[Addiction as an attachment disorder]. / Sucht als Bindungsstörung.

BACKGROUND: There is no commonly accepted model for describing the development and treatment of substance use disorders (SUD); however, over several decades the attachment theory has represented an important basis for the clinical handling of SUD. This study gives a systematic review of empirical studies regarding the relationship between SUD and disorders of attachment behavior. OBJECTIVE: Is there a positive relationship between disorders of attachment behavior and the presence of SUD? METHOD: Various databases (PsychInfo, Web of Science, PubMed) were systematically searched in order to pinpoint relevant studies in books and articles published in English or German. Based on the results 22 publications were selected. After a stricter limitation to original research, 12 articles could finally be accepted as eligible. RESULTS: A significant relationship was found between SUD and insecure attachment in 10 out of the 12 studies. CONCLUSION: Based on the results of the research studies reviewed the hypothesis to characterize SUD as a possible expression of an attachment disorder was confirmed. This corroborates the importance of considering attachment parameters in dealing with prevention and treatment of SUD. Further research might focus on non-substance-related addictive disorders and therapy outcome studies.

[Factitious disorders]. / Artifizielle Störungen.

Patients with factitious disorders intentionally fabricate, exaggerate or feign physical and/or psychiatric symptoms for various open and covert psychological reasons. There are many issues regarding the diagnostic state and classification of factitious disorders. Both the categorical differentiation of and clinical continuum ranging from somatoform/dissociative disorders to malingering are being controversially debated. Epidemiological studies on the frequency of factitious disorder meet basic methodological difficulties. Reported rates of prevalence and incidence in the professional literature most probably have to be considered underestimations. Illness deception and self-harm as core features of the abnormal illness behaviour in factitious disorder may refer to various highly adverse and traumatic experiences during early development in a subgroup of patients. Chronic courses of illness prevail; however, there are also episodic variants.

[Depressive, anxiety and posttraumatic stress disorders as long-term sequelae of intensive care treatment]. / Depressive, Angst- und posttraumatische Belastungsstörungen als Konsequenzen intensivmedizinischer Behandlung.

Modern intensive care medicine has led to increased survival rates even after severe life-threatening medical conditions. In self-critical and multidimensional outcome research, however, it must be considered that beyond survival rates treatment on intensive care units (ICU) can also be associated with high long-term rates of depressive, anxiety and posttraumatic stress disorders. Significant correlations with increased somatic morbidity and mortality, persisting cognitive impairments and significant deficits in health-related quality of life must also be taken into consideration. Empirical analysis of the risk factors reveals that a history of premorbid depression, sociodemographic and socioeconomic variables, age, female sex, personality traits, the underlying pathophysiological condition requiring ICU treatment, mode of sedation and analgesia, life support measures, such as mechanical ventilation, manifold traumatic experiences and memories during the stay in the ICU are all of particular pathogenetic importance. In order to reduce principally modifiable risk factors several strategies are illustrated, including well-reflected intensive care sedation and analgesia, special prophylactic medication regarding the major risk of traumatic memories and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), psychological and psychotherapeutic interventions in states of increased acute stress symptoms and aids for personal memories and reorientation.

[Comorbid depressive and anxiety disorders in patients with cancer]. / Depressive und Angststörungen bei Krebserkrankungen.

Patients with cancer face a high risk of comorbid depressive and anxiety disorders that have to be paradigmatically considered within a complex biopsychosocial context. Several conceptual challenges have to be mastered in arriving at a correct clinical diagnosis. Coexistent affective and anxiety disorders in cancer patients include a more dramatic subjective suffering, reduced psychological coping, possible negative interference with somatic treatment and rehabilitation, impaired quality of life and higher grades of psychosocial disability. They may also lead to an overall increased risk of somatic morbidity, a more rapid progression of cancer and a higher cancer-related mortality in the course of the disease. Manifold psychological, psychosocial and existential, cancer and treatment-related stressors have to be considered with respect to common neurobiological, especially neuroendocrine and neuroinflammatory mechanisms. Complex psychosomatic, somatopsychic and somato-somatic effects must always be considered. Evidence-based approaches in psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy exist for the integrative treatment of comorbid depressive and anxiety disorders in cancer.

