scholarly journals Personality, depressive symptoms and prior trauma exposure of new recruits at two Metropolitan Police Service academies in South Africa

2012 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 5
Author(s):  
U Subramaney ◽  
E Libhaber ◽  
N Pitts ◽  
M Vorster
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Traumatic Events ◽  
Trauma Exposure ◽  
Personality Profiles ◽  
Metropolitan Police ◽  
Personality Variables ◽  
Police Service ◽  
New Recruits

<p><strong>Background.</strong> Police officers are predisposed to trauma exposure. The development of depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may be influenced by personality style, prior exposure to traumatic events and prior depression.</p><p><strong> Objectives.</strong> To describe the personality profiles of new Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) officers, and to determine the association between personality profiles, trauma exposure and depressive symptoms.</p><p><strong> Methods.</strong> We performed a cross-sectional analysis of 139 new recruits at two MPS academies in South Africa. A questionnaire elucidating traumatic life events and personality profiles was developed using the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory-III (MCMI-III). Depressive symptoms were measured using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD).</p><p><strong>Results.</strong> Almost all subjects (99.3%) had previous trauma exposure, most commonly the unexpected death of a loved one and motor vehicle accidents. Prevalence of clinical depression was low (mean HAMD 3.57; standard deviation ±3.37). Personality characteristics revealed a high prevalence of anxiety (64.7%; 95% CI 56.8 - 72.6), depressive clinical patterns (34.5%; 95% CI 26.6 - 42.2), paranoia (33.1 %; 95% CI 26.6 - 42.2) and major depression (10.3%; 95% CI 5.1 - 15.1). There were no significant associations between any of the traumatic events and depressive symptoms, nor were there any significant associations between any of the personality variables and HAMD score (p&gt;0.05).</p><p><strong>Conclusion.</strong> The presence of depressive symptoms among MPS officers was low, with no significant associations between traumatic events, personality variables and depressive symptoms.</p>

scholarly journals Eating for numbing: a community-based study of trauma exposure, emotion dysregulation, dissociation, body dissatisfaction and eating disorder symptoms

PeerJ ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. e11899
Author(s):  
Lilac Lev-ari ◽  
Ada H. Zohar ◽  
Rachel Bachner-Melman
Keyword(s):  
Eating Disorder ◽  
Body Dissatisfaction ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Community Sample ◽  
Traumatic Events ◽  
Trauma Exposure ◽  
Emotional Dysregulation ◽  
Physical Assault ◽  
Eating Disorders Examination ◽  
The Relationship

Objective The current study tests the relationship between eating disorder (ED) symptoms and trauma exposure. The mechanisms via which trauma is related to ED symptoms have not been sufficiently examined. This study examines the complex role of dissociation and emotional dysregulation in the context of trauma, BMI, ED symptoms and body dissatisfaction (BD). We hypothesized that dissociation and emotional dysregulation would mediate the relationship between trauma exposure and ED symptoms/BD. We further hypothesized that BMI would play a moderating role in this association. Method A community sample of 229 (16.2% male) participants, with a mean age of 29.08 ± 10.68 reported online on traumatic events (Life Events Checklist), dissociation (Dissociative Experiences Scale-II), emotional dysregulation (Difficulties in Emotional Regulation Scale), ED symptoms (Eating Disorders Examination-Questionnaire) and BD (Figure Rating Scale). Results Participants reported experiencing a mean of 2.87 ± 2.27 traumatic events, with a relatively high percentage (~86%) reporting at least one. The most commonly reported traumatic events were transportation accidents and physical assault. Although frequency of traumatic events did not directly predict ED symptoms, BMI, dissociation, emotional dysregulation and BD did. An SEM model showed that traumatic events predicted ED symptoms indirectly through dissociation, emotional dysregulation and BMI. Dissociation and emotional dysregulation predicted ED symptoms directly. BMI also moderated the association between traumatic events and both ED symptoms and BD. Conclusions Therapists treating patients with high BMI or obesity should be aware of these relationships and investigate the possibility that trauma and/or PTSD may underlie the presenting disordered eating or eating disorder.

