Information about the perception of suicide attempters regarding prevention of their suicide attempt may be helpful in implementing preventive strategies.

To examine:

1. (i) sociodemographic profile,

2. (ii) distribution of the Suicide Intent Scale, and

3. (iii) differences according to the gender in the sample of participants in a controlled study to determine the effectiveness of case management programme in the prevention of recurrent suicidal behaviour.

106 suicide attempters who attended the Emergency Room of the Hospital of Asturias from July- 2011 to October- 2012 were included in the study [33% males; mean age (SD)= 41.82 (13.16)]. Instruments: Ad hoc Sociodemographic- Questionnaire; Suicide Intent Scale (SIS); SAD-PERSON Scale; Medical Damage Scale; List of Threatening Experiences; Hamilton Depression Rating Scale.

Profile: 45-54 years old (30.4%), married (34%), with bachelor's degree (42.5%), unemployed (29.2%), with children (61.3%) and living with partner (34.9%). 36.2% of the sample had the intention to repeat at the time of the suicide attempt (SA), while 22.6% actually repeated it. The intention to repeat the SA was associated with the commission of SA at 12-months follow-up (p=.002). SIS data: mean total score (SD)=15.99(4.71); mean objective score (SD)=5.69(2.48); mean subjective score (SD)=10.28(3.29). Significant differences in SIS scores were found by gender (p=.007), men scoring higher. Repetition of the SA was related with higher scores (p=.002).

SA severity and its repetition at 12-months follow-up was related with the intention of repetition; nevertheless we didn’t find relation between the SA severity and the repetition of SA one year later.

Earlier studies have examined the symptom dimensions of the PANSS (Positive And Negative Syndrome Scale) in patients with chronic schizophrenia, regardless predominance of symptoms. The aim of this study was to examine the component structure of the PANSS in patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders and predominantly negative syndrome.

Data of PANSS were extracted from a cross-sectional and retrospective multicenter study in 1,704 adult psychiatric outpatients meeting DSM-IV criteria for schizophrenia, schizophreniform or schizoaffective disorder. We used 5 items of the PANSS negative subscale to individually determine the presence of a negative syndrome when the score on all of the 5-items were >3, with no extrapyramidal symptoms, anxiety, or depression and dose of haloperidol, when applicable, ≤15mg/day. Exploratory factor analysis was carried out using principal component analysis to extract domains. Eigenvalues above 1 according with Kaiser K1 rule were applied to extract factors. Items with a loading of ≥ 0.4 were considered to load on a component.

A total of 307 [61% men, mean age: 41 (SD:12) years] fulfilled criteria for inclusion in the analysis. Principal component analysis of the PANSS revealed four components: positive, negative (all negative items of the original PANSS plus items 15 and 16 of the general psychopathology subscale), mood and disorganization, explained 58% of the total variance. Internal consistency (Cronbach-alpha) of these 4 domains was high: 0.897, 0.874, 0.819 and 0.833, respectively.

This analysis suggest a four component structure of the PANSS in patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders and predominantly negative syndrome.

A recent UK Government initiative has sought to address the management of personality disordered (PD) offenders, aiming to improve public protection by reducing reoffending whilst simultaneously improving the psychological health of offenders with PD. Case formulation (CF) is given primacy here as it enhances offender management through a psychologically informed approach and informs pathway planning through Criminal Justice System or NHS services. Probation services are given an important role in formulating cases as part of the new strategy.

Develop a consensus amongst professionals as to what makes a good Case Formulation (CF). Investigate whether probation services can be taught CF skills, and to enhance these skills.

Develop a case formulation training package for probation staff and evaluate the training.

The training package was informed by the results of a Delphi survey amongst professionals, and focus groups with probation staff, offenders and carers of individuals with PD.

There was consensus that CF allows for collaboration between client and therapist, helps with complexity through organisation of case notes and has utility in treatment planning. Themes highlighted for effective CF included background, trauma, offending, risk and current lifestyle. The theoretical model gaining most support was a CBT model. The assessment of formulations was identified as challenging.

