Dental anxiety, Quality of Life and body image: gender differences in Italian and Spanish population.

Background: Dental anxiety is an excessive and irrational negative emotional state experienced by population; the dental anxiety is common throughout the lifespan and is an obstacle to improving oral health behaviors and outcomes. The aim of this study was to assess gender differences in dental anxiety and to investigate if oral health impacts patients' Quality of Life and the perception of their body image.

Methods: The sample consisted of 366 subjects selected in Italy and Spain (January 2021-September 2021).

Fear and anxiety managing methods during dental treatments: a systematic review of recent data.

Introduction: The management of anxiety and fear of patients experiencing medical treatment is always a major issue. Dentistry is a branch of medicine that is daily in managing these problems, especially in the case of pediatric patients. Odontophobia can be managed in different ways, and the purpose of this study is to eventually review which methods are currently accepted and which are the most effective.

The feeling of anger: From brain networks to linguistic expressions.

This review of the neuroscience of anger is part of The Human Affectome Project, where we attempt to map anger and its components (i.e., physiological, cognitive, experiential) to the neuroscience literature (i.

Sleep Quality, Perceived Stress, and Caffeinated Drinks Intake in Psychiatry Residents: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Medical residencies are highly demanding and stressful and have been associated with mental and emotional problems. Studies that evaluated this relationship in Italian psychiatry residents are scarce. In this study, we examined sleep quality and its association with perceived stress and caffeinated beverages consumption in Italian psychiatry residents.

Academic stress disrupts cortical plasticity in graduate students.

Medical education is a time of high stress and anxiety for many graduate students in medical professions. In this study, we sought to investigate the effect of academic stress on cortical excitability and plasticity by using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). We tested two groups (n = 13 each) of healthy graduate medical students (mean age 33.

[Depression, anxiety and anger in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus.].

Introduction: The aim of this study is to evaluate the influence of negative emotions such as depression, anxiety and anger on clinical expression of type 1 diabetes, also assessing possible gender differences.

Materials And Methods: 75 subjects with type 1 diabetes mellitus afferent to Diabetology Unit of the University Hospital in Messina underwent the following psychodiagnostic tests: Hamilton Rating Scale For Depression (HDRS), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory form Y (STAI-Y), State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory-2 (STAXI-2). Continuous data were expressed as mean ± standard deviation, and the comparison between groups was performed using T Student test; the data not continuous were expressed as a percentage and the differences between groups were evaluated using Chi-square test.

Abnormal illness behavior and Internet addiction severity: The role of disease conviction, irritability, and alexithymia.

Background and aims While the association between health anxiety and maladaptive Internet use is a well-established finding, no studies have been performed to examine the possible effect of abnormal illness behavior (AIB). AIB is a maladaptive manner of experiencing, evaluating, or acting in response to health and illness that is disproportionate to evident pathology. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between AIB and Internet addiction (IA) severity in a sample of Italian University students.

Anger, Smoking Behavior, and the Mediator Effects of Gender: An Investigation of Heavy and Moderate Smokers.

Background: The existing literature suggests the presence of a possible relationship between high anger levels and smoking behavior; however, there are no available data highlighting possible differences between moderate and heavy smokers and the putative effect of gender on smoking behavior.

Objectives: The aims of the current study were to assess the relationship among anger, depression, and anxiety and smoking patterns taking into account the possible mediator role of gender.

Methods: 150 smokers and 50 nonsmokers volunteers were recruited from the staff of the University of Messina, Italy.

Psychopharmacotherapy in Pregnancy and Breastfeeding.

Importance: Fifteen percent to 20% of pregnant women suffer from mental disorders, and 86% of them are not treated due to potential teratogenic risks for the fetus. Several drugs seem to be safe during pregnancy but knowledge regarding risks of antenatal exposure to drugs is still limited.

Objective: The aim of this article is to provide a review of literature, data, and a clinical guideline concerning the treatment and management of mental disorders during pregnancy and lactation.

Clinical, autoimmune, and psychiatric parameters correlate with sleep disturbance in patients with systemic sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Objectives: Sleep disturbance is an important contributor to poor quality of life in rheumatic disorders. This study aims to test whether clinical, autoimmune and psychological factors are associated with sleep disturbance in systemic sclerosis (SSc) compared to rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and controls.

