Fear Of Situations Research Articles

Flu and COVID-19 Vaccination: What Happens to the Flu Shot When the Campaigns Overlap? Experience from a Large Italian Research Hospital.

Influenza represents a threat to global health and health care workers (HCWs) have an increased risk of contracting the influenza virus in the workplace. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought back the importance of influenza vaccination, as the influenza virus can circulate together with SARS-CoV-2. The aim of this report is to describe the actual flu vaccination coverage among healthcare workers of a research hospital and the trend changes, with respect to the past flu vaccination campaigns, in light of the present pandemic and COVID-19 vaccination. A Pearson’s χ2 test was used to test the correlation of flu vaccination coverage, across all professional categories, between the last two years. A linear regression model was adopted to predict the total vaccination coverage of this year. A statistically significant decrease (p < 0.01) was observed in vaccination coverage among all the professional categories with a 50% reduction in vaccination trends between the last two years. Analyzing the data from the previous six flu vaccination campaigns, the expected value, according to the linear regression model, was estimated to be 38.5% while the observed value was 24%. The decrease in vaccination coverage may be due to the fear of the pandemic situation and especially to the uncertainty related to the consequences of a concurrent administration which may overload the immune system or may be more reactogenic. The COVID-19 pandemic represents an opportunity to promote and support large-scale influenza vaccination among HCWs through structured programs, adequate funding, and tailored communication strategies.

Comparison of Prevalence of Psychiatric Disorders Among the Adult Population in Bangladesh, Before and During the COVID-19 Lockdown

AimsThe aims were to determine and compare the prevalence of possible psychiatric disorders among Bangladeshi adults before and during lockdown. It was hypothesized that prevalence of possible psychiatric disorders would increase during the lockdown. In Bangladesh, lockdown was implemented in response to the COVID-19 pandemic resulting in conditions where those prone to developing psychiatric disorders were more vulnerable in an environment where the mental healthcare infrastructure is already lacking. Although many studies outlined the devastating impact on mental health that the lockdown measures created, this unique study specifically uses a World Health Organization developed research instrument for a lower-middle-income country.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional, descriptive, comparative study with one stage design to determine possible psychiatric cases. Initially, 603 adults were randomly contacted using Facebook messenger &amp; groups and email. Questionnaires including the validated Self Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ)-20 in Bangla, for screening psychopathology of the cases, and a structured questionnaire containing socio-demographic and other related variables, were inputted into Google Forms and hyperlinks were distributed. Eventually, 570 participants, from 18 to 77 years, with Internet access, who completed the questionnaires, were included in the study through purposive and consecutive sampling. The SRQ variables were divided into four categories: (1) depressive/anxious; (2) somatic symptoms; (3) reduced vital energy; and (4) depressive thoughts. Using IBM SPSS Statistics, paired sample t-tests were used during data analysis.ResultsThe mean age of cases was 34.69 ± 13.02 years; male: female = 1.41:1. The prevalence of possible psychiatric disorders was 43.9% during lockdown compared to 23.3% before lockdown (t = 19.497, P = 0.000). Before lockdown, sex and employment status were significant factors for the SRQ positive cases. After lockdown, in the SRQ positive cases, sex, educational status, COVID-19 positive cases and death due to COVID-19 among family members were highly significant (p = 0.0001) factors. Somatic symptoms and depressive thoughts were approximately double in prevalence among the SRQ positive cases during lockdown compared to before lockdown.ConclusionThere was a significant impact on mental health where a reduction in psychological and socioeconomic support occurred. These findings are in line with those in the literature where somatic symptoms have been identified as most commonly experienced during the pandemic. Increased depressive thoughts are associated with increased feelings of possible impending death and fear of an uncertain situation. Clearly, the mental health infrastructure of Bangladesh is in even greater need of rapid change to ensure resilience to the survivors of the lockdown.

