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Objectives. To identify possible differences, in terms of duration and severity of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, between victims of terrorist attacks and subjects who underwent other types of traumatic events. Methods. A sample of subjects suffering from PTSD was selected. After a clinical interview aimed at the collection of anamnestic data, CAPS to confirm the diagnosis of PTSD and DTS to assess frequency and severity of post-traumatic symptoms were administered. One-way ANOVA was used in order to compare the differences in the parameters analysed through the DTS scales and its clusters between the victims of terrorist attacks and patients undergone other traumatic events. Results. The duration of PTSD was 258 +/ - 144.9 months for people who underwent a terrorist attack and 41.6 +/ - 11.8 months for victims of other traumatic events. As regards the severity of the disorder, the total score of the DTS scale was 65.6 +/ - 26.9 in victims of terrorist attacks and 78.2 +/ - 28.2 in people who undergone other traumatic events. However, the difference was not statistically significant; Avoidance and Hypervigilance clusters showed an important statistical significance. Conclusions. No significant differences are present in terms of severity, showing that PTSD is a disabling disorder regardless the type of event that triggers it; however, a significant difference in terms of duration of the disorder leads to reflect on the importance of an early diagnostic process aimed toward the victims of terrorism, in order to avoid the risk of chronicity and progression to other psychiatric disorders such as depression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Internet Addiction Disorder can be defined as "the inability of individuals to control their internet use, resulting in marked distress and/or functional impairment in daily life." It carries the same social aftermath of impulse control and substance misuse disorders such as loss of control, craving and withdrawal symptoms. Aim: In this paper, we aimed to assess the prevalence of IAD in an Italian sample of high-school students. We also explored the relationship between Social Phobia and IAD diagnosis; lastly, we investigated the association between IAD and substance misuse. Methods: The research was conducted in accordance with the Helsinki Declaration. Assessments administered in this study consisted of three parts: 1) collecting information about general and personal data of the subjects; 2) the Internet Addiction questionnaire proposed by Ko, composed by 9 different areas; 3) the Social Anxiety Spectrum Self-Report (SHY-SR) Lifetime Questionnaire. Results: 19 of 402 subjects (i.e. 4.7% of the sample) fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for IAD, showing a slight predominance of males. 10.9% of subjects met diagnostic criteria for a Social Phobia Spectrum disorder. Six IAD subjects (31.8%) were also diagnosed with a social phobia spectrum condition. Within the group of students diagnosed with IAD, 4 (21.05%) subjects reported current or past use of drugs. Conclusion: Our results suggest that there is a sizable population of youth already showing or at risk of developing some kind of problematic relationship with the web. Social Anxiety Disorder seems to be both a risk factor and a frequent co-morbid disorder of internet misuse. Further studies along with shared diagnostic criteria and tools will facilitate research on treatments for these rapidly expanding and disabling conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this review is to give useful information to guide clinicians when treating pregnant women affected by bipolar disorder. This review focuses on mood stabilizers including lithium, sodium valproate, carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, gabapentin, lamotrigine and topiramate. Data have been extracted from a MEDLINE search. Data from prospective, retrospective and case-control studies as well as systematic reviews, meta-analysis and data from Pregnancy Registry were included. Major congenital malformations as well as specific malformations were reported for each drug. Preliminary findings seem to identify lamotrigine as one of the safest antiepileptic drugs to be used in pregnancy. Teratogenity risk of topiramate is still largely unknown and there are not enough studies to draw even preliminary conclusions. Preliminary studies failed to report an increased risk for major congenital malformations among gabapentin or oxcarbazepine exposed pregnancies. Even if raising less concern when compared to valproate, carbamazepine should be avoided for its documented teratogenity risk. Valproate seems to be the worst considering major congenital malformations, specific malformations as well as its detrimental effects on neurodevelopment. On the other hand, lithium might be considered a good option when treating pregnant women affected by bipolar disorder. Given the limited research on mood stabilizers in pregnancy, clinicians need to be very careful when treating child bearing age women. Clinicians have to balance the potential teratogenity risk against that of untreated mental illness considering individual circumstances such as severity of illness and risk of relapse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sexual dysfunctions may have a significant effect on the quality of life, but are unreported and under-diagnosed. A review of recent literature highlights the correlation between dysfunction and a decreased quality of life in people with psychiatric comorbidity, and explores several aspects impacting care, from following the patient to pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments. Sexual dysfunctions (SD) have been shown to be prevalent, but under-diagnosed and un-dertreated because of communication barriers between patients and physicians. Pharmacogenic and morbogenic causes of sexual problems are often difficult to differentiate. Psychiatric diseases may increase the risk of SD, and SD may further exacerbate psychiatric problems, suggesting a bi-directional relationship. Their effective treatment frequently involves combination of elements from psychotherapy, and behavioral along with pharmacotherapeutic intervention, if needed. The persistence of sexual problems has significant negative impact on patient's satisfaction and adherence with the treatment, quality of life and partnership. Routine assessment of sexual functioning needs to be integrated into ongoing care to identify and address problems early. If sexual dysfunction is ignored it may maintain the psychiatric disorder, compromise treatment outcome and lead to non-adherence and compromise treatment outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Psychiatria Polska is the property of Editorial Committee of Polish Psychiatric Association and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Psychiatria Polska is the property of Editorial Committee of Polish Psychiatric Association and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Objectives: To identify possible differences, in terms of duration and severity of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, between victims of terrorist attacks and subjects who underwent other types of traumatic events., Methods: A sample of subjects suffering from PTSD was selected. After a clinical interview aimed at the collection of anamnestic data, CAPS to confirm the diagnosis of PTSD and DTS to assess frequency and severity of post-traumatic symptoms were administered. One-way ANOVA was used in order to compare the differences in the parameters analysed through the DTS scales and its clusters between the victims of terrorist attacks and patients undergone other traumatic events., Results: The duration of PTSD was 258 +/ - 144.9 months for people who underwent a terrorist attack and 41.6 +/ - 11.8 months for victims of other traumatic events. As regards the severity of the disorder, the total score of the DTS scale was 65.6 +/ - 26.9 in victims of terrorist attacks and 78.2 +/ - 28.2 in people who undergone other traumatic events. However, the difference was not statistically significant; Avoidance and Hypervigilance clusters showed an important statistical significance., Conclusions: No significant differences are present in terms of severity, showing that PTSD is a disabling disorder regardless the type of event that triggers it; however, a significant difference in terms of duration of the disorder leads to reflec on the importance of an early diagnostic process aimed toward the victims of terrorism, in order to avoid the risk of chronicity and progression to other psychiatric disorders such as depression.

