Psychiatry Commons^™

Neuropsychological Symptoms Related To The Covid-19 Pandemic Experienced By The General Population And Particularly By The Healthcare Personnel, Alina Zorina Stroe, Alexandru Floris Stuparu, Silviu Docu Axelerad, Daniel Docu Axelerad, Aurelia Moraru

Journal of Mind and Medical Sciences

Undoubtedly, the outbreak of COVID-19 still represents an overanxious event for both society and population. The fear of getting infected is ubiquitous in the time of the pandemic. The population presented worrying thoughts related to the fact that the health care system was not able to provide enough services during the COVID-19 pandemic. The number of the hospital beds and ventilators was insufficient in order to ensure enough care, considering the increased number of COVID-19 cases that were admitted to the hospitals. Furthermore, people were fearful about the possibility of the global economy becoming decimated. The fright and also the …

Psychological Problems Among Patients With Chronic Medical Disorders During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Ali Akbar Asadi-Pooya, Seyed Ali Nabavizadeh, Saeid Sadeghian, Mina Shahisavandi, Zohreh Barzegar, Abdullah Nezafat, Nahid Ashjazadeh, Hamed Bazrafshan Drissi, Ali Sahraian

Department of Neurology Faculty Papers

The aim of the current study was to investigate the rates of stress, anxiety, and depression among people in south Iran (a group from the general population without a history of any chronic medical problems, and cohorts of patients were recruited from epilepsy, diabetes, and cardiac disease clinics). We surveyed a sample of people during September 2020: a group of the general population without a history of any chronic medical problems, people with epilepsy, people with diabetes mellitus (DM), and people with cardiac problems. The survey included four general questions and two COVID-19 specific questions [contracting COVID-19, relatives with COVID-19]. …

Alzheimer's Patients’ Mental Health During The Covid 19 Pandemic, Maryanna Schweininger, Yvonne Maduka, Ajh'shana Collins

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a degenerative brain disease caused by β Amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles, which results in memory loss and cognitive decline. It is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States. Approximately 50% of those with AD experience some degree of depression during the course of the disease, which has been shown to accelerate functional decline, institutionalization, and even mortality.

Many who cannot care for themselves live in an assisted living facility or retirement home. Since the beginning of the COVID 19 pandemic, people have been urged to social distance in order to decrease the …

Perceived Stress May Mediate The Relationship Between Antenatal Depressive Symptoms And Preterm Birth: A Pilot Observational Cohort Study, Sharifa Bashir Lalani, Aliyah Dosani, Ntonghanwah Forcheh, Shahirose Sadrudin Premji, Sana Siddiqui, Kiran Shaikh, Ayesha Mian, Ilona S Yim Ilona S Yim, Maternal-Infant Global Health Team (Might) Collaborators In Research

School of Nursing & Midwifery

Background: Screening for changes in pregnancy-related anxiety and depressive symptoms during pregnancy may further our understanding of the relationship between these two variables and preterm birth.
Objectives: To determine whether changes in pregnancy-related anxiety and depressive symptoms during pregnancy influence the risk of preterm birth among Pakistani women; explore whether perceived stress moderates or mediates this relationship, and examine the relationship between the various components of pregnancy-related anxiety and preterm birth.
Methods: A prospective cohort study design was used to recruit a diverse sample of 300 low-risk pregnant women from four centers of Aga Khan Hospital for Women and Children …

A Diagnostic Dilemma Of Antiglutamic Acid Decarboxylase 65 (Anti-Gad 65) And Mycoplasma Pneumoniae Antibodies In A Girl Presenting With Acute-Onset Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder., Cecilia Freeman, Antanoid J Langeveldt, Robyn R Miller

Department of Pediatrics Faculty Papers

Acute-onset obsessive-compulsive disorder can be challenging, especially when triggered by an underlying disease process. Clinicians often turn to Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections (PANDAS), but it is important to consider a broad differential in these patients. We present a case of a 9-year-old girl with acute-onset obsessive-compulsive behavior likely triggered by a post-infectious phenomenon that ultimately resolved following treatment with plasmapheresis.

