OBJECTIVE:The aim of this study was to compare exercise, continuous short-wave diathermy (SWD) and intermittent SWD treatment modalities and to evaluate the effects of these treatments on chronic back pain and depression.METHODS:This study is an intervention trial which evaluated patients who applied to our clinic due to chronic low back pain between 2008-2009. The study group consisted of 90 patients between the ages of 40-65 who had had low back pain for more than 6 months. The patients were randomized into three groups. The first group received placebo short-wave diathermy, the second group received continuous short-wave diathermy, and the third group received pulsed short-wave diathermy. Pain was evaluated by Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and the Pain Disability Index (PDI).The Modified Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire Form was used for the measurement of functional deficiency and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) was used for the evaluation of depression.All scales were performed before the treatment, immediately after treatment and 3 months after treatment.RESULTS:Significant decreases in PDI and VAS scores were found in all groups (p<0.05 for each). Similarly, there was a significant improvement in all groups in terms of functional deficiency(p<0.001 for each), while no differences were found between groups (p = 0.895). In terms of BDI scores, there was no improvement in those receiving only exercise, while Group 2 and 3 had significant improvements (p <0.05). When groups were compared for BDI scores, no differences were found between any of the groups (p = 0.189).CONCLUSION:Continuous SWD treatment with exercise was found to be more effective in reducing pain in patients with chronic low back pain than other treatment modalities used in our study. Although there was no significant difference between the groups in terms of depressive mood, it was found that those receiving continuous and pulsed SWD treatment had significant improvements in depression as measured by the BDI.

The evaluation of cognitive functions in Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is fundamental to improve the efficacy of therapeutic interventions. However, the role of specific higher-order cognitive functions in adult ADHD, including cognitive flexibility, emotion recognition, and metacognitions, remains unclear. Therefore, in the current study, we aimed to examine these three distinct higher-order cognitive functions among adult ADHD individuals. Forty patients with ADHD with predominantly inattentive presentation and 42 healthy controls participated in the study. The Adult Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder Scale (AADHDS), the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST), the Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test (RMET), and the Metacognitions Questionnaire-30 (MCQ-30) were administered. Results indicated that patients with ADHD had worse metacognitions scores, in specific subdimensions, relative to healthy controls. However, cognitive flexibility and emotion recognition did not differ between the groups. Moreover, the cognitive confidence subdimension of the MCQ-30 was found to be sole significant predictor in the attention deficit subdimension of the AADHDS. Our findings suggest that lack of cognitive confidence may contribute to ADHD symptomatology despite regularly functioning cognitive flexibility and emotion recognition. Therefore, metacognitions could be a suitable target to alleviate the severity of ADHD symptoms.

Studies investigating the psychological aspects of cancer have gained importance in recent years. In these studies, the rates of depression and anxiety in cancer patients were examined, but the risk of suicide had not been examined. This study investigated the psychiatric diagnoses of depression, anxiety, and suicide risk in cancer patients. Eighty patients who met the inclusion criteria were administered the Beck Depression Inventory, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Structured Clinical Interview for DSM (SCID), and Suicide Probability Scale. The examination of the relationships across variables was assessed with Pearson's correlation analysis and stepwise multiple regression analysis. Due to SCID assessment, 45% of patients were found to have depression diagnosis, and 11.25% were found to have anxiety diagnosis. In the patients who had previous psychiatric diagnosis and treatment, total suicide probability scores demonstrated statistically significant differences. The frequency of depressive disorders and anxiety disorders in cancer patients is high. The studies investigating that suicide are rare, and in our findings, previous psychiatric diagnosis and treatment were risk factors. In the past studies, depression has been reported to be the most important factor in increasing the risk of suicide in cancer. Contrary to previous findings, according to the data obtained from this study, anxiety is the most important predictor of suicidal risk among all the determinants.

