Compassion focussed self-help for skin conditions in individuals with insecure attachment: A pilot evaluation of the acceptability and potential effectiveness

Further research is needed to develop psychological interventions for people living with skin condition. This research letter reports on a preliminary evaluation of targeted self-helpa encompassing mindful breathing and compassionate imagery (i.e., evoking a self- compassionate mental images), with the aim of reducing skin specific related distress such as shame. The aim of this 4-week preliminary study was to investigate the usability and acceptability of self-help for people living with skin conditions, through a feedback form administered two weeks after the intervention

Comorbidity of Internet use disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: Two adult case–control studies

Objectives There is good scientific evidence that attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is both a predictor and a comorbidity of addictive disorders in adulthood. These associations not only focus on substance-related addictions but also on behavioral addictions like gambling disorder and Internet use disorder (IUD). For IUD, systematic reviews have identified ADHD as one of the most prevalent comorbidities besides depressive and anxiety disorders. Yet, there is a need to further understand the connections between both disorders to derive implications for specific treatment and prevention. This is especially the case in adult clinical populations where little is known about these relations so far. This study was meant to further investigate this issue in more detail based on the general hypothesis that there is a decisive intersection of psychopathology and etiology between IUD and ADHD. Methods Two case–control samples were examined at a university hospital. Adult ADHD and IUD patients ran through a comprehensive clinical and psychometrical workup. Results We found support for the hypothesis that ADHD and IUD share psychopathological features. Among patients of each group, we found substantial prevalence rates of a comorbid ADHD in IUD and vice versa. Furthermore, ADHD symptoms were positively associated with media use times and symptoms of Internet addiction in both samples. Discussion Clinical practitioners should be aware of the close relationships between the two disorders both diagnostically and therapeutically. When it comes to regain control over one’s Internet use throughout treatment and rehabilitation, a potential shift of addiction must be kept in mind on side of practitioners and patients

The psychological burden of skin diseases: a cross-sectional multicenter study among dermatological out-patients in 13 European countries.

The contribution of psychological disorders to the burden of skin disease has been poorly explored, and this is a large-scale study to ascertain the association between depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation with various dermatological diagnoses. This international multicenter observational cross-sectional study was conducted in 13 European countries. In each dermatology clinic, 250 consecutive adult out-patients were recruited to complete a questionnaire, reporting socio-demographic information, negative life events, and suicidal ideation; depression and anxiety were assessed with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. A clinical examination was performed. A control group was recruited among hospital employees. There were 4,994 participants--3,635 patients and 1,359 controls. Clinical depression was present in 10.1% patients (controls 4.3%, odds ratio (OR) 2.40 (1.67-3.47)). Clinical anxiety was present in 17.2% (controls 11.1%, OR 2.18 (1.68-2.82)). Suicidal ideation was reported by 12.7% of all patients (controls 8.3%, OR 1.94 (1.33-2.82)). For individual diagnoses, only patients with psoriasis had significant association with suicidal ideation. The association with depression and anxiety was highest for patients with psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, hand eczema, and leg ulcers. These results identify a major additional burden of skin disease and have important clinical implications.Peer reviewedFinal Published versio

The role of adult attachment orientation and coping in psychological adjustment to living with skin conditions

Background Skin conditions can be associated with significant psychological distress. Investigation of attachment orientation and associated use of coping strategies is a promising perspective from which to investigate psychological adjustment to skin conditions. Objectives To examine the role of adult attachment orientation, conceptualized as two dimensions – attachment avoidance and attachment anxiety – in psychological adjustment [appearance‐related distress and skin‐related quality of life (QoL)], and the mediating role of two coping strategies – defeatism and activity. Methods Attachment avoidance and attachment anxiety, use of coping strategies, appearance‐related distress and skin‐related QoL were assessed via a cross‐sectional online survey in 207 adults with skin conditions. Multiple mediation analyses were performed using PROCESS pathway analysis. Results Overall, higher attachment avoidance and higher attachment anxiety were associated with higher appearance‐related distress and greater impact on emotions and functioning aspects of QoL. For attachment anxiety, the relationship was fully explained by more frequent use of defeatism coping. For attachment avoidance, the relationship was partially explained by more frequent use of defeatism coping (and in the case of appearance‐related distress also more frequent use of activity coping), and higher attachment avoidance was also associated with poorer psychological adjustment in a way that could not be explained by use of assessed coping strategies. Conclusions Insecure attachment orientation (high attachment avoidance or high attachment anxiety) is linked to poorer adjustment. People with insecure attachment might benefit from psychological interventions that target underlying attachment orientation

