Association between Parental Addiction and Types of Child Abuse in High-School Students of Kerman, Iran

Background: Child abuse is one of the vulnerabilities that threaten child's physical and mental health in childhood and is associated with serious short-term and long-term complications. The present study aimed to review the association of parental addiction with types of child abuse in high-school students of Kerman, Iran. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 360 students were recruited and studied through cluster sampling method. Abuse and the related factors were assessed using a standard self-report 48-item questionnaire. Findings: Average child abuse among the study subjects was 27.6%. Physical behavior, negligence, and emotional abuse were seen in 9.7%, 23.6%, and 17.9% of the subjects, respectively. Parental addiction had a significant association (P = 0.001) with incidence of all the child abuse domains. Conclusion: Special consideration to families of addicted parents and early identification of child abuse cases may prevent the adverse side effects. Keywords: Child abuse, Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, Neglect, Parents, Addictio

Temperamental Characteristics and Problem-Solving Skills among Patients on Opioid Agonists

Background: The study of temperament and problem-solving styles in people with substance abuse is important in promoting the functions of prevention and treatment of this social problem. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare the nature and problem-solving skills of methadone treated patients with buprenorphine treated patients.Methods: This study was performed on 62 patients and 54 patients randomly selected for buprenorphine and methadone treatment, respectively. The data was collected using Cloninger’s Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI) ‎and the Problem-Solving Questionnaire designed by Cassidy and Long.Findings: Novelty seeking (NS) was higher in patients treated with buprenorphine than those treated with methadone and cooperation was higher in methadone treated patients than those treated with buprenorphine. Moreover, helplessness in patients with methadone treatment was more than those treated with buprenorphine.Conclusion: The study of personality or temperamental characteristics (novelty seeking, cooperation, and etc.) and problem-solving styles in people on buprenorphine and methadone treatment is recommended because it may increase therapeutic success and patients’ adherence to treatment

Persistent Psychosis after Abuse of High Dose of Zolpidem

Abstract Background: Zolpidem is a non-benzodiazepine medication which selectively affects GABA A receptors and treats insomnia. There are numerous reports of psychosis following the consumption of zolpidem all of which recovered after stopping the medication. Case Report: A 27 year old male law student, who was treated with 10 mg zolpidem due to insomnia, increased the dosage to 500 mg during 3 months. Not only was his insomnia remained untreated, but also he gradually became isolated, suspicious, and aggressive, and dropped out of university. He was then hospitalized in a psychiatric ward for 2 months, and was treated with antipsychotics and gradual discontinuation of zolpidem. With no improvement in psychosis and sleep improvement he was discharged. After two weeks he was hospitalized again and went under electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and antipsychotic therapy, and was discharged with relative improvement. Now, after three years, he is diagnosed with schizophrenia and with modest improvements he is under care and treatment. Conclusion: Zolpidem is a fairly useful medication for treating sleep problems, especially improving beginning of sleep. However, physicians ‎and clinicians should consider the conditions, predispositions, and personal and family history of types of psychosis, alcohol and drug abuse in the comprehensive assessment and treatment plan for patients with insomnia. Keywords: Zolpidem, Permanent and temporary psychosis, Insomni

Anxiety, Depression, Quality of Life and General Health of parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Background: Since parents of children suffering from autism disorder have more psychiatric problems compared to parents of normal children or those with other developmental disorders, the present research aimed to study anxiety, depression, general health and quality of life among parents of children with autism disorders in comparison to the control group. Methods: This descriptive-analytical, cross-sectional study was performed on parents of autism children visiting the pediatric psychologist at Besat psychiatric clinic and one of the rehabilitation centers in Kerman, Iran. The autism diagnosis was confirmed by a child and adolescent psychiatrist and based on DSM-IV-TR criteria. The control group was selected from parents of children over two years with somatic problems. 66 people were selected in each of the control and case groups and in each group there was 33 men and 33 women. All participants were asked to fill out Hamilton Depression and Hamilton Anxiety questionnaires as well as general health questionnaire (GHQ-28) and quality of life (WHOQOL-BREIF) questionnaire. Data analysis was performed using t-test. Results: Mean scores of depression, anxiety, and quality of life were significantly different between the case and control groups (P<0.001). However, in terms of general health, mean scores of the two groups showed no statistically significant difference. Conclusion: Parents of children suffering from autism spectrum disorders are more susceptible to anxiety and depression and have lower quality of life

Prevalence of Learning Disability in Primary School Students in Kerman City

The present study examined the prevalence of learning disabilities in primary school students in Kerman city. Respondents of the present study comprised of 793 primary students who were identified by cluster sampling technique. Instruments for students’ data collection included intelligent, mathematic, reading and writing tests and questionnaire. Results of the present study indicated that frequency of learning disabilities in Kerman primary school was 40.74% and there was a significant difference between boys and girls. Math disability was 13.9 percent, reading disability was 36.9 percent, and writing disability was 4.5 percent. There was a significant different in math disability among boys and girls. Also there was a significant different in writing and reading disability among boys and girls