Objectives: Internet Addiction Disorder can be defined as "the inability of individuals to control their internet use, resulting in marked distress and/or functional impairment in daily life." It carries the same social aftermath of impulse control and substance misuse disorders such as loss of control, craving and withdrawal symptoms., Aim: In this paper, we aimed to assess the prevalence of IAD in an Italian sample of high-school students. We also explored the relationship between Social Phobia and IAD diagnosis; lastly, we investigated the association between IAD and substance misuse., Methods: The research was conducted in accordance with the Helsinki Declaration. Assessments administered in this study consisted of three parts: 1) collecting information about general and personal data of the subjects; 2) the Internet Addiction questionnaire proposed by Ko, composed by 9 different areas; 3) the Social Anxiety Spectrum Self-Report (SHY-SR) Lifetime Questionnaire., Results: 19 of 402 subjects (i.e. 4.7% of the sample) fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for IAD, showing a slight predominance of males. 10.9% of subjects met diagnostic criteria for a Social Phobia Spectrum disorder. Six IAD subjects (31.8%) were also diagnosed with a social phobia spectrum condition. Within the group of students diagnosed with IAD, 4 (21.05%) subjects reported current or past use of drugs., Conclusions: Our results suggest that there is a sizable population of youth already showing or at risk of developing some kind of problematic relationship with the web. Social Anxiety Disorder seems to be both a risk factor and a frequent co-morbid disorder of internet misuse. Further studies along with shared diagnostic criteria and tools will facilitate research on treatments for these rapidly expanding and disabling conditions.