The CF training package is currently being evaluated and findings will be presented at the conference, alongside outcomes of all phases of the research.

CF has the potential to enhance treatment planning. Its suitability for probation staff will be discussed.

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) for Parkinson's disease (PD) has emerged as a treatment with very good motor outcomes. However, a higher prevalence of anxiety following DBS has been reported.

To study the prevalence and associated factors of anxiety following STN-DBS

Data were retrospectively collected from medical records of PD patients who underwent STN-DBS at King's College Hospital, London from 2001 to 2010. Neuropsychiatric assessments were done pre-STN-DBS at baseline, and also approximately 6 months after the surgery.

Fifty eight PD patients underwent STN-DBS. After patients with missing data (n=2), patients who were not referred for post-DBS neuropsychiatric evaluation (n=5) were excluded, 51 patients were studied. Their mean age was 61.2±7.1 years old and the mean PD duration was 12±5.2 years. Post-STN-DBS anxiety was found in 8 patients (15.7%). All of them underwent bilateral STN-DBS and had uneventful recovery. Significant associated factors were female gender (n=6; 75.0%; p=0.056) and new-onset post-DBS apathy (n=7, 87.5%, p=0.0001). However, memory impairment (n=4; 50%; p=0.076) and depression post-DBS (n=4, 50%, p=0.055) did not show statistically significant associations.

The prevalence of post-STN-DBS anxiety in our study (15.7%) was lower than that from the previous reports in PD patients who received medication (25-43%) and STN-DBS (40%). The associated factors were similar to those reported in medication-treated PD patients. Given relatively low prevalence of anxiety following the operation, STN-DBS is likely to be a safe treatment for PD patients with high risk for anxiety disorders.

Patients presenting Personality Disorders and specially Borderline Personality Disorder are often admitted to Psychiatry Units in General Hospitals. Their impulsivity, affective disregulation and difficulties in interpersonal relations complicate the therapeutic atmosphere and cause problematic interactions with staff and other patients. We have developed a basic protocol to manage behavioural problems of those patients in the general hospital.

To study the effect of the protocol on the unit's work. Aims. To know the effect of the protocol on some specific variables related to the admission and specifically the use of mechanical restraint. Methods. Prospectively, we compare data on all patients admitted during 2010 (876 total, 87 PD) before establishing the protocol and all those admitted during 2011 (870 total, 112 PD) when the protocol was in use.

The proportion of patients with PD who experienced at least one mechanical restraint intervention went down from 43.7% in 2010 to only 2.7% in 2011 (p= 0.000). In the total group, figures also decreased from 17.3% in 2010 to 3.4% in 2011 (p= 0.000).

The use of mechanical restraints with PD patients in General Hospital Psychiatric Units can be drastically reduced using a protocol guiding the staff to better manage behavioural problems of the patients.

Substance abuse and mental health problems have been increasing among young population.

To find out the prevalence of alcohol and tobacco usage and their association with depressive symptoms among university students.

Web-based questionnaire was sent to all 13397 university students of Oulu University, Finland in November 2011. 2167 (16,2%) replied, 31,5% were males and 68,5% females. The questionnaire included Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT-C), questions concerning tobacco, and Symptom Check List-90 (SCL-90). We analyzed the prevalence of alcohol and tobacco usage and their association with depressive symptoms by gender.

Among males 46,0% had hazardous drinking habits (AUDIT-C score 4-7) and 21,3% had very hazardous drinking habits (AUDIT-C score 8-12). Among females 63,2% had hazardous drinking habits (AUDIT-C score 3-7) and 4,8% had very hazardous drinking habits (AUDIT-C score 8-12). 14,8% of males and 12,1% of females were smoking tobacco irregularly and 4,8% of males and 4,4% of females smoked regularly. There was no statistically significant association between usage of alcohol and symptoms of depression among males or females. Among males, but not among females, there was statistically significant positive association between tobacco smoking and depressive symptoms (p=0,001).

