{"title":"Synergistic risks: Lamotrigine induced rash potentiating lithium toxicity.","authors":"Shalini Kumari, Venkata Lakshmi Narasimha, Santanu Nath, Rajesh Kumar, Manoranjan Sahoo","doi":"10.24869/psyd.2025.499","DOIUrl":"10.24869/psyd.2025.499","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Lithium and lamotrigine are mood stabilizers approved for the treatment of bipolar disorder. Lithium's narrow therapeutic index and comparatively minor alterations in plasma concentrations can have significant clinical sequelae (McKnight et al., 2012). Several classes of drugs have been implicated in developing lithium toxicity, including diuretics and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory compounds (Finley, 2016). Lithium is not metabolized and is eliminated almost entirely via the renal route (Rust et al., 2018). Consequently, plasma concentrations are exquisitely sensitive to physiological factors affecting renal function, such as age, dehydration, and sodium imbalance. Sodium depletion can cause increased lithium reabsorption in the kidneys, potentially leading to toxicity (Joshi et al., 2019). Lamotrigine is known to carry the risk of causing rash, which in severe cases can be fatal. The rash leads to cutaneous and extracutaneous involvement, with impaired alimentation leading to fluid and electrolyte imbalance. In this case report, we present a patient prescribed a combination of lamotrigine and lithium. The patient developed rash due to lamotrigine, leading to lithium toxicity and acute kidney injury, emphasising the importance of monitoring patients closely when using these medications in combination.</p>","PeriodicalId":20760,"journal":{"name":"Psychiatria Danubina","volume":"37 4","pages":"499-501"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146030644","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Algorithm for providing assistance with uncomplicated grief and prolonged grief disorder to wives of combatants during the war in Ukraine.","authors":"Larysa Herasymenko, Rustam Isakov, Pavlo Kydon, Oleksii Kazakov, Volodymyr Borysenko","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>With the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, thousands of Ukrainian women have learned about the deaths of their husbands. One of the powerful factors contributing to the formation of pathological conditions under such conditions is the individual emotional connection and the quality of the relationship with the husband. A woman who has lost her husband in the war has a significantly higher risk of developing emotional problems and pathological conditions compared to the loss of more distant family members. Such a statement is due to the fact that partners are often very important attachment figures. When a husband dies, a woman faces loss - the first period of grief and mourning. This process can be non-pathological or a variant of pathology - prolonged grief disorder (PGD). Prolonged grief disorder is a protracted pathological reaction, characterized by the presence of distress, separation and associated symptoms that cause intense, persistent psychological suffering and significantly impair functioning in various areas. The aim of the study is to develop an algorithm for providing assistance with uncomplicated grief and prolonged grief disorder for wives of combatants during war. The study involved 67 women whose husbands died during the defense of Ukraine in the period from 2022 to 2024. At the time of the survey, the women were aged from 25 to 49 years. The examined women were divided into 2 groups: the first group included 53 women who experienced a \"normal\" grief reaction, the second group included 12 women with a confirmed diagnosis of prolonged grief disorder according to the ICD-11.</p>","PeriodicalId":20760,"journal":{"name":"Psychiatria Danubina","volume":"37 4","pages":"506-522"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146030652","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Jayadharshini Elango, Senthilkumar N, Surya Vishnuram, Renuka Sundar
{"title":"Breaking the cycle of mental health-driven frailty in cancer survivors: The role of functional training and relaxation exercises.","authors":"Jayadharshini Elango, Senthilkumar N, Surya Vishnuram, Renuka Sundar","doi":"10.24869/psyd.2025.514","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.24869/psyd.2025.514","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":20760,"journal":{"name":"Psychiatria Danubina","volume":"37 4","pages":"514-515"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146030587","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Roberta Spatuzzi, Maria Velia Giulietti, Luigi Attademo, Anna Vespa
{"title":"Associations between bereavement and (hypo-)mania: An updated mini-review.","authors":"Roberta Spatuzzi, Maria Velia Giulietti, Luigi Attademo, Anna Vespa","doi":"10.24869/psyd.2025.413","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.24869/psyd.2025.413","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Loss and bereavement may precede mood episodes in bipolar disorders (BD). When a loved one dies, this is a stressful life event with a negative connotation that can trigger the onset of symptoms of both polarities (depressive or manic) of BD or lead to the emergence of the first mood episodes. Even though the relationships between death and depression are better known in the literature and clinical practice, the associations between bereavement and (hypo-)mania are less clear. To date, information on \"funeral mania\", also called \"grief mania\" or \"bereavement mania\", is rather limited, remaining in fact an underestimated topic. Aiming to draw more attention to this overlooked issue, the purpose of this mini-review is to update the knowledge currently available on this topic. We reviewed the existing literature exploring the possible associations between bereavement and the onset of a (hypo-)manic episode, both a first or recurrent episode, supporting the role of loss events as a potential risk factor for BD progression. Our findings emphasize the positive association between the loss of a loved one and (hypo-)manic symptoms in bipolar disorders, although no prospective studies have assessed the impact of these life events on the course of (hypo-)mania in a large sample. We recommend the clinical assessment of this association, in order to provide patients with BD with the most adequate and prompt treatments.</p>","PeriodicalId":20760,"journal":{"name":"Psychiatria Danubina","volume":"37 4","pages":"413-418"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146030605","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The relationship of myofascial pain syndrome with type D personality and childhood trauma.","authors":"Mine Uzgel, Sevtap Badil Guloglu, Serhat Tunc","doi":"10.24869/psyd.2025.486","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.24869/psyd.2025.486","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>This study aimed to explore the properties and impacts of D-type personality, sexual dysfunction, and childhood trauma on pain, quality of life, somatization, depression, and anxiety symptoms in Myofascial Pain Syndrome (MPS) patients.