bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
TV or not TV? health information, anxiety and stress during the initial stage of COVID-19 epidemic in Italy
Authors: Piretti I. , Ambrosini F. , Sant’Angelo R. 
Published: February 2022

IntroductionWith the spread of the coronavirus pandemic, there has been the dissemination of an enormous amount of information, through multiple channels, from different sources and with an often unverifiable basis (infodemic). In recent years, there has been debate in the literature about the possibility that different information channels (social media vs traditional media) can determine a more or less extensive emotional contagion regardless of the severity and direct exposure to the stressful event and more precisely through a ‘secondhand’ exposure to events.ObjectivesWe want to investigate whether the information channel or the amount of time dedicated to the update is associated with greater psychological sequelae.MethodsThis study is based on a cross-sectional online survey conducted anonymously in the period between the tenth and seventeenth day of shelter in place in Italy. We used Zung Anxiety Self-Assessment Scale and Perceived Stress Scale 4. SPSS 21.0 was used for data analysis.Results
We collected data on 1047 individuals. In our sample, the Internet was the primary health information channel (55%) followed by TV (36%). Most TV and internet users spend about 1-3 hours a day for the update. There was no correlation between the time spent or the information channel used and higher levels of stress and anxiety.ConclusionsIn our opinion, this relationship between the time spent receiving information or the most widely used information channel and psychological disorders is not clear. Is it the news channel causing an emotional contagion or are the most anxious people looking for news anywhere and anytime?
Delirium in COVID-19: psychopharmacology considerations
Authors: Lemos M. , Rema J. , De Sousa T. Reynolds 
Published: February 2022

IntroductionDelirium is characterized by fluctuating disturbance of consciousness, inattention, reduced awareness, hallucinations or delusions, occurring in 20% of hospital admissions. Central nervous system symptoms are the main form of neurologic injury in patients with COVID-19 and a significant portion of these patients presents with delirium. COVID-19 infection’s course and symptoms, as well as patient comorbidities can facilitate its onset, which is exacerbated by the frequent need for higher doses of sedation to suppress severe cough.ObjectivesTo summarize the most recent practices for management of delirium in COVID-19 infected patients, with emphasis on the psychopharmacology approach.MethodsSelective literature review via PubMed search, using the terms “delirium, neurological disorders, psychopharmacology and COVID-19”.Results
COVID-19 associated delirium can be presented in its hyperactive type with exuberant agitation, but also with additional clinical features such as rigidity, akinetic mutism, abulia and alogia. Psychopharmacological approaches may be needed for patients with agitation when there’s intractable stress or risk to self or others. In this group of patients, melatonin, alfa-2 agonists and low potency antipsychotics have been used as first line treatment. Trazodone, valproate, dopamine agonists, amantadine can be used. Other approaches such as correction of vitamin deficiencies and remdesivir can also play a role.ConclusionsDelirium remains frequently unrecognized. In the pandemic context of COVID-19 it is important to consider this infection as a cause of delirium and mind the misdiagnosis as a psychiatric condition. One should look for atypical features and be more thoughtful about the psychopharmacological approach.
Mental health and wellness during COVID-19: Impact on healthy population
Authors: Lipskaya-Velikovsky L. 
Published: February 2022

IntroductionPandemic outbreak brings multiple challenges into everyday life, with high potential to affect all aspects of health. It was previously demonstrated that epidemic is harmful to mental health (MH) of a whole population producing long-lasting and significant burden for the person and the society. However, such an impact was less investigated in COVID-19 pandemic.ObjectivesInvestigate aspects of MH among healthy population during Spring 2020 lockdown due to COVID-19; detect factors affecting MH and their cumulative effect on health-related quality of life (QOL).Methods571 healthy volunteers completed electronic survey distributed through social networks. The survey contained standard tools for evaluation of (1) levels of stress, anxiety and depression, (2) objective and subjective parameters of participation in daily-life activities, (3) daily routines, (5) loneliness, (6) social connectedness, (7) self-efficacy and (8) quality of life.Results
We found high levels of stress, anxiety and depression among healthy population and low QOL in physical, psychological and social relationship domains. Employment, keeping daily routines, social connectedness, self-efficacy, enjoyment, satisfaction and meaning in daily-life activities were associated with better MH. All the aforementioned factors contributed significantly to QOL.ConclusionsCOVID-19 outbreak rise multiple health issues, among them affected MH of the healthy, not infected population. Public health strategies should be implemented to mitigate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on MH given its personal and social burden and its contribution to QOL. Addressing participation in daily life activities can be a useful tool to cope with impact of COVID-19 on MH.
Beliefs about coronavirus: Relationship with magical thinking and adherence to self-isolation regimen
Authors: Kumchenko S. , Rasskazova E. , Tkhostov A. 
Published: February 2022

