Depression is a chronic and recurrent mental condition, causing a high burden of disease, functional impairment, and significant economic costs worldwide.

To compare the neuropsychological profile, inflammation, and functionality in patients with a major depressive episode before and after treatment.

A longitudinal study was conducted, recruiting a total of 39 subjects, with a mean age of 42 years (12 men - 30.8% and 27 women - 69.2%) diagnosed with major depressive disorder (MDD). The neuropsychological profile was measured using the Screening of Cognitive Impairment in Psychiatry (SCIP) and the level of functionality with the Brief Assessment of Functioning (FAST) test. Both total scores and subscales were used, along with inflammatory biomarkers (IL-6, IL-1ß, TNF-α, PGE2) and oxidative stress markers (TAS, GSHtot, GSHfree, GSSG, CAT, SOD, GPx, and BDNF).

The paired t-test was used through the statistical program SPSS. A unilateral p-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Significant differences were observed in both the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (p < 0.001) and in the biomarkers total GSH (p < 0.15), GSH free (p < 0.029), and GSSG (p < 0.027) of patients at three months from the start of pharmacological treatment compared to baseline (Table 1). Differences were also observed at 3 months of treatment in the SCIP scale (p < 0.001) as well as in its subscales: Immediate verbal learning (p < 0.001), Working memory (p < 0.001), Verbal fluency (p = 0.007), and Delayed verbal learning (p < 0.001), and in the FAST scale (p < 0.001) and its subscales: Autonomy (p = 0.002), Cognitive (p = 0.004), Finances (p = 0.004), and Relationships (p < 0.001) (Table 2).

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Our results indicate that there are improvements at the cognitive and functional level in subjects taking antidepressant treatment. Changes in GSH and GSSG biomarkers were also observed, whose antioxidant function is crucial for protecting cells from oxidative damage. The findings suggest that oxidative stress is a crucial factor in the pathophysiology of MDD. The study highlights the potential of these biomarkers to guide therapeutic strategies and improve the management of depression.

None Declared

Depression is one of the most prevalent mental disorders worldwide, and network analyses in psychopathology allow for an improved understanding of its development, maintenance, and treatment. Evidence suggests that sexual minority individuals are more vulnerable to depression.

The objective of this study was to analyze the correlations between depressive symptoms in heterosexual and sexual minority students using network analysis.

This cross-sectional study was conducted with 1,271 university students to assess depressive symptoms using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). Network analyses were performed to identify influential symptoms and their correlations.

The results showed that sexual minority students had significantly higher scores for all symptoms of depression than heterosexual students did. Guilt and suicidal ideation had the strongest association with the symptom network of heterosexual students. Among sexual minority students, the strongest associations were between lack of energy and depressed moods. The most influential symptom in the heterosexual student network was suicidal ideation, whereas in the sexual minority student network, guilt was the most influential symptom.

These results demonstrate that in network analyses, different depressive symptoms play distinct central roles between heterosexual and sexual minority groups. These differences indicate the need for interventions that are adapted to the specificities of each group to promote mental health.

None Declared

Hypertriglyceridaemia as a side effect of antidepressants including venlafaxine and mirtazepine has been described in the literature. A relatively new SSRI, vortioxetine has never been reported to contribute to hypertriglyeridaemia and it is not mentioned in the prescribing information for this agent. Dyslipidaemia is an important risk factor for morbidity in people who suffer with mental illness, most often observed in patients who are prescribed antipsychotic medications. Evidence to date with antidepressant medication is mixed but may represent a clinically relevant additional cardiovascular risk.

This case report explores the possible relationship between Vortioxetine and worsening hypertriglyceridaemia in a patient with depressive illness.

Clinical case report and brief literature review

A 58 year old female, with a history of Recurrent Depressive Disorder was admitted to an acute psychiatric inpatient unit with a relapse in depressive illness with anxious distress and suicidality. Prior to admission, her medications included Mirtazepine 60mg, Duloxetine 120mg and Olanzapine 7.5mg. She had a family history of dyslipidaemia. A blood panel was taken which revealed mildly deranged lipid profile - Total Cholesterol of 7.72mmol/L (Upper limit of Normal - 5.0mmol/L); HDL 1.02mmol/L (ULN - 2.0mmol/L); LDL 5.44mmol/L (ULN - 3.0mmol/L); Triglycerides 2.78mmol/L (ULN - 2.0mmol/L).

The patient’s Duloxetine was switched to Venlafaxine and repeat lipid levels one week later revealed a dramatic rise in triglycerides to 12.16 mmol/L, and then 14.07 mmol/L 2 days later again. Venlafaxine was discontinued in view of these findings with a reduction in serum triglycerides to 11.43mmol/L within 24h.

Vortioxetine 10mg was commenced and the patient’s lipid profile was again repeated with an upswing in triglyceride levels to a peak of 15.4mmol/L within 48h of commencement. Vortioxetine was discontinued and fenofibrate was commenced to treat the patient’s dyslipidaemia due to a risk of acute pancreatitis and atherosclerotic disease. Serum triglycerides reduced to near-normal levels within days.

