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A special issue of Psychiatry International (ISSN 2673-5318).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2023) | Viewed by 47997

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Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Paolo Girardi

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Guest Editor

Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, and Health Studies, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00189 Rome, Italy
Interests: clinical psychiatry; biological psychiatry; psychopharmacology; pharmacogenomics; neuroimaging in psychiatry; suicidology; clinical psychology

Prof. Dr. Antonio Del Casale

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Guest Editor

1. Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology and Health Studies, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00189 Rome, Italy
2. Pharmacogenomics and Personalised Mental Health Clinic, Unit of Psychiatry, "Sant'Andrea" University Hospital, 00189 Rome, Italy
Interests: biological psychiatry; neuroimaging; pharmacogenomics and psychopharmacology; dynamic and clinical psychology

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We are pleased to announce that the journal Psychiatry International is now compiling a collection of papers submitted exclusively by the Editorial Board Members (EBMs) of our journal and outstanding scholars in this field. The Special Issue engages in a variety of important breakthroughs in Psychiatry.

International psychiatry is currently facing serious challenges triggered by the global economic crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic. These global events lead to the need to broaden our nosographic and therapeutic horizons, and to make use of the newest psychological approaches and the latest neuroscience acquisitions. A first focus of this Special Issue is on the psychological and psychiatric consequences of the pandemic. A second focus is on the new clinical applications and technologies in the fields of precision medicine, including genomics, neuroimaging, and microbiomics, which can also be integrated with each other through machine learning systems. These applications could provide new contributions, both in treatment personalization and in the evolution of nosographic systems.

The purpose of this Special Issue is to publish a set of papers that typifies the very best insightful original articles and reviews where our EBMs and outstanding scholars discuss key topics in the field. We expect these papers to be widely read and highly influential within the field. All papers in this Special Issue will be collected into a printed edition book after the deadline, and will be well promoted.

Prof. Dr. Paolo Girardi
Editor-in-Chief
Dr. Antonio Del Casale
Associate Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Psychiatry International is an international peer-reviewed open access quarterly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1000 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

mental health
clinical psychiatry
psychopharmacology
neuroimaging in psychiatry
precision
psychiatry
pharmacogenomics in psychiatry
pandemic stress disorder
psychiatric diagnoses
mental disorders
psychiatric treatments
affective disorders
personality disorders
behavioral disorders
biological psychiatry
geriatric psychiatry
community psychiatry
adolescent and child psychiatry
hypnosis
dynamic psychiatry
forensic psychiatry
addiction psychiatry
social psychiatry
clinical psychology
dynamic psychology
psychiatric nursing
psychiatric rehabilitation
learning disability
neurology
neuropsychology
neuropsychiatry
behavioral medicine
psychosomatic research
stress medicine

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Published Papers (8 papers)

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Research

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14 pages, 617 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Development of Hindi-Translated Version of the Female Sexual Function Index for Evaluating Sexual Dysfunctions among Individuals with Anxiety, Depression, and Other Common Mental Health Conditions: Experiential Account and Preliminary Findings from India

by Jyotsna Jain, Sanjukta Ghosh, Snehil Gupta and Sai Sreeja Vullanki

Psychiatry Int. 2023, 4(2), 160-173; https://doi.org/10.3390/psychiatryint4020018 - 15 Jun 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3742

Abstract

Sexual dysfunctions are common among females with common mental health conditions, such as anxiety and depression. However, discussion on this topic remains taboo in many cultures, including India. Worldwide, the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) is the most used tool to evaluate sexual functioning in females. Researchers across the globe attempted to translate and validate this scale in native languages (e.g., Japanese and Spanish); however, such translations are not available in Hindi. Strikingly, although there is literature informing us about the regional validation process of this scale, little has been discussed about qualitative nuances of the process of translation, the expert panel discussion, and cognitive interviewing during pilot testing. The lack of such procedural qualitative data limits the replicability of such translations in different cultures; furthermore, it can adversely influence the parameters of the validation study. Hence, the current study was conducted to highlight the process of Hindi translation of the FSFI and illustrate the challenges faced at various stages of translation and testing. The study was conducted in the multidisciplinary hospital of Central India by involving five translators, five expert panel discussants, and 15 patients with common mental health conditions or their caregivers. The significant findings of the current work include the requirement of semantic and grammatical changes and rephrasing of the sentences for improving comprehensibility and applicability in the Indian population (during the panel discussion). Additionally, it informed us to use alternate or more than one word to capture a concept, including English words written in Hindi (during preliminary pilot testing). Critical roadblocks were inadequate awareness of the issues, lack of typical/comprehensive terminologies to capture the ideas, and significant stigma attached to the subject. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Psychiatry International)

