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European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Jan 2024The siblings of children with mental disorders are more likely to experience mental health issues themselves, but there has been a lack of sibling studies on selective...
The siblings of children with mental disorders are more likely to experience mental health issues themselves, but there has been a lack of sibling studies on selective mutism (SM). The aim of this population-based study was to use national registers to examine associations between children with SM and diagnoses of various mental disorder in their siblings. All singleton children born in Finland from 1987 to 2009, and diagnosed with SM from 1998 to 2012, were identified from national health registers and matched with four controls by age and sex. Their biological siblings and parents were identified using national registries and the diagnostic information on the siblings of the subjects and controls was obtained. The final analyses comprised 658 children with SM and their 1661 siblings and 2092 controls with 4120 siblings. The analyses were conducted using generalized estimating equations. Mental disorders were more common among the siblings of the children with SM than among the siblings of the controls. The strongest associations were observed for childhood emotional disorders and autism spectrum disorders after the data were adjusted for covariates and comorbid diagnoses among SM subjects. The final model showed associations between SM and a wide range of disorders in siblings, with strongest associations with disorders that usually have their onset during childhood. Our finding showed that SM clustered with other mental disorders in siblings and this requires further research, especially the association between SM and autism spectrum disorders. Strong associations with childhood onset disorders may indicate shared etiologies.
Topics: Child; Humans; Mutism; Siblings; Neurodevelopmental Disorders; Mental Disorders; Comorbidity; Child Behavior Disorders
PubMed: 36422730
DOI: 10.1007/s00787-022-02114-3 -
JAMA Network Open Oct 2023Adversity during childhood can limit children's chances of achieving their optimal developmental and psychological outcomes. Well-designed observational studies might...
IMPORTANCE
Adversity during childhood can limit children's chances of achieving their optimal developmental and psychological outcomes. Well-designed observational studies might help identify adversities that are most implicated in this, thereby helping to identify potential targets for developing interventions.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the association between preventing childhood poverty, parental mental illness and parental separation, and the population rate of offspring common mental disorders (ages 16-21 years) or average school grades (age 16 years).
DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS
A population-based, longitudinal cohort study using Swedish registries was conducted. A total of 163 529 children born in Sweden between January 1, 1996, and December 31, 1997, were followed up until their 21st birthday. They were linked to registries using Sweden's national personal identification number. Children were linked to birth parents, hospital records, and school data. Parents were linked to registries containing health, income, sociodemographic, and obstetric data. Analyses were conducted between January 10, 2021, and August 26, 2022.
EXPOSURES
Childhood adversities of relative poverty (household disposable income <50% of the median), parental inpatient admission for a mental illness, or parental separation. Adversities were categorized into developmental periods: ages 0 to 3, 4 to 7, 8 to 11, and 12 to 16 years.
MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES
The main outcomes were children's hospital records with a diagnosis of anxiety or depression between ages 16 and 21 years and school grades at the end of compulsory education (age 16 years). The parametric g-formula modeled population changes in outcomes associated with the counterfactual, hypothetical preventing adversity exposures, accounting for fixed and time-varying confounders. Adjustments were made for parental demographic characteristics, obstetric variables, and socioeconomic data at birth.
RESULTS
A total of 163 529 children were included in the cohort (51.2% boys, 51.4% born in 1996). Preventing all adversities was associated with an estimated change in the prevalence of offspring common mental disorders from 10.2% to 7.6% and an improvement in school grades with an SD of 0.149 (95% CI, 0.147-0.149). Preventing parental separation provided for the greatest improvement, with an estimated 2.34% (95% CI, 2.23%-2.42%) fewer children with a common mental disorder and an improvement in school grades by 0.127 SDs (0.125-0.129). Greater improvements were shown by hypothetically targeting adolescents (age 12-16 years) and those whose parents had a mental illness when the child was born.
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE
The results of this cohort modeling study suggest that preventing childhood adversity could provide notable improvements in the rates of common mental disorders and school grades. Many children might achieve better life outcomes if resources are properly allocated to the right adversities (parental separation), the right groups (children with parental mental illness), and at the right time (adolescence).
Topics: Adolescent; Child; Female; Humans; Male; Cohort Studies; Longitudinal Studies; Mental Disorders; Parents; Schools; Young Adult
PubMed: 37796502
DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.36408 -
Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric... Nov 2023To investigate relationships between distinct schizotypy risk profiles in childhood and the full spectrum of parental mental disorders.
PURPOSE
To investigate relationships between distinct schizotypy risk profiles in childhood and the full spectrum of parental mental disorders.
METHODS
Participants were 22,137 children drawn from the New South Wales Child Development Study, for whom profiles of risk for schizophrenia-spectrum disorders in middle childhood (age ~ 11 years) were derived in a previous study. A series of multinomial logistic regression analyses examined the likelihood of child membership in one of three schizotypy profiles (true schizotypy, introverted schizotypy, and affective schizotypy) relative to the children showing no risk, according to maternal and paternal diagnoses of seven types of mental disorders.
