Fatigue is a common and debilitating problem in cancer survivors. Research show that this symptom endures even in disease-free patients affecting quality of life. Returning to work is physically and emotionally demanding for this population and fatigue levels seems to predict the time taken to return to work and the ability of the worker.

Our main objective was to explore the direct effect of the fatigue on work ability and quality of life of professionally active cancer survivors. Aims Fatigue levels, work ability and overall quality of life of survivors group were compared with a sample of individuals without cancer history. Relationship between fatigue symptoms and work ability and quality of life were examined within of the survivors group.

This cross-sectional study included 57 cancer survivors and 57 controls (n = 114) and data was collected from two Central Hospitals of Portugal. Participants completed the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue, the Work Ability Index and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General.

Cancer survivors reported higher levels of fatigue than controls and worse work ability and quality of life (P < .001). Controlling the effect of the age and gender, fatigue of the cancer survivors group influenced negatively their overall quality of life (β= –.315, P= .013, R2= .143) but not their work ability.

Although the fatigue has not affected directly the work ability of the cancer survivors, two years or more after the conclusion of the treatments, this symptom has a significant effect on the quality of life.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

The British National Foundation for Educational Research poll found that two thirds of school teachers feel they lack the appropriate training to help identify mental health issues in pupils.1 National Foundation for Education Research, http://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/DFE-June2015.

I contacted 10 schools in London and teachers gave similar responses to the above poll, stating teachers did not feel confident identifying or managing common mental health issues in children and adolescents aged 5–18.

To deliver mental health training in a user friendly way to teachers and enable them to identify common mental health issues in young people.

Address underlying concerns teachers have regarding pupils mental health. Discuss strategies to manage common mental health issues.

I delivered a 2-hour training workshop to 25 teachers in two different schools in London, June 2016. The training included a lecture on emotional/behavioural and communication disorders in children. There was interactive discussion with teachers, discussing various scenarios, such as children becoming tearful, showing limited eye contact and displaying aggressive behaviour. We discussed how teachers were dealing with this and how better they could manage the situation.

I got excellent feedback from teachers, 100% of teachers found the training very useful and would like to have more training of this kind in the future. A multidisciplinary approach is needed to improve the management of mental health in young people.

There is a gap in the knowledge teachers have on mental health within the young people and the stigma of mental health makes it more difficult for teachers to address these issues.

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

Emotional control can play positive role in professional growth. Are there any negative effects of emotional control on the professional activity of physicians and teachers?

To reveal the specifics of emotional control in groups of physicians and teachers with different self-reported health levels.

The study involved 160 physicians and 179 school teachers. Gender ratio and mean age in both groups were similar. The instruments used: SF-36 health survey and Ban on the emotional expression questionnaire.

In general, physicians, and teachers more often than control group controlled the expression of their emotions. Physicians in comparison with teachers were more likely to restrict both positive (joy) and negative emotions (sadness, anger). Teachers with a high level of health by SF-36 had a minimal ban on the expression of sadness (P < 0.01). The maximum level of the ban on the expression of anger (P < 0.001) and fear (P < 0.05) and an aggregated ban of emotional expression was revealed in teachers with average level of health by SF-36 (P < 0.001). Expression of joy in teachers was not directly related to the self-reported health level (P > 0.05). Physicians who showed the maximum ban on the emotion expressions reported only the low health level by SF-36 (P < 0.05). It was more related to the ban on joy, and less to the ban on anger.

The revealed models of emotional expression control can strengthen both professional and everyday stresses in physicians and teachers. Different prevention programs are needed for these groups of professionals.

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

In 2011, the Royal College of Psychiatrists in UK published a five-year plan to boost recruitment to a 95% fill rate for core training posts. Psychiatric summer schools were one of the methods outlined to improve recruitment. These are 3-day courses allowing attendees to explore different subspecialties and showcase inspiring psychiatrists who are leaders in their field.

To evaluate whether attending a Psychiatry Summer School improves scores on the attitudes towards Psychiatry Scale (ATP-30) in Medical Students (MS) and Junior Doctors (JD).

