Anorexia nervosa is an eating behavior disorder that is often related to various personality factors. The relationship between obsessive compulsive disorder and eating Disorders has been highlighted.

To present a clinical case of a patient with eating disorder and gastric bezoar, secondary to compulsive hair ingestion.

Bibliographic review of articles published in relation to the comorbidity of these disorders, based on articles published in the last 5 years in Pubmed.

26-year-old female. Diagnosis of restrictive anorexia nervosa. She was admitted to the hospital on two occasions for nutritional disorders. In the last admission, she reported greater anxiety and significant weight loss. She reports that she has limited her food intake, but she does feel thin and is unable to eat for fear of gaining weight. Ruminative thoughts about her body image. During admission, the patient expressed a sensation of fullness, nausea and vomiting, later observing in abdominal X-ray and gastroscopy, the presence of a gastric trichobezoar, which was finally resolved conservatively.

Trichotillomania is observerd in 1 in 2000 people, trichophagia is even less frequent. According to DSM- V, these disorders are grouped within obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorders. A Trichobezoar is a conglomerate that can be found in the stomach or intestine, composed mainly of hair, previously ingested. Trichotillomania can be associated with anorexia nervosa, especially in patients with obsessive personality traits, which occurs frequently. The gastric slowing that patients with anorexia often present is a factor that favors the formation of the bezoar

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Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a medical treatment for those patients with high suicide risk or refractory psychiatric disorders. It is currently a safe technique, and its effectiveness has been widely demonstrated.

Presentation of a clinical case about a patient with drug-resistant delusional disorder and high suicide risk, who eventually received ECT treatment.

Bibliographic review including the latest articles in Pubmed about ECT procedure, effects and use.

We present a 45-year-old man, who visited different doctors several times by reporting he had the feeling of “having a brain tumor or a vascular disorder”, so he requested imaging tests (computed tomography and magnetic resonance). These tests were absolutely normal, but he kept thinking something was wrong, and eventually attempted suicide by hanging (his family founded him before it was too late). The patient was admitted to hospital, and started psychopharmacological treatment, with minimal response. He desperately insisted that he had “something inside his head”. At this point, it was proposed to start ECT, and the patient accepted. After 6 bilateral ECT sessions, he was visibly more relaxed and less worried, and he no longer presented autolytic ideation. He was still a little bit suspicious about the feeling of having a neurological disease. Currently, the patient runs a follow-up consultation.

Electroconvulsive therapy is a safe and effective technique for those patients with high suicide risk. It may be useful to perform imaging tests in certain cases, for detecting intracranial pressure, acute hemorrhage, tumors… A follow-up of these patients must be performed

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Mutism is the inability or unwillingness to speak, resulting in an absence or marked paucity of verbal output. Mutism is a common manifestation of psychiatric, neurological, and drug-related illnesses. Psychiatric disorders associated with mutism include schizophrenia, affective disorders, conversion reactions, dissociative states, and dementias. Neurological disorders causing mutism affect the basal ganglia, frontal lobes, or the limbic system.

Outline the importance of setting a differential diagnosis of mutism in the Emergency Room.

Review of scientific literature based on a relevant clinical case.

Male, 58 years old. He has lived in a residence for 3 months due to voluntary refusal to ingest. Diagnosed with paranoid personality disorder. He is refered to the Emergency Service due to sudden mutism. During this day, he has been stable and suitable with a good functionality. For 3 hours he is mutist, oppositional attitude and stiff limbs, refusing to obey simple orders. Hyperalert and hyperproxia. Not staring. After ruling out organic pathology: normal blood tests, negative urine toxins and cranial CT without alterations, he was admitted to Psychiatry for observation and, finally, he was diagnosed with Psychotic Disorder NOS.

Mutism most often occurs in association with other disturbances in behavior, thought processes, affect, or level of consciousness. The most common disorder of behavior occurring with mutism is catatonia. The differential diagnosis of mutism is complex. In some cases the diagnosis will be clarified only by careful observation and after a neurological evaluation. Published studies show neurological disorders presenting with mutism can be misdiagnosed as psychiatric.

