Herasymenko L, Isakov R, Kydon P
… +2 more, Kazakov O, Borysenko V
Psychiatr Danub
· 2025 Dec · PMID 41570217
With the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, thousands of Ukrainian women have learned about the deaths of their husbands. One of the powerful factors contributing to the formation of pathological co...With the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, thousands of Ukrainian women have learned about the deaths of their husbands. One of the powerful factors contributing to the formation of pathological conditions under such conditions is the individual emotional connection and the quality of the relationship with the husband. A woman who has lost her husband in the war has a significantly higher risk of developing emotional problems and pathological conditions compared to the loss of more distant family members. Such a statement is due to the fact that partners are often very important attachment figures. When a husband dies, a woman faces loss - the first period of grief and mourning. This process can be non-pathological or a variant of pathology - prolonged grief disorder (PGD). Prolonged grief disorder is a protracted pathological reaction, characterized by the presence of distress, separation and associated symptoms that cause intense, persistent psychological suffering and significantly impair functioning in various areas. The aim of the study is to develop an algorithm for providing assistance with uncomplicated grief and prolonged grief disorder for wives of combatants during war. The study involved 67 women whose husbands died during the defense of Ukraine in the period from 2022 to 2024. At the time of the survey, the women were aged from 25 to 49 years. The examined women were divided into 2 groups: the first group included 53 women who experienced a "normal" grief reaction, the second group included 12 women with a confirmed diagnosis of prolonged grief disorder according to the ICD-11.
Lithium and lamotrigine are mood stabilizers approved for the treatment of bipolar disorder. Lithium's narrow therapeutic index and comparatively minor alterations in plasma concentrations can have significant clinical s...Lithium and lamotrigine are mood stabilizers approved for the treatment of bipolar disorder. Lithium's narrow therapeutic index and comparatively minor alterations in plasma concentrations can have significant clinical sequelae (McKnight et al., 2012). Several classes of drugs have been implicated in developing lithium toxicity, including diuretics and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory compounds (Finley, 2016). Lithium is not metabolized and is eliminated almost entirely via the renal route (Rust et al., 2018). Consequently, plasma concentrations are exquisitely sensitive to physiological factors affecting renal function, such as age, dehydration, and sodium imbalance. Sodium depletion can cause increased lithium reabsorption in the kidneys, potentially leading to toxicity (Joshi et al., 2019). Lamotrigine is known to carry the risk of causing rash, which in severe cases can be fatal. The rash leads to cutaneous and extracutaneous involvement, with impaired alimentation leading to fluid and electrolyte imbalance. In this case report, we present a patient prescribed a combination of lamotrigine and lithium. The patient developed rash due to lamotrigine, leading to lithium toxicity and acute kidney injury, emphasising the importance of monitoring patients closely when using these medications in combination.
BACKGROUND: This study aimed to explore the properties and impacts of D-type personality, sexual dysfunction, and childhood trauma on pain, quality of life, somatization, depression, and anxiety symptoms in Myofascial Pa...BACKGROUND: This study aimed to explore the properties and impacts of D-type personality, sexual dysfunction, and childhood trauma on pain, quality of life, somatization, depression, and anxiety symptoms in Myofascial Pain Syndrome (MPS) patients. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This case-control study was conducted in the University Hospital Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Clinic, Turkey. Sociodemographic data form, visual analog scale (VAS), Short Form (SF-36), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ), Type D Personality Scale (DS-14), Somatosensory Amplification Scale (SAS), Arizona Sexual Experience Scale (ASEX) were administered for all volunteers. RESULTS: VAS, BDI, BAI, SAS, ASEX scores, and all subgroup scores of CTQ, and DS-14 were remarkably higher in the patient group (p<0.05) in comparison to the healthy control (HC) group. On the other hand, the Quality of Life Inventory subgroup scales were significantly lower in MPS patients than the control group (p<0.05). Type D personality (OR=9.35), sexual dysfunction (OR=6.92), and childhood trauma (OR=3.74) were found as risk factors in MPS. CONCLUSION: Type D personality, childhood trauma, depression, anxiety, somatization, sexual dysfunction, and decreased life quality were found more commonly in MPS patients compared to the control group. Type D personality characteristics, childhood trauma, and sexual dysfunction are directly related to MPS' risk. This study was thought to contribute to the literature on improving preventive mental health by determining and reducing the MPS risk factors.
