Psychiatrike = Psychiatriki最新文献

{"title":"Artificial Intelligence in psychotherapy: Inevitable evil or developmental evolution? Complementation or parallel universe?","authors":"Ioannis Michopoulos","doi":"10.22365/jpsych.2025.029","DOIUrl":"10.22365/jpsych.2025.029","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>\"This is an artificial intelligence chatbot and not a real person. Treat everything it says as fiction. What is said should not be considered facts or advice,\" these are the first words that Gharacter.Ai, a counseling chatbot, says to those who turn to it for help. Is it common for humans to turn to machines for psychotherapy? We do it for most of our daily lives, often taking it for granted. In fact, we often prefer to interact with algorithms rather than other homo sapiens. Is it just as easy or efficient to seek help from machines for mental health issues? The global market for chatbots for mental health and therapy was worth $1.37 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach approximately $2.38 billion by 2034, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.7% from 2024 to 2034.1 Griefbots, AI machines that help our deceased relatives continue their \"presence\" with us, are also on the rise.2 What are the characteristics of chatbots that are becoming increasingly sought after? They are immediately accessible at any time 24 hours a day, synthesize all human knowledge on the subject in the optimal combination, are fully accepting and non-judgmental, and are designed to ally with the user and keep them in touch. And they are clearly cheaper.3 The increasing demand for psychotherapy, in contrast to the reduced availability of therapists (especially in the public sector), implies long waits and worsening of symptoms.4 The existence of \"therapists\" who are ready at any time, do not get tired, and can listen and encourage, sounds like a promising solution.5 What does it matter if they are not human? For some, this is still a guarantee of independence, objectivity, and protection from the adverse effects of the therapeutic relationship (dependence, guidance, eroticization, aggression). How effectively can a chatbot play the role of a therapist? Can it keep the conversation interesting, but can it keep the boundaries? Can it understand when the conversation is getting off track? AI tries to keep the user engaged, just as our algorithm suggests something that appeals to us on social media.6 Is this therapeutic? Can the absence of human contact and closeness be compensated for? Some patients struggle with this very component of psychotherapy, human interaction. Chatbots are based on the most likely linguistic sequence. Can they manage and recognize emotions? However, AI's ability to recognize emotions and facial expressions is constantly improving.7 AI is already better than humans in verbal and non-verbal tests and has conquered areas where it was inferior just a few years ago (it has won the strategy game Go, and it recognizes more cats in photos).7 Regarding psychotherapy, there are controlled studies from Japan, Australia, Europe, and the USA that show good therapeutic results in specific conditions (depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder) with AI therapy alone or in a hybrid model8-10 or in issues related to psycho-education.5 However, th","PeriodicalId":20741,"journal":{"name":"Psychiatrike = Psychiatriki","volume":" ","pages":"263-266"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-02-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145811092","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A systematic review on the efficacy of CBT on pain and sexual function of vulvodynia.","authors":"Garifalia Bitzi, Ioulia Kokka, Iraklis Mourikis","doi":"10.22365/jpsych.2025.013","DOIUrl":"10.22365/jpsych.2025.013","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Vulvodynia is an underdiagnosed pain syndrome with persistent duration, usually without an identifiable organic cause. It negatively affects the quality of life, mental health and romantic relationships and sexual function of women. This review aimed to systematically appraise the available data on the effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy on perceived pain and sexual functioning of women with vulvodynia from randomized clinical trials irrespective of their time of publication. The review was performed following the PRISMA guidelines. The literature search was conducted based on specific eligibility criteria in the PubMed, PsycInfo, and Scopus databases using appropriate keywords. The methodological quality of the included studies was assessed with the Jadad Scale. The search resulted in 10 randomized clinical trials that compared the effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy compared to other psychotherapeutic approaches and clinical, pharmaceutical, and surgical interventions on 835 women with vulvodynia. The results, which were synthesized narratively based on intervention type and outcomes assessed, revealed the superiority of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy compared to topical treatments with significant improvements in sexual function and pain management, particularly evident at follow-up assessments. Comparisons with other psychotherapeutic approaches (mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, supportive psychotherapy) resulted in similar results. Compared to physiotherapeutic and surgical protocols, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy resulted in more favorable findings, although the improvement regarding sexual function was significant mostly at the 6-month follow-up measurements. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy appeared to help by restructuring dysfunctional beliefs, reducing pain catastrophizing, and developing alternative pain coping strategies. Despite the encouraging evidence, variations with respect to the cognitive-behavioral interventions, comparison groups, and assessment tools used to assess the variables under investigation, direct comparison of the findings was challenging. The results highlighted Cognitive Behavioral Therapy as a promising, non-pharmacological approach to the management of vulvodynia. Education of psychotherapists and clinicians, particularly gynecologists, would contribute to early diagnosis and effective treatment of vulvodynia.</p>","PeriodicalId":20741,"journal":{"name":"Psychiatrike = Psychiatriki","volume":" ","pages":"299-311"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-02-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144822307","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Towards Precision ECT: A systematic review of epigenetic biomarkers in treatment-resistant depression.","authors":"Nikolaos Statharakos, Vasilios Savvidis, Taxiarchis Gravanis","doi":"10.22365/jpsych.2025.021","DOIUrl":"10.22365/jpsych.2025.021","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) remains one of the most effective treatments for patients with treatment-resistant major depressive disorder (TR-MDD). However, the biological mechanisms underlying its therapeutic effects are not yet fully understood. Epigenetic regulation has recently emerged as a promising field for elucidating the molecular underpinnings of ECT response. This systematic review aimed to identify and synthesize existing studies investigating epigenetic biomarkers associated with ECT outcomes in human populations. A systematic review was conducted in PubMed and Scopus for studies published between January 2015 and March 2025. The review adhered to PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Inclusion criteria were: (1) original, peer-reviewed studies; (2) investigation of ECT-induced effects on epigenetic markers; and (3) diagnosis of major depressive disorder. Extracted data included epigenetic targets, patient characteristics, ECT parameters, and clinical outcomes. Risk of bias and heterogeneity were taken into account in the synthesis. Eleven studies met the inclusion criteria, encompassing a total of 498 patients with TR-MDD. Across studies, 31 promising epigenetic biomarkers were identified, including genes involved in neuroplasticity, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis regulation, inflammation, immune signaling, and non-coding RNAs. DNA methylation and microRNA (miRNA) expression were the most frequently studied mechanisms. No studies to date have investigated histone modifications in human subjects undergoing ECT. This systematic review provides preliminary evidence that epigenetic mechanisms-particularly DNA methylation and miRNA expression-may play a role in modulating response to ECT in patients with TR-MDD. While these findings offer important insights for clinical stratification and precision psychiatry, they are limited by small sample sizes and methodological variability. Larger, standardized, and longitudinal studies are needed to validate these initial findings and support translational applications.</p>","PeriodicalId":20741,"journal":{"name":"Psychiatrike = Psychiatriki","volume":" ","pages":"322-332"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-02-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144822377","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Exposure and response of private practice psychiatrists in Greece to illicit substance use-related treatment requests: A cross-sectional survey.","authors":"Anestis Apatsidis, Anastasios Fotiou, Eleftheria Kanavou, Nikolaos Gavra, Ioulia Bafi, Kalliopi Triantafyllou, Anna Kokkevi, Thomas Paparrigopoulos","doi":"10.22365/jpsych.2025.024","DOIUrl":"10.22365/jpsych.2025.024","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The use of illicit substances is a major public health problem. While individuals with substance use problems primarily seek treatment in specialized treatment programs, the role, exposure, and response of private practice psychiatrists to requests for substance use-related problems remain unclear. This study aims to assess private practice psychiatrists' exposure to and response to treatment requests for substance use-related problems, along with examining the requests' characteristics. A cross-sectional online anonymous survey was administered involving private practice psychiatrists in Greece between January and February 2024. A total of 100 private practice psychiatrists responded to the survey (response rate ~10%; 53.0% male, aged 49.5 (SD=9.3) years, with 13.7 (SD=9.9) years of professional experience, and 59.0% with a private office in the Attica/Athens region. Most participants (84.0%) reported exposure to requests for substance use treatment during the last 12 months, with 69.0% of them (58% of the total) accepting to offer of treatment. The most frequently reported categories of substances included cannabis and cocaine/crack. High rates of comorbidity with problematic alcohol use, multiple substance use, and other mental