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The human brain is considered as a self-organizing system with self-similarities at various temporal and spatial scales called “fractals”. In this scale-free system, it is possible to decode the complexity of information processing using fractal behavior. For instance, the complexity of information processing in the brain can be evaluated by fractal dimensions (FDs). However, it is unclear how over-elaboration of information processing impacts the dimensionality of its fractal behavior. In this study, we hypothesized that FDs of electroencephalogram (EEG) in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) should be higher than healthy controls (HCs) because of exaggeration of information processing mainly in the frontal regions. Therefore, a group of 39 OCDs (age: 34.76±8.22, 25 female, 3 left-handed) and 19 HCs (age: 31.94±8.22, 11 female, 1 left-handed) were recruited and their brain activities were recorded using a 19-channel EEG recorder in the eyes-open resting-state condition. Subsequently, fractal dimensions of the cleaned EEG data were calculated using Katz’s method in a frequency band-specific manner. After the test of normality, significant changes in the OCDs as compared to the HCs were calculated using a two-sample t-test. OCDs showed higher FDs in the frontal regions in all frequency bands as compared to HCs. Although, significant increases were only observed in the beta and lower gamma bands, mainly at the high beta. Interestingly, neurophysiological findings also show association with severity of obsessive behaviors. The results demonstrate that complexity of information processing in the brain follows an intimate nature of structural and functional impairments of the brain in OCD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Assisted reproductive technology (ARTs) such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) can lead to depressive symptoms in infertile women due to their low success and high costs. Mindfulness-based group counseling can decrease depressive symptoms by increasing mental concentration. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of mindfulness-based group counseling on depression in infertile women undergoing IVF. Materials and Methods: The present clinical trial included 90 infertile women undergoing IVF treatment in an infertility center in 2016. Women were divided into two groups, intervention and control. Both groups completed a demographic questionnaire and the Beck depression inventory (BDI). Eight 90-minute sessions (two each week) of mindfulness-based group counseling were held with the intervention group, while the control group received treatment as normal. Following the intervention, the BDI was again completed by both groups. The data were analyzed and independent t tests and, paired t tests conducted at a significance level of P<0.05. Results: No statistically significant demographic differences were observed between the two groups. Women in the control group had a somewhat lower depressive symptom score than the intervention group before the intervention. However, compared with before, the depressive symptom score among women in the intervention group decreased significantly (48%) (P<0.001) after the intervention. In contrast, the depressive symptom score in control women was higher after the intervention than before. Conclusion: According to the findings of the present research, mindfulness-based group counseling is able to reduce depressive symptoms in infertile women under IVF treatment. Therefore, group counseling sessions are suggested for all depressed women undergoing infertility treatment (Registration number: IRCT2015082013405N14). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Breast cancer is a problem that affects not only the individual's health and quality of life, but also the functionality of the family system. Caregivers experience stress when their patients cannot cope with the symptoms of their disease. The stress experienced by caregivers gives rise to psychological and physical symptoms in them. This study seeks to present a complete set of tools for assessing coping in the spouses or caregivers of women with breast cancer and evaluate the various instruments developed within these lines of inquiry. Methods: A search was carried out in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Medline, ProQuest, Scopus and Google Scholar and also in the reference lists of the key articles retrieved for any coping assessment instrument targeting family caregivers' needs that had acceptable psychometric properties and was published until September 2019. The instruments used to assess coping in the spouses and caregivers of women with breast cancer were thus identified and their properties were described. Results: Overall, 88 adaptation assessment tools related to family caregivers of patients with breast cancer were identified in 28 related articles. The tools examine different dimensions of adaptation such as satisfaction, stress, burden and needs of spouses and caregivers of patients with breast cancer. Conclusion: Assessing family caregivers' coping is essential for providing them with the appropriate sources of support. Although several