Background: In this study, it is aimed to examine validity and reliability of the Turkish version... more Background: In this study, it is aimed to examine validity and reliability of the Turkish version of the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-Substance Abuse (AAQ-SA) which is developed for assessing psychological flexibility levels of individuals with alcohol and/or substance misuse. Methods: The research sample consisted of a total of 191 participants diagnosed with alcohol and substance use disorder. For reliability analysis, Cronbach alpha coefficient, test-retest correlation and item-total correlation methods were used. The construct validity of the scale was carried out by exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis methods. For assessing the criterion related validity were used Self Concealment Scale (SCS), Addiction Profile Index (BAPI), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness Scale (ISMIS), Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES). Results: Principle component analysis with varimax rotation and confirmatory factor analysis were applied to examine the factor structure of the Turkish AAQ-SA and two-factor structure was obtained similar to the original scale. In the construct validity analysis conducted by confirmatory factor analysis method, it was determined that the regression load of one item was not at the level of significance and the item was excluded from the scale. The Cronbach alpha coefficient of the 17-item final version was 0.736 and the Cronbach alpha coefficients of the sub-scales were 0.700-0.766. The item-total score correlation coefficients ranged from 0.100 to 0.523 (p
On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared that the infection of novel coronavirus... more On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared that the infection of novel coronavirus identified in Wuhan, China, is a pandemic. Various studies have shown that SARS-CoV-2 infection can trigger psychiatric effects such as anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder. Here, we reported a case with no significant psychiatric history who experienced first-episode mania during the COVID-19 treatment. On the third day of hospitalization, the patient's mood was elevated, she thought she can treat other patients with her special power, she was talkative and irritable. Olanzapine 20 mg was started and the patient's score on the Young Mania Rating Scale decreased on the 17th day. Psychiatric outcomes associated with covid 19 are just emerging and it seems likely to be a potential engagement for psychiatric professionals in the future. More studies are required in terms of the treatment, course, and follow-up of psychiatric sequelae in these patients.
Introduction: There is a growing consensus in the literature that inflammation may play a role in... more Introduction: There is a growing consensus in the literature that inflammation may play a role in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. The blood neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio is a simple, inexpensive and reliable marker of inflammation. The aim of this study is to assess the relationship between first episode psychosis (FEP) and neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and to investigate if there is a relation between NLR and severity of disease. Methods: In this retrospective study we analyzed 58 FEP patients' medical records from January 2011 to June 2014 who had been treated at our hospital. Hematologic parameters, Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) scores and demographic data of the patients were obtained from the medical records of 58 FEP patients. Hematologic parameters and NLR values of 58 patients with FEP compared to values of 37 healthy control group. Correlation between NLR and BPRS scores were calculated. Results: Mean NLR was significantly higher in patients compared to control group (2.22 ± 1.25 vs. 1.63 ± 0.38, p = 0.041). Neutrophil count was not different between patients and healthy control (4.03 ± 0.70 vs. 4.20 ± 1.48, p = 0.525), but lymphocyte count was significantly lower in patients (2.56 ± 0.55 vs. 2.19 ± 0.77, p = 0.013). In the FEP patients, NLR was not significantly correlate with severity of disease (BPRS score) (n = 58; r = 0.060, p = 0.655). Conclusion: Our findings suggest that NLR levels are increased in physically healthy antipsychotic-naive first episode psychosis patients compared to physically and mentally healthy individuals.
