Mood Changes Research Articles

Drug Addiction Clinical Study Among Patients Admitted to the Alqana Center for Social Rehabilitation

Background: Drug addiction is a worldwide issue; 5.6% of the world's population aged 15 to 64 took drugs at least once in 2016. For the majority of medicines, younger individuals use them more than older people do. Drug abuse seems to be on the increase in several ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) countries, particularly among young men aged 15 to 30. Illicit drug abuse account for around 14% of the overall health burden among young males. Younger individuals are also more prone to die from drug abuse issues. Aims of study is to assess the severity of problems related to drug addiction. in Baghdad city and to study epidemiological features of drug addiction among Patients Admitted to the Alqana Center for Social Rehabilitation. Patients and methods: An analytical cross-sectional study of 300 individuals diagnosed as a drug addiction patient according to the criteria established by the "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders", Fifth Edition, text revision, often called the DSM-V-TR or DSM-5-TR. From the medical department at Alqana Center for Social Rehabilitation in Baghdad. The research was carried out from 25/December/2023 to 30/June/2024. Results: the demographic characteristics of the study sample. In with a mean and a standard deviation (SD) of age of 29.33±18.68. Individuals aged 20-29 year had the highest proportion to addiction, with a rate of 42.7%. Conversely, 89.3% of the participants were male. The majority,86.7%, live in urban regions. The majority of patients had 51.7% unmarried, with only 36.0% being married and 12.3% was divorced. The main rate among drug addiction patients was 38.7% primary education ,33.0% secondary education, and 16.0% was illiterate patient, while lowest patient 12.3% at collage. According to the statistics in the table,76.3% of the participants were free business. 95.0% cigarette smoker. presented the result of psychological symptoms as show 93.0% of study addictive patient have mood swings, and in the same table the behavioral and social symptoms showed as 97.0% of study patient had poor performance and/or attendance at work or school. Also, physical symptoms of addiction showed as 74.7% of patient suffering from disrupted sleep patterns, including insomnia Regarding to the withdrawal symptoms of drug addiction presented in Table (3), results showed as 95.7% fatigue, 85.3% muscle pain or aches, 81.0% irritability and agitation, 76.0% trembling and tremors, 69.3% hunger, 50.7% anxiety, 36.7% sweating, 30.7% insomnia, 25.3% loss of appetite, 22.7% depression, 20.7% confusion, 22.3% nausea, 9.3% seizures, 8.0% dilated pupils, 3.3% vomiting, and 2.3% paranoia. Conclusion: the majority of addicted patient was male. the main symptoms were Poor performance and/or attendance at work or school and mood swing. The highly complication was fatigue. Regarding the way of addiction, the tablets is vast majority and enjoyment is the most common cause of addiction. Recommendations: It's possible that other important differences between the factors seen in this study would become clearer if multicenter study, the sample size was larger and the duration of the addiction study had been longer.

Sjögren’s disease, occupational performance and quality of life

Introduction: Sjögren’s disease is an autoimmune disease with dry eyes and mouth and chronic pain, more frequent in middle-aged women. The aim of this study is to understand the impact of Sjögren’s disease on quality of life and occupational health. Method: Quantitative and qualitative comparative study, with 20 Sjögren’s disease and 25 healthy controls. Questionnaires and interviews were applied to assess occupational performance, quality of life, mood disorders, and sleep. Results: The combined major diagnostic parameters for Sjögren’s disease (focus score and anti-SSA/Ro positivity) were present in 85% of the Sjögren’s disease group. There was a correlation between the sicca symptom measured by the European League Against Rheumatism Sjögren’s Syndrome Patient Reported Index (ESSPRI), anxiety, and depression measured by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS; r = 0.56; p = 0.009), as well as fatigue measured by the Profile of fatigue and discomfort questionnaire (PROFAD) ( r = 0.78; p < 0.0001). Sjögren’s disease patients reported a loss of physical abilities, sleep disturbance, change in mood, social and occupational participation, and lower quality of life. Conclusions: Sjögren’s disease patients have poorer quality of life, loss of competencies, and sleep disturbances compared to controls. Novel strategies are necessary to improve occupational health in SjD.

