Stress and Burnout in Psychiatrists in Turkey during COVID-19 Pandemic.

BACKGROUND: Clinicians working in mental health (MH) services seem to be at increased risk of burnout. This study aimed to investigate the stress and burnout levels of psychiatrists working in MH services in Turkey and determine the relationship between stress, workload, and support during the COVID-19 pandemic. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: An online questionnaire was sent to child and adult psychiatrists registered with Turkish professional mail groups. 217 psychiatrists replied, with equal numbers from child (n=108) and adult (n=109) MH services. The Copenhagen Burnout Inventory and study-specific questionnaire were used. RESULTS: 60.8% of psychiatrists (n=132) experienced medium-or high-intensity work-related burnout, 49.8% (n=108) experienced patient-related burnout, and 31.8% (n=69) experienced medium-or high-intensity personal burnout. Patient-related burnout scores were significantly higher in the child psychiatry group than in the adult psychiatry group. The majority (n=126, 58.1%) reported either moderate or higher stress levels linked to the COVID-19 pandemic. Turnover intention, reluctance to retrain in psychiatry and sense of lack of value in the job are all associated with higher levels of burnout. CONCLUSIONS: The current COVID-19 pandemic is likely to bring additional stressors to psychiatrists. This study shows that psychiatrists in Turkey already exhibit high levels of work-related stress. Organizational interventions to ameliorate psychiatrists' wellbeing and work conditions are required.

Orbito-frontal cortex and thalamus volumes in the patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder before and after cognitive behavioral therapy.

Background The effect of a variety of treatment modalities including psychopharmacological and cognitive behavioral therapy on the brain volumes and neurochemicals have not been investigated enough in the patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder. Therefore, in the present study, we aimed to investigate the effect of cognitive behavioral therapy on the volumes of the orbito-frontal cortex and thalamus regions which seem to be abnormal in the patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder. We hypothesized that there would be change in the volumes of the orbito-frontal cortex and thalamus. Methods Twelve patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder and same number of healthy controls were included into the study. At the beginning of the study, the volumes of the orbito-frontal cortex and thalamus were compared by using magnetic resonance imaging. In addition, volumes of these regions were measured before and after the cognitive behavioral therapy treatment in the patient group. Results The patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder had greater left and right thalamus volumes and smaller left and right orbito-frontal cortex volumes compared to those of healthy control subjects at the beginning of the study. When we compared baseline volumes of the patients with posttreatment ones, we detected that thalamus volumes significantly decreased throughout the period for both sides and that the orbito-frontal cortex volumes significantly increased throughout the period for only left side. Conclusions In summary, we found that cognitive behavioral therapy might volumetrically affect the key brain regions involved in the neuroanatomy of obsessive-compulsive disorder. However, future studies with larger sample are required.

1HMRS results of hippocampus in the patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder before and after cognitive behavioral therapy.

OBJECTIVE: In the present study, we examined the effects of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) on the hippocampal neurochemistry in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). METHODS: Twelve patients with OCD and same number of healthy controls were included into the study. Neurochemical variables of the hippocampus were measured before and after the CBT treatment in the patient group. RESULTS: At baseline, the patients with OCD had significantly lower ratio of N-acetyl-l-aspartate/choline (NAA/CHO) compared with that of healthy control subjects. When comparing pre-treatment results of the patient group with those of post-treatment ones using paired t-test, we found that NAA/CHO ratio increased from 2.47 ± 0.64 to 3.66 ± 0.88, with a statisical significance. CONCLUSIONS: The findings may implicate that CBT increases the level of NAA which is a marker of neuronal integrity.

Parental psychological distress associated with COVID-19 outbreak: A large-scale multicenter survey from Turkey.

AIMS: Pandemics can cause substantial psychological distress; however, we do not know the impact of the COVID-19 related lockdown and mental health burden on the parents of school age children. We aimed to comparatively examine the COVID-19 related the stress and psychological burden of the parents with different occupational, locational, and mental health status related backgrounds. METHODS: A large-scale multicenter online survey was completed by the parents (n = 3,278) of children aged 6 to 18 years, parents with different occupational (health care workers-HCW [18.2%] vs. others), geographical (Istanbul [38.2%] vs. others), and psychiatric (child with a mental disorder [37.8%]) backgrounds. RESULTS: Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that being a HCW parent (odds ratio 1.79, p < .001), a mother (odds ratio 1.67, p < .001), and a younger parent (odds ratio 0.98, p = .012); living with an adult with a chronic physical illness (odds ratio 1.38, p < .001), having an acquaintance diagnosed with COVID-19 (odds ratio 1.22, p = .043), positive psychiatric history (odds ratio 1.29, p < .001), and living with a child with moderate or high emotional distress (odds ratio 1.29, p < .001; vs. odds ratio 2.61, p < .001) were independently associated with significant parental distress. CONCLUSIONS: Parents report significant psychological distress associated with COVID-19 pandemic and further research is needed to investigate its wider impact including on the whole family unit.

