Thoughts Of Death Research Articles

What Makes the Time Tradeoff Tick? A Sociopsychological Explanation.

A theoretical interpretation of factors influencing time tradeoff (TTO) scores is lacking. In this conceptual study, we use a sociopsychological theory, terror management theory (TMT), to explain how death thoughts may play a role in the TTO method. TMT describes how respondents suppress death thoughts by invoking psychological defenses, such as self-esteem, and by bolstering cultural values. What is the relation between TMT and TTO scores? A framework is developed to link TMT to TTO scores. Predictions of the framework pertain to the directionality of relations between characteristics (e.g., being religious) affecting TTO scores. These predictions are then tested against the findings in the literature. The value "prolonging life" can be used as a linking pin between TTO and TMT as it is relevant for both TMT and TTO. It is argued that the value "prolonging life" is related to TTO scores but also to TMT defense strengths. Thus, TMT defense strengths become associated with trading. Directionality predictions of the framework were confirmed in 34 out of 39 retrospective tests (P < 0.001). Directionalities of relations between TTO scores and socioeconomic characteristics, euthanasia, subjective life expectancy, and religion were explained in terms of TMT defense strengths. Our framework offers a theory-based and parsimonious framework to think about characteristics influencing TTO scores. Terror management theory (TMT) is a sociopsychological theory about death thoughts.Several factors are known to influence TTO scores.A new framework applies TMT to TTO scores to interpret such factors.Our framework is mostly of importance to health economists studying the TTO.

Level of Depression among Health Students at Al-Quds University

Background Students' physical and psychological well-being, particularly with a focus on depression, is a significant public health concern. Objective This study aims to explore the level of depression among health students at Al-Quds University. Methods In this assay, a cross-sectional study using a self-reporting questionnaire was conducted. To evaluate the degree of depression among students, the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II) was used. The sample comprised 357 students from Al-Quds University in the West Bank. Results The results of the study showed that depression impacted 40.3% of the subjects. Of these, 32% experienced moderate to severe depression symptoms, 24% had thoughts or wishes related to suicide, and 6.7% believed that death was the answer to their issues. The findings demonstrated that there were statistically significant variations in depression based on gender, age, study year, study geographical area, place of residence, level of religiosity, and thoughts of death (p &lt; 0.05). Conclusion To protect their well-being, mental health professionals should advise students to seek assistance and therapy. University administrators should assist students in learning time management and stress-reduction strategies so they can finish their assignments and fulfill other course obligations.

Differences in Depressive Symptom Profile by Age Group in Koreans With Major Depressive Disorder: Results From Nationwide General Population Surveys.

This study investigated to what extent a range of depressive symptoms was differentially present depending on age group in Korean population. Data was pooled from five nationally representative surveys in which 29,418 respondents aged at least 18 years were interviewed face-to-face using the Korean version of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview. A total of 691 (2.1%) respondents were found to have had at least 1 episode of major depressive disorder (MDD) within the last 12 months. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify the association between age groups (18-39 years, 40-59 years, and 60 years or older) and 26 depressive symptoms among the respondents with MDD. Associations were observed between somatic symptoms-including insomnia, awakening 2 h earlier-and cognitive symptoms such as feelings of guilt, thoughts of death, and suicidal ideation with the older age group. Whereas, atypical depressive symptoms such as increased appetite, weight gain, and hypersomnia were associated with the younger age group. When adjusted for sociodemographic factors, symptoms such as depressed mood, awakening 2 h earlier, and feeling guilty in the older age group, and hypersomnia, psychomotor retardation, and worse in the morning in the younger age group still remained statistically significant. Furthermore, fatigue and decreased libido were newly associated with the younger age group. The findings of this study revealed distinct patterns of symptomatology in MDD based on age groups. These differences should be considered owing to their potential relevance to treatment response and prognosis in the clinical setting.

Do Pandemics Trigger Death Thoughts?

The current article aims to investigate the effects of pandemics of varying severity on death-thought accessibility in two studies while controlling for health anxiety. Study 1 ( n = 203) examined the effect of standard mortality salience (MS), severe pandemic, mild pandemic, and dental conditions on death-thought accessibility as assessed by the death word fragment task (DWFT). Study 1 did not find significant effects of MS and delay on death-thought accessibility, which could be attributable to the less-sensitive nature of the DWFT. Thus, Study 2 ( n = 163) was conducted with more sensitive death-thought accessibility measures. Results from Study 2 found that response time toward death and positive words on the lexical-decision task was significantly faster than in standard MS and dental conditions. Both studies recruited predominantly Americans (Study 1) and Europeans (Study 2), which limits the generalizability of the results to other populations. Future studies can consider replicating the studies in other populations.