Neurovascular Shifts, Sensory Sensitivity, and PMDD in Autistic Women: Exploring Blood Flow Redirection, Mood Dysregulation, and Pain Tolerance during Menstruation

This article examines the relationship between Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD), neurovascular dynamics, and sensory sensitivities in autistic women during menstruation. The redirection of blood flow to the uterus during the menstrual cycle has been found to exacerbate cerebral perfusion deficits in neurodivergent individuals, particularly in the Prefrontal Cortex (PFC), which contributes to the mood dysregulation and emotional instability characteristic of PMDD. Autistic women, who often exhibit heightened sensory sensitivities, experience intensified discomfort during menstruation, as sensory overload and altered pain perception compound the emotional challenges of PMDD. These findings emphasize the need for neurodivergent-friendly menstrual products that mitigate both physical and emotional discomfort. Additionally, innovations using biodegradable materials, smart fabrics, and custom-fit menstrual solutions are discussed as potential breakthroughs to improve the quality of life for autistic women managing PMDD. This research highlights the importance of addressing both neurobiological and sensory aspects when designing interventions for PMDD in neurodivergent populations.

PARAPHILIA AND MAJOR DEPRESSIVE DISORDERS: PREVALENCE AND PATHOGENESIS

Introduction - Paraphilia disorders are defined as an abnormal intense sexual deviant followed by behaviors to fulfill fierce sexual erotic activities. Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a mood disorder marked by the appearance of a depressed mood, decreased interest, poor cognitive function, and vegetative symptoms including sleep or eating disorders. There is a study about the prevalence of paraphilia in the US, 15,9%. Meanwhile, there is about 6,1% of the prevalence of depressive disorders in Indonesia. According to DSM-5, Paraphilias, and paraphilia-related disorders, depressive disorders are the most frequent comorbid axis I diagnoses with a lifetime prevalence of life by 56%. Based on these case numbers, this study aims to discuss the correlation between these two events. Methods - Researchers used several journals and textbooks discussing the prevalence and pathogenesis of paraphilia and major depressive disorders; and the correlation between these two disorders. Results - Paraphilias are rarely diagnosed in clinical settings because many cases of paraphilia are related to illegal and criminal acts (such as sexual harassment), and reporting methods are unreliable, meanwhile depression is ubiquitous in both high and low-income countries. This shows that any government needs to be aware of the effects of depressive disorders. Those who have not sought treatment are still high, amounting to 87 to 91% of depressive disorders that have not sought treatment. Discuss - There is a significant correlation between paraphilia and major depressive disorder, MDD is one of the paraphilia-related disorders comorbid axis I diagnosis with a lifespan prevalence of 56%. From the pathogenesis, monoamine neurotransmitters dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin serve a modulatory role in human sexual motivation, appetitive, and consummatory behavior. Conclusion - In pathogenesis, there's a degradation in function, amount, and production of neurotransmitter monoamine, dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin that cause the person with paraphilia usually show symptoms such as mood changes, decreased interest, depression, decreased cognitive function, and the appearance of vegetative-related symptoms such as impaired appetite or sleep activity. Keywords: paraphilias, depression, pathogenesis.

Self-reported mental health effects of changing migration policies on immigrant health and allied care professionals in the UK

This study explores the impact of changing migration policies on the mental health of immigrant health professionals in the UK and their access to mental health services. A cross-sectional online survey was conducted among ninety-six immigrant health professionals and allied health and care workers in the UK’s health and social care sector. The mental well-being of study participants was measured using the Warwick-Edinburgh Well-being Scale (WEMWBS). Mood changes post-migration, use of mental health services and perceived effectiveness of these services were assessed using direct survey questions. The majority of respondents reported average levels of mental well-being. A significant portion of the study participants experienced a decline in mental health post-migration. The study found a strong association between ethnicity and mental well-being, with certain ethnic groups reporting worse outcomes (p=0.003, p<0.05). Despite reported mental health concerns, only a few sought professional help from mental health services or support groups, and even fewer found these effective. This study shows significant mental health challenges and poor service access faced by immigrant health professionals in the UK, exacerbated by changing migration policies. Addressing these challenges is vital for the affected individuals and ensuring a thriving, diverse UK healthcare workforce.

