The birth of Athena – Psychodynamic formulation and case report

2016 ◽  
Vol 33 (S1) ◽  
pp. S562-S562
Author(s):  
M. Skokou ◽  
K. Assimakopoulos ◽  
P. Gourzis
Keyword(s):  
Case Report ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Psychodynamic Psychotherapy ◽  
Patient Experiences ◽  
Maternal Role ◽  
Narcissistic Personality ◽  
Intrapsychic Conflict ◽  
Competing Interest ◽  
Personality Features ◽  
The Relationship

IntroductionAthena possesses a special place among the Greek Gods, as she was born from her father, according to an extreme patriarchal model with a marked depreciation of the maternal role. Zeus had swallowed and absorbed the mother of Athena, Mites, because of an oracle that if Mites gave birth to a boy, the boy would take his throne. When the time comes, Zeus commands Hephaestus to cleave his forehead with an axe, and then Athena leaps fully armed and shouting her cry of war, in front of the astonished Gods. The next moment she puts her weapons down, as a token of obedience and devotion. The exceptionally close bond between father and daughter is evident through their uniquely confidential relationship. The ancient myth is paralleled, from a psychodynamic aspect, with the case of a narcissistic patient receiving psychodynamic psychotherapy.MethodsCase report.ResultsA case of a woman with narcissistic personality features and depressive symptoms is described, presenting with the complaints of withdrawal, self-depreciation, passivity, and agoraphobia. Psychodynamic factors defining her pathology are her narcissistic and sexualized relationship with her father, whereas the relationship with her mother has been depreciated. The patient experiences an intrapsychic conflict of reciprocal idealization, against her anger and fear for her father, resulting in the symptoms of agoraphobia and passivity.ConclusionLike Athena, who puts her weapons down, the patient resigns from her will for autonomy and moves to a passive position, as a result of her entrapment in her idealized relationship with the father.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Incest in the Schizophrenic patient: Case report

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. S588-S588
Author(s):  
M. Mezghani ◽  
F. Fekih-Romdhane ◽  
F. El Ghali ◽  
M. Zghal ◽  
G. Jmii ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Case Report ◽  
Sexuality Education ◽  
Clinical Observation ◽  
Criminal Responsibility ◽  
Patient Case ◽  
Annihilation Anxiety ◽  
Psychiatric Expertise ◽  
Competing Interest ◽  
The Individual ◽  
The Relationship

IntroductionIncest may be defined as sexual relations between close blood relatives. Legally, incest and sexual aggression toward minors are classified as a criminal behaviour. Tunisia is among the countries from which incest cases are rarely reported.Objectives and methodThe aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between the psychotic structure and incest, and to describe the individual, clinical, and criminal traits of the incestuous father through clinical observation.Case reportMr T.G is 46 years old. He is married and has six daughters. His wife appears to be passive, and largely dependent on her husband. Mr T.G has had incestuous relationships, initially, with his two eldest daughters. The acts were followed by the mother's complicit silence and the non-denunciation of the daughters. Two years later, he starts an incestuous behavior with his third daughter. Incest took place in the context of delusion. The patient was convinced that he is responsible of his daughters’ sexuality education. He develops an incoherent theory of purification with a tendency towards morbid rationalism. It is only after four years of insufferable paternal incestuous relationships that the third daughter filed a complaint to the police. A psychiatric expertise concluded that the accused is exempt from criminal responsibility.ConclusionIncest is a multi-faceted phenomenon, which makes its approach, comprehension, and treatment quite complex. For a psychotic patient incest is a means to deny alterity by crushing other. It also allows him to find, in this complete power, control over his annihilation anxiety.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Unraveling pathways to depression in fibromyalgia, the role of perseverative negative thinking and negative affect

2016 ◽  
Vol 33 (S1) ◽  
pp. S207-S207
Author(s):  
A.M. Pinto ◽  
C. Costa ◽  
A.T. Pereira ◽  
M. Marques ◽  
J.A. Pereira da Silva ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Negative Affect ◽  
Indirect Effects ◽  
Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire ◽  
Multiple Mediation ◽  
Negative Thinking ◽  
Competing Interest ◽  
Perseverative Thinking ◽  
The Relationship