This case report highlights the risk of dyslipidaemia associated with antidepressant prescribing and identifies vortioxetine as an agent which may contribute to this. This patient had a number of risk factors for developing hyperlipidaemia including co-prescription with olanzapine and mirtazepine which have known metabolic effects, as well as a family history for hyperlipidaemia and a post-menopausal state. However, it was notable that her significant hypertriglyceridaemia was cause by venlafaxine, and exacerbated further by vortioxetine. Cardiovascular risk profiles must always be considered in the psychiatric patient population and we feel that this case report may add to the literature around commonly prescribed antidepressant medications and their contribution to this risk.

None Declared

Self-destructive behavior in depression is most often a pathological way of emotional self-regulation, but it may increase suicidal risk. In this regard, the identification of risk factors for self-destructive behavior is of practical importance.

The aim was to study hostility as risk factor self-destructive behavior in depression.

The study included 155 women from 16 to 25 years old (mean age 19,77) hospitalized with depression in a clinic of FSBSI MHRC. The Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire (BPAQ), the Symptom Checklist-90-reserved (SCL-90-R), the Physical Appearance Comparison Scale—Revised (PACS–R), the Body Investment Scale (BIS), anamnestic data about self-destructive behavior, a question to assess the level of autoaggression («Sometimes I deliberately injure myself » was measured on a Likert scale from 0 to 5) were used. ANOVA and Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient were used. To analyze the features associated with the level of hostility, the sample was divided into subgroups “with low hostility” (78 people, mean age 19.91) and “with high hostility” (77 people, mean age 19.6), according to the median value of the “Hostility” parameter of BPAQ - 23.

Correlation analysis showed a statistically significant relationship between the level of “Hostility” and the frequency of “deliberately injure” (r=0.19, p<0.05). Comparison of subgroups according to the parameters of SCL-90-R showed a higher level of psychopathologic symptomatology in the group with high hostility: SOM (1.11±0.80 in the “low hostility” group vs. 1.50±0.85 in the “high hostility” group at p=0.001), OC (1.60±0.87 vs. 2, 16±0.77 at p=0.000), INT (1.32±0.84 vs. 2.16±0.90 at p=0.000), DEP (1.73±0.98 vs. 2.27±0.87 at p=0.000), ANX (1.27±0.92 vs. 1.90±1.01 at p=0.000), HOS (0, 89±0.87 vs. 1.41±0.89 at p=0.000), PHOB (0.81±0.86 vs. 1.42±0.89 at p=0.000), PAR (0.74±0.65 vs. 1.43±0.84 at p=0.000), PSY (0.87±0.65 vs. 1, 26±0.78 at p=0.000), GSI (1.22±0.66 compared to 1.77±0.71 at p=0.000), PDSI (2.12±0.60 compared to 2.39±0.56 at p=.002), PSI (48.66±17.14 compared to 64.20±16.16 at p=0.000). BIS scores on the “body Investment subscale” (3.18±1.18 compared to 2.55±1.12 at p=0.001) on the total scale (3.38±0.58 compared to 3.15±0.54 at p=0.008) The PACS-R scale data demonstrate differences in the physical comparison parameter (2.02±1.37 versus 2.66±1.23 at p=0.002).

A higher level of hostility in depression in women with self-destructive behavior is associated with both a worse mental status and a stronger rejection of one’s body, manifested in a decreased concern for it and an increased need to compare oneself with others. This allows us to consider hostility as one of the markers of high risk of self-harming behavior in depression.

None Declared

Psychotic depression is a severe mental disorder that can cause severe suffering and dysfunctionality in the patient. It is characterised by the presence of major affective symptoms together with the presence of psychotic symptoms in the form of delusions and/or sensory-perceptual alterations. Psychotic depression is particularly severe when it becomes resistant to pharmacological treatment, often requiring the combination of antipsychotics with antidepressants and even the use of electroconvulsive therapy. Lifetime prevalence of psychotic depression ranges from 0.35% to 1%, being more frequent in the elderly. Previous studies have shown positive experience with intravenous ketamine in the treatment of psychotic depression, improving psychotic symptomatology and showing a good safety and tolerability profile. The present study shows the response in a series of cases with psychotic depression treated with inhaled esketamine, showing their evolution through the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) as well as their safety and tolerability profile.

The main objective of this study is to describe the use of inhaled esketamine in patients with psychotic depression in real clinical practice, using the MADRS as main outcomes to show the evolution.

Retrospective descriptive study with a sample selected by non-probabilistic consecutive sampling, retrospective type, in a time interval of 2 years. The patients selected were those who completed treatment with inhaled esketamine and had a diagnosis of psychotic depression at Hospital Universitario Infanta Elena. A descriptive analysis was performed. Mean and standard deviation were calculated for quantitative variables and N and percentage for categorical variables.