Two free courses were held; one for MS in August 2016 and one for JD in November 2015. These involved interactive talks from consultant psychiatrists in various sub-specialties and a day in a forensic setting. All attendees were asked to complete ATP-30 before and immediately after attendance. A higher ATP-30 score indicates a more positive the attitude the minimum score is 30 and the maximum is 50. Paired scores were analysed using a paired t-test.

Thirty-three out of 45 attendees completed ATP-30 MS (n = 20/24) and JD (n = 13/21) before and after the course. The mean ATP30 score was 116 before attendance and 128 after the course, the mean difference was +12. When the two samples were compared using a paired t-test, there was a significant positive difference P < 0.0005.

Psychiatry summer schools can improve attitudes towards psychiatry in medical students and junior doctors.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

A number of studies have noted a high level of symptoms of depression and anxiety in mothers bringing up children with burn injury. The emergence of such symptoms show high importance of child's disease situation to mother and suggests the formation of a special personal meaning of child's illness for mother (conflict or barrier). The aim of this study is to describe specific patterns of mothers responding on the situation of the child burn injuries : special cognitive emotion regulation strategies and personal meaning of illness.

Clinical interview to assess personal meaning of illness, State Trait Anxiety Inventor, Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire.

Twenty-eight mothers (aged between 22 to 43 years), children received burn 5-7 days ago ; 2 mothers (aged between 24 to 37 years), children had burns over a year ago.

We found a strong correlation between using certain strategies of cognitive emotion regulation and different personal meaning of child's illness : mothers with a conflict meaning characterized by using of « Rumination » and « Self-Blame » strategies ; mothers with barrier meaning – « Refocus on planning ». This connection is maintained throughout the child's illness and does not depend on medical specialties. A number of strategies of cognitive emotion regulation are used by all mothers at different stages of the child's illness, regardless of the mother's personal meaning of illness : immediately after injury the most popular strategies are “Catastrophizing” and « Self-Blame » ; in the long-term rehabilitation – « Putting into perspective » is the most common one.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Cognitive insight was shown to be impaired in schizophrenia while its high level predicts improvement of psychotic symptoms. However, later studies demonstrated that in other mental disorders and healthy subjects cognitive insight might play ambiguous role being related to anxiety and lack of self-confidence.

Development of clinical criteria for high and ultra-high risk for psychosis allows to study the role of cognitive insight in these patients.

The aim was to examine the role of cognitive insight in different clinical groups of youth with ultra-high risk for psychosis.

Seventy-six male patients 16–25 years old with non-psychotic mental disorders (with preliminary diagnoses of mood disorders – 30, personality disorders – 25, schizotypal disorder – 21 patients) meeting criteria of ultra-high risk for psychosis and 55 healthy male controls filled Beck Cognitive Insight Scale, Symptom Checklist 90-R. The Scale of Prodromal Symptoms was used twice upon hospitalization and after 1-month period.

Moderation analysis reveals that in patients with preliminary diagnoses of mood disorders and schizotypal disorder cognitive insight is related to higher anxiety and obsessiveness and to poorer improvement on SOPS and positive symptoms. In patients with symptoms of personality disorders, it predicts better symptoms improvement.

Results demonstrate importance of differentiation of the functions of cognitive insight in different patients with ultra-high risk for psychosis both in clinical psychological assessments and CBT.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Despite a long psychological discussion on the inconsistency and fragmentation in self-appraisals as factors of neuroses and personality disorders (Horney, 1991, Lynch, 2014) classical psychodiagnostic considers response inconsistency as an indicator of protocol invalidity only.

Using MMPI-2 True and Variable Response Inconsistency scales (TRIN, VRIN), we suggest that the inconsistency (within normative range) is related to poorer psychological well-being in the normative sample and is higher in affective disorders.

To study the relationship between response inconsistency and psychological well-being.

In total, 1443 healthy controls and 190 patients with mental illnesses (50 with affective disorders, 21 with addictions, 73 with schizophrenia and schizotypal disorder, 46 with adjustment disorder) who scored within normative range on all the validity scales of the Russian version of MMPI-2 participated in the study.

In the normative sample, TRIN and VRIN correlated with social and emotional alienation as well as conative lack of ego mastery (r = .27–.33) and were higher in affective disorders (P < .05) and in patients having symptoms of personality disorders (as appraised by their doctors). In patients with affective disorders and adjustment disorders, they were related to higher likelihood of invalidity due to mental illness.

Response incoherence within normative range is a sign of poorer well-being in the normative sample (in the form of fatigue, apathy, feelings of excessive strain, lack of understanding from others and injustice). In line with psychological theories of self-fragmentation, incoherence is related to affective disorders (and poorer adjustment to them) and symptoms of personality disorders.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Cognitive perspective considers beliefs as key factors of compliance and adjustment in mental disorders (Beck, 2011) that are especially important in youth. In psychosis illness, representation is related to CBT efficacy.

We suggest that in different mental disorders different illness-related beliefs are important for quality of life domains.

To reveal relationships between illness representation and quality of life in mental disorders controlling for psychopathological symptoms.

One hundred and eighteen male patients 17 – 27 years old : 33 with mood disorders, 26 with personality disorders, 27 with schizotypal disorder and 32 with schizophrenia recovering after first episode of psychosis filled Illness Perception Questionnaire, Symptom Checklist 90-R, Quality of Life and Enjoyment Questionnaire (version for mental illnesses).

After statistical control for psychopathological symptoms, in personality disorders feeling of personal and treatment control (β = .43–.52, P < .01) as well as belief in longer (β = .42, P < .05) but not cyclic (β = –.65, P < .05) illness duration predicted satisfaction with health while belief in longer duration and less consequences correlated with better satisfaction with leisure time (β = .87, P < .01). In mood disorders, feeling of treatment control (β = .32, P < .05) and belief in shorter illness duration (β = –.37, P < .05) were related to better satisfaction in emotional sphere.

Beliefs about illness duration, consequences and control could be important in assessment and CBT for youth with personality disorders while treatment control and illness duration are important in work with youth with mood disorders.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Knowledge about signs and treatment of mental illnesses is often not enough to seek professional help. Hence, it is important to gain understanding of other determinants, i.e. attitudes, stigma, which influence help-seeking behaviour.

Based on Ajzen's theory of planned behaviour, we aimed at collecting data of determinants known to be related to behavioural action, in our case help seeking.

To examine how attitudes, stigma and normative believes influence help seeking behaviour and whether these determinants differ in relation to demographic data and mental health indicators of the respondents’ region.

A representative sample of adult Slovene population (n = 594) was recruited via an on-line invitation. They were asked to (i) provide basic demographic data (region, age, gender, mental health history…) and (ii) to complete the inventory of attitudes toward seeking mental health services. The inventory variables (attitudes, knowledge and stigma) were linked to demographic data and mental health indicators in Slovenia.

The respondents dispose of good knowledge of where and when to seek help either for themselves or others. However, the readiness to seek help was significantly lower, in particular so in men, younger, single persons and respondents from regions with lower mental health indicators. Accordingly, stigma was significantly higher pronounced in the same groups. More than 50% of respondents have already experienced mental distress, however only 25% have sought help.

Reasons for this “help seeking gap” should be further scrutinized. Future interventions shall be focused on changing attitudes and destigmatization mental health issues.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

It is widely known that attempted suicide is the main risk factor for suicide and repeated suicide attempts. However, there is a lack of evidence for follow-up interventions/treatments reducing suicidal behavior in this population. The aim of the present study was to describe a novel-therapy as a potential treatment with effectiveness in reducing suicidal behavior. On of the main objectives of this project is to potentiate the benefits of the usual treatment in patients with history of suicidal attempt.

Description and method “To live” is a proposal of short psychotherapeutic intervention program for patients with recent suicide attempts. The participants were randomly allocated in two groups, one worked as our control group (n = 8), which had the usual treatment (individual outpatient care), and the other group (n = 8) underwent the usual treatment plus the experimental treatment. This treatment consists of a well structured program, in which participants receive eight group sessions followed by regular contact through telefonic calls over 12 months. In order to evaluate its impact and measure results, a set of structured interviews and clinical questionnaires have been applied in different times: time zero (before admission), time one (in the end of the intervention), time 2 (1month after intervention), then at each every 3 months over a 12 month follow up period.

By the time this study was conducted, the experimental program was being administered, therefore no results could be taken. However, preliminary findings suggest the effectiveness of the program in reducing suicidal behavior in a real-world clinical setting.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

The term emotional intelligence (EI) has gained more and more popularity in the last two decades and has been studied in various workplace settings.

The purpose of the present study was to estimate the EI in nursing personnel, to examine which factors are associated with EI and how EI correlates with their emotional state.

A cross-sectional study was conducted from April to May 2016 in a representative sample of nursing personnel from seven public hospitals of Cyprus. A total of 585 nurses completed the Greek Emotional Intelligence Scale (GEIS), consisting of 52 items measuring four basic emotional skills and scored on a 5-point Likert scale (from low (52) to high (260) EI). Furthermore, the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS 21) was applied. Statistical analyses were performed using the SPSS v.20.0.

Overall mean EI scores were 184.11 for males and 184.82 for females. Being married and having children as well as having leading position was associated with higher EI (P = 0.024, P = 0.002, P = 0.012, respectively). The highest EI scores were identified between the middle aged nurses (36–50 years, EI = 191.5, P = 0.000) and nurses with more years of work (> 12 years, EI = 189.59, P = 0.000). The overall EI scores have moderate negative correlation with the emotional state of the nurses (P = 0.000).

The present study reveals under-optimal EI scores and confirms the negative relationship with the emotional state of nurses. Based on the literature, the EI can be developed, thus suitable programs could substantially improve the emotional skills in nursing personnel.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

With most mental health disorders emerging in the later teenage years, university students are arguably an at-risk population with increased mental health support needs. This population is characterised by important, life-changing transitions (moving away from home, friends and family) and new potential stressors (including increased academic pressures and relational challenges). Research to examine determinants of mental health help-seeking behaviours in university students is needed to ensure emotional health needs are being met at this critical time.

To examine levels of psychological distress and mental health help-seeking behaviours in a sample of UK university students. By identifying factors associated with help seeking, we can better understand the mental health needs of this population and inform support provision.

This study draws on data from the social and emotional well-being in university students (SoWise) study, an online survey which aimed to examine risk and resilience for social and emotional well-being in young people attending a UK university.

Whole sample analysis (n = 461) showed help seeking was significantly associated with psychological distress, current life stressors and anxious attachment and not associated with perceived mental health stigma. Sub-group analysis (n = 171) suggests being female and older significantly predicted help seeking in students with mild/moderate psychological distress.

Younger males with mild/moderate psychological distress are less likely to seek mental health support and represent an “invisible” at risk group. Results also suggest that global anti-stigma campaigns in universities may not prove effective in encouraging help seeking.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Current knowledge about the advantages of using split version of GAF scale – having separate Symptom (GAF-S) and Functioning (GAF-F) subscales is insufficient and has number of gaps. Present study analyzed the manner in which young adult remitted psychotic patients with different functional levels vary in their symptom severity and how GAF-F reflects presence/absence of well-known psychosis risk factors.

Sample comprised 37 remitted psychotic patients (56.8% male, 29.4 ± 6.1 years), categorized based on GAF-F scores into groups: ‘Moderate remission’ (GAF-F 41–60, n = 19) and “Good remission” (GAF-F > 61, n = 18). Participants were assessed using the GAF-S, WAIS-R, Nottingham Onset Schedule, Premorbid Adjustment and Brief Core Schema scales, childhood trauma and bullying questionnaires. Mann–Whitney and Student's t-tests were used to assess between-group differences.

Groups did not differ in age, sex and education. When compared to “Good remission” group, “Moderate remission” group exhibited earlier illness’ onset (P = 0.01), greater symptom severity (P = 0.00), negative self-evaluation (P = 0.02), more childhood physical abuse (P = 0.01) and bullying (P = 0.01). Moreover, trend-like significances (P = 0.08) were observed for poorer adolescence adjustment and negative evaluation of others. There were no between-group differences regarding IQ and duration of untreated/treated illness.

GAF scale is in the continual use since early 1990, however, evidence of further development of the instrument itself is sparse. Present research is demonstrating that GAF-F scores reflect diverse factors related to psychosis risk, the illness’ course and quality of remission. Moreover, the results contribute to surmount some of the gaps in knowledge about the split version of GAF scale.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

and objectives Schizophrenia accompanies with elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) and vitamin D deficiency. However, there are scarce documentations regarding bipolar disorder and methamphetamine-induced psychotic disorder.

To compare serum levels of vitamin D, parathyroid hormone (PTH), calcium, phosphorus and CRP levels in psychotic disorder patients and control group.

A case-control study was conducted on four groups: acute phase of schizophrenia, acute manic episode of bipolar disorder, methamphetamine-induced psychotic disorder and healthy control subjects. Sample size was 45 in each group. Weekly duration of sun exposure, monthly vitamin D intake and serum levels of vitamin D, calcium, phosphorus, PTH and CRP were assessed. Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) was used to evaluate psychotic symptoms.

Duration of sun exposure and monthly vitamin D intake were comparable among groups. Serum levels of vitamin D, calcium and phosphorus were not statistically different between groups (P = 0.463, P = 0.086 and P = 0.339, respectively). Serum levels of PTH were significantly higher in control group (P < 0.001). CRP levels were significantly lower in control subjects (P < 0.001). The levels of serum vitamin D and CRP did not show statistically significant difference among three groups of patients.

Acute psychotic disorders seem to be associated with higher CRP and lower PTH levels. Clinical importance of the findings and relation of these differences to the metabolic and inflammatory bases of psychosis are not clear yet.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

In the growing research field of early psychosis detection in patients with an at risk mental state (ARMS), most studies focus on the transition to frank psychosis. However, the majority of ARMS patients do not go on to develop frank psychosis and reported transition rates are declining. Little is known about the long-term outcome of these non-transitioned patients (ARMS-NT).

To investigate in preliminary analyses the long-term outcome of ARMS-NT patients with respect to persistence of ARMS signs and symptoms and the rates of late psychotic transition.

The ongoing study “FePsy-BHS-NT” follows up ARMS-NT without transition during at least the first two years for up to 15 years after their initial assessment. ARMS status is ascertained with the Basel Screening Instrument for Psychosis (BSIP). ARMS remission is defined as the absence of attenuated psychotic symptoms or brief limited intermittent psychotic symptoms for at least 12 consecutive months.

In this preliminary sample of 51 ARMS-NT, the majority of patients (70.6%) have remitted from their at risk mental state, 13.7% remain at risk and 15.7% have made a late psychotic transition during the course of long-term follow up (median = 5.75, range 4–11 years after initial assessment).

The considerable rates of ARMS persistence and late psychotic transition indicate that longer follow-up durations than commonly recommended should be contemplated in ARMS patients. Potential predictors of favorable long-term clinical outcome, as well as psychosocial, neurocognitive and other outcomes of ARMS-NT patients will be further evaluated in the present study.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Acute psychotic disorders are described as a clinical syndrome characterized by Acuteness of the installation, the intensity and the polymorphism of delirium.

Describe the demographic characteristics of a population of patients with an acute psychotic disorder and identify factors correlated with evolution to schizophrenia.

This is a retrospective, descriptive and analytic study conducted on hospitalized patients in psychiatric department EPS Mahdia for acute psychotic disorder according to DSM-VI-TR criteria. A study of the recurrence time was performed by Kaplan–Meier and Cox test was used to identify factors correlated with evolution to schizophrenia.

One hundred and eleven patients were collected. The average age of the study population was 27 years, a male predominance was noted (59.5%), 39.6% of patients had family history of psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenic disorders and bipolar disorder were the most common with rates of 63.6 and 18.4% of cases. For our patients, 38.7% progressed to schizophrenia. Four risk factors were significantly predictive of progression to schizophrenia: male gender (P = 0.026), subacute or progressive onset disorders (P = 0.003), partial remission of the disorder (P = 0.023) and the prolonged duration of untreated psychosis (P = 0.027).