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There is a high comorbidity between psychiatric disorders and juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME), observed in up to 58% of these patients; specifically, mood disorders, anxiety and personality disorders (PD). In some patients with PD there are nonspecific alterations in the EEG, which nevertheless sometimes involve pathology. The presence of personality disorders along with JME has been repeatedly described. Previous studies have emphasized the difficulties in treating patients with JME, which have been attributed to some specific psychiatric, psychological and psychosocial characteristics.

Describing distinctive personality traits in JME

Review of scientific literature based on a relevant clinical case.

19-year-old woman, single. Psychiatric history since she was 12 due to anxiety-depressive symptoms, after being diagnosed with JME. 4 admissions in Psychiatry, with a variety of diagnoses: eating disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and borderline personality disorder. The evolution of both disorders has been parallel, presenting epileptic seizures due to irregular therapeutic adherence together with pseudo-seizures, which made difficult their differential diagnosis. In addition, he has had frequent visits to the emergency room for suicide attempts and impulsive behaviors.

In 1957, for the first time, distinctive personality traits were described in patients with JME: lack of control and perseverance, emotional instability, variable self-concept and reactive mood, which have been confirmed in subsequent studies. It is believed as epilepsy progresses, patients tend to develop symptoms of depression, anxiety, social problems, and attention deficit. Therefore, these patients have difficulty in following medical recommendations, especially precautions regarding precipitating factors for seizures.

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Traumatic brain injury (TBI) can cause changes in the personality and behaviors. History of TBI has been associated with violent behavior and substance abuse.

Presentation of a clinical case of a patient with antisocial personality traits who suffered a TBI and abuses alcohol.

We conducted a bibliographic review by searching for articles published the last 5 years in Pubmed

We present the case of a 48-year-old male patient with a history of myoclonic epilepsy, who suffered a TBI in a car crash. During his stay at ICU antisocial and borderline personality traits were found. When he came to consultations, he presented signs of alcohol intoxication (verbiage with hasty and dysarthric speech, and psychomotor incoordination). He acknowledges daily alcohol intake, although he minimizes it. During the interview he is irritable, prone to anger when contradicted and boasts of episodes of heteroaggressiveness and violence that he has carried out in the past. He reports morning sickness and tremors, but does not accept that they may be due to alcohol withdrawal. There is no motivation for change.

It has been determined that history of TBI is more frequent in individuals with antisocial personality. TBI has been linked to violent behaviors, poor inhibitory control, engaging in illegal acts and higher rates of substance abuse. However, the causal relationship between antisocial behavior and TBI has yet to be clarified, as the available evidence does not show which comes first. More research is needed in the future that takes into account the temporal sequence of events.

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Migrations are a source of stress for patients, which can have repercussions on their Mental Health. We present the case of a native Senegalese patient who presented a first psychotic episode.

Presentation of a clinical case of an immigrant patient with a psychotic disorder.

Bibliographic review on migration and psychosis by searching for articles in Pubmed.

We present the case of a patient of 20 years, a native of Senegal, who has been living in Spain for 3 months in a shelter home. He has no family or relations in Spain, and only speaks Wolof, presenting serious difficulties in communication with healthcare workers. He came to Hospital with his social worker because strange behaviors had been observed. He presented delusional ideation of self-referential and mystical-religious content, related to “the prophet” and “the need to fulfill a mission”. He also presented auditory hallucinations that he identified as of divine origin, and ordered him to perform behaviors such as picking hairs from the ground and various rituals. He acknowledges cannabis and alcohol use in the previous days. Paliperidone treatment was started. Throughout the admission, he begins to show concern for the state of his relatives in Senegal and the need to send them money.

Multiple studies indicate that migrants are at higher risk of psychosis, specially those from countries where the majority of population was black, according to some series. The challenge lies in understanding the mechanisms underlying this increased incidence, taking into account psychosocial factors such as social isolation and trauma.

