Background Sensory processing has a significant impact on the individual's quality of life. This study explores the relationship between sensory profiles in typically developed adults and their associations with psychopathology, sleep, and coping abilities. Methods A total of 508 adults (54.7% female, 45.3% male; mean age 27.68 years) were assessed using the Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile, DSM-5 Self-Rated Level 1 Cross-Cutting Symptom Measure-Adult, SLEEP-50 questionnaire, and Brief-COPE. Bayesian Network analyses were employed to estimate associations between sensory profiles, psychopathology symptoms, sleep disorders, and coping abilities. Results Positive associations were found between sensation seeking and coping, as well as mania. Sensation avoiding correlated positively with insomnia and coping. Sensation seeking was associated with emotion-focused coping, while sensation avoiding was mainly related to maladaptive coping styles. Conclusion Our study highlights the importance of sensory profiles in the mental well-being of young adults, indicating specific associations with mental disorders, sleep issues, and coping strategies. These insights can inform targeted interventions to enhance overall mental health.
Background This study examines the prevalence, characteristics, and diagnostic profiles of personality disorders in adolescents, integrating dimensional and categorical approaches. It aims to explore the psychopathological manifestations and the role of gender differences in clinical presentation, providing insights for early diagnosis and targeted intervention. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on a clinical cohort of 38 adolescents (aged 14-18) assessed at a mental health service. Categorical diagnoses were established using the SCID-5 PD and ICD-9, while dimensional assessments were conducted using the DSM-5 AMPD (SCID-5 AMPD) and PID-5. General symptom severity was measured using the SCL-90-R, along with assessments of personality functioning. Results Specific Personality Trait Disorder emerged as the most prevalent diagnosis (63.2%), followed by Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), which appeared frequently within the sample. Dimensional assessments revealed significant impairments in Negative Affectivity, Disinhibition, and Psychoticism, with females scoring higher in Disinhibition and Psychoticism. Categorical evaluations showed considerable diagnostic heterogeneity, with BPD and Avoidant Personality Disorder among the most frequent. Conclusions The integration of categorical and dimensional models offered a comprehensive understanding of adolescent psychopathology, emphasizing the need for diagnostic tools sensitive to gender differences and developmental trajectories. Findings support early intervention strategies focused on emotional regulation and psychosocial adaptation. Future studies should investigate the longitudinal course of personality disorders and the efficacy of early interventions.
Confabulation is the unintentional production of false or distorted memories. Delusional Misidentification Syndromes (DMS) are psychopathological phenomena in which familiar people or places are believed to have been altered or replaced. Both are rare but clinically significant, and they may co-occur in schizophrenia. We present the case of a 27-year-old male with treatment-resistant schizophrenia who exhibited both confabulation and Fregoli syndrome. The patient produced shifting autobiographical narratives, including multiple identities, invented family members, and fantastical life events, alongside delusions that his father was an impostor in disguise. Neuropsychological testing revealed attentional and memory impairments with signs of frontal lobe involvement. Despite high-dose clozapine and amisulpride treatment, only partial improvement was achieved, and electroconvulsive therapy contributed to further symptom reduction. The patient's PANSS score decreased from 119 to 76 after electroconvulsive therapy, indicating a marked clinical improvement. This case highlights the complex interplay between cognitive deficits, confabulation, and delusional misidentification in schizophrenia, emphasizing the importance of comprehensive assessment and individualized treatment approaches in managing rare psychopathological presentations.