disorders were also reported. Pharmacotherapy and cognitive behavioral therapy were the treatments most commonly used. Factors associated with accepting to offer treatment included past specialized training in addiction (p<0.001), past or current employment in treatment facilities (p=0.002), self-reported expertise in addictions (p=0.017), previous training during specialty in substance use departments (p=0.001), and use of motivational interviewing (p=0.011). Around 70% of participants who did not accept cases believed patients would be better treated in specialized substance use treatment programs. Among all participants, 63.6% were willing to accept future treatment requests⎯significantly higher percentage (93.1%) among those who had accepted similar requests before, compared to those who had not (19.2%, p<0.001). In conclusion, apart from specialized addiction services, a substantial number of private practice psychiatrists in Greece were also exposed to and accepted treatment requests for illicit substance use-related problems, with most frequently encountering requests related to cannabis and cocaine use. Future research should investigate the characteristics of patients treated for illicit substance use-related issues in private settings and the services provided to them.</p>","PeriodicalId":20741,"journal":{"name":"Psychiatrike = Psychiatriki","volume":" ","pages":"267-279"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-02-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145811023","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Compulsive buying-shopping symptoms in a Greek sample and their Association with anxiety, stress, and depression: a cross-sectional online study.","authors":"Maria Kollyrou, Kalliopi Triantafyllou, Thomas Paparrigopoulos, Vasilios G Masdrakis","doi":"10.22365/jpsych.2025.027","DOIUrl":"10.22365/jpsych.2025.027","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Symptoms of compulsive buying-shopping disorder (CBSD) are relatively common and have been associated with increased psychopathology, particularly mood and anxiety symptoms. However, relevant data are limited for the Greek population. We aimed to investigate the presence of CBSD symptoms in a Greek general population sample, and their potential association with anxiety, stress, depression, and demographic variables. A cross-sectional online study was carried out (October 2022 - November 2022) on 379 adults (females=254, 67%) from the general population from all over Greece. Participants were recruited using the snowball sampling method and completed a battery of questionnaires via Google Forms, including: (a) the 'Compulsive Buying Scale' (CBS); (b) the 21-item 'Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale' (DASS-21); and (c) the 'Demographic Characteristics Questionnaire' - developed for the present research. Up to 19.5% of the sample's subjects (N=74; females=60, 81.1%) demonstrated severe CBSD symptoms (CBS score > 42.2) and were designated as belonging to the \"high-CBSD-symptoms\" group. The rest of the participants (N=305) demonstrated less severe CBSD manifestations (CBS score ≤ 42.2) and were included in the \"low-CBSD-symptoms\" group. The mean age of subjects of the 'high-CBSD-symptoms' group was 27 years (±12.13 years). Significant positive correlations were found between CBS scores and all three DASS-21 subscales (stress, anxiety, depression). Particularly, subjects of the \"high-CBSD-symptoms\" group demonstrated significantly higher mean scores in all three DASS-21 subscales, compared to the \"low-CBSD-symptoms\" group. In regression analysis, higher stress levels, female gender, younger age, and residence in non-metropolitan areas significantly predicted more severe CBSD symptoms. The overrepresentation of women may limit generalizability. Furthermore, this study is cross-sectional, and therefore, it cannot assert that compulsive-buying symptomatology is a cause or consequence of anxiety, stress, or depressive symptoms. Finally, due to the nature of the study (online survey), no clinical data regarding psychiatric or medical history were collected. The present study suggests that severe CBSD symptoms may be prevalent in a significant proportion of the Greek population, especially in younger women, and are significantly associated with symptoms of anxiety, stress, and depression. Female gender, more intense stress, younger age, and living in non-metropolitan centers were predictors of more severe CBSD manifestations.</p>","PeriodicalId":20741,"journal":{"name":"Psychiatrike = Psychiatriki","volume":" ","pages":"289-298"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-02-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145811076","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Timing and self distortions in psychosis: Is it an insula matter?","authors":"Orestis Giotakos","doi":"10.22365/jpsych.2025.026","DOIUrl":"10.22365/jpsych.2025.026","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The concept of timing is an interesting way to understand how the body and brain construct the concept of self, but also how self-distortions arise in the case of psychosis. Analysis of temporal representations in psychosis highlights a deficit that includes both the subjective experience of the flow of time, i.e., time perception, and the ability to process temporal information inherent to any perceptual event, i.e., perceptual timing. The representation of the self is