BACKGROUND: Metacognition is an emerging area of research in anorexia nervosa (AN). The primary aim of this study was to compare adolescents with AN and healthy controls on self-reported measures of metacognition, depres...BACKGROUND: Metacognition is an emerging area of research in anorexia nervosa (AN). The primary aim of this study was to compare adolescents with AN and healthy controls on self-reported measures of metacognition, depression, and anxiety. Additionally, maternal mental symptoms were compared between the two groups. A secondary aim was to investigate the effects of self-reported depression and anxiety, as well as maternal mental symptoms, on metacognition. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Twenty-seven adolescents with AN and 54 healthy controls completed the Metacognition Questionnaire for Children and Adolescents (MCQ-C), the Childhood Depression Inventory (CDI), and the Screen for Child Anxiety-Related Emotional Disorders (SCARED). Mothers completed the Symptom Assessment Questionnaire (SA-45). RESULTS: Multivariate analyses revealed that adolescents with AN exhibited higher scores on measures of dysfunctional metacognitive activity. These adolescents also had elevated levels of depression and anxiety, which were positively correlated with metacognitive dysfunction. Moreover, maternal mental symptoms were positively associated with the patients' metacognitive dysfunction. CONCLUSIONS: Metacognitions may be central to understanding the cognitive disturbances in AN, and metacognitive treatment strategies could hold promise for the development of novel psychological interventions for AN. Further research is needed to explore the impact of depression and anxiety, along with maternal mental symptoms, on metacognition in individuals with AN.
BACKGROUND: The term 'schizophrenic' can be used in society for the purpose of insult and humiliation. In scientific studies, it can often be used to refer to individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia, although this is no...BACKGROUND: The term 'schizophrenic' can be used in society for the purpose of insult and humiliation. In scientific studies, it can often be used to refer to individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia, although this is not intentional. This usage leads to the normalization and spread of stigmatizing language. In this study, bibliometric analysis of publications containing the term 'schizophrenic' was performed. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Articles published between 2005 and 2024 that contained the term 'schizophrenic' were retrieved from the Web of Science database. Characteristics of the articles (e.g., year, author, institution, country, keyword, scientific category, and citation per article) were analysed. VOSviewer software was used to visualize various bibliographic coupling networks on related data. RESULTS: The search for the term 'schizophrenic' resulted in 34,506 documents in the all fields category at all times. After excluding non-original/review articles, documents not in SCI-E, not in English, and published before 2005, 7,836 articles remained. While the number of articles containing the term 'schizophrenic' was 581 in 2005, this number decreased to 126 in 2024. While the number of citations to articles containing the term 'schizophrenic' was 279 in 2005, this number increased to 14,689 in 2024. The author with the most articles containing the term 'schizophrenic' was Xiang Yang Zhang. Hans-Juergen Moeller's articles containing the term 'schizophrenic' received the most reference. The institutions with the most articles containing the term 'schizophrenic' were the University of London, King's College London, and Harvard University, respectively. The journals that published the most articles containing the term 'schizophrenic' were Schizophrenia Research, Psychiatry Research, and Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry, respectively. CONCLUSION: This study is the first bibliometric analysis that examines articles containing the term 'schizophrenic' with various features. Scholars have a great responsibility in the reduction/prevention of stigmatization in schizophrenia. They should begin by avoiding using the term 'schizophrenic' in scientific studies.
