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Jadłowstręt psychiczny to zaburzenie, które wprzypadku braku leczenia lub niekorzystnego przebiegu może doprowadzić do zgonu chorego. Elementem obrazu psychopatologicznego często jest obniżony krytycyzm, mogący skutkować brakiem zgody pacjenta na proponowane leczenie. Ustawa o ochronie zdrowia psychicznego określa sytuacje, wktórych dopuszczalne jest leczenie osoby chorej bez jej zgody. Zagadnieniu temu poświęcone było posiedzenie zespołu ekspertów powołanego przez konsultanta krajowego wdziedzinie psychiatrii dzieci i młodzieży. W toku dyskusji sformułowano następującą opinię: istnieje grupa pacjentów, u których objawy jadłowstrętu psychicznego (anorexia nervosa) spełniają kryteria zaburzeń myślenia ispostrzegania odpowiadające pojęciu choroby psychicznej wrozumieniu art. 23 i 29 ustawy o ochronie zdrowia psychicznego, a stan fizyczny i uporczywe kontynuowanie zagrażających zachowań stwarzają zagrożenie życia. Objawy spełniające kryteria zaburzeń myślenia ispostrzegania odpowiadające pojęciu choroby psychicznej najczęściej dotyczą oceny rzeczywistości (związków przyczynowo-skutkowych, oceny własnego stanu zdrowia, postrzegania swojego ciała). Przekonania te występują wkontekście chorobowym isą ewidentnie fałszywe (jak przekonanie owłasnej tuszy u osoby skrajnie wyniszczonej), lecz odczuwane jako oczywiste. Nie podlegają refleksji ani też korekcji wprzebiegu dyskusji, nawet wobec ewidentnych dowodów skrajnie złego stanu fizycznego w badaniach dodatkowych. Charakter i nasilenie objawów odpowiadają wówczas zaburzeniom treści myślenia i spostrzegania w postaci psychotycznej. Istnieje zatem grupa pacjentów z jadłowstrętem psychicznym, w których przypadku choroba może być uznana za chorobę psychiczną w rozumieniu ustawy o ochronie zdrowia psychicznego i można stwierdzić spełnienie przesłanek art. 23 lub 29 tejże ustawy.

Asperger’s syndrome is a neurodevelopmental disorder from the group of autistic spectrum disorders. Objective: The authors describe the group of children diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome, treated in the Department of Child Psychiatry or in the Child Psychiatry Outpatient Clinic. The aim of the study was to evaluate the patients’ age when they were diagnosed and the reason for seeking the clinician’s help by parents. Method: A retrospective chart review of children (n = 35) diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome. Age and reason for the first contact with the specialist, number of health facilities where the patient was treated before diagnosis, age at which the diagnosis was made, the period between the patient’s first contact with the specialist and diagnosis, and the first diagnoses in hospitalized children were analysed. Results: The median age of diagnosis was 11.75 ± 3.29 years, 5 ± 3.44 years after the chil‑ dren’s first contact with the specialist (psychiatrist or psychologist). Before the diagnosis, the patients were treated in different health facilities and often diagnosed with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder or disruptive behaviour. Conclusions: The results may indicate the major diagnostic difficulties which clinicians are facing or may be the result of insufficient knowledge among various groups of specialists on the Asperger’s syndrome. The results were compared to the results of the research conducted in the USA and Great Britain.

Spektrum zaburzeń autystycznych to grupa zaburzeń neurorozwojowych charakteryzujących się deficytami w zakresie funkcjonowania społecznego, komunikacji oraz powtarzalnymi wzorcami zachowań. W obrazie klinicznym zespołu Asper‑ gera, oprócz trudności dotyczących funkcjonowania społecznego, dominują deficyty językowe przede wszystkim w zakresie pragmatyki, czyli używania języka w kontekście społecznym, semantyki, czyli rozpoznawania różnych znaczeń tego same‑ go słowa, oraz prozodii, czyli rytmu, intonacji i modulacji mowy. Zaburzenia funkcji poznawczych leżące u podłoża obja‑ wów, zwłaszcza w zakresie „teorii umysłu”, pozwalają łatwiej zrozumieć naturę charakterystycznych trudności i deficytów. Decydują one o specyfice pracy terapeutycznej z pacjentem z zespołem Aspergera, ale również stanowią o jej trudności, choć z drugiej strony będą jednym z głównych celów oddziaływań terapii. Terapia poznawczo‑behawioralna ukierunkowa‑ na jest na zmianę dysfunkcjonalnego sposobu myślenia będącego wynikiem zniekształceń poznawczych, błędnych przekonań lub deficytów poznawczych. W przypadku osób z zespołem Aspergera istnieje konieczność modyfikacji i dostosowania technik terapeutycznych do specyficznego profilu poznawczego tej grupy pacjentów. Podstawowe obszary oddziaływań terapii poznawczo‑behawioralnej w zespole Aspergera to deficyty w zakresie relacji społecznych i rozpoznawania emocji oraz ich konsekwencje. Negatywne emocje przeżywane w obliczu braku rozumienia tego, co się dzieje w otoczeniu, i poczucia bycia nierozumianym często manifestują się zachowaniami impulsywnymi i agresywnymi. Na podejmowane decyzje terapeutyczne wpływa również obecność dodatkowych rozpoznań, takich jak zespół nadpobudliwości psychoruchowej, zaburzenia lękowe, zaburzenia depresyjne, zaburzenia zachowania czy też zaburzenie obsesyjno‑kompulsyjne.