Experiences of Parents of Children with Cancer in the Diagnosis Process: A Qualitative Study.

This study aimed to describe the experiences of parents of children with cancer in the diagnosis process. A descriptive qualitative research design and content analysis method were used. Eleven parents participated in the study. Three main themes emerged, each with related sub-themes: encountering a cancer diagnosis, changes in the lives of those affected by the diagnosis, and coping strategies. Upon their children's diagnosis, parents reported feelings of guilt, regret, helplessness, devastation, constant thoughts of death, and changes in their lives, with some siblings displaying negative reactions. Some children felt their freedom was restricted, and some refused treatment. Parents coped by distracting their attention, praying, receiving support from their family, relatives or health professionals, and maintaining hope for their children's recovery. The study concludes that parents of children diagnosed with cancer require support to manage and adapt to the diagnosis process and meet their needs effectively throughout this difficult journey.

Treatment-emergent symptoms during short-term ketamine administration in treatment-resistant bipolar depression: A retrospective cross-sectional descriptive study

Symptoms that emerge during pharmacological treatment of bipolar depression are frequently observed, underscoring the necessity for comprehensive treatment monitoring. This observational study sought to observe the correlation of eight intravenous ketamine infusions with treatment-emergent depressive symptoms in treatment-resistant bipolar depression patients who maintained their baseline psychotropic and chronic somatic treatments. Depressive symptoms were evaluated using the Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology Self-Report 30 (IDS-SR30). Treatment-emergent symptoms TES were defined as symptoms absent at baseline but present at the conclusion of the study. The most common TES included decreased appetite, increased weight, hypersomnia, and diurnal mood variation. Conversely, feelings of sadness, altered perceptions of the future, decreased interest in sex, and physical discomfort were absent in all patients. Notably, 13.6 % of patients reported thoughts of death or suicide. Larger-scale studies, integrating clinician-rated and patient-reported outcome measures, are essential to deepen our understanding of treatment-emergent symptoms. Establishing regulatory or professional definitions for treatment-emergent symptoms is warranted to improve the robustness of future research endeavors.

Inducing Death Thoughts Reduces the Cortisol Response to Psychosocial Stress Similar to the Effects of Early-life Adversity: A Life-history Perspective

Inducing Death Thoughts Reduces the Cortisol Response to Psychosocial Stress Similar to the Effects of Early-life Adversity: A Life-history Perspective

Astrocyte-specific activation of sigma-1 receptors in mPFC mediates the faster onset antidepressant effect by inhibiting NF-κB-induced neuroinflammation

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a global health burden characterized by persistent low mood, deprivation of pleasure, recurrent thoughts of death, and physical and cognitive deficits. The current understanding of the pathophysiology of MDD is lacking, resulting in few rapid and effective antidepressant therapies. Recent studies have pointed to the sigma-1 (σ-1) receptor as a potential rapid antidepressant target; σ-1 agonists have shown promise in a variety of preclinical depression models. Hypidone hydrochloride (YL-0919), an independently developed antidepressant by our institute with faster onset of action and low rate of side effects, has recently emerged as a highly selective σ-1 receptor agonist; however, its underlying astrocyte-specific mechanism is unknown. In this study, we investigated the effect of YL-0919 treatment on gene expression in the prefrontal cortex of depressive-like mice by single-cell RNA sequencing. Furthermore, we knocked down σ-1 receptors on astrocytes in the medial prefrontal cortex of mice to explore the effects of YL-0919 on depressive-like behavior and neuroinflammation in mice. Our results demonstrated that astrocyte-specific knockdown of σ-1 receptor resulted in depressive-like behavior in mice, which was reversed by YL-0919 administration. In addition, astrocytic σ-1 receptor deficiency led to activation of the NF-κB inflammatory pathway, and crosstalk between reactive astrocytes and activated microglia amplified neuroinflammation, exacerbating stress-induced neuronal apoptosis. Furthermore, the depressive-like behavior induced by astrocyte-specific knockdown of the σ-1 receptor was improved by a selective NF-κB inhibitor, JSH-23, in mice. Our study not only reaffirms the σ-1 receptor as a key target of the faster antidepressant effect of YL-0919, but also contributes to the development of astrocytic σ-1 receptor-based novel drugs.

