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Objective: The medicinal plants Rhodiola rosea L. (rhodiola, golden root) and Crocus sativus L. (saffron) have been shown separately to induce significant effects in depression. The objective of this study was to assess a fixed combination of rhodiola and saffron in mild–moderate depression. Methods: In this observational study conducted with general practitioners (GPs), 45 adults (aged 18–85 years) suffering from mild or moderate depression (International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems 10th Revision definition) and reaching a score on the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression of 8–18 were supplemented with a combination of rhodiola and saffron extracts (one tablet, 154 mg of rhodiola and 15 mg of saffron; recommended dose two tablets per day for 6 weeks).Results: After 6 weeks (D42) of supplementation, Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression scores (primary outcome) decreased significantly by 58%±28.5% (from 13.6±2.3 at D0 to 5.6±3.8 at D42, P,0.0001; n=41). Score improvement was reported in 85.4% of patients. A significant drop in both Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale anxiety and depression scores was also observed at D42, the decrease being significant from 2 weeks of supplementation. At the end of the study, both GPs and patients deemed there was a significant improvement in depression (Clinical Global Impression – improvement and Patient Global Impression of Change). Safety was excellent, and no serious adverse effects were recorded. Conclusion: Results of this observational study performed in primary care suggest that the combination of rhodiola and saffron tested could be useful for the management of mild–moderate depression and improve depressive and anxiety symptoms. A double-blind placebo-controlled study is needed to confirm these results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives The goal of this paper was first to review the contributions of Dr. Camille Laurin in the development of psychiatric services at Albert-Prévost, and more specifically the role he played in promoting psychoanalysis as a modality of thinking which informs the various therapeutic measures with psychic caring and therapeutic relationship as a main focus. Psychoanalysis and psychodynamic psychotherapy are currently taught; this teaching is informed by the contemporary challenges posed by the evidence-based medicine, the neuroscience and the recent technological developments in the field of communication. Methods In the first section of this article, a biographical research was completed. In the second section, a brief review of literature was conducted for each topic discussed. Results Dr. Camille Laurin played a major role in the development of psychoanalytic thinking at Albert-Prévost. His heritage is still alive, mainly in the different courses and training activities offered at the Psychotherapy Center of this institution. The efficacy of the psychodynamic psychotherapy as a treatment has now been confirmed for many years. Even if neuroscience and psychoanalysis are two totally different fields of investigation, each of those disciplines can benefit from an open dialogue. The development of new communication technologies and artificial intelligence could eventually modify the practice of psychotherapy. Conclusion Psychoanalysis in its basic theoretical tenets are still widely taught to psychiatric students who mostly apply its principles when they practice psychodynamic psychotherapy. Dr. Camille Laurin played a significant role in promoting this approach at Albert-Prévost and more generally at the Department of psychiatry and addictions of the Université de Montréal.

Eschscholtzia californica Cham. and Valeriana officinalis L. have long been used for the management of sleep disorders and anxiety. Use of a fixed combination of these two plant extracts (Phytostandard® d'Eschscholtzia et de Valériane, PiLeJe Laboratoire, France) was investigated in an observational study. Adults with adjustment insomnia according to the criteria of the International Classification of Sleep Disorders and with an insomnia severity index (ISI) score >7 enrolled by GPs took a maximum of four tablets of the eschscholtzia and valerian combination every night for four weeks. Within one month, ISI score decreased by approximately 30% (from 16.09 ± 3.67 at inclusion (V1) to 11.32 ± 4.78 at 4 weeks (V2); p < 0.0001). Night sleep duration significantly increased between the first and the fourth week of supplement intake, sleep efficiency increasing from 78.4% ± 12.5 to 84.6% ± 10.2 (p = 0.002). There was no improvement in sleep latency. The number of awakenings decreased by approximately 25% and their total duration by approximately 25 min. Anxiety score significantly decreased by 50% from 13.9 ± 7.3 at V1 to 6.7 ± 6.3 at V2 (p < 0.0001). The supplement was well tolerated. These results suggest that the tested combination of eschscholtzia and valerian extracts could be beneficial for the management of insomnia in adults and deserves further investigation., (© 2019 Center for Food and Biomolecules, National Taiwan University. Production and hosting by Elsevier Taiwan LLC.)

The goal of this article is to expose different aspects of the use of humor in therapy. We hope that it will stimulate reflection and guide the clinician toward appropriate use of humorous interventions. Historical highlights of the topic will be presented. Then a practical definition of therapeutic humor and the main theories about humor will be reviewed. We will also discuss the probable mechanisms of action explaining the efficacy of humor in psychotherapy, as well as potential risks and benefits of its use. We will try to determine different factors influencing the patient's receptivity to humor. Subsequently, a classification of humor will be proposed, followed by a description of selected types of humor often used in therapy, with clinical cases as examples.