IntroductionSeveral studies have demonstrated a strong link between fibromyalgia, negative affect (NA) and depression. However, it remains unclear why some fibromyalgia patients get depressed while others do not and, primarily, which mechanisms account for this difference. We hypothesize that, besides clinical features, the engagement in dysfunctional strategies like perseverative negative thinking (PNT) followed by an amplification of NA levels may increase the risk of fibromyalgia patients experiencing depressive symptoms.Objective/AimsTo explore the serial mediator effect of PNT and NA on the relationship between fibromyalgia symptoms and depressive symptoms.MethodsHundred and three women with fibromyalgia (mean age 47.32 ± 10.63) completed the Portuguese version of the Revised-Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire, Perseverative Thinking Questionnaire, Profile of Mood States and Beck Depression Inventory-II. The association between the variables was investigated via Pearson correlations and serial multiple mediation.ResultsThe estimated model was significant [F (3.86) = 57.318, P < .001] explaining 66.66% of depressive symptoms variance. The total effect of fibromyalgia symptoms on depressive symptoms was of .4998 (SE = 0.0795, P < 0.001; CI > 0.3417 and < 0.6578), with a significant direct effect of 0.1911 (SE = 0.0653; CI > 0.0614 and < 0.3209). The total indirect effects were of 0.3086 (SE = 0.0619; CI > 0.2033 < 0.4458). Three significant specific indirect effects were found.ConclusionThe effect of fibromyalgia symptoms on depressive symptoms is partially operated through cognitive interference/unproductiveness, which in turn influences NA levels. Such findings highlight the crucial role of these constructs in the relationship between fibromyalgia symptoms and depressive symptoms and the urge to address them when treating individuals reporting greater fibromyalgia symptoms.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Contribution Of Night Eating Syndrome To The Evolution Of Anorexia Nervosa – Case Report

2016 ◽  
Vol 33 (S1) ◽  
pp. S426-S426
Author(s):  
F. Coutinho ◽  
I. Brandão
Keyword(s):  
Anorexia Nervosa ◽  
Eating Disorder ◽  
Case Report ◽  
Sleep Disturbances ◽  
Review Of The Literature ◽  
Night Eating Syndrome ◽  
Eating Pattern ◽  
Night Eating ◽  
Competing Interest ◽  
The Relationship

IntroductionNight Eating Syndrome (NES) was described in 1955 in a subset of patients resistant to weight loss. It is characterized by morning anorexia, evening hyperfagia and sleep disturbances. It is also more prevalent among patients with another eating disorder (ED), particularly binge-eating disorder (BED) or bulimia nervosa (BN).ObjectiveReview of the literature about the relationship between NES and another EDs and to present a case report of a patient with a long-standing purgative anorexia nervosa (AN-BP) and comorbid NES.Methodsreview of the literature using the database Medline through Pubmed, with the keywords: “night eating syndrome” and “eating disorder”.ResultsNES is highly prevalent among patients with EDs, with an estimated prevalence of about 5–44%. However, most of the existent literature explores the relationship between NES and BED or BN, and it is not consensual if NES is a subtype of another ED. There is still scarce evidence about NES and AN comorbidity.ConclusionIn this case report, we present a patient with a history of AN-BP, in which the recovery of lost weight and the increase of body mass index (BMI) occurred simultaneously with a period of worsening NES symptoms, which leads the authors to question if the psychopathology of NES has contributed to the recovery of BMI at the expense of maintaining a dysfunctional eating pattern.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Narcissistic Personality Features and Self-Reported Anger

1989 ◽  
Vol 64 (1) ◽  
pp. 55-58 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph T. McCann ◽  
Mary Kay Biaggio
Keyword(s):  
Personality Disorder ◽  
Introductory Psychology ◽  
Personality Characteristics ◽  
Narcissistic Personality Disorder ◽  
Narcissistic Personality ◽  
Psychology Courses ◽  
Personality Features ◽  
The Relationship

The relationship between anger and narcissistic personality characteristics was examined for 91 students in introductory psychology courses. 35 individuals high in narcissism reported greater verbally expressed anger. Males high in narcissism were more likely to express anger physically. Results are discussed in terms of DSM-III—R criteria for narcissistic personality disorder.