A preliminary examination of the associations between belief in God and in afterlife, death anxiety, and COVID-19 protective behaviours within a non-representative Polish community sample

ABSTRACT A common form of dealing with death anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic was to comply with protective behaviours. Researchers observed that religious people were less likely to comply with protective behaviours. At the same time, religious people usually felt lower death anxiety since they believed in an afterlife more strongly than non-religious people. We explored these complex mechanisms by examining the relationship between a declaration of belief in God, death anxiety, belief in an afterlife, and protective behaviours during the pandemic. We examined 551 participants from a non-representative Polish sample. According to structural equation modelling analysis, declaring oneself as a believer, predominantly as Catholic, was positively associated with belief in an afterlife, which, like death anxiety, but independent of it, was associated with perceiving COVID-19 as a non-severe disease, which was associated with low fear of the disease and disregard for protective behaviours. Thus, our preliminary results allowed us to distinguish belief in God and an afterlife from death anxiety as two independent determinants of compliance with protective behaviours. Finally, the positive relationship between death anxiety and compliance with protective behaviours suggested that people attempted to alleviate thoughts of death by engaging in protective behaviours during the pandemic.

Adolescents Who Do Not Endorse Risk via the Patient Health Questionnaire Before Self-Harm or Suicide

Given that the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ) item 9 is commonly used to screen for risk of self-harm and suicide, it is important that clinicians recognize circumstances when at-risk adolescents may go undetected. To understand characteristics of adolescents with a history of depression who do not endorse the PHQ item 9 before a near-term intentional self-harm event or suicide. This was a retrospective cohort study design using electronic health record and claims data from January 2009 through September 2017. Settings included primary care and mental health specialty clinics across 7 integrated US health care systems. Included in the study were adolescents aged 13 to 17 years with history of depression who completed the PHQ item 9 within 30 or 90 days before self-harm or suicide. Study data were analyzed September 2022 to April 2023. Demographic, diagnostic, treatment, and health care utilization characteristics. Responded "not at all" (score = 0) to PHQ item 9 regarding thoughts of death or self-harm within 30 or 90 days before self-harm or suicide. The study included 691 adolescents (mean [SD] age, 15.3 [1.3] years; 541 female [78.3%]) in the 30-day cohort and 1024 adolescents (mean [SD] age, 15.3 [1.3] years; 791 female [77.2%]) in the 90-day cohort. A total of 197 of 691 adolescents (29%) and 330 of 1024 adolescents (32%), respectively, scored 0 before self-harm or suicide on the PHQ item 9 in the 30- and 90-day cohorts. Adolescents seen in primary care (odds ratio [OR], 1.5; 95% CI, 1.0-2.1; P = .03) and older adolescents (OR, 1.2; 95% CI, 1.0-1.3; P = .02) had increased odds of scoring 0 within 90 days of a self-harm event or suicide, and adolescents with a history of inpatient hospitalization and a mental health diagnosis had twice the odds (OR, 2.0; 95% CI, 1.3-3.0; P = .001) of scoring 0 within 30 days. Conversely, adolescents with diagnoses of eating disorders were significantly less likely to score 0 on item 9 (OR, 0.4; 95% CI, 0.2-0.8; P = .007) within 90 days. Study results suggest that older age, history of an inpatient mental health encounter, or being screened in primary care were associated with at-risk adolescents being less likely to endorse having thoughts of death and self-harm on the PHQ item 9 before a self-harm event or suicide death. As use of the PHQ becomes more widespread in practice, additional research is needed for understanding reasons why many at-risk adolescents do not endorse thoughts of death and self-harm.

Death of the social self? Comparing the effects of ostracism to mortality salience

ABSTRACT The ‘social death’ metaphor is used to reflect ostracism’s severity and death-related themes often influence ostracism research. To determine its accuracy, we examined the similarity of ostracism and mortality salience (MS) outcomes. To manipulate these constructs, we used writing prompts in Study 1, and Cyberball and a novel MS manipulation, ‘Cybergrave,’ in studies 2, 3a, and 3b. In Study 4, we correlated chronic ostracism and death-thought accessibility. Ostracism uniquely threatened psychological needs, whereas MS uniquely activated death thoughts. Moreover, the correlation between chronic ostracism and death-thought accessibility was small and non-significant when controlling for related variables. Results suggest the death metaphor may not always be accurate. Death-related language may bias how ostracism is conceptualized and studied, emphasizing pain over recovery.

