scholarly journals Assessment and Management of Depression and Anxiety in Children and Adolescents with Epilepsy

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-4 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Plevin ◽  
Nicholas Smith

Anxiety and depression in children and adolescents with epilepsy are common comorbidities which place a significant burden on patients and families and complicate the clinical management of epilepsy. This paper presents a narrative review on the aetiology, phenomenology, assessment, and management of depression and anxiety among paediatric patients with epilepsy. The recognition of affective comorbidity in paediatric epilepsy is limited at present, and the contributory role of antiepileptic medication towards such comorbidity must be considered by clinicians.

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yu-Hsuan Lin ◽  
Kuan-I Lin ◽  
Yuan-Chien Pan ◽  
Sheng-Hsuan Lin

BACKGROUND Phantom vibrations syndrome (PVS) and phantom ringing syndrome (PRS) are prevalent hallucinations during medical internship. Depression and anxiety are probably understudied risk factors of PVS and PRS. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to investigate the role of anxiety and depression on the relationship between working stress during medical internship and PVS and PRS. METHODS A prospective longitudinal study of 74 medical interns was carried out using repeated investigations of the severity of phantom vibrations and ringing, as well as accompanying symptoms of anxiety and depression as measured by Beck Anxiety Inventory and the Beck Depression Inventory before, at the 3rd, 6th, and 12th month during internship, and 2 weeks after internship. We conducted a causal mediation analysis to investigate the role of depression and anxiety in the mechanism of working stress during medical internship inducing PVS and PRS. RESULTS The results showed that depression explained 21.9% and 8.4% for stress-induced PRS and PVS, respectively. In addition, anxiety explained 15.0% and 7.8% for stress-induced PRS and PVS, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Our findings showed both depression and anxiety can explain a portion of stress-induced PVS and PRS during medical internship and might be more important in clinical practice and benefit to prevention of work-related burnout.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 205510292098746
Author(s):  
Håvard R Karlsen ◽  
Florian Matejschek ◽  
Ingvild Saksvik-Lehouillier ◽  
Eva Langvik

The aim of this paper is to summarise and evaluate the empirical support for the association between anxiety and cardiovascular disease (CVD) and to address challenges related to method and study design. We review results from meta-analyses and more recent findings on the association of anxiety and the risk of CVD. Depression and anxiety are often listed as psychosocial risk markers of CVD, but the role of anxiety as a risk factor for CVD has not received the same evidential support as the effects of depression. Through a narrative review we identified six meta-analyses as well as 15 recent large studies of anxiety and CVD that we summarise. Some of the conflicting findings may be artefacts of study design or population the sample is drawn from. Researchers should take care to be population specific, measurement specific and outcome specific, and to control for comorbid depression.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yu-Hsuan Lin ◽  
Kuan-I Lin ◽  
Yuan-Chien Pan ◽  
Sheng-Hsuan Lin

BACKGROUND Phantom vibrations syndrome (PVS) and phantom ringing syndrome (PRS) are prevalent hallucinations during medical internship. Depression and anxiety are probably understudied risk factors of PVS and PRS. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to investigate the role of anxiety and depression on the relationship between working stress during medical internship and PVS and PRS. METHODS A prospective longitudinal study of 74 medical interns was carried out using repeated investigations of the severity of phantom vibrations and ringing, as well as accompanying symptoms of anxiety and depression as measured by Beck Anxiety Inventory and the Beck Depression Inventory before, at the 3rd, 6th, and 12th month during internship, and 2 weeks after internship. We conducted a causal mediation analysis to investigate the role of depression and anxiety in the mechanism of working stress during medical internship inducing PVS and PRS. RESULTS The results showed that depression explained 21.9% and 8.4% for stress-induced PRS and PVS, respectively. In addition, anxiety explained 15.0% and 7.8% for stress-induced PRS and PVS, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Our findings showed both depression and anxiety can explain a portion of stress-induced PVS and PRS during medical internship and might be more important in clinical practice and benefit to prevention of work-related burnout.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Amy O'Connell