When schizophrenia leads to terrorism: A case report

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. s839-s839
Author(s):  
N. Staali
Keyword(s):  
Mental Illness ◽  
Case Report ◽  
Clinical Features ◽  
Mentally Ill ◽  
Personality Type ◽  
Treatment Processes ◽  
Terrorist Organization ◽  
Competing Interest ◽  
The Relationship

BackgroundSome have suggested that terrorists are mentally ill and have used labels such as psychopathic or sociopathic, narcissistic, paranoid, are schizophrenic types, or passive–aggressive. Others have argued that although terrorist actions may seem irrational or delusional to society in general, terrorists in fact, act rationally, and there is no evidence to indicate that they are mentally ill/disordered, psychopathic or otherwise psychologically abnormal.Objective and methodHere we present the case of Mr. A, a 32 year old man diagnosed with schizophrenia, who travelled to Egypt and Syria in attempt to join the ISIS terrorist organization, and discuss the clinical features, treatment processes and two years follow-up of this particular case.ConclusionAs described in some studies, most terrorists do not demonstrate serious psychopathology and there is no single personality type. Thus, the relationship between terrorism and mental illness mostly refers to the question about pathological travel as part of a religious and messianic delirium.Disclosure of interestThe author has not supplied his/her declaration of competing interest.

Depression and chronic immune system dysfunction–a longitudinal study in patients with lupus

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. S527-S528
Author(s):  
M. Figueiredo-Braga ◽  
M. Bernardes ◽  
M. Figueiredo ◽  
G. Terroso ◽  
B. Poole
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Lupus Erythematosus ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Biological Parameters ◽  
Moderate Correlation ◽  
C Reactive Protein ◽  
Reactive Protein ◽  
Immune System Dysfunction ◽  
Competing Interest ◽  
The Relationship

IntroductionDepression is a common companion of systemic lupus erythematosus that substantially contribute to patient's suffering and a decreased quality of life. The relationship between depressive symptoms and disease immune processes is not well understood.ObjectivesTo further understand the relationship between lupus and depression, a patient cohort was examined for correlations between clinical presentation, biological parameters and psychosocial evaluation.MethodsSeventy-two lupus patients were screened for depressive symptoms, clinically and psychologically characterized using a battery of instruments, including assessments for depression, anxiety, fatigue, pain and overall health. Scores from these assessments were correlated with lupus clinical profile and biological parameters namely the immune profile.ResultsForty-two percent of the patients had scores indicative of depression using the HADS Depression scale. Strong correlation was found between pain and depression. Moderate correlation was found between several lupus symptoms, such as mouth ulcers, rash, and arthritis, and psychological evaluation. There was low to moderate correlation between complement levels, C-reactive protein and psychological indicators, but no other lab tests correlated well with the psychological tests.ConclusionThe correlation of depressive symptoms, complement and C-reactive protein with depressive symptoms suggests that these may be mediated by disease activity and share pathophysiological mechanisms. The overall weakness of correlations with biological markers demonstrates that more specific tests need to be developed. The study of lupus associated depression may, furthermore clarify the role of immune dysfunction in the pathophysiology of this psychiatric disorder.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Gynecomastia induced by trazodone: A case report

2016 ◽  
Vol 33 (S1) ◽  
pp. S640-S640 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.D. Sánchez García ◽  
A. Gómez Peinado ◽  
P. Cano Ruiz ◽  
S. Cañas Fraile
Keyword(s):  
Case Report ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Prolactin Level ◽  
Psychiatric Clinic ◽  
Receptor Stimulation ◽  
Normal Limits ◽  
Patient Reported ◽  
Rare Side Effect ◽  
Competing Interest

IntroductionTrazodone is a heterocyclic antidepressant that exerts its effect via the inhibition of selective serotonin reuptake and the antagonism of 5-HT2A and 5-HT2 C receptors. Antidepressant-induced gynecomastia and galactorrhea and increases in prolactin levels have rarely been reported.Case reportA 73-year-old man presented to the psychiatric clinic with depressive symptoms and insomnia that was the reason that his GP introduced paroxetine 20 mg/day three months before. One month later because the insomnia persisted, trazodone (100 mg/day) was added to the treatment. At a 2-month follow-up, the patient reported improvement in depressive symptoms but also presented gynecomastia on the left side that is non-tender on palpation. No other medications were noted. Laboratory testing was within normal limits, with the exception of on elevated prolactin level (38.2 ng/mL). Ultrasonography indicated normal results. Treatment included the tapering and discontinuation of trazodone with continued paroxetine therapy. Lorazepam was initiated for the treatment of insomnia. Two weeks later, the prolactin level was 13.1 ng/mL and gynecomastia was practically resolved. Lorazepam was initiated for the treatment of insomnia.ConclusionsEffects of trazodone on PRL are unclear, there is one study reported that trazodone increases the PRL level, and another one reported that trazodone reduces them, in our case, the trazodone use led to hyperprolactinemia via hypothalamic postsynaptic receptor stimulation and it should be remembered that gynecomastia and galactorrhea may appear as a rare side effect of trazodone.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Poor Acceptance of the Past is Related to Depressive Symptoms in Older Adults