Internet addiction: Gender-associated differences in psychological characteristics

IntroductionInternet addiction (IA) is reported to cause significant negative psychosocial consequences. The gender specificity of psychological characteristics that are potentially significant for the formation of IA remains understudied.ObjectivesTo identify gender-related differences in the psychological characteristics of people with IA.Methods100 subjects aged 16-34 years who scored 65 points or more on the Chinese Internet Addiction Scale (CIAS) were identified and divided into 2 groups by gender: group 1 (54 men) and group 2 (46 women). The individual psychological characteristics were assessed with: the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS); the Bass-Perry Aggression Questionnaire (BPAQ); the Emotional Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ); the Adverse Childhood Experiences International Questionnaire (ACE-IQ); a short version of the Five-factor Personality Questionnaire (TIPI-RU) and the Cloninger Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI-125).ResultsWomen were significantly more likely to experience fear of situations of interpersonal contact and action in public places (p=0.027). They experienced significantly more sexual violence in childhood (p=0.032) and were more likely to have personality traits such as “reward dependence” (p=0.002), “persistence” (p = 0.046), and “self-transcendence” (p=0.002). Men demonstrated physical aggression (p=0.009), suppressed emotions (p=0.019) significantly more often than women and characterized themselves as emotionally stable (p=0.048).ConclusionsThe gender differences identified in the cohort of individuals with IA can potentially be considered specific for this contingent, although such gender relationships can be observed in other forms of addiction and in the general population. The specificity of gender differences may reflect individual psychological markers of increased vulnerability to developing IA.DisclosureThe study was financially supported by Russian Foundation for Basic Research within the framework of scientific project No 18-29-22079.

Relationship of behavioral inhibition to separation anxiety in a sample (N = 377) of adult individuals with mood and anxiety disorders

BackgroundBehavioral Inhibition (BI) is an early temperamental trait characterized by shyness, withdrawal, avoidance, uneasiness, and fear of unfamiliar situations, people, objects, and events. The DSM-5 refers to behavioral inhibition as a temperamental factor related to neurodevelopmental conditions in childhood, including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, selective mutism, and specific phobias; and to its influence on adult anxiety disorders including social anxiety disorder, agoraphobia, and generalized anxiety disorder, but, interestingly, not separation anxiety disorder (SAD). However, there are phenomenological overlaps between BI and SAD. We aimed to explore whether there is a correlation between BI as an early temperamental trait and childhood or adult separation anxiety disorder. MethodsThe study was conducted in 377 consecutive adults (mean age 40.2±12.4 years) outpatients with anxiety and mood disorders as the principal diagnosis, grouped on the presence/absence of a DSM-5 diagnosis of childhood or adult separation anxiety disorder. Separation anxiety was assessed by the Structured Clinical Interview for Separation Anxiety (SCI-SAS) and the Adult Separation Anxiety Checklist (ASA27). Behavioral inhibition was assessed by the Retrospective Self-Report of Inhibition (RSRI). ResultsThe four comparison groups included: 1) 168 patients without childhood or adult SAD, 2) 81 with adult SAD, 3) 97 with both adult SAD and childhood SAD, and 4) 31 with childhood SAD only. The group with both adult and childhood SAD had the highest scores on RSRI total and sub-scale scores. Both groups with adult SAD had significantly higher RSRI scores than the group with only childhood SAD or without SAD. Significant bivariate correlations were found between ASA-27 scores and RSRI scores. Correlations between RSRI scores and measures of anxiety and depressive symptoms were significantly weaker than those on the ASA-27. Regression analyses showed a significant predictive value of RSRI scores on ASA-27 total score, but not of age of onset of SAD. ConclusionsBI has an onset in the very first years of life and may represent a potential developmental endophenotype for later anxiety disorders. Our findings indicate that BI and separation anxiety are connected in individuals with affective and anxiety disorders. This may have important clinical and therapeutic implications for preventive interventions.

False safety behaviour elimination therapy for social anxiety disorder in Japanese men