Sociodemographic and environmental characteristics associated with thoughts of death and suicidal ideation in community-dwelling residents of a rural town in Japan: analyses from a perspective of accompanying problems

ObjectiveSuicide prevention has been focused on primary prevention as a group rather than individuals. However, we aimed to identify sociodemographic and environmental characteristics of individuals with suicidal thoughts among rural residents in Japan.MethodsIn 2015, a cross-sectional home visit survey was conducted in a rural town in Akita Prefecture. A total of 1,844 residents aged ≥ 20 years (response rate, 65%) answered a self-administered questionnaire about suicidal thoughts in the past one month. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to investigate sociodemographic and environmental characteristics associated with suicidal thoughts in models with accompanying problems for human relations problems (HRP), health problems (HP), and financial problems (FP), or with no accompanying problems.ResultsIn total, 218 (men 9.4%, women 13.8%) had suicidal thoughts with accompanying problems for HRP (n = 104), HP (n = 112), and FP (n = 72). The risk characteristics were Kessler Psychological Distress Scale scores ≥ 9 in models with HRP, HP, and FP or with no accompanying problems; being a woman and current smoking with no accompanying problems; absence of a person for help in a model of FP; and absence of family member for help in a model of HRP or with no accompanying problems. The mitigating factor were being optimistic (a domain of resilience skills identified by factor analysis) in models of HRP, HP, and FP or with no accompanying problems; being aged 70–79 and being aged ≥ 80 in a model of HRP.ConclusionsSuicidal thoughts among rural residents in Japan were associated with multifactorial sociodemographic and environmental characteristics.

Comparing Symptoms of Major Depression in Youth with Confirmed Versus Suspected Bipolar Disorder.

Background: While numerous studies have compared symptoms of major depressive episodes (MDEs) associated with bipolar disorder (BD; i.e., bipolar depression) versus major depressive disorder (MDD; i.e., unipolar depression), little is known about this topic in youth. We compared MDE symptoms in youth with BD with youth with suspected BD who have similar clinical and familial characteristics aside from having BD. Methods: MDE symptoms based on Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School Age Children (K-SADS) Depression Rating Scale items for the most severe past episode were compared in youth, ages 13-21 years, with BD (n = 208) versus suspected BD (n = 165). Diagnoses were confirmed via semistructured interviews. Symptoms with between-group differences (p < 0.05) in univariate analyses were evaluated in a multivariate forward stepwise regression. All analyses controlled for age and sex. Results: Youth with BD had significantly higher (more severe) ratings on depressed mood (p = 0.001, η2 = 0.05), irritability (p = 0.037, η2 = 0.02), anhedonia (p = 0.004, η2 = 0.04), negative self-image (p < 0.001, η2 = 0.07), hopelessness (p = 0.04, η2 = 0.02), fatigue (p = 0.001, η2 = 0.05), hypersomnia (p = 0.001, η2 = 0.05), suicidal ideation (p = 0.04, η2 = 0.02), and recurrent thoughts of death (p < 0.001, η2 = 0.05). In regression analyses, the only symptom that remained significant in the BD group was depressed mood (p = 0.002). Conclusions: These findings demonstrate greater severity of depressive symptoms in youth with BD versus MDD across mood, and cognitive and neurovegetative symptom domains. These differences are especially noteworthy given that the MDD group was highly similar to the BD group, aside from BD diagnosis. Present findings emphasize the need for novel treatment approaches to bipolar depression in youth, and for studies examining potential mechanisms underlying the increased severity of bipolar depression.

Can high-sensitivity C-reactive protein be a routine trans-diagnostic biomarker for thoughts of death and suicidal attempts?