Social networking sites (SNSs) enrol new subscribers each day. However, problematic SNS use has undesirable effects on psychological functioning. Therefore, it is important to identify the factors that contribute to the development of problematic SNS use. Very few studies have focused on revealing the underlying mechanisms of problematic SNS use. Although many past studies have examined the relationship between metacognitive beliefs and Internet addiction, the association between metacognitive beliefs and problematic SNS use has not been adequately explored. In this study, we aimed to explore the association between metacognitive beliefs and problematic SNS use among young adults. A total of 308 individuals participated in this study. A socio-demographic data form, the Metacognitions Questionnaire-30 (MCQ-30), and Social Media Addiction Scale (SMAS) were administered. Group comparisons were performed using multivariate analysis of covariance. Pearson's correlational and multiple linear regression analyses were conducted to examine the associations between metacognitive beliefs and problematic SNS use. The SNS addicts scored higher in all of the SMAS assessments. When compared to non-addicts, SNS addicts obtained higher scores on all the subtests of the SMAS and MCQ-30 except cognitive self-consciousness. The negative beliefs about the uncontrollability and danger of worry, cognitive confidence, and need for control thoughts were associated with SMAS mood modification, relapse and conflict subdimensions. Our findings revealed that dysfunctional metacognitive beliefs are related to problematic SNS use among young adults. These findings indicate that mental health workers should consider the modification of metacognitive beliefs in the treatment of problematic SNS use.

BACKGROUND/AIMS This study aimed to determine the effects of back school therapy, a home exercise program, and shortwave diathermy treatment on the quality of life of patients with chronic low back pain. MATERIAL and METHODS In this interventional study, we evaluated 90 patients who were admitted to our clinic from 2006 to 2007 and had been followed-up for their low back pain complaints that had been present for at least 6 months. These patients were randomized into 3 groups after being subjected to back school therapy and home exercise programs. Placebo shortwave, continuous shortwave diathermy, and pulsed shortwave diathermy treatments were applied to these three groups, respectively. The Short form 36 (SF-36) was used to evaluate the quality of life of the study groups. RESULTS In this study, statistically significant recovery was achieved in all the three groups in terms of physical function, role limitations due to physical problems, and bodily pain criteria. Those who received the diathermy therapy had higher mean scores in terms of all the three criteria mentioned above. CONCLUSION Significant improvements were achieved within the study groups in terms of all the above-mentioned criteria, except for "role limitations due to emotional problems", as measured by SF-36. However, we could not find any significant difference between the groups in terms of the quality of life.

Background: Chronic pain (CP) and mental disorders are common among active military personnel (AMP) due to their potential exposure to various physical and psychological stressors. Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate pain perception and beliefs regarding their pain among AMP suffering from CP using self-reported measures, and to understand the development and persistence of pain in AMP. Methods: Sixty male AMP outpatients suffering CP were included. All participants completed the following forms and questionnaires: Oswestry Disability Index(ODI), Visual Analogue Scale(VAS), Neck Disability Index(NDI), Bournemouth Questionnaire for neck(BQN), International Physical Activity Questionnaire(IPAQ), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Index(HADS), 36-item Short Form Survey(SF-36), Automatic Thoughts Questionnaire(ATQ), and Pain Belief Questionnaire(PBQ). Results: The mean age of the participants was 22.85±3.50 years, the median duration and frequency of pain were 12 months and 14.5 days in a month, respectively. The median of ODI scores was 26; three of patients were evaluated as crippled while 8 patients had severe disability. The HADS and PBQ-psychological scores were high in the patient group. Positive correlations were found between pain frequency and the ODI, VAS, NDI and PBQ-psychological scores. Relationships were also shown between PBQ-psychological and the VAS and ATQ scores. Correlations between ODI scores and ATQ scores were also revealed. Conclusions: Our results suggest that, in addition to the organic basis of pain, there is strong evidence for significant contribution from the psychological characteristics and pain-related beliefs of the patients. Physicians may choose a multi-dimensional perspective in the diagnosis and treatment of pain, especially in patients suffering from CP.

Objective: Smoking is one of the most important health problems. The aim of study to investigate the relationship between characteristics of nicotine addiction and smoking cessation. Methods: One hundred and twenty patients between 19 and 70 years were included in the study. Eysenck Personality, FagerstrA¶m Nicotine Addiction and Barrat Impulsivity Scales were applied. SPSS v.21.0 was used in analyzes. Results: Education has a negative effect on smoking. Impulsivity (p=0.02) and personality characteristics (p=0.02) found to be different between groups. Barrat motor (p=0.05) Eysenck neurotism (p=0.05) positively affected cigarette addiction and Eysenck neuroticism has the biggest effect with 32%. Discussion: Socioeconomics and personality traits are important in tobacco use. Unlike previous studies educated were more addicted. Smoking was associated with novelty seeking, impulsivity, personality factors. Neuroticism found to the most effective factor on the severity of cigarette depen-dence.