[Spirituality in schizophrenic diseases]. / Spiritualität bei schizophrenen Erkrankungen.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate different dimensions of religiosity and spirituality among schizophrenic inpatients (F 2x) compared to addiction patients (F 10.2, F 19.2) and to healthy controls. In addition the dimensions of religious and spiritual well-being were examined and related to different parameters of mental illness. METHOD: The group of schizophrenic patients (n = 39) was compared to a group of addiction patients (n = 33) and a healthy control group (n = 38) by means of the multidimensional inventory for religious/spiritual well-being (MI-RSWB). Additionally, dimensions of RSWB were related to the Beck depression inventory (BDI) and the brief symptom inventory (BSI) in the group of schizophrenic patients. RESULTS: The group of schizophrenic patients did not differ from the addiction patients or from the healthy controls in the RSWB dimensions, except for the hope transcendent sub-dimension. Furthermore, dimensions of RSWB turned out to be negatively correlated with the severity of psychiatric symptoms (BDI and BSI). CONCLUSION: As assumed a positive relationship between RSWB and subjective well-being can be confirmed also for the group of schizophrenic patients. Existentially oriented dimensions such as hope and forgiveness might be specifically relevant for the group of schizophrenics.

[Tizanidine withdrawal symptoms in stress cardiomyopathy]. / Tizanidin-Absetzsymptome bei Stress-Kardiomyopathie.

INTRODUCTION: An acute discontinuation of tizanidine, an alpha-2-agonistic muscle relaxant, is associated with reflex tachycardia, hypertension, tremor, hypertonicity and anxiety. CASE REPORT: We describe a 53-year-old patient with broken-heart syndrome, who developed serious tizanidine withdrawal symptoms after high-dosed long-term treatment within the framework of stress cardiomyopathy. CONCLUSION: Central muscle relaxants like tizanidine might have an impact on the development of delirium. Tizanidine withdrawal should be considered in patients who manifest signs and symptoms of withdrawal from medications. The drug should be gradually reduced in dosage under observation by a psychiatrist. When prescribing tizanidine, the possible pharmacological side effects and interactions should be taken into careful account.

Sexual dysfunction related to psychotropic drugs: a critical review. Part III: mood stabilizers and anxiolytic drugs.

INTRODUCTION: Sexual dysfunction is a potential side effect of mood stabilizers and anxiolytic drugs: this article presents a critical review of the current literature. Although many studies have been published on sexual side effects of psychopharmacological treatment, only a minority relate to mood stabilizers and anxiolytic drugs. Most of these studies are not methodologically robust, few are RCTs and most did not use a validated rating scale to evaluate sexual functioning. In addition, many of the studies on sexual dysfunction associated with mood stabilizers and anxiolytic drugs are limited by other methodological flaws. While there is evidence to suggest that mood stabilizers, with some exceptions, negatively affect sexual functioning, there is still insufficient evidence to draw any clear conclusions about the effects of anxiolytic drugs on sexual function. There is some weak evidence to indicate that switching from enzyme-inducing to non-enzyme-inducing anticonvulsant drugs, could be clinically useful. Some researchers recommend that sexual dysfunction in patients taking antiepileptic drugs should in general be treated according to standard guidelines for the management of sexual dysfunction, since reliable data on special populations is not available. However, specific approaches may be useful, but cannot yet be recommended until further validating research has been conducted. We did not find evidence supporting the use of any specific treatment strategy for sexual dysfunction associated with anxiolytic treatment. METHODS: This study was conducted in 2013 using the paper and electronic resources of the library of the Azienda Provinciale per i Servizi Sanitari (APSS) in Trento, Italy (http://atoz.ebsco.com/Titles/2793). The library has access to a wide range of databases including DYNAMED, MEDLINE Full Text, CINAHL Plus Full Text, The Cochrane Library, Micromedex healthcare series, BMJ Clinical Evidence. The full list of available journals can be viewed at http://atoz.ebsco.com/Titles/2793, or at the APSS web site (http://www.apss.tn.it). In completing this review, a literature search was conducted using the key words "anxiolytic drugs", "mood stabilizers", "benzodiazepines", "psychotrophic drugs", "sexual dysfunction", "sexual side effects", "treatment-emergent sexual dysfunction". All resulting listed articles were reviewed. DISCUSSION: This review includes studies that investigated the relationship between mood stabilizer and anxiolytic drug treatment and sexual dysfunction. The purpose was to identify possible intervention strategies for sexual dysfunction related to these drugs.

[Trauma and stressor-related disorders: diagnostic conceptualization in DSM-5]. / Trauma- und stressorbezogene Störungen : Diagnostische Konzeptualisierung im DSM-5.

