Seizures, Psychosis, and Cerebral Vascular Malformation: A Rare Chain of Events.

Background: In psychiatry, anatomical abnormalities are sometimes forgotten, and this can mislead doctors into thinking that the diagnosis is purely psychiatric. A physical examination is important whenever it is possible. Even though cerebral arteriovenous malformations (cAVMs) are rare and can go unnoticed, in some cases they can cause clinical symptoms, which is a complication. Case Presentation. In this case, we describe a patient with no prior medical or psychiatric history having a cAVM diagnosed after showing psychotic symptoms (delusion and disorganized thoughts and behavior). The deep 4 × 5 cm cAVM was discovered after admitting the patient to psychiatric ward, the neurological cause has been considered after a recorded seizure, which brings the following question: Is the clinical presentation a direct result of the cAVM or is it postictal? Conclusions: An abnormality leading to another, here is how we could describe our patient's psychopathology leading to psychotic symptoms. The two hypotheses explaining this case report have a low rate of occurring making this a rare case. Either way, neurological cause cannot be overlooked even if the clinical presentation is typical.

Depression and Breast Cancer in Morocco: Prevalence and Associated Factors.

Background: Depression is frequently associated with breast cancer. However, its prevalence and impact on patients' quality of life are negligible. Depression is often underdiagnosed and less treated. Objectives: Our study is aimed at estimating the prevalence of depression in breast cancer patients, describing their sociodemographic and clinical profile, and determining the factors associated with this depression. Material and Methods. We carried out a cross-sectional, descriptive, and analytical study, conducted from January to March 2018 at Mohammed V Military Hospital in Rabat. The survey included 100 breast cancer patients. It was conducted using an anonymous questionnaire, the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview test (MINI test) to diagnose depression and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) to assess its severity. Results: The major depressive episode was diagnosed in 26% of breast cancer patients. Age under 40, psychiatric history, metastatic breast cancer, refusal of treatment, heavier treatment, and spousal alteration were the factors most associated with higher depression prevalence in these patients. Discussion and Conclusion. The high prevalence of depression in breast cancer patients, as well as the influence of personal characteristics and treatment in the occurrence of this ailment, has been confirmed by several authors. It is recommended to improve the psychooncological care of patients with breast cancer, to prevent the occurrence of depression in this vulnerable population.

Anxiety, Stress, and Depression Among Healthcare Professionals During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study in Morocco.

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused an enormous psychological impact worldwide. This study aimed to assess anxiety, depression, stress, and compensatory behaviors among Moroccan healthcare workers (HCWs) during COVID-19. This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted using a snowball sampling strategy. This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted using a snowball sampling strategy. Online surveys were sent to groups of HCWs working in Casablanca and Fez cities. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was measured using the Impact of Event Scale revised (IES-R) scale, and the DASS-21 was used to measure anxiety, depression, and stress among participants. Compensatory behaviors used by HCWs to manage these symptoms were also investigated. The majority of participants (72.5%) experienced moderate to severe distress during the COVID-19 pandemic. The majority of participants (53.1%) reported symptoms of mild to extremely severe depression. Overall, nurses, female, and frontline HCWs experienced more stress, anxiety, and depression (P < .001). Leisure activities (29%), sport (19%), and drinking tea/coffee (19%) were the most common compensatory behaviors. Our findings suggest that psychological support and interventions targeting high-risk HCWs with heavy psychological distress are needed. It is of paramount importance to improve the psychological endurance and safeguard the mental and physical well-being of HCWs, who find themselves on the frontline of health and humanitarian crises, when they are needed the most.

Major depressive disorder: Validated treatments and future challenges.

Depression is a prevalent psychiatric disorder that often leads to poor quality of life and impaired functioning. Treatment during the acute phase of a major depressive episode aims to help the patient reach a remission state and eventually return to their baseline level of functioning. Pharmacotherapy, especially selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors antidepressants, remains the most frequent option for treating depression during the acute phase, while other promising pharmacological options are still competing for the attention of practitioners. Depression-focused psychotherapy is the second most common option for helping patients overcome the acute phase, maintain remission, and prevent relapses. Electroconvulsive therapy is the most effective somatic therapy for depression in some specific situations; meanwhile, other methods have limits, and their specific indications are still being studied. Combining medications, psychotherapy, and somatic therapies remains the most effective way to manage resistant forms of depression.

Psychiatric side effects of chloroquine in COVID-19 patients: two case reports.

Chloroquine and hydroxy chloroquine are widely use in Africa and all over the world as anti-malarial drugs but also in the treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases. Since the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic, Morocco have included this medication in the COVID-19 treatment guidelines in association with azithromycine. Besides dermatologic problems, ocular impairments and gastro-intestinal effects, quinolines may also cause rarely described psychiatric adverse effects. To our knowledge, there has been no reports of psychiatric side effects of chloroquine or hydroxy chloroquine in the actual context of COVID-19 pandemic. Here, we present the description of two COVID-19 patients who showed psychiatric side effects after chloroquine treatment. One patient expressed psychotic symptoms and the other one experienced acute and intense anxiety. In both cases, and according to Naranjo score, the association between chloroquine and psychiatric side effects was probable.

Lithium-Associated Hypercalcemia Presenting with Neuropsychiatric Manifestations in a Patient with Bipolar Disorder.

One of the overlooked adverse effects of lithium treatment is neuropsychiatric manifestations induced by hypercalcemia (LAH). Here, we present the case of a patient, with bipolar disorder under lithium, who presented with neuropsychiatric symptoms that revealed hyperparathyroidism-induced hypercalcemia. This case illustrates the importance of monitoring parathyroid function and calcium levels in patients under lithium, especially in premenopaused women. LAH may mimic symptoms of manic episodes and should be sought in the case of brutal onset of confusion, anxiety, and/or hallucinations in the course of a bipolar disorder.