VIDEO GAMES AND COVID-19: HOW DO LOCKDOWN AND ADDICTION INTERACT?

The global epidemic of COVID-19, social isolation and the fear of viral contagion have determined and determine profound changes in social relations between people. The purpose of this research, carried out online on published scientific studies, on information from magazines, accredited websites, books and newspapers, was to consider the possible interactions between the lockdown, the use of video games and the Internet Gaming Disorder. during the pandemic. The conclusions are an undoubtedly beneficial interaction for the psychophysical health of the users and the improvement of anxiety, stress and socialization with the help of video games during the pandemic. However, it is necessary to pay attention to the excessive, protracted and constant use of videogame activity, abuse and possible addiction, in particular for adolescents with previous psychological discomforts and pathologies such as depression, anxiety and stress. Parents are advised to pay attention to the time their children spend playing video games

A QUESTIONNAIRE TO ASSESS SOCIAL STIGMA

Psychiatric patients often suffer for two reasons: due to the illness and due to the social stigma of mental illness, that increases the uneasiness and psychic pain of the person suffering from serious psychiatric disorder. This unwell person is often the object of stigma because he is “different” from others, and he also can be margenalised by society. In this study we intend to assess whether these margenalising attitudes might be also present among mental health professionals who have presented psychic problems in a previous period of their life, against sick persons suffering of the same illness even if he is a mental health professional. Two questionnaires have been developed, one for professionals and another for the patients, with the aim of identifying these marginalising attitudes. We intend that this study shall be a multicenter, observational and international study, promoted by the Mental Health Dept. of Naples (ASL Naples 3 South, Italy)

OVERCOMING THE SOCIAL STIGMA ON MOOD DISORDERS WITH DANCING

In our society, the social stigma against people who suffer from mood disorders is a very powerful factor that negatively affects the healing of patient. He is often isolated from the others for the fear of being judged “fool, crazy or dangerous” or discriminated and emarginated for his mental health problem. For this reason, a cornerstone of mood disorder rehabilitation is the bringing out of the patient from his isolation, the reintegration of the user in the social context with the increase and the improvement in the quality of interpersonal relationships in the family and in the external context. The method used in our project is the dance-therapy one. In particular dancing the "Bachata" becomes a rehabilitation tool to express emotions through the body and to open to the world, on the territory, overcoming the fear of being judged by others, and of the prejudice and the social stigma about mental illness. The strength and cohesion of the rehabilitation group has given to the patients the opportunity to believe in their own abilities, to accept themselves with their difficulties and to improve the relationship with their body in relation to each other

OVERCOMING DEPRESSION WITH DANCE MOVEMENT THERAPY: A CASE REPORT

In our society that sets high standards of perfection to be ok and wins, the depressed is commonly considered as an outsider, a marginalized person unable to be in line with standards and rhythms fast and competitive of the time we live. So the social stigma against people who suffer from mood disorders is a very powerful factor that negatively affects the healing of patient. He is often isolated from the others for the fear of being judged “fool, crazy or dangerous” or discriminated and emarginated for his mental health problem. For this reason, a cornerstone of depression rehabilitation is the bringing out of the patient from his isolation, the reintegration of user in the social context with the increase and the improvement in the quality of interpersonal relationships in the family and in the external context. So in this way is possible an increase in the tone of mood and a reduction of the symptoms of depression. The method used in our project is the dance movement therapy. In particular, dancing the “Bachata”and later more spontaneous dance becomes a rehabilitation tool to express emotions through the body and to open to the world, on the territory, overcoming the fear of being judged by others, the prejudice and the social stigma about mental illness. This work presents the results of a case report of a depressed patient treated with dance movement therapy

PLAYING WITH VIDEO GAMES: GOING TO A NEW ADDICTION?

