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The study investigated behavioral measures of social distance (i.e., desired proximity between self and others in social contexts) as an index of stigma against those with mental illness among medical students in the Republic of North Macedonia, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Poland, using the Reported and Intended Behavior Scale (RIBS), a standardized, self-administered behavioral measure based on the Star Social Distance Scale. The students' responses to standardized clinical vignettes on schizophrenia, and depression with suicidal ideation, were also assessed. A total of 257 North Macedonian (females, 31.5%; 1-4 grades, 189; 5-6 grades, 68); 268 Turkish (females, 43.3%; 1-4 grades, 90; 5-6 grades, 178); 450 Kazakh (females, 28.4%, 71.6%; 1-4 grades, 312; 5-6 grades, 138); 512 Azerbaijani (females, 24%; 1-4 grades, 468; 5-6 grades, 44; females, 24%), and 317 Polish (females, 59.0%; 1-4 grades, 208; 5-6 grades, 109) students were surveyed. The responses on the RIBS social distance behavior measures did not improve with advancing medical school grade, but students across all sites viewed schizophrenia and depression as real medical illnesses. The results support the development of enhanced range of integrated training opportunities for medical student to socially interact with persons with mental illness sharing their experiences with them.

The Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS) is a globally recognized scale for the measurementof subjective well-being in more than thirty six languages. Currently there is no adaptedversion of the SCWS in Azerbaijani language. The aim of the present study was to completeforward and backward translations of the SWLS and maintaining equivalence to examine itspsychometric properties in a sample of 374 subjects in Azerbaijan. The results showed thatthe Azerbaijani version of SWLS had good internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = 0.81) withconfirmatory factor analysis showing a single factorial structure. The findings suggest that theAzerbaijani version of the SWLS is a valid instrument to use among Azerbaijan samples.

In this study we examined the validity of the Azeri version of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). The SDQ was administered to the parents of two samples of 4–16-year-old children: the case group was drawn from children presenting to the psychiatric outpatient service (n = 347) and the comparison group from the pediatric outpatient service (n = 267). The total difficulties score and the scores for each subscale were compared between two groups. The proportion of children with the total difficulties score in the abnormal range was higher in the case group than in the comparison group (74 and 34 %, p

Hiccups are involuntary spasmodic contractions of the diaphragm and inspiratory intercostal muscles followed by sudden closure of glottis which leads to halting the start of an inspiration. There are many factors which may cause hiccups. Although the exact pathophysiological processes involved have not yet been established, the neurotransmitters dopamine, serotonin and gamma amino butyric acid (GABA) have been documented to play a significant role in the generation of hiccups. Here, we present a case of risperidone-induced hiccups in a 14-year old adolescent to discuss the probable causes, the etiology and the clinical outcomes of this side effect.