NervenarztPub Date : 2026-07-01Epub Date: 2026-06-10DOI: 10.1007/s00115-026-01983-2
Mark Mühlbacher, Rebecca Schennach, Robert Birk, Ulrich Voderholzer
{"title":"[Pathological hoarding-A review of the disorder].","authors":"Mark Mühlbacher, Rebecca Schennach, Robert Birk, Ulrich Voderholzer","doi":"10.1007/s00115-026-01983-2","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00115-026-01983-2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Pathological hoarding is an independent psychological disorder characterized by persistent difficulties in discarding possessions, excessive accumulation and a functionally relevant impairment of living conditions and daily functioning. The prevalence is estimated at approximately 2-3%, with symptom onset often already occurring in childhood or adolescence. This article provides a structured overview of the epidemiology, etiopathogenesis, typical comorbidities and relevant differential diagnoses of pathological hoarding. A further focus is on evidence-based treatment approaches, in particular disorder-specific cognitive behavioral therapy and the relevance of pharmacotherapy for comorbid conditions. Finally, the substantial psychosocial of pathological hoarding as well as social law are discussed.</p>","PeriodicalId":49770,"journal":{"name":"Nervenarzt","volume":" ","pages":"415-423"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148220557","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}
NervenarztPub Date : 2026-06-29DOI: 10.1007/s00115-026-01994-z
Francesca Denby, Sophie Brenner, Brit S Schneider
{"title":"[Digital health applications and adherence in depression: a qualitative study from the perspective of healthcare providers].","authors":"Francesca Denby, Sophie Brenner, Brit S Schneider","doi":"10.1007/s00115-026-01994-z","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00115-026-01994-z","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Shortages of healthcare professionals and the rising prevalence of depressive disorders are creating gaps in care. When used correctly and consistently, digital health applications (DiGA) can help bridge these gaps. This study examines, from the perspective of healthcare providers, criteria for DiGA selection, their integration into therapy and the promotion of patient adherence.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>For this qualitative study eight semi-structured expert interviews were conducted with psychiatrists, psychotherapists and general practitioners in and around Osnabrück, Germany. The interviews were analyzed using Mayring's qualitative content analysis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Respondents primarily use DiGA as adjunctive therapy or to bridge waiting periods. They seem particularly suitable for patients with mild symptoms, technical skills and good self-organization. Monitoring progress and integrating DiGA into therapeutic routines support continued use. Providers are only partially aware of their influence on adherence. Most respondents reported limited knowledge of the app content and a lack of confidence in the technology.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Although the effectiveness of DiGA is proven and the role of medical or therapeutic support in promoting adherence is recognized, insufficient information, a lack of transparency regarding app content and the absence of best practices are hindrances to practical implementation. To realize the full potential of DiGA providers should be supported with product-neutral, quality-assured information and practical guidance for integration into therapy.</p>","PeriodicalId":49770,"journal":{"name":"Nervenarzt","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2026-06-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148354559","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}
NervenarztPub Date : 2026-06-18DOI: 10.1007/s00115-026-01996-x
F Erbguth, M Tegenthoff, C Böwering-Möllenkamp, H Schain, H-C Hansen, B Widder
{"title":"Wissenschaftliche Bewertung von Methoden für den Nachweis von „Post-/Long-COVID-Syndromen“ und ihrer Überlappung mit „ME/CFS“ : Kurzfassung der Stellungnahme der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Neurowissenschaftliche Begutachtung (DGNB).","authors":"F Erbguth, M Tegenthoff, C Böwering-Möllenkamp, H Schain, H-C Hansen, B Widder","doi":"10.1007/s00115-026-01996-x","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s00115-026-01996-x","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":49770,"journal":{"name":"Nervenarzt","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2026-06-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148273475","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}
NervenarztPub Date : 2026-05-18DOI: 10.1007/s00115-026-01980-5
Antonia Bendau, Jens Plag, Andreas Ströhle, Felix Betzler, Lukas Roediger, Moritz Bruno Petzold, Alexander Schmidt, Isabel Fernholz
{"title":"[High on stage? Substance use and performance anxiety among professional musicians].","authors":"Antonia Bendau, Jens Plag, Andreas Ströhle, Felix Betzler, Lukas Roediger, Moritz Bruno Petzold, Alexander Schmidt, Isabel Fernholz","doi":"10.1007/s00115-026-01980-5","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s00115-026-01980-5","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Substance use is commonly assumed to be widespread among musicians; however, empirical data on consumption patterns and the associations with anxiety are limited and heterogeneous. In particular, differentiated longitudinal findings across substances and musical genres are lacking.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the use of various psychoactive substances among professional musicians from different genres, including the examination of changes over time and associations with (performance) anxiety.