<p>Serotonin is an important neurotransmitter that regulates a range of processes within the brain and is implicated in several psychiatric disorders. In addition, serotonin acts as a developmental signal during critical periods of prenatal development, influencing processes such as neuronal proliferation, migration, and synaptogenesis (Gaspar et al., 2003). The serotonin transporter (5- HTT) plays a key role in regulating extracellular serotonin levels and is the main target of selective-serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), a class of drugs that have anti-anxiety and anti- depressive activity. SSRIs cause an acute increase in extracellular serotonin and are commonly prescribed as a treatment for depression and anxiety during pregnancy (Tran & Robb, 2015). Given that these drugs alter serotonin transmission and can pass to the developing fetus via the placenta, it is vital that the outcomes of prenatal SSRI exposure are investigated. In humans, a genetic variant of the gene that codes for the 5-HTT (SLC6A4) has been linked to increased risk for developing depression and anxiety (Caspi et al., 2003). The functional consequences of this genetic polymorphism are life-long alterations in 5-HTT activity, resulting in increased extracellular levels of serotonin (Nakamura et al., 2000). Given prenatal SSRI exposure results in a time-locked blockade of 5-HTT during critical periods of development, it follows that alterations in serotonin during development might similarly result in enhanced risk for depression and anxiety later in life. Outcomes in children prenatally exposed to SSRIs are difficult to study due to confounds of pre- existing maternal depression. Therefore, the current thesis presents two experiments that aimed to further investigate the role of altered extracellular serotonin levels during development in an animal model. Experiment one aimed to develop a method of voluntary oral administration of the SSRI fluoxetine to pregnant rat dams. This method was then applied in experiment two to create a time-locked blockade of 5-HTT during critical periods of development in an animal model of life-long 5-HTT blockade. The aim of experiment two was to directly assess the contribution of short- and long-term 5-HTT blockade on anxiety and depression phenotypes in adult male offspring. In addition, maternal behaviour was assessed to determine whether fluoxetine treatment had an influence on mother-pup interactions that could confound results. To test for anxiety and depression phenotypes, the novel affective disorder test (ADT) was used to assess anxiety behaviour and the deficits in anticipatory pleasure indicative of anhedonia. In the current study, fluoxetine treatment did not have an effect on litter outcomes or mother-pup interactions. Crucially, no significant group differences were found indicating that neither short- nor long- term blockade of 5-HTT resulted in increased anxiety- or depressive-like behaviours in the current experiment. However, limitations with methodological design limit the translatability of these results to the broader literature, and validation of the ADT is required before these results can be generalised beyond this thesis.</p>


2021 ◽  
Vol 36 (6) ◽  
pp. 1171-1171
Author(s):  
Winter Olmos ◽  
Daniel W Lopez-Hernandez ◽  
Isabel Munoz ◽  
Laura Schierholz ◽  
Rachel A Rugh-Fraser ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction We examined the relationship between depression and anxiety, language, and functional outcomes in persons with traumatic brain injury (TBI). Methods The sample consisted of 48 acute TBI (ATBI: 23 Spanish-English Bilinguals; 25 English monolinguals), 30 chronic TBI (CTBI: 17 Spanish English Bilinguals; 12 English monolinguals), and 47 healthy comparison (HC: 29 Spanish-English Bilinguals; 18 English monolinguals) participants. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale was used to measure depression (HADS-D) and anxiety (HADS-A). The Mayo Portland Adaptability Inventory-4 (MPAI-4) was used to measure functional outcomes (ability, adjustment, participation). Results An ANCOVA, controlling for age, revealed the ATBI group reported lower anxiety levels compared to the CTBI group, p = 0.034 np2 = 0.06. HC participants demonstrated significantly higher functional ability compared to both TBI groups, p &lt; 0.05, np2 = 0.08–0.19. The ATBI group demonstrated worse participation scores compared to the CTBI and HC groups, p = 0.001, np2 = 0.11. Pearson correlations revealed mood was related to functional status in ATBI monolinguals (HADS-A: r = 0.29–0.64; HADS-D, r = 0.49–0.62). Monolingual participants with ATBI demonstrated correlations between depressive symptoms and functional adjustment (r = 0.57, p = 0.005) and ability (r = 0.44, p = 0.034). For monolinguals with CTBI, HADS-A correlated with functional outcomes, r = 0.60–0.66, p &lt; 0.05. For bilinguals with CTBI, functional outcomes correlated with HADS-A, r = 0.53–0.66, p &lt; 0.05, and HADS-D, r = 0.54–0.66, p &lt; 0.05. For HC monolinguals, functional outcomes correlated with HADS-A, r = 0.53–0.70, p &lt; 0.05, and HADS-D, r = 0.50–0.72, p &lt; 0.05. Finally, for HC bilinguals, functional outcomes correlated with HADS-A, r = 0.59–0.68, p &lt; 0.05. Conclusion Our results suggest that a relationship between anxiety and depressive symptoms is related more to functional outcomes in monolingual TBI survivors compared to bilingual TBI survivors.