instruments have been used to assess coping in the spouses and caregivers of women with breast cancer, the properties of these instruments have to be examined before they can be more widely implemented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to analyze relationships among general health, coping style, and perceived stress in healthy primigravida pregnant women. A cross-sectional study was conducted at public health clinics in Hamadan city, Iran between July and December 2015. In total, 380 pregnant women were selected through stratified random sampling. Data were collected using the Revised Prenatal Coping Inventory and General Health Questionnaire. Perceived stress was assessed through an interview comprised of open-ended questions. The final PATH model fit well; general health (β = 0.02) as well as anxiety and sleep disorders (β = 0.03) were slightly directly associated with perceived stress, and only planning-preparation was related to perceived stress through general health (β = 0.09). The findings enhance the knowledge gained from previous perinatal stress research. General health status was directly related to stress, and coping style was indirectly related to stress. Coping styles may mediate the relationship between general health status and perceived stress, suggesting that midwives should attempt to improve the general health of women to reduce stress and its consequences during pregnancy by teaching patients appropriate coping styles. Further studies on the effect of coping style interventions on stress are warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a common mental illness characterized by obsessions and/or compulsions. OCD is a chronic and debilitating mental illness that has a negative effect on the lives of those affected by this disorder. A person who has been diagnosed with OCD suffers from persistent obsessions and/or compulsions that interfere with all aspects of life such as their personal relationships, jobs, and everyday lives. It affects each person differently, with one of the most common issues being difficulty in maintaining relationships. This study used a qualitative method via semi-structured interviews followed by thematic analysis. Patients' experiences in encountering problems caused by OCD were then identified, such as turbulent interpersonal relationships with relatives and difficulty communicating. The study used purposive sampling and had a sample of twenty-four patients with OCD. The patients were recruited from the Farshchian Hospital's psychiatry department in Hamadan, Iran from May to October 2017. The sampling was continued until the authors reached data saturation in which no new information was obtainable from the patients. The analysis identified four major themes: (1) communication problems in family relationships; (2) dysfunctional spousal relationships; (3) relationship problems with friends and community; and (4) communication problems within their work environment. The participants viewed OCD as a disorder that unfavourably affected their family and personal relationships, education, and occupations. When patients experience negative responses from family and friends in their attempts to communicate, their health is threatened. The patients become at risk for failure in therapeutic treatment, with the possibility of increased severity or recurrence of OCD symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Revised Prenatal Coping Inventory (Nu PCI) is a self-report instrument that focuses on the coping styles of pregnant women during the prenatal period. The present study aimed to translate the scale and evaluate the psychometric properties of the Iranian version of the Nu PCI in healthy pregnant women. Beaton's recommendations have been used for the translation and cultural adaptation of this scale. Reliability, content, and face validity were performed to assess the psychometric properties of the scale. The results indicated that the Nu PCI was successfully translated into the Persian language, with both the total scale and subscales exhibiting both content validity and internal consistency. Confirmatory factor analyses revealed that the conceptual three-factor structure of the measure had good fit indices. Reliability was evaluated using internal consistency. Cronbach Alpha coefficient was 0.92 and intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) was 0.91. Therefore, the Nu PCI is a reliable instrument to measure prenatal coping patterns in primigravida healthy pregnant women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: Mental health problems frequently occur in children with epilepsy but the diagnosis is frequently missed and therapeutic opportunities are often lost. The aim of this study was to compare mental health statues between school-aged children with epilepsy and the healthy group. MATERIALS & METHODS: In this case, control study, 120 children aged 6 to 12 years with idiopathic epilepsy and 240 healthy control groups were followed up. Children with epilepsy were enrolled from Iranian Epilepsy Association in 2014. The parent version of Child Symptom Inventory-4 questionnaire was used. Mean comparisons were performed using Student's t test while effect sizes were estimated by Cohen's d