ABSTRACT Background Social anxiety disorder (SAD) is an excessive fear of social situations that can lead to serious functional impairment. The prevalence of SAD has increased over the past four decades, making it one of the most prevalent psychiatric disorders in Japan. Therefore, more effective interventions are needed to treat this disorder. False safety behavior elimination therapy (F-SET), which eliminates safety behavior (i.e., strategies that reduce anxiety), was administered in our study to six Japanese patients with SAD. This is the first adaptation of F-SET into Japanese. Patients were diagnosed using the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview. The Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale was used as the primary outcome measure to evaluate the change in symptoms. All patients received five weekly 60-minute F-SET sessions. Results and Conclusions Participants who completed the treatment exhibited a substantial decrease in SAD symptoms, providing preliminary support for the adapted treatment’s efficacy. We have discussed the cultural differences in SAD and the adaptation of F-SET. KEY POINTS What is already known about this topic: (1) Transdiagnostic group CBT is an effective treatment for anxiety disorders. (2) Few studies have examined the effectiveness of transdiagnostic group CBT in naturalistic settings. (3) Few studies have examined the effectiveness of treatments as implemented by clinicians in routine clinical practice. What this paper adds: (1) Eight to ten sessions of transdiagnostic group CBT developed by practising clinicians seemed sufficient in improving anxiety and depressive symptoms, daily functioning, and quality of life in patients from an outpatient anxiety disorders clinic in a hospital setting. (2) Patients that completed treatment reported significantly more impairment in daily functioning before treatment than participants who dropped out. (3) High attrition rates suggest that organisational factors need to be considered while implementing evidence-based treatments into routine clinical practice.

Evaluation of COVID-19 fear and quality of life in patients with haematopoietic stem cell transplantation during the COVID-19 pandemic.

ObjectiveWe aimed to determine the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) fear state in haematopoietic stem cell transplant patients and to examine its relationship with quality of life.MethodsIn this prospective study, 64 patients who underwent HSCT during the pandemic were included. The COVID‐19 fear situation was evaluated with the Fear of COVID‐19 Scale (FCV‐19S). Quality of life was evaluated with the European Organisation for Quality of Life Research and Treatment Core Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ‐C30) (Version 3).ResultsThe median FCV‐19S score was 16.5 (12.0–22.0). The FCV‐19S score was significantly higher in urban residents than rural residents. The general health score was 59.64 ± 20.04. The strongest positive correlation between fear level and life quality was found in emotional function. A weak, significant, positive correlation was observed between role function, nausea–vomiting, pain, appetite loss and fear level.ConclusionFCV‐19S is a quick, safe and valid tool that can be used to determine the COVID‐19 fear level in vulnerable patient groups such as HSCT patients and to direct them to the necessary psycho‐oncological support.

The effects of excess salt consumption on contextual fear generalization in mice

Excess salt (NaCl) consumption is prevalent worldwide. Most Americans consume more than twice the daily recommended amount of sodium (Na; 2300mg). Excessive salt intake is a risk factor for cardiovascular pathology such as hypertension. Anxiety is often comorbid with cardiovascular diseases. Research has been done to examine the relationship between salt consumption and cardiovascular and other related peripheral diseases. However, far less research has been done to examine the relationship between salt consumption and brain health or anxiety. To examine this, mice were used because their salt intake and stress exposure can be rigorously controlled, unlike in humans. Specifically, we focused on fear generalization, a key characteristic of anxiety symptoms involving contextually inappropriate fear of situations not currently present. We hypothesized that mice consuming a diet with excess salt would exhibit higher levels of fear generalization relative to mice consuming a low salt diet. Adult (9 wk old) male and female C57BL/6J mice were given either a low (0.4% NaCl, w/w) or high (4.0% NaCl) salt diet ad libitum. Mice underwent contextual fear training 2 or 6 wks after commencing diet manipulation. Testing for contextually appropriate (fear expression) and contextually inappropriate (fear generalization) fear behavior occurred either 2 days (2 and 6 wk groups) or 4 wks (6 wk group) after training. Regardless of diet condition, mice of both sexes acquired contextual fear similarly when trained at the 2 wk timepoint, and exhibited equivalent fear expression and contextual discrimination when tested 2 days later. Similarly, and as expected, male mice consuming a low salt diet expressed normal levels of fear generalization at 4 wks. Contrary to our hypothesis, however, male mice consuming a high salt diet did not exhibit fear generalization at 4 wks. Female tests of 4 wk fear generalization, and both sexes in the 6 wk group being tested after 2 days, are ongoing. Thus far, our findings indicate that male mice consuming a high salt diet do not generalize their contextual fear after a standard time delay (4 wks), or alternatively display enhanced contextual discrimination at the 4 wk timepoint post‐training. Our findings suggest intake of salt, a non‐caloric dietary component, can have a significant effect on a measure directly related to anxiety symptoms. Future experiments will evaluate the contribution of neuroinflammation to these behavioral changes, as well as investigate cued fear responses in both sexes.

