Hypochondria is a mental disorder characterized by a preoccupation with fears that a person may be ill or suffering from a serious illness, based on a misinterpretation of problems that cannot be eliminated by appropriate medical reassurance. A special type of hypochondriasis known as Medical Student Syndrome (MSS) refers to student's fears and beliefs that they are ill or may become ill with the illnesses they are learning while studying in pre-clinical and clinical subjects. A cross-sectional study was conducted during the winter semester of the 2019/2020 school year, with a sample of 90 students of the first, third, and sixth year of the Faculty of Medicine, sampled on a random basis. Subjects completed the Illness Attitude Scale (IAS). The aim of study was to investigate whether there is a difference in the incidence of hypochondrial tendencies and beliefs in the students of the Faculty of Medicine in relation to the year of study. The mean values on certain subscales were statistically significantly higher in students of third compared to students of first and sixth year of medicine. Students who have not renewed a year were found to have significantly higher average scores on the Disease Concerns and Pain Concerns subscale, as well as Disease phobia compared to those who renewed the year, while Hypochondrial beliefs were statistically significantly higher in subjects who renewed the year compared to students who had not renewed the year. The presented results support the hypothesis that health anxiety and all its components among the medical students at the preclinical level is most pronounced in the third year of study, and that it shows declining trend in the later stages of study.
Perinatal mental health disorders are defined as mental conditions developed during pregnancy or in a year following child delivery. Women are affected but it is possible partners can be too, as a new or additional mental health condition. The aim of perinatal psychiatry is preventing perinatal mental health problems, as well as timely and scientifically based diagnose and offer evidence-based treatment including psychosocial therapy or medications. Undiagnosed or untreated perinatal mental disorders during or after pregnancy can have significant and long-lasting effects on the wellbeing of the women and her overall health, child health and development, as well as partner relationships and society as whole.
Introduction: Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) is an inherited autosomal recessive disorder characterized by a defect in the synthesis of steroid hormones of the adrenal cortex. This defect results in elevated serum androgen levels. Androgens have been shown to have a significant effect on the developing brain during prenatal and postnatal period, which can lead to impaired neurocognitive functioning and contribute to the development of psychiatric disorders. The aim: In this paper, we will present a patient with CAH who developed serious psychiatric problems during adolescence. The aim of this case report is to discuss a possible connection between these two conditions and to consider possible diagnostic and therapeutic interventions. Case report: The patient was diagnosed with the classic form of CAH at birth. After months of corticosteroid substitution therapy, the patient was surgically treated at 7 months of age with vaginoplasty and clitoroplasty. The patient developed serious psychiatric problems from the depressive-anxiety spectrum in the early adolescent period, followed by impaired impulse control and aggression. This report illustrates the diagnostic and therapeutic interventions conducted at the Clinical Department for Children and Adolescents of the Institute of Mental Health. Conclusion: Given the abundant evidence on the impact of CAH on cognitive ability and psychosocial functioning, it is necessary to develop and implement complementary multidisciplinary diagnostic and therapeutic interventions in these patients. Such interventions would aim to prevent the onset of psychiatric comorbidities and consequently improve the quality of life and functionality of these patients.
No modern studies of the natural course of depression have been done since the nineteen fourties of the last century. A large number of depressive episodes spontaneously remit. Because of this, some psychiatrists call for more use of a therapeutic approach called watchful waiting, especially for milder forms of depression. At the Institute of mental health in Belgrade, from November 2019 until November 2021, a study in watchful waiting will be done. In this paper the methodology of the planned study is described.
Obesity is one of the leading problems in our society. The spread of obesity in developed societies is reaching pandemic lengths. In schizophrenic patients obesity raises an important issue. Patients suffering from schizophrenia have a shorter life span compared to the general population. Prevalence of obesity in schizophrenic patients is high. Obesity is the key factor in developing a metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome is a frequent somatic complication in schizophrenia. Nowadays, it is clear that metabolic syndrome shortens the lifespan of people who developed an illness. Because of this, the treatment of obesity represents a major problem. Review of currently approved medications for treatment of obesity is the goal of this paper.
