Psychiatrike = Psychiatriki最新文献

{"title":"Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S), cortisol, and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) levels in drug-naïve, first-episode patients with psychosis.","authors":"Andreas Karampas, Maria Christou, Spirydon Brikos, Giorgos Georgiou, Marios Plakoutsis, Danai-Dimitra Koutsogianni, Stelios Tigas, Petros Petrikis","doi":"10.22365/jpsych.2025.016","DOIUrl":"10.22365/jpsych.2025.016","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis plays a crucial role in regulating dopamine activity in specific brain areas, particularly in the limbic system, as well as in the stress response. The assessment of the HPA axis is important for the research of biological mechanisms leading from stressful experiences to the onset of psychosis. The release of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) by the anterior pituitary stimulates the production of cortisol and Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) by the adrenal cortex as a response to stress. The co-release of DHEA may act as a protective mechanism against the damaging effects of excessive cortisol activity. We aimed to measure and compare serum DHEA-S, as well as ACTH, cortisol levels, and cortisol/DHEA-S ratio in drug-naïve FEP patients and matched controls. Data were included for 110 subjects (70 men and 40 women), comprising 55 patients and 55 controls. The mean age was 31.3 years (SD 8.7) in patients and 31.4 years (SD 8.9) in controls. Serum DHEA-S was higher in patients compared to controls [0.69 (0.40) versus 0.50 (0.19), respectively]. Serum ACTH was similar between patients and controls [28.0 pg/ml (6.2-73.9) versus 22.4 pg/ml (7.0-70.5), respectively]. Serum cortisol levels and cortisol/DHEA-S ratio were lower in patients [12.6 μg/dl (4.5) and 4.4% (1.3-19.5), respectively] compared to controls [15.4μg/dl (3.7) and 7.0% (2.4-25.5), respectively]. Sub-analysis revealed that in men, serum DHEA-S was similar between male patients and controls [0.53 (0.23) versus 0.48 (0.17), respectively], whereas in women, serum DHEA-S was higher in patients compared to controls [0.97 (0.47) versus 0.55 (0.20), respectively]. ACTH levels were not different in the above subgroups. Serum cortisol in men was lower in patients compared to controls [12.8 μg/dl (4.4) versus 15.9 μg/dl (3.6)]. Additionally, the cortisol/DHEA-S ratio was lower in patients compared to controls in men [4.4% (1.3-19.5) versus 5.8% (2.4-15.4)], as well as in women [4.3% (1.8-15.2) versus 7.9% (4.0-25.5), respectively]. Correlation analysis was performed to examine the association between different psychopathological characteristics in patients and measured hormones. It was found that the PANSS cognitive subscale was positively correlated with DHEA-S in men and the PANSS positive subscale was negatively correlated with DHEA-S in women. In the linear regression analysis, DHEA-S was positively associated with the PANSS cognitive subscale in men.</p>","PeriodicalId":20741,"journal":{"name":"Psychiatrike = Psychiatriki","volume":" ","pages":"183-192"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144822345","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":"Barriers to the use of telepsychiatry for the treatment of eating disorders: A systematic review and thematic synthesis.","authors":"Melpomeni Eleni Sapouna, Andreas Lappas, Myrto Samara, Vasilios P Bozikas, Nikos Christodoulou","doi":"10.22365/jpsych.2025.007","DOIUrl":"10.22365/jpsych.2025.007","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Eating disorders are mental disorders characterized by disturbed body image and excessive fear of weight gain, leading to disordered eating and weight control behavior. Studies show that early treatment is one of the most important factors in improving the prognosis of these diseases. Nevertheless, a large percentage of patients with eating disorders do not receive treatment or seek treatment until their disorder has progressed. Telepsychiatry promises to expedite treatment times by resolving geographical and cost barriers. However, there are various shortcomings in using telepsychiatry in eating disorders, including its effectiveness in treating patients with eating disorders, difficulty establishing a strong therapeutic relationship, privacy concerns, and security and technological limitations, among others. The purpose of this paper is to review the barriers that limit the usefulness of telepsychiatry in eating disorders. Ultimately, it aims to improve the use of telepsychiatry to better and more safely serve the particular needs of patients with eating disorders. We conducted a systematic review and thematic synthesis using a mixed PRISMA/ ENTREQ methodology, focusing on research that directly or indirectly investigated barriers to the use of telepsychiatry in the treatment