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5 (DSM-5) includes a distinct diagnostic group of trauma and stressor-related disorders that has been set apart from anxiety disorders. From a perspective of adult psychiatry this new disorder category includes posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), acute stress disorder (ASD), and adjustment disorders. The PTSD is based on narrower trauma criteria that focus on acute life-threatening situations, serious injury, or sexual violence by way of direct confrontation, witnessing or indirect confrontation. Indirect confrontation, however, is reserved only for violent or accidental events that occurred to close family members or friends. The former A2 criterion of an intense emotional reaction to trauma has been removed. A deliberately broad approach to clinical PTSD phenomenology has created an empirically driven new cluster of persistent negative alterations in cognition and mood due to experiencing traumatic events. The ASD has been reconceptualized as an intense stress syndrome with a clear need of acute treatment during the early course after traumatic exposure. Adjustment disorders continue to emphasize maladaptive emotional and behavioral responses to unspecific, non-traumatic stressors in an intensity that is beyond social or cultural norms. Neither complex PTSD nor prolonged grief disorders have received an independent diagnostic status within DSM-5. With respect to stress-related disorders major divergences between DSM-5 and the future International Classification of Diseases 11 (ICD-11) are to be expected.

[Coexistent depressive and anxiety disorders in neurological diseases: from a perspective of multimorbidity]. / Depressive und Angststörungen bei neurologischen Erkrankungen : Aus der Perspektive der Multimorbidität.

The high rate of coexistent emotional disorders in neurological diseases is challenging. As a rule this coexistence comprises a more dramatic subjective suffering, reduced psychological coping, possible negative interferences with somatic treatments and rehabilitation, an impaired quality of life and higher grades of psychosocial disability. It may also lead to an overall increased risk of somatic morbidity and even mortality in the further course of illness. The complex interrelations may be favorably integrated within a biopsychosocial model. Psychological and psychosocial stressors can be appreciated on their own discrete levels but have to be reflected in their neurobiological correlates. Both neurological and emotional disorders frequently share decisive pathogenetic mechanisms, i.e. the underlying process of neurological disease may contribute to major affective problems also in a somatopsychic direction. From a perspective of multimorbidity the prevalence and clinical relevance of coexistent depressive and anxiety disorders, common pathogenetic mechanisms and implications for treatment will be described for stroke and Parkinson's disease, as selected neurological disorders.

[Verbal memory in patients with major depression]. / Das verbale Gedächtnis bei depressiven Patienten.

INTRODUCTION: Patients with major depression commonly report memory deficits but studies on this topic have shown inconsistent results. The aim of this study was to determine whether patients with major depression showed any differences in explicit verbal memory compared to healthy controls. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We used the California verbal learning test (CVLT) in order to compare the explicit verbal memory of 30 patients (21 women and 9 men) to a healthy control group (23 women and 10 men). RESULTS: The results showed no significant differences between verbal memory performance of patients with major depression and healthy controls. DISCUSSION: Verbal memory of depressive patients with antidepressant pharmacotherapy showed no significant differences compared to a healthy control group. It can be assumed that verbal memory in depression depends on variable parameters (e.g. age, severity and duration of depression and medication). More studies with a larger number of patients should be conducted to obtain reliable results about explicit verbal memory in depression.

[Oxidative stress in bipolar affective disorder]. / Oxidativer Stress bei bipolar affektiver Störung. (corrected).

The results of mortality studies have indicated that medical conditions, such as cardiovascular disease, obesity and diabetes are the most important causes of mortality among patients with bipolar disorder. The reasons for the increased incidence and mortality are not fully understood. Oxidative stress and an inadequate antioxidative system might be one missing link and could also help to further elucidate the pathophysiological basis of bipolar disorder. This article provides a comprehensive review of oxidative stress in general and about the existing data for bipolar disorder. In addition information is given about possible therapeutic strategies to reduce oxidative stress and the use in bipolar disorder.

[Pediatric bipolar disorder - case report of a bipolar patient with disease onset in childhood and adolescence: implications for diagnosis and therapy]. / Pädiatrische Bipolare Störung - Kasuistik eines bipolaren Patienten mit Krankheitsbeginn im Kindes- und Jugendalter: Diagnostische und therapeutische Implikationen.

In recent years, intense controversies have evolved about the existence and exact diagnostic criteria of pediatric bipolar affective disorder. The present study aims to discuss pediatric bipolar affective disorder based on the current literature focussing on the diagnostic prospects. Based on a case study, a process of bipolar disorder developed in childhood is depicted exemplarily. Because of the high comorbidity and overlapping symptoms of paediatric bipolar affective disorder and other psychiatric disorders, the major impact of the differential diagnosis has to be stressed. An early diagnosis and the treatment possibilities are discussed.

[Rapid cycling--finally stable but obese--target acquired?]. / Rapid Cycling--Endlich stabil aber adipös--Ziel erreicht?

