Search Results (648)

Background: It is well documented in the scientific literature that obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) and various eating disorders may present overlapping psychopathological traits. Exploring these aspects could help to identify underlying features that connect different diagnostic categories. However, evidence is lacking regarding certain less-studied eating disorders, such as avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID). The aim of this review is to investigate the presence of comorbidity between OCD and ARFID and, consequently, the psychopathological similarities between these disorders. Methods: A systematic review of the PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus and PsycInfo databases was conducted. To ensure methodological rigor, the review process followed the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) recommendations. Results: After removing duplicates and applying the exclusion criteria, nine studies were included. Results indicated that although ARFID presents with primarily food-related symptomatology, the two disorders demonstrate both overlapping and distinct psychopathological characteristics. A tendency toward comorbidity is evident; however, symptom presentation appears to be influenced by age. Specifically, lower obsessive–compulsive comorbidity is observed during childhood and adolescence. Nevertheless, OCD in younger populations is more frequently associated with a fear-driven ARFID profile compared to older individuals. The co-occurrence of these conditions complicates treatment; OCD-related symptoms often show limited responsiveness to conventional approaches used for eating disorders. Conclusions: ARFID and OCD share partially overlapping psychopathological features, with comorbidity patterns varying by age. Recognizing these shared and disorder-specific traits—and investigating them through longitudinal studies—may guide more targeted, personalized interventions and improve treatment outcomes. Full article

Background/Objectives: Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) and psychotic disorders are clinically distinct conditions yet occasionally co-occur in ways that complicate assessment and treatment. ARFID is characterised by avoidance of food due to sensory sensitivities, fear of aversive consequences, or low interest in eating, without body-image distortion. Recent meta-analytic evidence suggests that ARFID affects a substantial proportion of the population and is associated with a considerable social burden. Psychosis is characterised by positive symptoms (hallucinations and delusions), negative symptoms (avolition, blunted affect, and social withdrawal), and cognitive impairments affecting thought, perception, and behaviour. Methods: Across the limited literature, shared mechanisms between ARFID and psychotic disorders appear to converge on pathological avoidance, which may arise from sensory overstimulation, obsessive–compulsive features, or delusional beliefs about food. Case reports indicate that psychosis may both mimic ARFID and exacerbate food avoidance, while severe malnutrition can itself precipitate or worsen psychotic symptoms, blurring diagnostic boundaries. Results: Abnormalities in interoception, sensory sensitivity, and disrupted perception of bodily signals are manifestations of both ARFID and psychosis, suggesting a potential bridging pathway contributing to vulnerability and clinical overlap. Conclusions: Given the paucity of empirical studies and the reliance on isolated case reports, systematic investigation is mandatory and necessary to clarify shared mechanisms, refine differential diagnosis, and guide integrated treatment approaches. Given the heterogeneity of symptoms in comorbid patients, a personalised approach is suggested for treating these patients. Full article

This paper argues that Westphal’s attempt to overcome onto-theology paradoxically collapses back into it—not through conceptual inconsistency but through a structural reinscription of the very hierarchy he seeks to escape. The argument begins by examining Westphal’s understanding of onto-theology and critically assessing his appropriation of Augustine and Kierkegaard (the latter via Levinas), culminating in his affirmation of “God the Almighty.” This critique is particularly warranted given that Westphal elevates Kierkegaard as the paradigmatic figure for overcoming onto-theology. Subsequently, by drawing on Derrida and Caputo, the study introduces an expanded understanding of onto-theology—encompassing the critique of theocentrism and the obsession with purity—to expose the lacunae in Westphal’s approach. While Westphal successfully avoids the production of a God to whom one cannot pray or offer praise, his project nonetheless remains entrapped within the orbit of onto-theology as theocentrism. The paper concludes by indicating that such attempts to overcome onto-theology risk regressing into a theocentric structure, with significant implications for how religious discourse shapes ethical and political life. Ultimately, it highlights that his hermeneutical approach to God remains firmly theological—indeed, all too theological—and unable to transcend the hermeneutics of religious life. Full article

Aim: This scoping review aimed to synthesize the quality of life (QoL) and perceived burden among caregivers of patients with Obsessive–Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Background: The QoL and burden among caregivers of patients with OCD is an important but under-researched topic, given that OCD can significantly impair the QoL of both patients diagnosed with OCD and their caregivers. Method: A scoping review approach was used to identify articles published in peer-reviewed journals between the years 2010–2024. The search yielded a total of 511 articles from 5 databases, namely, Science Direct, PsycInfo, PubMed, JSTOR, and Google Scholar. Ten articles that fit the inclusion criteria were selected. All the articles followed a quantitative approach; the mean age of caregivers was approximately 48 years, the number of caregivers ranged from 50 to 120, and the majority of the articles had samples with more female caregivers, mostly spouses/parents of the patient. Results: The four themes derived through the synthesis included caregiver support priorities, illness trajectory and caregiver strain, detrimental caregiver response, and socioeconomic disparities and QoL. Conclusion & Implications: Synthesizing the existing literature can guide the development of evidence-based strategies to alleviate the burden among and enhance the QoL of caregivers. Full article