stabilized within temporal windows, and thus the self is experienced as continuous in time. Disturbance in the sense of time, in the form of a loss of temporal continuity, has been described by phenomenologists as a central subjective experience of schizophrenia. The positive symptoms of schizophrenia are associated with overestimation of interval timing, i.e., an acceleration of the 'internal clock', while dopamine neurotransmission is likely to regulate the speed of the internal clock. Moreover, findings highlight the importance of interoceptive precision as an aspect of time perception, since accuracy in time perception is related to interoceptive accuracy and vagal activity. Insula contributes significantly to the total awareness of reality. Global emotional moments and meta-representations of the conscious self are created in the anterior insula. In psychosis, the interaction between the default-mode network and the frontoparietal executive network is disrupted by aberrant salience signals from the right anterior insula. Here, we describe the role of the insula as a key hub for the recognition of major aspects of the self, in parallel with the role of interoceptive predictive coding, which reflects the contribution of the insula to the temporality of the self. Based on the above, new insights focus on the development and implementation of rehabilitation strategies that specifically target the temporal deficits observed in psychosis. New therapeutic interventions are based on sensory education and enhancing the multisensory integration of these patients.</p>","PeriodicalId":20741,"journal":{"name":"Psychiatrike = Psychiatriki","volume":" ","pages":"312-321"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-02-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145811008","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Βullying's anatomy: How it affects brain structure and function. A systematic review.","authors":"Christodoulos Komiotis, Ioannis Mavridis","doi":"10.22365/jpsych.2025.002","DOIUrl":"10.22365/jpsych.2025.002","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Bullying victimization is a common problem among adolescents with many catastrophic sequelae, as it has been associated with psychiatric disorders such as anxiety and depression. Identifying the bullying print on the human brain could be useful in clinical practice, specifically in the secondary prevention of the disorders that are related to it. This review aims to explore the potential bullying-related changes of the human brain from a descriptive and functional anatomic perspective. A literature search was performed using the Pubmed/Medline database, and, following meticulous screening, 16 articles were finally used. Our review included magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and functional MRI studies, which were focused on gray and white matter structures of the brain. Bullying affects the morphology and function of gray and white matter structures in both victims and perpetrators. Victims seem to have atrophic hyperactive orbitofrontal cortex, hypertrophic hypoactive amygdalae, and increased cortical activation in almost all brain lobes. Bullies, on the other hand, have hyperactive accumbens nuclei. Fundamental nuclei of the limbic system, namely the nucleus accumbens and amygdala, are affected in both victims and perpetrators. Bullying changes the human brain morphologically and functionally, primarily affecting structures of the limbic system. Identifying these changes early could mainly help in the prevention of the expression of psychopathology and thus improve the quality of life of victims and even help bullies to seek medical help.</p>","PeriodicalId":20741,"journal":{"name":"Psychiatrike = Psychiatriki","volume":" ","pages":"219-228"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143731164","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"COVID-19 Fear and Coping Strategies during the Pandemic: Insights from Greek health services units.","authors":"Elpida Stratou, Aikaterini Toska, Aikaterini Gamvroula, Stavros Antonopoulos, Athanasios Moulopoulos, Theodora Rigopoulou, Kyriakos Souliotis, Maria Saridi","doi":"10.22365/jpsych.2024.013","DOIUrl":"10.22365/jpsych.2024.013","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The aim of this study was to assess the fear caused by the COVID-19 pandemic among health services users in Greece. The study involved 1260 participants from three health services units in the prefecture of Corinthia. The COVID-19 Fear Scale (FCV-19S) and the Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced Inventory (Brief-COPE) were used to assess fear levels. Results showed that females experienced a significantly higher fear of COVID-19 (15.9 compared to 15.4), while the age group of>60 years had the highest mean score (16.6). Individuals in retirement showed a greater fear of COVID-19 (16.8), while health sector employees had lower fear scores (15.1). Chronically ill patients had a higher fear of COVID-19 (16.5 as opposed to 15.5 of healthy persons), while people considering that the COVID-19 pandemic will be dealt with soon presented lower levels of fear compared to those not considering it or being uncertain. According to the Brief-COPE questionnaire, fear of COVID-19 total scores was positively correlated with two of the coping subscales; the emotion-focused and the avoidant-coping. The study's findings can contribute to the identification of fear and coping strategies for the development of targeted interventions and mental health support programs during this global crisis.