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13 pages, 1894 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Development and Reliability of a Questionnaire Assessing Stress, Coping, and Empathy (SCOPE) in Occupational Settings: Preliminary Evidence from Veterinarians

by Gianfranco Di Gennaro, Yolande Pigaiani, Anastasia Zocca, Matteo Balestrieri and Marco Colizzi

Psychiatry Int. 2022, 3(4), 346-358; https://doi.org/10.3390/psychiatryint3040029 - 1 Dec 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2656

Abstract

Workplaces can be associated with occupational stress, detrimental consequences in terms of loss of health and reduced psychosocial well-being. Importantly, employees may be particularly at risk of poorer well-being during times of adversity at work, when not able to apply adaptive coping strategies and adopt a more empathetic approach. This study aimed to develop a scale to estimate occupational stress both in terms of situational and individual components, by performing item selection, internal reliability assessment, and investigation of the ceiling/floor effect. The target population consisted of veterinarians (n = 116), based on evidence of high risk of occupational stress and related mental distress. Out of twenty initial candidate entries, exploratory factor analysis retained fifteen items consisting of three domains related to occupational stress, copying strategies, and empathy (SCOPE). The SCOPE scale demonstrated good internal consistency as a whole (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.79) and when considering the three subscales (stress, 0.85; coping, 0.77; and empathy, 0.71). On a possible range from 15 (worst adjustment) to 75 (best adjustment), the sample mean performance was 51.68 (SD, 8.50). Preliminary evidence indicated that the SCOPE questionnaire may reveal differential effects of type of work on levels of occupational stress and related coping and empathy skills. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Psychiatry International)

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10 pages, 465 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Anxiety Sensitivity Social Concerns Predicts Electrodermal Activity during the Niacin Biological Challenge Paradigm

by Kevin G. Saulnier, Marija Volarov and Nicholas P. Allan

Psychiatry Int. 2022, 3(4), 336-345; https://doi.org/10.3390/psychiatryint3040028 - 1 Dec 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1701

Abstract

Anxiety sensitivity social concerns (ASSC), or the fear of observable anxiety symptoms, is a risk factor for social anxiety. ASSC predicts anxiety following the niacin biological challenge, a paradigm in which niacin is used to manipulate facial flushing during a speech task. However, it remains unclear if ASSC predicts physiological arousal during this task. The current study was designed to examine the effects of ASSC on self-reported distress and electrodermal activity (EDA) during the niacin biological challenge in a sample of undergraduates (N = 36; M age = 18.9, SD = 0.84; 69.4% female). Participants were randomly assigned to one of four conditions in a 2 (100 mg niacin vs. 100 mg sugar) × 2 (instructional set) design. Participants completed a speech task in a virtual reality environment. Participants rated their distress halfway through the speech and EDA was averaged over four intervals. There was a main effect for ASSC on subjective distress. There was a significant ASSC by condition interaction predicting EDA, in that ASSC was related to EDA only in the niacin condition. ASSC also was more strongly related to EDA anticipating the speech. These findings highlight the role of ASSC in predicting anxiety and physiological arousal. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Psychiatry International)

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12 pages, 584 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Anxious Temperament Predicts Poor Acceptance of Self and Life in Bipolar Disorder during the COVID-19 Pandemic

by Eva Fleischmann, Frederike T. Fellendorf, Jennifer Ortner, Susanne A. Bengesser, Michaela Ratzenhofer, René Pilz, Melanie Lenger, Armin Birner, Robert Queissner, Martina Platzer, Adelina Tmava-Berisha, Carlo Hamm, Alexander Maget, Jolana Wagner-Skacel, Eva Z. Reininghaus and Nina Dalkner

