Aim of the studyWe compared white blood cells parameters (total white blood cells (WBC), lymphocytes count (LYMPH#) and percentage (LYMPH%), monocytes count (MONO) and percentage (MONO%), basophils count (BASO#) and percentage (BASO%), eosinophils count (EO#) and percentage (EO%), neutrophils count (NEUT#) and percentage (NEUT%)) in patients with schizophrenia (SHZ), unipolar depression (UD) and bipolar disorder (BIP): bipolar depression (BD) and mania (BM).Subject or material and methodsThis was a retrospective, cross-sectional, naturalistic study of 2381 patients (SHZ n=1244; UD n=794; BIP n=343, BD n=259, BM n=84). WBC as well as differential leukocytes count were measured using automated hematology analyzer.ResultsThere were significant differences between study groups (WBC, p=0.02; LYMPH# p=0.03; LYMPH% p=0.008; EO% p <0.001). Age and sex affected various white blood cells parameters.DiscussionHighest WBC was in the schizophrenia and bipolar mania groups, while patients with BM had lowest LYMPH%. Highest frequency of below or above normal WBC was found in patients with BM.ConclusionsThere are differences in white blood cells between study groups.

The phenomenon of atypical gender identity in adolescents and adults, in diagnostic classifications called gender identity disorder – transsexualism (ICD-10) or gender dysphoria (DSM-V), arouses interest among research communities and has been reported in the Polish and foreign literature. At the same time, much less attention is given to the very same phenomenon occurring in childhood, leaving a gap in the area of knowledge and competence potentially significant to a wider range of specialists including psychiatrists, psychotherapists, paediatricians, and social workers. The aim of this paper is to provide a synthesis and present the current state of knowledge about the situation of children with atypical gender identity and their families. Available data pertaining to aetiology, psychopathology, and developmental paths of individuals experiencing gender dysphoria of childhood are analysed. Moreover, the aim is to draw attention to controversies surrounding diagnostic and therapeutic processes and significant, i.a., in the context of the observation that the vast majority of gender-dysphoric (GD) children appear to no longer experience the symptoms during adolescence and adulthood. Therefore, the paper presents some important areas of assistance and stresses the need for great caution and individual approach when working with GD children and their families.

Defense mechanisms are a central component of psychodynamic theory and the interpretation of defenses is key to psychodynamic practice. Over the years, varying perspectives on dealing with a patient’s defense mechanisms have been outlined . Aim of the study: to examine how psychodynamic therapists deal with patient defenses in practice. Methods: This study asked psychodynamic therapists (N=114) of different theoretical models (e.g., psychoanalysis, short-term psychodynamic psychotherapy, and psychodynamic therapy) to complete an online survey. Results: Respondents (N = 114) indicated that defense mechanisms are a very important component of practice for psychodynamic psychotherapy. Significant differences between short-term psychodynamic therapy (STDP) and psychodynamic therapists on how they address defenses in their clinical practice were found. Discussion and Conclusion: Clinical implications of these results, and directions for future research are discussed.

Aim of the study1.To assess and compare the burden of care and psychiatric morbidity in caregivers of patients with schizophrenia and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). 2.To study burden with relation to socio-demographic characteristics and disease related factors.Subject or material and methodsStudy was conducted at tertiary care general hospital psychiatry department in India.Fifty consecutive patients and their primary caregivers each, of schizophrenia and OCD, were assessed. Burden of care was assessed by Family Burden Interview Schedule (FBIS). Psychiatric morbidity was assessed by General Health Questionnaire-28 (GHQ-28). The collected data was analyzed by SPSS, Chi-Square test, T-test and Pearson correlation.ResultsBurden of care was higher in caregivers of schizophrenia in 5 domains - Financial burden, Disruption of family routine, Disruption of family leisure, Disruption of family interaction and Effect on physical health. However, statistically significant higher score was observed only for domain of disruption of family routine. Caregivers with schizophrenia had higher psychiatric morbidity but anxiety and insomnia were significantly higher in caregivers of OCD. Suicidality was significantly higher in caregivers of schizophrenia. Spouses of schizophrenia had higher burden and distress. As family burden increased, psychiatric morbidity in caregiver also increased.DiscussionOCD imposes considerable burden on caregivers comparable to that of schizophrenia. Both disorders cause significant psychosocial problems for the family.ConclusionsThough the extent of burden of care and psychiatric morbidity were higher in caregivers of schizophrenia, caregivers of OCD had also considerable burden of care as well as psychiatric morbidity. Key words: Schizophrenia, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Caregiver, Burden

Biopsychosocial formulation remains an important skill for both residents and faculty. If it is not taught early and adequately, then residents fail to develop this skill. Despite a number of evidence-based teaching tools, residents continue to voice concern about when and how formulation is being taught in training programs. A survey in Canada showed that residents were dissatisfied with the current “status quo”. Structured teaching was deemed important; as was hearing supervisors formulate. Small group teaching was valued and early exposure was also considered beneficial. The purpose of our paper is to demonstrate a novel technique for teaching biopsychosocial formulation to psychiatry residents of all training levels. We detail a workshop we developed for both residents and faculty that combines faculty formulations with small and large group work. We recognize that this initial workshop was a small first step in changing the culture of formulation teaching. More studies are needed to determine exactly which teaching methods should be employed in a more robust and structured formulation curriculum.