Background/Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the internalizing characteristics, including anxiety and depressive symptoms, in adolescents presenting with non-cardiac chest pain (NCCP), and to explore the effects of sociodemographic variables and prior psychosocial experiences on psychological distress. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Turkey and included 128 adolescents aged 10–18 years (57.0% female, 43.0% male) who presented to pediatric cardiology or general pediatric outpatient clinics. The Children’s Depression Inventory (CDI), State–Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children (STAI-C), Screen for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders (SCARED), Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI), and the Social Support Appraisals Scale for Children (SSAS-C). Sociodemographic variables and prior psychosocial symptom history were also recorded. Results: Adolescents with non-cardiac chest pain exhibited elevated anxiety and psychological distress compared to controls. Female participants demonstrated higher levels of stress, anxiety, and overall psychological symptom burden than males. Higher maternal age was associated with lower perceived stress, while a prior history of psychosocial symptoms was linked to increased anxiety and global psychological distress. Participants with a history of psychosocial symptoms had higher anxiety (p = 0.027) and BSI (p = 0.004) scores. Significant positive correlations were found between anxiety, depression, obsessive–compulsive symptoms, and the BSI total score (r values ranging from 0.718 to 0.892). Conclusions: Adolescents with NCCP exhibit significant internalizing symptoms, particularly anxiety and depression. Female gender and prior psychosocial stressors were associated with elevated symptom scores. Maternal age may have a buffering effect on adolescent stress levels. These findings underscore the importance of integrating psychological screening into the evaluation of chest pain in adolescents to enable early identification and intervention. Full article

Background: Obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) is a heterogeneous psychiatric condition with substantial heritability. Early genetic studies were often underpowered and produced limited reproducibility, but recent large-scale genomic and multi-omic approaches are beginning to elucidate the genetic architecture of OCD. Objectives: This review aims to synthesise current evidence from recent genomic and epigenomic studies on OCD and their implications for molecular pathways of pathogenesis, including endophenotypes. Methods: We reviewed peer-reviewed literature and preprints published in recent years, focusing on multiple genetic approaches, including genome-wide association studies (GWAS), whole exome sequencing (WES), whole genome sequencing (WGS), and methylome-wide association studies (MWAS). We then integrated the results with endophenotypic evidence at the biochemical, physiological, structural, functional, and executive/cognitive levels. Results: Recent large-scale genomic studies provide strong evidence of a highly polygenic contribution from common variants, while rare coding and structural variants also contribute measurably, with enriched signals in pathways relevant to neurodevelopment and, in some cohorts, early-onset presentations. Epigenomic studies have moved from scattered findings to more replicable methylation patterns, including loci influenced by nearby genetic variation and indications of sex-dependent effects. Although convergence at the single-gene level remains limited, cross-study and cross-omics signals increasingly point to biological domains involving synaptic organisation and plasticity, neurological development and chromatin regulation, immune/stress pathways, and cellular homeostasis. Conclusions: The biology of OCD risk is best represented by an integrative model combining polygenic load, contributions from rare variants, and regulatory (epigenetic) mechanisms that influence intermediate phenotypes at the circuit and cognitive levels. The current findings are not yet clinically applicable for individual diagnosis; however, they may inform future multidisciplinary research frameworks and, in the longer term, contribute to the development of more personalised approaches in OCD. Full article

Tourette syndrome (TS) is a neurodevelopmental disorder, with a male-to-female ratio of approximately 3:1, characterised by involuntary tics, frequently comorbid with conditions such as obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD). Some patients exhibit limited responsiveness to standard medications, necessitating alternative therapeutic strategies. Clomiphene, a selective oestrogen receptor modulator (SERM), emerged as a potential candidate. However, raloxifene and bazedoxifene, which exhibit distinct chemical structures from clomiphene, present dual modulation not only as oestrogen receptor modulators but also as inverse agonists of the cannabinoid CB₂ receptor. The present study compared the efficacy of clomiphene, raloxifene, and bazedoxifene in alleviating TS/OCD-like behaviours in mice. The findings revealed dose, sex, and age differences in the effects of raloxifene, and to a lesser extent of bazedoxifene, demonstrating potential therapeutic benefit for treating TS/OCD-like behaviours. The effects of raloxifene were compared in the presence of 2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodoamphetamine (DOI)-induced or SR141716A-induced motor-like tics, premonitory urges-induced, and OCD-like behaviours in mice. DOI-induced juvenile male and female mice responded to raloxifene, while only adolescent DOI-induced females responded to raloxifene. These results suggest that SERM drugs that are also CB₂ receptor antagonists/inverse-agonists may be a new class of drugs to reduce motor tics and OCD symptoms in patients with TS/OCD. Full article