Prevalence, duration, and factors influencing post-COVID conditions among patients at several public hospitals, Alexandria governorate, Egypt 2022–2023

BackgroundPost-COVID conditions (PCC), characterized by persistent symptoms following acute infection, represent an emerging chronic illness that potentially affects millions of people worldwide. SARS-CoV-2 infection has resulted in a PCC incidence ranging from 10 to 30 % in non-hospitalized individuals to 50–70 % in hospitalized patients. Most PCC patients experience mild symptoms, while a minority report severe manifestations. We aimed to estimate the prevalence of PCC among COVID-19 patients who attended three public hospitals in Alexandria, Egypt between June 2022 and February 2023, and to investigate its risk factors. MethodsAll COVID-19-confirmed patients aged >18 years attended the selected hospitals, and their household contacts were contacted. Data were collected through telephone interviews using a questionnaire adapted from World Health Organization (WHO) and Penn Medicine tools, covering demographics, COVID-19 history, and PCC symptoms. PCC was defined as symptoms starting three months after the post-acute infection and lasting for at least two months beyond. Statistical analyses employed descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and a logistic regression model, with a significance level of p < 0.05. ResultsA total of 1546 patients were enrolled. Their mean age was 39.7 ± 15.9 years, 46.0 % were males, and 13.9 % had comorbidities. Of them, 760 patients (49.2 %) reported PCC symptoms including, 52.6 % seen at outpatients, 26.7 % were admitted, and 0.5 % required admission to ICU. PCC symptoms included shortness of breath (94.2 %), mood changes (13.9 %), cough (13.0 %), and fatigue (8.8 %). PCC was associated with older age, hospitalization during acute COVID-19, comorbidities including asthma, hypertension, and diabetes, as well as treatment with different COVID-19 medications. Logistic regression shows that asthma, male gender, and treatment with medicines at the hospital remained significant in the model (ORs: 6.85, 0.36, and 0.88, p < 0.001). ConclusionThis study sheds light on PCC's prevalence and influencing factors following infection in Alexandria, Egypt. Common PCC symptoms included difficulty in breathing, fatigue, and psychological manifestations. The findings emphasize the critical need for early intervention and targeted management strategies, especially for high-risk groups such as asthma patients, to alleviate the long-term health consequences of COVID-19. Study results could guide the prevention of PCC e.g., through vaccination, management of long-term sequelae of PCC e.g., rehabilitation, and psychological support initiatives.

Managing Menopause: The Evolving Role of Estrogens, Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors, and Phytoestrogens in Balancing Hormonal Fluctuations.

Menopause is characterized by the cessation of menstruation for 12 consecutive months. In this narrative review, we describe the transitional stages of menopause, clinical presentation, pharmacological management of symptoms, and effects on fluctuating hormone levels. To standardize the stages of menopause, the Stages of Reproductive Aging Workshop + 10 (STRAW+10) system was designed with five distinct categories corresponding to symptom presentation and numerical years. Common clinical presentations consist of vasomotor hot flashes, mood changes, decreased libido, osteoporosis, and genitourinary changes, all of which are associated with changes in hormone levels.Because hormones play a major role in the mechanism of menopause, hormone replacement therapy with estrogen, progesterone, or a combination is explored and shown to demonstrate symptom reduction in a large percentage of women. Nonhormonal treatment and alternative therapies are used to treat vasomotor symptoms if contraindications present to hormone therapy or for those who prefer fewer side effects. Thus, many women experience uncomfortable symptoms during menopause, some of which cause significant changes in quality of life. In this regard, understanding the pathophysiology, symptomatology, and current treatment options with side effect profiles allows for continued research and discovery of advanced therapy for treating symptoms to ameliorate discomfort and pain in menopausal women.

Time of day effects on consumers’ online review characteristics: Evidence from the homestay platform

Considering the unique mechanism underlying time of day effects due to biological clock on cognition, mood, and behavior, this study seeks to investigate the time of day effects on consumers' online review characteristics in the context of homestay platforms. Mixed approaches were employed, where the textual analysis and econometric analysis were based on the dataset with 189,523 reviews received from Tujia and an online randomized experiment recruited 378 participants. The results show that in the daytime consumers are under high cognitive load and more likely to rely on affective processes rather than cognitive processes when they craft online reviews, and conversely in the nighttime. The emotional expressions extracted from review texts and reflected in online ratings suggest consumers' mood change along time of a day, which further influences their review texts crafting and online ratings posting. Positive (negative) emotions are found to be stronger (weaker) in the daytime than nighttime. This work is conducive to enrichment in extant literature in hospitality academia and numerous rationales and theories in psychology field. Our work suggests important implications for homestay platform operations, hosts' managerial strategies, and consumers’ decision-making.

