-
Cureus Mar 2024Depersonalization and derealization symptoms are often transient. Recurrent and persistent symptoms can result in a diagnosis of depersonalization/derealization disorder...
Depersonalization and derealization symptoms are often transient. Recurrent and persistent symptoms can result in a diagnosis of depersonalization/derealization disorder (DDD). Here, we reported a case of a 24-year-old adult male whose presentation was consistent with primary derealization disorder only. He was referred with his consent by an ophthalmologist and neurologist for psychiatric opinion for the complaints of blackish discoloration of his vision for the last two years and feeling of unreality towards his surroundings for the last one and a half years in the absence of any comorbid physical illness and mental disorder. The patient was treated with fluoxetine, Lamotrigine, and psychotherapy, but there was only some improvement reported in his distress; however, primary complaints remained unchanged.
PubMed: 38567226
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.55419 -
Annals of the Royal College of Surgeons... Apr 2024Professional burnout is a syndrome of emotional exhaustion, depersonalisation and low sense of personal achievement related to the workplace. Orthopaedic surgeons train... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Professional burnout is a syndrome of emotional exhaustion, depersonalisation and low sense of personal achievement related to the workplace. Orthopaedic surgeons train and practise in highly demanding environments. Understanding up-to-date trends in burnout, particularly following the COVID-19 pandemic, is vital. For this reason, we carried out a systematic review on this topic.
METHODS
A scoping literature review of two databases was conducted. Two authors independently screened articles and conflicts were resolved by panel discussion. Articles pertaining to orthopaedic surgeons that used validated scales and were peer reviewed research were included. Non-English or abstract-only results were excluded.
RESULTS
A total of 664 papers were identified in the literature search and 34 were included in the qualitative review. Among 8,471 orthopaedic surgeons, the mean burnout prevalence was 48.9%. The wide range in rate of burnout between the studies (15-90.4%) reflected the variety in setting, subspecialty and surgeon grade. Common protective factors comprised dedicated mentorship, surgeon seniority, sufficient exercise and family support. Substance abuse, malpractice claims, financial stress and onerous on-call responsibilities were risk factors. Burnout prevalence during the COVID-19 pandemic was not noticeably different; there were a number of pandemic-associated risk and protective factors.
CONCLUSIONS
Nearly one in two orthopaedic surgeons are burnt out. There is a paucity of data on the short and long-term impact of COVID-19 on burnout. Burnout has deep organisational, personal and clinical implications. Targeted organisational interventions are required to prevent burnout from irrevocably damaging the future of orthopaedic surgery.
PubMed: 38563052
DOI: 10.1308/rcsann.2024.0009 -
Journal of Gastrointestinal and Liver... Mar 2024The burnout syndrome (BOS) is commonly seen in healthcare professionals, particularly in physicians who are exposed to a high level of stress at work and has a negative... (Observational Study)
Observational Study
BACKGROUND AND AIMS
The burnout syndrome (BOS) is commonly seen in healthcare professionals, particularly in physicians who are exposed to a high level of stress at work and has a negative impact on the medical activity. Physicians with BOS manifest a negative attitude, a reduction in compassion at work, and suboptimal patient care experiences. These all can lead to absenteeism, poor performance and more frequent medical errors. We aimed to assess the level of BOS in a tertiary gastroenterology university center in Romania.
METHODS
This observational study involved 40 physicians from a tertiary gastroenterology university center. An online questionnaire assessed the presence of BOS using the Maslach Burnout Inventory.
RESULTS
A total of 40 physicians responded to the questionnaire. The prevalence of overall BOS of 87.5%. In terms of high burnout, 15 doctors (37.5%) had emotional exhaustion, 10 doctors (25%) had depersonalization, and 30 doctors (80%) scored low for personal achievement. Men presented more frequently emotional exhaustion and women lower personal achievement scores, but there was no significant statistical difference. No significant relationship was found between marital status or the number of children and BOS. We identified multiple risk factors associated to BOS, the most important one being strict internal regulations.
CONCLUSIONS
Physicians presented an increased risk for BOS. The high rate of BOS among physicians found in our study requires careful attention. Further studies aiming to identify other factors that contribute to BOS and to identify measures to combat this syndrome are necessary.