of patients with EDs. Fifty-two studies were included, revealing multifaceted challenges in implementing telepsychiatry for patients with EDs. Specific barriers identified include poor therapeutic relationship and poor treatment adherence, clinical limitations (poor therapeutic effect, illness severity, comorbidity, certain eating disorder types are barriers themselves, impersonal care), and technical limitations (program design issues, privacy concerns), as well as negative patient experience. Telepsychiatry shows promise for treating EDs, but it is important to address these barriers in order to reach its full potential. Clinical adaptations, technological improvements, and a person-centered approach are essential to fully realize its potential. Online or hybrid treatment models must be highly personalized and multifaceted and have active therapist involvement, particularly for patients with clinical complexity.</p>","PeriodicalId":20741,"journal":{"name":"Psychiatrike = Psychiatriki","volume":" ","pages":"236-243"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143731474","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":"Factor analysis and reliability of the Illness Attitude Scales in senior medical students.","authors":"Charalampos Pischos, Antonios Politis, Petros Sfikakis, Charalampos Papageorgiou","doi":"10.22365/jpsych.2025.004","DOIUrl":"10.22365/jpsych.2025.004","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Illness behavior is influenced by subjective, social, and cultural factors and can vary from one person to another and even internally within the same individual depending on the situation and the type of illness he or she needs to deal with. The Illness Attitude Scales (IAS) were designed by Robert Kellner to assess fears, negative beliefs, and attitudes related to hypochondriasis and abnormal behavior in relation to illness, and it is a reliable tool for detecting them as it does not contain items related to symptoms that are characteristic of other psychiatric symptoms. Although the IAS are commonly used, only a few studies have investigated their factor structure, but no common factor solution has been found. The results of these studies differ, ranging from 2 to 5 factor solutions, as well as which items are assigned to the factors. Since factor analysis for the Greek translation has not been previously researched, we analyzed the factor structure in a Greek sample using exploratory factor analysis to reflect cultural nuances in health perceptions and illness behaviors and to enable meaningful comparisons with other populations. A mixed sample of senior medical students of the Athens Medical School (N = 163) completed the psychometric tool before attending the educational clinics. Α percentage of 60.98% were women and 39.02% were men, and the average age of the sample was 23.84 years (SD = 1.67). Data were subjected to Maximum Likelihood Estimation and oblique rotation, which revealed a solution of seven factors: i) Worry about Illness after Pain Sensation, ii) Health Habits, iii) Effects of Symptoms, iv) Hypochondriac Beliefs, v) Thanatophobia, vi) Treatment Experiences, vii) Disease Phobia. The internal consistency of the factors, measured by Cronbach's alpha coefficient, achieved good to acceptable reliability: 0.86, 0.88, 0.68, 0.76, 0.73, 0.65, and 0.81, respectively. The results of the current study, although they cannot be generalized to the general population, provide information on medical students' attitudes towards illness and may pave the way for educational strategies and programs in medical school to improve the detection of negative beliefs and attitudes towards illness in medical students during clinical practice.</p>","PeriodicalId":20741,"journal":{"name":"Psychiatrike = Psychiatriki","volume":" ","pages":"210-218"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143731138","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":"Autism spectrum disorder in adulthood: Diagnostic and training challenges in Greece.","authors":"Katerina Papanikolaou, Artemios Pehlivanidis","doi":"10.22365/jpsych.2025.023","DOIUrl":"10.22365/jpsych.2025.023","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is classified among the neurodevelopmental disorders, which are described in the early chapters of DSM-51 and ICD-11.2 These disorders emerge in childhood, persist across the lifespan, and are characterized by deficits or diversities that affect personal, social, academic, and occupational functioning. Although the two major diagnostic systems have converged in terminology and criteria-with only minor differences in the categorization of co-occurring language and intellectual development disorders-Greece continues to rely on ICD-10, leading to difficulties in the consistent use of terminology among mental health professionals. The global