Alzheimer's Disease and Its a Diagnosis, Symptoms, Pathophysiology, and Treatment

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most prevalent form of dementia, predominantly affecting individuals over 65 years old, though a rare form can manifest in younger people. Globally, AD accounts for approximately 75% of the more than 35 million dementia cases, with projections suggesting the number could rise to 115 million by 2050. The precise etiology of Alzheimer’s remains largely unknown. Historically, dementia has been recognized since ancient times, with significant milestones in understanding and terminology occurring from the 17th century onwards. Alzheimer’s disease is identified by symptoms such as confusion, personality changes, language difficulties, mood swings, and short-term memory disturbance. Pathophysiologically, AD is characterized by amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) which cause brain damage. Diagnosis involves clinical evaluation, neuroimaging, neuropathological findings, and cerebrospinal fluid analysis. Risk factors include genetic predisposition, vascular issues, and psychosocial elements. Current treatments focus on acetylcholinesterase inhibitors to manage symptoms, particularly in the mild to moderate stages of the disease.

Effects of expressive writing and self-distancing on electrodermal activity during writing

Writing about traumas can influence mood and bodily changes. In three studies we researched the influence of writing on affective and physiological changes by measuring electrodermal activity (EDA) during expressive writing sessions and manipulating self-distancing. In Study 1, we randomly assigned 57 participants to write about control or expressive topics using a first-person perspective (I). In Study 2, we assigned 55 participants to write about control or expressive topics using a third-person perspective (She/He). And in Study 3, we compared the effects of perspective (first or third-person) in the data collected in the preceding studies. Across Study 1 and 2 results showed that EDA consistently rose at the beginning of the writing session, reached a plateau, and then rose again upon completing the writing task, irrespective of the writing topic or perspective. While the initial EDA increase seems related to the start of a demanding task, the post-writing increase might signal reward-seeking behavior upon task completion. Results of Study 3 confirmed that EDA increases in the beginning and upon writing completion are magnified by adopting a third-person perspective. These results show that expressive writing and self-distancing have measurable impacts on writers’ electrodermal activity.

Homoeopathic Management of Menopause: A Comprehensive Review

Background: Menopause signifies a crucial physiological shift in a woman's journey, denoting the halt of menstrual cycles caused by the gradual decline in ovarian activity. Conventional management options, such as Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT), are effective but not devoid of risks and limitations. In contrast, homeopathy offers a holistic approach to symptom management, aiming to address the underlying cause of menopausal disturbances. Aim and Objective: By critically analyzing clinical studies, randomized controlled trials, and observational research, this paper seeks to elucidate the role of homeopathy as an alternative and complementary therapy for menopause. The objective is to provide insights into the potential benefits of homeopathy and contribute to the growing body of evidence supporting its use in menopausal care. Methodology: A comprehensive search strategy was done to identify relevant literatures from databases such as PubMed, SCOPUS, and Google Scholar. The selection of eligible studies was conducted according to predefined criteria for inclusion and exclusion. Results: Our findings resulted into nine studies that fulfilled the inclusion criteria, including randomized controlled trials, observational studies, and clinical trials. These studies collectively provided evidence of the efficacy of homeopathic medicines in managing various menopausal symptoms, including hot flushes, mood swings, and sleep disturbances. Conclusion: The reviewed literature suggests that homeopathy offers a promising avenue for managing menopausal symptoms, providing an alternative or complimentary approach to conventional therapies. Individualized treatment strategies tailored to each woman's unique symptomatology appear particularly beneficial. However, further clinical trials are needed to fully elucidate the efficacy and mechanisms of action of homeopathic interventions in menopausal care.

Edible cannabis for chronic low back pain: associations with pain, mood, and intoxication.