Psychometric properties and cut-off scores of the Beck Depression Inventory-II in Turkish adolescents.

The current study examined the psychometric properties and cut-off scores of the Beck Depression Inventory II in Turkish adolescents. A total of 503 non-clinical and 166 clinical adolescents participated in the study. Test-retest (r = .89) and internal consistency (alpha = .90) reliabilities, convergent validity (r = .81) and discriminant validities (r = .39, r = .49 and r = .42) were satisfactory. Exploratory factor analyses yielded two factors. The cut-off score for mild depression in Turkish adolescents was lower than that reported previously for adults. The findings are discussed in relation to those of previous studies conducted in other countries.

Pituitary gland volumes in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder before and after cognitive-behavioral therapy.

OBJECTIVE: The beneficial effects of psychopharmacological and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) on the brain are not well understood. In a previous study, we found smaller pituitary volumes in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of CBT on pituitary gland volume. METHODS: A total of 81 patients with various anxiety disorders and the same number of healthy controls underwent magnetic resonance imaging, and their pituitary gland volumes were compared at baseline. Pituitary gland volumes were also measured before and after CBT in the patient group. RESULTS: OCD patients had smaller pituitary gland volumes at baseline than healthy controls (0.54±0.29 cm3 for OCD patients vs. 0.82±0.30 cm3 for healthy controls; p < 0.001). We found no significant changes in OCD patient pituitary gland volume after the 16-week treatment period, with mean pre- and post-treatment values of 0.54±0.29 cm3 and 0.56±0.32 cm3, respectively (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Our results indicate an absence of post-CBT volumetric changes in the pituitary gland of OCD patients.

ADHD Medication Trends in Turkey: 2009-2013.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the change of ADHD medication prescriptions in Turkey between 2009 and 2013. METHOD: Consumption data of ADHD medications, immediate release (IR) methylphenidate (MPH; Ritalin), OROS MPH (Concerta), and atomoxetine (Strattera) were obtained from IMS Health database for the November 2008 to October 2013 period. Defined daily dose (DDD) of each drug was calculated according to WHO definitions and time-series analysis was conducted. RESULTS: There was a significant seasonal effect for prescription of all drugs. Annual use of ADHD medications increased 2.18 times for all ADHD medications combined. DDDs per 1,000 population per day for all ADHD medications were 0.28 in 2009, 0.41 in 2010, 0.52 in 2011, and 0.59 in 2012. OROS MPH represented almost 75% of all ADHD medication utilization. CONCLUSION: As reported from several other countries, ADHD medication use increased in Turkey. Results suggested that over- and underdiagnosis might be seen at the same time.

Beliefs as a predictor of relapse in alcohol-dependent Turkish men.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the current study was to evaluate the role of beliefs about alcohol use and craving on predicting relapse as stated in Beck's cognitive theory of alcoholism in detoxified alcohol-dependent patients. METHOD: Seventy male participants who were alcohol dependent according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV), and who were admitted to an inpatient unit for alcohol detoxification were studied at baseline and at 6 months follow-up. Participants were administered the Structured Clinical Interviews for DSM-IV axis I and DSM-III-R axis II Disorders (SCID-I and SCID-II, respectively), the Beck Anxiety Inventory and the revised Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment for Alcohol (CIWA-Ar). Beliefs about alcohol use were assessed with the Beliefs About Substance Use Inventory and the Craving Beliefs Questionnaire (CBQ). RESULTS: The relapse rate of the study group was 84.1% (58 patients). The age of onset of alcohol dependence and age at first hospitalization were lower in patients who relapsed. The severity of physical dependence and presence of comorbid antisocial personality disorder were higher in the relapse group. In addition, patients who relapsed had higher scores in the CBQ. According to logistic regression analysis, craving beliefs and the degree of physical dependence were predictors of relapse in alcoholic patients. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that beliefs about craving and the severity of physical dependence may play an important role in relapse of male alcoholic patients. These factors could have a direct clinical application for predicting relapse to drinking in male alcohol-dependent patients.

[Relationship between depression and anger in patients with antisocial personality disorder]. / Antisosyal Kisilik Bozuklugu Olan Hastalarda Ofke ve Depresyonun Iliskisi.

