Impact of Childhood Cancer on Education, Professional and Social Life of Survivors in Croatia.

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of childhood cancer and its treatment on the education, occupation, and social life of young adults in Croatia. There have been no comparable studies on this particular growing population group in Croatia to date. The study is the starting point for comparing and improving the quality of life of survivors of childhood cancer in Croatia and other countries that follow this population.

The Role of Psychological Factors in the Outcome of In Vitro Fertilization in Women with Primary Infertility.

Introduction: Infertility is a multidimensional developmental crisis of the individual, couple, family and the population as a whole. This study concentrates on the psychological aspects of infertility treatment by in vitro fertilization (IVF). The aim of this study was to examine a connection between certain psychological factors - anxiety, depression, motivation for parenthood, styles of coping with stress - and the outcome of IVF.

Characteristics of the Group Process in Long-Term Psychodynamic Group Psychotherapy for Patients with Psychosis.

This study aimed to investigate the development of the group process through group climate parameter dynamics during long-term psychodynamic group psychotherapy for 30 outpatients with psychosis. The group process in four groups was monitored using MacKenzie's Group Climate Questionnaire-Short Form (GCQ-S) that was completed by the therapist after each session over the two-year period. The trends of engagement, avoidance and conflict parameters differed between groups, and no clear indicators of the development phases were found.

Social functioning of patients with psychotic disorders in long-term psychodynamic group psychotherapy: preliminary research.

Background: In recent years, social functioning of patients has increasingly been used as a criterion for assessing therapeutic efficacy of the group psychotherapy. The purpose of this preliminary study was to examine whether social functioning of patients with diagnosed psychotic disorders changes during their participation in psychodynamic group psychotherapy.

Subject And Methods: The sample consisted of 30 patients involved in the psychodynamic group psychotherapy (PGP), and a comparative group of 30 patients treated only with antipsychotic medication therapy (treatment as usual; TAU).

The Connection between Alexithymia and Somatic Morbidity in a Population of Combat Veterans with Chronic PTSD.

Purpose: To investigate the connection between alexithymia and somatic illness, or, somatization, in veterans suffering from chronic combat-related post-traumatic stress disorder, PTSD.

Methods: Croatian combat veterans (N=127) were studied at the Department of Psychology, Zagreb Clinical Hospital Center. The diagnosis of PTSD was confirmed and verified according to the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10).

Psychotherapy in 21st century.

Introduction: Today, psychological processes and brain is no longer looked at as something less scientific in comparison with physical processes, so mental diseases will become equal as physical diseases very soon. Until recently, brain functioning could be observed only in patients with cerebral lesions, after surgery, and on animals, but it is possible today to observe it directly with modern imaging techniques.

Aim: The aim of this presentation is to point out that optimal health and functioning, which are basic assumptions of both neuroscience and psychotherapy is related to increased level of integrity and neural networks growth.

Self-perceived social support in Croatian war veterans suffering from combat-related posttraumatic stress disorder -- what should not have happened.

The goal of this study was to evaluate the association between self-perceived social support and chronic combat-related posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The study included 262 male war veterans suffering from chronic PTSD. Their diagnosis was confirmed according to DSM-IV-TR.

A quality of life in chronic combat related posttraumatic stress disorder--a study on Croatian War veterans.

The main objective of this study was to examine an association of various symptoms in chronic combat-related post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and the quality of life in this population. 248 Croatian male war veterans all diagnosed with chronic PTSD were consecutively enrolled in this study as they showed up at the routine check-up. They were given self report questionnaires Trauma Symptom Inventory (TSI-A) evaluating different PTSD symptoms and WHO Quality of Life-BREF assessing four different domains of the quality of life.

Life satisfaction in persons of the third age after retirement.

The aim of this research was to determine the role of gender, type of residence, living arrangement, self-rated health status, loneliness, and sense of humor in self-reported life satisfaction in elderly retirees. The study included 300 elderly retirees from Zagreb, Croatia. Demographic data were collected with a structured questionnaire, whereas data on self-reported health status, loneliness, and sense of humor were collected with the UCLA Loneliness Scale, Life Satisfaction Index, HOPA-86, and SF-36 Health Survey.

Correlation of sleep disturbances, anxiety and depression in Croatian war veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder.

The aim of the study was to examine the relationships between global sleep quality and its specific components and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptom severity questionnaire. We also researched whether sleep quality and sleep disturbances differed among groups of PTSD based on symptom severity categories. This study was conducted on the sample of 120 Croatian war veterans with PTSD.

Psychological problems of patients with cancer.

Psycho-oncology is a broad approach to cancer therapy which treats the emotional, social, and spiritual distress which often accompanies cancer patients. The development of psycho-oncology began in the second part of the 20th century reflecting the increased interest in the study of cancer patients' psychological reactions to their illness at all stages of its course, and the analysis of the emotional, spiritual, social, and behavioral factors which influence the risk of developing cancer and long-term aftercare treatment. Today the psycho-oncology has become an accepted part of cancer treatment, with departments of psycho-oncology established in most major cancer centers in Canada, the United States and many Western European countries.

Neurobiological and clinical relationship between psychiatric disorders and chronic pain.