2016 ◽  
Vol 63 (4) ◽  
pp. 319-324
Author(s):  
Rodica Mitrea ◽  
◽  
Ioan Bradu Iamandescu ◽  
Luana Cezara Tudor ◽  
◽  
...  

Today, cardiovascular diseases represent a very important issue in the study of human health around the world. We conducted the present taking into account the negative impact that these diseases have on our lives. Our study aims to engage in a psychomedical sense in the behavior of patients with heart problems, negatively influenced on one hand by the alert lifestyle of the contemporary society, and on the other hand of anxiety and depression, most often found in the clinical picture of cardiovascular patients. Objectives. The introduction of psychotherapy treatment sessions for coronary patients with anxiety and depression, observing the interrelations that arise after these sessions. Methods and materials. The study was conducted on a sample consisting of 62 people, men and women with cardiovascular diseases and anxiety and depression. The following questionnaires were used: Hamilton for anxiety and Beck for depression. Patients went through a total of 20 sessions of psychotherapy, custom made for each one, because the same disease can be experienced differently, depending on the patient's psychological reactivity. Results. Following the proposed program of therapy, the results were represented in graphs and statistically analyzed. Debate. A positive role of the psychotherapy sessions is noted, especially in the light and medium phase of depression and anxiety.


Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (12) ◽  
pp. 4459
Author(s):  
Matteo Vandoni ◽  
Roberto Codella ◽  
Roberto Pippi ◽  
Vittoria Carnevale Pellino ◽  
Nicola Lovecchio ◽  
...  

The coexistence of childhood obesity (or its risk) and COVID-19 pandemic put children and adolescents in greater risk to develop respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. In fact, the restrictions introduced to limit the spread of the virus had detrimental effects on various lifestyle components, especially in young population. This resulted in augmented levels of physical inactivity and sedentary behaviors and a reduced time spent in play outdoors or sport practices. Contrariwise, the increased use of technology led clinicians, teachers, and trainers to maintain relations with obese children/adolescents so as to reduce sedentary behaviors and the associated health risks. This narrative review aims to describe the role of Telehealth and Tele-exercise as useful tools in the management of pediatric obesity during COVID-19 pandemic. Telehealth and Tele-exercise were effective in promoting self-monitoring and behavioral changes, including adherence to exercise training programs in children and adolescents. Moreover, tele-exercise platforms such as applications or exergames allowed flexible scheduling, limiting the infection risks.


2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. e704997687
Author(s):  
Cristina Maria Duarte Wigg ◽  
Isabella Maria Félix de Almeida Coutinho ◽  
Isabelle Cristine da Silva ◽  
Larissa Bezerra Lopes

The study was a narrative review on the mental health of children and adolescents during a COVID-19 pandemic. A search was performed in the PubMed, BVS and Google Scholar databases, between April and June 2020. The studies revealed greater psychological distress due to social isolation, increased family conflicts and violence between parents and children. The closure of schools, lack of social interaction, feelings of uncertainty and fear in the face of a pandemic also contribute to the emergence of anxiety and stress symptoms in families. The resources of the Internet and social media can be tools of psychosocial support to families during quarantine, enabling therapeutic practices, information and contact between peers; minimizing symptoms of stress, anxiety and depression. Public policies are urgent and demand innovation and new technologies applied to families' mental health care.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Rita Sergi ◽  
Laura Picconi ◽  
Marco Tommasi ◽  
Aristide Saggino ◽  
Sjoerd J. H. Ebisch ◽  
...  