Although emotional cues like facial emotion expressions seem to be important in social interactio... more Although emotional cues like facial emotion expressions seem to be important in social interaction, there is no specific training about emotional cues for psychiatrists. Here, we aimed to investigate psychiatrists' ability of facial emotion recognition and relation with their clinical identification as psychotherapy-psychopharmacology oriented or being adult and childhood-adolescent psychiatrist. Facial Emotion Recognition Test was performed to 130 psychiatrists that were constructed by a set of photographs (happy, sad, fearful, angry, surprised, disgusted and neutral faces) from Ekman and Friesen's. Psychotherapy oriented adult psychiatrists were significantly better in recognizing sad facial emotion (p=.003) than psychopharmacologists while no significant differences were detected according to therapeutic orientation among child-adolescent psychiatrists (for each, p>.05). Adult psychiatrists were significantly better in recognizing fearful (p=.012) and disgusted (p=.003) facial emotions than child-adolescent psychiatrists while the latter were better in recognizing angry facial emotion (p=.008). For the first time, we have shown some differences on psychiatrists' facial emotion recognition ability according to therapeutic identification and being adult or child-adolescent psychiatrist. It would be valuable to investigate how these differences or training the ability of facial emotion recognition would affect the quality of patient-clinician interaction and treatment related outcomes.
We would like to address the article titled ''Aripiprazole-Associated Hiccups: A Case and Closer ... more We would like to address the article titled ''Aripiprazole-Associated Hiccups: A Case and Closer Look at the Association Between Hiccups and Antipsychotics.'' 1 We agree with the authors in that this is a rarely encountered complication; however, we would like to draw attention to 2 previously reported cases of aripiprazole-induced hiccup which authors did not cite; Hori and Nakamura 2 reported a 29-yearold female patient with hiccups developed after switching from olanzapine to aripiprazole, the dose was 12 mg/d. Ginsberg 3 reported a 69-year-old male patient with hiccup and hyponatremia concomitantly induced by aripiprazole. Therefore, it is suggested that hiccups developed as a result of hyponatremia, and the dose was 12 mg/d. In both reported cases, hiccups reoccurred after rechallenge of aripiprazole. Behere et al 4 also described aripiprazole-induced hiccups which is associated with hyponatremia. On the other hand, Ray et al 5 and Silverman et al 1 have given no information about whether they tested hyponatremia. So we have 2 cases with aripiprazoleinduced hiccups concomitant with hyponatremia, 3,4 and 2 cases with aripiprazole-induced hiccups without information about hyponatremia. 1,5 In rest of the cases, there was no hyponatremia reported. Therefore, we suggest that hyponatremia could be an underlying cause of hiccups which is induced by aripiprazole and we believe that it is useful to make complete electrolyte evaluation in such cases.
Melatonin is an indoleamine often used in children and adolescents. Melatonin is considered to be... more Melatonin is an indoleamine often used in children and adolescents. Melatonin is considered to be an effective clinical management for dyssomnias, sleep disorders present in children with attention-deficit hyperactivity, autism spectrum disorders, developmental delays. Quickacting capsules, controlled-release (CR) capsules, sublingual tablets and liquid forms are available. Melatonin is generally very well-tolerated in children and adolescents. The pharmacology, therapeutic applications, and side effects of melatonin are discussed.
The ratio of the length of the index finger to ring finger (2D:4D) is considered to be an indicat... more The ratio of the length of the index finger to ring finger (2D:4D) is considered to be an indicator of prenatal tes-tosterone exposure. The androgen theory suggests that the masculinizing effects of fetal androgens may play a role in certain psychiatric disorders. We have examined the relationship between impulsiveness, aggression and adult attention deficit along with the 2D:4D digit ratios in male heroin abusers. The study included 62 male patients with heroin dependence and a control group comprising of 50 healthy individuals having similar socio-demographic features. Scores of the Barratt impulsiveness scale, Buss Perry Aggression Scale and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) self-report scale were obtained from the participants. The lengths of second and fourth digits of the right hands were measured. The patients group had significantly higher scores of im-pulsiveness, aggression and ADHD compared to the healthy control group; and their digit ratios were significantly lower. No correlations were found between digit ratios of heroin addicts and their impulsiveness, aggression and ADHD scores. Our study is the first to examine the relationship between digit ratio and impulsive-ness, aggression and ADHD levels in patients with heroin dependence. Prenatal high testosterone exposure might have a role in the etiology of heroin addiction.
