Prevalence and Mitigation of Psychological Distress Among Healthcare Workers During Covid-19 Pandemic- A Literature Review

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread exponentially across the globe, the severity of its impact on the mental health of healthcare providers (HCPs) begins to unfold. In this review, we investigate the prevalence of psychological distress and factors leading to mental health morbidity among frontline and healthcare providers, and we explore measures taken to provide psychological support to HCPs during the COVID-19 pandemic and to mitigate a response for future outbreaks.

Pathogenesis of Neurological and Mental Disorders in Patients with Covid-19: Possible Role of Reactive Nitrogen and Oxygen Species

The pathogenesis of neuronal and mental disorders are analyzed according to the literature and compared with other neuronal damage during hypoxia/ischemia, inflammatory processes, and immune/autoimmune diseases. The free radical component of the development of the pathogenesis of COVID-19 is analyzed, which is activated at all stages of the disease, starting with the first manifestations of inflammatory reactions, during the development of a «cytokine storm», hypoxia/ischemia, as well as activation of immune/autoimmune reactions and processes. These free radical components are realized against the background of disruption of the cycles of nitric oxide and superoxide anion radical, and, leads to the formation of extremely high concentrations of very active radicals of nitrogen dioxide (NO2 ), OH-radicals, peroxynitrites. As a result of these processes, nonspecific reactions are activated that are characteristic of the development of any typical pathological process, which is a common component of almost all known pathological processes. It is suggested that the similarity of structural and ultrastructural changes in neurons and glial cells of the brain during hypoxia/ischemia, glutamate neurotoxicity, traumatic brain injury have similarities with those changes that are characteristic of all stages of COVID-19 development and are due to the activation of oxidative and nitrosative stress and increased formation of highly reactive nitrogen species (RNS) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) capable of damaging almost all molecular, biochemical and chemical components of cells.

Cannabis Use and Risk of Schizophrenia: A Literature Review

Background and Objective: Cannabis remains the most widely used illicit drug worldwide. The similarity in the chemical structure of tetrahydrocannabinol to the brain chemical anandamide allows the body to recognize it and alter normal brain functioning. The objective of this review article is to summarize the evidence for the association between cannabis and schizophrenia. Methods: A literature search was conducted using the PubMed database and other sources. The keywords used were “cannabis” and “psychosis” and “schizophrenia.” Fifty-two articles relevant to our topic have been selected for this review. Results: Evidence from observational epidemiological studies has shown a positive association between regular cannabis use and schizophrenia risk. Meta-analyses and Mendelian randomization studies support the evidence from observational study designs. Discussion and Conclusions: The association between cannabis and schizophrenia is biologically plausible. Moreover, there has been emerging evidence of genes interacting with cannabis use to confer a higher risk for schizophrenia. There are enough reason and sufficient epidemiological evidence to warn people about the risk of developing schizophrenia with cannabis use. Scientific Significance: The increasing legalization of cannabis for recreational use is of significant concern. Long-term cannabis use might predispose people to increased risk of developing schizophrenia. Health professionals have a major role to play by taking maximum advantage of social and psychological interventions to educate people about the potential danger associated with cannabis and avoid its use.

Social Support and Depression in Patients with Human Immunodeficiency Virus Attending a General Hospital in South-South,Nigeria