</p><p><strong>Subjects and methods: </strong>This case-control study was conducted in the University Hospital Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Clinic, Turkey. Sociodemographic data form, visual analog scale (VAS), Short Form (SF-36), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ), Type D Personality Scale (DS-14), Somatosensory Amplification Scale (SAS), Arizona Sexual Experience Scale (ASEX) were administered for all volunteers.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>VAS, BDI, BAI, SAS, ASEX scores, and all subgroup scores of CTQ, and DS-14 were remarkably higher in the patient group (p<0.05) in comparison to the healthy control (HC) group. On the other hand, the Quality of Life Inventory subgroup scales were significantly lower in MPS patients than the control group (p<0.05). Type D personality (OR=9.35), sexual dysfunction (OR=6.92), and childhood trauma (OR=3.74) were found as risk factors in MPS.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Type D personality, childhood trauma, depression, anxiety, somatization, sexual dysfunction, and decreased life quality were found more commonly in MPS patients compared to the control group. Type D personality characteristics, childhood trauma, and sexual dysfunction are directly related to MPS' risk. This study was thought to contribute to the literature on improving preventive mental health by determining and reducing the MPS risk factors.</p>","PeriodicalId":20760,"journal":{"name":"Psychiatria Danubina","volume":"37 4","pages":"486-495"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146030659","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Successful resolution of catatonia in severe depression with ketamine infusion: A case report.","authors":"Harshit Kumar, Rika Rijal, Sulagna Mallik","doi":"10.24869/psyd.2025.496","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.24869/psyd.2025.496","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":20760,"journal":{"name":"Psychiatria Danubina","volume":"37 4","pages":"496-498"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146030667","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Vedran Markotić, Marija Kožul, Vladimir Pokrajčić, Mario Babić, Goran Šimić
{"title":"The impact of running on the mental health of recreational runners.","authors":"Vedran Markotić, Marija Kožul, Vladimir Pokrajčić, Mario Babić, Goran Šimić","doi":"10.24869/psyd.2025.449","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.24869/psyd.2025.449","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>One of the fundamental postulates in medicine, expressed in an old Latin proverb, is: \"A healthy mind in a healthy body\" (\"Mens sana in corpore sano\"), and it undoubtedly speaks of the significant and inseparable connection between body and soul. Numerous studies show that appropriate and regular exercise is positively associated with good health. Physical activity contributes to improving health status.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong>To examine the impact of running on the mental health of recreational runners.</p><p><strong>Subjects and methods: </strong>The research was conducted in Mostar, at the Sanus Motus running school, from March 1, 2024 to July 1, 2024. A total of 80 respondents were surveyed, divided into two groups. The first group included 40 recreational runners, members of the Sanus Motus running school in Mostar, and the other 40 respondents from the general population. The subjects completed two questionnaires: the RSES (Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale) and the SCL-90 (Self-Rating Psychiatric Symptoms Scale). The variables studied were the results of the RSES scale and the results of the nine categories into which the questions from the SCL-90 were divided. The SCL-90 categories are: somatization, obsessive-compulsive reactions, interpersonal sensitivity, depression, anxiety, aggression, phobias, paranoia, and psychotic features.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Recreational runners scored significantly higher on the RSES scale. Recreational runners scored significantly higher on all domains of the SCL-90 questionnaire. There were no statistically significant gender differences in scores on the RSES scale, and on the SCL-90, male respondents scored significantly lower on the Interpersonal Vulnerability, Depression, Anxiety, Phobias, PSDI, GSI, and PST domains, while there were no statistically significant gender differences in the other domains of the SCL-90 questionnaire.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Results of this research indicate that recreational running has a positive impact on the mental health of recreational runners.</p>","PeriodicalId":20760,"journal":{"name":"Psychiatria Danubina","volume":"37 4","pages":"449-455"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146030593","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Hasan Selcuk Ozkan, Gokcen Unal Kocabas, Damla Isman Haznedaroglu
{"title":"Metabolic changes associated with antidepressants: Understanding the risks to achieve more than a pyrrhic victory.","authors":"Hasan Selcuk Ozkan, Gokcen Unal Kocabas, Damla Isman Haznedaroglu","doi":"10.24869/psyd.2025.419","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.24869/psyd.2025.419","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Major depressive disorder is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity and is associated with an increased cardiometabolic risk on its own. On the other hand, antidepressants are being prescribed to more patients every day and these medications carry some important nuances in terms of side effects regarding their effects on metabolic profile. In this narrative review, we provide a drug class oriented overview to antidepressants, including their proven effects on various metabolic parameters such as lipid markers, blood glucose, waist circumference, body mass index and body weight. It is of utmost importance to choose the metabolically correct antidepressant for each patient, taking their metabolic risk profile into account, in order not be deceived by the pyrrhic victory presenting itself as mere psychiatric symptom control.</p>","PeriodicalId":20760,"journal":{"name":"Psychiatria Danubina","volume":"37 4","pages":"419-429"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146030598","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Selman Yildirim, Ibrahim Halil Akbas, Mehmet Sait Yildirim
{"title":"Psychological impacts of a potential monkeypox virus outbreak and lessons learned from COVID-19.","authors":"Selman Yildirim, Ibrahim Halil Akbas, Mehmet Sait Yildirim","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":20760,"journal":{"name":"Psychiatria Danubina","volume":"37 4","pages":"513-515"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146030614","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}