Annual monitoring of physical health of people with severe mental illness (SMI) in primary or secondary care is recommended in England.

The SMI Health Improvement Profile (HIP) was developed to target physical well-being in SMI through the role of the mental health nurse.

The primary aim was to investigate if health checks performed by community mental health nurses (CMHNs) trained to use the HIP improved the physical well-being of patients with SMI at 12 months.

A single blind, parallel group randomised controlled trial of training to use the HIP (clustered at the level of the nurse). Physical well-being was measured in study patients using the physical component score of the SF36v2 at baseline and at 12 months.

Sixty CMHNs (working with 173 patients) were assigned to the HIP programme (training to use the HIP) or treatment as usual. The HIP was completed with 38 (42%) patients at baseline and 22 (24%) at follow-up in the HIP programme group. No effect of the HIP programme on physical health-related quality of life of study patients was identified, a finding supported by per protocol analyses.

This study found no evidence that CMHN delivered health checks following training to use the HIP are effective at improving the physical well-being of SMI patients at one year. More attention to methods that aim to enable the delivery, receipt and enactment of evidence-based interventions to improve physical health outcomes in this population is urgently required.

ISRCTN: 41137900.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Some prior studies of brainstem audiometry have found illness-specific aberrations, suggesting that this procedure can be of use to clinicians in diagnosing certain psychiatric illnesses.

The study aimed to examine the diagnostic properties of a brain stem audiometry procedure (SD-BERA®) for patients suffering from schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

A blinded study including 12 patients with schizophrenia, 12 patients with bipolar disorder, and 12 healthy controls was performed in 2014/2015. The patients were recruited from psychiatric specialist services and a primary care office in the County of Troms, Norway. The patients and controls were examined with brainstem audiometry. The clinical diagnoses were not known to the researchers who analysed the brain stem audiometry data at the Swedish company SensoDetect. Sensitivity and specificity for each group (compared to healthy controls) was calculated.

The brain stem audiometry procedure had a high degree of sensitivity (1.00), but a lower degree of specificity (0.45) when patients suffering from bipolar disorder were compared to healthy controls. For the diagnosis of schizophrenia, the brain stem audiometry procedure had a high degree of specificity (0.91), but a lower degree of sensitivity (0.33) when patients were compared to healthy controls.

This method may help clinicians by lending support to a clinically suspected diagnosis of schizophrenia. The relatively low specificity for bipolar disorder could suggest that the method needs further development before it can be useful clinically when the diagnosis of bipolar disorder is suspected. Further scientific testing is needed to verify these findings.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Enhancement of overall functioning is one of most important goals in treatment of schizophrenia (SCH) patients.

To assess efficacy of aripiprazole in treatment of disability and impairment in social, professional and family life in SCH patients.

This study included 50 patients with SCH diagnosed by ICD-10 criteria, divided into H (Haloperidol, 5–20 mg/24 h) group (25 patients), and A (Aripiprazole, 10–30 mg/24 h) group (25 patients). Antipsychotics were tested for 12 months with Positive and Negative Symptom Schedule Scale (PANSS), Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS) and the number of withdrawals attributed to adverse event (AE).

The mean pretrial PANSS score was 103.6 in A and 105.3 in H group. The mean PANSS score after 12 months was 53.5 in A and 54.4 in H group. There were no significant statistical difference in PANSS pretrial scores and scores after 12 months between groups, P = 0.619; P = 0.364. There were significant statistical difference in PANSS score reduction after 12 months in both groups (P < 0.001). Aripiprazole improved all SDS scores in comparison to Haloperidol with high statistical significance. Work: A vs. H, P < 0.001; social life: A vs. H, P < 0.001; family life: A vs. H, P < 0.001; days lost: A vs. H, P = 0.012; days unproductive: A vs. H, P = 0.007; 8.0% AEs occurred in A, and 36.0% in H group.

Aripiprazole showed same efficacy as haloperidol in treatment of SCH. Aripiprazole showed significantly better efficacy in treatment of disability and impairment. Number of withdrawals was significantly higher in haloperidol group.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Tardive dyskinesia (TD) is a drug-induced movement disorder that arises with antipsychotics. These drugs are the mainstay of treatment for schizophrenia. Epidemiological studies have shown mixed results on smoking's association with TD.

To study the association between smoking and TD induced by antipsychotics in outpatients with schizophrenia.