Background: Depression is one of the commonest psychiatric disorders seen among Human immunodeficiency virus/Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) individuals and these two conditions are significant public health issues. Also, lack of social support increases the risk of depression among them. Aim: To determine the extent and type of social support and correlates of depression among HIV/AIDS patients attending General Hospital in south-south, Nigeria. Setting: The research was conducted in the HIV/AIDS outpatient clinic of the General hospital in south-south, Nigeria. Methods: A cross-sectional study design was carried out on three hundred and twenty-three patients living with HIV/AIDS from June to October 2016. The instruments used were Socio-demographic questionnaire, Mini international neuropsychiatric interview M.I.N.I (A1-A6 module, English version 6.0), and OSLO-3 items social support scale. Results: Majority (95.7%) of the respondents received social support and more than half (53.6%) of the respondents have strong social support. There was a significant association between social support and depression (X2 =18.38, df =1, p=0.001). The majority (83.3%) of the respondents were females and depression was significantly associated with marital status (X2=7.36, df=2, p=0.03).Also, there was a significant association between monthly income and depression(X2=9.31, df=2, p=0.01). In multivariate regression, absence of social support (B=2.120, p=0.001, OR=8.327) was the most significant predictor for depression Conclusion: This finding implies that depression is one of the mental health issues that affect HIV/AIDS infected individuals in Nigeria and lack of social support increases the risk of depression among them.

Applying the Tri-Guna Model to Screen for PTSD Susceptibility

The Indian subcontinent has a vast history of endeavouring to understand and interpret human psychology. How one may act in certain situations and why they behave a particular way are some of the many questions the tri-guna model hopes to answer. The model contains a unique framework which has the potential for application within the sphere of mental health. The model will be discussed from variables of wellbeing, specifically, cognition, social and emotion. Through discussion of the models unique qualitative approach to personality and wellbeing, data from existing literature in regards to wellbeing and PTSD will be compared to the model to identify correlation and consider practical application, such as a possible screening tool for individuals expected to face traumatic situations. This analysis has identified protective features of cognition (good memory, processing thoughts and tolerating stressors), social (positive social interactions and relationships) and emotional stability that correspond to descriptions of traits under sattva. Contrary presentations of the reviewed variables that may increase PTSD likelihood relate to both tamas and rajas descriptions respectively. Through the tri-guna model, we can produce a thorough picture as to what personality traits and wellbeing variables are associated with a person and in doing so, we can formally produce their guna composition. Once the dominating gunas are known, we can estimate their susceptibility to PTSD. The more variables of wellbeing in the tri-guna model that are assessed, then a more detailed composition can be produced. An avenue of screening could be a standardised PTSD tailored tri-guna questionnaire that would be based on the variables of cognition, emotion, motivation, social, physical, living conditions and behaviour. The use of multiple choice answers could be selected that resonate as sattvic, rajasic or tamasic. After identification of at risk individuals, the next phase would be intervention. This could be achieved through activities and recommendations that enhance wellbeing, emphasising sattvic qualities which has been explored in other literature.

Moyamoya Disease: The Intersection of Medical Illness and Mental Distress in Children and Adolescents

Moyamoya disease (MMD) is a progressive vascular disorder in where the carotid artery becomes narrowed, reducing blood flow to the brain. This most commonly presents as stroke in children and young adults, and commonly occurs between 5 and 10 years of age in children and between 30 and 50 years of age. In MMD survivors, the mental disorders are of highest prevalence which include depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). According to studies, anxiety and PTSD are associated with neurological disability, while depression and anxiety are associated with greater cognitive deficiency. The purpose of this case is to increase awareness of an unusual presentation of MMD as psychiatry disorder. It is important for early diagnosis and timely intervention.

Journey From Recovery To Functional Recovery Through Physical Activity And Sports Participation: A Single Case Study Of Rehabilitated Patient With Schizophrenia

This qualitative study explored the positive effect of physical activity on the prognosis of chronic patient with schizophrenia. This single case study carried out on the patient with schizophrenia who was admitted at the age of 36 at Fountain House Lahore Pakistan. The member belonged to single parent and had the history of wandering behavior and ran out 4 times from house and lastly stayed around 8 months away from his home. After getting admitted at Fountain House member undergone drug therapy along with that he was involved in physical exercise, assembly and given sports responsibility by the sports therapist. After 6 months of continuous stay at Psycho social rehabilitation center and involved in the physical activities and conducting sports as assistant remarkable improvement was seen in the overall behavior of the member. The member discussed in semi structured interview that his life became disciplined, positively elevated his mood, provided him confidence and he does not feel like to be sedentary. The most encouraging remark he shared that he got more awareness about his symptoms of disease instead of reacting now he wanted to share any change in him with his father or the therapist.

