Cross-Cultural Differences in the Pathways to Internet Gaming Disorder
No research to date has examined cross-cultural differences in the pathways to internet gaming disorder (IGD). The current study aimed to address this limitation by examining the relationships between nationality (Singaporeans vs. Australians), culture orientation, gaming motivations, and IGD.
Bipolar disorder and oxidative stress: A bibliometric perspective
Accumulating evidence indicates that oxidative stress and the disruption of antioxidant defenses play an important role in the neurobiology of bipolar disorder (BD). Studies have found that increased oxidative stress may be associated with cell apoptosis and neuronal damage in BD patients. Hence, this study explored the research field related to BD and oxidative stress from a bibliometrics perspective.
Optimizing esketamine clinic implementation: Insights from Taiwan's mental health framework
Total valproate versus free valproate in therapeutic drug monitoring for bipolar disorder: A cross-sectional study
The debate about observing total versus free serum valproate levels for therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) has been unresolved for decades. This study was planned to assess the agreement between the total versus free valproate levels and the advantage of one method over the other in TDM.
Harnessing AI as an enabler for access to mental health care services
Changes in cognitive function after a 12-week POWER rehabilitation in older adults with schizophrenia and frailty
The effectiveness of isolated resistance training (RT) on cognitive function among older adults with schizophrenia is insufficiently investigated. This study investigated the effectiveness of 12-weeks POWER rehabilitation, a novel RT regimen, on cognitive function among older patients with schizophrenia and frailty.
Letter to the editor-Reflections on "Total valproate versus free valproate in therapeutic drug monitoring for bipolar disorder: A cross-sectional study"
Ghrelin and depressive symptoms in patients with first-episode drug-naïve major depressive disorder: The mediating role of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is one of the global burdens of disease, and its pathogenesis remains unclear. An increasing amount of research indicates that ghrelin regulates mood in patients with MDD. Still, current results are inconsistent, and the mechanisms underlying how ghrelin modulates depressive symptoms are inconclusive, especially in first-episode drug-naïve MDD patients. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the relationship and potential mechanism between ghrelin and first-episode drug-naïve MDD.
The impact of COVID-19 on emergency department presentations for mental health disorders in Queensland, Australia: A time series analysis
The COVID-19 pandemic has been associated with detrimental effects on mental health and psychological well-being. Although multiple studies have shown decreases in mental health-related Emergency Department (ED) presentations early in the COVID-19 pandemic, the medium-term effects on mental health-related ED presentations have remained less clear. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the pandemic on mental health ED presentations by comparing observed presentation numbers to predictions from pre-pandemic data.
Differentiating the association between age of alcohol use initiation and conditional suicidal behaviors among adolescents
Suicide and early alcohol use initiation are public health concerns. Previous studies have explored the associations between age of alcohol use initiation and suicidal behaviors, which progresses from ideation to action. Distinguishing between the various associations can help gain a deeper understanding of suicidal behaviors and aid in developing social suicide prevention strategies.
Efficacy and safety of esketamine nasal spray in addition to standard of care in patients with major depressive disorder who have active suicidal ideation with intent: A subgroup analysis of the Asian cohort of ASPIRE I (a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study)
This post-hoc analysis evaluated the efficacy and safety of intranasal esketamine in the Asian subgroup from ASPIRE I. Patients with major depressive disorder and suicidal ideation with intent received intranasal esketamine (n = 26) or placebo (n = 27), plus standard of care for 25 days. The primary endpoint was the change in Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) total score from baseline to Day 2. The MADRS score improved in favor of esketamine (least squares mean difference: -3.8). No unexpected safety concerns were noted. The Asian subgroup showed a similar efficacy and safety profile as the total ASPIRE I cohort.