Background: In this study, it is aimed to examine validity and reliability of the Turkish version... more Background: In this study, it is aimed to examine validity and reliability of the Turkish version of the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-Substance Abuse (AAQ-SA) which is developed for assessing psychological flexibility levels of individuals with alcohol and/or substance misuse. Methods: The research sample consisted of a total of 191 participants diagnosed with alcohol and substance use disorder. For reliability analysis, Cronbach alpha coefficient, test-retest correlation and item-total correlation methods were used. The construct validity of the scale was carried out by exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis methods. For assessing the criterion related validity were used Self Concealment Scale (SCS), Addiction Profile Index (BAPI), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness Scale (ISMIS), Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES). Results: Principle component analysis with varimax rotation and confirmatory factor analysis were applied to examine the factor structure of the Turkish AAQ-SA and two-factor structure was obtained similar to the original scale. In the construct validity analysis conducted by confirmatory factor analysis method, it was determined that the regression load of one item was not at the level of significance and the item was excluded from the scale. The Cronbach alpha coefficient of the 17-item final version was 0.736 and the Cronbach alpha coefficients of the sub-scales were 0.700-0.766. The item-total score correlation coefficients ranged from 0.100 to 0.523 (p
On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared that the infection of novel coronavirus... more On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared that the infection of novel coronavirus identified in Wuhan, China, is a pandemic. Various studies have shown that SARS-CoV-2 infection can trigger psychiatric effects such as anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder. Here, we reported a case with no significant psychiatric history who experienced first-episode mania during the COVID-19 treatment. On the third day of hospitalization, the patient's mood was elevated, she thought she can treat other patients with her special power, she was talkative and irritable. Olanzapine 20 mg was started and the patient's score on the Young Mania Rating Scale decreased on the 17th day. Psychiatric outcomes associated with covid 19 are just emerging and it seems likely to be a potential engagement for psychiatric professionals in the future. More studies are required in terms of the treatment, course, and follow-up of psychiatric sequelae in these patients.
Introduction: There is a growing consensus in the literature that inflammation may play a role in... more Introduction: There is a growing consensus in the literature that inflammation may play a role in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. The blood neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio is a simple, inexpensive and reliable marker of inflammation. The aim of this study is to assess the relationship between first episode psychosis (FEP) and neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and to investigate if there is a relation between NLR and severity of disease. Methods: In this retrospective study we analyzed 58 FEP patients' medical records from January 2011 to June 2014 who had been treated at our hospital. Hematologic parameters, Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) scores and demographic data of the patients were obtained from the medical records of 58 FEP patients. Hematologic parameters and NLR values of 58 patients with FEP compared to values of 37 healthy control group. Correlation between NLR and BPRS scores were calculated. Results: Mean NLR was significantly higher in patients compared to control group (2.22 ± 1.25 vs. 1.63 ± 0.38, p = 0.041). Neutrophil count was not different between patients and healthy control (4.03 ± 0.70 vs. 4.20 ± 1.48, p = 0.525), but lymphocyte count was significantly lower in patients (2.56 ± 0.55 vs. 2.19 ± 0.77, p = 0.013). In the FEP patients, NLR was not significantly correlate with severity of disease (BPRS score) (n = 58; r = 0.060, p = 0.655). Conclusion: Our findings suggest that NLR levels are increased in physically healthy antipsychotic-naive first episode psychosis patients compared to physically and mentally healthy individuals.
