference in demographic characteristics among presently defined grades of spirit possession in Oman: total possession (TP), partial possession (PP) and symbiotic possession (SP) seen in the Omani society. The second was to compare cognitive performance among the different grades of possession. Assessment criteria for these three groups included indices of current nonverbal reasoning ability, attention/concentration and recall, and those measures calling upon executive functioning.ResultsIn terms of socio-demographic characteristics, being female, having low education and being in a particular age group are strongly associated with participants classified as TP. In contrast, the SP group endorsed more history of trauma. The three groups showed performance variation in current nonverbal reasoning ability, attention/concentration and recall, and executive functioning, with TP appearing to have poorer performance on these measures compared to PP and SP.ConclusionPrevious studies have investigated whether spirit possession is a pathological state or a culture-specific idiom of distress. To our knowledge, this is the first study that has examined performances in cognitive measures among different types of possession. The entrance of possession trance disorder and dissociative trance disorder into the psychiatric nomenclature warrants more studies of this nature.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Biomarkers of depressive disorders: A multiplex analysis of blood serum
Authors: Boiko A.S. , Losenkov I.S. , Levchuk L.A. , Simutkin G.G. , Bokhan N.A. , Bosker F.J. , Wilffert B. , Loonen A.J.M. , Ivanova S.A. 
Published: June 2017

Depressive disorders are a great burden for individual patients and society. Blood-based biomarkers are regarded as a feasible option for investigation of depressive disorders. Several potential biomarkers for depression were selected. We studied the following serum markers: cortisol, melatonin, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), prolactin, insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), β-endorphin, orexin A. The patient sample consisted of 78 persons with depressive disorders. Patients were divided into two groups: 46 patients with a first depressive episode and 32 patients with recurrent depressive disorder. Control group consisted of 71 healthy individuals of corresponding age and sex. All markers were measured in serum using MILLIPLEX® MAP panels (Merck, Darmstadt, Germany) by analyzer MAGPIX (Luminex, USA). Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS software. Results were expressed as median and quartile intervals [Q1–Q3]. There was a significant increase of serum concentrations of cortisol (663.69 [467.5–959.49] nmol/L, Р < 0.001) and melatonin (66.31 [33.6–132.59] pg/mL, P = 0.029) in patients compared with the control group (526.1 [367,24–654,7] nmol/L and 45.11 [27.47–73.47] pg/mL). In addition, correlations were found between potential biomarkers, clinical indicators and treatment response measured by applying the Hamilton Depression rating scale and the Clinical Global Impression rating scales. A significant correlation was found between the concentration of prolactin and high response to pharmacotherapy (r = –0.267, P = 0.029). Identifying biomarkers that can be used as diagnostics or predictors of treatment response in people with depressive disorders will be an important step towards being able to provide personalized treatment.Disclosure of interestThe work is supported by the project of Russian Foundation of Basic Research No 14-04-01157a.
Electroconvulsive therapy as an effective alternative in depressive disorder
Authors: Chauca G.M. Chauca , Expósito L. Carrión , Lobato P. Alonso 
Published: June 2017

IntroductionThe efficacy of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in the treatment of depressive episodes is well established, and so is reflected in the major guides.ObjectivesDescription of a clinical case of a patient diagnosed with major depressive episode with psychotic symptoms and obsessive compulsive disorder prevalence of compulsive acts that do not respond to drug treatment but to electroconvulsive therapy.MethodsPresentation and review of a case.ResultsA 55-year-old woman diagnosed with recurrent depressive disorder with worsening in the last 4 years.Clinical depressive Sadness, spontaneous crying in the form of access, apathy, isolation and clinofilia desires, complaints mnemonic deficits and complete anhedonia. Obsessional symptoms compulsive as more repetitive behaviors of obsessive ideas, which repeats incessantly despite checking, that does not prepare or calm. The patient has not responded to any pharmacological strategy, despite using full doses and combinations of antidepressant, but euthymics more antipsychotics (sertraline, fluoxetine, reboxetine, venlafaxine, bupropion, lithium, valproic acid, lamotrigine, risperidone, quetiapine, trifluoperazine, clotiapine). For this reason, it was decided to start treatment with ECT, progressively responds in each session, after 8 sessions the patient is euthymic, it has resumed normal activities, no obsessive or psychotic symptoms.ConclusionsIt is important to know that it is a safe technique that would save not only an economic cost, if not a personal emotional cost. It is noteworthy that more than 50% of depressed patients who respond to a course of ECT, fall between 6 and 12 months despite receiving adequate pharmacological treatment then so we will have to closely monitor the patient.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Cross-cultural adaptation, reliability, and validity of the revised Korean version of Ruminative Response Scale
Authors: Kim W. 
Published: June 2017