A total of 5 patients with a diagnosis of psychotic depression (n: 5) all treated with inhaled esketamine were included in the study. The efficacy of inhaled esketamine was very high in the treatment of patients with psychotic depression, achieving a 100% response rate (MADRS<10). All 5 patients showed a rapid improvement in psychotic symptomatology, with cessation of psychotic symptoms in the initial phases of treatment, showing a rapid response. No worsening of psychotic symptoms was observed at any time with the administration of inhaled esketamine. Tolerability was excellent, with no serious adverse effects occurring during treatment administration.

The present study shows a high efficacy of esketamine in the treatment of psychotic depression, with a high response rate and an excellent tolerability profile. Inhaled esketamine could be a useful tool in the treatment of psychotic depression, helping to rapidly restore patients’ functionality. Longitudinal studies must be carried out to confirm this hypothesis.

None Declared

Chronic pain is very prevalent in the population, with an estimated prevalence of 20.5% of the adult population experiencing pain every day or most days. Chronic pain is one of the main factors that generate dysfunctionality in patients, and it can even lead to dependence in activities of daily living. Chronic pain is strongly associated with depression, and can induce a major depression which, due to its characteristics, will become chronic. Several studies have shown that intravenous ketamine can be effective in the treatment of chronic pain. Major depression associated with chronic pain has a worse outcome and is more frequently associated with resistance to pharmacological treatment, making the management of these patients a clinical challenge.

The present study shows the response in a series of cases with major depression and chronic pain treated with inhaled esketamine, showing their evolution through the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) and Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ) as main outcomes.

The main objective of this study is to describe the use of inhaled esketamine in patients with major depression and chronic pain in real clinical practice, using the MADRS and FIQ as main outcomes to show the evolution.

Retrospective descriptive study with a sample selected by non-probabilistic consecutive sampling, retrospective type, in a time interval of 2 years. The patients selected were those who completed treatment with inhaled esketamine and had a diagnosis of major depression and a diagnosis of chronic pain at Hospital Universitario Infanta Elena. A descriptive analysis was performed. Mean and standard deviation were calculated for quantitative variables and N and percentage for categorical variables.

A total of 5 patients with a diagnosis of major depression and chronic pain (n: 5) all treated with inhaled esketamine were included in the study. The efficacy of inhaled esketamine was high in the reduction of pain during the months of treatment with it, presenting an improvement in the MADRS and the FIQ. At the end of treatment, there was a significant difference between patients who had made changes in their daily life habits (sport, improved daily activities, improvement in the quality of life) and those who had not made changes in their daily life habits.

This study shows that inhaled esketamine may be a useful drug in the treatment of major depression associated with chronic pain. Treatment with esketamine improved depressive symptoms and also chronic pain. A significant influence of changes in lifestyle habits was observed in maintaining the response to pain relief once treatment with esketamine was finished. Longitudinal studies must be carried out to confirm this hypothesis.

None Declared

Postpartum depression is a widespread mental health condition affecting mothers in the weeks and months following childbirth, with potentially significant impacts on both maternal and child well-being. Several factors have been linked to an increased risk of postpartum depression, including perceived social support, sociodemographic characteristics, and pregnancy-related factors.

This study aims to investigate postpartum depression prevalence among postpartum women and its associated factors.

We conducted a cross-sectional descriptive and analytical study targeting women in their first week postpartum who had been admitted to the gynaecology-obstetrics department of the Hedi Chaker University Hospital in Sfax, Tunisia. The study was conducted over a three-month period (October, November and December 2023). To assess the prevalence of postpartum depression, we used the Tunisian Arabic version of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). A cut-off score of 10 or more on the EPDS Scale indicates the presence of postpartum depression.

Our sample consisted of 220 paturients. The mean age of patients was 31.1 ± 6.6 years. Among the participants, 50.9% came from rural areas. Unwanted pregnancy was reported by 41.8%, with 13.2% having considered abortion. Socioeconomic challenges were notable, with 32.7% of participants reporting low socioeconomic status. Poor marital relationships were reported by 10.9% of the parturients. Additionally, 7.3% had a poor relationship with their mother.

Post partum depression (EPDS ≥ 10) was present in 20.9% of participants.

Depression was significantly linked to: younger age (p=0.001), being single or divorced (p=0.003), lower level of education (p=0.005), unemployment (p=0.03), and low socioeconomic status (p=0.007). Poor marital relationships also showed a strong association with depression (p=0.013). Additional risk factors included unwanted pregnancy (p=0.003), difficulty accepting the pregnancy (p<0.001), exaggerated sympathetic signs (p=0.011), lack of pregnancy follow-up (p=0.004), and pregnancy complications such as gestational diabetes and hypertension. Depression was also associated with post-partum stressors, including spontaneous labor (p=0.044), complications after delivery (p=0.022), infant malformations (p=0.001), prematurity (p=0.001), poor infant health (p<0.001), and lack of breastfeeding (p<0.001).