The Anxiolytic-Like Effects of Protocatechuic Acid in an Animal Model of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a serious psychiatric disorder characterized by impaired fear extinction, depression, and anxiety caused by dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and an imbalance of monoamines. Protocatechuic acid (PCA; 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid), a major polyphenol metabolite, has various pharmacological effects, such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-apoptotic, and neuroprotective activities. In this study, the efficacy of PCA for fear extinction, antidepressant, and anxiolytic effects in PTSD-mediated psychiatric disorders, were evaluated by exposing rats to single prolonged stress (SPS). Male rats were administered PCA (100 or 200 mg/kg) once daily for 14 days after exposure to SPS. PCA significantly decreased situational fear, depressive and anxiety-like behaviors, and corticosterone levels. In addition, PCA regulated the imbalance of serotonin and norepinephrine in the fear circuit region (i.e., the medial prefrontal cortex and hippocampus [Hipp]), and suppressed the decrease in brain-derived neurotrophic factor mRNA expression in the Hipp. The results showed that PCA administration improves freezing behavior and has antidepressant and anti-anxiety effects through modulation of the serotonergic nervous system and monoamines in rats. These results indicated that PCA may be useful as a food ingredient to prevent PTSD.

Qualitative analysis of school children's experience of receiving “Coping Cat program”: A cognitive behavioral therapy program for high anxiety

AbstractCoping Cat‐cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) is a 16‐week program, which has been used widely and has proven its efficacy in helping children in overcoming anxiety disorders. This research study intends to explore its efficacy on Indian school children with high anxiety in Delhi. The study aims at qualitative assessment of the experience of children with anxiety after intervention with Coping Cat‐CBT. After the Coping Cat‐CBT intervention, semistructured interviews were conducted with the children. Participants: Children aged 11–13 years exhibiting the symptoms of high anxiety were enrolled in the study. They were asked to write down their experience after the Coping Cat‐CBT intervention. Data were analyzed using the inductive approach of qualitative content analysis. Participants expressed that the intervention was beneficial in terms of their ability to combat anxiety experienced in day‐to‐day life, and reported improvements in various domains of life such as scholastic performance, interpersonal relationships, and successful use of coping skills in handling fearful situations and relaxation techniques in overcoming anxiety. The data provided empirical evidence that Indian children with anxiety‐related problems could benefit from the therapy. Coping Cat‐CBT was efficacious in reducing their symptoms of anxiety.

Effects of the asylum process on the mental health of unaccompanied young refugees – A scoping review

A wide range of studies have shown that unaccompanied refugee minors (URMs) exhibit a high risk of developing mental health problems. During the past two decades, there has been growing research interest in investigating risk factors after arrival in a host country. To date, a systematic understanding of how aspects of the asylum process affect the mental health of URMs remains lacking. In this scoping review, a systematic literature search of four databases and search engines was performed. Ten studies conducted in European countries were included in this narrative review. The asylum process as a risk factor was mainly operationalized through the assessment of asylum or residential status. Mental health outcomes ranged from standardized questionnaires to semi-structured clinical interviews. Refusal of asylum had a negative effect on the well-being of URMs in most of the included longitudinal studies as it produces a situation of instability and fear of return. However, qualitative synthesis of all the study results revealed inconsistent findings on the influence of asylum status and waiting time on PTSD and internalizing symptoms. Therefore, future studies are needed to investigate the role of factors related to the asylum process in the mental health of URMs. Both mixed-methods designs within one country and cross-country studies are recommended.

Hippocampal-amygdala memory circuits govern experience-dependent observational fear.

The empathic ability to vicariously experience the other's fearful situation, a process called observational fear (OF), is critical to survive in nature and function in society. OF can be facilitated by both prior similar fear experience in the observer and social familiarity with the demonstrator. However, the neural circuit mechanisms of experience-dependent OF (Exp OF) remain unknown. Here, we demonstrate that hippocampal-basolateral amygdala (HPC-BLA) circuits in mice without involving the anterior cingulate cortex, considered a center of OF, mediate Exp OF. Dorsal HPC neurons generate fear memory engram cells in BLA encoding prior similar fear experiences, which are essential for Exp OF. On the other hand, ventral HPC neurons respond to the familiar demonstrator's aversive situation during Exp OF, which reactivates the fear memory engram cells in BLA to elicit Exp OF. Our study provides new insights into the memory engram-dependent perception-action coupling that underlies empathic behaviors like Exp OF.