Pain is one of the most ubiquitous problems of today's world, its impact being far-reaching. Current conceptualizations of pain medicine adopt a bio-psycho-social perspective. In this model, pain is best described as an interactive, psycho-physiological behavioral pattern that cannot be divided into independent psycho-social and physical components.

A multivariate analysis of clinical severity, psychological distress and psychopathological traits in psoriatic patients.

Psoriasis is a chronic skin disease associated with problems in body image and self-esteem and feelings of stigma and shame. The aim of this study was to analyse the clinical extent of psoriasis and its association with psychological distress, and to compare the psychopathological traits in early-onset (type I: age of onset < 40 years) vs. late-onset (type II: age of onset > 40 years) psoriasis.

The connection between coping mechanisms, depression, anxiety and fatigue in multiple sclerosis.

The aim of this study was to show how different coping mechanisms influence the prevalence of anxiety and depression in people suffering from multiple sclerosis. We also aimed at showing how different coping mechanisms contribute to subjective prosperity of the patients emphasizing general health, cognitive functions and fatigue. A questionnaire was given to attendants of the VI Symposium of Patients Suffering From Multiple Sclerosis.

Five years study on impact of anxiety on quality of life in patients treated with bone marrow transplantation.

Objective: This longitudinal research is to follow the changes in quality of life and in anxiety level of patients treated with bone marrow transplantation (BMT).

Subjects And Methods: Patients selected in period from 1990 to 2000 were treated with bone marrow transplantation and were invited to participate in the study. In ten years period 299 patients were treated with BMT.

Relationship between combat related posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and multiple sclerosis (MS).

The interrelation between chronic stress and multiple sclerosis (MS) has always been known, but the biological foundation for this phenomenon has not yet been proven. Our case-study of 5 patients, both diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and PTSD, attempts to demonstrate various dimensions of interrelation between these two diseases. We have also tried to point out the problems and possible complications doctors might encounter during the treatment of an MS patient who is suffering from chronic stress.

Self-inflicted burns in patients with chronic combat-related post-traumatic stress disorder.

This study examined self-inflicted burns in case series of four patients with chronic combat-related post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Those patients were hospitalized in the Burn Unit of the University Hospital of Traumatology in Zagreb because of severe burns and had a premorbid psychiatric history of PTSD. Demographic data and information regarding the circumstances surrounding the incident, burn severity, treatment and outcomes of these patients were collected.

[Psychotherapeutic effect on cerebral blood flow--case report].

This is a case report on a 36-year-old Croatian war veteran who was seeking psychiatric treatment because of disturbances which were manifesting in: difficult impulse control, aggressive acting out reactions, continuous conflict with surroundings, and in traumatic and repeating nightmares. Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was diagnosed according to MKB-10 criteria and comorbid diagnoses were not found. After detailed psychiatric, psychological and neurological testing, brain SPECT was performed while the patient was medication free.

Coping with severe burns in the early stage after burn injury.

This study examined the relationship between coping strategies, anxiety and depression levels and burn injury characteristics in the early phase of the treatment in burn-injured patients. Seventy patients with severe burns were interviewed within two weeks of their burn trauma. Coping strategies were measured by the coping with burns questionnaire (CBQ).

Smaller right hippocampus in war veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder.

Chronic stress can putatively cause damage in the human hippocampus, but evidence of damage has not been consistently shown in studies on hippocampal morphology in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). We compared hippocampal volumes in PTSD patients and normal subjects. Using a 3D T1-weighted GRE magnetic resonance imaging sequence, we measured hippocampal volumes in 15 war veterans with combat-related chronic PTSD and 15 case-matched normal controls.

Alterations in brain activation in posttraumatic stress disorder patients with severe hyperarousal symptoms and impulsive aggressiveness.

Objective: We wanted to assess possible alterations in brain activation in PTSD patients with severe hyperarousal symptoms and impulsive aggressiveness.

Method: 25 Croatian War (1991-1995) veterans with combat-related PTSD with severe hyperarousal symptoms and impulsive aggressiveness were assessed for possible alterations in cerebral blood flow in single photon emission computed tomography brain scans.

Results: Increased regional cerebral blood flow in projection area of nucleus accumbens was found in 13 of 25 subjects, and for all in the dominant brain hemisphere.

Secondary victimization of war veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder: the croatian experience.

This paper discusses the phenomenon of secondary victimization or revictimization of Croatian war veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This revictimization is mainly characterized by a disappointing institutional response from the helping professions, together with a lack of social recognition and support after the war. Also, we describe the "blaming the victim" process in which the veterans with PTSD were accused for bringing their maladies on themselves due to their premorbid psychological characteristics.

[Diagnostic and therapeutic guidelines for posttraumatic stress disorders].

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) presents an important medical and social problem in the Republic of Croatia with prevalence of 10-30% depending on the population. On the basis of our 8-year clinical experience in treating PTSD and detailed analysis of related literature a special team of the Department of Psychological Medicine, Zagreb University Hospital, compiled the proposed guidelines for diagnostics and treatment of PTSD. The established guidelines are independently developed, clinically proven at our Clinic and in terms of custom made procedure world wide unique.