Work Place Impact On Mental Wellbeing Of Frontline Doctors, Vishnupriya Veeraraghavan, Krishnan Srinivasan

Journal of Mind and Medical Sciences

Background. Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19, also known as 2019-nCoV), a cluster of acute respiratory illness with unknown causes, has occurred in India since January 2020. Over the past several months, the entire world is struggling to cope with and contain the virus spread. Several studies showed that mental health problems could occur in both healthcare workers and SARS survivors during the SARS epidemic. Considering the geographical variation, dense population, multi-strata health care structure, and rising COVID cases in South India, we have a reason to speculate that the burden on the frontline doctors is high and their psychological condition …

Gautama Buddha: Illustration Of A Patient’S Vision, Haryashpal Bhullar

HCA Healthcare Journal of Medicine

As a psychiatrist in training, I often have the privilege to connect with the unique thoughts and visions patients may be experiencing. The descriptions shared by one patient during my early psychiatry inpatient rotations stuck with me and eventually inspired me to pursue a residency in the field. While interviewing, she expressed a deep spirituality and often finding solace in the mindfulness teachings of Gautama Buddha whenever she was distressed. She would strengthen this coping mechanism by contemplating him sitting and meditating deeply, within a naturalistic setting, however struggled in describing exactly what she was imagining. I further gathered this …

A Literature Review: An Analysis Of The Widespread Effects Of Solitary Confinement/Social Isolation On Mental Illness And Mortality, Taneasha Muonio

Theses and Graduate Projects

Solitary confinement or isolation is widespread globally and has been used as a form of punishment, reform, reflection, and cleansing throughout time. The devastating impacts of not having social interactions for extended periods of time have been documented and noted.1 These impacts include severe mental health disorders such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), suicide, motor disturbances, biological changes, and increased mortality.1-3 The analysis of how the United States became the country with the largest prison system and mentally ill population is addressed in this thesis including understanding how the prison-industrial complex was built. Understanding how …

Anxiety And Depressive Symptoms Pre-Trauma As A Predictor Of Dissociative Symptoms Post-Trauma – An Aurora Study, Vishal Swaminathan

Phase 1

Introduction: Increased states of anxiety or depression may lead to increased occurrences of dissociative behavior, justifying the need to validate pre-traumatic cognitive states as a predictor of dissociation post-trauma. Early prediction can lead to medical intervention for high-risk patients and prevent potential adverse sequalae. The AURORA Study evaluates biomarkers and neuropsychological sequelae in patients immediately following traumatic events. We predict patients who suffered from depressive symptoms and anxiety prior to the traumatic event will experience increased dissociative symptoms post-trauma.

Methods: This study includes survey data collected at ED’s from survivors (n = 666) of traumatic motorized vehicle collisions (MVC) at …

Somatic Symptom And Related Disorders: A Case Of Illness Anxiety Disorder In A Young Relatively Treatment Naive African American Male, Linda Zhang, Richard P. Leggett, Harrison Ross Galicki, William B. Dehart

Psychiatry

Somatic symptom and related disorders (including illness anxiety disorder and somatic symptom disorder) is a diagnostic category in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5th edition (DSM-5) replacing somatoform and related disorders in the DSM-4 Text Revision. This classification eliminated the requirement that somatic symptoms must be nonorganic in nature, in an effort to reliably detect more cases of significant health anxiety than previously with DSM-4 criteria. Illness anxiety disorder is a primary anxiety disorder characterized by persistent preoccupation or excessive concern about having or developing an undiagnosed disease despite medical evaluation and reassurance. It is considered a …

Nash-Wo-Numa (Childhood Growth & Development) Study Protocol: Factors That Impact Linear Growth In Children 9 To 15 Years Of Age In Matiari, Pakistan, Susan C. Campisi, Yaqub Wasan, Sajid Bashir Soofi, Suneeta Monga, Daphne J. Korczak, Wendy Lou, Olle Soder, Ashley Vandermorris, Khadija N Humayun, Ayesha Mian, Peter Szatmari, Zulfiqar Ahmed Bhutta

Department of Paediatrics and Child Health

Introduction: Adolescence is a time of significant physical and emotional change, and there is emerging concern that adolescents living in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) may face substantial challenges in relation to linear growth and mental health. Data on the global burden of stunting after 5 years of age are limited, but estimates suggest up to 50 per cent of all adolescents in some LMIC are stunted. Additionally, many LMIC lack robust mental health care delivery systems. Pakistan has one of the world's largest populations of adolescents (10 to 19 years) at approximately 40 million. The Nash-wo-Numa study's primary objective …

Affective Disturbance In Mild Cognitive Impairment, Jason Greenhagen, Emily Matusz, Sheina Emrani, David Libon, Sherry Pomerantz

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is an identifiable, prodromal stage of cognitive impairment and has been further defined into subtypes: amnestic, language, executive functioning, and multi domain/mixed MCI (Jak et al. 2009 ). The purpose of this study is to (1) examine the differences in depression, anxiety, and apathy between MCI subtypes; and (2) assess the relationship between the neurocognitive domains (executive functioning, language, and memory and affective symptoms. We hypothesize that apathy will be greater in dysexecutive/mixed MCI (dys/mixed MCI) and be more highly correlated to neurocognitive deficits compared to depression or anxiety. This is a retrospective study of 113 …

A Collaborative, Network-Based Approach To Advance Women's Depression Research In The United States: Preliminary Findings, H. A. Flynn, C. Spino, C. Guille, K. M. Deligiannidis, P. Maki, J. Jahnke, K. L. Rosenblum, C. N. Epperson, S. J. Weiss

Journal Articles

No abstract provided.