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There are life events that may increase the possibilities of suffering some kind of Psychopathology. The most validated model for understanding the aetiology of psychosis is based on genetic and environmental risk factors and their interaction, likely involving epigenetic mechanisms. It is necessary to consider those events as risk factors for Mental Health.

Study of risk and prognostic factors in psychosis.

Review of scientific literature based on a relevant clinical case.

We present the case of a 28-year-old male patient from Peru, currently living in Germany. History of sexual abuse in childhood. He started taking drugs at the age of 8. In the emergency department, he reports that since the beginning of the pandemic, after listening to a speech by the Pope, he begins to interpret signals about situations occurring around him. He begins to read about mystical-religious subjects, changes the style of music he listens to and recognises changes in his personality. He says for months he has been feeling watched, persecuted and expresed someone wants to kill him. He says hears voices and that they communicate with him through bodily sensations.

Childhood trauma, immigration and cannabis use are significantly associated with an increased risk of functional psychosis. A neurotic personality also independently contributes to this risk. The accumulation of these factors increases vulnerability to mental disorders and leads to a worse prognosis and evolution of these pathologies. These findings could help to improve the prevention of psychosis and the development of specific treatment strategies in this particular population.

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Brain lesions may induce psychiatric symptoms in some cases. Imaging tests are important to make a differential diagnosis, and therefore initiate an appropriate treatment.

Presentation of a clinical case about a patient with psychiatric symptoms who presented an organic lesion.

Bibliographic review including the latest articles in Pubmed about psychiatric symptoms induced by organic lesions.

We present a 51-year-old male patient, with adequate previous functionality, who attended psychiatric consultations due to changes in his character, with delusional mystical and megalomaniac ideation, verbiage, hypoprosexia, memory loss and insomnia (diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder type II, hypomanic episode). Eventually, a brain computed tomography scan was performed, in which meningioma was visualized. The patient underwent surgery, and he asked to keep a sample of his tumor to always carry it with him on a pendant. Psychiatric symptoms induced by organic lesions are highly variable, depending on the location and size of the lesion, and they may be the first and/or only symptom of a meningioma (up to 21% according to various studies), so it is important to perform imaging tests in some cases. At this time, the patient is under follow-up, he has remained euthymic and stable, and he refuses to take psychopharmacological medication.

Psychiatric symptoms may be the first and/or only manifestation of an organic lesion in some cases. Neuroimaging tests (CT and MR) may be useful in the differential diagnosis. It is important to carry out an indiviualized treatment based on the patient’s pathology, which may include surgery and/or drugs.

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Concerns about health and fitness during lockdown may serve as a trigger for eating disorders in vulnerable individuals. Other risk factors may also include increased use of social networks and comparison with beauty ideals. Isolation, loneliness and problems with emotional regulation may lead people to reduce food intake by giving them a greater sense of control.

Emphasise the relevance of the increase in the incidence of Eating Disorders (ED) cases during the pandemic.

Review of the scientific literature based on a relevant clinical case.

14-year-old female, residing with her mother. She reports that from the beginning of COVID-19 confinement she became obsessed with leading a healthier life, starting to restrict food, limiting fats and carbohydrates, and having also started compulsive physical activity (approximately 4 hours of aerobic exercise per day), without associated purging behaviours. She also acknowledges eating small amounts (although she minimises this aspect) and controlling all calories, stating that food and practices aimed at “staying healthy” now dominate her life. Her previous BMI was 18, with a current BMI of 11.7.

Patients suffering from ED, who often have poor knowledge of their illness and find social-emotional communication difficult, may delay seeking help. Studies suggest the relevance of identifying specific vulnerability factors among ED patients in confinement in order to develop preventive strategies and personalised treatment approaches.

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Megalomanic ideas in a patient with limited intellectual functioning may be due to the psychotic clinic or be the result of their disability.

This case is intended to highlight the importance of a joint approach between psychiatrists and psychologists to assess functionality before and after the psychotic episode.

34-year-old woman with no mental health history. She came to the emergency department for an episode of aggression at home. Her parents report that they have observed strange behaviour, she is more aggressive, speaks alone, changing voices and global insomnia in the last few days. Her language is incoherent and disorganised, with a long response latency. Megalomaniacal and catastrophic delusions. Possible auditory hallucinations and thought control phenomena.