Introduction: Sleep disorders are more prevalent in patients with previous stroke compared to healthy individuals. The main objective of the present study was to investigate the impact of sleep quality on the functional status of patients with a history of stroke, upon admission to inpatient rehabilitation. Methods: Fifty patients (mean age: 69 +/- 11 years) with previous stroke were consecutively included in this single center cross-sectional observational study upon admission to inpatient rehabilitation. Pittsburgh Sleep Questionnaire Index (PSQI) was calculated for all patients and patients were divided into 2 groups according to PSQI scores (PSQI <= 5 as good sleepers and PSQI > 5 as poor sleepers). A specialist evaluated the level of muscle spasticity and disability, walking capability, and overall performance of daily activity of all enrolled patients using the functional ambulation scale (FAS) score, modified Brunnstrom Classification, Modified Ashworth scale, and Beck Depression Inventory. Results: The FAS score (3.4 +/- 1.3 versus 1.8 +/- 1.7, P = .004) and Brunnstrom scores of upper limb (3.8 +/- 1.1 versus 2.5 +/- 1.6, P = .005), lower limb (4.3 +/- 1.4 versus 3.1 +/- 1.7, P = .013) and hand (3.6 +/- 1.5 versus 2.3 +/- 1.6, P = .006) were significantly higher in good sleepers than poor sleepers. Linear regression analysis revealed that PSQI score (coefficient beta = -.360, 95% CI: -.212-.032, P = .009) and age (coefficient beta = -.291, 95% CI: .100-.245, P = .032) were independently associated with FAS score. Conclusion: Results of the present study indicate that presence of poor sleep quality is associated with poor functional status which might further impair the outcomes of the rehabilitation and accordingly the health-related quality of life in patients admitted for stroke rehabilitation.

With the widespread use of the internet today, many studies have been conducted regarding the use of social networking sites (SNS). Despite the growing literature on the effects of SNS on human life, there are limited successful therapeutic interventions for SNS addiction. Our study aimed to elucidate the potential role of emotion recognition in the development of SNS addiction and to propose novel strategies for alleviating problems emerging from SNS addiction. A total of 337 individuals participated in the study. A sociodemographic data form, the Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test (RMET), and the Social Media Addiction Scale (SMAS) were administered. The results revealed the presence of emotion recognition deficits among individuals with SNS addiction, relative to non-addicts. RMET positive and negative scores were associated with SNS addiction in a negative direction. Additionally, RMET negative scores predicted SNS addiction. Our findings indicate a possible link between SNS addiction and emotion recognition, which might serve as a crucial target in novel treatment strategies.

Objective: Attachment is defined as the continuing and consistent emotional bond between child and caregiver. The inadequacies or the occasional failures in relation between mother and child will affect the attachment negatively. A number of studies have demonstrated that there is a relationship between insecure attachment and the symptoms of schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder. Oxytocin hormone have positive effects in attachment, social interaction and child care. Studies regarding the level of blood oxytocin and its associations with the attachment styles of mothers of schizophrenia patients are very rare in the literature. The aim of our study is to clarify the attachment patterns believed to play a role in the etiology of schizophrenia and to compare the current relationship of oxytocin hormone with the parents of patients in comparison with the healthy control group. Methods: Thirty-four healthy mother of patients diagnosed with schizophrenia and 31 healthy mothers were included to the study. Participants completed the Close Relationships Inventory-II and blood oxytocin levels were measured. The t test was used to compare the groups and the Pearson correlation analysis was used for the correlation. Results: In the study, it was determined that mothers of schizophrenic patients had higher Close Relationships Inventory-II scores and lower blood oxytocin levels than healthy controls. In addition, there was an inverse correlation between blood oxytocin level and Close Relationships Inventory-II scores. Conclusion: In our study, insecure attachment patterns (anxious and avoidant) were observed in the mothers of schizophrenic patients and it was shown that there was a significant relationship between the style of attachment and oxytocin. Low blood of oxytocin levels were related with insecure attachment among the mothers of schizophrenic patients. Moreover, it can be considered that the mothers of the schizophrenic patients because of the bidirectional interaction affect the connection; it could develop unsafe attachment patterns.