Stress-Dependent Association Between Polygenic Risk For Schizophrenia And Schizotypal Traits In Young Army Recruits, A. Hatzimanolis, D. Avramopoulos, D. E. Arking, A. Moes, P. Bhatnagar, T. Lencz, A. K. Malhotra, S. G. Giakoumaki, P. Roussos, N. C. Stefanis, +2 Additional Authors

Journal Articles

No abstract provided.

Can Coloring Pre-Structured Designs That Have Complexity Aid In Reducing Anxiety In Those Greater Than 17 Years Of Age?, Kaitlyn P. Probasco

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

Objective: The objective of this selective evidence based medicine (EBM) review is to determine whether or not coloring mandalas or designs that have complexity and structure can aid in reducing anxiety in those greater than 17 years of age.

Study Design: Review of three English language randomized controlled trials (RCTs), published in 2007, 2012, and 2015.

Data Sources: Three randomized controlled trials published in peer-reviewed journals obtained using PubMed and EBSCOhost.

Outcomes Measured: The Curry and Kasser study and the van dV and Serice7study both used the State Anxiety Inventory (SAI) to record anxiety. The Henderson …

Is L-Theanine An Effective Treatment For Reducing Anxiety In Patients Ages 18-25?, Nicole Bubes

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

Objective: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not L-theanine, an amino acid analogue found in green tea leaves, is an effective treatment for reducing anxiety in patients ages 18-25.

Study design: Review of two double-blind, randomized controlled studies and one single-blind, randomized controlled study published in 2007, 2012 and 2013 respectively.

Data sources: PubMed

Outcome(s) measured: Each study measured L-theanine’s ability to reduce acute anxiety with a series of self-report measures assessing acute anxiety and stress, including the Profile of Mood States (POMS), the visual analogue scales (VAS), State-Trait Anxiety …

Coping Styles In Patients With Anxiety And Depression, Pashtoon Murtaza Kasi, Haider Ali Naqvi, Abaseen Khan Afghan, Talha Khawar, Farooq Hasan Khan, Umber Zaheer Khan, Urooj Bakht Khuwaja, Jawad Kiani, Hadi Mohammad Khan

Department of Psychiatry

Different individuals use different coping styles to cope with their problems. In patients with anxiety and/or depression, these have important implications. The primary objective of our study was to estimate the frequency of different coping mechanisms used by patients with symptoms of anxiety and depression. A descriptive, cross-sectional survey was conducted and patients with symptoms of anxiety and depression were identified using the Aga Khan University's Anxiety and Depression Scale (AKUADS). Coping styles were determined by using the 28-item Brief COPE inventory. We were able to recruit 162 people. The prevalence of anxiety and depression was found to be 34%. …

Spontaneous Recovery From Depression In Women: A Qualitative Study Of Vulnerabilities, Strengths And Resources, S Naeem, Badar Sabir Ali, A Iqbal, S Mubeen, A Gul

Department of Psychiatry

Objective: To gain insight into the perceived vulnerability and restitution factors for anxiety/or depression.Methods: Focus group discussion of seven married women recovered spontaneously from anxiety and/or depression, belonging to a lower middle class semi-urban community of Karachi.Results: Poverty, unemployment, abuse and on going difficulties were perceived as risk factors for depression. A reliable social support system, positive thinking approach, faith, prayers, and experiencing a "turning point" event were reported as factors that promoted recovery from anxiety and/or depression.CONCLUSION: Individual vulnerabilities, strengths and resources can have an important role in recovery from anxiety and/or depression in women.

The Transformative Effect Of Training In Counselling And Its Application, On The Community Counsellors Themselves, S Naeem, Badar S. Ali, S Mubeen, Iqbal Azam

Department of Psychiatry

Objective: To identify the changes in community counsellors' own level of anxiety and depression as a result of learning counselling skills and to explore their subjective experiences after learning and providing counselling.Design: Quantitative: Repeated Measures. / Qualitative: Focus Group Discussions.SETTING: A lower middle class semi urban community of Karachi, Pakistan.PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-one self selected women from the community.Results: Reduction was seen in the post training scores of anxiety and/or depression in the trainees. As a result of learning and then providing counselling the community counsellors' self esteem, self confidence and sense of competence were enhanced and they developed a more positive …