rise in ASD prevalence over recent decades has been widely discussed, largely attributed to broadened diagnostic criteria and increased recognition in groups where autism was previously considered rare, such as women and individuals with milder symptoms. In the United States, current estimates suggest that 1 in 31 children may be diagnosed with ASD.3 In adults, the prevalence is consistently found to be lower. In Greece, the estimated prevalence based on diagnoses recorded by the Diagnostic, Assessment, and Counseling Centers (KEDASY) is 1.15%,4 while no epidemiological data exist for adults. The lifetime cost of care for an individual with autism may exceed 2 million USD.5 The socioeconomic burden in Greece has been exacerbated by the financial crisis, which had a more detrimental impact on families of individuals with autism than the COVID-19 pandemic.6 A critical gap in care has been documented internationally during the transition from adolescence to adulthood. Adults with autism frequently encounter the \"double empathy problem,\" referring to reciprocal difficulties in their communication with neurotypical individuals. This, coupled with the stigma surrounding the diagnosis, often results in misjudgments regarding the abilities and needs of people with autism. Among adults with ASD, depression is the most prevalent and impairing co-occurring psychiatric disorder, often accompanied by anxiety disorders, both of which contribute to marked reductions in functioning, particularly during transitional periods.7-9 For the so-called \"lost generation\" of adults with autism-those with normal intelligence and relatively functional profiles whose diagnosis was missed earlier-an ASD diagnosis may resolve longstanding diagnostic uncertainty and explain treatment resistance in psychiatric disorders. Management of ASD and psychiatric comorbidities requires individualized treatment planning that integrates psychosocial interventions and targeted, when needed, pharmacological strategies. Multidisciplinary collaboration among professionals is essential, while active family involvement is of fundamental importance.10 In the era of precision medicine, its applicability to ASD depends on a comprehensive understanding of genetic, temperamental, and environmental factors, enabling personalized in","PeriodicalId":20741,"journal":{"name":"Psychiatrike = Psychiatriki","volume":"36 3","pages":"179-182"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145150609","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":"Picture description impairment and neurocognition in schizophrenia: A pilot study.","authors":"Evagelia P Koutra, Sofia Athanasiou, Efstathia Karakosta, Nikitas Arnaoutoglou, Eva-Maria Tsapakis, Konstantinos N Fountoulakis","doi":"10.22365/jpsych.2025.011","DOIUrl":"10.22365/jpsych.2025.011","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Schizophrenia is also manifested in a pattern of impaired speech traditionally considered to reflect thought disorder. This pilot study aimed to investigate the relationship between language impairment and other neurocognitive impairments and psychopathology. The study included 10 patients with schizophrenia (5 males), aged 45.5±12.48 years. They were assessed with the PANSS, scales of disability, and a neuropsychological battery. The experimental condition included four pictures with concrete everyday life content. The statistical analysis included the calculation of Spearman's rho correlation coefficient. Picture description was significantly correlated with the PANSS G. Non-significant but high correlations included the PANSS N, ratings of disability, and the Graphic Sequence test, the Rey figure, and the Stroop test, but there was a lack of correlation with verbal fluency, abstract thinking, and executive function Despite the small study sample, it could be said that the impaired performance in picture description in patients with schizophrenia is not a consequence of disordered thought alone, but also of the existence of a dysfunctional processing of visual information and a problematic translation of it into meaningful mental images.