This was a cross-sectional study. It involved 89 patients suffering from schizophrenia, followed-up in outpatient psychiatry unit at Hédi Chaker university hospital in Sfax in Tunisia, between April and May 2016. We looked for TD in according to DSM-IV-R criteria. The intensity of TD was assessed with the Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale (AIMS) and the level of nicotine dependence with the Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND).

The prevalence of smoking in patients with schizophrenia was 69.6%. Of these, 54.8% had a high or very high degree of nicotine dependence. The prevalence of TD was 33.7%. The AIMS average score was 12.13 ± 5.6 with extremes ranging from 3 to 26. TD was correlated with tobacco consumption (P = 0.003), the average number of smoked cigarettes (43.7 vs. 33.8; P = 0.004) and the Fagerström average score (7.2 vs. 6.1; P = 0.012).

The results of this study showed a correlation between the amount of smoking and severity of TD in patients with schizophrenia. The nature of the relationship between smoking and TD needs to be clarified through an experimental study.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Association between leptin and ghrelin plasma levels and alcohol craving have been found in few studies but they have failed to differentiate this correlation with alcohol withdrawal state.

To research this correlation in a different population and to study this correlation with respect to hyper-excitable state of alcohol withdrawal.

To study levels of leptin and ghrelin in relation with alcohol withdrawal and craving.

Twenty-five indoor patients fulfilling the alcohol dependence criteria were assessed for alcohol withdrawal symptoms and craving. Leptin and ghrelin levels were measured on 1st day, @ the end of 1st week, @ the end of 3rd week of stopping alcohol. Withdrawal was assessed using CIWA-A at day 1 and day 7, craving was assessed using PENN's scale of craving at the end of week 1 and week 3. Control group consisted of 15 first-degree relatives not taking alcohol.

It was found that leptin [t (38) = 2.95, P = 0.005] and ghrelin [t (38) = 2.56, P = 0.015] were significantly higher in alcohol-dependent patients. Levels of hormones had no significant correlation with alcohol withdrawal scores but had positive correlation with craving scores after abstinence.

Leptin and ghrelin, known for balancing the energy homeostasis of body, also seem to play a role in pathways of drug dependence and craving. This relation is independent of stress hormone axis as leptin and ghrelin levels are not correlated with withdrawal scores, which is an indicator of stress hormone axis activation during alcohol withdrawal.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

The non-medical use of prescription stimulants (NMUPS) is a common habit among American college students; It refers to the use of stimulant medications by students who do not qualify for prescription or in higher quantities or manners other than prescribed in order to improve their academic performance. To the best of our knowledge, no studies have examined the role of specific affective, biologically determined and inherited traits that might predict misuse of stimulants for neuroenhancement in graduate education.

To examine the role for individual temperament traits on non-medical use of prescription stimulants (NMUPS) in medical college students.

We investigated 181 students using the short form of the Temperament Evaluation of the Memphis, Pisa, Paris and San Diego Auto-questionnaire (TEMPS-A). Furthermore, we assessed the association of demographic variables and health risk behaviors (drinking, smoking, use other illicit drugs) with NMUPS. Predictors were investigated using logistic regression.

The prevalence of NMUPS was 30.06% with 7.1% users being previously diagnosed with ADHD. NMUPS users had higher scores on the hyperthymic scale. The main reason for taking NMUPS was to “Increase ability to stay alert during studying” (80.1%) followed by “Allow studying for longer periods of time” (19.9%). The hyperthymic temperament score and being a user of other illicit drugs increased the odds of becoming NMUPS.

Our results suggest that personality profiles can be used to identify students with an increased risk for NMUPS for early personalized counseling and behavioral intervention based on their temperament profile.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Pathological gambling (PG) is a behavioral addictive disorder characterized by persistent and problematic gambling behaviors, in presence of impairment of self-regulation and impulsivity. Impulsivity is widely supported by literature in developing and maintaining addictive behaviors and PG.

The aim of this study is to compare PG to impulsivity in a group of Italian outpatients, in order to further explore their appealing relation and to sensitize local public institutions about this problem that is of growing concern amongst our population.

Fifty outpatients were recruited at the psychiatric outpatient ward of the University of Pisa. All of them had a diagnosis of PG, assessed throughout the structured clinical interview for DSM-5 (SCID-5). The sample was compared with a similar group of healthy control subjects. South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS) scale and Barrat Impulsivity Scale (BIS-11) questionnaires were used to assess respectively the severity of PG and impulsivity traits of personality.