BACKGROUND: Tinder stands out as the most widely used swipe-based dating application in Poland and globally. Studies suggest that it may have adverse effects on the mental health of certain users, such as depression, anx...BACKGROUND: Tinder stands out as the most widely used swipe-based dating application in Poland and globally. Studies suggest that it may have adverse effects on the mental health of certain users, such as depression, anxiety, or low self-esteem. This study employs a big data approach to delve into the app's ratings and reviews, aiming to identify potential mental health hazards. METHODS: Using AppFollow, we downloaded Polish-language reviews and ratings for the Tinder application from both App Store and Google Play stores. Sentiment analysis, provided by Common Language Resources & Technology Infrastructure (CLARIN-PL), was utilized to discern emotions expressed in the reviews. Subsequently, reviews with a rating of 1 were manually examined by psychiatrists to identify potential mental health hazards in user experiences. RESULTS: A total of 9,831 reviews were gathered from Google Play, and 397 from App Store. The average ratings were 2.67 and 2.71, respectively, on a 1-5 scale. Positive sentiment encompassed 7,578 words, while negative sentiment comprised 5,456 words. We pinpointed 16 reviews containing adverse mental health stories associated with Tinder use. Of these, six were linked to depression, six to low self-esteem, two to suicidal content, and two to harassment. Notably, none of these reviews received a response from the manufacturer. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings highlight potential mental health risks for Tinder users. Although the overall prevalence of alarming content was relatively low in our study population, the app's low ratings and the abundance of negative messages in the sentiment analysis suggest that the actual scale of these issues might be more extensive. Further prospective studies at an individual level are warranted.
BACKGROUND: One of the fundamental postulates in medicine, expressed in an old Latin proverb, is: "A healthy mind in a healthy body" ("Mens sana in corpore sano"), and it undoubtedly speaks of the significant and insepar...BACKGROUND: One of the fundamental postulates in medicine, expressed in an old Latin proverb, is: "A healthy mind in a healthy body" ("Mens sana in corpore sano"), and it undoubtedly speaks of the significant and inseparable connection between body and soul. Numerous studies show that appropriate and regular exercise is positively associated with good health. Physical activity contributes to improving health status. AIM: To examine the impact of running on the mental health of recreational runners. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The research was conducted in Mostar, at the Sanus Motus running school, from March 1, 2024 to July 1, 2024. A total of 80 respondents were surveyed, divided into two groups. The first group included 40 recreational runners, members of the Sanus Motus running school in Mostar, and the other 40 respondents from the general population. The subjects completed two questionnaires: the RSES (Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale) and the SCL-90 (Self-Rating Psychiatric Symptoms Scale). The variables studied were the results of the RSES scale and the results of the nine categories into which the questions from the SCL-90 were divided. The SCL-90 categories are: somatization, obsessive-compulsive reactions, interpersonal sensitivity, depression, anxiety, aggression, phobias, paranoia, and psychotic features. RESULTS: Recreational runners scored significantly higher on the RSES scale. Recreational runners scored significantly higher on all domains of the SCL-90 questionnaire. There were no statistically significant gender differences in scores on the RSES scale, and on the SCL-90, male respondents scored significantly lower on the Interpersonal Vulnerability, Depression, Anxiety, Phobias, PSDI, GSI, and PST domains, while there were no statistically significant gender differences in the other domains of the SCL-90 questionnaire. CONCLUSION: Results of this research indicate that recreational running has a positive impact on the mental health of recreational runners.
BACKGROUND: Primary care physicians are often the first point of contacts for patients and therefore play a critical role in identifying and managing depression and anxiety. AIMS: To determine the knowledge, attitudes an...BACKGROUND: Primary care physicians are often the first point of contacts for patients and therefore play a critical role in identifying and managing depression and anxiety. AIMS: To determine the knowledge, attitudes and practices of Primary care physicians (PCPs) towards the treatment of depression and anxiety at primary health care facilities in Eastern and North Central Trinidad. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A validated questionnaire derived from previous studies- (Haddad et al., 2015; Zada et al., 2020; Meredith et al., 2000) with similar study populations was utilised. The questionnaire was uploaded to Google forms and disseminated to eligible PCPs via email and WhatsApp. RESULTS: Most respondents were between 25-35 years (54%) and practiced medicine for 11-13 years (23%). PCPs strongly agreed on the use of screening tools during patient consultations, referrals to specialists, appropriate prescriptions and follow up care. 76.9% of PCPs felt confident in recognizing depression and anxiety and acknowledged the importance of mental health. However, knowledge gaps were identified for pharmacological treatments and psychotherapy. CONCLUSION: PCPs should be trained and updated on evidence-based guidelines for the effective management of common mental health conditions presenting in primary care.