IntroductionSeveral studies have shown an association between suicidal behavior and increased C-reactive-protein (CRP) levels (Ghayour-Mobarhan M. et al. Comb Chem High Throughput Screen 2022; 25 1047-1057) although most studies evaluated the association between CRP levels and suicidal ideation in depressed patients (Olié E. et al. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2015; 25 1824-31).ObjectivesOur study assessed baseline high-sensitivity CRP (hsCRP) levels in a cohort of adult inpatients affected by severe mental illness (SMI) and their association with Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview-5 subscale suicidality (MINI-5-s).MethodsA naturalistic, observational, cross-sectional study was carried out by retrospectively recruiting 127 adult SMI inpatients, excluding patients with an organic pathology. HsCRP levels were assessed at the ward admission. To assess the suicidal behaviour all patients filled the same day the MINI-5-s.Results The number of patients with hsCRP&gt;3mg/l were significantly higher among those with thoughts of death (p=0.002) and suicidal attempt (p=0.026). No statistically significant associations were observed between hsCRP levels and other suicidality dimensions.Limitations: Small sample size, heterogeneous diagnoses, lack of diagnostic sub-analysis, cross-sectional design, and lack of a healthy control group.ConclusionsThe study reveals a transdiagnostic association between inflammation, thoughts of death and suicidal attempt in SMI inpatients. Our preliminary findings could support a routine introduction of hsCRP measurement, due to its relatively low cost, possible utility in trans- diagnostically suicide risk assessment. Large-scale clinical trials would be recommended to evaluate the effects of early anti-inflammatory therapy in patients with death ideation and/or suicidal attempt and concomitant low-grade hsCRP elevation. HsCRP could potentially represent an early biomarker for suicidal risk.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared

Postpartum insomnia in a woman who has given birth to twins : A case report

IntroductionPostpartum insomnia is a significant and often overlooked mental health concern affecting mothers during the postnatal period. Sleep disturbances during this critical time can have far-reaching implications for maternal well-being and the quality of care provided to newborns.ObjectivesThe primary objective of this review is to analyze recent clinical literature on postpartum insomnia to gain a deeper understanding of its epidemiology, clinical features, and management approaches. By synthesizing the latest research findings, this review aims to inform healthcare professionals and policymakers about the significance of postpartum insomnia and promote early recognition and intervention.MethodsA case report of a 43-year-old woman in the fifth month postpartum after a twin birth who comes to the emergency department accompanied by her partner with thoughts of death and impulse phobias due to insomnia of months of evolution. Also a systematic search of the PubMed database was conducted using the keyword “Postpartum insomnia,” and articles published between 2013 and 2023 were included. A total of 20 clinical articles meeting the inclusion criteria were analyzed to provide a comprehensive overview of postpartum insomnia.ResultsThe review reveals that postpartum insomnia is a prevalent and often underdiagnosed condition, affecting a significant proportion of new mothers. Risk factors such as maternal age, parity, social support, and hormonal fluctuations have been identified. Diagnostic challenges arise due to the overlap of symptoms with postpartum mood disorders, necessitating a comprehensive clinical assessment. Recent research emphasizes the importance of non-pharmacological interventions, including sleep hygiene education, cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I), and mindfulness-based approaches, as the first-line treatment options. However, pharmacotherapy may be considered in severe cases. Untreated postpartum insomnia has been associated with adverse maternal and infant outcomes, including impaired bonding, increased risk of postpartum depression, and developmental delays in infants.ConclusionsIn conclusion, postpartum insomnia is a prevalent yet often underrecognized mental health concern with multifaceted clinical implications. This review highlights the importance of early detection and intervention to mitigate its impact on maternal well-being and infant development. The integration of non-pharmacological interventions, particularly CBT-I and mindfulness-based strategies, into routine postpartum care holds promise in improving sleep quality and overall postnatal mental health. Healthcare providers should be vigilant in assessing and addressing postpartum insomnia to optimize the well-being of both mothers and infantsDisclosure of InterestNone Declared