Methods: 101 female subjects (SSc=33, RA=34, healthy controls=34) participated in this observational, cross-sectional, parallel group study.

Self-worth and psychological adjustment of obese children: An analysis through the Draw-A-Person.

Aim: To investigate psychopathological correlates of child obesity via the Draw-A-Person test (DAP).

Methods: The participants were 50 children with a mean age of 9.74 years.

Personality traits and emotional patterns in irritable bowel syndrome.

The review focuses on those personality traits (neuroticism, extraversion, openness to experience, agreeableness, and conscientiousness), constructs (alexithymia and distressed - Type D personality) and emotional patterns (negative and positive) that are of particular concern in health psychology, with the aim to highlight their potential role on the pathogenesis, onset, symptom clusters, clinical course, and outcome of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Personality traits and emotional patterns play key roles in affecting autonomic, immune, inflammatory, and endocrine functions, thus contributing not only to IBS clinical expression and symptomatic burden, but also to disease physiopathology. In this sense, psychological treatments should address those personality traits and emotional features that are constitutive of, and integral to IBS.

Acetyl-L-Carnitine Augmentation of Clozapine in Partial-Responder Schizophrenia: A 12-Week, Open-Label Uncontrolled Preliminary Study.

Objectives: This was the first 12-week, open-label, uncontrolled trial aimed at exploring the efficacy of acetyl-L-carnitine (ALC) add-on pharmacotherapy on clinical symptoms and cognitive functioning in 15 schizophrenia patients with suboptimal clinical response despite receiving clozapine (CLZ) monotherapy at the highest tolerated dosage.

Methods: After clinical (Positive and Negative Symptoms Scale [PANSS]) and neuropsychological (Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, Stroop Color-Word Test, Verbal Fluency Test) assessments, patients received 1 g/d of ALC for 12 weeks.

Results: A final sample of 9 subjects completed the study.

Effect of Ziprasidone Augmentation of Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors in Treatment-Resistant Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: A 12-Week, Open-Label Uncontrolled Preliminary Study.

Objectives: The present 12-week, open-label uncontrolled trial was aimed to explore the efficacy of ziprasidone add-on pharmacotherapy on clinical symptoms and cognitive functioning in a sample of patients with treatment-resistant obsessive-compulsive disorder receiving serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SRIs).

Methods: After clinical (Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale [Y-BOCS], Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression) and neurocognitive (Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, Stroop Colour-Word Test, Trail Making Test) assessments, patients received 80 mg/d of ziprasidone.

Result: A final sample of 17 patients completed the study.

The RS685012 Polymorphism of ACCN2, the Human Ortholog of Murine Acid-Sensing Ion Channel (ASIC1) Gene, is Highly Represented in Patients with Panic Disorder.

Panic disorder (PD) is a disabling anxiety disorder that is characterized by unexpected, recurrent panic attacks, associated with fear of dying and worrying about possible future attacks or other behavioral changes as a consequence of the attacks. The acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs) are a family of proton-sensing channels expressed throughout the nervous system. Their activity is linked to a variety of behaviors including fear, anxiety, pain, depression, learning, and memory.

The Role of Levomilnacipran in the Management of Major Depressive Disorder: A Comprehensive Review.

Levomilnacipran, the more active enantiomer of the serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) milnacipran, was recently approved in the US for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD). The drug was developed as an extended release (ER) capsule formulation to allow for once-daily administration, thereby improving patient adherence. This agent differs from other available SNRIs in having a greater potency for inhibition of norepinephrine relative to serotonin reuptake.

Extrasensory Perception Experiences and Childhood Trauma: A Rorschach Investigation.

This study investigated whether people who report recurrent extrasensory perception (ESP) experiences (telepathy, clairvoyance, and precognition) have suffered more traumatic experiences and traumatic intrusions. Thirty-one nonclinical participants reporting recurrent ESP experiences were compared with a nonclinical sample of 31 individuals who did not report recurrent ESP phenomena. Past traumatic experiences were assessed via a self-report measure of trauma history (Childhood Trauma Questionnaire); traumatic intrusions were assessed via a performance-based personality measure (Rorschach Traumatic Content Index).