Recent epidemiological data show an increase of depression and anxiety that cause a loss of about 3–4% of the gross domestic product in Europe, as a consequence of a reduced productivity and a premature death of people. Gender differences in both psychopathologies were found from mid-to-late adolescence until 55 years, and data indicate an increase of depression in women. Considering these data, new interventions focused on promoting psychological well-being were designed. A predictive factor of psychological disorders is Emotional Intelligence (EI), the ability to understand and regulate our own emotions, as well as those of others. EI is associated with psychological well-being, as well as with the treatment of mental illness, but gender differences in the association among EI, anxiety and depression remains unclear. The present study aims at analyzing the nomological associations among EI, anxiety and depression. Furthermore, the possible moderating role of gender in the relation between EI, depression and anxiety is investigated in a sample of 1725 healthy participants. Our results show that the ability to recognize and to control emotions in the social context helps us to reduce the risk to be affected by depression and anxiety. Moreover, our study shows that the association of EI with anxiety and depression wasn’t gender moderated. In conclusion, the findings highlight that EI can help people to manage emotions linked to negative events and to successfully understand emotions in others. In addition, we found no moderation role of gender in the association between EI, anxiety and depression.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Amy O'Connell

<p>Serotonin is an important neurotransmitter that regulates a range of processes within the brain and is implicated in several psychiatric disorders. In addition, serotonin acts as a developmental signal during critical periods of prenatal development, influencing processes such as neuronal proliferation, migration, and synaptogenesis (Gaspar et al., 2003). The serotonin transporter (5- HTT) plays a key role in regulating extracellular serotonin levels and is the main target of selective-serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), a class of drugs that have anti-anxiety and anti- depressive activity. SSRIs cause an acute increase in extracellular serotonin and are commonly prescribed as a treatment for depression and anxiety during pregnancy (Tran & Robb, 2015). Given that these drugs alter serotonin transmission and can pass to the developing fetus via the placenta, it is vital that the outcomes of prenatal SSRI exposure are investigated. In humans, a genetic variant of the gene that codes for the 5-HTT (SLC6A4) has been linked to increased risk for developing depression and anxiety (Caspi et al., 2003). The functional consequences of this genetic polymorphism are life-long alterations in 5-HTT activity, resulting in increased extracellular levels of serotonin (Nakamura et al., 2000). Given prenatal SSRI exposure results in a time-locked blockade of 5-HTT during critical periods of development, it follows that alterations in serotonin during development might similarly result in enhanced risk for depression and anxiety later in life. Outcomes in children prenatally exposed to SSRIs are difficult to study due to confounds of pre- existing maternal depression. Therefore, the current thesis presents two experiments that aimed to further investigate the role of altered extracellular serotonin levels during development in an animal model. Experiment one aimed to develop a method of voluntary oral administration of the SSRI fluoxetine to pregnant rat dams. This method was then applied in experiment two to create a time-locked blockade of 5-HTT during critical periods of development in an animal model of life-long 5-HTT blockade. The aim of experiment two was to directly assess the contribution of short- and long-term 5-HTT blockade on anxiety and depression phenotypes in adult male offspring. In addition, maternal behaviour was assessed to determine whether fluoxetine treatment had an influence on mother-pup interactions that could confound results. To test for anxiety and depression phenotypes, the novel affective disorder test (ADT) was used to assess anxiety behaviour and the deficits in anticipatory pleasure indicative of anhedonia. In the current study, fluoxetine treatment did not have an effect on litter outcomes or mother-pup interactions. Crucially, no significant group differences were found indicating that neither short- nor long- term blockade of 5-HTT resulted in increased anxiety- or depressive-like behaviours in the current experiment. However, limitations with methodological design limit the translatability of these results to the broader literature, and validation of the ADT is required before these results can be generalised beyond this thesis.</p>


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