Transcriptome and chromatin alterations in social fear indicate association of MEG3 with successful extinction of fear

Social anxiety disorder is characterized by a persistent fear and avoidance of social situations, but available treatment options are rather unspecific. Using an established mouse social fear conditioning (SFC) paradigm, we profiled gene expression and chromatin alterations after the acquisition and extinction of social fear within the septum, a brain region important for social fear and social behaviors. Here, we particularly focused on the successful versus unsuccessful outcome of social fear extinction training, which corresponds to treatment responsive versus resistant patients in the clinics. Validation of coding and non-coding RNAs revealed specific isoforms of the long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) Meg3 regulated, depending on the success of social fear extinction. Moreover, PI3K/AKT was differentially activated with extinction success in SFC-mice. In vivo knockdown of specific Meg3 isoforms increased baseline activity of PI3K/AKT signaling, and mildly delayed social fear extinction. Using ATAC-Seq and CUT&RUN, we found alterations in the chromatin structure of specific genes, which might be direct targets of lncRNA Meg3.

Latin American female academic perceptions about the COVID pandemic’s impact on gender equity and within-country inequality

Percepciones de mujeres académicas latinoamericanas sobre el impacto de la pandemia del COVID en la equidad y desigualdad de género al interior del paísPercepções acadêmicas femininas latino-americanas sobre o impacto da pandemia de COVID na equidade de gênero e na desigualdade dentro do paísObjetivoLa pandemia provocada por el COVID-19 nos ha traído una grave crisis económica, sanitaria y social a nivel mundial. En este contexto, se ha producido un aumento de la desigualdad entre hombres y mujeres en todo el mundo. En esta situación de confinamiento domiciliario, incertidumbre, estrés y miedo, las mujeres han sido las más afectadas, independientemente de su nivel educativo. Los mayores impactos en la percepción fueron la falta de equidad de género (ODS 5) y, por tanto, el aumento de la brecha de desigualdad de género (ODS 10) durante la pandemia en América Latina (AL).Diseño/metodología/Este estudio cualitativo, exploratorio-descriptivo, tiene un diseño no experimental de campo y transversal que utilizó la técnica de grupos focales.Resultados/HallazgosEste estudio reveló los sentimientos más profundos de las mujeres investigadoras sobre este tema, lo que llevó a una profunda reflexión sobre la necesidad de construir las bases para transformar las relaciones desiguales de género e introducir la perspectiva de género de manera transversal en un contexto universitario.Originalidad/valorEste estudio, analizado desde una perspectiva de género, tuvo como objetivo desentrañar la complejidad en la que vive la mayoría de las académicas latinoamericanas, y explicar las brechas y diferencias en sus vidas provocadas por las desigualdades que se han incrementado a causa de la pandemia en las sociedades latinoamericanas.ObjetivoA pandemia causada pelo COVID-19 nos trouxe uma grave crise econômica, sanitária e social em todo o mundo. Nesse contexto, houve um aumento da desigualdade entre homens e mulheres em todo o mundo. Nesta situação de confinamento domiciliário, incerteza, stress e medo, as mulheres têm sido as mais afetadas, independentemente do seu nível de escolaridade. Os maiores impactos na percepção foram a falta de igualdade de gênero (ODS 5) e, portanto, o aumento da lacuna de desigualdade de gênero (ODS 10) durante a pandemia na América Latina (AL).MetodologiaTrata-se de um estudo qualitativo, exploratório-descritivo, de campo não experimental e delineamento transversal que utilizou a técnica de grupo focal.ResultadosEste estudo revelou os sentimentos mais profundos de mulheres pesquisadoras sobre o tema, o que levou a uma profunda reflexão sobre a necessidade de construir as bases para transformar as relações desiguais de gênero e introduzir a perspectiva de gênero de forma transversal no contexto universitário.OriginalidadeEste estudo, analisado a partir de uma perspectiva de gênero, teve como objetivo desvendar a complexidade em que vive a maioria das acadêmicas latino-americanas e explicar as lacunas e diferenças em suas vidas causadas pelas desigualdades que aumentaram devido à pandemia nas sociedades latino-americanas.Tipo de artículoInvestigación

Impact of natural and artificial prenatal stimulation on the behavioural profile of Japanese quail.