Purpose: Medical students must not only gain knowledge and skills about recognition and management of mental problems, but they also must improve their attitudes and practices toward persons having mental disorders. The aim of this study was to investigate the attitudes of the students in the Medical School of Near East University, which is the first medical school of Cyprus and composed of students from different cultures, toward mental illnesses. Materials and Methods: A total of 396 students (355 pre-clinical and 41 clinical) were included in the study. The Sociodemographic Data Form and Beliefs toward Mental Illness (BMI) Scale were used to collect data. Results: The Dangerousness Subscale scores were significantly higher for students from TRNC and Turkey (22.33 +/- 6.21), compared to the students from other nationalities (18.87 +/- 5.20). However, the Incurability Subscale scores of the students from other nationalities (28.92 +/- 9.31) were significantly higher compared to those from TRNC and Turkey (25.18 +/- 9.19). Conclusion: Our study results suggest that there is no strong relationship between beliefs toward mental illnesses and sociodemographic features; however, culture plays a key role in perceived beliefs on mental illnesses.

Propofol is a potent intravenous anesthetic agent that rapidly induces sedation. Recently it has been considered as a treatment option for refractory headaches. We report a case of 38 years of female who has received propofol treatment for her refractory headaches and severe dependence on propofol has occured. She had excessive withdrawal symptoms after discontinuing propofol and was succesfully treated. The abuse and dependency potential of propofol has recently been recognized and several cases of suicide have emerged. Although intravenous propofol is an efficacious treatment for patients with refractory headaches, the severe dependency and abuse potential must be taken into consideration.

INTRODUCTION In recent years, an increasing number of studies have researched retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) changes in neurodegenerative disorders. In this study, our aim was to determine structural RNFL changes in patients with major depressive disorder. METHODS A total of 30 patients with major depressive disorder and 30 age- and sex-matched controls were recruited. Using optical coherence tomography (OCT), the peripapillary RNFL thickness in major depressive disorder patients and control subjects was measured and compared at each location. RESULTS Patients with major depressive disorder did not show a statistically significant reduction in overall peripapillary RNFL thickness. CONCLUSION Our study showed that RNFL thickness is not reduced in major depressive disorder patients and that OCT is not a useful tool for diagnosing and monitoring the progression of major depressive disorder. This study suggests that the pathophysiology of unipolar depression is different than in neurodegenerative disorders, pervasive developmental disorders, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder.

Objective: The purpose of the study is to investigate whether there are associations between common specific personality characteristics, Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI) scores, Beck Depression and Anxiety scores in patients with acne vulgaris (AV). Method: The patients who were diagnosed with AV following the dermatologic examination and the selected healthy control individuals filled the socio-demographic and clinic information form, Beck Depression and Beck Anxiety scales, as well as the TCI. Results: Patients were significantly higher for their Beck depression and anxiety scores. For TCI subscales; patient group was significantly higher for cooperativeness 3 (C3=helpfulness), cooperativeness total and self-transcendence 2 (ST2=transpersonal identification) subscale scores while they were significantly lower for self directiveness 3 (SD3=resourcefulness) subscale score compared to the control group. Conclusions: The findings about lower self-transcendence scores of patients group might be related with the difficulties they can experience during the treatment process. Such difficulties might increase the anxiety and depression incidence of the AV patients, worsen the disease severity, decrease the success rate of the treatment. All such negative effects, triggered with treatment non-concurrence, might lead to a vicious cycle that would cause the mismanagement of the whole treatment procedure.