Background and Objectives: This study aimed to examine the severity of misophonia symptoms in individuals diagnosed with obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) and to evaluate the pattern of the relationship between misophonia and OCD symptom severity in relation to anxiety sensitivity and mindfulness. Materials and Methods: This comparative and cross-sectional study included 108 patients diagnosed with OCD according to DSM-5 criteria and 81 healthy control subjects without any psychiatric diagnosis. Participants completed the Misophonia Symptom List (MSL), Anxiety Sensitivity Index-3 (ASI-3), Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS), Yale–Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS), and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI). Statistical analyses included group comparisons, Pearson correlations, multiple linear regression, and mediation analyses using the PROCESS macro. Results: MSL scores were significantly higher in the OCD group compared to the control group (104.10 ± 33.00 vs. 87.56 ± 20.07, p < 0.001). ASI-3 (33.53 ± 18.72 vs. 18.12 ± 11.55, p < 0.001) and BAI scores (20.74 ± 13.14 vs. 11.04 ± 8.47, p < 0.001) were higher; MAAS scores were lower (53.23 ± 14.92 vs. 60.72 ± 12.70, p < 0.001). In the OCD group, MSL scores were positively correlated with anxiety sensitivity (r = 0.626, p < 0.001) and Beck anxiety (r = 0.515, p < 0.001) and negatively correlated with MAAS (r = −0.357, p < 0.001). In multiple regression analysis, anxiety sensitivity was identified as the only variable significantly predicting misophonia severity (β = 0.523, p < 0.001). Mediation analyses showed that anxiety sensitivity emerged as the dominant indirect pathway between OCD symptom severity and misophonia, whereas the contribution of mindfulness was not independent of anxiety sensitivity in the serial mediation model. Conclusions: The findings indicate that misophonia symptoms are significantly elevated in individuals diagnosed with OCD and that these symptoms are particularly associated with cognitive-emotional variables such as anxiety sensitivity and mindfulness. Given the cross-sectional design, the mediation findings should be interpreted as indirect associations rather than evidence of causal pathways. Considering these variables may be useful in assessing misophonia symptoms accompanying OCD and planning clinical approaches. Full article

Background/Objectives: The treatment of dual disorders (DDs) must be comprehensive and multidisciplinary. There is evidence supporting the effectiveness of psychotherapy in their treatment. However, clinical guidelines, consensus statements, and reviews on the treatment of DDs typically devote considerably less space to psychological therapy than to pharmacological therapy. Therefore, this work aimed to synthesize the available evidence, recommendations, and clinical experience on the psychological treatment of DDs to reach a consensus. Methods: Two consensus methods were sequentially implemented: the nominal group technique and the Delphi method. Results: The first part of this consensus review encompassed a compilation of general recommendations for the psychological treatment of DDs, evidence on the efficacy of the most frequently used therapies, and recommendations for the psychological treatment of severe dual mental disorders. These disorders include schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders, bipolar disorders, depressive disorders, and obsessive compulsive disorders. Conclusions: (1) Psychological treatment is effective; (2) integrated psychological treatment is more effective; (3) motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral therapy, and relapse prevention are the psychological interventions with the most supporting evidence; (4) the best alternative is multicomponent strategies; (5) the most frequently studied severe mental disorders are schizophrenia and depression; (6) for dual schizophrenia, motivational interviewing and integrated cognitive behavioral therapy combined with other components are recommended; (7) for dual depression, cognitive behavioral therapy with relapse prevention or motivational interviewing is recommended; (8) for dual bipolar disorder, group therapies with psychoeducation or relapse prevention and inclusion of the family, contingency management, and family intervention are recommended; (9) more empirical evidence is needed, especially for obsessive compulsive and schizoaffective disorders; and (10) more randomized clinical trials are needed to improve current methodological limitations. Full article