Objective The relevance of study stems from the need for a profound understanding of how various aspects of family structure influence adolescent upbringing in contemporary China amid sociocultural transformation. The objective was to identify trends and factors shaping parenting practices in Chinese and Kyrgyz families. Methods The methodology combined quantitative and qualitative approaches, including Likert-scale questionnaires and statistical analysis using SPSS. A sample of 600 adolescents aged 12-18 was surveyed, enabling a comparative analysis of parenting practices across two cultural contexts. Results The findings revealed that Chinese adolescents reported significantly higher satisfaction with family relationships (4.2 vs. 3.8 in Kyrgyzstan, p = 0.032) and greater perceived emotional support from family (4.3 vs. 3.9, p = 0.018). Kyrgyz respondents experienced more stress due to family conflicts (3.8 vs. 3.2, p = 0.007), which negatively affected their academic performance (3.6 vs. 3.1, p = 0.025). A SWOT analysis highlighted the strengths of Chinese families in stability and support, whereas Kyrgyz families reported higher levels of emotional distress related to family conflicts. In China, adolescents from multigenerational families achieved an average academic performance score of 4.4, which was 19% higher than the 3.7 score seen in nuclear families. In Kyrgyzstan, the gap was 9%, with multigenerational families scoring an average of 3.6, compared to 3.3 in nuclear families. Conclusion The conclusions highlight that family structure significantly influences adolescents' emotional resilience, academic motivation, and social adaptation. This research can inform culturally sensitive family support programs in countries undergoing similar transformations.
Objective This study aimed to explore the clinical and psychological characteristics of Night Eating Syndrome (NES) in individuals with obesity, focusing on comorbidity with other dysfunctional eating behaviors and difficulties in emotional regulation. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted on 995 adults with obesity. Participants were assessed for NES, grazing, carbohydrate craving, sweet and junk food consumption, psychiatric disorders, depressive symptoms, and emotion regulation difficulties using validated clinical interviews and psychometric instruments, including the DERS, BDI-II, and SCL-90-R. Group comparisons were performed between individuals with and without NES. Results Individuals with NES reported significantly higher rates of psychiatric comorbidity, grazing, and junk food consumption. Although no significant differences emerged in general psychopathological symptoms and depression severity, patients with NES demonstrated greater difficulties in emotion regulation, particularly in goal-directed behavior, impulse control, and access to effective regulation strategies. These impairments may compromise adherence to behavioral and nutritional goals, further hindering therapeutic outcomes. Conclusions Patients with obesity and NES represent a clinically vulnerable subgroup characterized by emotional dysregulation and comorbid maladaptive eating behaviors. These findings underscore the importance of incorporating comprehensive psychopathological assessments, with a specific focus on emotional functioning, into tailored treatment strategies for this population.
In this work, we present the adaptation of the Relaxation Sensitivity Index (RSI) in the Italian context and evaluate its psychometric properties. RSI was developed under the anxiety sensitivity framework as an instrument to assess individual sensitivity (and subsequent fear) to the sensations related to relaxation. To test the original three-dimensional factorial structure proposed by Luberto et al. (2021), we conducted a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) on a sample of 485 participants. Results confirmed the factorial structure also in the Italian context, demonstrating good internal consistency and convergent validity. Both the index at the general level and its single dimensions were positively associated with distress-related constructs (i.e., anxiety, depression, negative affect, worry, and boredom intolerance) and negatively with life satisfaction. Furthermore, we confirmed measurement invariance across gender, demonstrating the scale's broad applicability. By adapting this index to the Italian context, this study provides a new and valuable instrument for research and clinical applications, facilitating professionals and researchers in accounting for relaxation-related fears. The Italian version of the RSI thus contributes to understanding the mechanisms underlying anxiety associated with relaxation.