These findings highlight the role of both socioeconomic and pregnancy-related factors in maternal mental health. Understanding these interconnected factors is essential for identifying at-risk populations and implementing targeted interventions to support maternal mental health.

None Declared

Adapting to a new socio-cultural environment presents a major challenge for African medical students, often leading to the development of anxiety-depressive disorders. To date, a number of therapeutic approaches including psychotherapy, educational programmes and pharmacological treatments are available, but their comparative effectiveness for this group remains poorly researched.

The present study aims to comparatively evaluate different methods of psycho-emotional state correction.

The study included 72 African undergraduate medical students (age range 18-23 years, 54.9% female, 45.1% male).

Participants were assigned to three therapeutic groups. Statistical processing with post-hoc test and Bonferroni correction confirmed the benefit of the psychotherapeutic approach in reducing levels of anxiety and depression (p≤0.01). An 8-week cognitive-behavioural therapy programme demonstrated the greatest effectiveness. A one-day educational workshop showed moderate efficacy. Medication therapy with antidepressants for 8 weeks resulted in minimal improvement.

Participants were assigned to three therapeutic groups. Statistical processing with post-hoc test and Bonferroni correction confirmed the benefit of the psychotherapeutic approach in reducing levels of anxiety and depression (p≤0.01). An 8-week cognitive-behavioural therapy programme demonstrated the greatest effectiveness. A one-day educational workshop showed moderate efficacy. Medication therapy with antidepressants for 8 weeks resulted in minimal improvement.

Cognitive-behavioural therapy demonstrated the greatest efficacy in the correction of anxiety-depressive disorders in international medical students, outperforming both educational and pharmacological interventions. Subjective satisfaction of participants was also higher in the psychotherapy group, indicating that it is appropriate to prioritise the use of non-pharmacological methods in this population.

None Declared

New antidepressant treatments are needed that not only demonstrate strong efficacy but also act quickly, are safe for long-term use, and are well-tolerated by patients. Accelerated intermittent Theta-Burst Stimulation (aiTBS) is a promising form of noninvasive brain stimulation in the treatment of depression (1). iTBS stimulation is a time saving and cost-effective technique, and could provide long-lasting improvement of treatment-resistant depression (TRD) (2). Currently, there is limited evidence regarding the role of aiTBS within treatment algorithms for TRD compared to placebo.

This is a single-center, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled pilot intervention study, designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of aiTBS for TRD.

Stimulation will be administered in 10 daily sessions, one session every 50 minutes, over 5 days, for a total of 50 sessions. Each session will consist of 3 minutes of stimulation at a frequency of 50 Hz, delivering 600 stimuli per session, with an intensity of 120% of the motor threshold targeted at the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex.

Participants must be adults aged 18 to 75 years (inclusive), and meet the criteria for TRD, unresponsive to two antidepressants at an adequate dose and for an adequate duration with a stable dose for at least 4 weeks. Assessments, including HDRS, PHQ-9, EQ-5D-5L, SDS, CGI-S, and MGH-ATRQ, will be conducted at the baseline visit, at the end of the treatment, one and three months after the treatment.

Accelerated protocols are an emerging area of interest in the treatment of TDR, but several issues remain to be clarified, including the durability of their effects, safety, and feasibility of implementing these protocols in outpatient settings in routine clinical practice.

None Declared

Depression is one of the most disabling diseases worldwide, but despite numerous attempts to investigate novel drugs, no significant step forward has been taken so far. Traditional antidepressants, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, have been shown to have a slow onset of action and require assessing these drugs for up to eight weeks to determine their effectiveness. As a result, there is an urgent medical need for new, rapid, and effective treatments like Esketamine Nasal Spray for the large number of patients suffering from the disease.

In our study, treated with esketamine nasal spray in an inpatient setting, we were able to show better functioning and severe depression, and, at the same time, a reduction in suicidal thoughts was documented. Our 107 analyzed patients demonstrated that this drug is safe and suitable for short-term use.

One hundred and seven (107) participants with major depressive episodes (MDE) were examined at Sulwan Psychiatric Hospital. The study, spanning 12 weeks, comprised two treatment protocols. After they had been educated concerning the two groups, the subjects decided their preferred treatment protocols. During the four-week induction phase, 56 mg - 84 mg of drug treatment twice a week was administered to the subjects. Then, based on whether they showed clinical response during the induction phase, the subjects entered the eight-week maintenance phase with 28 mg-56 mg twice monthly.

In total, after 14 administrations, all depressive scores decreased significantly, indicating an improvement in depressive symptoms. Esketamine had a fast onset of action, so that already half of the patients felt better after the 2nd administration and 75% showed an effect after the 4th administration; not only the reduction of the mean but also that of the median illustrated a quick relief.

Our main results confirm the unique contribution of this study. In summary, the intranasal administration of esketamine is effective in patients with treatment-resistant depression (TRD) due to major depressive disorder (MDD) and bipolar disorder (BD).