Analysis of psychopathological comorbidity behind the common symptoms and signs of endometriosis.

Objective: The present study was aimed to investigate quality of life, negative emotions, such as anger, anxiety and depression, and possible psychopathological comorbidity in patients affected by endometriosis.

Study Design: We undertook a prospective, cohort study between October 2013 and February 2014. We selected patients with histologically confirmed ovarian endometriosis (Endometriosis Group) and with other benign adnexal diseases (Control Group) who underwent laparoscopic surgery.

Rare and very rare adverse effects of clozapine.

Clozapine (CLZ) is the drug of choice for the treatment of resistant schizophrenia; however, its suitable use is limited by the complex adverse effects' profile. The best-described adverse effects in the literature are represented by agranulocytosis, myocarditis, sedation, weight gain, hypotension, and drooling; nevertheless, there are other known adverse effects that psychiatrists should readily recognize and manage. This review covers the "rare" and "very rare" known adverse effects of CLZ, which have been accurately described in literature.

Generic Olanzapine Substitution in Patients With Schizophrenia: Assessment of Serum Concentrations and Therapeutic Response After Switching.

Background: Several reports of loss of efficacy or adverse effects have been described after generic substitution of antipsychotics. To date, studies comparing serum drug levels in patients switched to generic antipsychotics in a standard clinical setting are lacking. The aim of this study was to investigate if switching to generic olanzapine in patients affected by schizophrenia is associated with differences in its serum concentrations and therapeutic response.

Efficacy and safety of sertindole in schizophrenia: a clinical review.

Sertindole is an atypical antipsychotic reintroduced into the European market in 2005 after a reevaluation of its risks and benefits, under the agreement that close electrocardiographic screening would be conducted. It has a high affinity for dopamine D2, serotonin 5-HT2A and 5-HT2C, and α1 adrenergic receptors. Moreover, sertindole shows modest affinity for H1-histaminergic and muscarinic receptors.

Anger in women treated with assisted reproductive technology (ART): effects on mother and newborn.

Objective: To assess anger, as well as other negative emotions, in women who underwent assisted reproductive technology (ART) respect to women who conceived naturally, and explore the effect of anger on neonatal outcomes.

Methods: We recorded personal and obstetric history of the patients, neonatal weight, Apgar score, obstetric and neonatal complications. We performed Structural Clinical Interview for DSM-SCID I and II in order to assess the DSM IV axis I and axis II, State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory 2 (STAXI-2), the Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS) and Self-rating Anxiety scale (SAS).

Unraveling exercise addiction: the role of narcissism and self-esteem.

The aim of this study was to assess the risk of exercise addiction (EA) in fitness clubs and to identify possible factors in the development of the disorder. The Exercise Addiction Inventory (EAI), the Narcissistic Personality Inventory (NPI), and the Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory (SEI) were administered to a sample of 150 consecutive gym attenders recruited in fitness centers. Based on EAI total score, high EA risk group (HEA n = 51) and a low EA risk group (LEA n = 69) were identified.

The relationship between alexithymia, anxiety, depression, and internet addiction severity in a sample of Italian high school students.

We aimed to assess whether Internet addiction (IA) severity was related to alexithymia scores among high school students, taking into account the role of gender differences and the possible effect of anxiety, depression, and age. Participants in the study were 600 students (ages ranging from 13 to 22; 48.16% girls) recruited from three high schools in two cities from Southern Italy.

Augmentation strategies in partial responder and/or treatment-resistant schizophrenia patients treated with clozapine.

Introduction: Although clozapine (CLZ) is considered the best evidence-based therapeutic option for treatment of resistant schizophrenia patients, a significant proportion of CLZ-treated patients show a partial or inadequate response to treatment, leading to increased healthcare cost and poor quality of life for affected individuals.

Areas Covered: This paper comprises a review of main research in CLZ augmentation strategies for treatment-refractory schizophrenia, with a focus on research conducted between 1990 and 2014. Databases that were searched include: PubMed, CINAHL, EMBASE PsychINFO, AgeLine and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews.