Fear Of Symptoms Research Articles

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SELF-ESTEEM AND POST-POWER SYNDROME IN ELDERLY RETIREMENT IN THE ELDERLY POSYANDU JATIREJO VILLAGE, NGANJUK REGENCY

Background. The aging process is a natural stage of human life, and one of the phases faced by the elderly is retirement. Retirement often triggers anxiety, fear, and other psychological symptoms, known as Post-Power Syndrome. The purpose was to determine the relationship between self-esteem and Post-Power Syndrome in the elderly during retirement. Research Method. This research used a correlational study with a Cross-Sectional design. This research was conducted in July 2024 at the Elderly Posyandu Jatirejo Village, Nganjuk Regency. The sample size was 35 respondents, inclusion criteria are elderly ?60 years old, have not worked for ?1 year, are cooperative, healthy, and do not have physical disabilities. The independent variable is self-esteem and the dependent variable is Post-Power Syndrome in the elderly. Collecting data on self-esteem with Post-Power Syndrome elderly using a questionnaire sheet. Statistical tests using Spearman rank with a significant ? ? 0.05. Findings. Based on the results of research from 35 respondents, most of them showed high self-esteem, namely 19 respondents (54.3%) and 18 respondents (51.4%) experienced mild Post-Power Syndrome. The results of the Spearman rank correlation test show a p-value of 0.012, and r= -0.42 as moderate and negative correlation which means that there is a relationship between self-esteem and Post-Power Syndrome in the Elderly Retirement Period. Conclusion. The higher self-esteem felt by the elderly will decrease the Post Power Syndrome experienced. Appropriate psychological and social interventions in this regard are essential to improve the self-esteem and psychological well-being of the elderly in retirement.

Applying Clinical Practice Guidelines on Chronic Headaches, Neck Pain, and Chest Symptoms: A Single Case Report

BACKGROUND: Neck pain and headaches are common conditions in physical therapy practice. Clinical practice guidelines (CPG’s) are forms of evidence designed to decrease practice variability and guide care. CPG recommendations are general, with few specific tactics recommended, which could be a factor in their limited adoption and poor application. This case report demonstrates an example of implementing the Academy of Orthopedic Physical Therapy (AOPT) Neck Pain Revision CPG while also highlighting limitations and areas lacking specificity. CASE PRESENTATION: The patient was a 37-year-old female with neck pain, chest pain, and headaches. She was treated following the recommendations within the AOPT CPG along with psychologically informed practice. The Neck Disability Index (NDI), Patient Specific Functional Scale (PSFS), Fear Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire (FABQ), symptoms, and impairments were measured at evaluation, discharge, and 2 months post discharge. OUTCOMES: Clinically meaningful improvements in NDI and PSFS scores, improved cervical endurance, scapular strength, and cervical motor control were observed at discharge. Additional improvements in NDI scores were seen at 2-months post discharge. DISCUSSION: While the CPG promotes the use of manual therapy, exercise and general screening, the authors demonstrate specific techniques for identifying and managing fear avoidance behavior with cognitive and graded exposure techniques.

Fire needle therapy for the treatment of cancer pain: a protocol for the systematic review and meta-analysis.

Cancer patients frequently suffer pain as one of their symptoms. It includes acute and chronic pain and is one of the most feared symptoms for patients. About one-third of adults actively undergoing cancer treatment suffer from pain related to their condition. Cancer pain control remains suboptimal due to a lack of assessment, knowledge, and access. Fire needle therapy, a traditional Chinese medicine, offers a potentially beneficial addition to current pain management approaches. This protocol outlines a systematic review and meta-analysis to compile evidence and examine the pain-relieving effects and safety of fire needle therapy for cancer patients. We will systematically search China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Database, China Biology Medicine disc (CBM), China Science and Technology Journal Database (CSTJ or VIP), PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Central Registry of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (Chictr), Opengrey, Worldcat, and Scopus from inception through July 2023. Random control trials (RCTs) include all types of cancer patients (age ≥ 18 years) complaining of pain. The primary outcome will be changes in pain intensity measured by Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), Neuropathic Pain Scale (NPS), or Brief Pain Inventory (BPI). Secondary outcomes include quality of life (EORTC QLQ-C30 and GCQ), performance status (KPS), times of burst pain, treatment response rate, the dose reduction of analgesic drugs, and side effects rates. Utilizing the Cochrane risk bias measurement tool: Risk of Bias 2 (RoB 2), the trials' quality will be evaluated, and meta-analysis will be performed using RevMan software (version 5.4). This systematic review will be the first comprehensive review of the literature to provide a meta-analysis of fire needle therapy for cancer pain, including only Random control trials (RCTs). For the sake of transparency and to avoid future duplication, the publication of this protocol offers a clear illustration of the procedures utilized in this evaluation. The results of our future studies may provide a new approach and theoretical basis for the treatment of cancer pain by medical oncology professionals. https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier CRD42023418609.