Spektrum zaburzeń autystycznych to grupa zaburzeń neurorozwojowych charakteryzujących się nieprawidłowościami w zakresie funkcji językowych i komunikacyjnych, deficytami funkcjonowania społecznego oraz powtarzalnymi zachowaniami i jednostronnymi zainteresowaniami. Zespół Aspergera (ZA) zaliczany do tej grupy zaburzeń charakteryzuje się występowaniem nasilonych problemów w zakresie interakcji społecznych oraz powtarzalnymi i sztywnymi wzorcami zainteresowań i aktywności. Różni się od innych zaburzeń ze spektrum autyzmu stosunkowo dobrym rozwojem w zakresie funkcji językowych i poznawczym. W obrazie klinicznym zespołu Aspergera obecne są jednak deficyty językowe w zakresie pragmatyki (używania języka w kontekście społecznym), semantyki (rozpoznawania różnych znaczeń tego samego słowa) oraz prozodii (rytmu, intonacji i modulacji mowy). Deficyty komunikacyjne odnoszą się zatem do trudności w używaniu języka mówionego i gestów, niemożności inicjowania i podtrzymywania adekwatnej konwersacji, używania nieadekwatnych do sytuacji i powtarzalnych zwrotów językowych. Inne funkcje językowe, np. fonologiczne oraz syntaktyczne, mogą nie wykazywać istotnych zaburzeń bądź deficyty można zaobserwować tylko w niektórych grupach pacjentów. Różnica pomiędzy formalnymi umiejętnościami językowymi (w zakresie funkcji morfologicznych, fonologicznych i syntaktycznych) a semantyczno-pragmatycznymi jest wyraźna. Deficyty komunikacyjne są najprawdopodobniej konsekwencją trudności w zakresie integracji informacji semantycznych dotyczących słowa z wiedzą o świecie oraz z wcześniejszymi doświadczeniami, które są niezbędne do nadawania zróżnicowanego sensu interpretowanym komunikatom. Jedną z przypuszczalnych przyczyn opisywanych problemów mogą być atypowe wzorce przetwarzania semantycznego obserwowane w grupach pacjentów z ZA.

Qualitative communication disorders belong to the key symptoms of pervasive developmental disorders (PDD). The severity of the symptoms of communication disorders varies depending on the type of PDD, from the lack of functional speech to overdeveloped verbal competencies measured by standardized scales. In Asperger’s syndrome (AS), observed language abnormalities include: pragmatics (application of language in social context), semantics (identifying different meanings of the same word) and prosody (rhythm, intonation and modulation of speech). In the case of AS, the difference between formal language skills, i.e. within morphological, phonological and syntactic functions, and semantic and pragmatic deficits is clearly noticeable and distinctive. This situation arouses some questions about neurobiological conditions of these deficits. The language functions are among the first functions for which locations in the brain have been established. Traditionally they have been ascribed to some regions in the left hemisphere; they undergo lateralization and are accomplished owing to the activity of the primary, secondary and tertiary regions of associative cortex. However, there is also quite a lot of evidence suggesting that the right hemisphere plays an important role in communication processes, especially in some aspects of pragmatics and discourse. The analysis of communication deficits observed in patients with acquired right hemisphere damages and patients with AS as well as abnormal patterns of hemispheric asymmetry in this group of patients, suggest that the right hemisphere is involved in aetiology of PDD.