coefficient. The Chi-Square test was used to assess the difference between frequency distribution of demographic variables in both groups. The significance level was considered less than 0.05. RESULTS: There were statistically significant differences between children with epilepsy and control group as for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, major depression, separation anxiety, social phobia, motor and vocal tics and oppositional defiant disorder. CONCLUSION: The carefully evaluating and prospectively following the psychopathology symptom of children with epilepsy are critical for early identification, prevention and treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Sleep disturbances are a common co-occurring disturbance in patients with major depressive disorders (MDDs) and accordingly deserve particular attention. Using a randomized design, we investigated the effects of three different adjuvant interventions on sleep and depression among patients with MDD: a sleep hygiene program (SHP), lorazepam (LOR), and their combination (SHP-LOR). Methods: A total of 120 outpatients with diagnosed MDD (mean age: 48.25 years; 56.7% females) and treated with a standard SSRI (citalopram at 20-40 mg at therapeutic level) were randomly assigned to one of the following three conditions: SHP (n=40), LOR (1 mg/d; n=40), SHP-LOR (1 mg/d; n=40). At the beginning and at the end of the study 8 weeks later, patients completed two questionnaires, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index to assess sleep and the Beck Depression Inventory to assess symptoms of depression. Results: Sleep disturbances decreased over time and in all groups. No group differences or interactions were observed. Symptoms of depression decreased over time and in all three groups. Reduction in symptoms of depression was greatest in the SHP-LOR group and lowest in the LOR group. Conclusion: The pattern of results suggests that all three adjuvant treatments improved symptoms of sleep disturbances and depression, with greater benefits for the SHP-LOR for symptoms of depression, but not for sleep. Nevertheless, risks and benefits of benzodiazepine prescriptions should be taken into account. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of the burden reported by family caregivers of Patients with schizophrenia. Methods: This cross sectional study involved face-to-face interviews with family caregivers of patients with schizophrenia. Using convenience sampling, 225 caregivers were selected from Farshchian psychiatry Hospital in Hamadan, Iran from July to September 2012. Measures included patients and caregivers' demographic variables and caregivers' burden using the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI). Data were analyzed by SPSS-18 with Pearson correlation and t-test. Results: Using the ZBI, we found that 7.6% of the caregivers experienced "no to low" burden, 23.5% "mild to moderate", 41.8% "moderate to severe" and 27.1% "severe" burden. The mean average score of the responses to ZBI was 51.73 (SD: ± 18.23). The level of burden experienced was significantly associated with age, gender, and educational level, relation to care recipient, caregiving duration and duration of schizophrenia illness. Conclusion: Mental health professionals need to develop more innovative programs for families of schizophrenic patients. Furthermore, as a replacement for supporting the families and easing their burdens, it may be more effective to include them in the health care team by assigning specific tasks and providing the required resources to them to perform such tasks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Psychological and psychiatric disorders have a high frequency in multiple sclerosis (MS). However, their relationship with MS is complex and the extent to which they might be reactive to countless psychosocial factors, or symptoms resultant of the pathological process itself remains unclear. The aim of this study was to compare psychological symptoms in a group of MS patients and compared to healthy controls. The study subjects were MS patients admitted to the Farshchian hospital in Hamadan, Iran. The diagnosis was based on McDonald (2011) criteria. There were 120 patient), aged 34.5 ± 10.8 (mean ± SD) years. It was a cross sectional study. The psychological symptoms were assessed using Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90). It was found that the MS patients exhibited significantly more psychological symptoms than the healthy controls. The SCL-90 scores of MS patients were significantly higher for somatization, obsession-compulsion, interpersonal sensitivity, hostility, depression and anxiety. The high rate of psychological symptoms in adult MS supports the need for routine psychological screening. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Stigma is a serious impediment to the well-being of those who experience it. Many family- caregivers are challenged by the stereotypes and prejudice that result from misconceptions about bipolar disorder. Objective: The purpose of this study was to explore the stigma experienced by family caregivers of patients with bipolar disorder. Methods: This was a qualitative and phenomenological study. In this study, we selected the family caregivers of patients with bipolar disorder in a psychiatric hospital (Iran) using purposive sampling in 2011. By reaching data saturation, the number of participant was 12. Data were gathered through in-depth interviews and analyzed by the "Collaizi" method . Result: Stigma was a pervasive concern to almost all participants. Family caregivers of patients with Bipolar disorders reported feelings and experiences of stigma and were most affected by them. Analysis of the interviews revealed 3 themes: Negative judgment, Shame, Stigmatization and Social Isolation. Conclusion: For a person with bipolar disorder, this illness is associated with the following problems: worse recovery, difficulty accessing health services, receiving poor treatment and support, and difficulty gaining community acceptance. Rejection of people with mental illness might also affect their family caregivers at various levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and purpose: Bipolar disorder (BD) is a severe illness that has serious impacts on the lives of such patients and their families. Today families of individuals with BD are actively involved in providing care to their loved ones. Therefore, successful management of these patients relies significantly on the health of caregivers. The aim of this study was to explore the meaning of health according to family members who care for adult patients with BD. Materials and methods: A phenomenological qualitative research was carried out in the family members caregiving to BD patients in Farshian Psychiatric Hospital, Hamedan, 2010. The subjects were selected using purposive sampling. By reaching data saturation the number of participants was 12. In order to collect the data in-depth interviews were conducted and then analyzed by Van Manen method. Results: Six main themes with 14 subthemes were identified in this study including 'living in hell', 'mental-emotional exhaustion', 'self-neglect', 'the need to receive support', 'condemned to isolation' and 'feelings of shame'. Conclusion: This study underlines the necessity for comprehensive support among family caregivers of BD patients. Hence, support and interventions regarding such families' health have to be considered by all mental health treatment providers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The first human orbited the Earth for less than two hours in 1961. The twelve Apollo astronauts experienced up to 22 hours of walking on the Moon (Apollo 17). Beginning in 2000, the International Space Station (ISS) hosted 279 individuals from 22 countries who stayed in space for six to 12 months. Among them, Oleg Kononeko holds the record for the longest mission, exceeding two years. The astronaut selection programme has evolved over time in accordance with the objectives and duration of spaceflight. Questions arise about the criteria for astronaut candidature, the selection process used in the past, and the psychological issues that warrant increased consideration for future deep space travel. Moreover, how can we mitigate potential risk factors and improve astronaut safety and well-being? This paper explores the historical narratives of the astronaut selection process for short-term missions. Considering major hazards such as confinement (isolation), distance from Earth (travel time), and hostile environments, this paper proposes a hypothetical human policy for a Mars return mission (2.5-3 years). It focuses on enhancing the astronauts' psychiatric resilience through a selection protocol that takes into account family traumas (bereavement, divorce, and abuse), addictions (drug, alcohol, smoking, internet gambling (games), and sex), and personality traits associated with possible emergency situations (threat, stubbornness, aggression, hostility, or violence) in the context of space community security. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Depression is a widespread concern in the United States. Neuromodulation treatments are becoming more common but there is emerging concern for racial disparities in neuromodulation treatment utilization. This study focuses on Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), a treatment for depression, and the structural and attitudinal barriers that racialized individuals face in accessing it. In January 2023 participants from the Twin Cities, Minnesota engaged in focus groups, coupled with an educational video intervention. Individuals self identified as non-white who had no previous TMS exposure but had tried at least one treatment for their depression. Results revealed that the intervention did not notably change knowledge or stigma about TMS, but attitudes surrounding traveling for treatment changed. Notably, barriers like affordability, frequency of treatment, and lack of knowledge persist. Participants expressed a desire for more information, personal connection, and a tailored educational approach. The study suggests a need for multifaceted strategies to reduce disparities, focusing on education, community-based resources, and policy interventions. Immediate actions that can be taken include the creation of a TMS education program focused on patient engagement and awareness about TMS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]