Motivation and Diabetes: Time for a Paradigm Shift? - A Position Paper -

Non-adherence to treatment recommendations for patients with diabetes is widespread. This applies to medication as well as recommendations for a healthy lifestyle with appropriate physical activity, a healthy diet, and, if necessary, an end to smoking and weight control. Disregard of these recommendations has been shown to increase the risk of diabetes complications, morbidity and premature mortality. Physicians ' responses to this patient behavior include increased efforts to improve adherence to therapy and often result in a feeling of resignation in the long term. Research efforts focus on an increasing number of interventions to improve therapy adherence, with the results of meta-analyses indicating only moderate success. This position paper presents a practice-oriented approach for discussion that aims to improve the problems described. We reflect on the different roles and responsibilities of patients on the one hand and physicians and other professional groups (diabetes counsellors, nurses, and psychotherapists) on the other. A new classification of different types of non-adherence to therapy is proposed. These constitute the starting point for a practice-related algorithm for the medical handling of the different types of non-adherence, in which the roles and responsibilities of practitioners and patients are explicitly clarified. Thereby no adherence to therapy of patients is pushed. Rather, the aim is for patients to make an informed and responsible decision for or against a doctor's suggestion and for this to be accepted by the physician so that frustrations on both sides are avoided. Finally, theses regarding motivation problems in diabetes will be presented for discussion

Internet-Based Self-Assessment for Symptoms of Internet Use Disorder—Impact of Gender, Social Aspects, and Symptom Severity: German Cross-sectional Study

BackgroundInternet use disorder (IUD) is a new type of behavioral addiction in the digital age. At the same time, internet applications and eHealth can also provide useful support in medical treatment. ObjectiveThe purpose of this study is to examine if an internet-based eHealth service can reach individuals with IUD. In particular, it should be investigated whether both male and female individuals with more severe IUDs can be reached. MethodsData were retrieved from the OMPRIS (online-based motivational intervention to reduce problematic internet use and promote treatment motivation in internet gaming disorder and internet use disorder) project (DRKS00019925), an internet-based motivational intervention to reduce problematic internet use and promote treatment motivation in internet gaming disorder and IUD. During the recruitment process (August 2020-March 2022), a total of 3007 individuals filled out the standardized scale for the assessment of internet and computer game addiction (AICA-S). The assessment was accessible via the project homepage. There was no preselection of participants at this stage of the study; however, the offer was addressed to people with hazardous internet use and IUDs. The web-based assessment was free and could be found via search engines, but attention was also drawn to the service via newspaper articles, radio reports, and podcasts. ResultsOut of 3007 who participated in the web-based self-assessment, 1033 (34.4%) are female, 1740 (57.9%) are male, 67 (2.2%) are diverse individuals, and 167 (5.5%) did not disclose their gender. The IUD symptom severity score showed a wide range between the AICA-S extreme values of 0 and 27 points. On average, the total sample (mean 8.19, SD 5.47) was in the range of hazardous IUD behavior (AICA-S cutoff>7.0). Furthermore, 561 individuals (18.7% of the total sample; mean 17.42, SD 3.38) presented severe IUD (AICA-S cutoff>13.5). Focusing on female and male participants, 20.9% (363/1740) of the men and 14.9% (151/1033) of the women scored above 13.5 points, which can be considered pathological IUD behavior (χ22,2773=16.73, P<.001, effect size: Cramér V=0.078). Unemployment, being in vocational training or studying at a university, and being male were significantly associated with high IUD symptoms. ConclusionsUsing a large sample, the study showed that both mildly and severely IUD-affected individuals can be reached via the internet. An internet-based eHealth offer can thus be a good way to reach patients with IUD where they are addicted—on the internet. In addition, eHealth services increase the likelihood of reaching female patients, who hardly ever come to specialized outpatient clinics and hospitals. Since social problems, especially unemployment, have a strong association with disease severity, the integration of social counseling into treatment seems advisable in terms of a multidisciplinary approach. Trial RegistrationGerman Clinical Trials Register (DRKS) DRKS00019925; https://drks.de/search/de/trial/DRKS0001992