Jaspers' Phenomenology.

Karl Jaspers published the first edition of 'General Psychopathology' in 1913. Now, coinciding with its 100th anniversary whose importance was consecrated through multiple congresses, we see a parallelism and a return to the dilemma of the 'Methodenstreit', which led Karl Jaspers to introduce the phenomenological method for psychopathology to understand the subjective manifestations of the mind. Phenomenology is part of the research and clinical methods in psychiatry and psychology as a way to capture the subjective in psychopathology. However, phenomenology is nowadays wrongly used. In this article, we attempt to rediscover and present in a clear way the origins and meaning of Jaspers' phenomenology, whose bases, although forgotten, remain current. This will be done by revising its fundamental concepts such as objective and subjective manifestations, understanding and its four types, causal explanation, empathy, intuition, presuppositions and preconceptions, phenomenological description and comprehensive 'seeing'.

An exploration of blood-based biomarkers of negative symptoms of psychosis in men.

Negative symptoms in the context of psychosis are still poorly understood and diagnosed, which impairs the treatment efficacy of current therapies and patient's integration in society. In this study, we aimed to test hypothesis-based and exploratory associations of negative symptom domains, as defined by the Brief Negative Symptom Scale (BNSS), with hormonal and hematological variables, and, complementarily, with standard psychological/cognitive and psychopathological measures. Fifty-one male patients diagnosed with a psychotic disorder underwent a structured interview and blood collection. Standard Spearmen bivariate correlations were used for data analysis. We obtained evidence of hypothesis-based associations between specific negative symptoms and oxytocin, thyroid stimulating hormone levels and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio; as well as novel and hypothesis-free associations with erythrocyte and lymphocyte count, mean corpuscular volume and red cell distribution width. Complementarily, we also obtained some validation of previous associations of negative symptoms with illness resolution, cognitive symptom severity and social performance, and a novel association with anger contagion. We hope our results can generate new hypotheses in psychosis research. Our work suggests further avenues in research on erythrocytic, inflammatory, thyroid and oxytocin-related markers and abnormalities in psychosis, especially in regards to specific negative symptoms, towards more precise and comprehensive etiological, diagnostic and therapeutic models.

Choice of antipsychotic treatment by European psychiatry trainees: are decisions based on evidence?

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the factors influencing treatment choice in psychosis, the majority of this work being conducted with specialists (consultant) in psychiatry. We sought to examine trainees' choices of treatment for psychosis if they had to prescribe it for themselves, their patients, and factors influencing decision-making. METHODS: Cross-sectional, semi-structured questionnaire-based study. RESULTS: Of the 726 respondents (response rate = 66%), the majority chose second-generation antipsychotics (SGAs) if they had to prescribe it for themselves (n = 530, 93%) or for their patients (n = 546, 94%). The main factor influencing choice was perceived efficacy, 84.8% (n = 475) of trainees stating this was the most important factor for the patient, and 77.8% (n = 404) stating this was the most important factor for their own treatment. Trainees with knowledge of trials questioning use of SGAs (CATIE, CUtLASS, TEOSS) were more likely to choose second-generation antipsychotics than those without knowledge of these trials (χ2 = 3.943; p = 0.047; O.R. = 2.11; 95% C.I. = 1.0-4.48). Regarding psychotherapy, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) was the most popular choice for self (33.1%; n = 240) and patient (30.9%; n = 224). Trainees were significantly more likely to prefer some form of psychotherapy for themselves rather than patients (χ2 = 9.98; p < 0,002; O.R. = 1.54; 95% CIs = 1.18-2.0). CONCLUSIONS: Trainees are more likely to choose second-generation antipsychotic medication for patients and themselves. Despite being aware of evidence that suggests otherwise, they predominantly base these choices on perceived efficacy.

The Portuguese version of the Personal and Social Performance Scale (PSP): reliability, validity, and relationship with cognitive measures in hospitalized and community schizophrenia patients.

PURPOSE: Deficits in social functioning are a core feature of schizophrenia and are influenced by both symptomatic and neurocognitive variables. In the present study we aimed to determine the reliability and validity of the Portuguese version of the Personal and Social Performance (PSP) scale, and possible correlations with measures of cognitive functioning. METHODS: One-hundred and four community and inpatients with schizophrenia were assessed using measures of social functioning and symptom severity alongside measures of executive function, processing speed, and verbal memory. RESULTS: Convergent validity with the GAF in the four domains of the PSP varied from 0.357 to 0.899. Reliability was found to be satisfactory, with a Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.789. Inter-rater reliability in the four domains of the PSP varied from 0.430 to 0.954. Low-functioning patients (PSP < 70) were older, had longer duration of illness, were more symptomatic and had worse cognitive performances, as compared with high-functioning patients (PSP ≥ 70). In a regression model, deficits in social functioning were strongly predicted both by symptomatic and neurocognitive variables; these together accounted for up to 62% of the variance. CONCLUSIONS: The present study supports the reliability and validity of the Portuguese language version of the PSP and further supports the original measure. The co-administration of brief cognitive assessments with measures of functioning may lead to more focused interventions, possibly improving outcomes in this group.