None Declared

Emerging mental health crises in the global south highlight challenges in applying psychological frameworks that primarily originate from wealthy nations in the global north. The concept of modern-type depression (MTD), first recognized in Japan, has recently gained attention due to its divergence from the DSM criteria. MTD manifests itself as a reluctance to engage in social roles, a withdrawal from social norms, and vague omnipotence. Oman, a rapidly developing nation, shows patterns of social withdrawal similar to MTD. This study aims to validate the Arabic version of Tarumi’s Modern Depression Trait Scale (TACS-22), evaluate its factor structure, and explore the prevalence and risk factors of MTD in Oman.

The entrance of urbanization and digitation has heralded ‘de novo psychopathologies’ such as those that go under the umbrella of modern-type depression (MTD). To date, the presence of the MTD and the factors associated with it have yet to be explored. Related aims are to conduct exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to confirm the factorial validity of the 22-item Tarumi’s Modern-Type Depression Trait Scale.

An online survey was conducted in March 2023 with a convenience sample of Omanis aged 18 and over. The survey included the Arabic-translated TACS-22 scale and the PHQ-9 to assess depressive symptoms. An exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was performed to determine the structure of the TACS-22 factor and internal consistency was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha. Sociodemographic and clinical data was collected to explore possible risk factors for MTD and univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to examine associations.

A total of 1009 participants completed the survey, with a response rate of 50%. The majority were female (70.3%) with a mean age of 31.1 ± 8.5 years. The prevalence of MTD was 25.3%, with significant associations found between MTD and sociodemographic factors such as sex, marital status, age, and occupation (p < 0.05). Furthermore, clinical factors such as mental illness, adverse childhood experiences (ACE), and depressive symptoms were also significantly associated with MTD. The EFA revealed a three-factor structure: Avoidance of social roles, low self-esteem, and complaints, consistent with previous studies, with acceptable internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = 0.77).

MTD is prevalent in Oman, particularly among younger individuals, students, and the unemployed. The Arabic TACS-22 scale demonstrates acceptable validity and reliability, providing a useful tool for identifying MTD traits in non-Western contexts. Socioeconomic changes in Oman can contribute to the emergence of MTD, and further research is needed to explore tailored interventions for this population.

None Declared

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) represents a significant challenge for global public health, profoundly affecting social and economic well-being. It is estimated that around 30% of patients do not respond to standard therapies, being classified as Treatment-Resistant Depression (TRD) patients. Intranasal ketamine emerges as a promising therapeutic option for these patients.

The objective of this study is to analyze the actual clinical use of intranasal esketamine in a sample of patients with treatment-resistant depression (TRD).

A descriptive study of different socio-demographic and clinical variables was conducted to analyze the profile of TRD patients treated with intranasal ketamine in the Vigo Health Area.

A study was conducted on 33 TRD patients (48% women), with an average age of 52.77 years. In the current episode, it was observed that 24.2% had received electroconvulsive therapy and 41.7% had experienced at least one psychiatric admission. Additionally, 66.7% had visited the emergency room for psychiatric reasons, while 50% presented with comorbid anxiety, 15% with obsessive-compulsive personality disorder, and 21% with fibromyalgia.

The analysis showed that 88% of the participants had failed at least six lines of treatment, with an average of 4.18 concomitant treatments at baseline. The response to intranasal ketamine was evidenced, for the most part, in the second week of treatment, with a notable increase in the use of the 84 mg dose. In 60% of patients, the induction period was set at 4 weeks and a decrease in MADRS scale scores was observed at weeks 4, 8, and 12. No adverse effects were reported that had not been previously recognized in clinical trials. Adverse effects were rare and mild.

The study indicates that patients presented with highly complex depression, which explains the prolonged induction periods. The good tolerability of ketamine has facilitated a rapid increase to 84 mg dosage in most cases. Although this sample does not align completely with the typical profile of patients who respond well, intranasal ketamine was effective in 70% of cases, similar to the findings of clinical trials. It is suggested that the accumulated knowledge about the drug has contributed to these clinical improvements. Additionally, a more flexible approach has helped patients with low expectations of response.

None Declared

It is indisputable that against the background of the popularity of various chemical addictions among patients with schizophrenia, it is relevant to study the joint clinical and pathomorphological deformation of two nosological phenomena of paranoid schizophrenia and dependence on modern, increasingly popular drugs, synthetic cannabinoids in various ethno-territorial groups. It is important to consider issues of mutual deformation of mental disorders, their progression, behavioral characteristics and adaptation.

to study the ethno-territorial features of paranoid schizophrenia comorbid with abuse of synthetic cannabinoids, clinical dynamics, behavior and adaptations.

follow-up, clinical-psychopathological methods (PANS, SANS, CGI, MMPI, CGI, STAI, LSI, TPA, ICD-10), statistical (Python 3.11.0).