Distinct trajectories of neuropsychiatric symptoms in the 12 months following traumatic brain injury (TBI): a TRACK-TBI study.

Neuropsychiatric symptoms are common after traumatic brain injury (TBI) and often resolve within 3 months post-injury. However, the degree to which individual patients follow this course is unknown. We characterized trajectories of neuropsychiatric symptoms over 12 months post-TBI. We hypothesized that a substantial proportion of individuals would display trajectories distinct from the group-average course, with some exhibiting less favorable courses. Participants were level 1 trauma center patients with TBI (n = 1943), orthopedic trauma controls (n = 257), and non-injured friend controls (n = 300). Trajectories of six symptom dimensions (Depression, Anxiety, Fear, Sleep, Physical, and Pain) were identified using growth mixture modeling from 2 weeks to 12 months post-injury. Depression, Anxiety, Fear, and Physical symptoms displayed three trajectories: Stable-Low (86.2-88.6%), Worsening (5.6-10.9%), and Improving (2.6-6.4%). Among symptomatic trajectories (Worsening, Improving), lower-severity TBI was associated with higher prevalence of elevated symptoms at 2 weeks that steadily resolved over 12 months compared to all other groups, whereas higher-severity TBI was associated with higher prevalence of symptoms that gradually worsened from 3-12 months. Sleep and Pain displayed more variable recovery courses, and the most common trajectory entailed an average level of problems that remained stable over time (Stable-Average; 46.7-82.6%). Symptomatic Sleep and Pain trajectories (Stable-Average, Improving) were more common in traumatically injured groups. Findings illustrate the nature and rates of distinct neuropsychiatric symptom trajectories and their relationship to traumatic injuries. Providers may use these results as a referent for gauging typical v. atypical recovery in the first 12 months post-injury.

Mental Health Study and Psychological Factors Impacting the Behaviour Among College Students in India

Health risk behaviour, sometimes referred to as health impairing behaviour, is dangerous when it comes to children since it might have unfavourable consequences that last into adulthood. Although not entirely inherited, anxiety disorders can also result from the use of drugs, such as alcohol and caffeine, as well as the withdrawal from particular medications. They frequently occur in conjunction with other mental health issues, including actual depression, bipolar disorder, identity issues, and food issues. The phrase "nervousness" refers to four types of contacts that a person may experience: dissociative unease, physical tension, mental fear, and bodily symptoms. Feelings associated with unease range from mild anxiety to depressive bouts. While there are other psychological and therapeutic conditions that can mimic the signs of a tension disorder, this study outlines the elements that contribute to anxiety and how they impact students' mental health. The results and conclusions of the data collection process using a questionnaire were presented by the researcher. The researcher also talked about some inferences drawn from the participants' comments in addition to this.

Links between Vaccination Fear-, Anxiety-, Alexithymia-, and Type D Personality-Related Vaccination Decisions: A Network Analysis in a Multicultural Sample.

This study examines the links between vaccination status, fear of vaccination (cognitive and somatic symptoms), anxiety, alexithymia, and type D personality (negative affect and social inhibition), to propose policies to increase vaccination rates. A sample of university students (n = 2535; mean age = 20.59, SD = 2.04; male: 26.75%, female: 73.25%) from Spain, Italy, Lebanon, Nigeria, Turkey, and Ukraine completed the Vaccination Fear Scale (VFS-6), the Generalised Anxiety Disorder scale (GAD-7), the Perth Alexithymia Questionnaire-Short Form (PAQ-S), the Type D Scale (DS14), and also a question on vaccination status. Correlation, regression, and network analyses were applied. Cognitive symptoms of fear of vaccination and negative affect were the most significant in the correlation and regression analyses. In the network analysis, negative affect showed the highest values in all centrality indices and positive relationships with other nodes. Vaccination status showed negative relationships with fear of vaccination, alexithymia, and social inhibition. The network structure is similar between the sexes but varies between cultures and sexes within cultures. The relationship between vaccination status and cognitive symptoms of fear of vaccination was the most consistent, allowing for interventions at this level to be advised across cultures. For more specific interventions, cultural context must be considered for optimal results.

Online training in trauma-informed intervention and care for mental health workers in India during COVID-19 pandemic: a mixed method evaluation study

PurposeThis paper aims to describe a response to the needs of mental health workers (MHWs) in India during COVID-19 pandemic, through an online training program on trauma-informed intervention and care.Design/methodology/approachA four-module online training program was developed. Two modules were aimed to bridge the knowledge gap on trauma for MHWs, so that they could effectively address the associated symptoms of fear and grief. The other two modules aimed to support MHWs’ self-care and create supportive connections among colleagues. In this mixed method evaluation study, needs expressed before the training and lessons derived from the training were collected through questionnaires, focus group discussion and interviews.FindingsOf the 3,168 MHWs who registered for the training, 534 completed the pre-questionnaire. Of the 125 post-questionnaire records, 38 had watched all four modules. A great need for learning to work with grief and manage the increased workload without burnout was observed. Post-training gains included skills for working with fear and grief, which increased the confidence of MHWs. The importance of self-care was an eye-opener for many.Social implicationsThis study indicates a way to equip MHWs to address the trauma that will continue to live in people in the aftermath of crises.Originality/valueThis study examined the challenges MHWs in India faced during the COVID-19 pandemic, revealing a knowledge gap on dealing with this level of trauma. It can contribute to the knowledge on how to support MHWs in such crises.

Torture Exposure Modulates Cognitive Control and Attention Neural Network Connectivity During a Go/NoGo Task

BackgroundTorture trauma is characterized by intentional uncontrollable acts, but the long-term effects of torture exposure on cognitive control brain mechanisms are unknown. MethodsA final sample of 33 torture survivors (TSs) and 44 non-TSs, all with a refugee background, completed a Go/NoGo response inhibition task during functional magnetic resonance imaging scanning. Data-driven independent component analysis identified active networks across the task and on Go, NoGo, and error of commission trials. Groups were compared on within-/between-network connectivity while for demographic and psychological symptom covariates were controlled for. Secondary analyses investigated whether network connectivity moderated the associations between torture exposure and severity on fear (e.g., re-experiencing) and dysphoria (e.g., anhedonia) posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms. ResultsThe TS group exhibited decreased connectivity (compared with the non-TS control group) within the posterior default mode network (specifically the left precuneus) and auditory-motor network (specifically the right superior temporal gyrus) and reduced connectivity between the dorsomedial frontal network and dorsal attention network across the Go/NoGo task. The TS group also showed more negative ventral attention network connectivity during NoGo (i.e., inhibition) trials. No behavioral effects were observed. Secondary analyses revealed that the association between torture exposure and elevated posttraumatic stress disorder dysphoria (not fear) symptoms was moderated by reduced connectivity in the right superior temporal gyrus and between the dorsomedial frontal network and the dorsal attention network. ConclusionsResponse inhibition, attention, and motor networks appear to be less connected in TSs, which may be specifically linked to posttraumatic stress disorder dysphoria symptom profiles. The findings suggest that targeting cognitive control processes may hold promise for alleviating posttraumatic symptoms among survivors of torture.

Inside the Hospitalization Voyage of Schizophrenia Care: A Single-Center Journey.

