Journal of Clinical Medicine

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Special Issue Editor

Dr. Rosaria Di Lorenzo

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Guest Editor

Psychiatrist of Department Mental Health and Drug Abuse, AUSL-Modena, 41126 Modena, Italy
Interests: psychopaharmacology; clinical psychiatry; acute psychiatric interventions; ADHD; voluntary nad incolntray hospitalizations

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Nowadays, the clinical diagnosis and treatment of psychiatric disorders remain ongoing challenges. Psychiatric diagnoses are descriptive and are not supported by blood and/or instrumental markers. Thus, psychiatric diagnosis remains an issue that requires clinical judgment and course observation to confirm. In an acute setting, psychiatric disorders require urgent treatment to contain risky behavior and ensure safe conditions for people and their environment. Moreover, treatments for acute conditions are necessary to prevent a chronic and maladaptive course of illness. In the long-term context, treatment adherence is required to prevent relapses and recurrences, as are rehabilitation programs to prevent maladaptive conditions. Despite international guidelines and worldwide consensus updates, gaps in psychiatric diagnosis and treatment persist, especially in the real-world context. The purpose of this Special Issue is to provide a comprehensive overview of advances in the diagnosis and treatment of psychiatric disorders, with a particular interest in the use of innovative research on psychiatric diagnoses and treatment programs in both acute and long-term settings. Therefore, researchers in the field of Clinical Psychiatry are encouraged to submit their findings as original articles or reviews to this Special Issue.

Dr. Rosaria Di Lorenzo
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

psychiatric diagnoses challenges in acute settings
urgent treatments for containing aggressive behavior
long-term psychiatric treatments
rehabilitative treatment in psychiatry

Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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27 pages, 707 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Suicidality in the Light of Schema Therapy Constructs, i.e., Early Maladaptive Schema and Schema Modes: A Longitudinal Study

by Anna Grażka, Klara Królewiak, Klaudia Sójta and Dominik Strzelecki

J. Clin. Med. 2023, 12(21), 6755; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm12216755 - 25 Oct 2023

Viewed by 873

Abstract

(1) Background: The search for new strategies to diagnose people at risk of suicide and to help them is highly significant in view of the still high rate of suicidality. Schema therapy and its core constructs, i.e., early maladaptive schemas (EMSs) and schema modes, correspond to both directions. (2) Methods: This study compared the severity of EMSs and schema modes in a clinical group of suicide risk, a clinical non-suicidal group, and a control group. Intragroup comparisons were also conducted between times of crisis and psychological stability. The evaluation was supported by controlling for the psychopathological symptoms presented, following the dimensional concept. (3) Results: The unquestionable relevance of the disconnection/rejection domain in suicidality has been proven. The importance of EMSs from other domains, especially during psychiatric crises, was confirmed. Among the schema modes, child and Punitive Parent modes proved to be the most significant. There were changes in coping modes but of a lesser effect size. The protective importance of the Healthy Adult and Happy Child modes was also proven. (4) Conclusions: The results provide an indication for practitioners about the EMSs and schema modes most associated with suicide risk. They can also serve as a framework for deepening the issue of identifying and preventing suicidality in schema therapy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment of Psychiatric Disorders)

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Review

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29 pages, 1397 KiB

Open AccessReview

The Potential Role of the Ketogenic Diet in Serious Mental Illness: Current Evidence, Safety, and Practical Advice

by Joanna Rog, Zuzanna Wingralek, Katarzyna Nowak, Monika Grudzień, Arkadiusz Grunwald, Agnieszka Banaszek and Hanna Karakula-Juchnowicz

J. Clin. Med. 2024, 13(10), 2819; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13102819 - 10 May 2024

Viewed by 431

Abstract

The ketogenic diet (KD) is a high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet that mimics the physiological state of fasting. The potential therapeutic effects in many chronic conditions have led to the gaining popularity of the KD. The KD has been demonstrated to alleviate inflammation and oxidative stress, modulate the gut microbiota community, and improve metabolic health markers. The modification of these factors has been a potential therapeutic target in serious mental illness (SMI): bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, and schizophrenia. The number of clinical trials assessing the effect of the KD on SMI is still limited. Preliminary research, predominantly case studies, suggests potential therapeutic effects, including weight gain reduction, improved carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, decrease in disease-related symptoms, increased energy and quality of life, and, in some cases, changes in pharmacotherapy (reduction in number or dosage of medication). However, these findings necessitate further investigation through larger-scale clinical trials. Initiation of the KD should occur in a hospital setting and with strict care of a physician and dietitian due to potential side effects of the diet and the possibility of exacerbating adverse effects of pharmacotherapy. An increasing number of ongoing studies examining the KD’s effect on mental disorders highlights its potential role in the adjunctive treatment of SMI. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment of Psychiatric Disorders)

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