Journal of affective disorders
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The loss of a spouse is a major life event. Previous research found that centrality of the loss to one's identity using Centrality of Event Scale (CES) is related to complicated bereavement reactions, such as depression, posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTS), and prolonged grief symptoms (PGS). This study aims to examine loss-centrality in elderly bereaved people up to 4 years post loss, to determine the relation of loss-centrality to complicated bereavement reactions, such as PGS, depression, and PTS, and to identify early predictors of loss-centrality. ⋯ The results support the link between loss-centrality and post loss psychopathology in a population particularly vulnerable to complicated bereavement reactions. The close link between prolonged grief and CES may be relevant in developing treatments for PGS, especially considering the potential relationship between high CES, high PGS, and possibly lack of acceptance of the loss.
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Bipolar Disorder (BD) cannot be reliably distinguished from Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) until the first manic or hypomanic episode. Consequently, many patients with BD are treated with antidepressants without mood stabilizers, a strategy that is often ineffective and carries a risk of inducing a manic episode. We previously reported reduced cortical thickness in right precuneus, right caudal middle-frontal cortex and left inferior parietal cortex in BD compared with MDD. ⋯ Our results add to previously published data which suggest that regional gray matter volume should be investigated further as a clinical diagnostic tool to predict BD before the appearance of a manic or hypomanic episode.
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Since the clinical presentation of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) shares common features with major depressive (MDE), the screening of OSAS is challenging in this population. The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of the NoSAS score in predicting the presence of OSAS among participants with current MDE and to compare it with the performance of existing screening tools. ⋯ This is the first study assessing the performance of screening tools for OSAS in MDE. The NoSAS score is a simple and efficient screening tool for OSAS in this population, and may be a helpful instrument for clinicians.
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Suicide is a leading cause of premature death among military service members/veterans (SM/Vs). The Interpersonal Theory of Suicide (Joiner, 2007) proposes that higher thwarted belonging, perceived burdensomeness, and acquired capability confer increased risk for suicide. However, no studies have examined the association of sexual dysfunction, a possible component of thwarted belonging and perceived burdensomeness, with suicidal ideation. The present study explored whether sexual dysfunction was associated with suicidal ideation when accounting for mental health, demographic, and military characteristics among female SM/Vs. ⋯ Sexual dysfunction is associated with suicidal ideation, accounting for established mental health, military, and demographic characteristics among female SM/Vs. Efforts to prevent suicidal ideation in female SM/Vs may be enhanced by screening for and treating sexual dysfunction, particularly sexual arousal and satisfaction.
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Mindfulness is a trainable skill that may enhance resilience to suicidality among vulnerable groups such as young people. The current study examined whether mindfulness protects against suicidal desire in the face of heightened risk and adversity by increasing zest for life in a sample of university students. ⋯ Findings suggest that mindfulness protects against suicidal desire in conditions of heightened risk and adversity by enhancing one's orientation towards a life worth living. Theories of suicide should consider the dynamic interplay between risk and life-sustaining resilience, while clinicians treating suicidality could use mindfulness strategies to strengthen the desire to (re)engage with life, thereby complementing direct amelioration of suicide risk factors.