OBJECTIVE: This study examined the relationship between aggression and depression in male antisocial patients with and without comorbid depression and in normal control subjects. METHOD: Seventy-two antisocial patients were evaluated for depression using SCID. The antisocial patients were treatment-seeking soldiers, mostly substance use is recruited from military hospitals. The control group consisted of forty age and sex matched subjects. Twenty of these antisocial patients were diagnosed with depressive disorder (major depression or dysthymia). In order to assess aggression and depression the Beck Depression Inventory and the State-Trait Anger Scale (STAS) were used. RESULTS: Antisocial patients with depression and without depression had higher trait anger, anger-in and anger-out scores than the controls. Antisocial patients without comorbid depression had lower scores than the antisocial patients without depression in the anger control subscales of STAS. On the other hand, in this subscale, scores of the antisocial patients with depression did not differ from those of the normal controls. Correlation analysis revealed a significant positive relationship between BDI scores and trait anger, anger-in and anger-out scores. CONCLUSION: The result of our study did not fully support the view of depression which assumes that depressive disorder is related to anger and hostility at least in antisocial patients. According to our results higher anger scores and lower anger control scores were related to being antisocial rather than being depressive and also not only suppressed anger but also outwardly expressed anger were increased in depressive antisocial patients.

Possible Risk Factors for Acute Stress Disorder and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder After an Industrial Explosion.

INTRODUCTION: There have been deaths and injuries after an explosion which happened in an industrial region in Ankara in February 2011. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of acute stress disorder (ASD) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and to determine the variables which can be the risk factors for PTSD. METHODS: In this study, we included a total of 197 subjects who were present at the factory building and at the four offices nearby when the disaster occurred. All the participants were assessed one month after the explosion and 157 of them were reassessed six months after the explosion. Socio-demographic information forms were given and the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS) was administered to the participants one month after the explosion. Psychiatric assessments were done using the structured clinical interview for DSM-IV axis-I disorders (SCID-I). The CAPS was re-applied six month after the disaster. RESULTS: At the first-month assessments, ASD was detected in 37.1% of participants and PTSD in 13.7%, whereas PTSD was observed in 16.6% of subjects at the sixth month of the accident. According to the first month data, having any psychiatric disorder before the incident, physical injury, acquaintances among the dead and the injured people, being involved in the incident and seeing dead people were detected as the risk factors for PTSD. At the sixth month assessment, physical injury, acquaintances among the dead and the injured, being involved in the incident were seen as risk factors for PTSD. CONCLUSION: ASD and PTSD can be seen after an explosion. Having a previous psychiatric disorder and being directly affected by trauma and being injured are the risk factors for PTSD. This study implies that preventive mental health care services should include the management of current psychiatric condition and employee safety issues.

Pituitary gland volumes in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder before and after cognitive-behavioral therapy

Objective: The beneficial effects of psychopharmacological and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) on the brain are not well understood. In a previous study, we found smaller pituitary volumes in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of CBT on pituitary gland volume. Methods: A total of 81 patients with various anxiety disorders and the same number of healthy controls underwent magnetic resonance imaging, and their pituitary gland volumes were compared at baseline. Pituitary gland volumes were also measured before and after CBT in the patient group. Results: OCD patients had smaller pituitary gland volumes at baseline than healthy controls (0.54±0.29 cm3 for OCD patients vs. 0.82±0.30 cm3 for healthy controls; p < 0.001). We found no significant changes in OCD patient pituitary gland volume after the 16-week treatment period, with mean pre- and post-treatment values of 0.54±0.29 cm3 and 0.56±0.32 cm3, respectively (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Our results indicate an absence of post-CBT volumetric changes in the pituitary gland of OCD patients.

Early maladaptive schemas in bipolar disorder.

OBJECTIVE: According to the cognitive model of depression, negative schemas, formed in early life, increase susceptibility to depression. The objective of this study was to investigate schemas that are proposed to increase susceptibility of depression in bipolar disorder patients who have had depressive episodes. METHOD: Eighteen patients diagnosed with bipolar disorder according to DSM-IV and a healthy control group (N= 20) constituted the sample of the study. The Beck Depression Inventory, Young Mania Rating Scale, and Young Schema Scale were applied to patients in order to determine the level of symptoms and schemas. RESULTS: When the scores obtained from Young Schema Scale were compared between groups, significant differences were observed between bipolar patients and control group on all the schemas except abandonment, emotional deprivation, defectiveness, vulnerability to harm or illness, and approval seeking. The negative schema scores of bipolar patients were significantly higher than those of the control group. CONCLUSION: Of all schemas included in the Young Schema Scale, the scores of bipolar group were higher than the scores of the control group. These findings suggest that, in cognitive-based psychotherapeutic approaches for patients with bipolar disorder, it would be more effective to focus on schemas related to the perception and allowance of feelings at the proper time and the instability of self-perceptions.