Cannabis, commonly known for both therapeutic and intoxicating effects, is gaining accessibility on legal markets and traction as a potential alternative therapy for pain mediation, particularly in those suffering from chronic low back pain. However, the effectiveness in this population of legal market forms of cannabis, particularly commonly used edibles, is unknown. Therefore, this study utilized a naturalistic prospective design where participants with chronic low back pain with intentions to initiate cannabis use for treatment were recruited and self-selected edible cannabis products containing varying amounts of delta- 9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). Products were categorized as CBD-dominant, THC-dominant, or combined THC and CBD (THC + CBD). 249 participants [140 female (56.62%), mean (SD) age of 46.30 (16.02), 90% White] were tracked over 2weeks of ad libitum use and assessed during a naturalistic acute cannabis administration session on changes in pain, mood, and subjective drug effects. During acute administration, a significant correlation between THC dose and short-term pain relief was found, suggesting that higher THC doses were associated with greater pain reduction (p < .05). In addition, THC was associated with higher levels of subjective cannabis drug effects (p < .001), regardless of whether CBD was also in the edible product. Acute CBD dose was primarily associated with short-term tension relief (p < .05); however, there were no associations between CBD dose and acute pain. Over the 2-week ad libitum administration period results suggested pain reductions across participants using all forms of cannabis. However, trends suggested that more frequent use of CBD-dominant edible cannabis may be associated with greater reductions in perceived pain over the 2-week observation period (p = .07). These findings support the short-term analgesic effects of THC and anxiolytic effects of CBD and further suggest that orally-administered THC and CBD should continue to be evaluated for the potential to provide both acute and extended relief from chronic low back pain. https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT03522324?locStr=Boulder,%20CO&country=United%20States&state=Colorado&city=Boulder&cond=chronic%20low%20back%20pain&intr=Cannabis&rank=1, identifier NCT03522324.

Relationship between sun exposure and seasonal affective disorder symptoms in rural older people with different personalities: a cross-sectional study

ObjectivesEvidence suggests that environmental support, personality traits, and psychological factors can influence seasonal changes in human mood and behavior, particularly in rural middle-aged women and older people. This study aimed to quantify the associations between personality traits, seasonal affective disorder symptoms, and sun exposure in rural older people.MethodsThis study is a cross-sectional analytical study, the participants were 300 rural older persons from 12 natural villages and 5 geriatric service centers in 4 different cities in Jiangxi Province, China. The Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ), the Personal Inventory of Depression and Seasonal Affective Disorder (PIDS-SA-SimpChi), and the Sunlight Exposure Scale were used to conduct follow-up interviews throughout the year. Spatial analysis was performed using ArcGIS and Geodetic Probes. The data were analyzed using SPSS 21 and Amos 23.0 mediated models.ResultsRural older people with low sun exposure exhibited higher personality trait scores (p < 0.001). Personality traits were directly associated with seasonal affective disorder symptoms(p < 0.01); Sun exposure mediated this effect in rural older people (p < 0.05).ConclusionHigh-scoring personalities are more typical of rural older people with low sun exposure, and there is a greater risk of emotional and behavioral instability. Latitudinal differences are not a determinant of SAD. Increased sun exposure is associated with symptom relief. The promotion of light therapy devices in rural areas with low sunlight is warranted.

A multi-centre, tolerability study of a cannabidiol-enriched Cannabis Herbal Extract for chronic headaches in adolescents: The CAN-CHA protocol

Introduction Cannabis products have been used in the management of headaches in adults and may play a role in pediatric chronic pain. Canadian pediatricians report increasing use of cannabis for the management of chronic headaches, despite no well-controlled studies to inform its dosing, safety, and effectiveness. The aim of our clinical trial is to determine the dosing and safety of a Cannabidiol (CBD)-enriched Cannabis Herbal Extract (CHE) for the treatment of chronic headaches in adolescents. Methods and analysis Youth, parents, and an expert steering committee co-designed this tolerability study. Twenty adolescents (aged 14 to 17 years), with a chronic migraine diagnosis for more than 6 months that has not responded to other therapies will be enrolled into an open label, dose escalation study across three Canadian sites. Study participants will receive escalating doses of a CBD-enriched CHE (MPL-001 with a THC:CBD of 1:25), starting at 0.2–0.4 mg/kg of CBD per day and escalating monthly up to 0.8–1.0 mg/kg of CBD per day. The primary objective of this study is to determine the safety and tolerability of CBD-enriched CHE in adolescents with chronic migraine. Secondary objectives of this study will inform the development of subsequent randomized controlled trials and include investigating the relationship between the dose escalation and change in the frequency of headache, impact and intensity of pain, changes in sleep, mood, function, and quality of life. Exploratory outcomes include investigating steady-state trough plasma levels of bioactive cannabinoids and investigating how pharmacogenetic profiles affect cannabinoid metabolism among adolescents receiving CBD-enriched CHE. Discussion This protocol was co-designed with youth and describes a tolerability clinical trial of CBD-enriched CHE in adolescents with chronic headaches that have not responded to conventional therapies. This study is the first clinical trial on cannabis products in adolescents with chronic headaches and will inform the development of future comparative effectiveness clinical trials. Trial registration CAN-CHA trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov with a number of register NCT05337033.

