Current Psychiatry Research and Reviews - Online First
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21 - 26 of 26 results
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Severe Obsessive‒compulsive Disorder of Transformation in a 13-year-old Adolescent: A Case Report
Authors: Ali Kerkeni and Charles Olivier PONSAvailable online: 13 January 2025More LessIntroductionObsessive-compulsive Disorder (OCD) with transformation obsession is a rare psychiatric disorder that can pose various diagnostic difficulties and treatment challenges. Scientific research focusing on this disorder in adolescents is scarce. In this work, we present the case of a teenage girl who was treated for severe OCD with transformation obsession. The psychiatric management of this adolescent was performed on an outpatient basis and took place in the juvenile department at Saint Ylie Hospital (France). We hope that our work will add to the existing data on the psychiatric management of this condition in adolescents. In this work, we used the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5th version for the evaluation of psychiatric disorders and the Children's Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (CY-BOCS) to assess the severity of symptoms.
Case PresentationThe patient (13 years old) experienced persistent, intrusive, and distressing ideas about transforming into another person. Despite knowing how unreal these ideas were, she feared they would come true. She had rituals that she felt compelled to carry out to help her manage her worries temporarily. She also experienced involuntary non-rhythmic movements of the facial muscles simultaneously. The patient was diagnosed with OCD with good insight and comorbid tics. Initially, the total CY-BOCS score was 40/40. Psychosis was considered a differential diagnosis due to the atypicality of the clinical manifestation, but it was ruled out after a thorough clinical evaluation. Psychotherapeutic management was not possible before adequate pharmaceutical treatment was started because of invasive and distressing symptoms. The pharmacological management led to the administration of a combination of fluoxetine at a dose of 40mg with olanzapine at a dose of 5mg after a partial response to fluoxetine alone. Weekly individual Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) was started as soon as the adolescent's condition allowed and included psychoeducation, muscle relaxation techniques, cognitive restructuring, Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), self-affirmation work, and relapse prevention. At the same time, parents also benefited from psychoeducational interventions. The evolution was marked by total clinical remission and clear psychometric improvement. The total CY-BOCS score ranged from 40/40 to 07/40 after 5 months of CBT. No adverse effects were reported throughout the treatment.
ConclusionThis case shows the possibility of unusual and severe OCD in adolescents. It also highlights the importance of careful diagnosis so as not to be mistaken and consider it a psychosis. The management of this type of OCD requires the combination of two pharmacological treatments before starting individual CBT and psychoeducational intervention for parents. This combination allows a complete clinical remission after a few months. It is preferable that further clinical trials be conducted to protocolize the management of this type of OCD.
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Investigating the Effect of Studying in the Home City on Quality of Life, Academic Burnout, Anxiety, and Depression Levels among Medical Students of Athens and Patras
Available online: 08 January 2025More LessIntroductionIncreased levels of stress, pressure, and possible isolation due to intense study results in academic burnout, increased levels of anxiety, depressive feelings, and a pessimistic outlook on life.
PurposeThe purpose of the study was to investigate the levels of anxiety, depression, academic burnout and quality of life in medical students of the University of Athens and Patras, with the influence factor of studying in the cities of origin.
MethodologyThe sample, selected using a convenience sampling method, consisted of 159 medical students from two universities representing all years. Specifically, 41 men and 118 women participated in the survey, corresponding to 26%, 74%, and 1%, respectively. The data collection tool was a four-part questionnaire: first, the collection of demographic characteristics, second, the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale questionnaire (DASS-21), third, the Quality-of-Life Scale (QOLS), and fourth, the Copenhagen Burnout Scale for Students (CBI-S). All questionnaires were used in their translated form. Statistical analysis was performed using the non-parametric Mann-Whitney U test.
ResultsOur initial assumption that there would be statistically significant differences between genders, cities of study (native or not), and schools proved to be wrong. Therefore, no differences were found between genders, cities of study, or universities in terms of anxiety, depression, and academic burnout. However, a statistically significant difference was found between the university of study and the quality of life of the students. Thus, the hypothesis that there would be a difference between universities (EKPA or Patras) and the students' quality of life was confirmed.
ConclusionThere were statistically significant results between the QOLS total and the independent variable of the university. The use of a larger and more evenly distributed sample is recommended.
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Psychological Interventions for the Management of Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Understanding the Mind-Gut Connection
Authors: Neha Verma, Anchal Arora, Ankita Wal, Charan Singh, KS Rajesh, Bhupendra Singh and Mukesh Chandra SharmaAvailable online: 03 January 2025More LessObjectiveThis review examines the efficacy of psychological interventions in the management of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).
MethodsIn the current study, a comprehensive analysis of the existing literature, covering case studies and clinical trials, compiled from Google Scholar, Sci-Hub, and PubMed, was performed. The research focused on the complex interplay between psychological factors and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), particularly the ways in which mental and emotional states can impact IBS symptoms and the effects of behavioral therapy on IBS management.
