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AbstractObjectiveMethodsResultsConclusions\nKEY POINTSBipolar disorders (BD) are characterized by highly recurrent nature, necessitating adequate maintenance treatment for long-term disorder control. This study aimed to investigate real-world prescribing patterns among outpatients with BD, focusing on the utilisation of antidepressants (AD) and benzodiazepines (BDZ).We analysed prescription patterns of the five main groups of psychotropic medications (antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, AD, BDZ, and anticholinergic medications) and their relationships with basic socio-demographic and clinical data in a sample of 107 clinically stable BD outpatients (75.7% female, age 44.8 ± 11.7).Maintenance therapy predominantly involved polypharmacy (92.5%), with mood stabilizers (87.9%) and antipsychotics (80.4%, predominantly second-generation) being the most commonly prescribed. Our findings highlight a high percentage of patients prescribed AD (50.5%) and BDZ (54.2%). BDZ patients, compared to the non-BDZ group in maintenance treatment, were significantly older with longer psychiatric history and a decreased likelihood of comorbid personality disorder diagnoses.This study offers insights into prescribing practices within a university psychiatric clinic in the Western Balkans. The prevalent use of polypharmacy in real-world clinical settings, along with high percentage of patients prescribed AD and BDZ, suggests a gap between guideline recommendations and clinical practice, indicating a lack of consensus or standardized approaches in clinical practice.Study uncovers prescribing practices in a Western Balkans university psychiatric clinic, revealing high polypharmacy prevalence (92.5%) among clinically stable bipolar disorder (BD) outpatients.Most BD outpatients received mood stabilizers, particularly lamotrigine, and second-generation antipsychotics, notably olanzapine, with a minority on monotherapy.Antidepressant and benzodiazepine usage was notably high despite guidelines favouring monotherapy, reflecting challenges in managing residual morbidity.AD usage in BD type I is discouraged due to risks, while their use in BD type II is considered in certain scenarios, emphasising tailored treatment.High mean daily BDZ dose (approximately 3.5mg lorazepam equivalents) in non-acute outpatient BD maintenance therapy raises concerns about potential long-term implications for patient health and underscores the need for vigilant monitoring of prescribing practices.Study uncovers prescribing practices in a Western Balkans university psychiatric clinic, revealing high polypharmacy prevalence (92.5%) among clinically stable bipolar disorder (BD) outpatients.Most BD outpatients received mood stabilizers, particularly lamotrigine, and second-generation antipsychotics, notably olanzapine, with a minority on monotherapy.Antidepressant and benzodiazepine usage was notably high despite guidelines favouring monotherapy, reflecting challenges in managing residual morbidity.AD usage in BD type I is discouraged due to risks, while their use in BD type II is considered in certain scenarios, emphasising tailored treatment.High mean daily BDZ dose (approximately 3.5mg lorazepam equivalents) in non-acute outpatient BD maintenance therapy raises concerns about potential long-term implications for patient health and underscores the need for vigilant monitoring of prescribing practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) significantly impact lives of affected individuals and their families. They confront daunting challenges and multiple demands in their daily life, when compared to parents of children with other disabilities or parents of typically developing children., Subjects and Methods: Participants completed The Caregiver Needs Survey, the survey intended for parents or primary caregivers of children with a diagnosis of ASD. During the study, 231 parents were interviewed; 167 mothers and 64 fathers. Parents were recruited from the patient database comprised of families from the two largest cities in Serbia. All of them were contacted before the study, either via phone or at the child's regular check-in visit., Results: Over 90 percent of the parents reported that additional support at schools, home, and improved relationships with service providers are necessary and important. The most important challenges related to care were child's communication difficulties, social interaction difficulties, and problems with daily living skills. The significant predictors of lower overall satisfaction were parent's higher education, having a first concern related to problems of the child's interaction with others or playing alone, and parent frustration with accessing services in the past 12 months. Greater overall satisfaction, on the other hand, was related to having an in-school tutor training or assistance in managing child's needs or implementing treatments, and having primary care doctor or pediatrician as a source of information on autism., Conclusions: Future efforts to develop ASD-related policies and services should also take the following into consideration: the low level of awareness among caregivers and health care providers about the early signs of autism; disparities in access to services; educational problems and significant levels of dissatisfaction with the overall care and stigma.