Objective: Delay-related processes refer to individuals' affective, cognitive, and behavioral responses to waiting situations, often characterized by impatience, frustration, and a preference for immediate rewards. The aim of this study was to evaluate the Turkish version's validity and reliability of the Quick Delay Questionnaire for Adults (QDQ-A), a self-report tool developed to assess delay-related characteristics in adults with ADHD. Method: The study included 109 adults diagnosed with ADHD (mean age = 26.30 +/- 7.19) and 79 controls (mean age = 29.85 +/- 6.95). Participants completed the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and the QDQ-A. Results: Confirmatory factor analysis revealed a two-factor structure consistent with the original version; delay aversion and delay discounting. Cronbach's alpha coefficients indicated good internal consistency: .85 for the delay aversion subscale and .70 for the delay discounting subscale. Test-retest analysis demonstrated acceptable reliability (p< .001). Within the ADHD group, QDQ-A subscale scores were positively correlated with ASRS subscales, a weak but statistically significant correlation was observed between the delay discounting subscale and HADS depression scores (rho =.193, p=.045). Discussion: The present findings support the Turkish version of the QDQ-A as a valid and reliable tool for use in adult populations.
Objective: Evaluating the quality of life and anxiety levels of parents of children diagnosed with anorectal malformations (ARM) and to examine the effect of psychodrama group therapy on anxiety levels. Method: The study was conducted with parents of children with ARM who participated in the ARM Expert Family Meeting organized in collaboration with Izmir University of Economics Faculty of Medicine. Participants were first administered a demographic information form, the Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAM-A), and the EUROHIS Quality of Life Scale. Following these assessments, three structured psychodrama group therapy sessions, each lasting 60-90 minutes, were conducted. After the completion of the psychodrama sessions, the HAM-A scale was administered again to the participants to evaluate the effect of the intervention on anxiety levels. The data obtained were evaluated using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test and Spearman correlation analysis. Results: 22 parents (11 men, 11 women) participated in the study. The mean age of the participants was 35.2 +/- 11.7 (19-65). A statistically significant difference was found between anxiety levels before and after psychodrama group therapy (p<0.05). Furthermore, a moderate, negative, and significant correlation was found between EUROHIS quality of life scores and initial and final HAM-A anxiety levels (r=-0.53; p<0.05; r=-0.57, p<0.05, respectively). Discussion: Psychodrama group therapy was effective in reducing anxiety levels in parents of children with ARM and revealed a significant relationship between quality of life and anxiety level. These findings indicate that psychodrama can be an applicable and beneficial intervention method for this specific group.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a well-established risk factor for suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, and completed suicide. Methylphenidate, a first-line pharmacological treatment for ADHD, is being increasingly prescribed. Given the rising rates of methylphenidate use and the high prevalence of suicide among individuals with ADHD, it is anticipated that clinicians will increasingly encounter suicide attempts involving this easily accessible medication. However, there are limited case reports of suicide attempts involving methylphenidate in individuals with ADHD. In this case report, we present a comprehensive biopsychosocial evaluation of a 14-year-old adolescent girl with ADHD who attempted suicide by taking 900 mg of long-acting methylphenidate, while discussing potential underlying mechanisms and risk factors for suicidality. We also addressed the clinical management of high-dose methylphenidate ingestion in children and adolescents, a topic for which the literature provides limited guidance. This case highlights several risk factors for suicidal behavior in adolescents, including untreated ADHD, comorbid psychiatric disorder, dysof suicide and inadequate coping mechanisms. Our findings emphasize the importance of sustained ADHD treatment, routine suicidality screening in adolescents with ADHD and providing psychoeducation for families. Suicidal behavior is a complex and multifactorial process shaped by the interaction of biological, psychological, and environmental factors. A multidisciplinary approach grounded in the biopsychosocial model is essential for effective assessment and intervention.
Objective: Sedative psychotropic medications, such as olanzapine, quetiapine, mirtazapine, and trazodone, are commonly used in hospitalized patients to manage psychiatric symptoms, such as insomnia, restlessness, and agitation. Despite their widespread use, data on their short-term effects on vital signs in medically complex patients are limited. Understanding these effects is crucial for optimizing patient safety in acute care settings. This retrospective cohort study aimed to assess the effect of olanzapine, quetiapine, mirtazapine, and trazodone on vital signs (systolic and diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, oxygen saturation, and body temperature) in non-intensive care unit hospitalized patients. Method: Among 871 screened consultation episodes, 184 patients met eligibility criteria and were included in the final analysis. Vital signs were collected at six standardized time points, 24 h before and after medication initiation. Linear mixed-effects models with subject-specific random intercepts were used to examine the treatment group, phase (pre-post), time of the day, and group-by-phase interactions. Multiple tests across the five primary phase effects were conducted using the Holm correction. Results: Across all vital sign outcomes, fixed-effect estimates were small and indicated minimal physiological change. Heart rate showed a modest unadjusted decrease from pre- to post-exposure (beta =-1.72 beats/min, 95% CI -3.11 to -0.33; p =.017); however, this association did not remain statistically significant after adjustment for multiple comparisons (Holm-adjusted p =.083). No statistically significant phase effects or group-by-phase interaction effects were observed for systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, or oxygen saturation. Discussion: In this medically complex inpatient cohort, commonly used sedative psychotropic agents (olanzapine, quetiapine, mirtazapine, and trazodone) did not produce clinically meaningful short-term changes in the vital signs.These findings support the cautious but routine use of these agents in inpatients, with standard monitoring. Further prospective studies are recommended to explore the long-term outcomes and potential drug interactions.