</p>","PeriodicalId":20741,"journal":{"name":"Psychiatrike = Psychiatriki","volume":" ","pages":"201-209"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144120681","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":"Recent advances in the detection and management of motor dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease.","authors":"Chrysa Marogianni, Vasileios Siokas, Efthimios Dardiotis","doi":"10.22365/jpsych.2025.012","DOIUrl":"10.22365/jpsych.2025.012","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder primarily characterized by cognitive decline. However, there is growing recognition of the significant impact of motor dysfunction in individuals affected by AD. These motor impairments contribute substantially to functional decline, reduced quality of life, and increased caregiver burden in AD patients.1 Current research efforts are increasingly focused on identifying motor dysfunction as a potential early marker in the progression of AD. The temporal relationship between motor and cognitive decline is under intense investigation, with studies suggesting that subtle motor changes, such as gait and balance disturbances or slowed walking speed, may precede detectable cognitive impairment by several years.2 Specifically, research indicates that gait speed predicts a decline in processing speed and visuospatial abilities, and in ApoE4 carriers, it also predicts a memory decline.3 One study found that increased amyloid-beta (Aβ) deposition is associated with reduced gait speed, muscle strength, and balance in cognitively impaired older adults.4 Emerging evidence strongly supports the inclusion of motor function assessments, particularly gait analysis, in the early detection and risk stratification of AD. This could enable earlier interventions and potentially lead to improved disease management. Technological advancements provide increasingly sophisticated non-invasive methods for detecting motor impairments in AD, potentially enabling earlier and more accurate diagnoses. Digital tools and applications-including smartphone-based assessments and virtual reality platforms-are being explored for objective and quantitative evaluation of mobility. These digital measures offer the potential for longitudinal data collection and the detection of subtle changes in motor function over time.5 Digital biomarkers provide the advantage of frequent, objective monitoring in real-world settings, potentially capturing early motor changes that may be missed by traditional clinical evaluations.6 Nonetheless, challenges remain regarding validation, standardization, and the influence of variables such as demographics and disease stage. Wearable devices offer the potential for continuous, non-invasive monitoring of motor behavior, revealing subtle changes indicative of early AD. However, interpreting data from these devices requires careful consideration and further validation in larger studies. Additionally, recent applications of MRI, PET, and other neuroimaging techniques are being examined to detect brain changes related to motor dysfunction in AD. Advanced MRI techniques, such as diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), are used to assess white matter integrity along motor pathways, while molecular PET imaging can visualize amyloid and tau pathology in brain regions associated with motor control.7 Of note, tau pathology in higher motor regions has been significantly associated with cognitive decline. Ad","PeriodicalId":20741,"journal":{"name":"Psychiatrike = Psychiatriki","volume":" ","pages":"97-100"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144120689","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":"[Hypnosis: An ancient therapeutic practice revived in modern science].","authors":"Dimitrios Sakellion, Shokhrukh Sultanov, Dilmurad Irgashev, Ulugbeg Alimov, Vagioula Tsoutsi, Dimitris Dikeos","doi":"10.22365/jpsych.2025.006","DOIUrl":"10.22365/jpsych.2025.006","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Hypnosis is an externally induced alteration in consciousness as a result of suggestion. Hypnotherapy, also called clinical hypnosis, is the use of hypnosis as psychological treatment, either brief or long-term psychotherapy, for alleviating pain, inducing habit modification, and treating a range of physical and mental health problems, such as psychosomatic diseases, mood and anxiety disorders, and personality or behavior disorders. In the present article, the method for therapeutic hypnosis is presented, mainly based on the first author's experience. The method involves muscle relaxation, suggestion, and sensory deprivation, which lead the hypnotized individual to become detached from the environment, allowing them to establish a connection (\"rapport\"), meaning they have direct contact only with the hypnologist and receive instructions without any external influences. The method used by the first author is that of \"rapid\" induction of catalepsy, which starts with instructions to remain still with closed eyes. The hypnologist then takes hold of the person's limbs and moves them, stimulating the kinesthetic system responsible for the proprioceptive sense of position in space, thus leading to entering the hypnotic state. Personal characteristics that are associated with the degree of hypnotizability are also presented, as well as the levels of hypnotic state depth, potential complications of hypnosis, and its contraindications, which mainly include psychosis, especially schizophrenia with delusions of influence, and the presence of