193 men (aged 18 to 35 years) were examined: 142 patients with paranoid schizophrenia dependent on synthetic cannabinoids F20.xx+F12.2xx and 51 - F20.xx without drug addiction. The study took place from 2018 to 2024 on the basis of psychiatric institutions in Russia - Tomsk Region, St. Petersburg, Noyabrsk and Nizhnevartovsk. The phenomenon of abuse of synthetic cannabinoids leads to the development of diseases. Persistent exogenous visual and delirious disorders are included in the complex of symptoms of exacerbation of schizophrenia; A new symptom of pseudohallucinoids appears - thought disorders of an associative (fantasy) disease that arose against the background of long-term exogenous (toxic) effects of the drug on the subject type, usually against the background of a primary endogenous schizophrenic process.

The leading position among patients with schizophrenia who use synthetic cannabinoids in the temperate continental climate zone of Russia was occupied by the following ethnic groups, taking into account the hierarchy: Russians, Tatars; Uzbeks; Germans; Azerbaijanis and Armenians.

None Declared

Boarding schools, seen across various cultures and regions, aim to broaden access to quality education, especially for disadvantaged groups. These schools, operated by different institutions, offer distinct educational approaches. State-affiliated boarding schools centralize resources to provide conditions not easily available elsewhere, fostering independence and discipline. Families often send their children to boarding schools, hoping they will gain opportunities to improve their lives and possibly benefit the family as a whole. However, early separation from family can have both positive and negative long-term effects on children’s socio-emotional development.

One of the potential outcomes is undoubtedly separation anxiety, which may arise from early separation from the family. On the other hand, this separation might also result in an increase in psychological resilience, as it forces individuals to live independently at an early age. In this study, we aimed to explore how separation anxiety and psychological resilience are impacted by this experience, and how these effects influence the parental attitudes that individuals adopt when raising their own children.

The study was designed as a case-control study, and participants were recruited through snowball sampling. Data were collected either through face-to-face interviews or online surveys. To gather data, a Sociodemographic Data Form, which included personal and educational information, along with the DSM-5 Separation Anxiety Disorder Severity Scale-Adult Form, the Resilience Scale for Adults (RSA) and Parentıng Attıtude Scale (PAS) were used. After examining whether the data were normally distributed based on Skewness and Kurtosis values, Student’s t-test, Mann-Whitney U, and Chi-square tests were used for group comparisons. Relationships between variables were analyzed using Pearson and Spearman correlation tests, as well as Stepwise Regression analysis.

A total of 107 volunteers who attended boarding school during adolescence participated in this study. Of these, 41 were male (38%), and 39 (36%) attended boarding school during high school. The average total score for separation anxiety was 0.890 for those who attended boarding school and 0.675 for those who did not.

This study has allowed us to gain a deeper understanding of the impact of an educational and social phenomenon, such as attending boarding school, on mental health. It is valuable in demonstrating the effects of established social institutions on individual mental health, and to the best of our knowledge, it is among the first studies of its kind. The examination of its impact on parental attitudes also sheds light on the intergenerational transmission of these changes.

None Declared

Religious content often shapes the nature of psychotic delusions, particularly those involving guilt or grandiosity. Patients may interpret their faith as direct communication from a divine source, influencing both their thoughts and actions. This case report presents a 27-year-old male with a strong Evangelical background who experienced a sudden onset of manic and psychotic symptoms, including messianic delusions. He believed God gave him a divine ultimatum: either fast for 28 days or his mother would die. His response to this delusion—self-imposed starvation—led to life-threatening behavior, showcasing the impact of delusional guilt in religious psychosis.

This report aims to illustrate how delusional guilt in religious psychosis can lead to dangerous behavior, explore the role of religious context in shaping psychotic content, and discuss the clinical challenges and outcomes of pharmacological treatment in such cases.

Case report; a non-systematic review was conducted by searching academic databases such as PubMed and Google Scholar, using the key-words “religion and psychosis”, “transcultural psychiatry”, “religious delusions”.

The patient was admitted to a psychiatric unit after attempting self-starvation as a result of his belief that God had given him a life-or-death ultimatum. His psychosis included messianic delusions, interpreting license plates as divine messages. The patient exhibited manic symptoms, such as elevated mood, hyperactivity, and pressured speech. A treatment plan with Paliperidone, titrated to 9 mg/day, and Sodium Valproate, titrated to 1000 mg/day, was initiated. After two weeks of treatment, the patient’s symptoms showed significant improvement. His delusional intensity decreased, and he began to question the validity of his beliefs. Manic symptoms also diminished. By the end of the fourth week, the patient no longer exhibited psychotic thinking, and his insight into the irrational nature of his previous beliefs had increased. He resumed normal eating habits, and the risk of further self-harm related to delusional guilt was eliminated. The patient was discharged with ongoing outpatient follow-up and maintained on the same medication regimen.

This case illustrates the role of religious delusions in shaping dangerous behaviors, particularly when driven by delusional guilt. The patient’s belief that he was receiving divine communication leading to self-starvation highlights the clinical complexity of managing psychosis intertwined with spiritual beliefs. Cultural competence played a vital role in treatment, as understanding the patient’s religious context was essential in addressing his delusions. This case underscores the importance of individualized, culturally informed care in the management of religious psychosis.