The prevalence of hazardous drinking habits in our sample was very high compared to earlier studies conducted among university students. Contrary to earlier studies there was no association between hazardous drinking habits and depressive symptoms. In the future factors associating to hazardous drinking and the prevention of this phenomenon should be studied in more detail.

Schizophrenia (SCH) is considered the most serious psychiatric disorder with complex pathogenetic and pathophysiological mechanisms and inadequate treatments.

Given the association of psychotropic medication and cognitive, functional, and neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS), the use of certain measuring instruments among patients who suffer from schizophrenia is important because the quantification of treatment effects is crucial for optimizing the management of patients with schizophrenia.

To assess the efficacy of antipsychotic therapy in schizophrenic patients with predominantly negative and positive symptoms, cognitive impairment and social, occupational and psychological dysfunction.

Two main groups were selected for analysis: (N=34) included patients taking first-generation antipsychotics (FGAs) and (N=16) included patients taking second generation antipsychotics (SGAs). We used the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANNS), Global Assessment Functioning (GAF) and Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale (MOCA).

Out of the total number of examinees (n=50), 15/50 (30%) were males and 35/50 (70%) were females; the age of onset was 38.4±1.77; duration of illness (mean±SD) 32.5±5.00; SANS-Total (mean±SD) (23.82±9.962); SAPS-Total (mean ±SD) (28.6±9.74). Analysis of the PANSS scale bipolar index shows that patients on SGA, on average, had lower scores (2.37±12.5) compared to patients on FGA (5.91 ±9.61).

Preliminary evidence showed that there are no significant advantages in the use of atypical antipsychotics compared with typical ones in a group of patients suffering from schizophrenia. It is important to realize what role the advancement of antipsychotics has played and what still needs to be accomplished to further improve the outcome of sch patients.

Although gender differences in schizophrenia are well known, this topic in delusional disorder (DD) has been poorly studied. Previous studies have shown an earlier mean age at onset in men than in women, and in those with depressive co-morbidity.

To examine demographic and clinical differences by gender in DD.

To compare depressive co-morbidity and suicidality between men and women.

Ninety-seven patients with delusional disorder (DSM-IV-RT), attended at the Department of Psychiatry (Hospital Clinic-BCN) from 2000 to 2012, were included and followed up for one year. Demographic and clinical features at index admission, pharmacological treatment, compliance, presence of depressive co-morbidity and suicidal behaviour at follow-up were recorded. For comparisons, T, Chi-square tests and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) were used.

Seventy-six per cent were women and the most common delusional idea was delusion of persecution (74.2%). Gender differences regarding demographic features and depressive co-morbidity were not found. 22.7% of the sample presented suicidal ideation and 12.4% attempted suicide during follow-up. Women became ill later than men (50.07 vs.44.57 years), but when ANCOVA model is used with age at onset as dependent variable, sex as factor, and depressive co-morbidity and suicidal behaviour as covariates, this difference was not significant for sex effect. Women attempted suicide more often than men (13.5% vs. 8.7%) and showed less compliance during the evaluation period.

No gender differences in age at onset, types of DD, presence of depression and severity of global functioning were found. Women showed higher suicidal behaviour.

Among patients with schizophrenia there is a significant increased prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus. In addition, schizophrenia is accompanied by 15–32 years reduced life-expectancy. We hypothesize a contribution from accelerated ageing.

To compare Autofluorescence (AF) levels of patients with severe mental illness (SMI) with the general population.

To test to what extent accelerated ageing is specific for patients with schizophrenia.

Outpatients with SMI were asked to participate. AF levels were measured with the AGE-reader. Patients with diabetic mellitus were excluded from the analyses.

[Mean AF values in study-population (N=122)]

Of the 154 patients who were asked to participate 70,8% were male, 74,3% suffered from schizophrenia, 15,3% from diabetes mellitus and of 3% the skin was too dark for a reliable assessment. Only 5 patients refused to participate.