IntroductionPandemic is accompanied by “infodemic” that is related to higher anxiety (Moghanibashi-Mansourieh, 2020; Roy et al., 2020; Huang, Zhao, 2020). We suggest that indefinite and stressful situation of pandemic provoke magical thinking leading to lower adherence with recommendations for self-isolation.ObjectivesThe aim was to reveal the structure of beliefs about reasons, manifestation and consequences of coronavirus and their relationship with magical thinking, anxiety and COVID-19-related behaviour.Methods
In April 2020 (2-3 weeks of self-isolation regimen) 402 adults aged 18-64 years old filled checklist including beliefs about pandemic (based on the model of Leventhal et al., 2003), Magical Ideation Scale Eckblad, Chapman, 1983) as well as scales measuring anxiety and protective behaviour in pandemic and monitoring of information about coronavirus (Tkhostov, Rasskazova, 2020).Results
Factor analysis revealed three groups of radical beliefs about coronavirus (48.6% of variance, Cronbach’s alphas .62-.75). Belief about the particular meaning of coronavirus was associated with the magical thinking (r=.21), less anxiety about infection (r=-.19) and poorer adherence to self-isolation (r=-.26). Belief in the negligence as a cause of coronavirus was more typical for those with better adherence (r=.18) while catastrophic beliefs about the consequences of pandemic were related to frequent monitoring of the information about the pandemic (r=.24), and anxiety regarding future negative consequences of the pandemic (r=.46).Conclusions
Dysfunctional beliefs about coronavirus could be a factor of poorer adherence related to magical thinking and could be addressed in psychological interventions. Research is supported by the Russian Foundation for Basic Research, project No. 20-04-60072.
Hopelessness and externality as predictors of experiencing anger during COVID-19 lockdown in Russia
Authors: Gordeeva T. , Sychev O. , Dovger M. 
Published: February 2022

Introduction
Following Italy and many other European countries Russia entered a nationwide lockdown in March 2020. Since quarantine had impact on mental health (Gualano et al., 2020, Stanton et al., 2020), this study aimed to study the psychological predictors of low mental health and anger in Russian university students. Previous studies have shown that young people are most vulnerable part of population during Covid-19 pandemic (Pervichko et al., 2020).Objectives
The purpose of this research was to assess the effects of externality and hopelessness on anger and irritation during COVID-19 lockdown.Methods

The sample comprised 120 university students (86% women, M=18.84, SD=1.58) from Moscow. Online survey has been conducted in April 2020. Measures included Russian externality-internality scale based on Rotter’s scale and three new scales specific for COVID-19 pandemic developed for this study to assess feeling of hopelessness (α = 0.72), anger (α = 0.70) and positive reformulation (α = 0.84).ResultsAnger shows significant correlations with hopelessness (r=0.43; p<0.001), externality (r=0.29; p<0.01) and positive reformulation (r=–0.41; p<0.001). Structural equation modeling confirms theoretical model according to which the effect of externality on anger is mediated by hopelessness and positive reformulation (negatively) (indirect effects sig. at p<0.01, χ2 = 1.32; df = 1; p = 0.251; CFI = 0.995; TLI = 0.969; RMSEA = 0.052.ConclusionsConclusions. Anger and irritation regarding the necessity to stay at home during COVID-19 lockdown may be caused by external locus of control which effect on anger is mediated by hopelessness and limited capacities for positive reframing.
Cyberchondria: An emerging entity in COVID-19 pandemic and thereafter
Authors: Bhaumik U. , Nayok S. 
Published: February 2022