Establishing an esketamine clinic in Australia: Practical recommendations and clinical guidance from an expert panel
Major depressive disorder (MDD) can have severe impacts on function and quality of life. Up to one third of patients will have an inadequate response to their first line of treatment, with subsequent lines of therapy associated with lower remission rates and higher relapse rates. Recently esketamine has become available for Australian patients, and this agent provides an additional treatment option for those with MDD who have had an inadequate response to two or more antidepressant therapies during the current moderate to severe depressive episode. This paper provides an expert panel's practical recommendations and clinical guidance for establishing esketamine clinics in Australia.
Alexithymia in Chinese patients with chronic schizophrenia: Prevalence, clinical correlates, and relationship with neurocognition and empathy
Alexithymia is highly prevalent and strongly related to adverse consequences in patients with schizophrenia. However, its associated factors remain largely unexplored. The present study aimed to determine the prevalence of alexithymia and its association with sociocultural characteristics, clinical symptoms, neurocognition, and empathy in 854 Chinese patients with schizophrenia.
Barriers and enablers to access and utilization of mental health care services across Southeast Asia: A preliminary scoping review
While the importance of mental health and its impact on overall health and well-being has been widely recognized, there continue to be ongoing barriers to accessing mental health services. This is particularly poignant in countries in Southeast Asia (SEA) where there may be further stigma in accessing mental health services. As no reviews have been undertaken on this topic, this review aims to outline the barriers and enablers to access and utilization of mental health care services in SEA. Searches were undertaken in commercially produced and gray literature sources. Two independent reviewers screened the results. The data were then independently extracted, which was then collated and synthesized, using the Health Belief Model (HMB) as a framework. Twelve studies were included in the review. Under the HBM, barriers were grouped into: stigma, poor health literacy, internalized reasons, cultural beliefs, lack of training of health professionals, quality of service, and poor distribution of resources. Enablers included: social support, outreach services, structural stigma, self-awareness, resources and information, accessibility and affordability, and positive attitudes and beliefs about health professionals. Those accessing mental health care in SEA are confronted by complex barriers and few enablers. Ongoing stigma and a distinct lack of resources pose the greatest challenges, which are even more amplified for those in rural areas and minority groups. A multifaceted strategy that improves the structures, processes, and outcomes of mental health is required within these communities.
Loneliness in older Chinese adults amid the COVID-19 pandemic: Prevalence and associated factors
Data on loneliness among older adults in China during the COVID-19 pandemic are still scarce. This study aimed to examine the prevalence of loneliness and identify its associated factors among older Chinese adults during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Association between postictal suppression and the therapeutic effects of electroconvulsive therapy: A systematic review
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is an effective and safe medical treatment for patients with severe mood and neuropsychiatric disorders. Since the advent of ECT, extensive research has been performed to identify the predictive factors for response to ECT. In recent decades, postictal suppression on an electroencephalogram (EEG) has been considered a potential predictor of response to ECT. We aimed to investigate the direct association between postictal suppression and the therapeutic effects of ECT. In this systematic review, all articles in the field of the association between postictal suppression and the therapeutic effects of ECT published between 1990 and 2021 were identified. The full texts of these articles, which include clinical trials and retrospective and cross-sectional studies, are available in scholarly research databases and search engines, including PubMed, Google Scholar, OVID, Web of Science, and Scopus. Of all retrieved articles, eight studies, including four retrospective cohort articles and four clinical trials, met the inclusion criteria for further analyses. The findings of this study showed a significant association between postictal suppression and the therapeutic efficacy of ECT. Factors such as electrode placement, tachycardia, type of anesthetic agent, and EEG amplitude were also directly related to postictal suppression and the efficacy of ECT. Postictal suppression on EEG can be considered a predictor of response to ECT. To increase the effectiveness of treatment with ECT and increase postictal suppression, factors including electrode placement, tachycardia, type of anesthesia, and EEG amplitude should be considered, which highlights the need for further research.