ObjectiveRumination is a negative coping strategy defined as repetitive and passive focusing on negative feelings such as depression. The Ruminative Response Scale (RRS) is a widely used instrument to measure rumination, but there is continuing argument about the construct validity of the RRS, because of probable overlap between the measurement of depression and that of rumination. The RRS-Revised, which removed 12 items of the RRS, is suggested as a more valid instrument for measuring rumination. Therefore, we translated RRS-R into Korean and explored the reliability, validity and factor structure in patients with major depressive disorders.MethodsSeventy-nine patients with major depressive disorder took the Korean version of RRS, RRS-R, State Trait Anxiety Inventory, Beck Depression Inventory and Penn State Worry Questionnaire. We performed exploratory factor analysis of RRS-R, and tested construct validity, internal reliability and test-retest reliability.ResultsThe internal and test-retest reliability of RRS-R was high. Factor analysis revealed that RRS-R is composed of two factors. “Brooding” factor explained 56.6% and “Reflection” factor explained 12.5%. RRS-R, especially “Brooding” factor, was highly correlated with other clinical symptoms such as depression, anxiety and worry.ConclusionsIn this study, we find out the RRS-R is more reliable and valid than the original RRS in Korean patients with depression because the RRS-R is free from the debate about the overlap of item with BDI. We also revealed that “Brooding” is highly correlated with depressive symptoms. RRS-R may be a useful instrument to explore the implication of “Brooding” in depression.Disclosure of interestThe author has not supplied his/her declaration of competing interest.
Depressive disorders: A multidimensional non-drug approach
Authors: Tafazzoli S. , Miloni A. , Quaderi A. , Palazzolo J. 
Published: June 2017

In Europe, 25% of the population suffers from one type of depressive disorders each year. When depression is diagnosed, one on two people will actually be given a medication e.g. antidepressant and benzodiazepine (when correlated to anxiety or sleep trouble); the relapse risk is about 50%. This pathology and its chemical treatment affect the individual's health and life balance, e.g. cognitive impairments, family circle and career. Plus, side effects might create dependence, inability to focus or drive, disinhibition leading to suicide attempts. In addition, it also affects society at an economic level.Comparing prior research, there are many causes to depressive disorders, a fragile balance that allows depression to begin and last. These causes include psychological factors (personal history, loss, trauma) biological factors (genetic predisposition, neurochemical dysregulation, bacteria) and environment (stress, social interaction, family circle, physical environment). Due to their multiple causes and maintenance factors, we consider depressive disorders in a multidimensional clinic through non-drug approach treatment and prevention. In severe depressive disorders and resistant depression EMDR therapy has shown effective results. Taking in account the high chance of relapses (50%), we highlight regular physical activity as a prevention factor that diminishes relapses chances compared to medication. Furthermore, meditation practice impacts cerebral plasticity. Finally, an environmental approach through luminotherapy (increase serotonin precursor) or nutritherapy (bacterium balance) helps healing and prevents relapses. These therapies can be easily adapted to any population and institutional context.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Depression and loneliness did not affect academic achievement among university students
Authors: Sadeghi Bahmani D. , Faraji R. , Faraji P. , Holsboer-Trachsler E. , Brand S. 
Published: June 2017