PG patients reported significantly higher total score in BIS-11 than control subjects. In particular, the “motor impulsivity” and “cognitive complexity” scores were significantly higher in PG patients, as well as “motor” and “non-planning” impulsivity subscale scores. A positive and significant correlation was found between BIS-11 and SOGS total scores.

These results corroborate the existence of the widely described association between impulsivity and PG. Also they support the notion that impulsivity may represent a core element of PG and, perhaps, to a typical personality trait, that may be particularly related to the development of addictive and impulsive behaviors.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

“Bath salts” target the endocannabinoid system in a similar manner to cannabis. In the case of designer drug misuse, subjects seem to be at higher risk of psychotic symptoms.

To investigate the nature and frequency of psychotic symptoms associated with cannabis and/or bath salts misuse in a male inpatient population.

The files of 107 patients admitted to the department of addictions, “Al. Obregia” Psychiatric Hospital Bucharest July 2015–July 2016 were reviewed. Cases had a diagnosis of psychotic disorder with recorded cannabis/bath salts abuse.

Mean age was 26.65 years old (STDV = 5.9). Mean duration of use was of 83.94 months – cannabis; 60.48 months – bath salts and 33.75 months – both substances (BS). Sixty-three patients (73.3%) presented disorganised behaviour; 55.8% (n = 48) formal thought disorder; 45% (n = 39) paranoid delusions. A strong positive association between the length of use of cannabis and disorganised behaviour (n = 33; r = 0.05; P < 0.05) was found. Grandiose ideation was frequent in cannabis users. (X2 = 4.1; n = 0.03; P < 0.05). Multidrug abuse was associated with increased formal thought disorders compared to subjects with cannabis abuse (X2 = 10.9; n = 0.001; P < 0.05). Negative symptoms were more frequent with bath salts users than with users of both substances (X2 = 13.4; X2 = 23.21; X2 = 16.8; P < 0.05).

Positive psychotic symptoms were associated with cannabis and BS abuse, while bath salts promoted negative symptoms.

The author has not supplied his/her declaration of competing interest.

Alcohol-dependent patients have a significantly increased risk of depression, contributing a cycle of relapse and attendance at acute hospital services seeking help. Care is often focused on the alcohol dependence treatment with little consideration of concomitant psychiatric disorders.

To help bridge this gap in care planning and aim toward multidisciplinary long-term support.

We collected data on all patients referred to our alcohol complex patient MDT. We investigated the range of disciplines involved in patient care. We spoke to our patients about why they had chosen to attend hospital. We then developed a referral system to our alcohol MDT where a bespoke pathways of care was developed with all current and future care providers.

Our patients were often being cared for by multiple services, however much of this work was happening in isolation and was at times conflicting. Importantly, the patients were unclear where to go for what, and were utilizing the ED as a fail-safe when they were troubled.

Of 15 patients referred to MDT, 7 (50%) had a diagnosis of depression (DSM-IV). These patients had an average of 5.1 hospital attendances and 2.2 hospital admissions in the 3 months prior to MDT. At 3 months post-MDT, we were able to demonstrate a reduction in hospital admissions and attendances (average 2.2 & 1.4, respectively).

An MDT for alcohol-dependent patients with depression facilitates effective and collaborative working for the benefit of patients and services.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Novel psychoactive drugs (NPS) has rapidly increase in the last years in the drug market as a recreational use. Fenethylline is a theophylline, an amphetamine-like drug, having stimulant effects similar to those of other amphetamine-type derivatives. Fenethylline was used as medicament for hyperactivity disorders in children, narcolepsy and depression, but it has also been used as a drug of abuse under the common name of ‘captagon’. The purpose of this report is to review the clinical evidence for the potential of abuse of fenethylline. We propose a case report and literature review.

We conducted a systematic review of the literature with the principal database (PubMed, Enbase, PsychInfo) and we present a case report.

The effects of fenethylline is characterized by euphoria, derealization, autopsychic and somatopsychic depersonalization, hallucination, agitation and decrease of pain perception.

The primary drug market for fenethyline (as captagon) has traditionally been countries located on the Arabian Peninsula but also North Africa since 2013. To our knowledge, there is no report on the recreational use of fenethylline in literature. The clinical features of fenethylline intoxication were also similar to effects from other amphetamine-like drugs. In our case report, dissociative symptoms are the core of fenethylline intoxication. Further research is warranted to replicate our clinical and qualitative observations and, in general, quantitative studies in large samples followed-up over time are needed. Methodological limitations, clinical implications and suggestions for future research directions are considered [1,2].