Amaç: Tıp Fakültesi öğrencilerine ruhsal bozukluklara ilişkin bilgiler öğretilmeli ve bu bozuklukları tanılayıp yönetmeye ilişkin beceriler kazandırılmalıdır. Bununla birlikte, ruhsal bozukluk görülen hastalara karşı tutum ve uygulamalarında da gelişim göstermelerine önem verilmelidir. Bu çalışmanın amacı; Kıbrıs Adası’nın ilk tıp fakültesi olan Yakın Doğu Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi’nin farklı kültürel altyapılardan gelen öğrencilerinin ruhsal hastalıklara yönelik tutumlarını incelemektir. Gereç ve Yöntem: Veriler, 396 öğrencinin sosyodemografik bilgi formunu ve Ruhsal Hastalıklara Yönelik İnançlar Ölçeği’ni (RHİÖ) yanıtladıkları anketle toplanmıştır. Bulgular: Tehlikeli altölçeği KKTC ve Türkiye’li öğrencilerde (22.33 ± 6.21) diğer ülkelerden gelen öğrencilere (18.87 ± 5.20) kıyasla istatistiksel olarak önemli yüksek bulunmuştur (p<0.01). Çaresizlik altölçeği ise diğer ülkelerden gelen öğrencilerde (28.92 ± 9.31), KKTC ve Türkiye’li öğrencilere (25.18 ± 9.19) kıyasla önemli yüksektir. Sonuç: Sosyodemografik özellikler ile ruhsal hastalıklara yönelik tutumlar arasında ilişki gözlenmemiştir. Aynı fakültede okuyan öğrencilerin ruhsal hastalıklarla ilgili farklı kültürel altyapılara sahip olmalarına bağlı olarak farklı tutumlarının olduğu gözlenmiştir.

Multipl skleroz (MS) sıklıkla genç erişkinlerde görülen, santral sinir sisteminin demiyelinizasyon ve akson kaybı ile sonuçlanan inflamatuar otoimmün bir hastalığıdır. Hastalık sıklıkla nörolojik belirtilerle ortaya çıkmakla beraber, seyrinde veya başlangıcında psikiyatrik belirtiler de görülebilmektedir. Bipolar bozukluk, intihar girişimi, anksiyete ve depresyon MS'ye eşlik eden psikiyatrik bozukluklardır ve görülme sıklıkları normal populasyona göre MS hastalarında artmıştır. Bu artışın nedeninin MS'de kompleks mekanizmalara bağlı olduğu düşünülse de, hastalığın seyrinin ilerleyici olması, ciddi işlev kayıpları ile sonuçlanması gibi psikososyal faktörlerle de ilişkili bulunmuştur. Psikososyal faktörler dışında hastalığın bilinen patofizyolojisinin sonucu olarak ve ayrıca hastalıkta uygulanan tedavilerin psikiyatrik bozukluklara zemin oluşturduğu düşünülmektedir. En sık görülen semptomlardan depresyonun etiyolojisinde serebral lezyonlarla otoimmün etkenler de sorumlu tutulmuştur. Serebral lezyon yükü ve plak anatomik lokalizasyonları depresyon şiddeti ile ilişkili bulunmuştur. İkinci sıklıkta gözlenen anksiyetenin sıklıkla psikososyal sorunlara reaktif oluştuğu saptanmıştır. MS hastalarında intihar düşüncesinde normal populasyona göre ciddi artış olması öncelikle psikososyal nedenler gibi görünmektedir, fakat interferon tedavisinin etkisinin olduğu birtakım çalışmalarda gözlenmiştir. Bipolar bozukluğun multifaktöriyel olduğu gözlenmiş, fakat interferon tedavisi ile ilişkili vakalar bildirilmiştir. Psikotik bozuklukların da MS hastalarında interferon tedavisi ile ilişkisini gösteren vakalar vardır. MS hastalarında eş tanılı anksiyete ve depresyon; artmış intihar düşüncesi, alkol kötüye kullanımı, artmış somatik yakınmalar daha fazla sosyal bozulma ile ilişkilendirilmiştir. Bu nedenle MS'ye eşlik eden psikiyatrik bozuklukları tanımak ve tedavi etmek hastalığın seyrinde ve hastaların yaşam kalitesinde olumlu etkiler yaratacaktır. Bu çalışmada, MS'de görülen psikiyatrik bulgu ve bozukluklar, hastalığın etiyopatogenezi ve tedavi yaklaşımları ile ilgili güncel bilgiler tartışılmıştır.

Synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists (SCRA) has become one of the most abused substances, recently. JWH-018 street name known as Bonzai is one of the most abused substances in Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. The most common symptoms in cases reported with synthetic cannabis use are agitation, angry, paranoia and reference delusions, disorientation, seizure and nausea. Although the effects are very similar to cannabis, stimulant effects are more likely in SCRA use. In preparations containing SCRA do not contain cannabinidol agent which is reported to reduce the psychotic effects of the cannabis. This may explain the relationship between SCRA and psychotic disorders. We aimed to discuss a brief psychotic disorder associated with SCRA use and treatment which is less reported in the literature in this case report.