None Declared

Religion plays a big role in daily life in Palestine: it helps give meaning and purpose and creates communities and mutual understanding. Thus, individuals frequently bring up various thoughts and ideas with religious themes and undertones during psychiatric interviews, reflecting their inner and outer experiences. Religious references can be misunderstood when discussed by individuals of religious minorities, such as Palestinian Christians, who comprise around 1% of the Palestinian population in the West Bank (2023 Report on International Religious Freedom). Studies on the mental health of Palestinian minorities are almost nonexistent.

Examining the responsibility of psychiatrists to provide culturally sensitive care to their patients, including religious minorities.

A case report of a Palestinian Christian patient admitted to an acute psychiatric ward in Palestine. This 37-year-old male patient, who has struggled with mental health issues for the past 4 years, presented to Bethlehem Psychiatric Hospital after 10 days of suspiciousness, disturbed behavior, and verbal aggression toward family members. On examination, the patient was found to have a tense elevated mood with persecutory, reference, and grandiose delusions. The patient frequently brought content and references from the liturgy and the New Testament. Blood and urine tests were within normal range and showed no substance use. The patient was started on Olanzapine 15mg and Valproate 400mg.

A review of his hospital file revealed that after 2 weeks on medications, he no longer displayed ideas of delusional intensity. However, the patient mentioned events and lessons from the books of Revelation and Acts of the Apostles of the Christian Bible. He had a particular fascination with their relation to the Old Testament and the image of “tongues of fire” from the Pentecost. Due to his prior psychotic symptoms and limited overall knowledge of Christianity, it was difficult for many staff members to assess his thought content. These challenges were overcome by discussions with Christian hospital staff, gathering collaterals from his family, and self-education. The patient was using moments of transition in the Bible to describe his transition to a non-psychotic state. He was discharged soon after and referred to a community mental health center.

It is common for Arab patients to have psychiatric pathology of religious themes. These are important to distinguish from cultural expressions of emotions and experiences. To provide inclusive and comprehensive care, it is essential for clinicians to have an appropriate understanding of the religions, spirituality, and diversity of the populations they are serving.

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In psychopathology, a dualistic approach often refers to the conceptual separation of the mind and body as distinct entities, which can influence how mental disorders are classified and diagnosed. This separation may lead to biased judgments and contribute to the stigmatization of mental health conditions. It can also encourage alternative conceptualizations of mental health disorders and promote new methods of classifying mental health issues beyond traditional biomedical or behavioral frameworks.

The goal of our research was to examine the impact of psychiatrists’ and psychologists’ dualistic perspectives on the biological model of depression using the PLS-SEM model.

This cross-sectional study carried out in the Republic of Croatia in 2018, involved 238 participants, comprising 122 psychiatrists and 116 psychologists. We applied the Maudsley Attitude Questionnaire to examine the preferences of psychiatrists and psychologists in choosing the biological model of depression. Their dualistic perspectives were assessed using the Stanovich Mind-Body Dualism Scale. In the PLS-SEM modeling, dualism and monism were observed as exogenous latent variables in the model, and their impact on the biological model, which represents the endogenous latent variable, was analyzed. All model indicators are reflective.

Psychiatrists (M = 14.71, SD = 2.27) and psychologists (M = 13.77, SD = 2.69) predominantly support the biological model out of Harlands’ 8 models of mental disorders in defining depression. The PLS-SEM initial reflective model is significant (p = 0.002) even though the fit indices provided mixed results. The GFI (0.963) and SRMR (0.059) suggested a good or acceptable fit, but the CFI (0.862) and RMSEA (0.095) indicated that the model requires further refinement. The R² value revealed that the model explained 61.3% of the variance in the endogenous variables.

Mental health professionals prefer the biological approach in explaining the etiology, classification, research, and treatment of depression. Supporting a dualistic perspective had a significant negative total effect (p < 0.05) on the choice of the biological model of depression.

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Pregnancy induces significant physiological and psychological changes. This study evaluates self-esteem, body image satisfaction, and psychological well-being among pregnant women at Monastir Maternity Center, Tunisia.

1. 1. To assess self-esteem and body image satisfaction among pregnant women.

2. 2. To evaluate the psychological well-being and the adequacy of support provided during pregnancy.

Conducted over two months (March-April 2022) with 62 participants (88.57% response rate) at Monastir Maternity Center. Self-esteem was measured using the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES), and body image satisfaction was assessed with the Body Image States Scale (BISS). Sociodemographic, obstetric, and psychosocial variables were collected.

The study included 62 participants, with an average age of 31.68 ± 7.49 years. Most participants (62.9%) were stay-at-home individuals, and two-thirds reported their current pregnancy as desired.