Worries are everyday phenomena known to everybody. They are anticipatory thoughts related to specific potential problems in the future, associated with cognitive rehearsal of how to prevent or solve negative developments. There is also pathological worrying as described in the context of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Worrying can be described in regard to the content, be it daily hassles or severe problems in life. Additionally, there are formal aspects of worrying like frequency or subjective controllability. To investigate formal characteristics of worrying 30 patients, who were treated with cognitive behavior therapy because of generalized anxiety disorder, were assessed before and after treatment with the "dynamics of worrying scale", which asks for frequency, intensity, fluency, controllability, necessity, and self-creation of worrying. Additionally, a control group of 27 patients without GAD was recruited. GAD patients indicated significantly and relevantly higher frequency, intensity, fluency of worrying, and lower controllability. GAD patients see in comparison to controls that they have a personal tendency to worry and that worries are unnecesssary. The results support that worrying is a core feature of GAD. Formal dynamics of worrying differentiate between GAD patients and controls. This shows the importance of formal rather than content aspects of worrying. The fact that GAD patients have some insight in their problem is important for treatment. The dynamics of worrying scale is a useful instrument to specifically measure formal thought disorders in GAD.
Objectives Prevalence of major psychopathology in patients with chronic pain varies widely across studies and is overrated using screening instruments. The main goals of this preliminary, descriptive investigation were: (1) to calculate the prevalence of major psychopathology in adults with chronic pain at the moment of their first contact with an Italian specialist pain clinic, and (2) to explore its relationship with the presence of current psychiatric comorbidity clinically diagnosed by mental healthcare specialists. Methods 172 patients were recruited within the "Pain Therapy" service" at the Parma University Hospital. They were assessed at entry using the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory-III edition (MCMI-III). MCMI-III cut-off score of >= 85 in at least one of the clinical scales indicated the presence of a current major psychiatric syndrome. Clinical and sociodemographic data were also collected. Frequencies and prevalence rates of comorbid psychopathology were reported and discussed. Results 50 (29.1%) of participants with chronic pain showed MCMI-III scores indicative of a current, clinically relevant psychiatric syndrome, especially anxiety (n = 17; 9.9%) and somatoform (n = 14; 8.1%) disorders. However, only 31 participants (18%; 36.0% of the subsample scoring above 84 in at least one of the MCMI-III clinical scales) had a current, clinically diagnosed psychiatric comorbidity and declared a past specialist mental health contact or a retention in care within psychiatric services. Conclusions Although mental disorders are more common in subjects with chronic pain, a large portion of them remain potentially undiagnosed and under-treated. Mental healthcare professionals stably involved in multidisciplinary teams for chronic pain management are thus recommended.
Objective The purpose of this study was to investigate the psychological characteristics of pathological liars by examining the influence of Machiavellianism, emotional stability, extraversion, subjective control, gender differences, and underlying motivations on manipulative behaviours through surveys and personality assessments. Methods A mixed-methods approach was employed to gather data from 80 participants (40 males, 40 females, aged 24-65) via questionnaires, which included the MACH-IV, Leonhard-Schmieszek Test, and Rotter's Locus of Control. Online surveys required 15 minutes for completion, with exclusion criteria pertaining to psychiatric problems. Results Machiavellianism had a robust correlation with manipulative behaviour (r = 0.65, p < .001). Extraversion (r = 0.68, p < .001) and inadequate emotional stability (r =-0.53, p < .01) emerged as significant predictors. A greater sense of subjective control is associated with reduced manipulation (r =-0.42, p < .01). Males exhibited more extraversion (M = 24.5, SD = 4.3) and emotional stability (M = 27.4, SD = 4.0) compared to females (M = 21.8, SD = 3.6; M = 29.1, SD = 3.8). Conclusions The research points out the important role of personality qualities such as emotional stability and extraversion in comprehending inclinations towards lying and manipulation. These insights enhance the comprehension of pathological lying and facilitate improved psychological evaluations and therapies for manipulative behaviours. Future studies may investigate the influence of empathy and social factors in generating these tendencies.
