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Abstract Background In Morocco, no epidemiological study has been conducted to show the current prevalence of mental disorders in the general population. The aim of the present study was to assess the prevalence and comorbidity of anxiety disorders in Moroccan subjects. Methods We used cross-sectional study, with a representative sample of Casablanca city. Direct interviews used the Mini International Neurpsychiatric Interview in its validated Moroccan Arabic version Results Among 800 subjects, 25.5% met criteria of at least one current anxiety disorder: Panic Disorder (2%), Agoraphobia (7.6%) Social phobia (3.4), Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (6.1%), Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (3.4%), Generalized Anxiety Disorder (4.3%) Conclusion The results are generally similar to those of Western countries. Future studies need to replicate these results and to concentrate on their impact on the quality of life and the cost of such conditions in the community.

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) encompasses a variety of symptoms appearing during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. Although PMS is widely recognized, the etiology remains unclear and it lacks definitive, universally accepted diagnostic criteria. To address these issues an international multidisciplinary group of experts evaluated the current definitions and diagnostic criteria of PMS and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). Following extensive correspondence, a consensus meeting was held with the aim of producing updated diagnostic criteria for PMS and guidelines for clinical and research applications. This report presents the conclusions and recommendations of the group. It is hoped that the criteria proposed by the group will become widely accepted and eventually be incorporated into the next edition of the World Health Organization's International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11). It is also hoped that the proposed guidelines for quantification of criteria will be used by clinicians and investigators to facilitate diagnostic uniformity in the field as well as adequate treatment modalities when warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In Morocco, no epidemiological study has been conducted to show the current prevalence of mental disorders in the general population. The aim of the present study was to assess the prevalence and comorbidity of anxiety disorders in Moroccan subjects. Methods: We used cross-sectional study, with a representative sample of Casablanca city. Direct interviews used the Mini International Neurpsychiatric Interview in its validated Moroccan Arabic version Results: Among 800 subjects, 25.5% met criteria of at least one current anxiety disorder: Panic Disorder (2%), Agoraphobia (7.6%) Social phobia (3.4), Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (6.1%), Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (3.4%), Generalized Anxiety Disorder (4.3%) Conclusion: The results are generally similar to those of Western countries. Future studies need to replicate these results and to concentrate on their impact on the quality of life and the cost of such conditions in the community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: First, to explore whether in Morocco, a non-Western country, family members of patients with schizophrenia suffer from stigma and, if they do, which areas of their lives are most affected; and second, to explore family members' knowledge about the illness and their attitudes toward the patients.Methods: The study was conducted among 100 family members accompanying patients with schizophrenia. We used a heteroquestionnaire that inquired about family members' and patients' sociodemographic data, family members' knowledge of the patients' illness, their attitudes and behaviours toward the patient, and their perception of stigma.Results: Family members' mean age was 47.44 years, SD 12.83; 69% were women; 38% had no education; and 77% had no professional activity. Most families (76%) reported having no knowledge about the illness. However, the illness was considered to be incurable (39%), severe (37%), chronic (80%), and handicapping (48%) and was believed to be caused by drug use (25%), stressing life events (such as conflict or bereavement; 46%), sorcery (25%), organic disturbance (30%), or heredity (23%). We found that most of the families suffer from stigma and discrimination. A total of 86.7% reported they have hard lives because of the illness, and 72% reported psychological suffering caused by sleep and relationship disturbances and a poor quality of life.Conclusions: In this study, we found that Moroccan families of patients with schizophrenia suffer from stigma. We found the same results in European, In North American, and in some Arab and Islam countries. Despite the belief that traditional societies are more supportive of the weak and the sick, stigma is a major burden in addition to that of the illness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: We hypothesized that people in Morocco are more irritable during the month of Ramadan than during the rest of the year. Our objectives were to measure irritability in fasting Muslims during the month of Ramadan, to describe its various modes of expression, and to examine risk factors for this irritability.Methods and Subjects: We studied 100 healthy volunteers during the month of Ramadan for two successive years (1994 and 1995). All subjects were male (mean age, 32+/-5.8 years), and 51% of them were smokers. Irritability was assessed over a 6-week period (before, four times during, and after the end of Ramadan). We assessed both subjective (visual analog scale) and objective irritability. We also recorded the consumption of psychostimulants, duration of sleep, and anxiety level as measured by the Hamilton Anxiety Scale.Results: Irritability was significantly higher in smokers than in nonsmokers before the beginning of Ramadan. It was higher in both groups during the Ramadan month. Irritability increased continuously during Ramadan and reached its peak at the end of the month. Consumption of psychostimulants (coffee and tea) and anxiety level followed the same pattern. Smokers and nonsmokers had a similar pattern of irritability over time, but irritability increased more in smokers than in nonsmokers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Provides information on the World Psychiatric Association's (WPA) Global Programme against Stigma and Discrimination Because of Schizophrenia, a programme established in 1996 to help diminish the stigma related to mental illness. Effects of stigma attached to mental disorders on mentally ill people; Reason behind the increase in the intolerance to mental abnormality; Characteristics of the WPA programme that distinguish it from other previously developed programmes.

