The relationship between post-traumatic symptoms and life in exile in a clinical group of refugees from the former Yugoslavia

International research has underlined the role played by children’s and maternal psychopathological symptoms on the onset of avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) in early childhood. No study has considered the possible interplay between children’s dopamine transporter (DAT1) genotype and methylation, dysregulation problems and maternal psychopathological risk. This study aimed to investigate the complex relationship between these variables, considering the possible mediation role played by children’s DAT1 methylation on the relationship between mothers’ psychopathological risk and children’s dysregulation problems, moderated by children’s DAT1 genotype. Our sample consisted of 94 early children and their mothers, divided into four subgroups, based on children’s ARFID subtypes (irritable/impulsive (I/I), sensory food aversions (SFA), post-traumatic feeding disorders subtypes (PTFD), and a non-clinical group (NC)). We addressed children’s dysregulation problems and maternal psychopathological risk, and collected children’s DNA through buccal swabs. Results showed that children’s 9/x genotype was associated with PTFD and NC groups, whereas the 10/10 genotype was associated with the SFA group, with large effect size. There were significant large differences in the study groups on children’s DAT1 total methylation, children’s dysregulation problems, and maternal psychopathological risk. Children’s DAT1 methylation did not mediate the relationship between mother’s psychopathological risk and children’s dysregulation problems, but there was a significant large direct effect. Children’s 9/x genotype moderated the relationship between maternal psychopathological risk and children’s DAT1 methylation but, respectively, with a large and small effect. Our pilot study suggested that the relationship between children’s DAT1 genotype and methylation, dysregulation problems, and maternal psychopathological risk has a crucial contribution to ARFID.

Download Full-text

Dissociation in patients with dissociative seizures: relationships with trauma and seizure symptoms

Psychological Medicine ◽

10.1017/s0033291716003093 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 47 (7) ◽

pp. 1215-1229 ◽

Cited By ~ 25

Author(s):

S. Pick ◽

J. D. C. Mellers ◽

L. H. Goldstein

Keyword(s):

Emotional Distress ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Self Report ◽

Traumatic Experiences ◽

Control Group ◽

Clinical Group ◽

Somatoform Dissociation ◽

Dissociative Symptoms ◽

Post Traumatic ◽

Traumatic Symptoms

BackgroundThis study aimed to extend the current understanding of dissociative symptoms experienced by patients with dissociative (psychogenic, non-epileptic) seizures (DS), including psychological and somatoform types of symptomatology. An additional aim was to assess possible relationships between dissociation, traumatic experiences, post-traumatic symptoms and seizure manifestations in this group.MethodA total of 40 patients with DS were compared with a healthy control group (n = 43), matched on relevant demographic characteristics. Participants completed several self-report questionnaires, including the Multiscale Dissociation Inventory (MDI), Somatoform Dissociation Questionnaire-20, Traumatic Experiences Checklist and the Post-Traumatic Diagnostic Scale. Measures of seizure symptoms and current emotional distress (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale) were also administered.ResultsThe clinical group reported significantly more psychological and somatoform dissociative symptoms, trauma, perceived impact of trauma, and post-traumatic symptoms than controls. Some dissociative symptoms (i.e. MDI disengagement, MDI depersonalization, MDI derealization, MDI memory disturbance, and somatoform dissociation scores) were elevated even after controlling for emotional distress; MDI depersonalization scores correlated positively with trauma scores while seizure symptoms correlated with MDI depersonalization, derealization and identity dissociation scores. Exploratory analyses indicated that somatoform dissociation specifically mediated the relationship between reported sexual abuse and DS diagnosis, along with depressive symptoms.ConclusionsA range of psychological and somatoform dissociative symptoms, traumatic experiences and post-traumatic symptoms are elevated in patients with DS relative to healthy controls, and seem related to seizure manifestations. Further studies are needed to explore peri-ictal dissociative experiences in more detail.

Download Full-text

Establishing a Group Educational Session for Hyperacusis Patients

American Journal of Audiology ◽

10.1044/2019_aja-18-0148 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 28 (2) ◽

pp. 245-250

Author(s):

Ann E. Perreau ◽

Richard S. Tyler ◽

Patricia C. Mancini ◽

Shelley Witt ◽

Mohamed Salah Elgandy

Keyword(s):

Therapeutic Process ◽

Treatment Options ◽

Clinical Group ◽

Education Session ◽

Group Approach ◽

Treatment Protocols ◽

Educational Session ◽

Evidence Based Treatment ◽

Relationship Of ◽

The Relationship

Purpose Audiologists should be treating hyperacusis patients. However, it can be difficult to know where to begin because treatment protocols and evidence-based treatment studies are lacking. A good place to start in any tinnitus and hyperacusis clinic is to incorporate a group educational session. Method Here, we outline our approach to establishing a hyperacusis group educational session that includes specific aspects of getting to know each patient to best meet their needs, understanding the problems associated with hyperacusis, explaining the auditory system and the relationship of hyperacusis to hearing loss and tinnitus, describing the influence of hyperacusis on daily life, and introducing treatment options. Subjective responses from 11 adults with hyperacusis, who participated in a recent clinical group education session, were discussed to illustrate examples from actual patients. Conclusions Due to the devastating nature of hyperacusis, patients need to be reassured that they are not alone and that they can rely on audiologists to provide support and guidance. A group approach can facilitate the therapeutic process by connecting patients with others who are also affected by hyperacusis, and by educating patients and significant others on hyperacusis and its treatment options. Supplemental Material https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.8121197

Download Full-text

Adolescents’ self-mutilation - Relationship with dependent behaviour

Swiss Journal of Psychology ◽

10.1024/1421-0185.62.4.241 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 62 (4) ◽

pp. 241-249 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

M. Bolognini ◽

B. Plancherel ◽

J. Laget ◽

P. Stéphan ◽

O. Halfon

Keyword(s):

Suicide Attempts ◽

Clinical Sample ◽

Control Sample ◽

Clinical Population ◽

Control Group ◽

Clinical Group ◽

Self Mutilation ◽

Self Harm ◽

Partial Overlap ◽

The Relationship

The aim of this study, which was carried out in the French-speacking part of Switzerland, was to examine the relationship between suicide attempts and self-mutilation by adolescents and young adults. The population, aged 14-25 years (N = 308), included a clinical sample of dependent subjects (drug abuse and eating disorders) compared to a control sample. On the basis of the Mini Neuropsychiatric Interview ( Sheehan et al., 1998 ), DSM-IV criteria were used for the inclusion of the clinical population. The results concerning the occurrence of suicide attempts as well as on self-mutilation confirm most of the hypotheses postulated: suicidal attempts and self-mutilation were more common in the clinical group compared to the control group, and there was a correlation between suicide attempts and self-mutilation. However, there was only a partial overlap, attesting that suicide and self-harm might correspond to two different types of behaviour.

Download Full-text