IntroductionCyberchondria is a pathological behaviour linked to excessive online searching of health information.It is frequently associated with health anxiety. It may be regarded as an compulsive behaviour secondary to obsessions about a real or an imagined illness. The coronavirus pandemic of 2019 has brought about a fear of getting infected. In the absence of a definitive cure, the focus largely lies on stringent preventive measures and early diagnosis. Known to present with diverse symptoms, fear of coronaviral infection makes affected individuals search for symptoms on internet for reassurance. Added misinformation further increases stress,anxiety and confusion.ObjectivesThe authors attempt to describe cyberchondria and highlight its increased prevalence during the coronavirus pandemic.Methods5 cases from different backgrounds were seen in the outpatient clinic during the months of April-July 2020.Consent was obtained from subjects before the study.They were clinically diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder and exhibited cyberchondria in the background of the pandemic.ResultsAll of the described 5 cases had prominent fear of contracting or having contracted coronavirus disease-19.All of them were found to have significant scores rang on Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Severity Scale(ranging from 25-35) and improved after a trial of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors.ConclusionsThe emergence of cyberchondria during the coronavirus -19 pandemic warrants further introspection.Changes in policy-making to prevent misinformation and present health information in a simple way to prevent confusion in the lay public is a necessity to tackle this problem in the near future.
Neuropeptide y and neuropeptide s in major depressive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder: Preclinical andclinical studies
Authors: Mathe A. 
Published: February 2022

*MDD is the predominant cause of “Years of life lived with disability” and “Years of life lost because of premature death” as a consequence of the disorder per se, comorbidities (cardiovascular, diabetes) and the high suicide rate. The problem is increasing due to higher depression frequency with age and growing life-longevity. One third of patients do not respond adequately to conventional therapies and “more of the same” drugs will not solve the problem. Consequently, there exists a crucial need to develop treatments with different modes of action. *Neuropeptide Y (NPY) and neuropeptide S (NPS) have been mapped in brain of MDD and PTSD rodent models. NPY is reduced in genetic and environmental depression models and in PTSD and can be reversed by antidepressants. These findings are parallel to the decreased NPY in humans diagnosed with MDD and PTSD. *NPS found in locus caeruleus regulates anxiety and stress–related behaviors and intranasal administration is anxiolytic in rat. The intranasal effects in humans are being explored. *Based on known biology and our findings, we hypothesized that NPY could be a target for MDD and PTSD, the reasoning being analogous to insulin treatment in insulin deficient diabetes, and conducted - the first ever - double blind, placebo controlled trials of insufflated NPY in MDD and PTSD (Sayed et al 2018, Mathé et al 2020). In conclusion, intranasal NPY is opening a promising new avenue for efficient, fast acting treatment of MDD and PTSD. Support:The Swedish MRC #10414; Center Psychiatry Research-KI, The Torsten Söderbergs StiftelseDisclosureNo significant relationships.
Swedish perspectives and ethical discussion
Authors: Wasserman D. 
Published: February 2022

As COVID-19 spread, many countries in the world responded swiftly in an attempt to reduce transmission. Sweden, however, took a different approach to many other nations and did not implement a nationwide lockdown, instead deciding on a more “holistic approach to public health”. The focus was on minimising transmission as much as possible, protecting those in risk groups, ensuring that the response strategies were sustainable long-term, mitigating other health concerns as a result of the response and that evidence-based methods were used as much as possible. At this stage, it is difficult to know how exactly the Swedish strategy has fared in comparison to other responses. In Sweden, there has been much debate about the strategy, particularly concerning the protection of the elderly due to unexpectedly high mortality rates in the older population as well as among residents in retirement homes. Many ethical questions remain in regard to which strategies would have been preferable.DisclosureNo significant relationships.
Relationship between COVID-19 perceived risk and perfectionism – a preliminary study
Authors: Pereira A.T. , Cabaços C. , Soares T. , Araujo A. , Sousa R. , Macedo A. 
Published: February 2022