Nowadays, with the development and diffusion of modern technologies and Internet, the use of video games as a pastime is growing, both online and non-networked. Traditional games are increasingly outdated by video games, and players of all ages are growing. With this research, we have been asked how much video games, seemingly pleasant and innocent pastimes, can become a problem for players, to the detriment of their health and to create new addiction. A review of the literature over the last two decades has been carried out in PubMed, Medline, on video game addiction and IGD, and books and newspaper articles have been cited online. The frequent and protracted use of video games with serious personal, family and social consequences is no longer just a pleasant pastime and could lead to mental and physical health problems. Although there is no official recognition of video game addiction on the Internet as a mild mental health disorder, further scientific research is neede

OVERCOMING DEPRESSION WITH DANCE MOVEMENT THERAPY: A CASE REPORT

In our society that sets high standards of perfection to be ok and wins, the depressed is commonly considered as an outsider, a marginalized person unable to be in line with standards and rhythms fast and competitive of the time we live. So the social stigma against people who suffer from mood disorders is a very powerful factor that negatively affects the healing of patient. He is often isolated from the others for the fear of being judged “fool, crazy or dangerous” or discriminated and emarginated for his mental health problem. For this reason, a cornerstone of depression rehabilitation is the bringing out of the patient from his isolation, the reintegration of user in the social context with the increase and the improvement in the quality of interpersonal relationships in the family and in the external context. So in this way is possible an increase in the tone of mood and a reduction of the symptoms of depression. The method used in our project is the dance movement therapy. In particular, dancing the “Bachata”and later more spontaneous dance becomes a rehabilitation tool to express emotions through the body and to open to the world, on the territory, overcoming the fear of being judged by others, the prejudice and the social stigma about mental illness. This work presents the results of a case report of a depressed patient treated with dance movement therapy

A LONG TERM CLINICAL DIAGNOSTIC-THERAPEUTIC EVALUATION OF 30 CASE REPORTS OF BIPOLAR SPECTRUM MIXED STATES

The aim of this study is to show how managing long term patients who are diagnosed as having bipolar disorder with an affective mixed states can cause them to achieve a high level of recovery from the illness and quality of life. This study observed all consecutive new patients who were seen in a private psychiatry practice during the years 2008-2009- 2010 who had a diagnosis within the mixed states sub-group (Irritable Cyclothymia, Mixed Disphoria and Agitated Depression)Thirty patients were selected who presented with a score of less than 40 on the Global Assessment Scale (GAS). They were reassessed by readministering the GAS scale after six months and after two years treatment. The final results demonstrate an improvement of the mood of the patients and their increasing quality of life.Almost all reached a value on the GAS scale of between 60 and 80 after six months, and between 90 and 100 scores after two years

“DANCE AND GO ON”: A PROJECT OF PSYCHOSOCIAL REHABILITATION ON THE ROAD

The project "Dance and go on" was created with the intention of bringing out of the Day Centre of the Department of Mental Health of Torre del Greco, the dance group "Dance That you go" active since 2009. Dancing Bachata becomes a rehabilitation tool to express emotions through the body and to open to the outside, on the territory (local society), overcoming the fear of being judged by others, the prejudice and the social stigma about mental illness. The rehabilitation activities of the dancing group allowed patients to improve their care of self, self-esteem, confidence in their capacities and an increase in their social relations. The strength and cohesion of the rehabilitation group has given to the patients the opportunity to believe in their own abilities, to accept themselves with their difficulties and to improve the relationship with their body in relation with each other

BIPOLAR DISORDERS AND BIPOLARITY: THE NOTION OF THE "MIXITY"

The notion of "mixity" of the dysphoric phases of the bipolarity includes the most insidious symptoms of the bipolar spectrum of mood disorders: the overlapping between depression-restlessness-irritability-grief-tension-anxiety can cause worsening of the mood disorders and in the most acute phases may cause increased risk of major behavioural disruption including murder and suicide. The early utilization of the rating scale on mixed states, "GT-MSRS", which can demonstrate the level of "mixity" of the mood disorder, can prevent this

THE CONNECTION BETWEEN BIPOLAR SPECTRUM DISORDERS AND EATING DISORDERS

The bipolar spectrum of mood, in its broadest sense that includes all kinds of mood instability, presents various symptoms related to instability and mood swing, including symptoms and manifestations of "mixed states" (the symptoms of "mixity") and symptoms of eating disorders (ED). It is essential not to forget that depression itself is only "a phase" of the wider bipolar spectrum of mood, which therefore remains the pathology to be treated adequately with a polytherapy composed by mood regulators and antidepressants. "Mixed" symptoms (including symptoms of eating disorders), if not properly treated, can subtly enter the patient\u27s life, leading to a worsening of the clinical picture to a clear chronicity