Schizophrenia poses significant challenges for individuals and caregivers, often leading to recurrent hospitalizations. Limited information on patients with schizophrenia and multiple hospitalizations in Romania is available in the scientific literature. Our study aimed to evaluate the characteristics of patients with schizophrenia with multiple hospitalizations in a single center in Cluj-Napoca, analyzing if specific patterns exist between patients with two or more hospitalizations or between men and women. We conducted a retrospective study on patients diagnosed with schizophrenia according to the 10th revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD 10), hospitalized at the County Emergency Hospital of Cluj-Napoca, Romania, between 2018 and 2022. Data on demographics, somatic comorbidities, symptom severity using the positive and negative syndrome scale (PANSS) or the brief psychiatric rating scale (BPRS), antipsychotic medication, and adverse effects were collected. We evaluated 62 patients, aged from 23 to 57 years, with 157 hospitalizations (ranging from two to seven per patient). No familial history of schizophrenia (56.5%) or bipolar disorder (71%) was reported by most patients. Forty-eight patients were male, and 45 had two hospitalizations. Age, sex, living place and conditions, season of birth, and marital status were similar in patients with two or more than two hospitalizations (p-values > 0.10). Significant differences were observed between patients with two or more than two hospitalizations regarding smoking (63.3% vs. 79.1%, p-value = 0.0029) and symptoms of fear at admission (40.0% vs. 65.7%, p-value = 0.0015). We observed lower scores in the overall PANSS and BPRS scores at discharge compared to admission (p-values < 0.001), regardless of the group (two or more than two hospitalizations, men vs. women). Men and women showed differences in hospitalization stays (median 17.25 vs. 15 days, p-value < 0.001) and BPRS scores at admission (p-value = 0.012) and discharge (p-value = 0.016). Fewer First-Generation Antipsychotics were prescribed for those with two admissions, and nearly half reported adverse effects, notably tachycardia (29%), with similar occurrence within groups. Our results showed that the candidate for multiple hospitalizations is a male, with a mean age of 37 years, unmarried, and living with someone in urban settings, more likely a smoker who exhibits fear symptoms.

Investigating fear, depressive symptoms and coping mechanisms among Egyptian nursing students amidst the covid-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundAmidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, nursing students' contribution to combating this global health crisis is becoming more significant. However, we need a more comprehensive understanding of the psychological impact of this crisis on these students. Therefore, this study holds immense importance as it offers valuable insights into the connection between COVID-19 pandemic fear, coping strategies, and depressive symptoms among nursing students.MethodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted to collect and analyze data from 319 undergraduate nursing students. They participated in the study by responding to an online questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of the Fear of the Coronavirus Questionnaire, Brief Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced, and the Beck Depression Inventory-II.ResultsThe study revealed that 45.5% of the participants had a severe fear of COVID-19, 21.9% showed severe depressive symptoms, and 64.6% used moderate coping mechanisms. A positive correlation (r = 0.160, p = 0.01) was found between the fear of COVID-19 and depressive symptoms. Interestingly, this correlation turned negative (r = -0.074, p = 0.01) when adaptive coping strategies such as religion, acceptance, planning, positive reframing, instrumental support, emotional support, active coping, and humor were used. However, when participants resorted to maladaptive coping strategies like venting, self-distraction, self-blame, behavioral disengagement, denial, and substance abuse, the correlation between high fear levels and depressive symptoms became positive (r = 0.352, p = 0.01).ConclusionThe study demonstrated that the fear of COVID-19 and depressive symptoms among nursing students are significantly correlated. However, the nature of this correlation is influenced by the type of coping strategies employed. Adaptive coping mechanisms can mitigate the impact of fear on depressive symptoms. In contrast, maladaptive coping can exacerbate the relationship between fear and depressive symptoms. Therefore, promoting adaptive coping strategies could be a crucial approach to managing the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

A prefrontal-habenular circuitry regulates social fear behaviour.

The medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) has been implicated in the pathophysiology of social impairments including social fear. However, the precise subcortical partners that mediate mPFC dysfunction on social fear behaviour have not been identified. Employing a social fear conditioning paradigm, we induced robust social fear in mice and found that the lateral habenula (LHb) neurons and LHb-projecting mPFC neurons are synchronously activated during social fear expression. Moreover, optogenetic inhibition of the mPFC-LHb projection significantly reduced social fear responses. Importantly, consistent with animal studies, we observed an elevated prefrontal-habenular functional connectivity in subclinical individuals with higher social anxiety characterized by heightened social fear. These results unravel a crucial role of the prefrontal-habenular circuitry in social fear regulation and suggest that this pathway could serve as a potential target for the treatment of social fear symptom often observed in many psychiatric disorders.

The relationship between psychological well-being with levels of anxiety, COVID-19 fear and depression in individuals hospitalized with COVID-19

Introduction and aim. The COVID-19 pandemic negatively affected both the physical and mental health of societies. The present study was conducted to determine the relationship between psychological well-being with levels of anxiety, COVID-19 fear, and depression in individuals hospitalized with COVID-19. Material and methods. This descriptive correlative study was conducted with 685 individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 treated in the clinics of a pandemic hospital. The data of the study were collected with the information form, psychological well-being scale (PWBS), COVID-19 fear scale (FCV-19S), and hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS). Results. The mean PWBS score of the participants was 37.21±14.3, the FCV-19S score was 20.10±10.41, the HADS-anxiety score was 9.07±7.29, and the depression score was 10.74±7.35. The PWBS scores with FCV-19S scores of the participants, HADS-anxiety, and HADS-depression scores were found to be negatively correlated (p&lt;0.001). Conclusion. In conclusion, as the anxiety, fear, and depression levels experienced by individuals receiving inpatient treatment in a pandemic hospital due to COVID-19 increase, their psychological well-being levels decrease at a statistically significant level. It may be recommended to intervene in the anxiety, fear, and depressive symptoms of individuals receiving inpatient treatment due to a diagnosis of COVID-19 to increase their psychological well-being.

Lived Experiences of Teachers Handling Bajao Learners in the Context of Blended Learning: A Phenomenological Approach

This study investigates teachers' perspectives on handling Bajao learners in the context of blended learning. Phenomenological qualitative research using interviews with seven (7) faculty members from Sta. Ana District, Davao City Division, was undertaken in order to contribute teachers' voices dealing with indigenous learners while implementing distance education. In-person interviews were conducted, audiotaped, transcribed, and evaluated for recurring themes. Member checks and peer reviews were used to verify the data. Several themes emerged from the teachers’ experiences with Bajao learners. Most participants shared their perspectives on the struggles of Bajao learners. Many expressed that Bajao learners and their families were reluctant to report symptoms for fear of financial and physical health consequences. Access to digital resources was a major issue for staying on track with distance learning. Many were unable to afford or have access to their daily necessities. Family financial strain, agitation, a poor learning environment, and behavioral fatigue posed challenges for teachers. Teachers must adopt certain strategies, such as (a) alternative student assessment delivery, (b) encouraging parental support through communication and a positive approach, and (c) outsourcing and the use of personal funds to meet needs. Participants reflected on teaching ideals and expressed their preference for face-to-face delivery. The review of blended learning delivery and the enhancement of programs aimed at improving Bajao's quality of life were also observed. Therefore, we recommend that public and private institutions collaborate to create culture-based instruction for Bajao learners.

Validity of central pain processing biomarkers for predicting the occurrence of oncological chronic pain: a study protocol

BackgroundDespite recent improvements in cancer detection and survival rates, managing cancer-related pain remains a significant challenge. Compared to neuropathic and inflammatory pain conditions, cancer pain mechanisms are poorly understood, despite pain being one of the most feared symptoms by cancer patients and significantly impairing their quality of life, daily activities, and social interactions. The objective of this work was to select a panel of biomarkers of central pain processing and modulation and assess their ability to predict chronic pain in patients with cancer using predictive artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms.MethodsWe will perform a prospective longitudinal cohort, multicentric study involving 450 patients with a recent cancer diagnosis. These patients will undergo an in-person assessment at three different time points: pretreatment, 6 months, and 12 months after the first visit. All patients will be assessed through demographic and clinical questionnaires and self-report measures, quantitative sensory testing (QST), and electroencephalography (EEG) evaluations. We will select the variables that best predict the future occurrence of pain using a comprehensive approach that includes clinical, psychosocial, and neurophysiological variables.DiscussionThis study aimed to provide evidence regarding the links between poor pain modulation mechanisms at precancer treatment in patients who will later develop chronic pain and to clarify the role of treatment modality (modulated by age, sex and type of cancer) on pain. As a final output, we expect to develop a predictive tool based on AI that can contribute to the anticipation of the future occurrence of pain and help in therapeutic decision making.