Objectives. To assess attachment styles among adolescents (13-16 years) with ADHD or ADHD and oppositional defiant disorders (ODD). Material and methods. The Parents and Peers Attachment (IPPA) and the Parent Bonding Questionnaire (PBI) were used in three groups of teenagers raised in biological families: (1) ADHD/ODD group (n = 40), (2) ADHD group (n = 40) and (3) K (control) group of teenagers (n = 40) who have not benefited from psychological or psychiatric care in the past or at present. Results. Parental attachment styles in the area of "Trust", "Communication" and "Alienation" (IPPA), and "Care" and "Control" (PBI) in the ADHD/ODD group differ significantly compared to the control group. Teens from the ADHD/ODD group report to have experienced significantly less "Trust" and "Communication" (IPPA), and "Care" (PBI) in relationships with parents and more "Alienation" (IPPA) and "Control" (PBI) than adolescents in the ADHD group. Attachment patterns with peers in both clinical and control groups differ significantly. The ADHD/ODD group is dominated by the anxious-avoidant style of attachment to the mother and father, in the ADHD group, a secure style in relation to the mother and anxiousavoidant in relation to the father. In relations with peers in the ADHD/ODD group and the ADHD group, the anxious-avoidant style dominates. Conclusions. The attachment style is significantly different in adolescents diagnosed with ADHD and ODD than in adolescents with only ADHD. In the ADHD/ODD group and the ADHD group, unlike in the group of adolescents without a psychiatric diagnosis, insecure attachment styles for parents and peers dominate (mainly anxious-avoidant style). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anorexia nervosa is a physical and mental health condition with high mortality and long-term history. Its most characteristic symptom is a significant underweight caused and maintained by a patient who is perceived as an obese person and sets a low weight limit. The course of treatment is usually long-term, involving a large group of specialists, and, depending on the patient's condition, outpatient care, day care or - in the event of high weight loss or malnutrition complications - hospitalization for several months is necessary. Currently, there is a tendency to shorten the length of stay in the inpatient ward of patients with AN in favor of other forms of care. The aim of this article is to collect and present the results of a small number of studies on factors affecting the length of hospitalization in the treatment of anorexia nervosa. Based on the currently available tests, the body mass index at admission should be considered as a factor significantly affecting the length of hospitalization. However, the discussion remains open and further research in this area is advisable. Clarification of the above issue may provide the basis for a more patient-oriented determination of the duration of hospital treatment. Further research on factors identified in individual studies and their relationships will also be needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a heterogeneous group of neurodevelopmental disorders that can affect up to 2.6% of the population. Most of these people will have at least one other psychiatric disorder, often diagnosed with a delay or not recognized at all. This study describes the epidemiology, diagnostic difficulties and potential treatment of patients with ASD and comorbid bipolar disorder (BD). The prevalence of bipolar disorder in ASD is estimated at 5-8%. The study with the most numerous group included 700,000 children out of which 9,062 fulfilled ASD criteria at 16 - BD was found to be 6 times more prevalent in this group compared to the control group. Many factors affect the diagnosis. Patients with ASD often have limited insight into understanding the complex emotional states and difficulty in expressing them due to their impairment. The symptoms of bipolar disorder are in their case unspecific and differ from those occurring in the general population, which makes it difficult to make proper diagnosis. Despite the lack of research on the group of patients with ASD, psychometric tools designed to evaluate the general population are used to examine patients. This work aims to show the current state of knowledge and highlight areas that require further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim. The aims of the study were to evaluate the prevalence of psychiatric, behavioral and emotional disorders in children and adolescents with perinatal HIV infection and to establish their possible relationships with clinical and sociodemographic variables. Material and method. 56 children with perinatal HIV infection (PHIV+ group), 24 healthy children perinatally HIV-exposed but uninfected (PHEU) and 43 healthy children of uninfected parents (HIV-nA), aged 6-18 years, were assessed. The Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL/4-18), completed by parents, and the Youth Self-Report (YSR) were used to assess behavioral and emotional disorders, while the semi-structured diagnostic interview K-SADS-PL was used to assess the symptoms of psychiatric disorders. Results. Higher prevalence of psychiatric disorders was found in the PHIV+ group and the PHEU group compared to the HIV-nA group. Anxiety disorders and affective disorders were diagnosed most often. Prevalence of symptoms of emotional and behavioral disorders in the PHIV+ group and in the PHEU group was associated with similar sociodemographic variables (male, not living with the biological caregiver, the experience of stressful life events). Psychiatric disorders were noted more often among PHIV+ subjects whose ARV treatment was started after 12 months of age. Positive correlations were observed between the results of some YSR and CBCL/4-18 problem scales and CD4 counts at the time of the study, higher logarithm of viral load at the start of ARV treatment and at the time of HIV diagnosis. Conclusions. The prevalence of psychiatric disorders in PHIV+ group and the PHEU group is higher in comparison with HIV-nA group. A more serious course of HIV infection and its severity before treatment are associated with the severity of internalizing problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Central coherence allows for integration of different stimuli into a coherent whole. It also enables context-dependent information processing. This term was coined in an effort to arrange multiple observations of cognitive functioning of people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Weak central coherence, which is characteristic of ASD, is understood as a divergent cognitive style with a tendency to process incoming information locally. This allows us to describe central coherence as a continuous trait. Despite manifold research programs, a conclusive conceptualization of the construct is still lacking. The open question is whether weak central coherence constitutes a limited ability to integrate stimuli or rather an increased ability to focus on details. An important postulate concerns the establishment of a standard for measuring central coherence and its individual dimensions. Studies of central coherence outside of ASD context are scarce and deal predominantly with eating disorders. The following work is an overview of the current state of knowledge about central coherence construct and methods of research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim. Assessment of criterion validity and temporal stability of personality disorder di- agnosis in adolescents and relationships between attachment styles and personality disorder diagnosis. Material and methods. 50 adolescents (46 girls and 4 boys, aged 15--17) hospitalized at the department of child and adolescent psychiatry were assessed with the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis II Personality Disorders (SCID-II) and the Inventory of Parent and Peer Attachment (IPPA). After one year, adolescents meeting the criteria for a personality disorder (PD) diagnosis were reassessed with the SCID-II. Results. In the first stage of assessment, diagnostic criteria for different types of personality disorders were met by 41 adolescents (82%) (mean number of criteria = 5.9). Criteria were met most often for borderline personality disorder (BPD) (n = 26; mean number of crite- ria = 7.9). In the second stage of assessment, the interview was re-administered to 21 (51%) adolescents; the mean number of criteria was = 6.6. A statistically significant relationship between the number of PD diagnostic criteria in assessment one and the number of criteria in assessment two was obtained (r = 0.58; p < 0.01). 82% of the participants with PD were insecurely attached to their mothers. In the borderline group, 83% of the participants reported anxious-avoidant attachment style. Conclusions. PD traits in adolescence, specifically BPD, are stable across one year. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Theory of mind (ToM) is a complex cognitive mechanism which refers to our ability to understand that other people have beliefs, plans, desires, hopes, intentions, and knowledge that may differ from our own mental and emotional states. Theory of mind is critical for social and interpersonal functioning and allows people to make sense of other's behavior. The initial aim of theory of mind research was to record normative development in preschool age children. Almost 30 years ago, when researchers discovered that theory of mind is altered in individuals with autism spectrum disorder, they also explored impairments in ToM in different clinical disorders. Research results indicate the presence of ToM deficits in childhood mental and neurodevelopmental disorders, such as: autism spectrum disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, Gilles de la Tourette Syndrome, fetus alcohol syndrome, mood disorders, eating disorders, or obsessive-compulsive disorder. This article reviews significant studies of theory of mind impairments in individual childhood disorders and selected mental disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim. Assessment of the prevalence of risk factors associated with the course of pregnancy and childbirth and the condition of the child after birth in a group of children and adolescents with ADHD and a control group. Material. 