Relationship between body mass index to depression severity, eating attitude and impulsivity among the patients with major depressive disorder

Objective: Major depressive disorder and obesity has been rapidly increasing worldwide, and overlapping related factors has been discussed more and more. Especially, it is stated that depression is the leading psychological factor which is affecting eating attitude, and accordingly body mass index (BMI) is increased. It is also thought that, impulsivity is higher with the severity of depression, which negatively affects eating attitude and may cause change on BMI. In this study, we aimed to determine whether BMI affects eating attitude and impulsivity in case of presence of depression, and if so, to determine other related factors. Methods: To this cross-sectional study, 120 patients were included, who were diagnosed major depression first time according to DSM-5, and who do not have any other psychological or physical illness. Sociodemographic Data Form, Eating Attitude Scale, Barrat Impulsivity Scale-11 (BIS-11) and Beck Depression Scale (BDS) were applied to participants. Results were analyzed using SPSS 22.0. Results: The severity of major depression was found to be related with high BMI (particularly obesity). Positive relationship was found between BMI and lower education level, being married, having children and smoking. Increase in BMI has no effect on impulsivity. However, there was a relationship between severity of depression and impulsivity independent from BMI. It was found that patients with eating attitude disorder have significantly higher BMI, BDS, BIS-11 total scores and attention, non-planning sub-dimensional scores compared to patients with normal eating attitude. Discussion: Hence, BMI with high major depression severity may be related with obesity. However, our findings suggest that rather than BMI, depression severity affects impulsivity more. It should be considered that, for depressive and obese individuals, with the increase in depression severity, eating attitude may be affected and impulsivity may be higher

Effects of family functions on Opioid Use Disorder patients to remission

Background. Heroin addiction is a problem with individual, social and economic aspects. The main aim of addiction treatment is to achieve and maintain remission. Secondary aims of the present study have been to determine the factors affecting remission in individuals who applied for treatment to counteract heroin addiction and determine whether family function is effective on remission. Methods. The study included 199 patients who were admitted to the alcohol and drug addiction treatment centre for the first were diagnosed with opioid addiction. The sociodemographic data form and Family Assessment Device (FAD), which shows family functions, were both applied. The patients who were included in the study were evaluated for their continuation of treatment month by month, and for opioid use during the first year of treatment. As a remission criterion valid for at least 1 month of treatment, the criteria adopted for addiction or misuse were not met, and the substance metabolite had to give a negative result in the urine analysis. Results. Inverse correlation was found between the amount of heroin used and remission (p = 0.008). The communication subscale score of FAD was found to be higher in non-working individuals compared with working ones, though the difference was not statistically significant (Z= 2.06 p=0.03). FAD's behavioural control subscale score is higher in men. In the group of those showing a history of disciplinary penalties at school, the average score of FAD's general functions was found to be higher than in those who did not receive disciplinary punishment (Z=1.98 p=0.04). When the group in remission and the group that continued to use heroin were compared, the general functions subscale score was lower in the group with remission (Z = 2.01 p = 0.04). Conclusions. It is important to consider familial functions in achieving and maintaining remission in heroin addiction. Taking note of the disadvantages of family interactions and taking them into consideration during the treatment process may bring benefits by increasing treatment success

Sociodemographic characteristics of online game players and the relationship of game addiction with some psychosocial factors

Objective: The fact that online gaming is becoming more widespread in the society and may disrupt functionality by causing a behavioral addiction, which is defined as "internet gaming disorder" in DSM-5, points to the importance of further research. In this study, we aimed to investigate the sociodemographic features of online gamers and some psychosocial factors that may be related to online gaming, as there are limited studies available on this topic in Turkey. Method: The design of the study is cross-sectional. The sample of the study consists of Travian, an online game, players. The sociodemographic data form, Game Addiction Scale, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, Perceived Multi-Dimensional Social Support Scale and Life Satisfaction Scale were conveyed to the participants via SurveyMonkey. The data of 726 participants, who completed all forms, were analyzed. Results: Mean age of the participants was 28.4 +/- 9.98, 93.5% (n: 679) were male, 59.2% were at least university graduates. 11.9% (n: 81) of the participants were game addicts according to Game Addiction Scale and all together with risky participants for game addiction who are not game addicts already, this number reaches up to 47% (n: 344). There is a negative significant relationship between game addiction scores and life satisfaction (r=.270, p<.01), and perceived multi-dimensional social support (r=-.181, p<.01). Also there is a positive significant relationship between game addiction scores and self-esteem scores. Discussion: Addiction of Travian players in Turkey seem to affect the population in a wide age range. The fact that perceived multi-dimensional social support, life satisfaction and high self-esteem are related to low game addiction scores may be a guide for clinicians in terms of approaches towards people at risk of game addiction

Association of serum brain derived neurotropic factor with duration of drug-naive period and positive-negative symptom scores in drug naive schizophrenia