The purpose of this review is to give useful information to guide clinicians when treating pregnant women affected by bipolar disorder. This review focuses on mood stabilizers including lithium, sodium valproate, carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, gabapentin, lamotrigine and topiramate. Data have been extracted from a MEDLINE search. Data from prospective, retrospective and case-control studies as well as systematic reviews, meta-analysis and data from Pregnancy Registry were included. Major congenital malformations as well as specific malformations were reported for each drug. Preliminary findings seem to identify lamotrigine as one ofthe safest antiepileptic drugs to be used in pregnancy. Teratogenity risk oftopiramate is still largely unknown and there are not enough studies to draw even preliminary conclusions. Preliminary studies failed to report an increased risk for major congenital malformations among gabapentin or.oxcarbazepine exposed pregnancies. Even if raising less concern when compared to valproate, carbamazepine should be avoided for its documented teratogenity risk. Valproate seems to be the worst considering major congenital malformations, specific malformations as,well as its detrimental effects on neurodevelopment. On the other hand, lithium might be considered a good option when treating pregnant women affected by bipolar disorder. Given the limited research on mood stabilizers in pregnancy, clinicians need to be very careful when treating child bearing age women. Clinicians have to balance the potential teratogenityrisk against that of untreated mental illness considering individual circumstances such as severity of illness and risk of relapse.

Sexual dysfunctions may have a significant effect on the quality of life, but are unreported and under-diagnosed. A review of recent literature highlights the correlation between dysfunction and a decreased quality of life in people with psychiatric comorbidity, and explores several aspects impacting care, from following the patient to pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments. Sexual dysfunctions (SD) have been shown to be prevalent, but under-diagnosed and un-dertreated because of communication barriers between patients and physicians. Pharmacogenic and morbogenic causes of sexual problems are often difficult to differentiate. Psychiatric diseases may increase the risk of SD, and SD may further exacerbate psychiatric problems, suggesting a bi-directional relationship. Their effective treatment frequently involves combination of elements from psychotherapy, and behavioral along with pharmacotherapeutic intervention, if needed. The persistence of sexual problems has significant negative impact on patient's satisfaction and adherence with the treatment, quality of life and partnership. Routine assessment of sexual functioning needs to be integrated into ongoing care to identify and address problems early. If sexual dysfunction is ignored it may maintain the psychiatric disorder, compromise treatment outcome and lead to non-adherence and compromise treatment outcome.

Objectives: The overlap between symptoms of PTSD and MDD is substantial. PTSD symptoms arise after a traumatic experience and the trauma is present in all of the diagnostic clusters. In individuals who have experienced a trauma a long time before, it is difficult to establish the exact moment of onset of their symptoms in relation to the trauma suffered. We proposed to raise awareness among operators who may encounter this problem, with the aim of providing them with valuable help in order to achieve a correct differential diagnosis., Methods: A sample of subjects suffering from PTSD without comorbidity was assessed to confirm the diagnosis and the severity of post-traumatic symptoms. The Kruskal-Wallis test was used to compare any modifications in the parameters analyzed through the Davidson Trauma Scale with the presence and severity of depressive symptoms as evaluated by the Hamilton-D scale., Results: Half of the PSTD patients recruited showed values of HAM-D > 18, although an active Major Depressive Episode was clinically excluded. Symptom of "numbing", despite being different from the apathy experienced in depression, is identified as a depressive symptom by the HAM-D., Conclusions: Giving prevalence to depressive symptoms may be misleading for diagnosis and may ultimately result in inappropriate treatment.

Objectives: Seasonal trends were demonstrated in reproduction and sexual activity. Through the secretion ofmelatonin the pineal gland plays an important role in the neuroendocrine control of sexual function and reproductive physiology. We hypothesized that inhibition of the pineal gland activity through a light treatment may favorably affect sexual function., Methods: We recruited 24 subjects with a diagnosis of hypoactive sexual desire disorder and/or primary sexual arousal disorder. The subjects were randomly assigned to either active light treatment (ALT) or placebo light treatment (L-PBO). Participants were assessed during the first evaluation and after 2 weeks of treatment, using the Structured Clinical Interview for Sexual Disorders DSM-IV (SCID-S) and a self-administered rating scale of the level of sexual satisfaction (1 to 10). Repeated ANOVA measures were performed to compare the two groups of patients. Post-hoc analysis was performed by Holm-Sidak test for repeated comparisons. Results. At baseline the two groups were comparable. After 2 weeks the group treated with Light Therapy showed a significant improvement in sexual satisfaction, about 3 times higher than the group that received placebo, while no significant improvement was observed in the group L-PBO. Conclusions. Our results confirm a potentially beneficial effect of Light Therapy on primary sexual dysfunction. In the future, we propose to correlate clinical findings with testosterone levels pre/post treatment.