205 unrelated children and adolescents diagnosed with ADHD and 106 primary and secondary school students aged 7-17. Method. Mothers of children and adolescents diagnosed with ADHD, and those from the control group, were asked to provide a medical history in order to obtain data to supplement the Pregnancy and perinatal history questionnaire. Results. Statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) were demonstrated for the incidence rates of factors related to the course of pregnancy and childbirth such as: the occurrence of maternal diseases during pregnancy, especially in the I/II trimester, and other problems during pregnancy; exposure to stress and taking medication during pregnancy; smoking during pregnancy; mother's age at childbirth, i.e., < 25 years or > 35 years; use of pain reducing substances during labor and problems with the child during the delivery; an APGAR score in the range of 5-7 points; the occurrence of neonatal jaundice necessitating treatment, especially replacement transfusion; physical anomalies or other congenital problems in the newborn, as well as adaptive problems necessitating neonatal oxygen administration or placement in an incubator. Conclusions. Significantly more frequent occurrence of risk factors related to the course of pregnancy, childbirth and the child's condition after birth in the ADHD group may indicate their potential role in the etiology of ADHD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by the presence of deficits in social skills and communication as well as repetitive patterns of behavior and interests. Among the theories explaining the mechanisms of the formation of the above cited symptoms, an important role is attributed to the theory of the mind, or the ability to draw conclusions about the state of mind of other people, assigning mental states to others and interpreting their behaviors. According to guidelines of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence on the therapeutic procedures in autism spectrum disorders, the proceedings include various methods, adjusted to the level of functioning and presented difficulties. In the most widely used behavioral social skills trainings, the goal is to practice behaviors using modelling and role-playing techniques. Less attention is devoted to the issue of social understanding, theory of mind or the cognitive aspects of therapeutic interventions. There are studies demonstrating the possibility of developing competence in the theory of mind in people with ASD, as well as generalizing the acquired skills. The article reviews the literature on the use of therapeutic programs aimed at developing the theory of mind in patients with ASD and their effectiveness. As it seems, these are promising interventions, although they require further assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim. To evaluate changes in the intensity of ADHD symptoms and size effects after the completion of the twelve-week "Workshops for Parents of Hyperactive Children". Material. Intervention group included parents (N = 199) of children and adolescents diagnosed with ADHD, who completed the twelve-week parental training. The reference group included parents (N = 24) of children and adolescents diagnosed with ADHD, who received 1-2 standard psychiatric visits within twelve weeks (treatment-as-usual). Method. The following questionnaires were completed by the participants at the beginning and at the end of the training: CBCL and Conners-IOWA-10 (parent's assessment of the child), TRF and Conners-RCTRS-28 (assessment of the child by the teacher/educator), and YSR (in children of 11 years and over). The same diagnostic regime was used in the reference group - the patients were assessed during the first visit and after twelve weeks. Results. The majority of attendees were parents of boys diagnosed with: ADHD mixed type with or without ODD and ADHD predominantly inattentive type. The intervention resulted in significant reduction of inattentive-impulsive-hyperactive and oppositional-defiant symptoms in Conners-IOWA-10 and significant reduction of symptoms in the following CBCL scales: "Social problems", "Attention problems", "Aggressive behavior", "Externalizing behavior", as well as the overall score, as rated by mothers. The improvement was age, diagnosis and pharmacotherapy independent. Conclusions. The therapeutic program used in our study resulted in small to moderate reduction of symptoms in children and adolescents with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder irrespective of subtype, comorbid disorders or pharmacotherapy (if implemented). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim. The assessment of changes in the general health, sense of coherence and stress coping styles in parents of children and adolescents with ADHD, participating in 12-week Workshops for Parents of Hyperactive Children. Material. The experimental group included 186 mothers and 139 fathers (parents of 199 children); the reference group included 23 mothers and 19 fathers (parents of 24 children), attending 1-2 standard medical visits within a 12-week period (treatment as usual). Method. Parents from both groups were assessed twice using (1) the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ), (2) the Life Orientation Questionnaire (SOC-29), and (3) the Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations (CISS). Results. (1) The experimental group showed a significant improvement in the severity of somatic symptoms and anxiety/insomnia in mothers and the general well-being of mothers and fathers. We observed the influence of workshops on manageability and reduction of the emotion-oriented coping in mothers; (2) the participation in the workshops was associated with a statistically significant effect (mostly moderate) in relation to general health of mothers, while TAU was mostly associated with a low or insignificant effect. Conclusions. The assessed form of interventions improves the functioning of parents of children with ADHD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Psychiatry & Clinical Psychology / Psychiatria i Psychologia Kliniczna is the property of Medical Communications Sp. z o.o. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Self-injury is a common phenomenon among adolescents and young adults, however its prevalence in clinical population is estimated at 40-80%, especially in regard to patients during puberty. Symptoms usually appear between 12th and 14th year of age, and their average duration is approx. 2 years. According to accepted sociocultural norms self-injury can be regarded as a normal behavior. Nevertheless, the prevalence of body art phenomenon in Western culture including professional tattooing, piercing, scarification, burning tattoos and other body modification typical for tribal cultures, has forced the need to redefine the boundaries for normative behavior. Introduction of a separate nosological unit of Non-Suicidal Self Injury in the fifth edition of DSM classification proves the validity of discussion, being hold for many years, regarding classification and understanding of the underlying mechanisms of self-harm. The aim of our study was to present the current state of knowledge regarding self-harm, with an emphasis on issues devoted to their placement in newest mental disorders classifications and mechanisms responsible for their development and maintenance. Databases such as: PubMed, EBSCO (medical and psychological resources) and WEB OF SCIENCE (years 1990-2016) have been screened for the following key words: self-injury, self-harm, selfmutilation, suicide, deliberate self-harm, affect regulation, NSSI, DSH, personality disorders, suicide attempt, neurobiology self-harm, DSM-5, adolescent, adults, stress coping styles, self-mutilation - children, adolescents and adults-prevalence. The analysis indicated 110 articles and 3 textbooks. We have used the following criteria: (1) for the articles presenting the latest research on risk factors for self-harm we have used the criterion of the study group number (>30 people) and meta-analyses have been included, (2) for theories explaining the mechanisms of self-harm criterion of empirical review of the assumptions and the number of the published studies that verify the theory has been applied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Until the end of the nineties last century personality disorders could not be diagnosed before the age of eighteen. Nevertheless, the results of studies published in the last decade have revealed that personality disorders can be observed in children and adolescents and that personality disorders diagnosed in adult patients had been present as early as in childhood. The knowledge of possible mechanisms shaping personality disorders in childhood is unsatisfactory and needs to be expanded. Developmental psychology explains the development of abnormal personality through inappropriate attachment patterns and abnormal transitions between developmental phases. Genetic and temperamental factors are also important in the aetiology of personality disorders as well as early maladaptive schemas resulting from personal experiences and interactions with others. The aim of this article is to review the current knowledge on the mechanisms shaping the development of personality and personality disorders in childhood and adolescence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