BackgroundMany students experience symptoms of loneliness, either as a result of the new academic situation or due to the lack of social skills, which results in an inability to actively participate in community activities and socialization. Depression is another common problem that impacts students’ ability to perform life activities. Further, while intuitively a negative association between loneliness, depression and academic achievement is assumed, consistent data are missing. Accordingly, the present study investigated the relationship between depression, and loneliness and academic achievement among undergraduate students.MethodThis study was carried out on 240 university students (mean age: M = 23.42 years), who completed the Beck Depression Inventory and the UCLA Loneliness Scale, while for academic achievement the average marks were used.ResultIncreased age was associated with lower scores in loneliness and depression, and higher achievements. Higher scores of depression and loneliness were associated. Achievement scores were unrelated to loneliness and depression.ConclusionsAgainst intuitive expectations, academic achievement was unrelated to symptoms of depression and loneliness. Accordingly, we assume that academic achievement seemed to be related to further cognitive and emotional processes such as motivation, mental toughness, stress resistance, and goal oriented behavior.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Memory, attention and language deficits in major depressive disorder
Authors: Suciu B. , Paunescu R. , Miclutia I. 
Published: June 2017

ObjectivesFor a long time, cognitive deficits were considered as part of depressive episodes and were expected to improve as other affective symptoms diminished with treatment. Because of this, cognitive impairment was rarely assessed for Major depressive disorder, but in the present time this has changed.MethodsThe study included 35 patients (age between 18 and 70) diagnosed with recurrent major depressive disorder (according to ICD-10 and DSM-V) which were evaluated during an acute depressive episode. The severity of depression was quantified clinically and with the help of Hamilton Depression Rating Scale -17 items- whereas cognitive functions were evaluated with standard cognitive tests.ResultsOut of the 35 patients included, 25 were female patients, the rest of 10 being represented by male participants. A median score of 81,5 seconds on the Trail Making Test part A showed attention focusing deficits when compared with standard scores. For semantic fluency, ten words represented the mean score; whereas for phonemic fluency the mean score was lower (seven words). A median score of 5 words resulted from the assessment of the verbal learning and memory, these are considered to be associated with memorization and retention of a list of words given.ConclusionsThese results sustain what the majority of studies revealed, that cognitive deficits are present in all cognitive domains, mostly in attention, verbal fluency and memory.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Depressive symptoms among genders
Authors: Vnukova M. , Raboch J. , Ptacek R. , Sebalo I. 
Published: June 2017

IntroductionDepression is one of the most well-known psychological issues and is among the most severe ones. World Health Organisation's (WHO) report on health identifies 1.9% lifetime prevalence of depressive episode for males and almost twice as high–3.2% for females.MethodsThis study aimed to map the depressive symptoms among working population in Czech Republic.ResultsAnalysis of covariance showed that there is significant effect of age F(52) = 6.58, P = 0.010 and gender F(52) = 12.53, P < .001 and t-tests showed the means of BDI II scores were significantly different for genders with females having higher mean (11.91) than males (9.80), t(1025) = −3.42, P < .001.ConclusionThe clinical burden of depression is still an increasing one in today's society and this research helped to identify the potentially most vulnerable individuals. These seem to be working women aged 35–44.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Using digital mood monitoring technology to support the assessment, engagement and empowerment of young people presenting to mental health services with mood instability
Authors: Dubad M. , Marwaha S. , Winsper C. 
Published: June 2017