Overweight and obesity are common in patients with bipolar disorder. Rates of up to 70% are described in scientific publications. There is sufficient evidence that these conditions are associated with a worse course of the disease (more episodes, higher suicide and hospitality rates, worse response to lithium, somatic comorbidities). Most of the mood stabilisers lead to weight gain. This is also true for clozapine, which can be effective in therapy-refractory courses of bipolar disorder. This case report demonstrates the complexity of the treatment of bipolar disorder. A young patient in depressive stupor following a severe suicide attempt after 5 months of hospital treatment was sent to our department to perform ECT. This was not possible because of the severity of his injuries. We were able to cure the acute condition and interrupt the course of rapid cycling with a combination of clomipramine, lithium and clozapine. A stable course of four years under this medication and psychoeducation has been achieved. In this period the patient was able to lower his body mass index from 38 to 26 because of a consequent lifestyle modification.

[Bipolar disorder and compliance]. / Bipolar affektive Störung und Compliance.

According to literature data the lack of compliance is a massive problem in up to 50 % of the patients with bipolar affective disorders and can lead to severe long-term complications in the further course of the diseases. In this case report we present various strategies that are intended to improve compliance.

[Poststroke-bipolar affective disorder]. / Poststroke-Bipolar affektive Erkrankung.

A few weeks after suffering from a basal ganglia infarction (globus pallidus) with left-sided hemiplegia, a 23-year-old woman exhibited for the first time a pronounced mania with self-endangerment. The use of oral contraceptives was the only determinable risk factor. During the further course, the mother also developed a depressive disorder. Thus a certain genetic predisposition for affective disorders may be relevant, although this would not explain the outbreak by itself. An association between the right-sided basal ganglia infarction and the occurrence of a bipolar affective disorder has been described in the literature. Vascular or, respectively, inflammatory risk factors in synopsis with the aetiopathogenesis of bipolar affective disorders are also discussed in depth in this case report.

Soul darkness? Dimensions of religious/ spiritual well-being among mood-disordered inpatients compared to healthy controls.

BACKGROUND: Religiosity and spirituality have been found to be substantially associated with a variety of mental health and illness parameters. However, relevant empirical evidence is sparse, and more research is needed in order to further understand what role religiosity/spirituality plays in the development, progression and healing process of a psychiatric disease. Thus, the purpose of this study was to find out more information about the religious/spiritual needs of anxious/depressive inpatients. SAMPLING AND METHODS: A total sample of 200 well-characterized anxious/depressive inpatients was investigated. Results were compared to those from an adjusted group of healthy individuals (n = 200). A newly developed Multidimensional Inventory for Religious/Spiritual Well-Being was applied to both groups, together with established psychiatric measures (e.g. Beck Depression Inventory). RESULTS: Of the dimensions measured, Hope and Forgiveness turned out to be the strongest negative correlates of anxious/depressive symptoms (p < 0.001). Moreover, a lower degree of Hope (p < 0.001) and Experiences of Sense and Meaning (p < 0.01) was found in the patient group compared to healthy controls. In accordance with the literature, religiosity was confirmed to be a substantial suicidal buffer (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Our results account for a more comprehensive psychiatric evaluation, emphasizing in particular the role that religiosity/spirituality plays in overall well-being. Furthermore, religious/spiritual well-being might be considered an important resource to explore, in particular for affective mentally disordered patients.

[Psychopharmacological treatment in patients with somatoform disorders and functional body syndromes]. / Psychopharmakotherapeutische Ansätze bei somatoformen Störungen und funktionellen Körpersyndromen.

Somatoform disorders and functional body syndromes define a major, diagnostically heterogeneous group of patients with medically unexplained physical symptoms. Psychopharmacological approaches can be derived from the conceptualization of somatoform symptoms and syndromes within a biopsychosocial model. The survey presented focuses on randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled studies. Antidepressants show a statistically and clinically relevant impact on many somatoform symptoms. In special reference to pain symptoms serotonergic and noradrenergic antidepressants seem to mediate a more favorable effect than selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. For some functional body syndromes, e.g. irritable bowel syndrome and fibromyalgia, a major analgesic effect of antidepressants can be underlined as well. The empirical data for fibromyalgia, however, seem to be more convincing than for irritable bowel syndrome. Pregabalin holds an empirically well established position in the treatment of fibromyalgia. As yet there is no convincing psychopharmacological strategy for chronic fatigue syndrome. Probably due to the inherent relationships to anxiety, obsessive-compulsive and depressive disorders, both hypochondria and body dysmorphic disorder can be positively treated by serotonergic antidepressants as well.