A systematic review of yoga for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders.

Several studies have reviewed yoga for the treatment of disorders of gut-brain interaction (DGBI) with most demonstrating a benefit for symptom reduction; however, yoga has been studied beyond DGBI. The aim of this systematic review is to provide a comprehensive summary of yoga as treatment for gastrointestinal conditions. We conducted literature searches in PubMed and Embase and included yoga trials of adults with a diagnosis of a gastrointestinal disorders and diseases. We identified 1275 articles; 12 studies were eligible. Most studies compared yoga to controls, for patients with different GI conditions (irritable bowel syndrome, ulcerative colitis, chronic pancreatitis, and gastrointestinal cancer). The type, method, and duration of yoga used varied. Across IBS studies, most demonstrated that yoga improved IBS symptom severity, mood-related symptoms, and quality of life compared with controls. In one study of inflammatory bowel disease, yoga improved quality of life compared to controls. Two studies of gastrointestinal cancer demonstrated that yoga led to a reduction in sleep disturbance and mood symptoms. One study of chronic pancreatitis found that yoga led to improvements in quality of life, stress, mood changes, alcohol dependence, and appetite. Yoga was generally safe, and no serious adverse events were attributed to the intervention. In conclusion, yoga appears to be safe and has potential to improve functioning across a spectrum of gastrointestinal diseases; however, current studies are limited by heterogeneity and methodological weaknesses. Further research is needed to evaluate the impact of yoga on health outcomes for a broader range of gastrointestinal conditions.

Early change in specific depression symptoms and later outcome in internet-delivered psychotherapy for depression: A cohort study and cross-lagged network analysis

BackgroundSymptom reduction occurring early in depression treatment is associated with favourable post-treatment outcome, but it is not known how early reduction in specific depression symptoms affect treatment outcome. We aimed to determine the impact of symptom-specific change from pre-treatment to week four during internet-delivered CBT (ICBT) on overall and symptom-specific depression severity at post-treatment. We hypothesized that change in mood and emotional involvement would be most strongly associated with later overall depression severity. Methods1300 participants with Major Depressive Disorder were followed over 12 weeks of ICBT using the self-report Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale gauging nine symptoms. Linear models, informed by causal inference and cross-lagged network analysis methods, were used to estimate associations between early symptom-specific change and post-treatment depression severity, controlling for register-based and self-reported pre-treatment confounders. ResultsEarly reduction in all symptoms was associated with lower overall and symptom-specific depression severity post-ICBT. Seven symptoms showed similar associations between early change and overall depression severity post-treatment: mood (standardized beta [β] = 0.44), feelings of unease (β = 0.39), ability to concentrate (β = 0.46), initiative (β = 0.43), emotional involvement (β = 0.42), pessimism (β = 0.44), and zest for life (β = 0.42). Change in sleep (β = 0.27) and appetite (β = 0.27) had weaker associations with overall depression severity at post-treatment and were the only symptoms showing the hypothesized difference compared with mood and emotional involvement. ConclusionsThe impact of early symptom-specific reduction on post-treatment depression severity in ICBT for MDD may be similar across most symptoms, but less for the sleep and appetite symptoms, although causal interpretations rests on several assumptions.

Empathy in public relations practice of South Korea

Using a qualitative approach, this study explores the role of empathy as a critical skill that can improve public relations practice. Specifically, it investigates how South Korean public relations practitioners perceive the role of empathy based on their life and work experiences, beliefs, and feelings. This theme is considered within the context of the Korean culture of Shim-Cheong, a state focused on “we-ness,” and Cheong. The study results reveal three important aspects of empathy for public relations practitioners: 1) an empathic appraisal that allows evaluation of public emotions, 2) a sensitivity that enables detection of/predicts a change in public mood, and 3) sympathetic arousal that ensures sincere communication of empathy in a crisis. When the public perceives organizations and their issues as problematic, public affect changes from positive to negative. Empathy as capacity, intuition, and attitude allows public relations practitioners to determine when public affect has significantly changed South Koreans in the culture of Shim-Cheong. Since South Koreans tend to express positive moods more readily than negative emotions, practitioners can use an affect monitoring system to identify social trends and perform more in-depth analyses to assess contextual meanings and identify potential risks.