Phenomenological approaches to autism have predominantly examined it in terms of social challenges, above all as a diminished intercorporeality, i.e. the ability of bodies of two individuals to extend and form a mutual incorporation. Incorporation refers to the way in which the body connects with other people (mutual incorporation) or with the world, with objects or tools (unidirectional incorporation) through perception and action, such that these become part of one's own body schema. In this paper, we consider autism in relation to the concept of unidirectional and mutual incorporation. The hypothesis is that autistic individuals experience challenges with mutual incorporation, resulting in social difficulties, and that instead they tend to engage in unidirectional incorporation, where there is only one active pole. However, autistic characteristics are wide-ranging and vary with age and individual abilities; hence, some autistic individuals may primarily experience or seek mutual incorporation, even if it may differ from non-autistic individuals. The tendency for unidirectional incorporation manifests itself in special interests, in a preference for perceiving objects rather than individuals and in ritualized daily routines and stereotypical behavior. A description of autism that includes incorporation allows a more comprehensive understanding of the condition, encompassing a wider range of aspects than social interaction and lets us redress a merely deficit-oriented understanding of autism.
Background Folie & agrave; deux is typically defined by the transmission of delusional beliefs between closely bonded individuals. In rare instances, hallucinations may also be shared, giving rise to folie & agrave; deux hallucinatoire. Case report We describe a 45-year-old man with schizophrenia who experienced paranoid delusions, auditory hallucinations, and cenesthetic hallucinations involving bodily distortions, which he attributed to possession by a Jinn. Over time, his wife, with no prior psychiatric history, adopted both his delusional framework and his cenesthetic hallucinations. The patient improved with risperidone, and his wife's symptoms resolved in parallel. Conclusion This is among the few documented cases of shared cenesthetic hallucinations. The case highlights the importance of careful phenomenological assessment, differentiation between hallucinations and somatic delusions, and culturally sensitive management.
Objectives Hikikomori, a severe and prolonged form of social withdrawal, is attracting growing global interest, and well-validated tools to support the clinical assessment of hikikomori are needed. This study aimed to examine the Italian version of the Hikikomori Questionnaire-25 (HQ-25) and the ERRESSEGI questionnaire to differentiate between adolescents with and without hikikomori providing evidence on their optimal cut-offs and filling in the gap in existing literature. Methods Adolescents attending Italian secondary schools and adolescents referred to neuropsychiatric centers from the Public National Health Service participated in this study. Data from 381 participants aged between 13 and 18 years were used for the present analysis: non-clinical sample n = 274, clinical sample without hikikomori n = 70, and clinical sample with hikikomori n = 37. The metric of maximizing the sum of sensitivity and specificity was used to determine the optimal cutoff scores, with bootstrapping procedures to examine the variability of the estimates. The diagnosis of hikikomori, based on research criteria previously proposed, was used as a criterion or gold standard measurement. Results An HQ-25 cut-off score >= 52 correctly identified 73% of hikikomori cases and 88% of non-hikikomori cases, while an ERRESSEGI cut-off score >= 30 correctly identified 81% of hikikomori cases and 87% of non-cases. Satisfactory classification accuracy was also found (area under the curve [AUG] value of 0.86 for the HQ-25 and. 90 for the ERRESSEGI). The receiver-operating characteristic curve comparison demonstrated no significant difference in AUG values. Bootstrap analysis showed good stability of classification accuracy estimates. Conclusions Both the HQ-25 and ERRESSEGI demonstrate criterion validity among adolescents and may be useful in the assessment of hikikomori.
Objective To analyse and explore the structure and psychological reactions of the population in the context of a coronavirus pandemic. Methods Methods of analysis, classification, deduction, questionnaires, synthesis and generalisation, which help to identify the adverse effects of coronavirus infection and self-isolation on the psychological and psychophysiological state of the population. Results The research covers the impact of coronavirus infection on the psychological state of an individual; demonstrates specific stressors during quarantine and illness; and demonstrates the occurrence of anxiety, asthenia, depression and stress disorder after illness; described the most vulnerable groups to the psychosocial and psycho-emotional consequences of COVID-19: a detailed literature review was performed and the main approaches to reducing risks and threats to mental health from the COVID-19 pandemic were specified; the most vulnerable groups were identified, considering gender and age characteristics; psychological and psychophysiological changes in people who survived COVID-19; models and methods of psychological support during the pandemic were considered. Conclusions The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacts psychological health, causing anxiety, depression, and asthenia, particularly among young, elderly, and female populations in Kazakhstan, necessitating tailored distress management.