On-Screen Exposure to Battlefield Sights and Psychological Symptoms Among RPA Operators

Background: On-screen exposure to battlefield sights can be stressful. This study aimed to investigate the link between exposure to distressing battlefield events involving severe injuries and fatalities and distress symptoms. Method: A cross-sectional design study based on self-report questionnaires. The questionnaires included: State-anxiety inventory (STAI), Depression (BDI), posttraumatic stress disorder (PCL-5); and Burnout (MBI). Results: The participants were 126 Israeli operators of remotely piloted aircraft (RPA), 91.3% male, 49.2% aged 18-25. Percentage of exposure to distressing sights was 34.7% (n = 42). The rate of intrusive PTSD symptoms was higher in the group that had been exposed to distressing sights than in the other group (p = .019). Burnout, depressive, and anxiety symptoms appeared in younger operators. The GLM model for predicting post-trauma symptoms (PTSS), depression, anxiety and burnout, revealed that older individuals who had been in career service for over five years were at higher risk of PTSS. Conclusions: Younger RPA’s are more vulnerable to anxiety, depression, and burnout symptoms, which seem to originate from their younger age and military inexperience rather than from distressing sights. Exposure to distressing sights is related to PTSD-intrusive symptoms that characterize the older RPA operators who have been exposed to a larger number of distressing sights being older and having served for a longer period. Limitations: The relatively modest sample size may have limited reaching statistically significant differences in the variables.

Gilles De La Tourette Syndrome: A Case and A Brief Review of the Early Documentation of the Syndrome in The Literature

Background: Gilles de la Tourette syndrome is a neuro-psychiatric condition associated with rather bizarre manifestations and generally affects children with normal intelligence. The condition has the potential to make an intelligent child a victim of the disorder, and unfavorably affects his/her school performance and lead to social rejection and isolation. Awareness by the community, educators, and also medical practitioners is useful and help in avoiding the loss of such children who have the potential to be a talented person. The aim of this paper is to present a case and to provide a brief account on the early documentation of syndrome in the literature. Patients and Methods: The case of a ten-year old boy with Gilles de la Tourette syndrome is described and the relevant literatures were reviewed to outline the early documentation of the disorder in the literature. Results: A.Y was first seen at the pediatric psychiatric clinic of the Children Teaching Hospital of Baghdad Medical City at the age of ten years because they were saying at school that the boy is crazy because of his abnormal behaviors. The boy’s abnormal behaviors mentioned by his mother included shrugging his shoulders, shrugging his hips with unusual movements of the legs as if he was dancing, unusual facial grimace and lip licking, rubbing his chin, licking the back of his hand, producing abnormal sounds from his throat, and echolalia. Review of the earliest relevant literature revealed that the condition was first described in a book entitled “Malleus Maleficarum” which means “Witch’s hammer”. Jean Marc Gaspard Itard, a French doctor described the first case of Tourette syndrome in 1825. Conclusion: Awareness of this condition by the community, educators, and also medical practitioners is useful and help in avoiding the loss of such children who have the potential to be a talented person.

Changes in Synaptic Terminal Structure in Adolescent Rat During Pregnancy; The Action Potential Propagation and Synaptic Transmission

Synaptic plasticity is a biological system of specific pattern of synaptic activity result in changes in synaptic strength. This influence puberty, pregnancy hormones, sensory experiences, and brain disorders. Long-term synaptic plasticity is accompanied by protein synthesis and trafficking, leading to structural changes of the synapse. Increasing evidence connects the terminal synaptic changes with potential propagation in adolescent and pregnancy. We investigate on the synaptic structural plasticity, which has mainly been studied with in vivo two-photon laser scanning microscopy. We also discuss how a different type of synapses, the multi-contact synapses associated with pregnancy.