An intervention for depressive symptoms using a commercial game in a mental health impatient setting. (Preprint)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pablo Rodrigo Guzman Cortez ◽  
Matias Marzocchi ◽  
Neus Freixa Fontanals ◽  
Mercedes Balcells-Olivero
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Serious Games ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Depressive Symptomatology ◽  
Pilot Test ◽  
Potential Health ◽  
Depressive Episodes ◽  
Hamilton Rating Scale

BACKGROUND Computerized mental health interventions have shown evidence of their potential benefit for mental health outcomes in young users. All of the studied interventions available in the review and scientific literature can be classified as "serious games". Serious games are computerized interventions designed from the start with the objective of improving specific desired health outcomes. Moreover, there are reports of users experiencing subjective benefits in mental health after playing specific commercial games. These were games not intentionally made with a therapeutic objective in the design process. An example is the videogame "Journey", first released for the Playstation 3 console in 2012 which won "Game of the Year" in the 2013 D.I.C.E awards. The creator of the game describes the game as a short, 2-3-hour narrative experience in which the player goes through the "Hero's Journey" following a classic 3-part structure. There were more than 100 testimonials from players describing how the game helped them cope with psychological or personal issues. Some of them explicitly described recovering from depressive episodes through playing the game. OBJECTIVE To conduct a pilot test of the efficacy of the videogame Journey in reducing depressive symptoms in an acute impatient setting METHODS Depressive symptomatology was measured before and after the intervention using the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD) The intervention was conducted in an isolated room using a Playstation 3 console with the videogame "Journey" developed by Thatgamecompany. No internet access was allowed. The game was played over the course of 4 30-45 min sessions in a two week period. RESULTS The initial score in the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD) was 30, indicating a very severe depression. After the intervention the HRSD score was 10, showing a mild depression. CONCLUSIONS The Videogame Journey, a commercial game first available for the Playstation 3 console in 2012, was not created as a serious game with potential health benefits. Our pilot test is the first case report of a commercial game showing a potential effect in reducing depressive symptoms, which is consistent with the previous informal reports of users online.

scholarly journals Effect of Lacticaseibacillus paracasei Strain Shirota on Improvement in Depressive Symptoms, and Its Association with Abundance of Actinobacteria in Gut Microbiota

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 1026
Author(s):  
Machiko Otaka ◽  
Hiroko Kikuchi-Hayakawa ◽  
Jun Ogura ◽  
Hiroshi Ishikawa ◽  
Yukihito Yomogida ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Gut Microbiota ◽  
Intestinal Permeability ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Psychiatric Symptoms ◽  
Daily Intake ◽  
Probiotic Strain ◽  
Major Depressive ◽  
Colony Forming Units ◽  
And Biological Markers

We previously reported lower counts of lactobacilli and Bifidobacterium in the gut microbiota of patients with major depressive disorder (MDD), compared with healthy controls. This prompted us to investigate the possible efficacy of a probiotic strain, Lacticaseibacillus paracasei strain Shirota (LcS; basonym, Lactobacillus casei strain Shirota; daily intake of 8.0 × 1010 colony-forming units), in alleviating depressive symptoms. A single-arm trial was conducted on 18 eligible patients with MDD or bipolar disorder (BD) (14 females and 4 males; 15 MDD and 3 BD), assessing changes in psychiatric symptoms, the gut microbiota, and biological markers for intestinal permeability and inflammation, over a 12-week intervention period. Depression severity, evaluated by the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, was significantly alleviated after LcS treatment. The intervention-associated reduction of depressive symptoms was associated with the gut microbiota, and more pronounced when Bifidobacterium and the Atopobium clusters of the Actinobacteria phylum were maintained at higher counts. No significant changes were observed in the intestinal permeability or inflammation markers. Although it was difficult to estimate the extent of the effect of LcS treatment alone, the results indicated that it was beneficial to alleviate depressive symptoms, partly through its association with abundance of Actinobacteria in the gut microbiota.

Safeguarding the Republic? The South African Police Service, Legitimacy and the Tribulations of Policing a Violent Democracy

2021 ◽  
Vol 56 (1) ◽  
pp. 92-108
Author(s):  
Guy Lamb
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Public Trust ◽  
The South ◽  
Police Service ◽  
South African Police Service ◽  
The Republic ◽  
South African Police ◽  
High Crime ◽  
Excessive Use Of Force

Since 1994 the South African Police Service (SAPS) has undertaken various efforts to build legitimacy in South Africa. Extensive community policing resources have been made available, and a hybrid community-oriented programme (sector policing) has been pursued. Nevertheless, public opinion data has shown that there are low levels of public trust in the police. Using Goldsmith’s framework of trust-diminishing police behaviours, this article suggests that indifference, a lack of professionalism, incompetence and corruption on the part of the police, particularly in high-crime areas, have eroded public trust in the SAPS. Furthermore, in an effort to maintain order, reduce crime and assert the authority of the state, the police have adopted militaristic strategies and practices, which have contributed to numerous cases of excessive use of force, which has consequently weakened police legitimacy in South Africa

A phase 2 trial of inhaled nitrous oxide for treatment-resistant major depression