Psychiatry Int. 2022, 3(3), 236-247; https://doi.org/10.3390/psychiatryint3030019 - 11 Aug 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2203

Abstract

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic and the social distancing resulting thereof are having a great impact on psychological well-being. Studies investigating resilience found that it impacts mental health during crises. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of pre-crisis temperament on resilience in individuals with bipolar disorder during the COVID-19 pandemic. An online survey was conducted in Austria between April and June 2020, including 36 individuals with bipolar disorder and 39 healthy controls. Resilience was assessed with the 13-item resilience scale, and temperament was measured with the Temperament Evaluation of Memphis, Pisa, Paris and San Diego-autoquestionnaire (TEMPS-A). The bipolar disorder group showed lower resilience than the control group, and scored higher on the TEMPS-A for depressive, cyclothymic, and anxious temperaments. Resilience could be predicted by anxious temperament in individuals with bipolar disorder, and correlated negatively with depressive symptoms in both groups. The results suggest that anxious temperament influences the resilience of individuals with bipolar disorder, likely more than temporary hardships, such as the first months of the COVID-19 crisis. It is therefore important to improve the resilience of individuals with bipolar disorder not only by short-term interventions, but by strengthening resilience and reducing anxious temperament in the long term. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Psychiatry International)

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Review

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21 pages, 1033 KiB

Open AccessReview

Rolling the Dice: A Comprehensive Review of the New Forms of Gambling and Psychological Clinical Recommendations

by Mirko Casu, Cecilia Ilaria Belfiore and Pasquale Caponnetto

Psychiatry Int. 2023, 4(2), 105-125; https://doi.org/10.3390/psychiatryint4020014 - 3 May 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 5097

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the main and most recent forms of gambling and related psychopathological disorders, also proposing psychological clinical recommendations. From November 2022 to February 2023, we searched the databases of PubMed, Web of Science, Health & Medical Collection, Elsevier Journal, and Springer for relevant studies performing different searches through different search strings. New forms of gambling are mostly related to new technological tools, such as the Internet, smartphones, social media, or electronic machines. The prevalence of online gambling affects all demographic groups, although 35–44-year-olds appear to have the largest share. Online gambling can lead to addiction, financial hardship, and mental health problems. It has also been statistically significantly associated with high levels of Gambling disorder, high levels of depression and anxiety, poor overall mental health, and alcohol use. Furthermore, it has been noted that online gamblers are more likely to engage in high-risk gambling behaviors and have a higher prevalence of comorbid mental disorders. The review highlights the need for continued research on the impact of new forms of gambling and the development of effective prevention and treatment strategies. Further research is needed to better understand the complex relationship between new forms of gambling and the development of gambling disorders. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Psychiatry International)

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6 pages, 261 KiB

Open AccessReview

Embitterment during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Reaction to Injustice, Humiliation, and Breach of Trust

by Michael Linden, Christopher P. Arnold and Beate Muschalla

Psychiatry Int. 2022, 3(3), 206-211; https://doi.org/10.3390/psychiatryint3030016 - 28 Jun 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2219

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has not only had an impact on the health of many people, but also on politics, the economy, and everyday life at large. It has been shown that some people respond with anxiety and depression, which is not surprising. Another reaction in the context of COVID-19 is embittered fights and disruptions between family members, friends, and neighbors, but also problems on a societal and political level, mutual public insults, political demonstrations, and even aggressive outbursts with a high number of participants. This calls for a separate explanation. One trigger may be embitterment, an emotion known to anybody in reaction to injustice, humiliation, and breach of trust, in association with helplessness. It comes along with a nagging desire to fight back and is usually accompanied by aggressive fantasies and combatively impulses towards the wrongdoer. This emotion also spreads indiscriminately to other people and the world. There are few initial studies which show that there is a significant increase in the rate of embitterment during the COVID-19 pandemic. Increased embitterment was related to financial losses, concern about restricted societal freedom, job insecurity, oppositional attitudes, helplessness, dissatisfaction with life, and inclination to join anti-COVID-19 demonstrations. These findings suggest that it is important to foster resilience against stressors, be it because of the virus itself, restrictions in daily freedom, negative comments by other persons, or imbalanced press releases. Of importance is also to abstain from insulting comments towards people who do not follow the mainstream, to allow adjustment of rules to given situations, and to take people along by listening to their grievances, instead of leaving demonstrations on the street as the only method to voice concerns. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Psychiatry International)