First applications of computer-assisted technologies (CAT) in the rehabilitation of cognitive deficits, including child and adolescent psychiatric disorders date back to the 80's last century. Recent developments in computer technologies, wide access to the Internet and vast expansion of electronic devices resulted in dynamic increase in therapeutic software as well as supporting devices. The aim of computer assisted technologies is the improvement in the comfort and quality of life as well as the rehabilitation of impaired functions. The goal of the article is the presentation of most common computer-assisted technologies used in the therapy of children and adolescents with cognitive deficits as well as the literature review of their effectiveness including the challenges and limitations in regard to the implementation of such interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim. The aim of the study was to find relationship between obsessive-compulsive symptoms and level and characteristic of physical activity among patients with anorexia nervosa (AN). Material and methods. 76 female patients, aged 14.8 +/ - 1.8 years with AN completed the Polish version of the Leyton Obsessional Inventory-Child Version (LOI-CV). In order to assess the level and type of physical activity, Physical Activity Questionnaire was developed. Results. 35 (46%) subjects were qualified to HR group (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder "High-risk group") (25 or more points on the Interference Score of LOI-CV) and 41 (54%) to nHR group (no "High-risk group"). nHR patients spent less studying in a standing position, significantly more often used elevators rather than stairs and, according to their parents, devote less time for physical activity. Positive correlation between the caregiver's perception of patient's weekly activity and the number of "YES" answers in LOI-CV, positive trend between Patient's Activity Index or summarised Activity Index and the number of "YES" answers in LOI-CV were found. We also found negative correlation between the time spent studying at school and the number of "YES" answers in LOI-CV. Conclusions. The results show that there is a connection between obsessive-compulsive symptoms and the hyperactivity in AN patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Psychiatria Polska is the property of Editorial Committee of Polish Psychiatric Association and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Adult personality disorders are well recognized and described in the literature. The discussion about the possibility of the presence of personality disorders in adolescents started about 20 years ago. Some authors claim the before the age of 18 it is only possible to identify precursors of future personality disorders and such a standpoint is reflected in diagnostic criteria. This is based on the assumption that personality in adolescence is still not well established. Consequently, the criterion on the persistence of symptoms for the period of time cannot be met (the persistence of symptoms of personality disorders for the period of at least two years). Other approach postulates that problems presented in adolescence should not be exclusively limited to Axis I according to DSM. The proponents of this approach claim that current diagnostic tools are not adjusted to adolescents, thus it is very difficult to measure stability and persistence of symptoms in this age group. This paper presents literature review on personality disorders in adolescence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To evaluate anxiety level (as a trait and as a state) and the intensity of depressive symptoms in mothers of children with hyperkinetic disorder (HD) and with and without comorbid conduct disorder (CD); to determine the relationship between the intensity of anxiety and depression and intensity of symptoms of HD. Materials and methods: Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and STAI questionnaire to measure state-trait anxiety were filled by 24 mothers of children with HD and 26 mothers of children without HD. Mothers of children with HD were also asked to complete the Conners Questionnaire for Parents and Teachers (IOWA). Teachers were asked to complete the Conners Questionnaire for Teachers (RCTS). Results: 75% of HD subjects had a comorbid CD, in comparison with 19.2 % in the control group. No significant differences were found between the mothers of children with HD and the control group in the results of BDI scale and STAI questionnaire in anxiety state and anxiety trait subscales. The difference was found between mothers of children with CD and without CD in anxiety-state subscale in STAI questionnaire. No correlations were found between the number of depressive symptoms, anxiety as a state and as a trait and the results of Conners IOWA and RCTS. Conclusions: The presence of HD in children does not correlate with the level of depression and anxiety in their mothers. There is a relationship between the presence of CD in children and elevated levels of state anxiety in their mothers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: to assess the prevalence of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) or OC symptoms in patients with anorexia nervosa (AN) and to find a possible relationship between the presence of OC symptoms and the course of AN. Method: 137 adolescent female patients with AN, aged 14,8 +/- 1,8 years, completed the Polish version of the LOI-CV. Two groups, High-risk (HR) and no High-risk (nHR), were defined according to the cut-off score of LOI-CV. The diagnosis of OCD was confirmed with the Polish version of K-SADS-PL. The relationship between the number and intensity of OC symptoms and the following data were analyzed: age of onset and on admittance to a psychiatric facility, weight loss, BMI on admittance and its changes, age of first menstruation, time of amenorrhea and of restitution of menses, length of treatment and number of relapses. Results: OCD was not diagnosed in any subject, but 25% of the examined patients had OC symptoms which qualified them to High-risk group. Differences in HR and nHR groups were found between duration of AN before hospitalization, age and body mass after release from hospital. Negative correlation was found between "Yes" Score and Interference Score in LOI-CV and the age of patient at the time of release from hospital. Conclusions: the results of our study do not support the observations about a high cooccurrence of AN and OCD, but indicate the frequent co-occurrence of OK symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Psychiatria Polska is the property of Editorial Committee of Polish Psychiatric Association and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Psychiatria Polska is the property of Editorial Committee of Polish Psychiatric Association and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Psychiatria Polska is the property of Editorial Committee of Polish Psychiatric Association and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Psychiatria Polska is the property of Editorial Committee of Polish Psychiatric Association and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Psychiatria Polska is the property of Editorial Committee of Polish Psychiatric Association and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Psychiatria Polska is the property of Editorial Committee of Polish Psychiatric Association and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Psychiatria Polska is the property of Editorial Committee of Polish Psychiatric Association and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Objectives: The aim of the study was to assess the presence of cognitive impairments in children and adolescents with vertically transmitted HIV infection and to determine possible relationships with clinical and socio-demographic variables., Methods: Fifty children with perinatal HIV infection aged 6-18 years were included in the experimental group (PHIV+). Two sex- and age-matched groups were recruited as reference groups: (1) a PHEU group that included 24 healthy children perinatally HIV-exposed but uninfected, and (2) an HIV-nA group that included 43 healthy children of uninfected parents. CANTAB Research Suite was used to assess cognitive functioning., Results: In comparison with the HIV-nA group, the PHIV+ group scored worse in movement execution, shifting and flexibility of attention, reversal learning and working memory. In comparison with the PHEU group, the PHIV+ group had significantly longer planning time in the memory task. The analysis of results for the 12-18 year-old age group revealed deterioration of cognitive functions in all tests of the PHIV+ children in comparison with the HIV-nA group. A higher logarithm of viral load at the start of the ARV treatment was associated with worse results in the use of feedback, shifting of attention, cognitive flexibility and worse information processing., Conclusions: Results of the research indicate deterioration of executive functioning in the PHIV+ group associated with longer duration of HIV neuroinfection and severity of infection before treatment.

