depression

Sleep-immune interactions and mental disorders

Sleep-immune interactions and mental disorders

Prospective epidemiological studies suggest that sleep disturbance (ie, difficulties in sleep onset and sleep maintenance) is a robust predictor of major depression episodes and depression recurrence. In parallel, experimental endotoxin model support a role of innate immune activation (inflammation) in the aetiology of depression, yet the precise role played by sleep disturbance is poorly understood. Sleep disturbance may increase peripheral pro-inflammatory cytokines by upregulating NF-kB pathways, modulating gut-microbiota, autonomic and neuroendocrine (eg, HPA) activity.

Short-term cortical synaptic depression/potentiation mechanisms in chronic migraine patients with or without medication overuse

Objective: To study the effects of trains of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) over the motor cortex in patients with chronic migraine (CM) with or without medication overuse (MOH). Subjects and methods: Thirty-two patients (CM [n = 16]; MOH [n = 16]) and 16 healthy volunteers (HVs) underwent rTMS recording. Ten trains of 10 stimuli each (120% resting motor threshold) were applied over the left motor cortex at 1 Hz or 5 Hz in random order. The amplitude of motor evoked potential (MEP) was evaluated from electromyographic recording in the first dorsal interosseous muscle.

Multiple chemical sensitivity syndrome. A principal component analysis of symptoms

Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) is a chronic and/or recurrent condition with somatic, cognitive, and affective symptoms following a contact with chemical agents whose concentrations do not correlate with toxicity in the general population. Its prevalence is not well defined; it mainly affects women between 40 and 50 years, without variations in ethnicity, education and economic status. We aimed to assess the core symptoms of this illness in a sample of Italian patients. Two physicians investigated different symptoms with a checklist compilation in 129 patients with MCS (117 women).

General health & psychological distress in children with temporomandibular disorder

INTRODUCTION: Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) are an heterogeneous group of disorders affecting temporomandibular joints (TMJ), masticatory muscles, or both. The aim of this study is to evaluate the relationship between general health and psychological distress variables and the clinical diagnosis of TMD in children between 8 - 13 years old. Moreover, it will be underlined the different perception of psychological distress existing between patients and their parents.

Euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide for patients with depression. Thought-provoking remarks

Euthanasia and medical assistance in dying entail daunting ethical and moral challenges, in addition to a host of medical and clinical issues, which are further complicated in cases of patients whose decision-making skills have been negatively affected or even impaired by psychiatric disorders. The authors closely focus on clinical depression and relevant European laws that have over the years set firm standards in such a complex field. Pertaining to the mental health realm specifically, patients are required to undergo a mental competence assessment in order to request aid in dying.

The assisted suicide of Italians in Switzerland and the silence of psychiatry

The debate on different forms of request of death has taken on a broad dimension in public opinion over last years, often referring on profoundly differentiated and often opposing positions of principle. Beyond cultural, political or ideal positions, a further critical issue, often underestimated or quite not considered, concerns a person’s ability to express a valid consent to the request of death, according to the same criteria of validity of the informed consent to any medical act. This assumes particular importance in the case of assisted suicide.

Dialogues about emotional events between mothers with anxiety, depression, anorexia nervosa, and no diagnosis and their children

Objective. Mothers with psychiatric diagnoses have been found to be generally less responsive and sensitive when interacting with their children, but studies of the quality of their dialogues with their children have not been conducted. Such dialogues are associated with children’s coherent representations of their experiences, which promote resilience and coping. Design.

Psychological Adjustment of Healthcare Workers in Italy during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Differences in Stress, Anxiety, Depression, Burnout, Secondary Trauma, and Compassion Satisfaction between Frontline and Non-Frontline Professionals

Emergency situations have been associated with negative psychological adjustment outcomes in healthcare professionals, although studies on the impact of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic amongst Italian health workers are limited. The main aim of this study was to investigate the psychological adjustment of healthcare professionals during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, evaluating differences according to working or not with patients affected by COVID-19 and in areas with a more severe spread of this pandemic.

Internet Addiction among Young Adult University Students: The Complex Interplay between Family Functioning, Impulsivity, Depression,and Anxiety

International research has underlined that both interpersonal, self-regulation, and comorbid variables can lead to a higher risk of developing internet addiction (IA) among young adults. To date, no studies have explored the interplay between young adults’ family functioning, impulsivity, and psychopathological difficulties.

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