A regression analysis with age as single predictor, confirmed the predictive value of age. Compared to the general population (R2 = .60), the explained variance of R2=.23, p< .001 in the study population is low. Addition of duration of treatment or psychiatric diagnosis as predictors did not change the outcome.

AF-values indicate that accelerated ageing is present in patients with SMI.

Job satisfaction has major impact on mental health and job performance. Expected work satisfaction may influence choice of specialization within medicine.

A postal survey was conducted in 2009 among the members (N=1398) of Finnish Psychiatric Association. Out of these respondents 1132 were still working-aged. All in all 64.8% (N=738) of the working-aged members returned the survey. Only psychiatrists and residents were included in the final cohort of the study (665). Factors associated to work satisfaction were studied and a principal component analysis was conducted on factors reported to disturb working. The correlations of factors scores with job satisfaction and job control were analyzed. Spearman correlation coefficients were calculated between factor scores and work satisfaction.

Most respondents (73.8%) were satisfied with their work. Job satisfaction showed a negative correlation with increase in pace of work (rho= -0.24, p< 0.001). Job control correlated positively with job satisfaction (rho = 0.46, p< 0.001). “Working conditions” factor explained 28.6%, “leadership” 8.8%, “failure without support” 7.8%, fear at work 6.5% and “patient records” factors 5.9% of the variation of perceived harmful factors at work. “Working conditions” and “leadership” factors showed the strongest and most significant negative correlations with job satisfaction (rho = -0.45, p< 0.001, rho= -0.32, p< 0.001, respectively. “Working conditions” associated strongly and significantly with and job control (rho=-0.57, p< 0.001).

Job satisfaction may be better than expected among psychiatrists. However, employers should put emphasis on good fit between person and job to promote well-being of their employees.

Earthquakes, one of the major natural disasters, tend to be unpredictable, uncontrollable, and highly destructive. They lead to strong initial trauma and significant long-term effects such as posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, or other symptoms.

In this research, posttraumatic stress, anxiety and depressive symptoms were studied among adolescents 6 months after Van-Erciş Earthquake 2011.

In the present study a total of 738 Turkish high school students, aged 13-17 years, participated in the study in Van city affected severely by the earthquake. Participants completed a set of questionnaires including the demographic measures, posttraumatic stress reactions, depression, anxiety and dissociation.

The results of the present study showed the presence of probable diagnosis of PTSD in 295 (40.69%), of anxiety in 384 (53.04%) and of depression in 245 (33.70%) of the adolescent examined. Multiple logistic and linear regression analyses were conducted to explore the predictive values of independent variables on development of posttraumatic, anxiety, depressive, and dissociative psychopathology among adolescents experienced Van earthquake.

Our results show high rates of PTSD, anxiety and depression symptoms in adolescents who survived the October 2011 Van-Erciş earthquake. Further, our results highlight the relevance of gender differences, previous psychopathology, trait anxiety, anxiety sensitivity in the response to mass trauma that should be taken into account when facing such events. Our results confirm the pervasive effects of a disaster and risk factors, such as an earthquake, for mental health in adolescents.

Factors associated with postpartum/PPT anxiety have been insufficiently investigated.

To identify correlates of PPT anxiety.

201 3-months postpartum women completed the Portuguese versions of Postpartum Depression Screening Scale (PDSS), Beck Depression Inventory/BDI-II, Profile of Mood States, Difficult Infant Temperament Questionnaire/DITQ, Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale and questions on sociodemographic variables, Lifetime history of insomnia/LTHD, Lifetime history of depressive symptomatology/LTHDS, Current insomnia, Health perception/HP, Stress perception/SP, Perceived social support/PSS, Quality of life/QOL, Health problem/complication postpartum, Sensibility to hormonal fluctuations, Type of delivery and Type of feeding. Postpartum anxiety was measured with the Anxiety/Insecurity (AI) subscale of the PDSS.

