Objective: The primary objective of this study was to examine how individuals undergoing active addiction treatment conceptualize the meaning of recovery and to identify key recovery indicators through a holistic perspective based on their subjective experiences. Methods: A qualitative research design was employed with 67 male participants enrolled in a residential treatment program through written responses to two open-ended questions. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis to identify core themes and codes related to the meaning of recovery and its reflections across various life domains. Results: The study findings are organized under two main themes, "The Meaning of Treatment" and "Indicators of Recovery," comprising a total of 30 sub-themes. The results demonstrate that recovery is a multidimensional process of "reconstruction" occurring across six primary domains: physical, cognitive, affective, behavioral, social, and moral. Within the physical domain, regaining health and improvements in physical appearance emerged as key indicators; in the cognitive domain, developing insight into understanding addiction and self-awareness were identified. The affective domain highlighted emotion regulation skills and self-compassion, while the behavioral domain emphasized the establishment of a structured life routine and avoidance of risky environments. In the social domain, the restoration of familial bonds and establishing healthy communication were central, whereas the moral domain defined honesty and taking responsibility as fundamental components of the effort to become a better person." Ultimately, these findings illustrate that the recovery journey represents an integrative maturation process, shifting the focus from clinical symptom management toward the reclamation of a meaningful and virtuous identity within society. Conclusion: This study reveals that recovery in addiction is not merely the cessation of substance use but a multidimensional process of reconstruction. The findings indicate that recovery possesses a broad and inclusive framework extending from the physical to the moral domain. It is suggested that future academic studies and clinical practices should take this diversity and multidimensional structure into account to better meet the holistic needs of individuals. [PBS 2026; 16(3.000): 170-180]
Objective: Photo-based social media and photo-editing tools have become widespread, raising concerns about their impact on body image. This study aimed to investigate how photo-based social media use, photo-related behaviors, and satisfaction with one’s own appearance relate to body appreciation, social appearance anxiety, and interest in cosmetic procedures among medical students. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 98 medical students. Participants completed validated measures of body appreciation, social appearance anxiety, depression, and anxiety, along with self-report items on social media use and photo-related behaviors. Multivariate linear regression analyses were conducted, adjusting for age, gender, BMI, depression, and anxiety scores. Results: Participants who reported greater satisfaction with their own photos exhibited significantly higher body appreciation scores. Spending more time on photo-based social media was associated with lower body appreciation. Contemplating cosmetic procedures was associated with higher social appearance anxiety. Female participants exhibited significantly lower body appreciation and higher social appearance anxiety compared to male participants. Conclusion: The quality of time spent on photo-based social media platforms is as important as the quantity. Monitoring digital behaviors in non-clinical populations may be important for early interventions. Longitudinal studies in different populations are needed. [PBS 2026; 16(3.000): 163-169]
Objective: Increasing evidence suggests that inflammatory processes may play a role in the pathophysiology of mood disorders. However, the diagnostic utility of inflammatory biomarkers in distinguishing bipolar from unipolar depression remains unclear. Methods: This retrospective study included 810 inpatients diagnosed with bipolar disorder (n ≤ 444) or unipolar depression (n ≤ 366). Inflammatory markers, including CRP, neutrophil count, NLR, SII, and SIRI, were obtained within 24 hours of admission. Group comparisons, hierarchical logistic regression analyses, ROC analyses, and multivariable linear regression models were performed. Results: Inflammatory markers were significantly elevated in bipolar mania compared to depressive groups. In logistic regression analyses restricted to depressive episodes, higher NLR (OR ≤ 1.21, p ≤ .004), SII (OR ≤ 1.0006, p ≤ .003), and SIRI (OR ≤ 1.21, p ≤ .021) were associated with bipolar depression; however, effect sizes were modest. Clinical variables, including hospitalization history and treatment exposure, demonstrated stronger associations with diagnostic classification. ROC analyses revealed poor discriminative performance for all markers (AUCs ≈ 0.55). In linear regression models, hospitalization frequency, lithium, and antipsychotic use were not associated with inflammatory markers, whereas valproic acid use was associated with lower levels (all p < .001). Conclusion: Although inflammatory markers are associated with bipolar disorder, their ability to distinguish bipolar from unipolar depression is limited. These findings suggest that inflammatory biomarkers reflect state-dependent processes rather than stable diagnostic differences and therefore have limited value as standalone diagnostic tools. [PBS 2026; 16(3.000): 181-191]
The authors regret the error in "Table 2" of the published version of this article. [PBS 2026; 16(3.000): 199-200]
Objective: Landau-Kleffner Syndrome (LKS) is a rare pediatric epileptic encephalopathy characterized by the abrupt or gradual loss of previously acquired language abilities and epileptiform EEG abnormalities. The syndrome poses significant diagnostic challenges due to its clinical overlap with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Symptoms such as language regression, reduced eye contact, impaired social interaction, and stereotypical behaviors are often misinterpreted as indicators of ASD. However, distinct EEG findings and a history of sudden developmental regression are key to differential diagnosis. This article presents a male child who initially exhibited symptoms consistent with ASD but was ultimately diagnosed with LKS following a detailed evaluation and EEG findings; the clinical improvement process with antiepileptic treatment and concurrent individualized special education support is discussed. Case Presentation: A 5-year and 8-month-old boy was referred to a child and adolescent psychiatry clinic due to regression in speech, reduced social interaction, poor eye contact, stereotypic behaviors, and newly emerging agitation. His developmental history indicated age-appropriate milestones until age five, followed by a gradual loss of expressive language and social withdrawal. Neurological examination revealed no history of clinical seizures; however, sleep EEG showed epileptiform discharges originating bilaterally from frontotemporal regions. Brain MRI demonstrated non-specific hyperintensities in the bilateral posterior periventricular white matter. Auditory brainstem response testing indicated normal auditory pathways. Prolonged sleep EEG demonstrated electrical status epilepticus during sleep, occupying more than 85% of nonâ"rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep (spikeâ"wave index >85%), and the clinical findings were evaluated within the LKS/epilepsyâ"aphasia spectrum. Antiepileptic treatment was initiated in a stepwise manner with valproic acid and levetiracetam, and clobazam was introduced as targeted therapy for LKS. Due to an insufficient response on follow-up EEG, oral prednisolone therapy was initiated and continued with gradual dose tapering. At the same time, individualized special education and speech therapy were provided. Within the first few months of treatment, marked improvements were observed in EEG findings, language production, and social engagement. Conclusion: This case report describes a child who initially presented with symptoms overlapping with ASD but was ultimately diagnosed with LKS following comprehensive clinical and neurophysiological evaluation. LKS may mimic ASD through language regression and social communication difficulties; therefore, early recognition of late-onset mutism or aphasia-like symptoms following a period of typical development may facilitate timely identification of underlying epilepsyâ"aphasia spectrum disorders and enable earlier appropriate interventions. [PBS 2026; 16(3.000): 192-198]