[Interferon α therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis C infection: biopsychosocial consequences]. / Interferon α bei Patienten mit chronischer Hepatitis C : Biopsychosoziale Auswirkungen.

BACKGROUND: Interferon α (IFN-alpha) is widely used in the treatment of viral infections, including hepatitis C. Unfortunately depression is a common side effect of IFN-alpha therapy. The presence of depressive symptoms is important because they have an adverse effect on the course of the illness and reduce the quality of life and the treatment adherence. The current prospective study examines the effects of IFN-alpha on the development of depressive disorders, on cognitive functioning and on quality of life. METHOD: A total of 25 patients with chronic hepatitis C infection were investigated. All patients were treated in the Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Medicine of Graz, Austria. Psychometric observer rating and self-rating scales were administered 1 month and 3 months after the beginning of the antiviral treatment to evaluate depressive symptoms [Beck Depression Inventory (BDI); Hamilton Depression Scale]. The data on life satisfaction before therapy and health-related quality of life were obtained from the Fragebogen zur Lebenszufriedenheit (FLZ) and the SF-36 (Health Status Questionnaire). Cognitive function was based on the SKT (Syndrom Kurztest). All patients completed the Social Support Questionnaire (SSS), a multidimensional self-report measure of social support. RESULTS: Three months after the initial IFN-alpha administration in the whole sample significant impairments in health-related quality of life were found in the health-related domains "physical functioning", "role physical", "role emotional", "social functioning" and "vitality". The whole sample showed cognitive impairments. No changes in social support were recorded. Three months after the first INF-alpha administration, 48% (n=12) of the sample suffered from moderate clinical depression. In comparison to patients without pathological affective findings, patients with INF-alpha-induced clinical depression showed decreased life satisfaction before the initial antiviral therapy. Impairments in health-related quality of life (SF-36) were found in the sample with clinical depression in the health-related domains "general health", "social functioning", "role emotional", "vitality" and "mental health". CONCLUSION: Hepatitis C is associated with an increased prevalence of psychiatric disorders, particularly depression. INF-alpha patients having low levels of life satisfaction in the domains "self-concept" (skills, appearance, self-confidence, vitality …), "employment" and "physical health and constitution" seem to face a major risk of depression.

[Burnout : illness or symptom?]. / Burnout : Krankheit oder Symptom?

Burnout is primarily conceptualized by work psychology. It describes symptoms resulting from a long-standing, finally derailing adjustment to work-related stressors. Burnout is not a proper diagnosis according to traditional classification systems. However, ICD-10 considers burnout as a significant factor representing major personal problems that have impact on health status and illness behaviour. Burnout may be considered either as a transitional or persisting adjustment reaction to work-related stress, a condition of increased risk regarding to serious mental illnesses and physical diseases, or an integral syndrome of these various conditions. The core symptom of exhaustion or persisting tiredness must be carefully assessed in respect of depressive, anxiety and somatoform disorders from the perspective of psychiatric differential diagnosis. In most cases of a serious burnout the diagnosis of major depression can be established and should lead to proper psychotherapeutic and/or pharmacological treatments. Any aetiopathogenetic evaluation may be favourably done within a multifactorial biopsychosocial model. Consequences for medical care will be described.

Gene expression analysis of MAOA and the clock gene ARNTL in individuals with bipolar disorder compared to healthy controls.

INTRODUCTION: Circadian rhythms are associated with bipolar disorder (BD). This cross-sectional study aimed at investigating ARNTL and MAOA gene expression differences (1) between individuals with BD and controls, (2) between affective episodes, and (3) the relationship between ARNTL and MAOA expression. METHODS: ARNTL and MAOA gene expression in peripheral mononuclear blood cells were analysed from fasting blood samples (BD n = 81, controls n = 54) with quantitative real-time PCR operating on TaqMan® assays (normalised to 18S RNA expression). ANCOVAs corrected for age, sex, body mass index, and medication was used to evaluate expression differences and correlation analyses for the relation between ARNTL and MAOA expression. RESULTS: ARNTL gene expression differed between affective episodes (F(2,78) = 3.198, p = 0.047, Partial Eta2= 0.083), but not between BD and controls (n.s.). ARNTL and MAOA expression correlated positively in BD (r = 0.704, p < 0.001) and in controls (r = 0.932, p < 0.001). MAOA expression differed neither between BD and controls nor between affective episodes (n.s.). DISCUSSION: Clock gene expression changes were observed in different affective states of BD. More precisely, ARNTL gene expression was significantly higher in euthymia than in depression. ARNTL and MAOA gene expression correlated significantly in BD and in controls, which emphasises the strong concatenation between circadian rhythms and neurotransmitter breakdown.