Prevalence of Learning Disability in Primary School Students in Kerman City

The present study examined the prevalence of learning disabilities in primary school students in Kerman city. Respondents of the present study comprised of 793 primary students who were identified by cluster sampling technique. Instruments for students’ data collection included intelligent, mathematic, reading and writing tests and questionnaire. Results of the present study indicated that frequency of learning disabilities in Kerman primary school was 40.74% and there was a significant difference between boys and girls. Math disability was 13.9 percent, reading disability was 36.9 percent, and writing disability was 4.5 percent. There was a significant different in math disability among boys and girls. Also there was a significant different in writing and reading disability among boys and girls

Methadone Treatment in Iranian Opiate Addicts: A Preliminary Report

Background: This study aimed to investigate the initial dosage of methadone and factors affecting it in maintenance therapy.Methods: This cross-sectional, descriptive-analytic study was conducted on 157 individuals referring to a methadone maintenance therapy (MMT) clinic. The initial dosage of methadone was 20-45 mg which was adjusted during the treatment based on each patient's evaluation. Three groups were formed according to methadone dosage (less than 30 mg, between 30-50 mg, and more than 50 mg).Findings: Significant relations were observed between increased methadone dosage in the initial phase and marital status (P = 0.03), injection (P = 0.03), medical comorbidity (P = 0.009), and borderline personality disorder (P < 0.001).Conclusion: Further studies with larger sample size and including the history of previous detoxification, substance abuse, omission of self-recording, evaluation of women’s addiction and MMT program performance with counseling support should be performed.Keywords: Addiction, Methadone, Personality disorder

Comparison of Internalizing Disorders in 8-14-Year-Old Offsprings of Opium and Heroin Dependent Parents: A Case- Control Study

Abstract Background:In general, parental substance abuse is associated with children's emotional and behavioral problems. This study only investigated the internalizing problems (depression, anxiety and physical complains) in children of opioid or heroin-dependent parents in comparison with non-opioid dependent parents in order to determine the effects of drug dependency after excluding the confounding factors. Methods:This case-control study compared the internalizing problems of one hundred twenty eight 8 to 14-year-old students in two offspring groups of opioid or heroin-dependent parents (n = 64) and non opioid dependent parents (n = 64). Then we used the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). Parents in both groups had no major psychiatric disorders (e.g., personality disorders, mood and anxiety disorders or psychosis), no history of major medical diseases, and no history of divorce. Analysis was performed using chi square or Fisher’s exact test. Findings:The anxiety/depression subscales in children of non opioid dependent parents were significantly higher in comparison with children of opioid or heroin-dependent parents. Conclusion:Substance dependence in addition to reducing parental supervision on children may cause lack of knowledge and unawareness of their children's anxiety and mood problems. Considering study limitations, study repetition in larger statistical population is necessary for generalizing the study findings. In order to assess internalizing problems in further studies, usage of behavioral checklists for self-report of children and youth is recommended. Keywords: Internalizing problem, Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), Opium, Heroin, Opioi

A Study of the Prevalence of Psychiatric Disorders in Patients with Methamphetamine-Induced Psychosis

Abstract Background: The abuse of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances such as amphetamines and ecstasy has had a growing trend. Tachycardia, increased blood pressure, hallucinations, panic attacks, and psychosis are the negative effects of methamphetamine abuse. The present study aimed to assess psychiatric disorders associated with methamphetamine-induced psychotic disorder. Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed from October 2013 to March 2014 on 165 patients hospitalized at Shahid Beheshti Hospital in Kerman, Iran, and diagnosed with psychosis induced by methamphetamine abuse within the previous 6 months. Study subjects were selected via census method. Based on the exclusion criteria and due to the lack of cooperation of some patients, 121 patients were enrolled in the study. Research data were gathered using clinical interviews, the Yale-Brown obsessive compulsive scale (Y-BOCS), Hamilton anxiety scale (HAM-A) and Hamilton rating scale for depression (HRSD), Young mania rating scale (YMRS), substance dependence severity scale (SDSS), positive and negative syndrome scale (PANSS), and clinical global impression (CGI) scale. The data analysis was performed using SPSS software, descriptive statistics, and ANOVA. Findings: Among the 121 patients of the sample group, 4 patients (3.3%) had anxiety, 58 patients (47.9%) depression, 30 patients (24.8%) obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), 20 patients (16.5%) bipolar mood disorder (BMD), 8 patients (6.6%) persistent psychotic symptoms, 85 patients (70.2%) personality disorder, and 36 patients (29.8%) had no personality disorders. The highest prevalence was related to borderline personality disorder (35.5%). However, 45 patients (37.2%) had no impairment associated with methamphetamine-induced psychosis. Conclusion: It seems that there is comorbidity between psychiatric disorders, including mood disorders, especially depressive disorder, childhood history of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), bipolar disorder, and personality disorders such as borderline personality disorder, and antisocial personality disorders, and methamphetamine abuse. Keywords: Methamphetamine, Depression, Anxiety, Obsessive-compulsive disorder, Manic disorder, Sustained psychotic symptoms, Personality disorde