ResultsThe efficacy of psychological therapies in addressing irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) has proven effective. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) treats pain perception and gastrointestinal symptoms, whereas gut-directed hypnotherapy is known for lowering symptoms and enhancing quality of life. Mindfulness-based stress reduction and relaxation practices are effective for stress management, but their availability is restricted. Personalized treatment strategies tailored to individual requirements are vital for enhancing the advantages of these therapies in IBS management.
ConclusionPsychological interventions provide a valuable and effective approach to managing IBS. CBT, gut-directed hypnotherapy, and MBSR have been shown to significantly improve symptoms and quality of life. Future research should focus on improving these therapies to better address individual symptoms and brain-gut connections. Incorporating neurological and neurophysiological approaches may improve understanding and lead to more tailored treatments. Expanding accessibility and encouraging collaboration between healthcare providers and mental health specialists will be vital for optimizing IBS management and improving patient outcomes.
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An Evidence-Based Comprehensive Review of Laughter Therapy in Depression Management
Authors: Arzoo Pannu, Ramesh K. Goyal and Parina KumariAvailable online: 25 October 2024More LessDepression is a widespread mental health challenge, necessitating diverse therapeutic approaches. Emerging research suggests that laughter may offer a valuable adjunctive intervention for individuals grappling with depressive symptoms. This review systematically investigates the multifaceted relationship between laughter and depression, elucidating the underlying mechanisms and potential therapeutic benefits. A comprehensive literature search was conducted across multiple electronic databases, including PubMed, PsycINFO, Scopus, and Google Scholar. Keywords used in the search included “laughter therapy,” “humor,” “depression,” “mental health,” and “psychological well-being.” The search was limited to articles published in English and included both peer-reviewed journal articles and relevant gray literature. Relevant data were extracted from each study, including the study design, sample size, participant characteristics, type of laughter intervention, duration and frequency of the intervention, outcome measures, and key findings. The extracted data were organized into tables to facilitate comparison across studies. By synthesizing findings from clinical studies, neuroscience research, and anecdotal evidence, this review examines the physiological, psychological, and social dimensions of laughter's impact on depression. Special attention is given to neurochemical pathways, stress modulation, cognitive restructuring, and social dynamics. The physiological effects of laughter on depression encompass neurochemical regulation (endorphins, serotonin, dopamine), stress reduction, and immune system modulation. Psychologically, laughter contributes to cognitive reframing, enhanced coping mechanisms, and mood regulation. Socially, it strengthens social bonds, mitigates social isolation, and fosters a positive social environment. In conclusion, this review synthesizes current knowledge on the healing potential of laughter in mitigating depression, providing a holistic understanding of its multifaceted impact. The findings underscore the importance of integrating laughter-based interventions into mental health care practices and highlight avenues for future research and clinical applications in the realm of depression treatment.
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Correlation between Cognitive Impairment and Peripheral Biomarkers - Significance of Phosphorylated Tau and Amyloid-β in Alzheimer’s Disease: A New Insight
Available online: 16 October 2024More LessThe correlation between elevated levels of amyloid-β and phosphorylated tau (p-tau) protein and AD is widely recognized. A rise in pTau and amyloid-β levels aids in separating AD from other neurodegenerative conditions. In this study, we have assessed the correlation between cognitive impairment and peripheral biomarkers, tau and amyloid-β levels, in AD patients with mild Alzheimer's disease in order to develop protein-based markers in a more useful way. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay has been used to determine the levels of tau and p-tau in the serum of the different groups and it has revealed their levels to be noticeably greater in AD compared to mild AD and even higher compared to elderly controls. Based on the cutoff levels for tau, p-tau, and amyloid-β in patients with AD and mild AD, having high sensitivity and specificity, which have been described in numerous studies by respective International Research Groups (with the greatest number of pieces of available evidence), the plasma concentration of these proteins can be used as a diagnostic indicator for AD and mild AD. These levels may also offer a practical guide to their implementation in the clinical routine.
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Investigating Challenges of Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder During and Post COVID-19, and Practical Suggestions for Parents and Caregivers on How to Tackle Challenges: A Systematic Review Article
Available online: 02 October 2024More LessIntroductionThe first and second waves of COVID-19 were unprecedented situations that caused turmoil in everyone’s life, especially for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) who were severely affected by the transition.
ObjectiveThis article investigates the major impacts of COVID-19 transitioning on individuals in the spectrum followed by recommendations for autistic families on addressing concerns caused by post-COVID adaptations. We have based our study on the most recent investigations of challenges and solutions provided for these individuals in COVID and post-COVID-19 transitions. We will also explain telehealth as the most practical available solution and describe its possible advantages and disadvantages. The articles have been selected from PubMed, Google Scholar, etc. according to the goals stated above.
ResultsAccording to our study, psychological problems, economic problems, reduced physical activity, sleep disorders, malnutrition, non-cooperation of children with ASD, and speech therapy were the most important challenges for people with ASD as well as their families and caregivers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
ConclusionIt was concluded the use of telehealth could be a suitable platform for many educational methods such as applied behavior analysis, visual programs, speech therapy, family positive reinforcement systems, etc. to overcome these challenges. However, this method also has certain limitations, and therefore a combination of face-to-face and telehealth methods is recommended to help patients.
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