As the sensory systems of vertebrates develop prenatally, embryos perceive many environmental stimuli that can influence the ontogeny of their behaviour. Whether the nature and intensity of prenatal stimuli affect this ontogeny differently remains to be investigated. In this context, this study aimed to analyse the effects of prenatal auditory stimulation (natural stimulation, NS; predator vocalisations or artificial stimulation, AS; metallic sounds) on the subsequent behaviour of young Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica). For this, behavioural variables recorded during ethological tests evaluating emotional and social reactivity were analysed using a principal component analysis. This analysis revealed significant differences between the behavioural profile of stimulated chicks and that of non-exposed chicks. Indeed, chicks exposed to NS expressed more intense emotional responses in fearful situations, but less neophobia when exposed to a novel environment or object, whereas chicks exposed to AS appeared more sensitive to social isolation. Our results show that the acoustic environment of embryos can influence the way young birds subsequently interact with their social and physical environment after hatching, and face challenges in changing living conditions.

Psychometric properties of a self-assessment fear scale in children aged 4 to 12 years. Scary Scale

BackgroundCaregivers encounter difficulties differentiating fear and pain experienced by children and tend to interpret what children may feel, often resulting in inadequate pain management. While many pain self-assessment scales are available, there is no validated self-assessment fear scale for children. MethodsThe aim of this prospective study was to validate, in children aged 4 to 12 years, the psychometric properties of our scale. In a first part, in a school setting, five exercises were given to 484 children in order to validate the expression of fear, grade the intensity of the faces, the ability to discriminate the faces and the equality of the intervals. The scale's reproducibility was studied by assessing the children's fear in everyday situations at two different time points.In a second part, in a hospital setting, the aim was to test the scale's feasibility. Sixty children admitted to one emergency care department self-assessed their fear with the Scary Scale. FindingsThe expression of fear was validated by 57.64% (p < 0.0001) of the children in comparison with three other emotions (pain, surprise, sadness).The 7–9 year-olds validated the other properties (gradation, discrimination, equality, reproducibility). The 4–6 year-olds failed to validate the gradation exercise, but succeeded with the others.In the hospital, 95% of children self-assessed their fear using the scale. DiscussionOur self-assessment fear scale was validated in children aged 7–12 years specifically and was readily feasible in the hospital. We recommend its use in that age group in every care situation triggering fear.Trial registration: clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT02675504.

Financial effect on the adjustment of spouses during COVID 19 lockdown

The objectives this study was to investigate whether individuals suffer from fear of financial situation and uncertainty, to investigate the level of adjustment of spouses, to investigate support extended by the other family members and to analyse whether the support extended by the other family members moderates the relationship between individuals’ fears on financial situation/uncertainty and the level of adjustment of spouses. The data was collected from an online survey which was conducted from a random sample of 300 adults aged 25 years and older residing in the Western Province, Sri Lanka. A conceptual model was developed and variables such as fear of financial situation, uncertainty and extended family support available for spouses were reviewed in relation to the adjustment of spouses. Four hypotheses were established. Statistical analysis was performed to identify moderator effect of resources available for spouses. It was identified that COVID-19 created fear of financial situation and uncertainty among married couples and, it was concluded that support provided from their respective families contributed to adjustment of Sri Lankan spouses. A key limitation was that there was no equal participation from both genders. Future research may include replicating the same study with a more diverse sample. Future researchers can conduct a follow-up study to identify long-term effects of COVID-19 on Sri Lankan married couples.

Increased Antidepressant/Anxiolytic Prescriptions are Impacted by the Society in Multiple Ways

Since the first appearance of antidepressant, iproniazid in the 1950s (1) and first anxiolytics, librium in 1960 (2), there has been increased uses of anxiolytics and antidepressants drugs across the years. Although the drugs often come with some side effects, the use of these drugs are becoming more popular. The drugs are used to cure mental problems like anxiety disorder and depression by controlling the neurotransmitters like GABA-A, serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine in the synapses between neurons in our body. This paper will try to find the cause of this phenomenon by looking at different factors like the impact of COVID-19, gender, economic influence, and veteran PTSD. Different events cause different hormonal changes in the body such as, hormone releases from menstruals cycle during ovulation, stressful, lonely, and fearful situations, causing potential impact on one’s body and one’s vulnerability to anxiety and depression. This paper will also look at the negative side of both medical and illicit anxiolytics and antidepressants, including side effects, abuse and addiction, and look for potential solutions to these problems.