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Theories have conceptualized pathological gambling as an attempt to cope with emotional states. However, there is a lack of research about emotion dysregulation in this population. In a similar way, few is known about the nature of emotion regulation strategies used by pathological gamblers. Furthermore, it is not clear if pathological gamblers have difficulties to regulate negative emotions (as sadness) or positive ones (as excitement).

We sought to explore the associations among pathological gambling, emotion dysregulation and different types of emotion regulation strategies, comparing a clinical sample with community participants.

To highlight similarities and differences in emotion dysregulation between pathological gamblers and healthy participants.

A sample of pathological gamblers and a sample of healthy men, were administered the South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS), Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS), Difficulties in Emotion regulation Scale-Positive (DERS-P), Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ) and the Ways of Savoring Checklist (WOSC).

As expected, both levels of emotion dysregulation and suppression were significantly higher in the clinical sample while levels of savoring and reappraisal were significantly higher in the community sample.

Such results confirm the theorization of pathological gambling as a dysfunctional response to emotional states and underline the role of positive emotions. Specifically, pathological gamblers may be prone to suppress negative emotions instead to engage in functional strategies as reappraisal. Gamblers also fail to regulate positive emotions showing a poor capacity of savoring positive moments.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

In empirical literature, impulsivity is identified as a core feature of gambling addiction. Furthermore, pathological gamblers are prone to have a poor self-esteem. Previous researches studied the link between impulsivity and self-esteem bringing contrasting results. However, relationships between such constructs among pathological gamblers have not been investigated.

We sought to explore the associations among pathological gambling, self-esteem and different facets of impulsivity comparing a clinical sample of pathological gamblers with community participants.

To highlight patterns of associations between self-esteem and impulsiveness in pathological gambling.

A sample of pathological gamblers and a sample of healthy men, were administered the South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS), the UPPS Impulsive Behavior Scale (UPPS) and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES).

As expected, levels of impulsivity were significantly higher in the clinical sample while levels of self-esteem were significantly lower. A significant and negative correlation between impulsivity and self-esteem was found among pathological gamblers. Different patterns of associations were found between self-esteem and dimensions of impulsivity.

Coherently with others results, our study confirmed that pathological gamblers showed high impulsivity and low self-esteem. The peculiars patterns of associations between impulsivity and self-esteem could be informative to tailor treatment programs for pathological gamblers.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

In January 2012, a drug consumption room (DCR) opened in an outpatient treatment center for alcoholism and drug abuse (CADA) to reach people who inject drugs (PWID) who did not seek treatment.

To evaluate the characteristics and evolution of 76 patients undergoing methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) during a year in a CADA, depending on whether they are DCR users or nonusers.

A retrospective cross-sectional observational study was conducted by reviewing data collected from patients in MMT during 2015, performing a statistical comparison between DCR users and nonusers. Outcome was evaluated through urine controls, considering a poor outcome when positive to heroin > 20%.

Of the 76 patients in MMT, the average age was 40 years, 21% were women, mean dosage of methadone was 48.2 mg/day and more than a half were DCR users (52.63%). Of the 40 patients, which formed the DCR user subgroup, the average age was 36.4 years, 20% were women and mean dosage of methadone was 47 mg/day. The outcome of all the patients in PMM was successful in 48.68% of the cases, presenting differentially the nonusers a 91.67% of good response and the users only a 10%.

Inclusion of a drug consumption room in an outpatient treatment center for alcoholism and drug abuse, which facilitates accessibility for people who inject drugs to treatment, poses new challenges in order to improve the effectiveness of the PMM.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

The trans-3;4-dichloro-N-(2-(dimethylamine) cyclohexyl) labelled as U-47700 has a high affinity with the selective receptor, considered to have 7.5 times the binding affinity of morphine; as a result, it is sold as a recreational drug because of its analgesic and euphoric effects. Several toxicity cases and some fatalities have been reported during 2016.

To describe the presence of trans-3;4-dichloro-N-(2-(dimethylamine) cyclohexyl) in samples delivered to Energy Control during 2016 in Barcelona.

From January 2016 to October 2016, 4031 samples were delivered and only those samples containing trans-3;4-dichloro-N-(2-(dimethylamine) cyclohexyl) were studied, 6 of them were analysed as U-47700 (0.148%). Samples were analysed by energy control, a Spanish harm-reduction NGO that offers users the possibility of analysing the substances they intend to consume. Analysis was done by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry.

