Bipolar Disorder and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Comorbidity

The comorbidity of bipolar disorder and anxiety disorders is a well known concept. Obsessive-compulsive disorder is the most commonly seen comorbid anxiety disorder in bipolar patients. Some genetic variants, neurotransmitters especially serotonergic systems and second-messenger systems are thought to be responsible for its etiology. Bipolar disorder alters the clinical aspects of obsessive compulsive disorder and is associated with poorer outcome. The determination of comorbidity between bipolar disorder and obsessive compulsive disorder is quite important for appropriate clinical management and treatment. [Psikiyatride Guncel Yaklasimlar - Current Approaches in Psychiatry 2014; 6(4.000): 429-437

Treatment in Postconcussional Syndrome

Postconcussional syndrome is characterized by somatic, cognitive and psychiatric (emotional, behavioral) symptoms that occur after mild traumatic brain injury. These symptoms usually recover fully within 3-6 months almost in 90% of patients. Persistent post-concussion symptoms could occur in 10% of patients. Diagnosis is based on the subjective complaints and the treatment of the syndrome is mainly of palliative nature. The patient should be educated about the nature and outcome of the syndrome and reassured that almost all symptoms recover fully within 3-6 months. Multifaceted rehabilitation programs and cognitive behavioral therapy could be beneficial. Pharmacotherapy and somatic therapy are other options for persistent symptoms

Issue for Research Articles

[Psikiyatride Guncel Yaklasimlar - Current Approaches in Psychiatry 2017; 9(1.000): i-i

Neuropeptide Y and Stress

The neurobiological aspects of stress and coping skills has been the focus of interest for many researchers. Some of the studies has shown that there is a significant relationship among genetically variables, stress response and life events. Neuropeptide Y is one of the systems regulating the stress response. Under the prolonged or repeated trauma neuropeptide Y is released from the brain's key areas. This system shows different levels of functioning in individuals with different levels of resilience. There is particular interest in the variations of genes that encode stress-sensitive signaling molecules during gene-environment interaction. This condition may contribute to susceptibility of stress or stress resilience. Neuropeptide Y system plays a key role in the adaptation to behavioral stress. The reduced levels of neuropeptide Y have also been observed in treatment-resistant depression and posttraumatic stress disorder. Lower level of neuropeptide Y expression and dysfunctional neuropeptide Y system in response to stress and resulting decreased stress resilience could increase susceptibility to stress-related disorders

Body Dysmorphic Disorder

Body dysmorphic disorder is a type of mental illness, wherein the affected person is concerned with body image, manifested as excessive concern about and preoccupation with a perceived defect of their physical features. Although it is a common disease and has been defined in the literature over a century, it is not a well known disease. Chronic, treatment resistant and sometimes delusional nature could result in severe functional impairment. The diagnosis and appropriate therapy of disorder are crucial because of increased suicidality and reduction in life quality. In this article the symptoms, etiology, clinical features and treatment of body dysmorphic disorder are briefly reviewed

Sleep in Bipolar Disorder

Sleep disorders can be seen in bipolar disorder primarily or due to bipolar disorder itself, medications used in treatment, comorbid medical illnesses. They cause relapses and recurrences and also are related with treatment resistance. Sleep quality is affected in bipolar disorder even in euthymic episodes. There are no specific findings in sleep studies in bipolar disorder as in other psychiatric disorders. Sleep disorders is associated with poor prognosis, decreased functionality and life quality in bipolar patients. [Psikiyatride Guncel Yaklasimlar - Current Approaches in Psychiatry 2016; 8(3.000): 255-265

Emotional Intelligence in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Emotional intelligence refers to comprehending the feelings of oneself and others, utilizing these feelings to cope with daily-life demands, showing empathy, adaptability to change, managing stress, self-motivation and establishing successful relationships. Many authors state that there is a social deficit in children and adolescents with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Children and adults with ADHD were found to have lower ability in recognizing emotions from mimics and sounds, have more aggressive behavior, lower frustration tolerance and impaired self-control. Therefore, some authors suggest the addition of a new core symptom in the diagnosis of ADHD, which could clearly identify problems at the interpersonal interaction besides attention deficit, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Considering the fact that abilities associated with emotional intelligence can be learned and improved, developing emotional intelligence can be thought as a target for therapy by individualized education for patients with ADHD

Treatment Adherence in Psychiatric Disorders

Despite developments in treatment options there is no significant increase in treatment adherence ratios. Inadherence in psychiatric disorders is higher than the other diseases. Loss of insight, drugs' side effects, sociodemographic features, personality traits are major factors affecting the treatment adherence. Determining and overcoming these factors for each disorder will help to improve adherence and reduce the treatment costs and hospitalization. [Psikiyatride Guncel Yaklasimlar - Current Approaches in Psychiatry 2016; 8(1): 85-93

Epidemiologic Assessment of Mortality among Inpatients in a Psychiatric Hospital

Individuals with psychiatric disorders have higher early mortality rates than the general population, and all types of mental disorders are associated with a short life expectancy. In this context, assessment of the mortali-ties of both natural and unnatural causes in psychiatric inpatients is of critical importance in terms of mortality epidemiology, which provides data that can help improve the quality and planning of psychiatric care. The popu-lation of this study retrospective, cross-sectional study consisted of inpatients that died in Manisa Mental Health and Diseases Hospital between May 2002 and December 2022. Of the 120 inpatients that died, 119 patients, 63.9% male, and 36.1% female, were included in the study sample. The mortality rate decreased from 3.2% to 0.22% during the period covered by the study. The difference between mortality rates before 2013, when qua-lity and accreditation processes started, and after 2013 has decreased from 74.8% to 25.2%. Of the natural deaths, 45.4% were caused by cardiac arrest, whereas 100% of the unnatural deaths occurred due to suicides. Short hospital stays and close follow-up in the first week of hospitalization are essential in reducing mortality rates in psychiatric inpatients. In addition, increasing the quality of health care in accordance with the national and international quality and accreditation criteria will further reduce the mortality rates in psychiatric inpati-ents

Intermittent Explosive Disorder

Intermittent explosive disorder is an impulse control disorder characterized by the occurrence of discrete episodes of failure to resist aggressive impulses that result in violent assault or destruction of property. Though the prevalence intermittent explosive disorder has been reported to be relatively rare in frontier studies on the field, it is now common opinion that intermittent explosive disorder is far more common than previously thought especially in clinical psychiatry settings. Etiological studies displayed the role of both psychosocial factors like childhood traumas and biological factors like dysfunctional neurotransmitter systems and genetics. In differential diagnosis of the disorder, disorders involving agression as a symptom such as alcohol and drug intoxication, antisocial and borderline personality disorders, personality changes due to general medical conditions and behavioral disorder should be considered. A combination of pharmacological and psychotherapeutic approaches are suggested in the treatment of the disorder. This article briefly reviews the historical background, diagnostic criteria, epidemiology, etiology and treatment of intermittent explosive disorder