Background/Objectives: Obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) is a chronic psychiatric illness with intrusive obsessions and compulsive behaviors severely impacting daily functioning and quality of life. The purpose of this narrative review is to present an updated summary of available evidence on third-generation antipsychotics (TGAs) as augmentation strategies for SRI-refractory OCD. Methods: The literature was reviewed using the PubMed database to recognize studies on the use of TGAs in treatment-resistant OCD. Only articles in the English language and on human participants were included. Results: We included nine reports in our review. More numerous (five reports) and higher evidence-level reports were retrieved for aripiprazole, which consistently shows high response rates compared to placebo and other antipsychotics. Two cohort studies were included on brexpiprazole, with no active or placebo comparator. These showed varying but high response rates. One cohort study reported a response rate of 61.5% to cariprazine. Only one paper reported on the efficacy of lumateperone in OCD. This was a single-case report on an adolescent patient with refractory OCD responding to lumateperone monotherapy. Conclusions: The current state of evidence supports the clinical utility of TGAs, particularly aripiprazole, in augmenting SRI treatment in patients with refractory OCD. Evidence regarding cariprazine and lumateperone is scarce, but still contributes to the discussion on the use of TGAs in OCD. Full article

Cultural heritage institutions today are experiencing a digital transformation. Virtual Reality (VR), with the promise of immersive and interactive features, has drawn the attention of artists and curators. Some prior museology research has attempted to investigate digital innovations like virtual museums and VR-based exhibits to present the best of museum experiences; however, existing systematic research on the topic of interactive narrative experience with immersive VR technologies is rare. This paper reports on an original research project to understand the emergent issues concerning immersion, interactive and narrative in museum experience design. This research used multiple case studies, Claude Monet: The Water Lily Obsession; We live in the Ocean of Air; Mona Lisa: Beyond the Glass; Curious Alice. In total, 22 semi-structured interviews were conducted with VR experts and museum curators to understand the motivation of the designers and developers. This research hopes to contribute to the digital revolution of museums, providing a foundation for curators and artists who are interested in using VR technologies in exhibitions. Full article

Background/Objectives: Gambling disorder (GD) is characterized by a high prevalence of co-occurring psychiatric disorders, including personality disorders (PDs), which may negatively influence clinical presentation, treatment outcomes, and relapse rates. The aim of this systematic review was to synthesize recent evidence regarding the association between GD and formally diagnosed PD and/or diagnostically anchored PD symptomatology, and to describe the main personality dimension most frequently reported in affected individuals. Methods: A systematic search was conducted in the PubMed and Dialnet databases for articles published between 30 November 2015 and 30 November 2025, according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA 2020) guidelines. PubMed was selected as the primary database because it is the most comprehensive source for peer-reviewed biomedical and psychiatric research, while Dialnet was included to complement PubMed by ensuring coverage of peer-reviewed psychiatric and psychological research published in other Romance-language journals, which are often underrepresented in international databases. The methodological quality and risk of bias of the included studies were evaluated using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Critical Appraisal Checklist for cross-sectional studies and the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale (NOS) for observational studies. Data extraction and synthesis were performed manually by two independent reviewers. Eight studies, predominantly cross-sectional in nature, assessing exclusively formally diagnosed personality disorders in adult individuals (≥18 years) diagnosed with GD were included. Results: Eight studies met the inclusion criteria, including a total of 4607 patients with GD. Across studies, personality pathology was highly prevalent among individuals with GD, with antisocial and borderline personality disorders most consistently reported. Elevated levels of impulsivity, emotional dysregulation, and narcissistic traits were frequently observed and were additionally associated with greater gambling severity, earlier onset, and poorer clinical outcomes. Antisocial personality symptoms were strongly linked to high-risk gambling subtypes, while obsessive–compulsive personality traits showed a more heterogeneous relationship with gambling severity. Conclusions: These results underscore the importance of personality assessment in individuals with GD and highlight the need for longitudinal studies using standardized diagnostic frameworks to inform tailored prevention and treatment strategies. Full article

Alopecia Areata (AA) is a chronic disorder with significant psychological impact due to its unpredictability. While emotional distress (ED) is well-recognized in AA, the interplay between illness perception (IP) and obsessive–compulsive (OCD) symptomatology remains underexplored. This -sectional, observational study aimed to investigate the prevalence of OCD symptoms and ED in AA outpatients, analyzed the relationship between IP and OCD symptomatology. One-hundred-thirty-five AA outpatients, from a specialized Hospital in Rome, Italy, were recruited. Participants completed the DASS-21 for ED, the Brief IPQ for IP, and the OCI-R for OCD symptomatology. AA severity was assessed using standardized scores. Statistical analyses included correlations and a simple mediation model. OCD symptomatology was found in 18.5% of the sample, and clinical-level ED in 20.7%. Strong associations were found between OCI-R and DASS-21 (r = 0.56, p < 0.001), and DASS-21 and Brief IPQ (r = 0.56, p < 0.001). The mediation analysis indicated that ED fully mediated the relationship between IP and OCD symptomatology (indirect effect: b = 0.20, 95% CI [0.10, 0.30]), suggesting IP’s impact on OCD symptoms primarily occurs via ED. Negative IP exacerbate ED, which, in turn, drives OCD behaviors. Psychological assessment and targeted interventions in individuals with AA are needed. Full article