Syndrome of subjective doubles as a rare presentation of a first-episode psychosis.

In this paper, we report the case of a man in his 30s with a first-episode psychosis, characterised by a subtype of delusional misidentification syndrome in which the delusion of doubles is exclusively of the patient's own self. This subdivision can be termed 'syndrome of doubles of the self' or 'syndrome of subjective doubles'. Additionally, an examination of the patient's mental state showed paranoid delusions. After being evaluated in the emergency department, the patient was hospitalised, and medicated with antipsychotic drugs. One week later, he was discharged with total remission of psychotic symptoms. This is a rare and curious presentation of a psychotic episode, with very few similar cases described to date.

A CASE OF KRETSCHMER’S SENSITIVE DELUSION RELATED TO COVID-19 PANDEMIC.

The COVID-19 pandemic has already infected more than 182 million people and killed more than 4 million all over the globe. In addition to its direct health effects, lockdowns and other draconian public health measures, along with an expected economic crisis of unprecedent magnitude, unpre- dictable social effects are being generated.

Kohut e Kernberg na era digital: novas perspetivas sobre o narcisismo / Kohut and Kernberg in the digital age: new perspectives of narcissism

INTRODUÇÃO: O conceito de narcisismo é um dos mais importantes aportes psicanalíticos para a compreensão do Psiquismo humano. Partindo da obra de Freud, este conceito desenvolveu-se em grande medida com os contributos de Kohut e de Kerneberg. Entretanto a sua importância mantém-se atual. Nas últimas décadas, na sociedade ocidental, temse assistido a mudanças sociais significativas, nas quais se promove a competição e o individualismo em detrimento de objetivos e valores de grupo. A este facto acresce a velocidade cada vez maior a que estas mudanças acontecem. O surgimento de novas tecnologias de informação, sobretudo das redes sociais, ajuda a explicar este fenómeno. MÉTODOS E OBJETIVOS: Nesta revisão não sistemática pretendeu-se explorar a evolução do conceito de narcisismo, partindo dos contributos de Kohut e Kernberg, e perceber de que forma o mundo ocidental atual e a exposição às redes sociais influenciam o desenvolvimento do narcisismo na sociedade. RESULTADOS/DISCUSSÃO: Na sociedade moderna ocidental tem havido favorecimento de valores individuais, o que parece ter impacto na forma e na expressão de traços narcísicos de personalidade. Estes traços, outrora tidos como mal adaptativos, podem agora ser premiados e até incentivados. Embora não existam dados definitivos, vários estudos relacionam o reforço do narcisismo com a utilização das redes sociais. CONCLUSÃO: O narcisismo continua a ser objeto de pesquisa e profunda discussão, que obriga à consideração da sua dimensão biopsicossocial. Os fenómenos socioculturais da sociedade moderna ocidental colocam novas questões sobre a distinção entre o narcisismo patológico e o saudável, modeladas em parte pelas redes sociais.(AU)

INTRODUCTION: Narcissism concept is one of the most important psychoanalytic contributions to human psyche understanding. After Freud´s works, this concept was developed with major contributions of Kohut and Kerneberg and its importance remains present. In recent decades, significant social changes have occurred, in which competition and individualism are promoted at expenses of group goals and values. Moreover, these changes occur at an increasing speed. The emergence of new information technologies, especially the internet and social networks can help explain this phenomenon. METHODS AND OBJECTIVES: This non-systematic review aimed to explore the evolution of the concept of narcissism, based on the contributions of Kohut and Kernberg, and to understand how the current Western world and exposure to social networks influence the development of narcissism in society. RESULTS/DISCUSSION: In modern Western society there has been favouring individual values, which appears to impact on the form and expression of narcissistic personality traits. These traits, once thought to be maladaptive, may now be rewarded and even encouraged. Although there is no definitive data, several studies link the reinforcement of narcissism with the use of social media. CONCLUSION: Narcissism continues to be an object of research and profound discussion, which compels consideration of its biopsychosocial dimension. The sociocultural phenomena of modern Western society pose new questions about the distinction between pathological and healthy narcissism, shaped in part by social networks.(AU)

INTRODUCCIÓN: El concepto de narcisismo es una de las aportaciones psicoanalíticas más importantes para la comprensión del psiquismo humano. A partir de la obra de Freud, este concepto se desarrolló en gran medida con las aportaciones de Kohut y Kerneberg. Sin embargo, su importancia sigue siendo actual. En las últimas décadas, la sociedad occidental ha experimentado importantes cambios sociales, en los que se fomenta la competencia y el individualismo en detrimento de los objetivos y valores de grupo. A esto hay que añadir la creciente velocidad a la que se producen estos cambios. La aparición de las nuevas tecnologías de la información, especialmente las redes sociales, ayuda a explicar este fenómeno. MÉTODOS Y OBJETIVOS: Esta revisión no sistemática pretendía averiguar la evolución del concepto de narcisismo, a partir de las aportaciones de Kohut y Kernberg, y comprender cómo el mundo occidental actual y la exposición a los medios sociales influyen en el desarrollo del narcisismo en la sociedad. RESULTADOS/DISCUSIÓN: En la sociedad occidental moderna se han favorecido los valores individuales, lo que parece repercutir en la forma y la expresión de los rasgos narcisistas de la personalidad. Estos rasgos, que antes se consideraban inadaptados, ahora pueden ser recompensados e incluso fomentados. Aunque no hay datos definitivos, varios estudios relacionan el refuerzo del narcisismo con el uso de las redes sociales. CONCLUSIÓN: El narcisismo sigue siendo objeto de investigación y de profundos debates, lo que obliga a considerar su dimensión biopsicosocial. Los fenómenos socioculturales de la sociedad occidental moderna plantean nuevos interrogantes sobre la distinción entre el narcisismo patológico y el sano, configurado en parte por las redes sociales.(AU)

Living conditions of patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders in the region of 'Tâmega e Sousa' (Portugal).

BACKGROUND: Schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSD) are the most impairing psychiatric disorders and are a major cause of social exclusion. Despite that, there are only two studies published assessing the socioeconomic characteristics of SSD patients living in Portugal. AIMS: The purpose of this study is to assess the degree of social and family support for SSD patients living in the region of 'Tâmega e Sousa', in northern Portugal. METHOD: We conducted a cross-sectional observational study using patients under home-based care provided by the Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health of Centro Hospitalar do Tâmega e Sousa. We retrieved sociodemographic data from clinical records. The study was approved by the Hospital Ethics Committee. RESULTS: Our sample consists on 67 patients with SSD, mostly men (74.6%). Although the majority was single (69.2%) and childless (85.7%), only a minority lived alone (21.2%). In relation to their professional status, only 5.0% were employed and 78.3% got a disability pension. Among the patients that lived accompanied, 68% lived with their parents or grandparents, and a quarter lived with family members affected by psychiatric disorders. CONCLUSIONS: These findings highlight the dependence of SSD patients on their family's support. Lack of labour market integration, economic dependence and difficulty establishing stable relationships further aggravate their social exclusion. Although our results are consistent with a previous observational study held in Portugal, our patients display a worse functional status. Even considering the possible patient selection bias, there is evidence supporting the need for more investment in psychosocial rehabilitation that should take into account the sociodemographic idiosyncrasies of this Portuguese region.