</p>","PeriodicalId":20741,"journal":{"name":"Psychiatrike = Psychiatriki","volume":" ","pages":"244-250"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142352610","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Link between the mechanism of mitophagy and schizophrenia: A narrative review.","authors":"Nikolaos Statharakos","doi":"10.22365/jpsych.2025.008","DOIUrl":"10.22365/jpsych.2025.008","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Despite extensive research, the precise pathophysiology underlying schizophrenia remains unclear, but accumulating evidence suggests that mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress play significant roles in its development. Mitophagy, the selective degradation of damaged or dysfunctional mitochondria, plays a critical role in maintaining cellular homeostasis and is increasingly recognized for its implications in various neuropsychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia. This review examines current knowledge regarding mitophagy and its association with schizophrenia. The literature was searched in PubMed- Medline and Scopus databases, and as a narrative review, the methodology focuses on the comprehensive coverage and synthesis of relevant studies. The hypothesis of the review claims that there is a link between mitophagy and schizophrenia. The terms used in the search query are \"mitophagy\", \"schizophrenia\" with the Boolean variable \"AND\". The relationship between mitophagy and schizophrenia is complex and multifaceted, involving mitochondrial dysfunction, neuroinflammation, and the integrity of oligodendrocytes and microglia. Schizophrenia is associated with dysfunctional mitophagy and elevated oxidative stress. These mechanisms may help to explain overlapping symptoms, particularly cognitive deficits. While the emerging data linking mitophagy and schizophrenia are promising, current research has limitations. Much of the evidence for mitophagy dysfunction in schizophrenia comes from animal models or postmortem studies, which may not fully capture the complexity of the disorder in humans. Moreover, mitophagy is challenging to study in vivo, particularly in the human brain, making it difficult to directly observe mitophagy processes in patients with schizophrenia. Mitophagy and its dysfunction may contribute to the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. Evidence suggests that impaired mitophagy can lead to energy dysregulation, oxidative stress, and neuroinflammation, all of which are implicated in schizophrenia. While more research is needed, the potential link between mitophagy and schizophrenia presents an interesting area for future studies and therapeutic development. Targeting mitophagy could offer new approaches for addressing cognitive and negative symptoms, providing hope for improved treatment outcomes.</p>","PeriodicalId":20741,"journal":{"name":"Psychiatrike = Psychiatriki","volume":" ","pages":"229-235"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143731156","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Prevalence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in individuals with psychoactive substance dependence.","authors":"Spyridoula Giatra, Venetsanos Mavreas","doi":"10.22365/jpsych.2025.010","DOIUrl":"10.22365/jpsych.2025.010","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is the most common neurodevelopmental childhood disorder, which in most cases persists into adulthood, causing severe functional impairment. ADHD constitutes an important risk factor for the onset of use and the development of dependence on psychoactive substances. Impulse control disorders, anxiety, mood disorders, and substance abuse are the most common comorbid disorders. The present study aims to estimate the prevalence of ADHD in adult users of psychoactive substances who have attended a treatment program in a special detoxification unit for psychoactive substances. The study concerns the examination of one hundred eighteen psychoactive substance users using the following diagnostic tools: (a) Section 12 of the semi-structured interview SCAN 2.0, which assesses diagnostic criteria of psychoactive substance abuse and dependence. (b) The structured clinical interview CIS-R, which investigates the presence of psychopathological symptoms of \"common mental disorders\". (c) The WURS scale retrospectively probes into ADHD symptoms up to the age of 7. The prevalence of ADHD in the sample of individuals with psychoactive substance use disorders was found to be 38.1%. Analyses were also performed concerning age and the comorbidity of common psychiatric disorders and ADHD. Findings are consistent with the results of other studies. The drug users of psychoactive substances, regardless of the ADHD comorbidity, had an increased prevalence of common psychiatric disorders. The most common comorbidities were other psychoactive substance disorders, anxiety, and depressive disorders. The small number of participants, the exclusive use of one substance by the participants, and the type of unit where the present study was conducted restrict the generalizability of its results.</p>","PeriodicalId":20741,"journal":{"name":"Psychiatrike = Psychiatriki","volume":" ","pages":"193-200"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144120688","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}