<div><p>Introduction</p><p>The aim of this study was to compare the serum brain derived neurotropic factor (BNDF) levels of patients with schizophrenia who had never received an antipsychotic treatment with those of a control group. Also, to analyze the relationship between the Positive and Negative Symptom Scale (PANSS) scores and BDNF levels of the patients during the period they were drug-naive.</p><p>Materials and methods</p><p>The sample of the study comprised patients who presentedto the Psychiatry Clinic and were admitted after a distinctive schizophrenia diagnosis was made in accordance with the fourth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR) diagnosis classification and who were not using and never had any antipsychotic medicine. A total of 160 participants were included in the study, 80 of whom had schizophrenia patients and 80 constituted the age- and sex-matched healthy control group. Before the start of the treatment, the serum samples to be checked for the BDNF levels were collected from the patients.</p><p>Results</p><p>The difference between the average BDNF levels of the groups were statistically significant (t = -5.25; p˂.001). An analysis as to whether there was a relation between the BDNF levels and the drug-naïve duration indicated no correlations. An examination of the relationship between PANSS scores and BDNF levels of the patients yielded no correlations.</p><p>Discussion</p><p>Serum BDNF levels seem to be one of the indicators of schizophrenia and its progress; nevertheless, we still do not have sufficient information about this neurotropic factor. In light of our study, the neurodevelopmental changes that occur at disease onset of the illness prominently affect the progress of the illness, which highlights the importance of the treatment in the early stages.</p></div

Relationship between somatization and psychiatric symptoms, especially anxiety, depression, alexithymia, and severity of addiction in male patients with alcohol and heroin addiction

ABSTRACT Objective: There are differences among studies examining comorbid somatization in alcohol and heroin addicts. The literature is unclear whether substance use disorders are related with somatization symptoms or with a high rate of alexithymia, depression, and anxiety associated with somatization. Therefore, the primary aim of this study was to compare heroin and alcohol addicts with regard to comorbidity of somatization and other psychiatric symptoms. In addition, we aimed to evaluate the relationship between somatization, addiction severity, depression, anxiety and alexithymia levels. Method: A total of 170 male outpatients, of whom 79 had been diagnosed as alcohol dependent and 91 as opiate dependent, were included in the study. A Sociodemographic Data Form, Addiction Profile Index, Symptom Checklist 90, and Toronto Alexithymia Scale-20 were administered to the patients. Results: Somatization, depression, anger and hostility, interpersonal sensitivity, and psychoticism were significantly higher in heroin addicts than in alcohol addicts. In a stepwise linear regression model with somatization symptoms as the dependent variable and addiction severity, anxiety, depression, obsessive compulsive, anger and hostility, phobic anxiety, interpersonal sensitivity, psychoticism, paranoia, and alexithymia symptoms as independent variables, anxiety symptoms and alexithymia were found to be positive predictors of somatization symptoms. Conclusion: It needs to be considered that in addictions to different substances, different psychiatric comorbid symptoms may occur. In addition, it is recommended that heroin- or alcohol-addicted patients with high somatic symptoms should be screened for anxiety disorders and alexithymic personality traits

The clinical features of the patients participating in the study.

<p>The clinical features of the patients participating in the study.</p

Comparison of BDNF and PANSS scores between the different drug-naïve duration groups.

<p>Comparison of BDNF and PANSS scores between the different drug-naïve duration groups.</p

Dot plot of control and patients groups.

<p>Dot plot of control and patients groups.</p

Demographical features of the participating patients and control group.

<p>Demographical features of the participating patients and control group.</p

The impact role of childhood traumas and life events in patients with alopecia aerate and psoriasis

© 2014, Ismail Volkan Şahiner et al.Background: Alopecia areata (AA) and psoriasis are common dermatological diseases which may be associated with psychosomatic origin. Close relationship with stressful life events has been shown both AA and psoriasis in previous studies. Dermatologic diseases which are thought to be psychosomatic origin are not examined about childhood traumas except AA. In the literature there is no study that investigates both stressful life events with childhood trauma in healthy indiviudals and dermatological diseases with psychosomatic origin such as AA and psoriasis. Objective: To determine whether stressful life events and childhood traumas play a role in AA is the first aim of this study. If it is, will this role specific for AA as a second aim? The patients with psoriasis and healthy individuals were also investigated too. Methods: Patients (range: 18-70 years of age) with a diagnosis of AA and psoriasis who admitted to Dermatology Outpatient Department of Baskent University Medical Faculty between August 2009 and July 2010 were recorded and analyzed for our study. Healthy individuals without past or present psychiatric symptoms proven by the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI) as control group were selected randomize. Forty patients with AA, 30 patients with psoriasis, and 50 healthy subjects as controls were stratified as three individual groups. The Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, the Life Events Checklist, The Beck Depression Inventory, and the Beck Anxiety Inventory and socio demographic data questionnaire were administered to the participants. Informed consent was obtained from all participants. Results: The rate of childhood traumatic events, the stressful life events, anxiety and depression scores were significantly higher in both AA and psoriasis group than healthy controls. Significant difference was not found between AA and psoriasis patients. Conclusion: Childhood traumas and stressful life events may play a role in the pathogenesis of AA. In addition, this role may also apply to other psychosomatic diseases as psoriasis. This result may let us understand the role of past and present psychological stressors in the etiology of dermatologic psychosomatic diseases. Psycho dermatologic new approaches are needed to evaluate stressful life events and childhood traumas