Topics: Female; Humans; Male; Burnout, Professional; Gastroenterology; Psychological Tests; Romania; Self Report; Surveys and Questionnaires; Universities
PubMed: 38554432
DOI: 10.15403/jgld-5282 -
Biomedical Reports May 2024Alien hand syndrome (AHS) is an uncommon neurological condition characterized by involuntary, yet seemingly purposeful, movements of a limb, typically an upper... (Review)
Review
Alien hand syndrome (AHS) is an uncommon neurological condition characterized by involuntary, yet seemingly purposeful, movements of a limb, typically an upper extremity, with variable awareness and control by the affected individual. It is associated with a range of peculiar sensations, such as the feeling of limb estrangement, alien control and involuntary mirroring or restraining of movements. AHS indicates a profound disruption in volitional motor control and personal agency. The aetiology of AHS is the dysfunction of critical brain regions secondary to diverse neurological insults, such as tumours, vascular disorders, infarction or neurodegenerative diseases. It is clinically categorized into the parietal and callosal types, depending on the affected region, with manifestations often linked to the specific brain region affected. The callosal type is particularly challenging to diagnose due to its rarity and potential for nonspecific or concealed symptoms amid concurrent brain injuries. Distinguishing AHS from psychiatric disorders is crucial for accurate diagnosis and improved patient outcomes. Further research is imperative for a deeper understanding of the pathophysiology of AHS and the development of effective treatments. AHS predominantly affects adults and is frequently associated with multiple comorbidities. The syndrome is also exemplified by three distinct motor behaviours: Involuntary grasping, inter-manual conflict and limb levitation accompanied by the sensation of an alien limb or the perception of external control over one's movements. It has a generally good prognosis with partial or total recovery following appropriate rehabilitation techniques, including pharmacological and psychological measures.
PubMed: 38544960
DOI: 10.3892/br.2024.1762 -
Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) Mar 2024: This study aimed to identify the occupational and personal factors influencing burnout syndrome (BS) and depression among dentists in academic faculties, oral and...
: This study aimed to identify the occupational and personal factors influencing burnout syndrome (BS) and depression among dentists in academic faculties, oral and dental health centres (ODHCs), and private clinics. : This prospective, cross-sectional study was carried out on dentists working in different regions of Turkey. Data were gathered through an online questionnaire hosted on Google Forms. The questionnaire consisted of demographic data and Maslach BS Inventory (MBI) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) sections. The demographic data collected included age, height, weight, marital status, blood type, gender, monthly income, income satisfaction, and whether the participant had enough free time. The dentists were divided into three groups, namely, faculty setting, private clinic, and ODHC, according to the institutions at which they worked. : The study was composed of 290 dentists, including 172 males and 118 females, with an average age of 36.98 ± 5.56 years. In total, 128 of the dentists worked in faculties, 72 worked in private clinics, and 90 worked in ODHCs. The study found that women exhibited higher EE scores than men ( < 0.05). The comparison of BS and depression scores showed no statistically significant differences between groups based on marital status or blood type ( > 0.05). There was no significant relationship between emotional exhaustion (EE), depersonalisation (DP), personal accomplishment (PA), and depression scores according to age, BMI, and work experience ( < 0.05). It was found that the EE scores of the dentists working in faculties and private clinics were lower than those of the dentists working in ODHCs ( < 0.05). Monthly income was associated with depression (r = -0.35). : The findings reveal that dentists employed in ODHCs reported greater levels of EE. These results suggest a pressing need for enhancements in the work environments of dentists, especially in ODHCs.
Topics: Male; Humans; Female; Adult; Depression; Burnout, Professional; Cross-Sectional Studies; Prospective Studies; Burnout, Psychological; Emotional Exhaustion; Surveys and Questionnaires; Dentists
PubMed: 38541243
DOI: 10.3390/medicina60030517 -
Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland) Mar 2024Law enforcement is a stressful occupation that places significant psychological demands on those serving in this role. However, little is known about the severity of...
Law enforcement is a stressful occupation that places significant psychological demands on those serving in this role. However, little is known about the severity of work-related stress and psychological distress among law enforcement officers (LEOs) in North Carolina (NC). This cross-sectional study examined the severity of work-related stress and psychological distress among 283 LEOs in NC. The Maslach Burnout Inventory, the Operational Police Stress Questionnaire, the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale, and the Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Checklist were used to assess burnout, operational police stress, depression, anxiety, stress, and PTSD among LEOs. Descriptive statistics, independent -tests, Mann-Whitney U tests, one-way ANOVA, and Kruskal-Wallis tests were performed. Rural and male LEOs reported higher burnout levels related to depersonalization (i.e., increased mental distance from one's job) compared with their urban and female counterparts. LEOs exposed to toxic materials or performing patrol duties exhibited higher operational police stress levels than those who did not. Caucasian LEOs exhibited higher depression, anxiety, and stress than their African American counterparts. Rural LEOs and LEOs who were exposed to toxic materials displayed higher levels of PTSD than their counterparts. Our findings highlight the need for increased mental health support and better working environments for LEOs.
PubMed: 38540652
DOI: 10.3390/healthcare12060688 -
Behavioral Sciences (Basel, Switzerland) Feb 2024Patients with panic disorder (PD) may experience increased vulnerability to dissociative and anxious phenomena in the presence of repeated traumatic events, and these...