Objectives A double-injection regimen for initiating aripiprazole long-acting injection (ALAI) has been approved for use based only on a pharmacokinetic modelling study. This regimen involves administering two injections of ALAI plus a single oral dose of aripiprazole, as opposed to the original regimen which called for four weeks of oral treatment with one injection. To date, there have been no studies evaluating the relative effectiveness of the double injection regimen compared with a single ALAI dose start. Methods We carried out a non-interventional, year-long observational study of the single and double-injection regimen for ALAI initiation. We analysed time to discontinuation with both regimens and noted reasons for discontinuation. Results Data were collected on 173 patients initiated on ALAI (43 double-injection, 130 single-injection initiation). Median time to discontinuation of ALAI was 111 days (95%CI 56-254) in the double-injection group, and 272 days (95%CI 202-> 365) in the single-injection group (p = 0.004). For inpatients (n = 118) initiated on ALAI, median time to discharge was 14 days in the double-injection group, and 21 days in the single-injection group. There was no clear difference in discontinuations due to adverse effects. Conclusion Patients initiated with a double-injection regimen discontinued treatment earlier and to a greater extent than those given single-injection initiation. It is not clear that this difference relates to the regimens themselves or the reasons for choosing the particular regimen (e.g. prior non-compliance; reluctance to accept treatment).
The following is a clinical case of a person affected by schizophrenic disorder with a specific Ego development disturbance that has never been previously described. The perceptual-delusional symptomatology does not manifest as a double experience typically described as "external" to the peri-personal space but rather as "internal" and completely "foreign" to the subject. This entity is both active and present, yet it is curiously associated with multiple entities that intervene in hallucinatory perceptual contexts, resulting in a florid symptomatology characterized by auditory hallucinations of commenting voices. To the best of our knowledge, no prior psychopathological literature has described such a persistent and embodied alteration of the Ego, associated with other multiple entities that successively manifest within the "internal" space of the Self. This intense delusional-hallucinatory symptomatology exhibited a significant response solely to prolonged treatment with Clozapine.
Objective Psychotic symptoms are a prevalent and distressing phenomenon in patients diagnosed with borderline personality disorder (BPD) and represent a significant challenge to effective treatment. However, there is a lack of knowledge about the specific characteristics of these phenomena. The aim of this study was to examine the psychotic experiences of patients with borderline personality disorder (BPD) and compare them with those of patients with psychotic disorders, with particular attention to the role of dysphoria, which has been proposed to be at the core of BPD functioning from a psychopathological-dynamic perspective. Methods Two groups of adult psychiatric patients (aged 18-65 years), one with BPD and the other with schizophrenia, were administered a questionnaire assessing the presence and phenomenology of psychotic experiences (QPE), together with self-reports measuring other dimensions. Results The results showed that patients with BPD had a greater diversity of hallucinations in terms of sensory modalities, a higher prevalence but lower severity of paranoid delusions and, most importantly, an increased degree of situational dysphoria, especially triggered by recent interpersonal events. Conclusions This suggests that psychotic symptoms in borderline patients may begin to manifest a distinctive psychopathological profile that warrants further investigation and attention from the scientific community.