</p><p><strong>Material and methods: </strong>An anonymous online study with two assessment waves (T1: January-June 2024, T2: June 2025) was conducted; 1392 musicians (including music students) participated in T1, of whom 327 also took part in T2. The frequency of use for 16 substances, indicators of problematic substance use (Cut down, Annoyed, Guilty, Eye-opener-adapted to include drugs, CAGE-AID), performance anxiety (stage anxiety questionnaire, BAF), and general anxiety symptoms (GAD-7) were assessed.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Overall, a generally elevated prevalence of substance use was not observed. Alcohol was the most frequently used substance and 21% of participants showed a positive screening for problematic substance use. Musicians in popular/jazz genres tended to report higher levels of substance use than classical musicians. Cross-sectionally, weak associations between some substances and performance anxiety were observed. Longitudinally, cross-lagged panel models indicated minimal changes over time and no significant longitudinal effects between substance use and anxiety.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>The findings do not provide evidence for generally increased levels of substance use among musicians but point to individual risk profiles that should be considered when providing care for this population.</p>","PeriodicalId":49770,"journal":{"name":"Nervenarzt","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2026-05-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147965222","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":"[Nutritional psychiatry and psychosomatics in the DACH region : Clinical treatment concepts and research at the university hospitals of Graz, Berlin and Zurich].","authors":"Sabrina Mörkl, Anna Ramirez-Obermayer, Sonja Mötteli, Florian Hotzy, Nazli Esfahani-Bayerl, Sonja Lackner, Jolana Wagner-Skacel","doi":"10.1007/s00115-026-01976-1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s00115-026-01976-1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Individuals with mental disorders have an increased risk for metabolic disturbances, inflammation and nutrient deficiencies. Nevertheless, nutritional aspects have so far received little attention in psychiatric care. Nutritional psychiatry and nutritional psychosomatics (NP) combine psychiatry with nutritional and lifestyle medicine to systematically integrate the interaction of these domains into the diagnostics and therapy.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>Illustration of specialized structures and description of three outpatient clinics in the DACH region (Germany, Austria and Switzerland).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Overview of scientific foundations, international trends and guidelines, along with a description of the clinics based on the locations.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The outpatient clinics represent complementary approaches: Graz focuses on nutrition and mental health, the gut-brain axis and integrative therapy; Berlin emphasizes micronutrient diagnostics and functional medicine; Zurich adopts an interdisciplinary, behaviorally and pharmacologically oriented approach. Together, they highlight the need for specialized, multiprofessional structures and scientific evaluation.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>The discipline of NP opens up new avenues for prevention and personalized therapy. To meet the high demand and address existing challenges, greater capacity, interdisciplinary networks, health services research and integration into regional healthcare systems are needed. Close alignment of research and clinical practice is essential to sustainably establish evidence-based care concepts and teaching approaches in psychiatry.</p>","PeriodicalId":49770,"journal":{"name":"Nervenarzt","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2026-05-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147845289","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}
NervenarztPub Date : 2026-05-01Epub Date: 2025-06-06DOI: 10.1007/s00115-025-01837-3
Lubomir Barabas, Michal Novotny, Dennis Jung, Thomas Müller, Nicolas Nagysomkuti Mertse
{"title":"Exploring the potential of ChatGPT as a digital advisor in acute psychiatric crises: a feasibility study.","authors":"Lubomir Barabas, Michal Novotny, Dennis Jung, Thomas Müller, Nicolas Nagysomkuti Mertse","doi":"10.1007/s00115-025-01837-3","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00115-025-01837-3","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>This exploratory study tested ChatGPT as a digital advisor chatbot for German-speaking individuals in acute psychiatric crises. Additionally, the attitudes of young physicians and psychologists towards the use of large language models (LLMs) in healthcare were investigated.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>In total, 20 resident physicians and psychologists simulated patients in three clinical scenarios (depression, psychosis, adjustment disorder) and interacted with ChatGPT. They evaluated the chatbot's performance regarding overall experience, pleasantness, appropriateness of the responses, realism, and helpfulness. Before and after the intervention, their attitudes towards such a chatbot were assessed. Finally, they assessed 12 statements about the future of LLMs in healthcare and provided open feedback on the chat experience.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>ChatGPT received predominantly positive ratings (over 8/10 points) for overall experience, helpfulness, pleasantness, and appropriateness, while realism was rated slightly lower at 7/10 points. The appropriateness of the responses varied significantly between the scenarios, with lower ratings for the psychosis scenario. Open feedback confirmed the limited suitability of ChatGPT for psychosis patients. Overall, 70% or more of the participants agreed that LLMs will become increasingly important in everyday life and healthcare, and that an LLM-based chatbot would be a modern tool for low-threshold access to initial psychiatric aid. However, the high number of neutral responses across all 12 items (20-45%) indicates uncertainty regarding the actual benefits and risks.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The performance of ChatGPT was rated positively overall by the participants. Significant practical and methodological limitations remain, however, highlighting the need for further research including real patients for a gradual, carefully monitored integration of LLMs into mental healthcare.</p>","PeriodicalId":49770,"journal":{"name":"Nervenarzt","volume":" ","pages":"265-271"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13171642/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144235744","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