GeroPsych ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 33 (4) ◽  
pp. 246-251
Author(s):  
Gozde Cetinkol ◽  
Gulbahar Bastug ◽  
E. Tugba Ozel Kizil
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Regression Analysis ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Death Anxiety ◽  
Geriatric Depression ◽  
Ego Integrity ◽  
The Past ◽  
Depressed Group ◽  
Total Death ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract. Depression in older adults can be explained by Erikson’s theory on the conflict of ego integrity versus hopelessness. The study investigated the relationship between past acceptance, hopelessness, death anxiety, and depressive symptoms in 100 older (≥50 years) adults. The total Beck Hopelessness (BHS), Geriatric Depression (GDS), and Accepting the Past (ACPAST) subscale scores of the depressed group were higher, while the total Death Anxiety (DAS) and Reminiscing the Past (REM) subscale scores of both groups were similar. A regression analysis revealed that the BHS, DAS, and ACPAST predicted the GDS. Past acceptance seems to be important for ego integrity in older adults.

Symptoms of Alcohol Dependence Predict Suicide Ideation Among Alaskan Undergraduates

Crisis ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 37 (3) ◽  
pp. 232-235 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher R. DeCou ◽  
Monica C. Skewes
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Alcohol Consumption ◽  
Alcohol Dependence ◽  
Suicide Ideation ◽  
Alcohol Problems ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Causal Mechanism ◽  
Students At Risk ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Alcohol Related Problems

Abstract. Background: Previous research has demonstrated an association between alcohol-related problems and suicidal ideation (SI). Aims: The present study evaluated, simultaneously, alcohol consequences and symptoms of alcohol dependence as predictors of SI after adjusting for depressive symptoms and alcohol consumption. Method: A sample of 298 Alaskan undergraduates completed survey measures, including the Young Adult Alcohol Consequences Questionnaire, the Short Alcohol Dependence Data Questionnaire, and the Beck Depression Inventory – II. The association between alcohol problems and SI status was evaluated using sequential logistic regression. Results: Symptoms of alcohol dependence (OR = 1.88, p < .05), but not alcohol-related consequences (OR = 1.01, p = .95), emerged as an independent predictor of SI status above and beyond depressive symptoms (OR = 2.39, p < .001) and alcohol consumption (OR = 1.08, p = .39). Conclusion: Alcohol dependence symptoms represented a unique risk for SI relative to alcohol-related consequences and alcohol consumption. Future research should examine the causal mechanism behind the relationship between alcohol dependence and suicidality among university students. Assessing the presence of dependence symptoms may improve the accuracy of identifying students at risk of SI.

Coping Style as a Mediator of the Relationship Between Depressive Symptoms and Deliberate Self-Harm

Crisis ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 32 (5) ◽  
pp. 272-279 ◽  
Author(s):  
Allison S. Christian ◽  
Kristen M. McCabe
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Hierarchical Regression ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Deliberate Self Harm ◽  
Self Blame ◽  
Self Harm ◽  
The Relationship

Background: Deliberate self-harm (DSH) occurs with high frequency among clinical and nonclinical youth populations. Although depression has been consistently linked with the behavior, not all depressed individuals engage in DSH. Aims: The current study examined maladaptive coping strategies (i.e., self-blame, distancing, and self-isolation) as mediators between depression and DSH among undergraduate students. Methods: 202 students from undergraduate psychology courses at a private university in Southern California (77.7% women) completed anonymous self-report measures. Results: A hierarchical regression model found no differences in DSH history across demographic variables. Among coping variables, self-isolation alone was significantly related to DSH. A full meditational model was supported: Depressive symptoms were significantly related to DSH, but adding self-isolation to the model rendered the relationship nonsignificant. Limitations: The cross-sectional study design prevents determination of whether a casual relation exists between self-isolation and DSH, and obscures the direction of that relationship. Conclusions: Results suggest targeting self-isolation as a means of DSH prevention and intervention among nonclinical, youth populations.

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