RESULTS
All types of parental mental disorders were associated with membership in all childhood schizotypy profiles. Children in the true schizotypy group were more than twice as likely as children in the no risk group to have a parent with any type of mental disorder (unadjusted odds ratio [OR] = 2.27, 95% confidence intervals [CI] = 2.01-2.56); those in the affective (OR = 1.54, 95% CI = 1.42-1.67) and introverted schizotypy profiles (OR = 1.39, 95% CI = 1.29-1.51) were also more likely to have been exposed to any parental mental disorder, relative to children showing no risk.
CONCLUSION
Childhood schizotypy risk profiles appear not to be related specifically to familial liability for schizophrenia-spectrum disorders; this is consistent with a model where liability for psychopathology is largely general rather than specific to particular diagnostic categories.
Topics: Male; Child; Humans; Schizotypal Personality Disorder; Mental Disorders; Parents; Risk Factors; Fathers
PubMed: 36912995
DOI: 10.1007/s00127-023-02455-7 -
Journal of Nephrology Jul 2023People who have severe mental illness experience higher rates of long-term conditions and die on average 15-20 years earlier than people who do not have severe mental... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
People who have severe mental illness experience higher rates of long-term conditions and die on average 15-20 years earlier than people who do not have severe mental illness, a phenomenon known as the mortality gap. Long-term conditions, such as diabetes, impact health outcomes for people who have severe mental illness, however there is limited recognition of the relationship between chronic kidney disease and severe mental illness. Therefore, the aim of this scoping review was to explore the available evidence on the relationship between chronic kidney disease and severe mental illness.
METHODS
Electronic databases, including MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, and PsycINFO were searched. The database searches were limited to articles published between January 2000-January 2022, due to significant progress that has been made in the detection, diagnosis and treatment of both SMI and CKD. Articles were eligible for inclusion if they explored the relationship between SMI and CKD (Stages 1-5) in terms of prevalence, risk factors, clinical outcomes, and access to treatment and services. Severe mental illness was defined as conditions that can present with psychosis, including schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder, and other psychotic disorders. Thirty articles were included in the review.
RESULTS
The included studies illustrated that there is an increased risk of chronic kidney disease amongst people who have severe mental illness, compared to those who do not. However, people who have severe mental illness and chronic kidney disease are less likely to receive specialist nephrology care, are less likely to be evaluated for a transplant, and have higher rates of mortality.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, there is a dearth of literature in this area, but the available literature suggests there are significant health inequalities in kidney care amongst people who have severe mental illness. Further research is needed to understand the factors that contribute to this relationship, and to develop strategies to improve both clinical outcomes and access to kidney care.
Topics: Humans; Mental Disorders; Psychotic Disorders; Schizophrenia; Bipolar Disorder; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic
PubMed: 37029882
DOI: 10.1007/s40620-023-01599-8 -
Neuropsychopharmacology : Official... Jan 2024In contrast to most fields of medicine, progress to discover and develop new and improved psychiatric drugs has been slow and disappointing. The vast majority of... (Review)
Review
In contrast to most fields of medicine, progress to discover and develop new and improved psychiatric drugs has been slow and disappointing. The vast majority of currently prescribed drugs to treat schizophrenia, mood and anxiety disorders are arguably no more effective than the first generation of psychiatric drugs introduced well over 50 years ago. With only a few exceptions current psychiatric drugs work via the same fundamental mechanisms of action as first-generation agents. Here we describe the reasons for this slow progress and outline a number of areas of research that involve a greater reliance on experimental therapeutics utilizing recent advances in neuroscience to better understand disease biology. We exemplify the potential impact of these areas of research focus with several recent examples of novel agents that have emerged and which support our optimism that newer, more effective and better tolerated agents, are on the horizon. Together with existing drugs these newer agents and novel mechanisms could offer markedly improved functional outcomes for the millions of people still disabled by psychiatric disorders.
Topics: Humans; Mental Disorders; Schizophrenia; Anxiety Disorders
PubMed: 37582978
DOI: 10.1038/s41386-023-01690-5 -
Schizophrenia Research May 2024Mental health and neurodevelopmental disorders are highly heritable and can affect morbidity and mortality. A large, growing body of evidence has implicated both common... (Review)
Review
Mental health and neurodevelopmental disorders are highly heritable and can affect morbidity and mortality. A large, growing body of evidence has implicated both common and rare variation in the risk of these disorders. Testing for rare variants, such as copy number variants, has been available in clinical practice for some time in the context of developmental disorders. However, until recently, individuals with mental health and neurodevelopmental disorders in the UK have not tended to access genetic counselling and testing. Here, we describe the development of the All Wales Psychiatric Genomics Service, a collaborative effort between psychiatric and clinical genetics services and the first of its kind in the UK. We provide an overview of the structure and function of the service, our referral criteria, a summary of the 40 referrals we have received to date and our future plans.