BackgroundDigital mood-monitoring technology, such as mood-monitoring applications, is increasingly advocated within clinical research and is a potentially effective method to engage and empower youth. However, limited evidence is available on this type of technology.Objectives(1) To assess the evidence for the use of mobile mood-monitoring applications in youth; (2) to explore what available smartphone application would be most suitable to monitor mood from the perspective of young people; (3) to examine whether mood-monitoring applications are useful for investigating mood instability in youth; (4) to explore the utility and acceptability of using the mood-monitoring application from young people's and clinicians’ perspectives.AimTo investigate how mood-monitoring applications can be used to support the assessment, engagement and empowerment of young people presenting to mental health services with a range of diagnoses in which mood instability forms a key component.MethodsA systematic review using a Cochrane methodology was conducted. After obtaining ethical approval, this study will also employ a mixed methods approach, through which quantitative findings (e.g., digital mood-monitoring data) will be furnished with an in-depth understanding of young people's views on digital mood-monitoring technology.ResultsFindings from a systematic review focusing on the evidence for the psychometric properties, usability and clinical impacts of applications in youth will be presented. Preliminary results from consultations groups and plans for future research will also be discussed.ConclusionsEvidence acquired through this research can potentially influence mental health policies and result in more innovative (adjunct) interventions and improved outcomes for young people with mood instability.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Sex-specific issues in eating disorders: A clinical and psychopathological investigation
Authors: Di Girolamo G. , Valente S. , Cerrato F. , Scudellari P. , Atti A.R. , De Ronchi D. 
Published: June 2017

IntroductionGender is crucial in many aspects of life, including attitude towards body image perception. Although the well-known female preponderance, recent studies demonstrate an increasing Eating Disorders (EDs) incidence in males but scant literature attention.AimsThis study aims to highlight the growing phenomenon of EDs in males and shed light on sex-related clinical features and psychiatric comorbidities.MethodOut of 280 persons aged 18–74, consecutively referred to Bologna's outpatients EDs clinic, 267 were included in this retrospective observational study.ResultsThe men/women ratio was one to five. The most frequent EDs in males was Binge Eating Disorder, whereas in females Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa prevailed. Excessive exercising and fasting were the most common dysfunctional behaviors in men, while self-induced vomiting and laxative-diuretic abuse were more typical in women. Mood and Somatoform Disorders were more common in women, whereas Anxiety and Psychosis Disorders in males. Within personality disorders, borderline and histrionic prevailed in female, while narcissistic and anti-social in males.ConclusionsMale compared to female EDs, show differences in clinical presentation, symptoms and comorbidities. The increased proportion of affected men should alert general practitioners, clinicians and psychologists working in non-specialized settings to be more aware of the possibilities of encountering an ED in men and of the need of exploring the eating habits in all male patients. The finding of a more pronounced physical hyperactivity in men in order to achieve an ideal body shape which is muscular and athletic suggests the need of a deeper attention to sex-different symptoms and behaviors declination.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Attachment and hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis functioning in patients with eating disorders
Authors: Monaco F. , Monteleone A.M. , Pellegrino F. , Ruzzi V. , Fico G. , Volpe U. , Monteleone P. 
Published: June 2017

IntroductionAttachment theory suggests that different attachment styles influence the development of individual's self-esteem and modulate the individual's ability to manage stressful events by responding with adequate affective adjustment. High levels of insecure attachment are present in adults with Eating Disorders (EDs).ObjectivesThe variables that mediate the association between attachment style and EDs have not been investigated enough. The possibility exists that the endogenous stress response system is involved.AimsTo appraise the role of the endogenous stress response system, we studied the effect of attachment styles on the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis functioning in ED patients.MethodsFifty- two women with EDs and 25 healthy women completed the ECR questionnaire to assess their attachment style. Saliva samples were taken in the morning to measure the Cortisol Awakening Response (CAR). Moreover, the saliva cortisol response to the Trier-Social-Stress-Test (TSST) was measured in 30 ED patients and 15 healthy controls.ResultsPatients with avoidant attachment showed an increased CAR compared to both healthy controls and to patients with anxious and secure attachment styles. In the initial TSST phase, cortisol levels decreased in the secure attachment group but not in patients with avoidant attachment. In the TSST stress response phase, the cortisol raise was higher in insecure patients and delayed in avoidant ones.ConclusionsIn adults with EDs, attachment styles affect the HPA axis functioning and this could have a role in the pathophysiology of EDs.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.