Journal of affective disorders
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Although dementia and elder abuse prevention are political priorities, there are no evidence-based interventions to reduce abuse by family carers. We have limited understanding of why some family carers, but not others in similar circumstances, behave abusively. We aimed to test our hypothesis, that more anxious dementia carers report more abusive behaviours, and dysfunctional coping strategies and carer burden mediate this relationship. ⋯ Anxious and depressed carers are particularly likely to report abusive behaviour when asked. Testing interventions directed at reducing carer anxiety, depression or changing unhelpful coping strategies, and/or reducing care recipient aggression where possible, is a logical and urgent next step.
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To evaluate the impact of Eating Disorders (EDs) lifetime co-morbidity among female with Bipolar Disorders (BDs) and to compare clinical and cognitive features among EDs subgroups. ⋯ Our results prompt for the recognition of co-morbid EDs among bipolar patients, indicating that BED, along with other EDs, may influence in different ways both clinical characteristics and course of the illness. Further perspective studies are necessary to better define the relationships between different EDs and Bipolar Spectrum disorders.
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Psychometric information on the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule II (WHO-DAS II) in depressive primary care (PC) patients is scarce and has been obtained with the 36-item version of the instrument. The main objective of this study was to analyse the dimensionality, internal consistency and construct validity of the 12-item WHO-DAS II in a large sample of Spanish PC patients with a first diagnosed major depressive episode. ⋯ The 12-item WHO-DAS II is a reliable, valid and useful tool for assessing overall disability in PC patients with depression.
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The burden experienced by caregivers of patients with bipolar disorder has been associated with increased caregiver depression, anxiety and mental health service use. As caregiver burden is also associated with poor patient outcome, these findings may indicate a source of distress not only for caregivers, but also for patients. This review presents what is currently known about psychiatric symptoms in this population and suggests directions for future research. ⋯ While not all of the data are consistent, the majority of papers report the presence of psychiatric symptoms in caregivers, such as depression, anxiety and increased mental health service use. Future research is needed to address methodological issues and focus on distinguishing symptoms and identifying effects of mediators such as caregiver-patient relationship, coping styles and stigma. Interventions tailored towards the psychiatric needs of bipolar families may result in improved caregiver and patient outcomes, as well as in decreased health care costs.
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Multicenter Study Comparative Study
Factor analyses of the Suicidal Intent Scale (SIS) and the Risk-Rescue Rating Scale (RRRS): toward the identification of homogeneous subgroups of suicidal behaviors.
Suicidal behavior is a heterogeneous entity, determined by multiple factors. This heterogeneity has major implications for clinical management of patients and identification of risk factors. Our study aims at identifying homogeneous subgroups of patients with suicidal behavior. ⋯ The characterization of suicidal behaviors using SIS and RRRS sub-scores constitutes a first step toward the identification of homogeneous subgroups of suicide attempters. Prospective studies are needed to test the predictive value of these sub-scores for subsequent suicidal acts.