Background A national epidemiologic survey was conducted in Morocco in 2003-2004 in order to assess the prevalence of mental disorders in a representative sample of the general population. Methods and subjects About 5,600 persons accepted to be interviewed. The instrument used was the M.I.N.I. in its colloquial Moroccan Arabic, which was validated in a previous study. Results The point prevalence of mental disorders was as follows: depressive disorders: 26.5%; suicidal ideation: 16.6%; bipolar disorder: 3.2%; Panic disorder: 6.6%; Social phobia: 6.3%; OCD: 6.6%; PTSD: 2.1%; alcohol dependence: 1.4%; substance abuse: 3.0%; GAD: 9.3%. All in all, about 48.9% of the sample showed one or another mental disorder. Comparisons will be shown with the same instruments in some European and some African countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: The aim of the study was to evaluate the prevalence of suicidal ideations and suicide attempts in a representative sample of the general population of the urban area of Casablanca, Morocco. Methods: The survey was conducted based on face-to-face household interviews. The Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (M.I.N.I.) was used to assess axis I diagnoses according to DSM-IV criteria and the M.I.N.I. suicidality module to rate the severity of active suicidality. Results: The 1-month prevalence of suicidal ideation was 6.3%. Seventeen subjects (2.1%) reported at least one suicide attempt during their lifetime. Some variables were positively associated to suicidal ideation: the non-married status, subjects with a history of psychiatric disorders, and subjects without children. At least one mental disorder was present among 88.2% of subjects with suicidal ideation. Major depressive disorder was the most prevalent one (23.5%). Limitations: The sample was small and the prevalence was not determined longitudinally. Conclusion: Suicidal ideation being relatively frequent in the general population, there is a need to develop programs of prevention of suicide. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Background: Current classifications of Mental Disorders are centered on Westernized concepts and constructs. “Cross-cultural sensitivity” emphasizes culturally-appropriate translations of symptoms and questions, assuming that concepts and constructs are applicable. Methods: Groups and individual psychiatrists from various cultures from Asia, Latin America, North Africa and Eastern Europe prepared descriptions of main symptoms and complaints of treatment-seeking women in their cultures, which are interpreted by clinicians as a manifestation of a clinically-relevant dysphoric disorder. They also transliterated the expressions of DSM IV criteria of main dysphoric disorders in their cultures. Results: In many non-western cultures the symptoms and constructs that are interpreted and treated as dysphoric disorders are mostly somatic and are different from the Western-centered DSM or ICD systems. In many cases the DSM and ICD criteria of depression and anxieties are not even acknowledged by patients. Limitations: The descriptive approach reported here is a preliminary step which involved local but Westernized clinicians-investigators following a biomedical thinking. It should be followed by a more systematic–comprehensive surveys in each culture. Conclusions: Westernized concepts and constructs of mental order and disorders are not necessarily universally applicable. Culturally-sensitive phenomena, treatments and treatment responses may be diversified. Attempts at their cross-cultural harmonization should take into consideration complex interactional multi-dimensional processes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objectives: Workplace stigmatisation and discrimination are significant barriers to accessing employment opportunities, reintegration and promotion in the workforce for people with mental illnesses in comparison to other disabilities. This paper presents qualitative evidence of anticipated and experienced workplace stigma and discrimination among individuals with major depressive disorder (MDD) in 35 countries, and how these experiences differ across countries based on their Human Development Index (HDI) level., Design: Mixed-method cross-sectional survey., Participants, Setting and Measures: The qualitative data were gathered as part of the combined European Union Anti-Stigma Programme European Network and global International Study of Discrimination and Stigma Outcomes for Depression studies examining stigma and discrimination among individuals with MDD across 35 countries. Anticipated and experienced stigma and discrimination were assessed using the Discrimination and Stigma Scale version 12 (DISC-12). This study used responses to the open-ended DISC-12 questions related to employment. Data were analysed using the framework analysis method., Results: The framework analysis of qualitative data of 141 participants identified 6 key 'frames' exploring (1) participants reported experiences of workplace stigma and discrimination; (2) impact of experienced workplace stigma and discrimination; (3) anticipated workplace stigma and discrimination; (4) ways of coping; (5) positive work experiences and (6) contextualisation of workplace stigma and discrimination. In general, participants from very high HDI countries reported higher levels of anticipated and experienced discrimination than other HDI groups (eg, less understanding and support, being more avoided/shunned, stopping themselves from looking for work because of expectation and fear of discrimination). Furthermore, participants from medium/low HDI countries were more likely to report positive workplace experiences., Conclusions: This study makes a significant contribution towards workplace stigma and discrimination among individuals with MDD, still an under-researched mental health diagnosis. These findings illuminate important relationships that may exist between countries/contexts and stigma and discrimination, identifying that individuals from very high HDI countries were more likely to report anticipated and experienced workplace discrimination., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2024. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)