Late Onset Bipolar Disorder (LOBD): a case report

Introduction Bipolar disorder (BD) in the elderly patient may present as the evolution of illness initiated earlier in life or as a new-onset entity. Therefore, two groups of patients are distinguished: “late onset” (LOBD) when the first mania occurs in old age and “early onset” in elderly patients with long-standing history. BD in elderly patients (≥60 years) constitutes 25% of all BD cases. Specific aspects of older age bipolar disorder (OABD) are somatic and psychiatric comorbidity, impaired cognition and age-related psychosocial functioning. The management of BD in the elderly is complex given the high sensitivity of these patients to pharmacological side effects, particularly of psychotropic drugs.ObjectivesThe case of a patient with LOBD is presented, followed by a theoretical review of the subject.MethodsA case is presented with a bibliographic review.Results A 76-year-old woman who had no prior history of mental health issues until March 2023 when she was initially admitted to a geriatric hospitalization unit for manifesting manic symptoms. She was readmitted in July 2023 due to worsening depressive symptoms that included a declining mood, passive thoughts of death, deterioration in self-care, weight loss, insomnia, constipation, and dry mouth despite recent changes in her medications. She was on treatment with escitalopram (which was gradually discontinued and replaced with mirtazapine), quetiapine, lormetazepam, and lorazepam. Imaging tests showed chronic ischemic lesions in her brain and a small meningioma, the rest of the test were normal.The initial diagnostic hypothesis was a bipolar depressive episode, and her treatment was adjusted accordingly. She was started on lithium, and her quetiapine dosage was increased, along with the anxiolytic lorazepam. Due to the persistence of depressive symptoms, including low mood, anhedonia, apathy, and negative thoughts, she was also prescribed antidepressant medication (venlafaxine and mirtazapine). Her condition gradually improved, with better eating and sleep patterns, increased participation in activities, and reduced somatic complaints and anxiety.As she continued to experience somnolence and decreased morning energy, her antipsychotic medication was switched from quetiapine to lurasidone. The dose of lithium was decreased due to tremors in her extremities, although they remained within the therapeutic range. Despite these adjustments, her mood significantly improved, and she showed no signs of worsening or psychotic symptoms, leading to her discharge.ConclusionsSummarizing different studies, LOBD who develop mania for the first time at an advanced age (≥ 50 years) constitute 5-10% of all BD. It is important to perform a thorough differential diagnosis, as an organic substrate and diverse etiologies may be present. Current guidelines recommend that first-line treatment of OABD should be similar to that of BD in young patients, with careful use of psychotropic drugs.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared

Euthanasia and assisted suicide in people with mental disorders: a case report

IntroductionUntil 2020, only Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland, and the Netherlands legalized euthanasia and assisted suicide in Europe. Spain joined this list in March 2021 with the Euthanasia Regulation Law. However, the practice of euthanasia and assisted suicide in individuals with severe mental disorders is complex due to potential cognitive and decision-making challenges. Psychiatrists play a vital role in evaluating such requests.Objectiveshe case of a patient with recurrent depressive disorder requesting euthanasia is presented, followed by a theoretical review of the subject.MethodsA case is presented with a bibliographic review.Results An 89-year-old man with a history of one prior brief psychiatric hospitalization for depression three years ago was admitted after attempting suicide with an overdose of medication. He reports depressive symptoms of several years of evolution. Medical tests came back normal, but he had a urinary catheter due to voiding issues. He was initially on a medication regimen of amitriptyline, clomethiazole, and fluvoxamine. Despite his depressive state, he maintained his cognitive and decision-making abilities. Medication adjustments were made, including discontinuing amitriptyline and switching fluvoxamine to amitriptyline. His depressive symptoms worsened after three days, leading to the addition of trazodone to his treatment. He also developed urinary symptoms and was diagnosed with a urinary tract infection and metastatic prostate cancer during urological evaluation. Emotionally, he became more apathetic, anergic, and anhedonic, frequently expressing a desire for euthanasia, even with medication changes. Hyponatremia led to the discontinuation of duloxetine and the introduction of venlafaxine. To address anxiety and sleep problems, clomethiazole was replaced with mirtazapine. Upon learning of his cancer diagnosis, his mood deteriorated further, along with increased anxiety and continued mentions of euthanasia. Lorazepam was introduced, and he was informed of his right to request euthanasia after discussing therapeutic options with urology. Following this consultation, the patient became calmer, stopped expressing thoughts of death, and began making short-term plans, including the possibility of receiving palliative care at home upon discharge.Conclusions Euthanasia and assisted suicide in severe mental disorders are complex due to ethical and medical challenges. Patients must understand their condition, prognosis, and have decision-making capacity. Assessing their suffering is crucial. Coexisting mental and organic issues complicate the request’s origin. In SMD, determining irreversibility is tricky, as these are often chronic, non-terminal conditions. Exhausting treatment options is essential before considering euthanasia, despite patient treatment refusal. Limited research underscores the need for more studies.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared

An examination of the psychometric properties of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) in a Multiracial/ethnic population in the United States.