Fear of monkeypox and intention to vaccinate against monkeypox: a network analysis

Fear of monkeypox and intention to vaccinate against monkeypox: a network analysis

Symptom cluster study undergoing chemotherapy in breast cancer patients: Latent class analysis and contemporaneous network analysis

ObjectiveThis study aims to explore the subgroups and networks of symptom clusters in breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, and to provide effective interventions for the core symptoms. MethodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted at four comprehensive hospitals in Foshan City, China, from August to November 2023. A total of 292 participants completed the social determinants of health questionnaire, the numerical rating scale (NRS), the Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI), the Chinese version of the cancer fatigue scale (CFS), and the hospital anxiety and depression Scale (HADS). Latent class analysis (LCA) was utilized to distinguish subgroups, and network analysis was utilized to identify core symptoms among different subgroups. ResultsBreast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy exhibit symptoms were divided into two subgroups: the high burden group of symptoms (72.3%, Class 1) and the low burden group of symptoms (27.7%, Class 2). Education attainment, work status, family monthly income per capita, and daily sleep duration (hours) were associated with subgroup membership. “Panic feelings” (# HADS-A11) were the core symptom in both the full sample and Class 2, while “tension or pain” (# HADS-A1) was the core symptom in Class 1. ConclusionsThe core symptoms of fear, enjoyment, nervousness, and pain varied across subgroups of patients and could inform the current strategies for symptom management in breast cancer chemotherapy patients.

Dispositional factors in the explanation of symptoms of depression, anxiety, health anxiety and COVID-19 Phobia.

Maladaptive personality, the motivational systems, and intolerance of uncertainty play important roles in the statistical explanation of depression and anxiety. Here, we notably examined for the first time whether symptoms of depression, anxiety, health anxiety, and fear of COVID-19 share similar associations (e.g., variance explained) with these important dispositional dimensions. For this cross-sectional study, data from 1001 participants recruited in Germany (50% women; mean age = 47.26) were collected. In separate models, we examined the cross-sectional associations of the symptoms of depression, anxiety, health anxiety, and fear of COVID-19 with the Personality Inventory for DSM Short Form Plus scales, the Behavioral Inhibition System / Flight-Fight-Freeze System / Behavioral Activation System scales, and Intolerance of Uncertainty scales. Relative weight analyses were used to determine the within-model importance of the different scales in the prediction of the symptoms. All in all, our study showed that maladaptive personality and intolerance of uncertainty dimensions are more important sets of predictors of the studied outcomes (with which depressive and anxious symptomatology feature very similar associations) than are the motivational system dimensions. Within predictor sets, the scales with the most important predictors were: Negative Affectivity, the Behavioral Inhibition System, and Burden due to Intolerance of Uncertainty. Our findings highlight the relevance of focusing behavioral targets of psychotherapy on these within-set traits and identify potential research priorities (maladaptive personality and intolerance of uncertainty) in relation to the symptoms of interest.

IJCM_337A: Prevalence Of Social Anxiety Disorder Among Adolescents In Ernakulam District, Kerala

