Agomelatine augmentation of escitalopram therapy in treatment-resistant obsessive-compulsive disorder: a case report.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a chronic condition characterized by obsessions or compulsions that cause distress or interfere with functioning. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are the first-line strategy in the treatment of OCD, but approximately 40% to 60% of patients with OCD fail to respond to them. Several augmentation strategies have been proposed, including the use of atypical antipsychotics and antidepressant combinations.

Family burden in bipolar disorders: results from the Italian Mood Disorders Study (IMDS).

Aims: To explore: a) the burden of care, and the professional and social support in relatives of patients with bipolar disorders; b) the psychosocial interventions provided to patients and their families by Italian mental health centres.

Methods: 342 outpatients with a bipolar disorder and their key-relatives were randomly recruited in 26 Italian mental health centres, randomly selected and stratified by geographical area and population density. Family burden was explored in relation to: a) patient's clinical status and disability; b) relatives' social and professional support; c) interventions received by patients and their families; d) geographical area.

Insight and perceived expressed emotion among adult outpatients with obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Objective: To elucidate the relationships between insight and perceived expressed emotion (EE) in a sample of adult outpatients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

Methods: The study involved 75 subjects with OCD. Subjects were assessed with the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS), with the score on item 11 used as a measure of insight level.

Alexithymia and its relationships with body checking and body image in a non-clinical female sample.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate in a non-clinical sample of undergraduate women, the relationships between alexithymia, body checking and body image, identifying predictive factors associated with the possible risk of developing an Eating Disorder (ED). The Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20), Body Checking Questionnaire (BCQ), Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26), Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ), Interaction Anxiousness Scale (IAS), Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES) and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) were completed by 254 undergraduate females. We found that alexithymics had more consistent body checking behaviors and higher body dissatisfaction than nonalexithymics.

Alexithymia, fear of bodily sensations, and somatosensory amplification in young outpatients with panic disorder.

To elucidate the relationships between alexithymia, fear of bodily sensations, and somatosensory amplification in young patients with panic disorder (PD), authors evaluated 84 patients. Measures were the Panic Attack and Anticipatory Anxiety Scale, the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20), the Body Sensations Questionnaire (BSQ), the Somatosensory Amplification Scale, the Agoraphobic Cognitions Questionnaire (ACQ), and the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression. Alexithymic patients showed higher scores on all rating scales.

Alexithymia and body image in adult outpatients with binge eating disorder.

Objective: The current study elucidates the relations between alexithymia and body image in patients with binge eating disorder (BED).

Method: One hundred one patients with BED were evaluated. Alexithymia was measured with the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20).

Alexithymia and body image disturbances in women with Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder.

Background: To evaluate alexithymia and body image in women with Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder and test whether alexithymic traits influence severity of Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder or body distress.

Methods: Sixty-four consecutive women with a DSM-IV diagnosis of Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder and age range of 18-45 were recruited. Alexithymia was measured with the Italian version 20-items Toronto Alexithymia Scale.

Olanzapine augmentation in treatment-resistant panic disorder: a 12-week, fixed-dose, open-label trial.

The purpose of our study was to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of low-dose olanzapine augmentation in selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI)-resistant panic disorder (PD) with or without agoraphobia. In this 12-week, open-label study, 31 adult outpatients with treatment-resistant PD who had previously failed to respond to SSRI treatment were treated with fixed dose of olanzapine (5 mg/d) in addition to SSRI. Efficacy was assessed using the Panic Attack and Anticipatory Anxiety Scale (PAAAS), the Agoraphobic Cognitions Questionnaire (ACQ), the Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety (HAM-A), the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D), the Global Assessment of Functioning Scale (GAF), and the Clinical Global Impression of Improvement (CGI-I).

Insight and alexithymia in adult outpatients with obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Objective: To elucidate the relationships between insight and alexithymia in a sample of adult outpatients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

Methods: 112 adult outpatients with OCD were tested. Severity of OCD was assessed with the first 10-items of the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) and score for item # 11 on the Y-BOCS was considered as a measure of insight.

Thrombocytopenia during valproic acid treatment in young patients with new-onset bipolar disorder.

Background: To evaluate whether valproic acid (VPA) can cause thrombocytopenia and impaired platelet function in young patients with new-onset bipolar disorder.

Methods: The authors studied 25 new-onset young bipolar patients. Platelet count, platelet aggregation, platelet release, and bleeding time were evaluated before beginning VPA treatment and at least after 10 months of treatment.