The evolution of an acute psychotic disorder remains unpredictable. In fact, the severity is related to the risk of developing schizophrenia or mood disorder. Attention is paid in recent years to recognize and seek most precociously as possible factors associated with this evolution.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

At present, in absence of reliable clinical and evolutionary data, it is difficult to determine what the consequences of an acute psychotic disorder, specifically if it is a mode of entry into schizophrenia, a mood disorder or a short-lived episode.

The objective of this study was to describe the sociodemographic characteristics and evolutionary modalities of a population of patients with a first psychotic episode.

This is a retrospective descriptive study, which involved patients admitted to psychiatric ward EPS Mahdia for acute psychotic disorder according to DSM-VI-TR criteria. Data collection was conducted from archived observations and through a predetermined sheet.

One hundred and eleven patients were collected. The average age of the study population was 27 years, a male predominance was noted (59.5%), 52.3% were from urban, 73% of patients were single, 33.3% were from a consanguineous marriage. Among those patients with a first acute psychotic episode, 43 patients (38.7%) progressed to schizophrenia, 15.3% to bipolar disorder, 23, 4% to recovery while 22.5% were lost view.

The long-term evolution of an acute psychotic disorder remains unpredictable. In fact, the severity is related primarily to the risk of developing a schizophrenic disorder or a mood disorder. In this context, attention is paid in recent years to recognize and seek the earliest possible factors associated with this development.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Galectin-3 (Gal-3) is a unique member of the lectin family involved in cell proliferation, adhesion, apoptosis and immune responses. Deletion of the Gal-3 gene reduces experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis and variation of gene encoding for Gal-3 already showed to be related with cognitive function. Also, elevated Gal-3 sera levels were measured in patients with Alzheimer's disease.

Aims and objectives We measured the serum concentrations of Gal-3 in patients with schizophrenia in remission and try to determine possible correlation of Gal-3 sera levels with clinical parameters, especially cognitive aspects.

In this pilot study were included patients with schizophrenia in remission on three months stable depot antipsychotic medication (risperidone and paliperidone) (n = 27) and healthy controls (n = 18). Serum levels of Gal-3 were measured using sensitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits, specific for humans (R&D Systems, Minneapolis). Cognition was evaluated using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) cognitive factors.

Higher mean values of Gal-3 were measured in patients with schizophrenia in remission compared with healthy volunteers (1389.69 vs. 994.23 pg/mL; P = 0.011), but correlation with PANSS cognitive factor was not established (P = 0.748).

These findings suggest that the role of Gal-3 should be explored further, in different stages of disorder and depending on applied therapy, but also considering specific cytokine milieu.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Neurocognitive impairment in schizophrenia is associated with functional disability and poorer quality of life, and is the most resistant of all schizophrenia symptoms to current psychopharmacotherapy.

To compare the differences in neurocognitive status during the acute phase of first psychotic episode and stable symptomatic remission.

To investigate the pattern of neurocognitive impairment in patients with first episode psychosis during acute phase and stable remission phase.

We performed a longitudinal study, including 150 patients with first episode of psychosis at two time points: during their hospitalization at Zagreb university hospital centre or university psychiatric hospital Vrapče, at acute phase of illness and after 12–18 months, during stable remission. Assessment included detailed clinical interview, clinical rating of neuropsychiatric symptoms using standardized psychiatric scales, self-assessment scales and comprehensive neurocognitive testing.

While our preliminary results (n = 40) showed statistically significant improvement in various neurocognitive domains, including visuo-learning abilities, verbal learning, executive functions, attention and processing speed, initial impairment in semantic and phonetic fluency observed in acute psychosis remained unchanged in remission as well.

Although our results showed improvement in most of cognitive domains during time, language abilities remained unchanged. This further confirms the hypothesis that language impairment is a trait marker of psychotic disorder.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.