Body image satisfaction, measured by the Body Image States Scale, averaged 5.32 ± 3.67, indicating moderate satisfaction.

Self-esteem was low in 79% of participants, while 74.2% had no depressive symptoms and 90.3% had no anxiety symptoms.

Half of the participants (50%) reported their psychological well-being was addressed during pregnancy, with the majority (41.9%) receiving support from family members. Three-quarters (75%) considered pregnancy consultations the best time to discuss psychological issues. Almost all (98.4%) wanted additional psychological support. Over half (56.5%) talked about their pregnancy difficulties with someone, while 22.6% did not address them, and 21.0% did not experience any difficulties.

The study highlights a significant prevalence of low self-esteem and moderate body image satisfaction among pregnant women.. The study also reveals that while many women discuss their difficulties with others, there remains a gap in addressing psychological issues adequately, particularly considering the majority of participants desire more support.

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The relationship between human mental health and religiosity (or broadly understood spirituality) has been the subject of interest of scientists, including philosophers, for hundreds of years. For centuries, religion has played a key role in shaping people’s psychosocial and moral development, both positively and negatively. Spirituality should also not be treated as a practice solely related to attending temples or praying. Certainly, a common feature of all types of spirituality is the search for a deeper meaning that goes beyond the material experience of life.

The aim of the study was to analyze available scientific research in terms of the relationship between religiosity, spiritual practices and faith with selected parameters of human mental health.

The PubMed and Cochrane Library databases were searched for in this analysis. The search phrases used were: “spirituality/religion AND mental health”, “spirituality/religion AND depression”, “spirituality/religion AND anxiety”, “spirituality/religion AND suicide” [Image 1].

The relationship between spiritual practices or religiosity and the occurrence of depressive symptoms is not clear. By far the largest number of analyses was conducted in the United States, where, due to the heterogeneity of society, different beliefs and spirituality are present. Despite the high heterogeneity of studies, a high level of spirituality is usually associated with a lower intensity of anxiety symptoms. Obsessive thoughts are relatively often associated with religious motives. An interesting assumption is the concept that religion as a set of rules and practices that require strict adherence may be the foundation for the development of OCD. Religion may reduce the frequency of fantasizing about death, which is confirmed by studies conducted in various religious populations. Differentiating psychotic symptoms from spiritual experiences may be a significant diagnostic difficulty.

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The intensive period of socio-cultural and economic changes has an impact on people’s attitudes towards religiosity, their sense of belonging to a religious group, or spirituality in general. As the available analyses show, spirituality can be a protective or burdensome factor, or it can have no impact on a person’s mental well-being. The studies available in medical databases show significant heterogeneity in this respect, which makes their direct comparison difficult. Another methodological problem seems to be the assessment of spirituality. We cannot forget about the cultural context in the assessment of societies. An interesting analysis would be to assess the relationship between specific forms of spiritual practice and their intensity with reference to tradition, gender, age, and geographical region. Considering the aspect of spirituality in human life is part of a holistic view in medicine.

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The pandemic exacerbated existing mental health support disparities faced by ethnic minorities in the UK. Many ethnic minorities entered care through crisis pathways, receiving more severe diagnoses than their white British counterparts. Additionally, they were 40% more likely to access mental health services via the criminal justice system. Despite these challenges, research on their evolving experiences with mental health services remains limited.

To explore the interactions between ethnic minorities and mental health services. By understanding their engagement and coping strategies, we aimed to capture how these experiences have impacted their mental health and well-being.

This study was conducted in Northern England, a region with high mental health needs but limited research activity. In-depth, semi-structured interviews were held with a purposive sample of ethnic minority adults with diverse mental health conditions (ethical approval 22/WS/0164).

Two independent researchers conducted interviews remotely or in person between March and September 2023, with consent confirmed before each interview. The topic guide, co-produced and piloted with an advisory group of ethnic minority individuals, carers, and clinicians, focused on service engagement, support experiences, coping strategies during the pandemic, and suggestions for improvement. Data were analysed using a framework approach, with themes and subthemes categorized in a matrix for each transcript. Two researchers independently double-coded a sample of interviews to ensure validity, with the team and advisory group reviewing and finalizing the analytical framework.

Thirty-two ethnic minority individuals were interviewed, revealing five key themes: barriers to managing mental health; limited engagement with health services; preference for community support; reliance on community support during service interruptions in the pandemic; and the need for service-community collaboration. Cultural stigma often led to fear and reluctance to seek support, and participants struggled with non-culturally sensitive health services. Instead, they preferred community-based support, which persisted during the pandemic despite service disruptions. Participants advocated for collaboration between mental health services and ethnic minority communities to enhance cultural understanding and patient-centred care.

Ethnic minorities with mental health conditions face significant challenges in accessing and engaging with services. Addressing these issues requires integrating culturally sensitive approaches into existing frameworks, achieved through collaborations with ethnic minority communities to better understand their unique contexts. Incorporating cultural considerations into service delivery can enhance engagement and improve outcomes for diverse populations.

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