The experience of mood change over time for people diagnosed with bipolar disorder: a longitudinal interpretative phenomenological analysis

ABSTRACT Living with episodes of mania and depression is recognised to instil profound instability in people diagnosed with bipolar disorder, but little is known about how these mood changes arise through a person’s trajectory over time. This longitudinal study aimed to investigate the experience of mood change within and between bipolar disorder episodes. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with three women at two time points and were analysed using longitudinal interpretative phenomenological analysis to form idiographic trajectories. Three longitudinal themes illustrated the changing experiences of participants during periods of depression, euthymia (stability) and mania: (i) Extreme changes in activity and agency, (ii) Changes in feelings and connectivity, (iii) Shifting sense of the future disrupts momentum. The findings highlighted trajectories of change in key areas of the participants’ lives including activity levels, routine and agency, intensity of feelings and connectivity, and their sense of the future and progression. Changes experienced during episodes were cumulative, impacting participants’ ability to reconnect, take control and move forward during euthymia. The clinical value of mapping a client’s sense of change across BD phases is indicated, along with the need to build agency, progression and connectivity during euthymic periods. Suggestions for research and practice are discussed.

Bipolar Disorder in a female with CDKL5 Deficiency Disorder: A Case Report.

CDKL5 deficiency disorder (CDD) is an early-onset developmental and epileptic encephalopathy. While a subset of individuals is believed to experience comorbid behavioral disorders, none have reported well-defined affective disorders. Though there is a documented association between epilepsy and mood disorders, they may go undetected in the CDD population due to difficulty assessing mood in the presence of severe/profound intellectual disability and disease-related sleep dysregulation. We aimed to identify the clinical characteristics of an individual with CDD who presented with a mood disorder falling outside this expected behavioral phenotype. We identified one 22-year-old female with CDD diagnosed with unspecified bipolar disorder at 18 years of age. Family history was noncontributory. At diagnosis, she had fluctuations in mood, characterized by periods of elated affect, increased energy and vocalizations, hypertonia, and insomnia lasting 3-4 days alternating with periods of depressed affect, irritability, hypotonia, and excessive sleep lasting for up to one month. She had experienced frequent mood swings and sleep dysregulation from early childhood, and by early adulthood the duration of "up" and "down" periods fell in the range specified in the DSM-5 bipolar disorder criteria. Trazodone and suvorexant did not alleviate sleep related symptoms. Her epilepsy was well controlled on lamotrigine monotherapy since early childhood. Though lamotrigine treatment has had no psychiatric benefit despite its known mood stabilizing properties, aripiprazole has been effective in reducing severity and frequency of fluctuations between hypomania and depression. While sleep and behavioral disorders fall within the expected phenotype for CDD, this is the first report of bipolar disorder. Careful attention to patterns of sleep and behavior that may indicate mood cycling in this population is required, particularly in the setting of limited communication and functional abilities.

Person's Temperament and Character Type Detection Based on Modern Information and Communication Technologies

The popularity of e-learning systems is growing because of their effectiveness. It is necessary to adjust learning/training scenarios for every trainee, using advanced information and communication technologies (ICT) tools to achieve this. However, it is not often respected that people have different perceptions of information. A learning system should consider the temperament and character of an applicant/trainee. Since people with the same temperament have approximately the same ability to perceive and process information, as well as similar labour skills, the learning system must first determine the applicant's temperament and after that, based on this, determine how long it will take him to absorb a certain amount of information from the training course. Testing is used for recognition of the applicant’s temperament. But traditional tests–questionnaires are long and the applicant can manipulate with answers. Apart from those, there are other types of tests: color tests, picture tests, figures tests, drawing tests, etc. The advantage of such tests is that they are based on the subconscious processes and thus, are more free from manipulations with answers, take far less time, and less depend on the mood swings. Moreover, according to S. Dellinger, the applicant's temperament type represents a fuzzy set, because a person has one dominant temperament and one secondary temperament, with relevantly different credibility levels. This means, that the determination of a person’s temperament should be implemented in a fuzzy environment, not in a classical environment. For this reason, we want to implement the first part of the teaching system, using this paper. Particularly, we aimed to create a quick and free-from-manipulations test-program, which would allow, determine the type of applicant’s temperament for e-learning individualization needs and determin the innate working skills. The specific fuzzy method is applied. The program was successfully tested on different people.