IntroductionResearch following the Covid-19 pandemics has shown that psychological reactions to the pandemic and its constraints can vary significantly depending on personality. One of the traits that has not been studied yet, but can play a harmful role in the COVID-19 psychological impact is perfectionism. This trait, characterized by setting excessively high standards of performance and striving for flawlessness, has increased in recent years and is considered a transdiagnostic process involved in several (mental) health problems (Curran & Hill 2019).ObjectivesTo analyze the role of Perfectionism in the levels of fear of COVID19 and of perception of infection risk by COVID-19.Methods234 adults (75.6% women; mean age=29.53±12.51) completed an on-line survey with the Portuguese validated versions of Covid-19 Perceived Risk Scale (C19PRS; Pereira et al. 2020), Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FC19S; Cabaços et al. 2020) and Big Three Perfectionism Scale (BTPS; Garrido et al. 2020). SPSS was used to perform correlation and regression analysis.ResultsPerceived Risk and Fear of COVID-19 were significantly correlated with perfectionism (.243, .228, respectively) (both, p<.01). Perfectionism explains 5.5% (Adjusted R2) of the FC19S variance (Beta=.243, p<.001) and 4.8% of the C19PRS variance (Beta=.228, p=.01).ConclusionsThis study provides preliminary, but completely innovative evidence that perfectionism contribute to the psychological impact of Covid-19 pandemics. In the near future we will test the hypothesis that the nature of unpredictability and the limitations imposed by the global crisis may be exacerbating the already high levels of psychological distress that affect negative perfectionists.
Post-traumatic stress disorder among tunisian healthcare professionals facing the pandemic coronavirus (COVID-19)
Authors: Aribi L. , Jbir R. , Messedi N. , Gdoura D. , Bouattour W. , Kolsi N. , Charfeddine F. , Aloulou J. 
Published: February 2022

IntroductionThe new coronavirus has spread rapidly across the planet confining entire populations, filling hospitals overwhelmed by massive arrivals of patients This new health situation was traumatic especially for health-professionalsObjectivesTo study the prevalence and predictors of post-traumatic stress disorder, among health-workers.MethodsOur study was descriptive and analytical cross-sectional, between May until June 2020. An anonymous online-survey was sent to collect those parameters Sociodemographic-information Physical symptoms The existence of contact with a suspected case The need for quarantine The stressful event The state of mental health, using: PCL-5: 20 items which measures the 20 symptoms of post-traumatic stress-disorder according to DSM-5. PSQI: 9 questions to see the existence or not of a disturbance in sleepResults125 participants: 28 university-hospital doctors, 55 residents, 5 interns, 4 specialist-doctors, 2 general-practitioners, 14 nurses, 14 senior-technicians, 2 midwives and a pharmacist. The average seniority at the job was 6 years. Two factors were the most stressful: The characteristics of this pandemic 37.6% The fear of caching the virus and transmit it to their families: 37.6%. 42.4% of participants presented a post-traumatic stress disorder. 3 parameters were correlated with post-traumatic stress disorder: young age, having children (p = 0.007) and fewer years of professional-experience. This pandemic altered the quality of sleep of caregivers, 62.4% of them had a bad quality of sleep. The bad sleepers developed more post-traumatic stress disorderConclusionsThis health crisis had a major impact on the mental health of our heroes that is why we should provide them with the necessary psychological support.
Has the frequency of violent behaviour increased during COVID-19 pandemic?
Authors: Crisan C.-A. , Ureche D. , Siserman C. 
Published: February 2022

IntroductionCovid-19 pandemic represents o very stressfull period for many individuals. Intimate partner violence is typically experienced by women but can also be experienced by men. During quarantine due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the risk for domestic violence increased.ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to compare domestic violence durind two different periods - 14.03.2019-30.09.2019 and the same period of the year 2020.MethodsWe analyzed the data base of the Legal Institut from Cluj-napoca and we selected the cases with domestic violence.ResultsThe violent behaviour incresed durind 2020. Due to the feelings of frustration and agitation, agression arises with possible trasgenerational transmission of trauma and violence.ConclusionsTaking into consideration that Covid19 pandemic is a very stressfull period for all individuals, a need of programms aimed to prevent acts of domestic violence and to achieve accurate assessment of multiple domains of abuse (psychological, physical, sexual) provided by psychologists, psychiatrists, social and legal services emerged.
Covid 19-consideration on separation and mourning ritual
Authors: Cerino S. , Amati A. 
Published: February 2022