Association of suicide with psychiatric hospitalization in Taiwan
A knowledge gap exists in the relationship between suicide and psychiatric hospitalization in Asia. This study investigated inpatient service utilization before suicide and suicide risk at different periods of hospitalization in Taiwan.
Digital screening and brief intervention for alcohol misuse in college students: A pilot, mixed-methods, cluster randomized controlled trial from a low-resourced setting
We examined the feasibility and acceptability of digital screening and brief intervention (d-SBI) for alcohol misuse in college students; the effectiveness of d-SBI was our secondary outcome. We also explored the barriers and facilitators of d-SBI.
The effect of emotional support on postpartum depression among postpartum mothers in Asia: A systematic review
Postpartum depression (PPD) is a chronic mood illness that typically develops in the first few months after giving birth. It affects 17.2% of women worldwide, and its deleterious consequences on infants, children, and mothers have elicited global public concern. Therefore, this paper aims to present an overview of the relationship between emotional support and PPD among postpartum mothers in the Asia region.
Gender-specific associations between types of childhood maltreatment and major depressive disorder: A matched case-control study
Major depressive disorder (MDD) has been found to be nearly twice as prevalent in females as in males. One hypothesis proposed that abused females were particularly prone to MDD. We aim to examine the sex-specific associations between various types of childhood trauma and MDD.
Perinatal psychotropic dispensing: A descriptive population-based study in New Zealand
Decisions about using psychotropics during pregnancy are complex as risks of untreated illness are balanced against risks of fetal exposure to medication. The objective was to describe perinatal psychotropic dispensing patterns in New Zealand.
Symptoms mediate the relationship between childhood trauma and non-suicidal self-injury: A hospital-based study of adolescents with mood disorder
Childhood trauma has a significant impact on the development of adolescents, which may lead to interpersonal and psychological problems. Determining the incidence and consequences of childhood trauma in psychiatric clinical practice is of great significance.
Stigma toward mental disorders and associated factors among community mental health workers in Wuhan, China
Stigma toward mental disorders (STMD) is a significant barrier to mental health service delivery. To improve the provision of mental health services for community-dwelling residents in China, this study investigated STMD and its associated factors in community mental health workers (CMHWs) in Wuhan, China.
Dialectical behavior therapy in Chinese suicidal patients with borderline personality disorder: A pilot randomized controlled trial
Behavioral and emotional problems and related risk factors of primary school children aged 6-11 in Guangdong, China
China has seen rapid urbanization and industrialization in recent decades and children behavioral and emotional problems accompanied have been a heavy burden on family and society. We therefore aimed to estimate the prevalence and risk factors of behavioral and emotional problems in primary school children aged 6-11 in an urbanized area of China.
Addressing the Adverse Impact of Social Determinants of Mental Health: Yet Another Call to Action
Fourteen-year trends in the prescribing patterns of pediatric bipolar patients discharged from two public mental hospitals in Taiwan
The management of pediatric bipolar disorder (PBD) requires pharmacotherapy to control acute symptoms, reduce relapse, prevent suicide, and improve psychosocial functioning. The purpose of this study was to investigate prescribing patterns among PBD patients discharged from two public mental hospitals in Taiwan, from 2006 to 2019.
Cotard delusion in a depressed patient: "My throat is missing!"
Cotard's syndrome is a rare neuropsychiatric disorder characterized by marked nihilistic delusions. This report describes an Indonesian woman from a small town in Malaysia who was diagnosed with depression and Cotard's delusion. The diagnosis was confirmed after thorough history-taking, clinical examination, and relevant laboratory tests. Herein, we highlight the unique psychopathology of a possible Cotard's syndrome subtype and efficacy of pharmacological combination strategies, rather than monotherapy and electroconvulsive therapy, for its treatment.
Prevalence of depression and anxiety, and associated factors, among Chinese primary and high school students: A cross-sectional, epidemiological study
This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of depression and anxiety, and associated factors, among Chinese children and adolescents aged 8-18 years who attend primary or high school.