Objectives: Goal: to assess fMRI activation during semantic tasks in adolescents with ASD., Methods: Material: 44 right-handed male adolescents aged 12-19 (mean 14.3 ± 2.0) - 31 with autism spectrum disorders who met DSM-IV-TR criteria for Asperger's syndrome and 13 neurotypical adolescents matched according to age and handiness. Method: Functional testing (fMRI) was performed during semantic decisions tasks and phonological decisions in three categories of tasks: concrete nouns, verbs with plural meanings, words describing states of mind, as a control condition. Statistical analyzes were performed at the level of p <0.05 with FWE (family-wise error) correction and p <0.001., Results: Results: lower BOLD signal was demonstrated in many brain areas including precuneus, posterior cingulate gyrus, angular gyrus, parahippocampal gyrus, regardless of task category and processing method in the ASD group. The smallest differences in semantic processing were found for concrete nouns and the greatest ones for words describing states of mind., Conclusions: Conclusions: the presence of different activation patterns in the ASD group suggests that far more than just the areas traditionally attributed to language processing, are involved in semantic deficits in ASD.

Objectives: Goal: to evaluate changes in the grey matter volume using the VBM method in a group of adolescents with ASD, who met the criteria for Asperger's Syndrome., Methods: Material and methods: Morphometric evaluations based on Voxel Based Morphometry (VBM) were performed on 37 male adolescents aged 12 to 19 (M = 14.3 ± 2.0), with autism spectrum disorders, who met the DSM-IV-TR criteria for Asperger's Syndrome and 15 neurotypical adolescents matched by age. Significance was set at p<0.007 without FWE correction and p<0.05 with FWE correction., Results: Results: the decrease in the volume of the grey matter was observed in ASD group including the pre- and postcentral gyrus, the superior and middle frontal gyrus, the inferior and superior parietal lobule, the praecuneus, the anterior and posterior cingulate cortex, the fusiform gyrus, the parahippocampal gyrus, the lingual gyrus, the middle occipital region, the cuneus and the angular gyrus, the regions of calcarine sulcus and the cerebellum. The majority of changes was localized bilaterally., Conclusions: Conclusions: the decrease in the volume of grey matter observed in ASD group can be related functionally with the characteristics of deficits observed in autism spectrum disorders which highlights the role of abnormal organization of numerous CNS structures in the genesis of symptoms observed in cognitive and behavioural domains.

Objectives: Comparison of the functioning of families of teens (13-16 years) with the diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or ADHD and oppositional defiant disorder (ODD)., Methods: Assessment using the Family Assessment Questionnaire in three groups of adolescents growing up in biological families: (1) ADHD/ODD group (n = 40), (2) ADHD group (n = 40) and (3) group C (control group) adolescents (n = 40) who have not used psychological or psychiatric care in the past or at present., Results: Mothers, fathers and adolescents from the ADHD/ODD group scored significantly lower in all important aspects of family functioning compared to the control group. In the ADHD group, less favorable mother's and father's assessment was shown for all areas of family functioning compared with the control group. Adolescents' assessment in the dimension of "Role performance", "Emotionality", "Affective involvement", and "Control" was also lower. The ADHD/ODD group participants and their parents rated the functioning of the family lower compared with the ADHD group: mothers - in all described areas, teenagers - in most of the described areas except the dimension of "Control", and fathers - in most areas except the dimension of "Emotionality"., Conclusions: The functioning of families of patients with ADHD and ODD, and families of patients with ADHD significantly differs in all or most of the examined dimensions compared with families of people without diagnosis, while the functioning of families of patients with ADHD and oppositional defiant patients can be described as more abnormal than that of families of ADHD patients.

Objectives: To assess attachment styles among adolescents (13-16 years) with ADHD or ADHD and oppositional defiant disorders (ODD)., Methods: The Parents and Peers Attachment (IPPA) and the Parent Bonding Questionnaire (PBI) were used in three groups of teenagers raised in biological families: (1) ADHD/ODD group (n = 40), (2) ADHD group (n = 40) and (3) K (control) group of teenagers (n = 40) who have not benefited from psychological or psychiatric care in the past or at present., Results: Parental attachment styles in the area of "Trust", "Communication" and "Alienation" (IPPA), and "Care" and "Control" (PBI) in the ADHD/ODD group differ significantly compared to the control group. Teens from the ADHD/ODD group report to have experienced significantly less "Trust" and "Communication" (IPPA), and "Care" (PBI) in relationships with parents and more "Alienation" (IPPA) and "Control" (PBI) than adolescents in the ADHD group. Attachment patterns with peers in both clinical and control groups differ significantly. The ADHD/ODD group is dominated by the anxious-avoidant style of attachment to the mother and father, in the ADHD group, a secure style in relation to the mother and anxious-avoidant in relation to the father. In relations with peers in the ADHD/ODD group and the ADHD group, the anxious-avoidant style dominates., Conclusions: The attachment style is significantly different in adolescents diagnosed with ADHD and ODD than in adolescents with only ADHD. In the ADHD/ODD group and the ADHD group, unlike in the group of adolescents without a psychiatric diagnosis, insecure attachment styles for parents and peers dominate (mainly anxious-avoidant style).

Anorexia nervosa is a physical and mental health condition with high mortality and long-term history. Its most characteristic symptom is a significant underweight caused and maintained by a patient who is perceived as an obese person and sets a low weight limit. The course of treatment is usually long-term, involving a large group of specialists, and, depending on the patient's condition, outpatient care, day care or - in the event of high weight loss or malnutrition complications - hospitalization for several months is necessary. Currently, there is a tendency to shorten the length of stay in the inpatient ward of patients with AN in favor of other forms of care. The aim of this article is to collect and present the results of a small number of studies on factors affecting the length of hospitalization in the treatment of anorexia nervosa. Based on the currently available tests, the body mass index at admission should be considered as a factor significantly affecting the length of hospitalization. However, the discussion remains open and further research in this area is advisable. Clarification of the above issue may provide the basis for a more patient-oriented determination of the duration of hospital treatment. Further research on factors identified in individual studies and their relationships will also be needed.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a heterogeneous group of neurodevelopmental disorders that can affect up to 2.6% of the population. Most of these people will have at least one other psychiatric disorder, often diagnosed with a delay or not recognized at all. This study describes the epidemiology, diagnostic difficulties and potential treatment of patients with ASD and comorbid bipolar disorder (BD). The prevalence of bipolar disorder in ASD is estimated at 5-8%. The study with the most numerous group included 700,000 children out of which 9,062 fulfilled ASD criteria at 16 - BD was found to be 6 times more prevalent in this group compared to the control group. Many factors affect the diagnosis. Patients with ASD often have limited insight into understanding the complex emotional states and difficulty in expressing them due to their impairment. The symptoms of bipolar disorder are in their case unspecific and differ from those occurring in the general population, which makes it difficult to make proper diagnosis. Despite the lack of research on the group of patients with ASD, psychometric tools designed to evaluate the general population are used to examine patients. This work aims to show the current state of knowledge and highlight areas that require further investigation.

Objectives: The aims of the study were to evaluate the prevalence of psychiatric, behavioral and emotional disorders in children and adolescents with perinatal HIV infection and to establish their possible relationships with clinical and sociodemographic variables., Methods: 56 children with perinatal HIV infection (PHIV+ group), 24 healthy children perinatally HIV-exposed but uninfected (PHEU) and 43 healthy children of uninfected parents (HIV-nA), aged 6-18 years, were assessed. The Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL/4-18), completed by parents, and the Youth Self-Report (YSR) were used to assess behavioral and emotional disorders, while the semi-structured diagnostic interview K-SADS-PL was used to assess the symptoms of psychiatric disorders., Results: Higher prevalence of psychiatric disorders was found in the PHIV+ group and the PHEU group compared to the HIV-nAgroup. Anxiety disorders and affective disorders were diagnosed most often. Prevalence of symptoms of emotional and behavioral disorders in the PHIV+ group and in the PHEU group was associated with similar sociodemographic variables (male, not living with the biological caregiver, the experience of stressful life events). Psychiatric disorders were noted more often among PHIV+ subjects whose ARV treatment was started after 12 months of age. Positive correlations were observed between the results of some YSR and CBCL/4-18 problem scales and CD4 counts at the time of the study, higher logarithm of viral load at the start of ARV treatment and at the time of HIV diagnosis., Conclusions: The prevalence of psychiatric disorders in PHIV+ group and the PHEU group is higher in comparison with HIV-nAgroup. Amore serious course of HIV infection and its severity before treatment are associated with the severity of internalizing problems.

Central coherence allows for integration of different stimuli into a coherent whole. It also enables context-dependent information processing. This term was coined in an effort to arrange multiple observations of cognitive functioning of people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Weak central coherence, which is characteristic of ASD, is understood as adivergent cognitive style with a tendency to process incoming information locally. This allows us to describe central coherence as a continuous trait. Despite manifold research programs, a conclusive conceptualization of the construct is still lacking. The open question is whether weak central coherence constitutes alimited ability to integrate stimuli or rather an increased ability to focus on details. An important postulate concerns the establishment of a standard for measuring central coherence and its individual dimensions. Studies of central coherence outside of ASD context are scarce and deal predominantly with eating disorders. The following work is an overview of the current state of knowledge about central coherence construct and methods of research.

Objectives: Assessment of criterion validity and temporal stability of personality disorder diagnosis in adolescents and relationships between attachment styles and personality disorder diagnosis., Methods: 50 adolescents (46 girls and 4 boys, aged 15-17) hospitalized at the department of child and adolescent psychiatry were assessed with the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis II Personality Disorders (SCID-II) and the Inventory of Parent and Peer Attachment (IPPA). After one year, adolescents meeting the criteria for apersonality disorder (PD) diagnosis were reassessed with the SCID-II., Results: In the first stage of assessment, diagnostic criteriafor different types of personality disorders were met by 41 adolescents (82%) (mean number of criteria = 5.9). Criteria were met most often for borderline personality disorder (BPD) (n = 26; mean number of criteria = 7.9). In the second stage of assessment, the interview was re-administered to 21 (51%) adolescents; the mean number of criteria was = 6.6. A statistically significant relationship between the number of PD diagnostic criteria in assessment one and the number of criteria in assessment two was obtained (r = 0.58; p < 0.01). 82% of the participants with PD were insecurely attached to their mothers. In the borderline group, 83% of the participants reported anxious-avoidant attachment style., Conclusions: PD traits in adolescence, specifically BPD, are stable across one year.

Theory of mind (ToM) is a complex cognitive mechanism which refers to our ability to understand that other people have beliefs, plans, desires, hopes, intentions, and knowledge that may differ from our own mental and emotional states. Theory of mind is critical for social and interpersonal functioning and allows people to make sense of other's behavior. Theinitial aim of theory of mind research was to record normative development in preschool age children. Almost 30 years ago, when researchers discovered that theory of mind is altered in individuals with autism spectrum disorder, they also explored impairments in ToM in different clinical disorders. Research results indicate the presence of ToM deficits in childhood mental and neurodevelopmental disorders, such as: autism spectrum disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, Gilles de la Tourette Syndrome, fetus alcohol syndrome, mood disorders, eating disorders, or obsessive-compulsive disorder. This article reviews significant studies of theory of mind impairments in individual childhood disorders and selected mental disorders.

Objectives: Assessment of the prevalence of risk factors associated with the course of pregnancy and childbirth and the condition of the child after birth in agroup of children and adolescents with ADHD and a control group., Methods: 205 unrelated children and adolescents diagnosed with ADHD and 106 primary and secondary school students aged 7-17. Method. Mothers of children and adolescents diagnosed with ADHD, and those from the control group, were asked to provide a medical history in order to obtain data to supplement the Pregnancy and perinatal history questionnaire., Results: Statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) were demonstrated for the incidence rates of factors related to the course of pregnancy and childbirth such as: the occurrence of maternal diseases during pregnancy, especially in the I/II trimester, and other problems during pregnancy; exposure to stress and taking medication during pregnancy; smoking during pregnancy; mother's age at childbirth, i.e., < 25 years or > 35 years; use of pain reducing substances during labor and problems with the child during the delivery;an APGAR score in the range of 5-7 points; the occurrence of neonatal jaundice necessitating treatment, especially replacement transfusion; physical anomalies or other congenital problems in the newborn, as well as adaptive problems necessitating neonatal oxygen administration or placement in an incubator., Conclusions: Significantly more frequent occurrence of risk factors related to the course of pregnancy, childbirth and the child's condition after birth in the ADHD group may indicate their potential role in the etiology of ADHD.

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by the presence of deficits in social skills and communication as well as repetitive patterns of behavior and interests. Among the theories explaining the mechanisms of the formation of the above cited symptoms, an important role is attributed to the theory of the mind, or the ability to draw conclusions about the state of mind of other people, assigning mental states to others and interpreting their behaviors. According to guidelines of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence on the therapeutic procedures in autism spectrum disorders, the proceedings include various methods, adjusted to the level of functioning and presented difficulties. In the most widely used behavioral social skills trainings, the goal is to practice behaviors using modelling and role-playing techniques. Less attention is devoted to the issue of social understanding, theory of mind or the cognitive aspects of therapeutic interventions. There are studies demonstrating the possibility of developing competence in the theory of mind in people with ASD, as well as generalizing the acquired skills. The article reviews the literature on the use of therapeutic programs aimed at developing the theory of mind in patients with ASD and their effectiveness. As it seems, these are promising interventions, although they require further assessment.