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (597) ◽  
pp. eabe1376
Author(s):  
Peter Nagele ◽  
Ben J. Palanca ◽  
Britt Gott ◽  
Frank Brown ◽  
Linda Barnes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nitrous Oxide ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Major Depression ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Similar Efficacy ◽  
Comparable Efficacy ◽  
Crossover Fashion ◽  
Phase 2 ◽  
Treatment Resistant ◽  
Phase 2 Trial

Nitrous oxide at 50% inhaled concentration has been shown to improve depressive symptoms in patients with treatment-resistant major depression (TRMD). Whether a lower concentration of 25% nitrous oxide provides similar efficacy and persistence of antidepressant effects while reducing the risk of adverse side effects is unknown. In this phase 2 clinical trial (NCT03283670), 24 patients with severe TRMD were randomly assigned in a crossover fashion to three treatments consisting of a single 1-hour inhalation with (i) 50% nitrous oxide, (ii) 25% nitrous oxide, or (iii) placebo (air/oxygen). The primary outcome was the change on the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS-21). Whereas nitrous oxide significantly improved depressive symptoms versus placebo (P = 0.01), there was no difference between 25 and 50% nitrous oxide (P = 0.58). The estimated differences between 25% and placebo were −0.75 points on the HDRS-21 at 2 hours (P = 0.73), −1.41 points at 24 hours (P = 0.52), −4.35 points at week 1 (P = 0.05), and −5.19 points at week 2 (P = 0.02), and the estimated differences between 50% and placebo were −0.87 points at 2 hours (P = 0.69), −1.93 points at 24 hours (P = 0.37), −2.44 points at week 1 (P = 0.25), and −7.00 points at week 2 (P = 0.001). Adverse events declined substantially with dose (P < 0.001). These results suggest that 25% nitrous oxide has comparable efficacy to 50% nitrous oxide in improving TRMD but with a markedly lower rate of adverse effects.

Depressive symptoms in a treated multiple sclerosis cohort

2003 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 616-620 ◽  
Author(s):  
Scott B Patten ◽  
Shanika Fridhandler ◽  
Cynthia A Beck ◽  
Luanne M Metz
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Interferon Beta ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Treatment Groups ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
The University ◽  
Depression Ratings

Background: Recent side effect data from clinical trials of interferon beta in multiple sclerosis (MS) have failed to confirm that these medications are associated with an increased risk of depression. However, these studies have used highly selected samples and the results may not be generalizable to real world settings. Methods: C linical data on subjects from southern A lberta who have applied for, or are receiving, public reimbursement for MS treatment are maintained in a database at the University of C algary Multiple Sclerosis C linic. Depression ratings obtained using the C enter for Epidemiological Studies Depression Rating Scale (C ES-D) are included in this database. In the current analysis, these longitudinal data were used to determine whether depressive symptoms were associated with disease-modifying treatments. Results: A t baseline, ratings were available for 163 subjects. Those choosing interferon beta resembled those choosing glatiramer acetate in most respects. During follow-up, no differences were observed in the prevalence or incidence of depression and C ES-D scores were not found to differ between the treatment groups. Conclusions: The failure to identify higher rates of depression both in previous intervention studies and in the current observational study provides confirmation that these drugs are not substantially associated with the occurrence of depression.

Recovery and its correlates among patients with bipolar disorder: A study from a tertiary care centre in North India

2016 ◽  
Vol 62 (8) ◽  
pp. 726-736 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandeep Grover ◽  
Nandita Hazari ◽  
Jitender Aneja ◽  
Subho Chakrabarti ◽  
Sunil Sharma ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bipolar Disorder ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
North India ◽  
Personal Recovery ◽  
Tertiary Care Centre ◽  
Young Mania ◽  
Level Of Functioning

Background and Aim: The goal of treatment in mental illness has evolved from a symptom-based approach to a personal recovery–based approach. The aim of this study was to evaluate the predictors of personal recovery among patients with bipolar disorder. Methodology: A total of 185 patients with bipolar disorder, currently in remission, were evaluated on Recovery Assessment Scale (RAS), Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness Scale (ISMIS), Brief Religious coping scale (RCOPE), Duke University Religiosity Index (DUREL), Religiousness Measures Scale, Hamilton depression rating scale (HDRS), Young Mania rating scale (YMRS) and Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) scale. Results: The mean age of the sample was 40.5 (standard deviation (SD), 11.26) years. Majority of the participants were male, married, working, Hindu by religion and belonged to extended/joint families of urban background. In the regression analysis, RAS scores were predicted significantly by discrimination experience, stereotype endorsement and alienation domains of ISMIS, level of functioning as assessed by GAF, residual depressive symptoms as assessed by HDRS and occupational status. The level of variance explained for total RAS score and various RAS domains ranged from 36.2% to 46.9%. Conclusion: This study suggests that personal recovery among patients with bipolar disorder is affected by stigma, level of functioning, residual depressive symptoms and employment status of patients with bipolar disorder.