The Self-Administered Version of the Structured Interview for Disorders of Extreme Stress (SIDES-SR) in a Clinical and Non-Clinical Portuguese Sample.

Disorders of Extreme Stress Not Otherwise Specified (DESNOS) refers to a constellation of symptoms deriving from chronic interpersonal trauma, inflicted by caregivers or in the context of intimate relationships. The Structured Interview for Disorders of Extreme Stress-Self-Report (SIDES-SR) was designed for the assessment of DESNOS. This study aimed to validate the Portuguese version of the SIDES-SR in the community (N = 814; Mage = 40.09, SD = 14.25, 39.2% male, 60.8% female) and clinical (N = 310; Mage = 42.49, SD = 12.47, 57.7% male, 42.3% female) samples. It had three objectives: (1) to validate the SIDES-SR rationally derived domains in the community sample; (2) to characterise the reliability of the SIDES-SR scales in both samples; and (3) to explore mean differences in the SIDES-SR results in both samples. The Portuguese SIDES-SR confirmed the six clinical domains of DESNOS and demonstrated acceptable internal consistency levels, similar to those obtained in prior research. Highly significant differences and large and very large effect sizes between the community and clinical samples were found for all the SIDES-SR domains. DESNOS symptomatology was shown to be more frequent in females and the clinical sample reported a higher frequency of traumatic events in life, specifically interpersonal trauma. The results support the relevance of the SIDES-SR for clinical practice in the assessment of the DESNOS diagnosis.

Organic Psychosis Causing Secondary Schizophrenia in One-Fourth of a Cohort of 200 Patients Previously Diagnosed With Primary Schizophrenia.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the prevalence of secondary schizophrenia (organic psychosis causing a schizophrenia-like syndrome) in patients with a prior diagnosis of schizophrenia presenting to Centro Hospitalar Psiquiátrico de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal. METHODS: Two hundred files were retrospectively assessed through paper and electronic records of patients admitted to the hospital with an International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Edition diagnosis of schizophrenia (eg, code 295.x) in a 1-year time span (September 1, 2015-September 1, 2016). RESULTS: One-fourth of patients (n = 50, 25%) received a new organic psychosis (secondary schizophrenia) diagnosis: epilepsy-related schizophrenia-like psychosis (9.5%), dementia-related schizophrenia-like psychosis (9.5%), brain mass (3.5%), stroke-related schizophrenia-like psychosis (2.0%), and encephalitis-related schizophrenia-like psychosis (0.5%). Among patients with organic psychosis (secondary schizophrenia), the mean delay until correct diagnosis was 12 years. CONCLUSIONS: The most striking feature of this study was the high prevalence of incorrect diagnosis of schizophrenia, with patients not receiving the minimum correct assessment before that diagnosis, resulting in negative consequences. Caution is recommended when diagnosing severely psychotic patients independent of their acute or chronic condition.

Depression and suicidality among psychiatric residents - results from a multi-country study.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have highlighted risks for depression and suicide in medical cohorts, but evidence regarding psychiatric residents is missing. This study aimed to determine rates of depression, suicide ideation and suicide attempt among psychiatric residents and to identify associated individual, educational and work-related risk factors. METHODS: A total of 1980 residents from 22 countries completed the online survey which collected data on depression (PHQ-9), suicidality (SIBQ), socio-demographic profiles, training, and education. Generalized linear modeling and logistic regression analysis were used to predict depression and suicide ideation, respectively. RESULTS: The vast majority of residents did not report depression, suicide ideation or attempting suicide during psychiatric training. Approximately 15% (n = 280) of residents met criteria for depression, 12.3% (n = 225) reported active suicide ideation, and 0.7% (n = 12) attempted suicide during the training. Long working hours and no clinical supervision were associated with depression, while more completed years of training and lack of other postgraduate education (e.g. PhD or psychotherapy training) were associated with increased risk for suicide ideation during psychiatric training. Being single and female was associated with worse mental health during training. LIMITATIONS: Due to the cross-sectional nature of the study, results should be confirmed by longitudinal studies. Response rate was variable but the outcome variables did not statistically significantly differ between countries with response rates of more or less than 50%. CONCLUSION: Depression rates among psychiatric residents in this study were lower than previously reported data, while suicide ideation rates were similar to previous reports. Poor working and training conditions were associated with worse outcomes. Training programmes should include effective help for residents experiencing mental health problems so that they could progress through their career to the benefit of their patients and wider society.