Objectives: To evaluate changes in the intensity of ADHD symptoms and size effects after the completion of the twelve-week "Workshops for Parents of Hyperactive Children"., Methods: Intervention group included parents (N = 199) of children and adolescents diagnosed with ADHD, who completed the twelve-week parental training. The reference group included parents (N = 24) of children and adolescents diagnosed with ADHD, who received 1-2 standard psychiatric visits within twelve weeks (treatment-as-usual). The following questionnaires were completed by the participants at the beginning and at the end of the training: CBCLand Conners-IOWA-10 (parent's assessment of the child), TRF and Conners-RCTRS-28 (assessment of the child by the teacher/educator), and YSR (in children of 11 years and over). The same diagnostic regime was used in the reference group - the patients were assessed during the first visit and after twelve weeks., Results: The majority of attendees were parents of boys diagnosed with: ADHD mixed type with or without ODD and ADHD predominantly inattentive type. The intervention resulted in significant reduction of inattentive-impulsive-hyperactive and oppositional-defiant symptoms in Conners-IOWA-10 and significant reduction of symptoms in the following CBCL scales: "Social problems", "Attention problems", "Aggressive behavior", "Externalizing behavior", as well as the overall score, as rated by mothers. The improvement was age, diagnosis and pharmacotherapy independent., Conclusions: The therapeutic program used in our study resulted in small to moderate reduction of symptoms in children and adolescents with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder irrespective of subtype, comorbid disorders or pharmacotherapy (if implemented).

Objectives: The assessment of changes in the general health, sense of coherence and stress coping styles in parents of children and adolescents with ADHD, participating in 12-week Workshops for Parents of Hyperactive Children., Methods: The experimental group included 186 mothers and 139 fathers (parents of 199 children); the reference group included 23 mothers and 19 fathers (parents of 24 children), attending 1-2 standard medical visits within a 12-week period (treatment as usual). Parents from both groups were assessed twice using (1) the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ), (2) the Life Orientation Questionnaire (SOC-29), and (3) the Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations (CISS)., Results: (1) The experimental group showed a significant improvement in the severity of somatic symptoms and anxiety/insomnia in mothers and the general well-being of mothers and fathers. We observed the influence of workshops on manageability and reduction of the emotion-oriented coping in mothers; (2) the participation in the workshops was associated with a statistically significant effect (mostly moderate) in relation to general health of mothers, while TAU was mostly associated with a low or insignificant effect., Conclusions: The assessed form of interventions improves the functioning of parents of children with ADHD.

Self-injury is a common phenomenon among adolescents and young adults, however its prevalence in clinical population is estimated at 40-80%, especially in regard to patients during puberty. Symptoms usually appear between 12th and 14th year of age, and their average duration is approx. 2 years. According to accepted sociocultural norms self-injury can be regarded as a normal behavior. Nevertheless, the prevalence of body art phenomenon in Western culture including professional tattooing, piercing, scarification, burning tattoos and other body modification typical for tribal cultures, has forced the need to redefine the boundaries for normative behavior. Introduction of a separate nosological unit of Non-Suicidal Self Injury in the fifth edition of DSM classification proves the validity of discussion, being hold for many years, regarding classification and understanding of the underlying mechanisms of self-harm. The aim of our study was to present the current state of knowledge regarding self-harm, with an emphasis on issues devoted to their placement in newest mental disorders classifications and mechanisms responsible for their development and maintenance. Databases such as: PubMed, EBSCO (medical and psychological resources) and WEB OF SCIENCE (years 1990-2016) have been screened for the following key words: self-injury, self-harm, self-mutilation, suicide, deliberate self-harm, affect regulation, NSSI, DSH, personality disorders, suicide attempt, neurobiology self-harm, DSM-5, adolescent, adults, stress coping styles, self-mutilation - children, adolescents and adults-prevalence. The analysis indicated 110 articles and 3 textbooks. We have used the following criteria: (1) for the articles presenting the latest research on risk factors for self-harm we have used the criterion of the study group number (>30 people) and meta-analyses have been included, (2) for theories explaining the mechanisms of self-harm criterion of empirical review of the assumptions and the number of the published studies that verify the theory has been applied.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to find relationship between obsessive-compulsive symptoms and level and characteristic of physical activity among patients with anorexia nervosa (AN)., Methods: Material and methods. 76 female patients, aged 14.8 +/ - 1.8 years with AN completed the Polish version of the Leyton Obsessional Inventory-Child Version (LOI-CV). In order to assess the level and type of physical activity, Physical Activity Questionnaire was developed., Results: 35 (46%) subjects were qualified to HR group (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder "High-risk group") (25 or more points on the Interference Score of LOI-CV) and 41 (54%) to nHR group (no "High-risk group"). nHR patients spent less studying in a standing position, significantly more often used elevators rather than stairs and, according to their parents, devote less time for physical activity. Positive correlation between the caregiver's perception of patient's weekly activity and the number of "YES" answers in LOI-CV, positive trend between Patient's Activity Index or summarised Activity Index and the number of "YES" answers in LOI-CV were found. We also found negative correlation between the time spent studying at school and the number of "YES" answers in LOI-CV., Conclusions: The results show that there is a connection between obsessive-compulsive symptoms and the hyperactivity in AN patients.

Until the end of the nineties last century personality disorders could not be diagnosed before the age of eighteen. Nevertheless, the results of studies published in the last decade have revealed that personality disorders can be observed in children and adolescents and that personality disorders diagnosed in adult patients had been present as early as in childhood. The knowledge of possible mechanisms shaping personality disorders in childhood is unsatisfactory and needs to be expanded. Developmental psychology explains the development of abnormal personality through inappropriate attachment patterns and abnormal transitions between developmental phases. Genetic and temperamental factors are also important in the aetiology of personality disorders as well as early maladaptive schemas resulting from personal experiences and interactions with others. The aim of this article is to review the current knowledge on the mechanisms shaping the development of personality and personality disorders in childhood and adolescence.