IntroductionDuring COVID 19 epidemic it has been interesting to observe the gradual transformation of the daily routine into death, sorrow and pain. The moment of transition from life to death was really changed by distressing for survivors who had to face with unexpected ways to live their mourning.ObjectivesThe paper would like to analyze the mounring ritual during COVID 19 epidemic.MethodsDuring COVID 19 tragedy victims and survivors have been first associated by the infection and then dramatically separated by its effects. It has been necessary to re-relaborate new procedures of separation from deceased, as far for laws prohibitions it was no longer possible to use the traditional ones.ResultsSo a leaving “ritual” re-emerged very similar to the “crying ritual” of the Southern Italy folkloric culture. The traditional wailers have been substitued by the windows flash mobs trying to replace the forced absence of “pietas”, with a moment of positive sharing of physical distance between life and death, using sounds, songs, tools that always, in farming culture help to exorcise and take away death.ConclusionsThe relevant starting powerlessness to face the fast disease diffusion, its intrinsic seriousness, inspired surprising capabilities of immediate reaction and active mobilization in response to the attack suffered by Koerper and Leib (in Heidegger sense) which actualized in the research of a new “separation” dimension. In the end, as psychiatrists, we have to notice how this collectivization practice is actually a big distress container and wonder where and how this distress will finally arrive
Managing ECT related cognitive side effects: An individual approach
Authors: Verwijk E. 
Published: February 2022

Electroconvulsive brain stimulation may represent the strongest manipulation available to study brain plasticity in humans. Brain plasticity induced by electroconvulsive brain stimulation, profoundly improves disturbed emotion and motivation in patients with depression. Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a highly effective and safe treatment for psychiatric disorders like severe depression. However, there is ongoing concern about the negative impact of ECT on brain function and cognition that is, surprisingly, only seen in a part of the treated patients. After 80 years of research on ECT, virtually nothing is known about the mechanisms underlying these strong individual differences in cognitive changes induced by ECT. A first step would be to better quantify the pattern and severity of the adverse cognitive outcomes in order to better distinguish patients that suffer from adverse cognitive outcomes from those that do not or even improve. By better distinguishing of these subgroups, a second step towards understanding can be taken: to identify the factors that predict adverse cognitive outcomes. Our research aims to advance understanding of the mechanisms of cognitive plasticity and reveal the pre-treatment profiles that render a patient cognitive vulnerable or resilient.DisclosureNo significant relationships.
Stress is associated with larger perivascular spaces in depression: A 7-tesla MRI study
Authors: Ranti D. , Balchandani P. , Morris L. 
Published: February 2022

IntroductionEmerging evidence in depressive phenotypes suggests that the breakdown of the blood brain barrier (BBB) andhigh levels of inflammatory cytokines in states of persistent stress or traumatic experiences may contribute to its pathophysiology. Ultra-high field MRI may aid in the radiological detection of maladaptations of the glymphatic system related to BBB integrity that may not be visualized at lower field strengths.ObjectivesWe aimed to investigate the link between glymphatic neuroanatomy in the form of perivascular spaces (PVS) and trauma experience in patients with major depressive disorder.MethodsWe examined PVS’s in patients with major depressive disorder and in healthy controls using 7-Tesla MRI and a semi-automated segmentation algorithm.ResultsAfter controlling for age and gender, we found that the number of traumatic life events experienced was positively correlated with total PVS volume in MDD patients (r= 0.50, p= 0.028) and the overall population (r= 0.34, p= 0.024). Furthermore, the number of traumatic events eliciting fear, helplessness, or horror was positively correlated with total PVS volume in MDD patients (r= 0.50, p= 0.030) and the overall population (r= 0.32, p= 0.023). As expected, age correlated positively with PVS count (r= 0.37, p= 0.013), PVS total volume (r= 0.53, p< 0.001), and PVS density (r= 0.68, p< 0.001 in all participants.ConclusionsThese results suggest a relationship between glymphatic dysfunction potentially related to BBB integrity and psychological trauma in patients with depression, and suggest that glymphatic impairment may play a role in trauma-related symptomatology.