scholarly journals A naturalistic study of the associations between changes in alcohol problems, spiritual functioning, and psychiatric symptoms.

2011 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 455-461 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melissa L. Miller ◽  
Stephen M. Saunders
Keyword(s):  
Psychiatric Symptoms ◽  
Alcohol Problems ◽  
Naturalistic Study ◽  
Spiritual Functioning

scholarly journals Cognitive impairment and psychiatric symptoms in Normal Tension Glaucoma (NTG) - A naturalistic study

2016 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Z Mustafa ◽  
Tej Rane-Malcolm ◽  
Andrew J Tatham ◽  
Bal Dhillon ◽  
Amanda Cotton ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Psychiatric Symptoms ◽  
Normal Tension Glaucoma ◽  
Naturalistic Study

scholarly journals Ceremonial Ayahuasca in Amazonian Retreats—Mental Health and Epigenetic Outcomes From a Six-Month Naturalistic Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simon G. D. Ruffell ◽  
Nige Netzband ◽  
WaiFung Tsang ◽  
Merlin Davies ◽  
Matthew Butler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Amazon Basin ◽  
Psychiatric Symptoms ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Clinical Samples ◽  
Therapeutic Effects ◽  
Naturalistic Study ◽  
Self Compassion ◽  
Compassion Scale

Ayahuasca is a natural psychoactive brew, used in traditional ceremonies in the Amazon basin. Recent research has indicated that ayahuasca is pharmacologically safe and its use may be positively associated with improvements in psychiatric symptoms. The mechanistic effects of ayahuasca are yet to be fully established. In this prospective naturalistic study, 63 self-selected participants took part in ayahuasca ceremonies at a retreat centre in the Peruvian Amazon. Participants undertook the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Self-compassion Scale (SCS), Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation-Outcome Measure (CORE-OM), as well as secondary measures, pre- and post-retreat and at 6-months. Participants also provided saliva samples for pre/post epigenetic analysis. Overall, a statistically significant decrease in BDI-II (13.9 vs. 6.1, p < 0.001), STAI (44.4 vs. 34.3 p < 0.001) scores, and CORE-OM scores were observed (37.3 vs. 22.3 p < 0.001) at post-retreat, as well as a concurrent increase in SCS (3.1 vs. 3.6, p < 0.001). Psychometric improvements were sustained, and on some measures values further decreased at 6-month follow-up, suggesting a potential for lasting therapeutic effects. Changes in memory valence were linked to the observed psychometric improvements. Epigenetic findings were equivocal, but indicated that further research in candidate genes, such as sigma non-opioid intracellular receptor 1 (SIGMAR1), is warranted. This data adds to the literature supporting ayahuasca's possible positive impact on mental health when conducted in a ceremonial context. Further investigation into clinical samples, as well as greater analyses into the mechanistic action of ayahuasca is advised.

Anxiety and depression among patients with alcohol dependence: co-morbid or substance-related problems?

2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 121-126 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Gallagher ◽  
Z. Radmall ◽  
C. O’Gara ◽  
T. Burke
Keyword(s):  
Alcohol Dependence ◽  
Psychiatric Symptoms ◽  
Alcohol Problems ◽  
Alcohol Problem ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Treatment Seeking ◽  
Co Morbidity ◽  
Treatment Entry ◽  
The Stability ◽  
Morbid Conditions

ObjectivesThere are conflicting reports on the levels of anxiety and depression in individuals with alcohol problems and whether these conditions are substance-related or independent of the alcohol problem. The aim of this study was to characterise rates of co-morbid psychiatric symptoms among a group of individuals commencing treatment for alcohol dependence, and to examine the stability of these symptoms following treatment of the alcohol problem.MethodsSymptoms of anxiety and depression were examined in a group of individuals (n=93) undergoing residential treatment for alcohol dependence. Symptoms were measured at treatment entry and again at treatment completion using the Beck Anxiety Inventory and the Beck Depression Inventory – II.ResultsHigh levels of anxiety and depressive symptoms were reported at treatment entry, but on completion of treatment (28 days later) the majority of participants were no longer reporting symptoms suggestive of a possible co-morbid condition.ConclusionsThe significant change in rates of reported symptoms following completion of treatment suggests that a large proportion of symptoms reported at treatment entry were substance related. Diagnosing co-morbid conditions is best left until after a period of abstinence during which the alcohol problem has been treated. Assessing for co-morbidity at time of treatment seeking is likely to result in inappropriate co-morbid diagnoses being made and inappropriate or unnecessary treatments being prescribed for such individuals.