AI significantly correlated with LTHDS (rS=.32), LHI (rS=.18), Current insomnia (rS=.32), BDI-II (r=.76), SP (rS=.38), PSS (rS=.25), Perceived QOL (rS=.37), Health perception (rS=.29), Health problem in the postpartum (rS=.26), Negative Affect/NA (r=.66), Positive Affect/PA (r=.58), Conditional Acceptance/CA (r=.29) and DIT (r=.38) (all p< .01). Mean comparisons revealed that women with vs. without LHDS, with vs. without LTHI, good sleepers vs. with insomnia syndrome, high vs. low SP, low vs. high PSS, bad/very bad vs. good/very good QOL, bad/very bad vs. good/very good HP, high (< M+1DP) vs. low (>M-1DP) DIT, CA, NA and low vs. high PA had significantly higher mean scores in AI (all p< .01). Linear regression model composed of all correlated variables explained 53.7% of AI variance and showed that NA, PA and DIT are significant (p< .05) predictors of AI.

Our findings are in accordance with previous research and contribute to the progress on this topic.

Apathy and depression are the two most frequent neuropsychiatric symptoms in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and related disorders. Whereas neuroimaging studies have shown different neural pathways for these two symptoms, a clinical overlap between apathy and depression is frequently described.

To describe the prevalence of apathy and depression among elderly subjects with or without dementia criteria using specific diagnostic criteria for apathy and depression.

Subjects from an ongoing cross-sectional study were recruited in 4 centers (France, Indonesia, Spain, Argentina). Apathy and depression were assessed using the diagnostic criteria for apathy and for depression. Additionally, the apathy and dysphoria domains of the NPI-C (Neuropsychiatric Inventory-Clinician), as well as the 12 domains of the original NPI (Neuropsychiatric Inventory) were assessed.

431 subjects (mean age=74.6 ± 10.4 ; gender=♂ 29%) were recruited (France=100, Spain=90, Indonesia=182, Argentina=79). Among them, 25% were healthy elderly subjects, 9% had a diagnosis of MCI (Mild Cognitive Impairment), 46% had a diagnosis of dementia (including AD, Lewy body, vascular, mixed and fronto-temporal dementia). In the overall population, the prevalence of apathy and depression were respectively 41% and 25%. More specifically, the prevalence of apathy and depression in the AD sample were 67% and 25%.

Diagnostic criteria for apathy and depression, as well as the NPI-C, are recent assessment methods in the field of dementia, developed to increase the accuracy of the clinical evaluation of BPSD. It is therefore critical to propose multicenter observational studies comparing these new tools with classical assessment methods.

We reviewed current state of research involving the applications of TMS and rTMS in understanding of pathophysiology as well as the treatment of ADHD.

To assess how TMS has furthered our knowledge of neurobiological models of ADHD and to consider further research. To look at possible applications of rTMS in the management of ADHD and to evaluate the current state of research.

Literature review using an online search.

The investigative studies are small in numbers, but show some promising results. TMS adds weight to the theory of a hypofunctional dopaminergic circuit involved in ADHD pathophysiology. Treatment studies (only 2) using rTMS shows some use in treatment of ADHD, such as brief improvement in attention. These studies, however, are very preliminary, small in numbers and suffer from methodological difficulties.

TMS has provided some useful information about the likely pathophysiology of ADHD, and results show that it is a safe an effective way to investigate and treat this condition. Much more research is needed to investigate the potential applications of this technology.

To investigate the association of psychopathology and self-destructive behaviors with maladaptive Internet use (MIU) and pathological Internet use (PIU) among European adolescents.

A cross-sectional analysis.

The study was performed within the context of an on-going epidemiological study conducted in Europe entitled Saving and Empowering Young Lives in Europe (SEYLE). Schools were randomly selected in catchment areas across eleven countries: Austria, Estonia, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Romania, Slovenia and Spain, with Sweden as the coordinating center.