Cannabis use and social anxiety in young adulthood: A meta-analysis

Young adulthood (ages 18 to 30 years old), a developmental age of exploration, is marked by new experiences and transitions. Cannabis use frequency is highest in young adulthood compared to other age periods. Social anxiety (characterized by fear, shyness, and inhibition in social situations where scrutiny and judgment is possible) is also prevalent during young adulthood. Social anxiety may be a complex predictor of cannabis use frequency and problems (e.g., any negative physical, emotional, or social outcome from use). Social anxiety may act as a risk factor as individuals may use cannabis frequently to manage their fear of negative evaluation and associated unpleasant affective states. The purpose of this meta-analysis was to quantify the magnitude of the associations between social anxiety and two cannabis variables (frequency of use and problems) in young adulthood. A comprehensive literature review was conducted to identify studies that included measures of social anxiety and at least one cannabis-related variable of interest among young adults. Eighteen studies were included in the meta-analysis. Results revealed a small, statistically significant positive association between social anxiety and cannabis problems (r = 0.197, k = 16, p = <0.001), and a nonsignificant association between social anxiety and cannabis use frequency (r = 0.002, k = 16, p = 0.929). The association between social anxiety and cannabis use frequency was moderated by the mean age such that samples with older mean ages exhibited a stronger correlation. Additionally, the association between social anxiety and cannabis problems was moderated by clinically significant levels of social anxiety, such that samples with fewer participants who met clinical levels of social anxiety exhibit a stronger correlation. This meta-analysis supports the idea that there is a complex relation between social anxiety and cannabis outcomes during young adulthood.

Fear and Attitude towards SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) Infection in Spanish Population during the Period of Confinement.

In January 2020, the WHO classified SARS-CoV-2 infection as a public health emergency and it was declared a pandemic on 11 March 2020. The media warned about the danger of infection, fuelling the population’s fear of the new situation and increasing the perception of risk. This fear can cause behaviour that will determine the course of the pandemic and, therefore, the purpose of this study was to analyse the fear of infection from COVID-19 among the Spanish population during the state of emergency. A cross-sectional, descriptive observational study was conducted with 16,372 participants. Data on sociodemographic factors, health factors, risk perception and fear were collected through an online survey. Level of fear is associated with older age, a lower level of education, having a person infected with SARS-CoV-2 in the immediate surroundings and living with and belonging to the most socioeconomically vulnerable group of people. Risk perception is associated with increased preventive behaviour. This paper provides relevant information for the public health sector since it contributes first-hand knowledge of population data that is highly useful in terms of prevention. Understanding the experiences of people in this pandemic helps to create more effective future intervention strategies in terms of planning and management for crisis situations.

Important blood pressure changes in clinical practice: narrative literature review

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to emphasize the importance of monitoring vital signs, especially blood pressure, during dental care. Through a narrative review, the changes in blood pressure that may occur during outpatient procedures and the measures to be taken were discussed. The available literature was consulted in databases (PubMed, Scielo, Web of Science and Google Scholar), complemented by the analysis of the bibliographic references included and updated until April 2021. The keywords were used: “Anamnesis”, “Arterial Pressure”, “Arterial Hypertension”, “Hypertensive Crisis”, “Risk factors”, “Stroke”, “Subclavian Theft Syndrome” and “Atherosclerosis”. It was concluded that care should be applied to all patients, but mainly to those over 50, hypertensive or not, with hypercholesterolemia, diabetes, anxious and fearful. All vital signs must be monitored, including the pain score. The situations of anxiety, pain and fear are triggers for changes in blood pressure even in normotensive patients as in controlled hypertensive patients. The blood pressure measurement, in the first consultation, must be performed in both arms and repeated annually or whenever there is a change in the patient’s health status. In all other consultations, blood pressure control, as well as the assessment of all vital signs, must be performed before, during, after the procedure and before discharge. In the face of any major change, it is necessary to assess the risk/benefit ratio of the continuity of the procedure, so that risks to patients are avoided or minimized, as well as for the necessary referrals to be made.