NervenarztPub Date : 2026-05-01Epub Date: 2025-06-12DOI: 10.1007/s00115-025-01850-6
Maximilian Gahr
{"title":"[Benefits and risks of gabapentinoids in geriatric psychiatry].","authors":"Maximilian Gahr","doi":"10.1007/s00115-025-01850-6","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00115-025-01850-6","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Gabapentinoids (gabapentin, pregabalin) are increasingly being prescribed and frequently in off-label indications. This applies also to older people.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>This article provides a current overview regarding the pharmacology, safety and tolerability and efficacy of gabapentinoids in psychogeriatric indications, particularly behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD).</p><p><strong>Material and methods: </strong>A selective literature search was carried out in the databases PubMed and ScienceDirect using the search terms \"gabapentin\", \"pregabalin\", \"dementia\" and \"elderly\".</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The precise mechanism of action of the gabapentinoids is unclear but is based on inhibition of the α2δ subunits of presynaptic voltage-gated calcium channels. Rapid onset of action, principally good tolerability, negligible hepatic metabolization, low interaction potential and efficacy in relevant comorbid disorders such as epilepsy, neuropathic pain syndrome and anxiety disorders can be beneficial in gerontopsychiatric patients; however, in older patients there is an increased risk of falls and fractures, respiratory depression and pneumonia, cognitive and functional impairments and possibly atrial fibrillation. Regarding BPSD only one randomized controlled trial (RCT, pregabalin), systematic reviews and case series/case reports are available, predominantly reporting good efficacy and tolerability of gabapentinoids. In addition, a positive RCT (pregabalin) concerning generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) in older patients exists.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Currently, sufficient evidence for a recommendation on gabapentinoids for the treatment of BPSD (or other off-label indications in geriatric psychiatry) or GAD in older patients is not available. In the case of insufficient efficacy of nonpharmacological interventions and substances with better evidence, gabapentinoids can be considered for the treatment of BPSD and GAD in older patients, particularly when the specific characteristics of gabapentinoids can be beneficial in a particular case; however, the specific risks should be considered.</p>","PeriodicalId":49770,"journal":{"name":"Nervenarzt","volume":" ","pages":"285-290"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144276462","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}
NervenarztPub Date : 2026-05-01Epub Date: 2025-06-25DOI: 10.1007/s00115-025-01847-1
Peter J Uhlhaas, Andreas Bechdolf, Kerstin Konrad, Nikolaos Koutsouleris, Eva Meisenzahl, Andreas Meyer-Lindenberg, Ulrich Reininghaus, Christoph U Correll
{"title":"[Youth mental health: early detection and early intervention of mental disorders].","authors":"Peter J Uhlhaas, Andreas Bechdolf, Kerstin Konrad, Nikolaos Koutsouleris, Eva Meisenzahl, Andreas Meyer-Lindenberg, Ulrich Reininghaus, Christoph U Correll","doi":"10.1007/s00115-025-01847-1","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00115-025-01847-1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Mental diseases occur particularly frequently between the ages of 12 and 25 years, with important implications for the pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>Against this background this article outlines a youth mental health paradigm which prioritizes the early detection, early intervention and prevention of mental disorders, e.g., psychoses, bipolar disorders and personality disorders in adolescence.</p><p><strong>Material and methods: </strong>The first part of the article summarizes the findings for sensitive phases during brain development, which indicate the elevated plasticity of neural circuits during youth that can be used for preventive interventions. The interactions between risk and resilience factors and ongoing brain development are an essential reason for the frequent occurrence of mental disorders between 12-25 years. Furthermore, innovative diagnostic approaches, such as clinical staging models, are proposed that are a prerequisite for early detection and early intervention. In this context, low-threshold service modelss and age-appropriate interventions, such as digital approaches, are necessary to improve access to care in youths.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>Taken together, a \"youth mental health\" paradigm could significantly enhance mental health in young people and initiate a shift towards the prevention of severe mental disorders.</p>","PeriodicalId":49770,"journal":{"name":"Nervenarzt","volume":" ","pages":"278-284"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13171657/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144486710","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}