The study sample comprised 11,357 school-based adolescents (M/F: 4,856/6,501; Mean Age: 14.9).

MIU and PIU was measured by the Young's Diagnostic Questionnaire for Internet Addiction (YDQ). Psychopathology was measured using the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), Zung Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (Z-SAS) and Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ); self-destructive behaviors were assessed by the Deliberate Self-Harm Inventory (DSHI) and Paykel Suicide Scale (PSS).

MIU and PIU prevalence was 13.4% and 4.2%, respectively; significant gender and country differences were found. A stepwise regression showed that suicidal behavior (RRR=9.8), depression (RRR=5.4), conduct problems (RRR=1.9) and symptoms of ADHD (RRR=1.7) were independently associated with PIU. Anxiety, peer relationship problems and NSSI were not independent factors in the model explaining PIU. Gender and country interactions influenced the association between psychopathology, suicidal behaviors and the YDQ score.

Among adolescents, certain forms of psychopathology and self-destructive behaviors appeared to be highly interrelated with MIU and PIU. These associations are influenced by both gender and country.

In the general population the 12-month prevalence of GAD is estimated to be about 2%. Higher prevalences have been found in primary care settings, with estimates of well over 6%. The role of sleep problems and pain in GAD remains understudied.

To evaluate the frequency of sleep problems and pain in newly diagnosed GAD patients in 5 European countries.

Non-interventional, cross-sectional survey of 1650 adult patients newly diagnosed with GAD in primary care settings. Assessment included clinical interview rating and self report data.

Mean age of the sample was 49.2 years (SD; 14.5). Mean GAD-7 score was 14.8 (SD; 3.1) and the median duration of symptoms was 12.0 months. The proportion with sleep disturbance and pain were 85.9% and 75.9%, respectively. Disturbed sleep had persisted for a median of 9.0 months and was mainly classified as “difficulty in falling asleep” (76.1%) or “nocturnal awakening” (58.8%). The median duration of pain was 6.0 months, and located mainly in the cervical region (47.0%) and upper back/limbs (40.1%). The mean number of days that patients were unable to work because of GAD-related health problems during the preceding 3 month period was 10.8 (95%CI; 9.6-12.0). The proportion of patients that visited the primary care physician and specialist during the preceding 3 months was 93.8% and 40.3%, respectively.

Sleep problems and pain are extremely frequent characteristics of GAD, contributing to the disability and work productivity profile associated with GAD as well as the patients’ use of health care resources.

Many researchers point out that combatants demonstrate various additional symptoms that do not fit into the PTSD classical clinical picture. Unfortunately, until present moment there has been a great need for a conception that will unite all the approaches.

To achieve our goal we used traditional clinical-anamnestic and clinical-psychological methods which included clinical-psychological scales of multidimensional anger assessment, aggressive behaviour scale, depersonalization scale, the Mississippi PTSD scale. We examined 557 combatants, 109 of which had the full range of PTSD symptoms, whereas the rest demonstrated subclinical manifestations of the disorder in question.

It was discovered that compulsory PTSD symptoms in combatants have specific peculiarities. Anger, being part of PTSD hyperreactive cluster, here is associated with impulsive-hostile aggression. This explosive syndrome displays features characteristic only of combatants, also it negatively influences every aspect of a combatant's life (namely, physical and mental health, vital functions, social relationships). The mentioned above syndrome is closely related with personal relations and accompanied by such pathological coping mechanisms as social avoidance/restrictions, redirection of aggression onto self and others. The noted emotional violations of basic emotions of anger and anxiety, that are compensated by depression and depersonalization and that have protective-coping character, can be termed a syndrome of affective-stressed dysfunction. This explains high comorbidity in PTSD combatants with depressive disorders.

The revealed additional symptoms and syndromes function as a whole complex of combat-related post-stress disorders and single out combatants into a peculiar group among patients with other stress disorders.