From the 6 samples that were analysed as trans-3;4-dichloro-N-(2-(dimethylamine) cyclohexyl), the presentation of 4 of them was white powder and the rest were not described. The procedence of the samples was Canada (2), USA (1), Sweden (1), Holland (1) and the remaining sample was not described. All samples were received during 2016.

The use of trans-3;4-dichloro-N-(2-(dimethylamine)cyclohexyl) is progressively increasing in Barcelona. Its harmful effects are being reported in recent medical literature and consumption represents an emerging issue, gaining popularity among recreational opioid users. It is potentially lethal when mixed with depressants like alcohol or benzodiazepines and overdose risk is higher compared to other opioids. This drug is not being detected by routine in medical test.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

It is known that several factors can influence the quality of life such as age, gender, socioeconomic status, the presence of mental illness or substance abuse.

Assess quality of life of outpatients observed in Young Adult Unit of our Psychiatry Department (Coimbra Hospital and University Centre – Portugal) and its relation with substance use.

Socio-demographic characterization of youth psychiatric outpatients observed during between 1st January 2015 and 31st July 2016. Portuguese versions of The Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST) and The World Health Organization Quality of Life scale (WHOQOL-BREF) were administered. A Spearman correlation coefficient between ASSIST and WHOQOL-BREF scores was calculated.

A total of 255 outpatients were observed: 64.3% females and 35.7% males; ages between 17 and 39 years old. ASSIST and WHOQOL-BREF were administered in 57 patients. Average ASSIST total score was 16.81 (median: 13.50), with tobacco and alcohol scoring higher. Average WHOQOL-BREF total was 13.74 (median: 13.67), with physical and psychological domains scoring less. We found a significant negative correlation between WHOQOL-BREF physical domain and ASSIST tobacco scores; and between WHOQOL-BREF social domain and ASSIST sedatives score.

Quality of life is influenced by several factors. Studies showed that consumers of psychoactive substances have lower WHOQOL-BREF scores than nonusers. In our sample, we did not find a significant correlation between global quality of life and different substances. This may be due to existence of low consumption of substances in the sample as well as the existence of other factors that might have influenced quality of life.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Recently scientific attention of Ukrainian narcology was focused on the group of new complex pharmacological preparations with polymodal pathogenic effect option (Cocarnit, World Medicine, Great Britain).

To ground feasibility of Cocarnit application in complex treatment of alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS).

Eleven patients with alcohol addiction were examined. An integrated research of relieving and adjuvant effects of pharmacological preparation Cocarnit in complex with traditional detoxication therapy in clinical course of alcohol dependence at AWS stage was carried out. One to 2 ampoules of Cocarnit were injected intramuscularly once per 24 hrs, № 6.

Clinical-psychopathological, clinical-laboratory, consulting of specialists, methods of psychological investigation (CIWA; САН; SF-36) at day 1, 7 and 14 of treatment.

AWS quantification score on admission was 41. Further therapeutic regress of all AWS components was registered. At day 1 the patient's condition started improving, clinical score was 32; at day 3 – 17; day 5 – the score was 13, insignificant tremor remained. At day 7 of treatment, practically complete relieving effect of the therapy was ascertained. With САН method at day 7 of the treatment, an increase of figures in all scales was registered: state of health 2.7, activity 2.4, mood 2.5. SF-36 method: at day 1 – the score was 24, day 7 – 32, day 14 – 49.

Thus, the developed by us method of integrated treatment with inclusion of Cocarnit for withdrawal state in alcohol addicts allows to stop acute signs of pathology within 3–5 days.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

The addictive behaviors can be seen as attachment disorders. In literature studies about the relationship between attachment styles and addictions are few. However, in addicted patients the identification of secure or insecure attachment styles seems to have serious implications for the therapeutic alliance and the treatment.

To study the relationships between different attachment styles and types of addiction (chemical or behavioral).

To examine the role of attachment styles in patients with alcohol dependence (AD) or pathological gambling (PG).

We recruited 29 with AD and 33 with GP according to DSM-IV-TR criteria; all patients were abstinent from addictive behaviors at least since one month, the experiences in close relationships (ECR) was administered for the study of attachment styles.