During admission, antipsychotic treatment was introduced with good tolerance and response on the part of the patient. She has been distancing herself from the ideas and has become somewhat critical. A psychological evaluation was carried out with different scales that showed borderline IQ.

It is important to make a good assessment of the patient’s symptoms in order to make a differential diagnosis. In this case, it is advisable to carry out a control and follow-up, as well as a neuropsychological assessment before and after the acute episode. In addition, a multidisciplinary approach with psychologists, psychiatrists and social workers is important.

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We present the clinical case of a patient where the psychotic clinic coexists with gender dysphoria. This scenario can be the result of a change in gender identity derived from the psychotic process or appear independently of it.

We want to explain the importance of knowing how to act with a patient in whom these two processes coexist.

20-year-old woman, with no history of mental health. She comes to the emergency department for behavioral alteration. The family observes strange behaviors, unmotivated laughter, soliloquies and aggressive episodes. Abandonment of studies, hobbies and radical physical change. Delusions of prejudice and self-referential delusions. Possible phenomena of echo and diffusion of the thought. Auditory hallucinations talking to her in male gender, since then she presents doubts about her sexual identity and manifests her desire to change sex. Altered judgment of reality.

During admission, we started treatment with an antipsychotic with good tolerance and she was referred to mental health team, where psychopharmacological treatment was adjusted with good response. In the following medical appointments the psychotic clinic disappeared at the same time that sexual identification was completely restored and made a critique of the behavior and experiences.

This case highlights the importance of assessing the chronology of symptoms, the patient’s criticality, the response to antipsychotic treatment and the need to exclude the psychotic background of the desire for gender reassignment before making a therapeutic decision.

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In last years, studies on the families of patients with eating disorders (ED) have tried to identify family needs, as well as to determine their coping strategies.

To identify the coping strategies in families of patients with eating disorders.

Forty relatives were evaluated (mean age=49.4 years, S.D.=6.7); 52% women and 48% men; 94.6% married. COPE scale (Carver et al., 1989) was used to measure individual coping strategies, and F-COPES scale (Olson and Larsen, 1987) was used to evaluate family coping strategies. Statistical analysis was realized using SPSS.19.

The relatives had higher scores in the following COPE subscales: planning, suppression of competing activities, active coping; they had lower scores in drug/alcohol intake, behavioral disengagement and denial. In F-COPES subscale the higher scores were in reframing and the lower ones in passive appraisal.

It of patients relatives faces their trying change, avoiding other activities or thoughts that distract them. As family, they identify the problems and try to handle them looking for support in nearby persons.

There are some data that suggest the existence of a dysfunction of the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) Axis in patients with eating disorders (anorexia nervosa –AN- and bulimia nervosa -BN-). If such a dysfunction exists, it would result in an altered cortisol response to stress.

To compare the cortisol response to stress in a group of patients with AN, BN and a control group.

Seventeen female AN patients, 17 female BN patients and 26 healthy female controls were compared. The Trier Social Stress Test (TSST) was used to induce stress. Throughout the test, seven samples of saliva were collected from each subject, and cortisol was investigated in each of the samples using radioimmunoassay (RIA).

Each group had a specific profile of cortisol release. Upon arrival at the laboratory, the AN patients had higher cortisol levels, but they quickly returned to normal values, becoming similar to those of controls. In contrast, in the BN patients the cortisol levels were at any time significantly lower than those of the AN patients and the controls, displaying a globally blunted response.

The results support the hypothesis of a dysfunctional functioning of HPA axis in patients with eatings disorders, althoug suggest that it might be particularly important in BN patients.

Supported by grants PI060974 (Plan Nacional de Investigación Científica, Desarrollo e Innovación Tecnológica [I+D+I]. FIS. Instituto Salud Carlos III. Ministerio de Sanidad, Servicios Sociales e Igualdad) and GRU09173 (Plan de Investigación Regional de Extremadura. Gobierno de Extremadura y European Social Fund).