prominent histrionic personality characteristics. Use of alcohol or illegal substances is not a contraindication; it is, however, noted that, in their presence, the therapeutic effect of hypnosis is uncertain in the absence of other appropriate measures and suitable therapeutic interventions. The effects of hypnosis on the electroencephalogram (EEG) are indicative that the hypnotic state is distinct both from sleep and from full wakefulness. During hypnotic catalepsy, the EEG is characterized (compared to baseline) by an increase in delta rhythm power and an increase in the amplitude and index of theta rhythm, mainly in the temporal leads of both hemispheres. Additionally, there is significant asymmetry between the right and left hemispheres. It must be noted that hypnosis is just the tool through which hypnotherapy is applied. The latter should be only performed by clinicians, psychiatrists, or psychologists trained in psychotherapy, ensuring, thus, the therapeutic value of advice that is given to patients during the period of hypnotic suggestion.</p>","PeriodicalId":20741,"journal":{"name":"Psychiatrike = Psychiatriki","volume":" ","pages":"149-158"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143731471","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":"[Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ): Greek translation and psychometric validation in general and clinical population].","authors":"Afroditi Stefani, Anna Mavridou, Stelios Chatziioannidis, Vasilios P Bozikas, Agorastos Agorastos","doi":"10.22365/jpsych.2024.005","DOIUrl":"10.22365/jpsych.2024.005","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Exposure to childhood trauma experiences shows a high prevalence worldwide, with approximately two-thirds of the general population reporting traumatic experiences during childhood. The valid psychometric assessment of childhood trauma experience represents, however, a significant challenge in clinical research and practice. The Childhood Trauma Questionnaire - Short Form (CTQ-SF) embodies the most valid and internationally widely used tool for the retrospective assessment of traumatic experiences during childhood to date. The purpose of this study was the Greek translation of the questionnaire and its validation in both a general and clinical population. Participants completed electronically the Greek translation of the CTQ-SF, the Early Trauma Questionnaire (ETI-SR-SF), the Trauma Symptom Checklist (TSC-40), the Positive and Negative Affect Scale (PANAS- SF), the Well-Being Index (WHO-5) and the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-4) to examine psychometric properties of the questionnaire (e.g., internal consistency, concurrent, convergent and divergent validity), but also to investigate the relationship between childhood trauma exposure and psychological well-being and symptoms of anxiety and depression. The total study sample (TS) consisted of 722 adults (606 women), of which 155 declared the existence of a psychiatric diagnosis (PD) and 567 constituted the general population (GP) sample. The most common trauma types reported were emotional abuse (29.1%), emotional neglect (23.7%), and physical abuse (24.6%). The CTQ-SF questionnaire showed high levels of internal consistency based on the Cronbach α coefficient (TS = 0.92, PD = 0.92, GP = 0.92), high concurrent and convergent validity and satisfactory convergent validity. In addition, self-reported childhood trauma was highly positively correlated to negative affect and anxiety and depression symptoms, as well as negatively to psychological well-being. Our results confirm that the Greek Version of Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ-SF) is a reliable and valid tool that can be used for the retrospective assessment of traumatic childhood experiences both in the general and in the clinical adult Greek population.</p>","PeriodicalId":20741,"journal":{"name":"Psychiatrike = Psychiatriki","volume":" ","pages":"110-122"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140028820","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":"[Comparative study of stress and psychological well-being in parents of children with and without special education needs during the COVID-19 pandemic].","authors":"Christina Boteli, Stavroula Bargiota, Anna Papakonstantinou, Agorastos Agorastos","doi":"10.22365/jpsych.2024.002","DOIUrl":"10.22365/jpsych.2024.002","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The COVID-19 pandemic, which rapidly spread worldwide in early 2020, has affected the daily lives of parents and their children in various ways. This study assessed the overall mental health status and stress experienced by parents during the COVID-19 pandemic and the differences between parents of children with special educational needs and parents of typically developing