PG compared to AD has higher raw scores both anxiety factor (P < 0.001) and avoidance factor (P = 0.003) at ECR. ECR ambivalent correlates with the diagnosis of PG (P = 0.010); ECR avoidant correlates with AD (P = 0.006); ECR anxiety shows a trend of correlation with the diagnosis of AD (P = 0.052). The subjects showed the following attachment styles (Table 1).

This is the first study that compares the attachment styles of patients AD and PG. We found differences in attachment styles of the two types of addiction, confirming the need of different approaches and then different types of treatment. Our findings need to be replicated in larger groups, also widening the target of other addictions.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

The addictive behaviors can be seen as attachment disorders. To our knowledge, the literature on the relationship between pathological gambling (PG) and attachment styles is still poorly represented. However, in addicted patients, the identification of secure or insecure attachment styles seems to have serious implications for the therapeutic alliance and the treatment.

To examine the clinical role of attachment styles in the PG patients.

To study the relationships between the different attachment styles and PG and the severity of PG.

We recruited 33 patients with GP according to DSM-IV-TR criteria; all patients were abstinent from addictive behaviors at least since one month, the experiences in close relationships (ECR) was administered to investigate attachment styles, the South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS) to investigate the severity of gambling.

The subjects showed the following attachment styles (Table 1). Ambivalent attachment style correlates with high scores to the SOGS (P < 0.001), and with a shorter period of abstinence from PG (P = 0.022). Patients with ambivalent attachment style have increased severity of PG at SOGS, correlating with higher raw score on the anxiety factor of ECR and lower raw score on avoidance factor (for both P = 0.036).

Patients showed ambivalent attachment, and anxiety factor correlates with a greater severity of PG. Attachment style could be a severity index of PG. Our findings need to be replicated in larger groups, also widening the target of other addictions both chemical and behavioral.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

In this study, it was aimed to determine the internet use properties of Adult Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) patients who were followed-up at Haydarpasa Numune Research and Training Hospital, Psychiatry Department; ADHD Outpatient Clinic.

Thirty participants who were diagnosed with adult ADHD aged between 18–31 years rated their ADHD symptoms in childhood retrospectively, using Wender Utah Rating Scale. Patients rated current adult ADHD symptoms with the Adult ADHD DSM-IV-Based Diagnostic Screening and Rating Scale (DSRS) and severity of symptoms measured by Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS). Internet addiction (IA) was assessed with Young's Internet Addiction Scale (IAS). It was determined that, none of 30 Adult ADHD patients have been diagnosed with IA.29 of patient have moderate internet use although 1 of patients have risky internet use. The results revealed that total ASRS score (P = 0.020), total Adult ADHD DSM-IV-Based DSRS score (P = 0.036) and the Attention Deficit related properties subscale total score (P = 0.042) were significantly correlated with the IAS total score. Subscale of the self-report scales including; failing to finish schoolworks, chores, or duties at workplace, difficulty of following through on instructions (P = 0.017), restiveness; impaired inhibitory performance (P = 0.017), feeling not confident (P = 0.017), difficulty of managing time (P = 0.047), failing to give close attention to details or making careless mistakes (P = 0.037) are closely relevant to IAS total score.

In conclusion, clinical features, which are characteristic of Adult ADHD could have same shared etiology with IA. Furthermore, ADHD patients are more likely to have an IA diagnosis. However, it was thought that this result had to be supported with studies including larger samples.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

The progress in technology adds to the new ways of communication between people. In our age, online communication has taken the place of face to face communication. People express themselves, become friends and in a way become who they are through the tools of social media. Many biological and psychological factors may affect the choice of people for communicating through social media.

Main objective of this research is to measure the frequency of Internet addiction and it's relationship to social media use and impulsivity.

The population of the study is composed of 117 female (58.5%) and 83 male (41.5%) students between 18–25 years of age from Uskudar University. Barratt Impulsivity Scale and Internet Addiction Scale were used for data collection and measurement of variables.

Among the participants, 97.5% were found to go online everyday. Among the participants, 74.5% went online for social media use. Only 5% of the subjects fitted the criteria for Internet addiction. Thirty-six percent had limited symptoms for Internet addiction. Internet addiction symptoms and impulsivity were positively related. The tool for Internet access did not affect Internet addiction. Those who used a smart phone went online for social media use more commonly than those who used a computer.

It has been debated that social media and the increase in smart phone use may be affecting young people and increase internet addiction rates, however we have found that impulsivity is an important factor for internet addiction as in other types of addiction.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.