This paper examines the intricate relationship between perception and illusion, emphasizing that human perception is a constructed, interpretative process shaped by sensory input, attention, and prior knowledge. It categ...This paper examines the intricate relationship between perception and illusion, emphasizing that human perception is a constructed, interpretative process shaped by sensory input, attention, and prior knowledge. It categorizes optical illusions into physical, physiological, and cognitive types, examining how perceptual hypotheses interact with sensory data and memory. Tracing the evolution of illusions from philosophical and artistic traditions to scientific investigation, the paper highlights how Renaissance innovations in perspective and chiaroscuro, alongside Gestalt psychology and neuroaesthetics, have expanded our understanding of visual perception. Art techniques such as linear perspective, trompe l'œil, and chiaroscuro demonstrate how illusions can create immersive visual experiences. Interdisciplinary insights from art, psychology, and neuroscience reveal the complexity of visual processing. Case studies such as the Rorschach test demonstrate how individuals impose meaning on ambiguous stimuli, revealing insights into both conscious and unconscious cognitive processes. Additionally, research on visual indeterminacy, the Default Mode Network, and non-invasive brain stimulation provides a comprehensive perspective on the neural dynamics underlying perception. Clinical applications of optical illusions are also explored, particularly for the identification and assessment of perceptual and cognitive disorders. In conclusion, the paper argues that illusions challenge and refine our understanding of reality, underscoring the cognitive and interpretative nature of human perception. It advocates for interdisciplinary collaboration as essential to deepening our appreciation of the complex mechanisms underlying visual experience.
Major depressive disorder is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity and is associated with an increased cardiometabolic risk on its own. On the other hand, antidepressants are being prescribed to more patients every...Major depressive disorder is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity and is associated with an increased cardiometabolic risk on its own. On the other hand, antidepressants are being prescribed to more patients every day and these medications carry some important nuances in terms of side effects regarding their effects on metabolic profile. In this narrative review, we provide a drug class oriented overview to antidepressants, including their proven effects on various metabolic parameters such as lipid markers, blood glucose, waist circumference, body mass index and body weight. It is of utmost importance to choose the metabolically correct antidepressant for each patient, taking their metabolic risk profile into account, in order not be deceived by the pyrrhic victory presenting itself as mere psychiatric symptom control.
Loss and bereavement may precede mood episodes in bipolar disorders (BD). When a loved one dies, this is a stressful life event with a negative connotation that can trigger the onset of symptoms of both polarities (depre...Loss and bereavement may precede mood episodes in bipolar disorders (BD). When a loved one dies, this is a stressful life event with a negative connotation that can trigger the onset of symptoms of both polarities (depressive or manic) of BD or lead to the emergence of the first mood episodes. Even though the relationships between death and depression are better known in the literature and clinical practice, the associations between bereavement and (hypo-)mania are less clear. To date, information on "funeral mania", also called "grief mania" or "bereavement mania", is rather limited, remaining in fact an underestimated topic. Aiming to draw more attention to this overlooked issue, the purpose of this mini-review is to update the knowledge currently available on this topic. We reviewed the existing literature exploring the possible associations between bereavement and the onset of a (hypo-)manic episode, both a first or recurrent episode, supporting the role of loss events as a potential risk factor for BD progression. Our findings emphasize the positive association between the loss of a loved one and (hypo-)manic symptoms in bipolar disorders, although no prospective studies have assessed the impact of these life events on the course of (hypo-)mania in a large sample. We recommend the clinical assessment of this association, in order to provide patients with BD with the most adequate and prompt treatments.