Psychiat Danub
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Mass gatherings occur in different situations and settings around the world. A mass gathering can range in size from thousands to millions and in nature from recreation (i.e. concerts) to religious festivals (i.e. the Hajj pilgrimage). Such mass gatherings can result in high rates of morbidity and mortality from communicable and non-communicable diseases, 'accidents' and, over recent years, terror attacks. ⋯ Although Hajj is a spiritual experience that is considered enlightening by many pilgrims, it can also be highly stressful which can have adverse effects on both physical and mental health. Few studies have been published hitherto on the impact that Hajj has on the mental health of pilgrims. This review article provides a narrative summary of studies conducted on Hajj and the relationship that this mass gathering has with the mental health of pilgrims.
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Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS) is characterized by cyclic vomiting and compulsive need to take hot showers in the context of chronic cannabis use. Physicians' lack of knowledge of CHS often results in a diagnostic delay of several years. The purpose of this article is to describe CHS in order to enable physicians, and more particularly psychiatrists, to diagnose it as quickly as possible and thus avoid unnecessary additional invasive examinations. ⋯ CHS is an under-diagnosed pathology because it is little known to physicians. This syndrome has unique clinical characteristics. Early recognition of CHS avoids repeated visits to the emergency room and unnecessary follow-up examinations.
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Review
Role of gut microbiota in the interaction between immunity and psychiatry: a literature review.
Psychiatric disorders may be correlated with a low-grade systemic inflammation but the origin of this inflammatory response remains unclear and both genetics and environmental factors seems to be concerned. Recent researches observed that gut microbiota seems to have an impact on the brain and immune processes. ⋯ Psychological stress impact gut microbiota with subsequent immune activation leading to neurodevelopmental disorders or sickness behavior and altering neurophysiology and reactivity to stress or lifestyle.
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Ketamine is an anaesthetic and analgesic agent that demonstrates the antidepressive effect in major depression. Several administrations routes, dosing schemas and esketamine are investigated in basic and clinical research with particular focus on treatment-resistant depression (TRD) where drug demonstrates its efficacy where very limited alternatives are available. The majority of ketamine studies in TRD treatment reported no serious adverse events regardless the administration route or regimen. ⋯ In patients experiencing symptoms of hypertensive crisis immediate emergency care must be provided. The unmet need for improved pharmacotherapies for TRD means the use of ketamine and esketamine is warranted therapeutic option in patients who fail to achieve a sustained remission of depressive symptoms with drugs with monoamine-based mechanisms of action. Adequate safety measures must be applied when using ketamine/esketamine in TRD subjects with particular focus on somatic comorbidities as the transient drug effect on cardiovascular system is demonstrated and of clinical significance.
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Suicidal ideations or attempts in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) are emergent conditions that require immediate treatment. Numerous therapeutic interventions to reduce suicide risk in psychiatric disorders are effective in long-term suicide prevention, but there is necessity of sufficient, rapid pharmacological treatment of suicidal risk in MDD. ⋯ Depressive symptoms, anxiety, hopelessness, suicidal ideation had decreased within hours after ketamine infusion. Ketamine's rapid symptoms relief and reduction of suicide thoughts has aroused growing interests in psychiatric association.