Topics: Humans; Genomics; Mental Disorders; Neurodevelopmental Disorders; Psychiatry; Referral and Consultation; Translational Research, Biomedical
PubMed: 37919212
DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2023.10.024 -
Psychiatria Danubina Dec 2023Mental health plays a crucial role in an individual's overall well-being, and it is widely recognized that many adult mental health disorders originate during childhood...
Mental health plays a crucial role in an individual's overall well-being, and it is widely recognized that many adult mental health disorders originate during childhood and adolescence. It is imperative to promptly recognize signs of psychological distress and clinically significant symptoms that can affect an individual's functioning from an early age. The growing prevalence of psychiatric disorders in children and adolescents indeed highlights the significance of identifying both risk and protective factors. Finally, a personalized and integrated treatment approach is essential to prevent the chronicity and pervasiveness of symptoms.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Child; Adolescent; Mental Disorders; Mental Health
PubMed: 37994067
DOI: No ID Found -
British Journal of Hospital Medicine... Aug 2023The three main theories explaining major mental illness, namely mood disorders, psychoses and dementias, have been partially discredited. Alongside this, there are... (Review)
Review
The three main theories explaining major mental illness, namely mood disorders, psychoses and dementias, have been partially discredited. Alongside this, there are emerging links between perturbations of the immune system and the onset and phenotypic features of these disorders. This article outlines the alternative pathophysiology and suggests potential treatments which could improve disease burden and avoid the need for psychotropic medication, with their associated side effects and relapse following withdrawal.
Topics: Mental Disorders; Humans; Immune System
PubMed: 37646557
DOI: 10.12968/hmed.2022.0455 -
Psychiatria Polska Oct 2023The aim of the study was to assess attitudes towards people with mental disorders.
OBJECTIVES
The aim of the study was to assess attitudes towards people with mental disorders.
METHODS
The survey was carried out in a group of 93 students of the fifth year of medical studies (medical faculty) including 59 women and 34 men, aged 24.34 ± 1.28 years.
RESULTS
In the conducted research, personal contact with a psychiatrist due to problems with their own mental health was declared by 23% of respondents. The choice of psychiatry as a field of specialization was declared by 19% of students. In the analysis of the questionnaire on beliefs, as many as 83% of respondents considered that mental illness is a cause for shame. Analyzing the attitude of the respondents to treatment, it was shown that as many as 80% of people believed that compulsory hospitalization is a right procedure. It should be emphasized that only 31% of the surveyed students believed that people with mental disorders should decide to have offspring, and 36% of people thought that mentally disturbed people would not be good as parents. As many as 30% of respondents believed that people with mental disorders more often commit crimes than healthy people, and 42% of students showed a lack of determination in this aspect.
CONCLUSIONS
The results of the research suggest the necessity of expanding knowledge and shaping appropriate attitudes towards people with mental disorders among future doctors.
Topics: Male; Humans; Female; Students, Medical; Mental Disorders; Psychiatry; Mental Health; Physicians; Surveys and Questionnaires; Attitude of Health Personnel
PubMed: 38345126
DOI: 10.12740/PP/152318 -
PloS One 2023Mental health disorders among adolescents is on the rise globally. Patients seldom present to mental health physicians, for fear of stigmatization, and due to the dearth...
BACKGROUND
Mental health disorders among adolescents is on the rise globally. Patients seldom present to mental health physicians, for fear of stigmatization, and due to the dearth of mental health physicians. They are mostly picked during consultations with Family Physicians. This study seeks to identify the common mental health disorders seen by family Physicians in Family Medicine Clinics in Nigeria and Ghana.
METHODS
A descriptive cross-sectional study involving 302 Physicians practicing in Family Medicine Clinics in Nigeria and Ghana, who were randomly selected for the study. Data were collected using self-administered semi-structured questionnaire, and were entered into excel spreadsheet before analysing with IBM-SPSS version 22. Descriptive statistics using frequencies and percentages was used to describe variables.
RESULTS
Of the 302 Physicians recruited for the study, only 233 completed the study, in which 168 (72.1%) practiced in Nigeria and 65 (27.9%) in Ghana. They were mostly in urban communities (77.3%) and tertiary health facilities (65.2%). Over 90% of Family Medicine practitioners attended to adolescents with mental health issues with over 70% of them seeing at least 2 adolescents with mental health issues every year. The burden of mental health disorder was 16% and the common mental health disorders seen were depression (59.2%), Bipolar Affective Disorder (55.8%), Epilepsy (51.9%) and Substance Abuse Disorder (44.2%).
CONCLUSION
Family Physicians in Nigeria and Ghana attend to a good number of adolescents with mental health disorders in their clinics. There is the need for Family Physicians to have specialized training and retraining to be able to recognize and treat adolescent mental health disorders. This will help to reduce stigmatization and improve the management of the disease thus, reducing the burden.
Topics: Humans; Adolescent; Mental Health; Nigeria; Ghana; Family Practice; Cross-Sectional Studies; Mental Disorders; Physicians, Family
PubMed: 37971998
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0285911