scholarly journals Living With Bipolar Disorder in the Time of Covid-19: Biorhythms During the Severe Lockdown in Cagliari, Italy, and the Moderate Lockdown in Tunis, Tunisia

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mauro Giovanni Carta ◽  
Uta Ouali ◽  
Alessandra Perra ◽  
Azza Ben Cheikh Ahmed ◽  
Laura Boe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bipolar Disorder ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Biological Rhythms ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Female Age ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Restrictive Measures ◽  
Depressive Episodes ◽  
Hamilton Rating Scale

Background: Restrictions during Covid-19 pandemic lockdown, in which rhythms of life have been compromised, can influence the course of bipolar disorder (BD). This study follows patients with bipolar disorder living in two geographically close cities (Cagliari and Tunis), but with different lockdown conditions: less severe in Tunis.Methods: Two cohorts were evaluated during lockdown (April 2020, t0) and 2 months later with lockdown lifted for a month (t1). Individuals were: over 18 years old without gender exclusion, BD I or II, in care for at least 1 year, received a clinical interview in the month before the start of the lockdown, stable clinically before the lockdown. The assessment was conducted by telephone by a psychiatrist or psychologist with good knowledge of patients. Diagnoses were made according to DSM-5 criteria. Depressive symptoms were collected through the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression; cut-off 14 indicative of depressive episode. Circadian rhythms were measured using the BRIAN scale.Results: Forty individuals in Cagliari (70%female, age 48.57 ± 11.64) and 30 in Tunis (53.3% Female, age 41.8 ± 13.22) were recruited. In Cagliari at t0 45% had depressive episodes against none in Tunis, a similar difference appeared at t1. At t0 and t1 the Cagliari sample had more dysfunctional scores in the overall BRIAN scale and in the areas of sleep, activities and social rhythms; no differences were found in nutrition, both samples had predominantly nocturnal rhythm. In Cagliari at t0 and t1, the depressive sub-group showed more dysfunctional scores in the BRIAN areas sleep, activity, and nutrition. However, the differences in biological rhythms resulted, through ANCOVA analysis, independent of the co-presence of depressive symptoms.Discussion: A rigid lockdown could expose people with BD to depressive relapse through dysregulation of biological rhythms. The return to more functional rhythms did not appear 1 month after lockdown. The rekindling of the pandemic and the restoration of new restrictive measures will prevent, at least in the short term, the beneficial effect of a return to normality of the two cohorts.This was a limited exploratory study; future studies with larger samples and longer observational time are needed to verify the hypothesis.

scholarly journals A Hidden Link between Subclinical Hypothyroidism and Depression: A literature Review

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
Sabitha Challa ◽  
◽  
Ahmed S Kabeil ◽  
Bithiah Inyang ◽  
Faisal J Gondal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Subclinical Hypothyroidism ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Younger Adults ◽  
Normal Thyroid Function ◽  
Low T3 ◽  
The Central Nervous System ◽  
Hypothalamic Pituitary Axis ◽  
Depressive Episodes

The association between Subclinical hypothyroidism and Depression is recognised. It is found that patients with Thyroid disorders are more prone to develop depressive symptoms and depression may be accompanied by various subtle thyroid abnormalities. The most commonly documented abnormalities are elevated T4 levels, Low T3, elevated rT3, a blunted TSH response to TSH, Positive anti thyroid autoantibodies and elevated CSF TRH concentrations. It is also found that thyroid hormone supplements appear to accelerate and enhance the clinical response to antidepressants. It is found out that Depression is associated with changes in Hypothalamic-pituitary axis as thyroid hormones act on the central nervous system. Mild thyroid dysfunction causes depression in younger patients (<60 years old) diagnosed by depressive scale. It was found that differences in age group may cause depressive episodes. Depressive episodes such as anxiety and the risk of committing suicide are considerable factors that differ according to the age of the individuals.SCH was found to be associated with depression in the younger adults (<60 years old). The only difference between SCH and normal thyroid function is TSH.In depressive disorder and subclinical hypothyroidism sex differences have also been recognised. Association between subclinical hypothyroidism and Depression is assessed by various depressive scores such as Beck Depression Inventory and Hamilton depression rating scale. As Subclinical hypothyroidism is associated with low mood, Serum levels of TSH, FT3, FT4 and Hamilton depression, treatment with Levothyroxine showed significant decrease is TSH levels and Hamilton scores were decreased. Since the prevalence of depressive symptoms in hypothyroidism is high TSH cut-off levels is used,TSH cut off value for hypothyroidism is based on associated symptoms,TSH cut-off value is 2.5 MIU/L is optimal

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