Background: Social anxiety disorder (SAD), a prevalent form of anxiety disorder is a chronic, disabling and treatable one with common onset in adolescence. Individuals experiencing SAD exhibit symptoms of anxiety or fear in circumstances where they could face scrutiny, evaluation, or judgment from others. Objective: The primary objective of the study was to determine the prevalence of SAD among adolescents in Ernakulam district, Kerala. The secondary objectives were to compare the prevalence of SAD among urban and rural adolescents and to determine the factors associated with SAD among adolescents in Ernakulam district, Kerala. Methodology: School based cross-sectional study was done among 474 students from schools of Ernakulam district, Kerala. Students were enrolled using multi-stage sampling method. A semi structured questionnaire consisting of sociodemographic details and Social Phobia Inventory (SPIN) was administered to the participants by face-to-face interview after attaining the necessary assent and consent. Results: The overall prevalence of SAD among the study participants was 19.6% with the prevalence of SAD among the urban and rural students being 17.6% and 22.9% respectively. Having to give speeches was the most common phobia in majority (40.9%) of participants. Female sex [aOR=2.02(1.26-3.21); p=0.003] was found to be a determinant of SAD in the study population. Age, type of family, number of family members, place of residency were not statistically associated with SAD in this study Conclusion: The current study showed that 1/5th of the study population had social anxiety disorder. With appropriate intervention through health education and psychotherapy, its progression can be effectively impeded.

Data-driven, connectome-wide analysis identifies psychosis-specific brain correlates of fear and anxiety.

Decades of psychosis research highlight the prevalence and the clinical significance of negative emotions, such as fear and anxiety. Translational evidence demonstrates the pivotal role of the amygdala in fear and anxiety. However, most of these approaches have used hypothesis-driven analyses with predefined regions of interest. A data-driven analysis may provide a complimentary, unbiased approach to identifying brain correlates of fear and anxiety. The aim of the current study was to identify the brain basis of fear and anxiety in early psychosis and controls using a data-driven approach. We analyzed data from the Human Connectome Project for Early Psychosis, a multi-site study of 125 people with psychosis and 58 controls with resting-state fMRI and clinical characterization. Multivariate pattern analysis of whole-connectome data was used to identify shared and psychosis-specific brain correlates of fear and anxiety using the NIH Toolbox Fear-Affect and Fear-Somatic Arousal scales. We then examined clinical correlations of Fear-Affect scores and connectivity patterns. Individuals with psychosis had higher levels of Fear-Affect scores than controls (p < 0.05). The data-driven analysis identified a cluster encompassing the amygdala and hippocampus where connectivity was correlated with Fear-Affect score (p < 0.005) in the entire sample. The strongest correlate of Fear-Affect was between this cluster and the anterior insula and stronger connectivity was associated with higher Fear-Affect scores (r = 0.31, p = 0.0003). The multivariate pattern analysis also identified a psychosis-specific correlate of Fear-Affect score between the amygdala/hippocampus cluster and a cluster in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (VMPFC). Higher Fear-Affect scores were correlated with stronger amygdala/hippocampal-VMPFC connectivity in the early psychosis group (r = 0.33, p = 0.002), but not in controls (r = -0.15, p = 0.28). The current study provides evidence for the transdiagnostic role of the amygdala, hippocampus, and anterior insula in the neural basis of fear and anxiety and suggests a psychosis-specific relationship between fear and anxiety symptoms and amygdala/hippocampal-VMPFC connectivity. Our novel data-driven approach identifies novel, psychosis-specific treatment targets for fear and anxiety symptoms and provides complimentary evidence to decades of hypothesis-driven approaches examining the brain basis of threat processing.

Comparing the effectiveness of clomipramine and fluoxetine in dogs with anxiety-related behaviours

PICO Question In dogs with chronic pain, is acupuncture alone, compared to a placebo, more efficacious in alleviating pain and pain-related dysfunction? Clinical bottom line Category of research Treatment. Number and type of study designs reviewed Three controlled studies were critically appraised. Strength of evidence Moderate. Outcomes reported Administration of either fluoxetine or clomipramine to adult dogs reduces symptoms of fear and anxiety. Conclusion Both fluoxetine and clomipramine are effective in reducing acral lick dermatitis and tail chasing behaviours, but there is no evidence that one drug is more effective than the other. How to apply this evidence in practice The application of evidence into practice should take into account multiple factors, not limited to: individual clinical expertise, patient’s circumstances and owners’ values, country, location or clinic where you work, the individual case in front of you, the availability of therapies and resources. Knowledge Summaries are a resource to help reinforce or inform decision making. They do not override the responsibility or judgement of the practitioner to do what is best for the animal in their care.