Co-morbidity of psychiatric/physical disorders with alcohol abuse/dependence in a sample of clients of the emergency department of the psychiatric hospital of Attica–Greece

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. S314-S314
Author(s):  
D. Tsaklakidou ◽  
I. Rizavas ◽  
V. Efstathiou ◽  
C. Christodoulou ◽  
A. Papadopoulou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Alcohol Abuse ◽  
Psychiatric Hospital ◽  
Psychiatric Symptoms ◽  
Alcohol Problems ◽  
Involuntary Hospitalization ◽  
Severe Withdrawal ◽  
Co Morbidity ◽  
Common Diagnosis ◽  
Physical Disorders

IntroductionIncreased coexistence of psychiatric symptoms in patients with alcohol abuse/addiction is highlighted in the literature. Equally high is the coexistence of physical illnesses due to the harmful effects of alcohol.AimsTo record the profile and the characteristics of individuals with psychiatric/somatic co-morbidity who attend the psychiatric emergency department/(PED) of the largest psychiatric hospital in Greece.Methods/ResultsA total of 1058 individuals, with a mean age of 44.4 years, were identified having alcohol problems in a five-year time period (2010–2015) in the context of the PED, while the majority of them was found to have psychiatric co-morbidity. The most common diagnosis was psychotic syndromes (24.2%), followed by affective (23.8%), personality (12.5%), and somatoform and anxiety disorders (6.3%). About 3% of the sample presented acute alcohol poisoning or severe withdrawal symptoms, coexistence with severe somatic disease and organic mental disorders. More than a third (37%) of them had to be hospitalized, while the involuntary hospitalization rates (21%) were higher than the voluntary ones (16%). Finally, 13.65% suffered from co-morbid somatic diseases with need of immediate emergency and hospital care.ConclusionsThe abuse and/or dependence of alcohol are largely associated with the coexistence of psychiatric and physical diseases. The psychiatric and physical co-morbidity, as regards attendance and hospitalization–involuntary and voluntary–, present a higher rate in men (86%) and mainly affects people of productive age. Additional data are needed to explore detailed factors that could contribute to a better design of more appropriate services for patients with alcohol use disorders.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Zusammenhang zwischen sportlicher Aktivität und alkoholbezo- genen Störungen bei Studierenden

2017 ◽  
Vol 63 (1) ◽  
pp. 33-41
Author(s):  
Arne Göring ◽  
Malte Jetzke ◽  
Sabrina Rudolph
Keyword(s):  
Young Adult ◽  
Screening Test ◽  
Alcohol Problems ◽  
Alkoholbezogene Störungen

Zusammenfassung. Hintergrund und Ziel: Gegenüber dem Bevölkerungsdurchschnitt liegen die Prävalenzraten alkoholbezogener Störungen von Studierenden deutlich über dem Durchschnitt der nichtstudentischen Bevölkerung. Bislang existieren in Deutschland keine Studien zur Frage, welchen Einfluss sportliche Aktivitäten auf die Ausprägung alkoholbezogener Störungen bei Studierenden besitzen. Die vorliegende Studie untersucht diesen Zusammenhang bei Studierenden einer deutschen Volluniversität. Methodik: Im Rahmen einer repräsentativen Onlinestudie wurden 1383 Studierende einer deutschen Universität zu ihrem Alkoholkonsum, den damit verbundenen sozialen Folgen und ihren sportlichen Aktivitäten befragt. Als Instrument kam der 27 Items umfassende Young Adult Alcohol Problems Screening Test sowie ein Erhebungsverfahren zur Erfassung der habituellen sportlichen Aktivität zum Einsatz. Ergebnisse: Studierende, die regelmäßig und intensiv sportlich aktiv sind, weisen eine höhere Screeningrate für alkoholbezogene Störungen auf als Studierende, die gar nicht oder nur unregelmäßig aktiv sind. Dieser Zusammenhang gilt insbesondere für Mannschaftssportarten, aber auch für Fitnessaktivitäten. Schlussfolgerungen: Die Ergebnisse der Studie bestätigen amerikanische Forschungsbeiträge, die sportliche Aktivitäten bei Studierenden als einen Treiber für den Alkoholkonsum identifizieren. Sportorganisationen im Umfeld von Hochschulen sollten in der Alkoholprävention an Hochschulen zukünftig eine größere Berücksichtigung finden.