children. Additionally, we explored potential demographic factors that may influence these experiences. In this cross-sectional study, data were collected through questionnaires completed by a sample of 205 parents (103 of children with typical development attending regular mainstream schools and 102 of children with special educational needs attending special education schools) from February to April 2021. Participants completed the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), the short form of the Profile of Mood States (POMS-S), and a demographic questionnaire. Our findings confirmed that parents of children attending special education schools reported higher levels of anxiety, reduced coping abilities, and poorer overall emotional well-being during the pandemic compared to parents of children attending regular schools. The type of educational setting that children attended was identified through multivariate analyses as the only factor consistently influencing all psychometric outcomes. Factors influencing anxiety levels included gender, older age, and family status, while family status and unemployment negatively impacted coping abilities. Taken together, the pandemic appears to have had a greater impact on the mental health of parents of children with special education needs compared to parents of children attending regular schools, highlighting the need for increased psychosocial support within this population group.</p>","PeriodicalId":20741,"journal":{"name":"Psychiatrike = Psychiatriki","volume":" ","pages":"159-164"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140028818","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":"[Cerebellar cognitive affective syndrome and vertebrobasilar ischemia. From cerebello-cerebral diaschisis to \"dysmetria of thought\"].","authors":"Christos Ch Liapis","doi":"10.22365/jpsych.2024.012","DOIUrl":"10.22365/jpsych.2024.012","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Cerebellum, along with it' s role in coordinating motor functions, exercises a significant regulatory influence in fields of cognitive and affective functions. Therefore, studying the effect of cerebrovascular atherosclerotic pathology on mood and cognition should not be limited to stenotic dysfunctions of carotid arteries, but also extend its methodological framework to the consideration of the integrity of vertebrobasilar system (VBS), cerebellar perfusion and posterior cerebral circulation in general, as it has not been yet sufficiently addressed whether VBS insufficiency is associated with deterioration of patients' mental and emotional status and quality of life (QoL). Vertebrobasilar circulatory dysfunction has been pointed out, since decades, as a cause of progressive memory impairment and dementia, due to multiple infarcts in cerebral areas which are topographically critical for mental and emotional functions. Indicative of the pathophysiological and anatomic-functional association of VBS with these neuro-psychiatric domains are cerebellar cognitive-affective syndrome (CCAS) and crossed cerebello-cerebral diaschisis (CCCD). Mental and psychiatric components of CCAS, along with ataxic motor disability, constitute the conceptual hypothesis of \"dysmetry of thought\", while diagnostic significance of mental dysfunctions and psychopathological manifestations, in terms of symptoms preceding motor impairments that ascribe cerebellar malfunction in the epicenter of their pathophysiology, such as cerebellar ataxias, in which, early recognition of CCAS may facilitate therapeutic interventions aimed at improving QoL, reveal that cerebellar pathology, either of degenerative etiology or vascular substrate on the ground of vertebrobasilar insufficiency (VBI) or other surgical conditions of the posterior fossa, is associated with deterioration of patients' QoL which is related to significant impairments in their cognitive functions with (co)manifested emotional disorders. Studies in animal models also support these conclusions. Since VBI is responsible for a wide range of psychiatric and neurological symptoms, new findings concurred with current indications advocating that, without consideration of VBS disorders, it is impossible to clarify the connection of cerebral perfusion dysfunctions to neurocognitive deficits. The inclusion of cerebellar perfusion disorders in scientific research and clinical approaches to cognitive and affective disorders that may occur in patients with cerebrovascular lesions constitutes a paradigm of best clinical practices implementation and interdisciplinary convergence of neurosciences and vascular medicine.</p>","PeriodicalId":20741,"journal":{"name":"Psychiatrike = Psychiatriki","volume":" ","pages":"139-148"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142352607","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}