23 pages, 1594 KiB

Open AccessReview

Influence of External Natural Environment Including Sunshine Exposure on Public Mental Health: A Systematic Review

by Keita Taniguchi, Mayuko Takano, Yui Tobari, Motoshi Hayano, Shinichiro Nakajima, Masaru Mimura, Kazuo Tsubota and Yoshihiro Noda

Psychiatry Int. 2022, 3(1), 91-113; https://doi.org/10.3390/psychiatryint3010008 - 4 Mar 2022

Cited by 17 | Viewed by 19066

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has been raging around the world and public health measures such as lockdowns have forced people to go out less often, reducing sunlight exposure time, green space use, and physical activity. It is well known that exercise has a positive impact on mental health, but the impact of external environmental factors such as sunlight exposure and green space use on mental health has not been systematically reviewed. In this review, we categorized the major factors that may affect people’s mental health into (1) external environmental factors such as exposure to sunlight and green spaces, (2) internal life factors such as physical activity and lifestyle, and (3) mixed external and internal factors, and systematically examined the relationship between each factor and people’s mental health. The results showed that exposure to sunlight, spending leisure time in green spaces, and physical activity each had a positive impact on people’s mental health, including depression, anxiety, and stress states. Specifically, moderate physical activity in an external environment with sunlight exposure or green space was found to be an important factor. The study found that exposure to the natural environment through sunbathing and exercise is important for people’s mental health. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Psychiatry International)

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Other

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5 pages, 1513 KiB

Open AccessCase Report

The Perplexing Mental Health Comorbidity of Alice in Wonderland Syndrome (AIWS): A Case Study

by Jennings Hernandez

Psychiatry Int. 2023, 4(1), 30-34; https://doi.org/10.3390/psychiatryint4010005 - 17 Jan 2023

Viewed by 9906

Abstract

The Alice in Wonderland Syndrome (AIWS) is an unusual and uncommon condition that falls under the umbrella of neurology and psychiatry. It is characterized by the presence of complex perceptual and visual discord. Additionally, there are visual hallucinations that are multi-dimensional. This syndrome was first described by John Todd in the 1950s, and it was loosely based on the book Alice in Wonderland. A man in his 30s arrived at his doctor’s appointment with a chief complaint of a pounding cluster headache that lasted over a full day. In addition, he mentioned that there was an aura preceding his headaches. The pain was so intense, it was debilitating him from routine activities. Before the headaches, he explained that he would sense bizarre physical and visual behaviors. During these episodes, he explained that things around him appeared distorted and of various sizes. Things in his room appeared to be more distant than they really were and larger in size (macropsia and micropsia). He described the fingers on his right hand to be much smaller compared to his left hand (micropsia). Objects around him were deformed and distorted (metamorphopsia). His symptoms lasted 45 minutes. He did not suffer from any previous headaches or hallucinations. He was a healthy man with a clean bill of health as per his medical records. Upon examination, the attending physician described the patient as alert, oriented to time and place, and under no obvious distress. All labs performed returned normal including a 10-panel drug test. These were tested to see if he was under the influence of any narcotic, stimulant, or other substances. The physician prescribed 500 mg of valproic acid to take daily. Three months later during his follow-up, he mentioned his symptoms had subsided but were still present. His dose was again increased to 1000 mg/day, eventually stopping all further symptoms from surfacing. He has not had another episode in three months. The Alice in Wonderland Syndrome is known to be associated with headaches with preceding auras. It is common in the pediatric and adult populations. In this paper, I introduce a case of a patient who displays migraines with preceding auras, indicative of AIWS. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Psychiatry International)

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