Depression and suicide are significant public health issues. The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) is commonly used to assess for symptoms of depression, but its psychometric properties within Multiracial/ethnic populations remains uncertain. In a study involving 1,012 English-speaking Multiracial/ethnic participants from the United States (US), the PHQ-9 showed strong internal consistency (α = 0.93) and supported a one-factor structure. No measurement variance was observed between Non-White and White/Non-White Multiracial/ethic subgroups. PHQ-2, with a cutoff of ≥3, identified fewer depression cases than PHQ-9 (32% vs. 40%), with sensitivities of 75-99% and specificities of 74-96%; a cutoff of ≥2 missed fewer cases. Item performance of the ninth PHQ-9 question, addressing thoughts of death or self-harm, varied across generations with younger generations more likely to endorse thoughts of death or self-harm at any level of symptom severity. The findings suggest the PHQ-9 demonstrated adequate reliability within a population of Multiracial/ethnic adults in the US; however, the use of the 9th item of the PHQ-9 may not be adequate for identifying individuals at risk for suicidal thoughts and/or behaviors, particularly for older Multiracial/ethnic adults. The lower sensitivity of the PHQ-2 with a ≥ 3 cutoff suggests a cutoff of ≥2 may be preferable to miss fewer cases of depression.

Experience of Terrorism and the Mental Health Status of Adolescents in North- Central of Nigeria

Terrorism, defined as the premeditated use or threat of violence to instil fear and compel authority compliance, poses a global security threat with profound psychological effects, particularly on vulnerable populations like adolescents. In regions like Northern Nigeria, where terrorist activities are prevalent, the mental health impact on adolescents is a critical concern. This study investigates the relationship between terrorism exposure and mental health among adolescents in Mangu Local Government Area (LGA), Plateau State, Nigeria. This cross-sectional study was conducted in Mangu LGA, Plateau State, in 2024. Adolescents aged 10-19 years were surveyed, with a sample size of 200 determined using Leslie Fischer’s formula. Data were collected through standardized questionnaires covering socio-demographic information, terrorism experiences, and mental health status. SPSS version 20.0 was used for statistical analysis, including regression to assess the relationship between terrorism and mental health. 92.5% of the adolescents experienced a terrorist attack, 57.9% reported deaths, and 42.1% reported injuries. Religion was the primary cause of attacks, with 88.6%. Many adolescents reported worsened mental health. Notably, 49% felt the same regarding thoughts of death, but 24% reported worsened feelings. Terrorism exposure significantly predicted mental health status, accounting for 25.5% of the variation in mental well-being (R² = -0.255, p &lt; 0.05). Terrorism significantly negatively impacts adolescent mental health in Mangu LGA. Targeted interventions, including psychosocial support and trauma-informed care, are crucial. Policymakers should address terrorism’s root causes and promote peace-building initiatives. Further, longitudinal studies are needed to explore long-term effects and inform interventions.

Lack of Fall Prevention Education in Patients Experiencing Fall-Related Hip Fracture: A Qualitative Study

Introduction We aimed to describe patient awareness regarding fall prevention and education, perceived causes of falls, and changes in attitude after experiencing a fall through interviews with older Korean patients who experienced falls with resultant hip fractures. Materials and Methods We conducted face-to-face semi-structured in-depth interviews with 11 patients who were admitted to Kangbuk Samsung Hospital for hip fractures caused by falls and were referred to the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine for postsurgical rehabilitation between June 2022 and June 2023. The data were analyzed using the phenomenological method developed by Colaizzi. Results Before hip fracture, none of the patients had received fall prevention education or perceived its necessity; however, they recognized its necessity retrospectively. Participants described the causes of falls as carelessness, actions taken at the time of the fall, environmental factors, and decreased physical function. Most participants believed that falls could be prevented through personal caution and activity restrictions. Some mentioned fall prevention education, exercise, wearing appropriate shoes, environmental adjustments, and seeking assistance from others as methods of preventing future falls. Most patients reported adopting a safety-seeking attitude after experiencing hip fracture. Many patients had negative thoughts such as guilt or thoughts of death, whereas only a few reported increased interest in education and exercise. Conclusions We observed a lack of fall prevention education, misunderstanding regarding the cause of falls, and negative psychological changes after experiencing hip fractures due to falls in older Korean individuals. Recognizing and managing patient perceptions is crucial for effective fall prevention, requiring both healthcare provider awareness and active participation from patients and caregivers.