Although emotional cues like facial emotion expressions seem to be important in social interactio... more Although emotional cues like facial emotion expressions seem to be important in social interaction, there is no specific training about emotional cues for psychiatrists. Here, we aimed to investigate psychiatrists' ability of facial emotion recognition and relation with their clinical identification as psychotherapy-psychopharmacology oriented or being adult and childhood-adolescent psychiatrist. Facial Emotion Recognition Test was performed to 130 psychiatrists that were constructed by a set of photographs (happy, sad, fearful, angry, surprised, disgusted and neutral faces) from Ekman and Friesen's. Psychotherapy oriented adult psychiatrists were significantly better in recognizing sad facial emotion (p=.003) than psychopharmacologists while no significant differences were detected according to therapeutic orientation among child-adolescent psychiatrists (for each, p>.05). Adult psychiatrists were significantly better in recognizing fearful (p=.012) and disgusted (p=.003) facial emotions than child-adolescent psychiatrists while the latter were better in recognizing angry facial emotion (p=.008). For the first time, we have shown some differences on psychiatrists' facial emotion recognition ability according to therapeutic identification and being adult or child-adolescent psychiatrist. It would be valuable to investigate how these differences or training the ability of facial emotion recognition would affect the quality of patient-clinician interaction and treatment related outcomes.
We would like to address the article titled ''Aripiprazole-Associated Hiccups: A Case and Closer ... more We would like to address the article titled ''Aripiprazole-Associated Hiccups: A Case and Closer Look at the Association Between Hiccups and Antipsychotics.'' 1 We agree with the authors in that this is a rarely encountered complication; however, we would like to draw attention to 2 previously reported cases of aripiprazole-induced hiccup which authors did not cite; Hori and Nakamura 2 reported a 29-yearold female patient with hiccups developed after switching from olanzapine to aripiprazole, the dose was 12 mg/d. Ginsberg 3 reported a 69-year-old male patient with hiccup and hyponatremia concomitantly induced by aripiprazole. Therefore, it is suggested that hiccups developed as a result of hyponatremia, and the dose was 12 mg/d. In both reported cases, hiccups reoccurred after rechallenge of aripiprazole. Behere et al 4 also described aripiprazole-induced hiccups which is associated with hyponatremia. On the other hand, Ray et al 5 and Silverman et al 1 have given no information about whether they tested hyponatremia. So we have 2 cases with aripiprazoleinduced hiccups concomitant with hyponatremia, 3,4 and 2 cases with aripiprazole-induced hiccups without information about hyponatremia. 1,5 In rest of the cases, there was no hyponatremia reported. Therefore, we suggest that hyponatremia could be an underlying cause of hiccups which is induced by aripiprazole and we believe that it is useful to make complete electrolyte evaluation in such cases.
Melatonin is an indoleamine often used in children and adolescents. Melatonin is considered to be... more Melatonin is an indoleamine often used in children and adolescents. Melatonin is considered to be an effective clinical management for dyssomnias, sleep disorders present in children with attention-deficit hyperactivity, autism spectrum disorders, developmental delays. Quickacting capsules, controlled-release (CR) capsules, sublingual tablets and liquid forms are available. Melatonin is generally very well-tolerated in children and adolescents. The pharmacology, therapeutic applications, and side effects of melatonin are discussed.
The ratio of the length of the index finger to ring finger (2D:4D) is considered to be an indicat... more The ratio of the length of the index finger to ring finger (2D:4D) is considered to be an indicator of prenatal tes-tosterone exposure. The androgen theory suggests that the masculinizing effects of fetal androgens may play a role in certain psychiatric disorders. We have examined the relationship between impulsiveness, aggression and adult attention deficit along with the 2D:4D digit ratios in male heroin abusers. The study included 62 male patients with heroin dependence and a control group comprising of 50 healthy individuals having similar socio-demographic features. Scores of the Barratt impulsiveness scale, Buss Perry Aggression Scale and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) self-report scale were obtained from the participants. The lengths of second and fourth digits of the right hands were measured. The patients group had significantly higher scores of im-pulsiveness, aggression and ADHD compared to the healthy control group; and their digit ratios were significantly lower. No correlations were found between digit ratios of heroin addicts and their impulsiveness, aggression and ADHD scores. Our study is the first to examine the relationship between digit ratio and impulsive-ness, aggression and ADHD levels in patients with heroin dependence. Prenatal high testosterone exposure might have a role in the etiology of heroin addiction.
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