Melancholia before the twentieth century: fear and sorrow or partial insanity?

Throughout the history of psychopathology, several meanings have been assigned to the term melancholia. The main ones were related to affective disorders (fear and sadness) and abnormal beliefs. At the time of Hippocrates melancholia was regarded mainly in its affective component. Since that time, and until the eighteenth century, authors and opinions have been divided, with both aspects (affective disorders and abnormal beliefs), being valued. Finally, in the eighteenth to nineteenth centuries, with Pinel at its peak, melancholia becomes exclusively a synonym of abnormal beliefs. At the turn of the nineteenth to the twentieth century, the affective component returns as the main aspect characterizing melancholia.

Assessment of Suicidal Behavior in a Psychiatric Emergency Room in Lisbon.

INTRODUCTION: Some studies alerted for the burden of suicidal attempters at emergency rooms. In this study we characterized the suicidal patients admitted to a Portuguese emergency room. MATERIAL AND METHODS: For three years, all patients assessed by the first author after suicidal behaviour were included. Suicidal intentionality was evaluated with the Pierce Suicide Intent Scale. Clinical records were searched for follow-up status and satisfaction level was assessed through telephone call. RESULTS: From 120 included patients 70.8% were female, with mean age of 42.35 years. Pierce Suicide Intent Scale suicidal intentionality was low in 30.1%, medium in 59.3%, and high in 10.6% of the sample. The most important predictors of Pierce Suicide Intent Scale intentionality were male gender (p < 0.001), family history of suicide (p < 0.01), divorced or widowed marital status (p < 0.013), and severe mental illness (p < 0.015). In 41.6% of the patients the follow-up status was unknown. Regarding satisfaction, only 19.5% gave a valid answer: 2.7% 'mildly satisfied', 4.4% 'moderately satisfied', and 12.5% 'very satisfied'. DISCUSSION: The Pierce Suicide Intent Scale is useful on suicidal behavior assessment at emergency rooms. Highly intentional suicidal behaviour is related to male sex, social problems and personal and familial psychiatric history. CONCLUSION: The quality of administrative records on this psychiatric emergency room setting are still unacceptable. The most important variables correlated with higher suicidal intentionality are the same described in other countries. Of the reachable patients, one fifth was satisfied with provided follow-up. We still need studies for better understanding of suicidal behaviour observed on this Portuguese emergency room.

Introdução: Alguns estudos têm alertado para a sobrecarga de tentativas de suicídio nas urgências médicas. Neste estudocaracterizamos os doentes suicidas numa urgência médica portuguesa. Material e Métodos: Durante três anos, todos os doentes observados pelo primeiro autor, em urgências médicas, após tentativa suicida, foram incluídos no estudo. A intencionalidade da tentativa suicida foi determinada com a Pierce Suicide Intent Scale. O seguimento foi registado recorrendo ao processo clínico, e o nível de satisfação a chamada telefónica. Resultados: Dos 120 doentes incluídos 70,8% eram mulheres e a média de idades foi 42,35 anos. A intencionalidade suicida (Pierce Suicide Intent Scale) foi baixa em 30,1%, média em 59,3% e elevada em 10,6%. Os principais preditores de intencionalidade suicida foram: género masculino (p < 0,001), história familiar de suicídio (p < 0,01), divórcio ou viuvez (p < 0,013) e doença mental grave (p < 0,015). Em 41,6% dos doentes não se apurou seguimento. Quanto à satisfação, apenas 19,5% deram resposta válida: 2,7% 'ligeiramente satisfeito', 4,4% 'moderadamente satisfeito', e 12,5% 'muito satisfeito'. Discussão: A Pierce Suicide Intent Scale é um instrumento útil na avaliação do comportamento suicida na urgência médica. Ocomportamento suicida de elevada intencionalidade está relacionado com género masculino, problemas sociais e antecedentes psiquiátricos pessoais e familiares. Conclusão: Os registos administrativos da urgência médica são ainda pouco rigorosos. As variáveis relacionadas com intencionalidade suicida são as mesmas que são descritas noutros países. Dos doentes a que conseguimos chegar, um quinto mostrou-se satisfeito com o seguimento. Mais estudos são necessários para compreender o comportamento suicida em Portugal.