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BACKGROUND: Postpartum depression is a well confirmed cause of individual distress and suffering, often associated with the inability to identify and express feelings, known as alexithymia.OBJECTIVES: The objective of the study was to determine the correlation between alexithymia and the occurrence of postpartum depressive symptoms 3 to 10 days after delivery in relation to psychosocial, demographic and obstetric factors.METHODS: A total of 120 women who gave birth in maternity hospital from June to December 2018 were classified in relation to the intensity of depressive symptoms measured by Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and prevalence of possible alexithymia mesured by Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20). In addition, they completed a questionnaire including key psychosocial, demographic and obstetric information. RESULTS: In all, 34,1 % of the sample was screened as depression positive and 35% as possible alexytimia in early postpartum period. The results of our research show a correlation between depressive symptoms and alexythymia (p>0.001) and depressive symptoms and unplanned pregnancy (p>0.05). The correlation between depressive symptoms and poor assessment of mutual trust, satisfaction with their relationship and emotional and material support from partner was also confirmed.CONCLUSION: Alexithymia is associated with postpartum depressive symptoms as well as unplanned pregnancy. Considering the lack of literature on the subject, a better understanding of the prevalence and severity of alexithymia in postpostpartum depressed women requires further research.Key words: postpartum depression, alexythimia

Background:Breast cancer patients suffer from several negative consequences after treatment and these include pain, fatigue, sexual problems, appearance and body image concerns, with psychological dysfunction. This could affect the patients psychological well-being. According to the literature, almost 50% of cancer patients suffer from psychiatric disorders, and anxiety and depression are considered to be the most important psychopathological comorbidities.Objectives:The aim was to examine the psychological well-being among patients who suffer from breast cancer.Materials and Methods:In total, 95 patients with breast cancer were enrolled in the study with completed surgical treatment and the actual administration of adjuvant therapy. The data were obtained through interviews with patients and through a review of their medical history. We used Hospital anxiety and depression inventory (HADS) to assess the intensity of anxiety and depression in somatic patients, 15-item Flanagan's Quality of Life Scale (QOLS) modified by adding a 16th item on independence to measure quality of life, Holmes and Rahe Stress Scale to assess the level of stress in the past year.Results and Conclusions:The results of our study showed a negative correlation between the quality of life and the anxiety score (p = 0.022), depression (p

Background: Breast cancer patients suffer from several negative consequences after treatment and these include pain, fatigue, sexual problems, appearance and body image concerns, with psychological dysfunction. This could affect the patient quality of life and psychological well-being.Aim: The aim of this study was to examine the association between quality of life in women suffer from breast cancer and their psychological well-being.Material and methods: In total, 112 patients with breast cancer were enrolled in the study with completed surgical treatment and the actual administration of adjuvant therapy. We used Hospital anxiety and depression inventory (HADS) to assess the intensity of anxiety and depression in somatic patients, 15-item Flanagan's Quality of Life Scale (QOLS) modified by adding a 16th item on independence to measure quality of life, Holmes and Rahe Stress Scale to assess the level of stress in the past year and 29 iteme Bussu2013Perry Aggression Questionnaire to measure aggression.Results: The results of our study showed a negative correlation between the quality of life and the anxiety score (p = 0.022), depression (p

Objectives: The aim of was to examine the degree of depression and anxiety in female victims of intimate partner violence (IPV).Background: IPV is a global issue, which has a strong negative impact on the person who is victimized. The most common psychological consequences of IPV are: depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder. Violence is also associated with occurrence of suicidal thoughts, sleep and eating disorders and substance abuse.Materials and Methods: The research was partly done in Social Welfare Center in Nis, Serbia, and partly through the Internet questionnaires. 77 women with no previous history of psychiatric and endocrinological disorders participated in our research, 33 of which were victims of IPV (psychological and/or physical) and 44 were healthy subjects who constituted a control group. The following instruments were used: Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale, Zung Self-Rating Anxiety Scale and general socio-demographic questionnaire.Results and Conclusions: Degree of depressive and anxiety symptoms was significantly higher in women who were victims of IPV (p