Symptoms of Alcohol Dependence Predict Suicide Ideation Among Alaskan Undergraduates

Crisis ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 37 (3) ◽  
pp. 232-235 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher R. DeCou ◽  
Monica C. Skewes
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Alcohol Consumption ◽  
Alcohol Dependence ◽  
Suicide Ideation ◽  
Alcohol Problems ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Causal Mechanism ◽  
Students At Risk ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Alcohol Related Problems

Abstract. Background: Previous research has demonstrated an association between alcohol-related problems and suicidal ideation (SI). Aims: The present study evaluated, simultaneously, alcohol consequences and symptoms of alcohol dependence as predictors of SI after adjusting for depressive symptoms and alcohol consumption. Method: A sample of 298 Alaskan undergraduates completed survey measures, including the Young Adult Alcohol Consequences Questionnaire, the Short Alcohol Dependence Data Questionnaire, and the Beck Depression Inventory – II. The association between alcohol problems and SI status was evaluated using sequential logistic regression. Results: Symptoms of alcohol dependence (OR = 1.88, p < .05), but not alcohol-related consequences (OR = 1.01, p = .95), emerged as an independent predictor of SI status above and beyond depressive symptoms (OR = 2.39, p < .001) and alcohol consumption (OR = 1.08, p = .39). Conclusion: Alcohol dependence symptoms represented a unique risk for SI relative to alcohol-related consequences and alcohol consumption. Future research should examine the causal mechanism behind the relationship between alcohol dependence and suicidality among university students. Assessing the presence of dependence symptoms may improve the accuracy of identifying students at risk of SI.

Crisis Occurrence and Resolution in Patients with Severe and Persistent Mental Illness

Crisis ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 160-169 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul S. Links ◽  
Rahel Eynan ◽  
Jeffrey S. Ball ◽  
Aiala Barr ◽  
Sean Rourke
Keyword(s):  
Mental Illness ◽  
Suicide Ideation ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Psychiatric Symptoms ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Community Treatment ◽  
Persistent Mental Illness ◽  
Crisis Events ◽  
Symptom Distress Scale ◽  
Distress Scale

Abstract. Assertive community treatment appears to have limited impact on the risk of suicide in persons with severe and persistent mental illness (SPMI). This exploratory prospective study attempts to understand this observation by studying the contribution of suicidality to the occurrence of crisis events in patients with SPMI. Specifically, an observer-rated measure of the need for hospitalization, the Crisis Triage Rating Scale, was completed at baseline, crisis occurrence, and resolution to determine how much the level of suicidality contributed to the deemed level of crisis. Second, observer-ratings of suicidal ideation, the Modified Scale for Suicide Ideation, and psychopathology and suicidality, Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale, were measured at baseline, crisis occurrence, and resolution. A self-report measure of distress, the Symptom Distress Scale, was completed at baseline, crisis occurrence, and resolution. Finally, the patients' crisis experiences were recorded qualitatively to compare with quantitative measures of suicidality. Almost 40% of the subjects experienced crisis events and more than a quarter of these events were judged to be severe enough to warrant the need for hospitalization. Our findings suggest that elevation of psychiatric symptoms is a major contributor to the crisis occurrences of individuals with SPMI; although the risk of suicide may have to be conceived as somewhat separate from crisis occurrence.

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