Purpose To explore psychometric characteristics of the Integrative Health and Wellness Assessment (IHWA_V2_2022) in a sample of Italian individuals and then, to investigate if the integrative health was differently perceived among participants according to sex and age. Methods The translation procedure followed in this study adhered to the guidelines for translating, adapting, and validating instruments or scales for cross-cultural research. Then, the IHWA_ V2_2022-Italian Version was spread and administered on-line. Findings The internal consistency and stability of the IHWA_V2_2022 was significant (**p < 0.001 and *p < 0.05). Significant differences were reported in the ninth subdimension "Physical/Weight", since the oldest participants recorded higher levels in maintaining their ideal weights (p = 0.039). Conclusion Well-being dimensions' scores were strictly connected to the subjective experience in well-being, balancing time skills and self-related circumstances. Especially, older participants scored higher levels in "Physical/Weight" dimension. This important finding could better address health promotion policies and behavior change interventions.
Objective To assess the relationship between endometriosis-related pain, and mood symtoms. Method Forty-seven outpatients diagnosed with endometriosis were assessed using the MOODS-SR questionnaire for mood symptoms and VAS score for pain. Statistical analyses included Pearson's correlation coefficient (r) and linear regression models. Results Dyspareunia correlated positively with depressive mood (p = . 020), energy in depressive (p = . 002) and manic (p = . 045) states, cognition in depressive states (p = . 028), and rhythmicity (p = . 001). Chronic pelvic pain correlated with depressive mood (p = . 003), energy (p < .001) and cognition (p = . 005) in depressive states and rhythmicity (p = . 016). Linear regression models demonstrated dyspareunia's predictive relationship with depressive mood (p = . 020), energy levels during depressive (p = . 002) and manic (p = . 045) states, cognitive dysfunction during depressive phases (p = . 028) and rhythmicity (p = . 001). Chronic pelvic pain was correlated with depressive mood (p = . 003), energy level (p <. 001) and cognitive dysfunction (p = . 005) in depressive states, and rhythmicity (p = . 016). Conclusion The study suggests an association between dyspareunia, chronic pelvic pain and mood disturbances emphasizing the necessity for a multidisciplinary approach to endometriosis management that considers mental health of patients.
Objective Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by deficits in communication and relational skills, associated with repetitive verbal and motor behaviors, restricted patterns of interest, need for a predictable and stable environment, and hypo-or hypersensitivity to sensory inputs. Even if clinical symptoms are present since early childhood, not rarely this disorder is not diagnosed since adulthood especially in individuals with high functioning autism or Level 1 of functioning. Therefore, this study aimed to pilot test a newly developed screening tool to assist clinicians in detecting this condition both in the general population and in psychiatric patients. Methods In this study we have developed and tested a screening tool, the SIAHA (Screening Instrument for Adult with High-Functioning Autism), to assist clinicians, especially those not specialized in ASD, in detecting ASD Level 1. To test the validity of the SIAHA we examined it in three groups: ASD group, a psychopathological group, and a non-clinical group. Results From the results obtained by comparing the SIAHA total scores across the different groups, it emerges that this tool could assist psychiatrists in better identifying the presence of basic autism criteria during initial screenings. Conclusion The use of the SIAHA could potentially be beneficial in reducing the misdiagnoses often attributed to adult with autism.
The article presents a comprehensive case study of a 37-year-old male patient who was admitted twice to a psychiatric clinic due to bipolar affective disorder. The first admission was prompted by a manic episode with psychotic symptoms, concurrent THC addiction, and post-traumatic neurological syndrome, while the second followed a severe depressive episode. Despite extensive pharmacological treatment and several months of psychotherapy, it was the administration of Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) that ultimately led to significant remission. This intervention resulted in a marked improvement in the patient's mood and regression of symptoms, enabling a brief follow-up in an outpatient setting, which the patient discontinued after three visits. Notably, the patient remained symptom-free for three years post-discharge without the use of any medications, until hypomanic symptoms reappeared. This case highlights the pivotal role of ECT in the treatment of bipolar affective disorder, particularly in cases where patients exhibit resistance to pharmacotherapy. The article aims to emphasize the importance of ECT as an equivalent treatment modality to pharmacotherapy. Despite negative associations with this method and concerns among patients and medical staff, the described case demonstrates the positive impact of ECT, especially in drug-resistant patients.