Aim of the studyto assess the attitudes towards the body among children and their parents, and to analyse the predictors of attitudes towards the body in both groups.Subject or material and methodsThe research sample:37 children from 3-7 years(M = 5.05; SD = 0.88)and 37 parents(Mage = 32.25; SD = 4.81).The Sociocultural Attitudes Towards Appearance Questionnaire 4, the Child Figure Arrays, and the Contour Drawing Rating Scale were used.Results75.68% of children chose the thin and average silhouettes for the most ideal body shape. The silhouette which children chose as the most undesirable was the children’s silhouette that indicated obesity (Nundesired_silhouette62.16%). We found the relationship between body dissatisfaction and thin ideal internalisation (r=0.627,p<0.001), muscular ideal internalisation (r=0.369,p<0.05), family pressure (r= 0.351, p<0.05), media pressure (r = 0.702, p<0.001), and peer pressure (r =0.428, p < 0.05) made parents wish to change their children’s’ body shape to change the body shape in parents. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression revealed that media pressure (β = 0.348, p < 0.05) and body dissatisfaction (β = 0.696, p < 0.01) among parents (F(4, 32) = 5.655; p < 0.01; R2adjusted = 0.205) were predictors of the ideal children’s silhouette. In addition, mediation analysis showed media pressure had mediated the relationship between parents’ body dissatisfaction and children’s ideal silhouette (F(2.34) = 5.66; p < 0.01).Discussion-ConclusionsBoth children and their parents preferred the slim silhouette. . There is a high risk that parents can model negative attitudes towards the body in their children. Therefore this should be considered in psychoeducational prevention programs.

Zolpidem is a hypnotic drug from imidazopyridine family that is chemically distinct from classic benzodiazepines (BDZ). Contrary to classic BDZ, zolpidem acts selectively on α 1 subunit-containing GABA-A benzodiazepine (BZ1) receptors. There are a considerable number of zolpidem dependence case reports in the recent psychiatric literature. Regarding the similarities of zolpidem and BDZ in pharmacodynamic and addictive characteristics, writers posits that recommended detoxification protocols for short half-life BDZ, may also be useful in high doses zolpidem withdrawal symptoms management. Safety and effectiveness of phenobarbital for inpatient BDZ detoxification has been established in previous researches and it may be useful for zolpidem detoxification.

Aim of the studyThe Eating Attitudes Test (EAT) is one of the most commonly used measures of abnormal eating habits; however, it has been criticized for its unstable factorial structure. Different studies proposed different solutions; however, up to date there is no consensus whether three-, five-, or seven-factor solution is appropriate.Subject or material and methodsIn the current study, we examined the cues provided by studies that investigated the structure of the EAT-26, and analyzed our expectations in a nonclinical group of 617 women.ResultsBased upon bi-factor confirmatory factor analyses, we demonstrated that the EAT measures general eating pathology, but it also measures more specific factors, such as social pressure, food awareness, food preoccupation and purging behaviours.DiscussionAmong distinguished specific factors, social pressure seems to be promising scale to be used for screening purposes. The food awareness factor could be interpreted in terms of orthorexia nervosa; however, further evidence is required to support this conclusion. We also provided evidence that bulimia and food preoccupation factors should be maintained within the EAT-26 as an important behavioural aspects of eating pathology.ConclusionsThese results shed new light on this measure and provide the bases for a discussion of its psychometric issues.

Background: Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is one of the standard treatments for treatment resistant bipolar depression (TRBD). There is limited literature on the role cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) in TRBD patient who fails to respond to ECT. Aim: To report a case of patient achieving full functional recovery with CBT in combination with pharmacotherapy after failing to respond to ECT. Method: Case report. Results: A 45 year-old male with diabetes mellitus, diabetic retinopathy, and bipolar II disorder presented with a third recurrence of depressive episode. In view of poor response to the combination pharmacotherapy of escitalopram 20 mg daily, mirtazapine 30 mg daily, sodium valproate Chrono 500 mg daily, and quetiapine XR 400 mg daily, TRBD was diagnosed and a full course of ECT was given. However, the patient did not respond to ECT. Twenty sessions of CBT were then given in combination with pharmacotherapy and the patient achieved full functional recovery. Discussion: To date there is still a lack of consensus on both the diagnostic criteria of TRBD and the evidence based guideline for the treatment of TRBD. Adjunctive modafinil, pramipexole, tranylcypromine, and vagus nerve stimulation have been tried but the response rate is variable. Family-focused treatment, group psychoeducation, and interpersonal and social rhythm therapy have been tried on bipolar depression but more study is still required for TRBD patients that failed to respond to ECT. In conclusion, combination of CBT and pharmacotherapy is worth a trial for TRBD patients who do not respond to ECT.

Aim of the studyThe aim of the present study was two-fold. The first purpose was to evaluate eating attitude and behaviours as well as knowledge about eating disorders in young adults women and men. The second purpose was to assess the relationship between measurable variables in both groups.Subject or material and methodsThe research consisted of 34 female and 32 male young adults aged 19-21 years. The Eating Disorders Examination Questionnaire and the Eating Disorders Awareness Test were distributed to all participantsResultsFemale undergraduate students were more concerned about their weight and shape than male undergraduate students. Differences in eating disorders awareness between female and male groups were significant. In women knowledge of issues relevant to eating disorders was higher than in male. Among all participants, 52.9% of female and 18.75% of males declared an interest in eating disorders. Both women (72.2%) and men (50%) most often derived their knowledge about anorexia and bulimia nervosa from science press books and publications.DiscussionModerate positive correlations between avoidance of eating and shape concern as well as weight concern were found in both groups. In addition, in female university students restraint was related to eating concern.ConclusionsSince weight and shape concerns are considered to be integral to the psychopathology of eating disorders, it is definitely worth paying attention to the prevention of eating-related attitudes and behaviour in youth, particularly in female