BACKGROUND
Patients with panic disorder (PD) may experience increased vulnerability to dissociative and anxious phenomena in the presence of repeated traumatic events, and these may be risk factors for the development of complex post-traumatic stress disorder (cPTSD). The present study aims to find out whether the presence of cPTSD exacerbates anxiety symptoms in patients suffering from panic disorder and whether this is specifically associated with the occurrence of dissociative symptoms.
METHODS
One-hundred-and-seventy-three patients diagnosed with PD were recruited and divided into two groups based on the presence (or absence) of cPTSD using the International Trauma Questionnaire (ITQ) scale. Dissociative and anxious symptoms were assessed using the Cambridge Depersonalization Scale (CDS) and Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAM-A), respectively.
RESULTS
Significant differences in re-experienced PTSD ( < 0.001), PTSD avoidance ( < 0.001), PTSD hyperarousal ( < 0.001), and DSO dysregulation ( < 0.001) were found between the cPTSD-positive and cPTSD-negative groups. A statistically significant association between the presence of cPTSD and total scores on the HAM-A ( < 0.001) and CDS ( < 0.001) scales was found using regression analysis.
CONCLUSIONS
This study highlights the potential link between dissociative symptoms and a more severe clinical course of anxiety-related conditions in patients with PD. Early intervention programs and prevention strategies are needed.
PubMed: 38540469
DOI: 10.3390/bs14030166 -
Frontiers in Psychiatry 2024Traumatic experiences are a significant risk factor for psychological disturbances, including disorders such as complex posttraumatic stress disorder, emotion-processing...
OBJECTIVE
Traumatic experiences are a significant risk factor for psychological disturbances, including disorders such as complex posttraumatic stress disorder, emotion-processing problems, and trauma-related dissociative experiences. The present investigation examined the coexistence of these symptoms using a network analysis model.
METHOD
This study included a sample of 406 people referred to comprehensive health centers in Tehran from September to December 2023 with psychopathological syndromes. Variables were assessed using The International Trauma Questionnaire, International Measurement of Exposure to Traumatic Event checklist, Baker Emotional Processing Questionnaire, and Dissociative Experiences. A regularized partial correlation network and Glasso algorithm, in combination with Extended Bayesian information criteria, were applied to estimate the network structure.
RESULTS
Signs of unprocessed emotions and disturbance in self-organization symptoms were the most important symptoms in the symptom network, forming strong connections with other nodes. Thereby, these two symptoms can be regarded as the most important clinical manifestations in the symptom network following traumatic experiences. Three distinct symptom communities were identified: the community of traumatic experiences (childhood, adolescence, adulthood), the community of dissociative experiences (amnesia, depersonalization/derealization, and absorption), and the community of emotional processing (suppression, unpleasant emotional experience, Signs of unprocessed emotions, avoidance, and emotional control, posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms and disturbance in self-organization symptoms). The strongest edges observed were between childhood trauma-adolescence trauma (0.473) in the community of traumatic experiences, between amnesia and depersonalization/derealization (0.644) in the community of dissociative experiences, and between disturbance in self-organization symptoms and unprocessed emotions (0.324) in the community of emotional processing, indicating the recurrent occurrence of these symptoms.
CONCLUSION
In this study, disturbance in self-organization symptoms was identified as the central psychopathologic symptom in individuals experiencing traumas at different developmental stages. It seems that adolescent trauma and not childhood trauma plays a more decisive role in the symptoms that a person manifests after traumatic experiences. Also, posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms and disturbance in self-organization symptoms were recognized in the cluster of emotional processing symptoms and can have substantial roles in prioritizing therapeutic measures.
PubMed: 38532985
DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1372620 -
Cureus Mar 2024Sleep is one of the most important activities for health and the processes related to the central nervous system. Healthcare workers commonly present alterations in the...
INTRODUCTION
Sleep is one of the most important activities for health and the processes related to the central nervous system. Healthcare workers commonly present alterations in the sleep-wake cycle due to complex work schedules because 24-hour attention to the population is required in public health institutions. The increase in care needs caused by the COVID-19 pandemic caused changes in work schedules; as in Mexico, the number of patients requiring consultation in all public health units increased. Chronic partial sleep deprivation (< 7 hours of sleep in the 24-hour cycle) is the most frequent sleep alteration in Mexican health workers. However, it has not been explored whether work modifications due to the pandemic had an impact on the sleep quality of workers.
OBJECTIVE
We aimed to describe the prevalence of poor sleep quality and the associated factors in workers (clinical and non-clinical) of a primary care medical unit.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
We conducted an analytical and cross-sectional study during November and December 2022. We used the following tools for studying clinical and non-clinical staff working at a family medicine primary care unit: Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Hamilton Anxiety Scale, Beck Depression Inventory, Maslach Burnout Inventory, and Graffar-Méndez-Castellanos socioeconomic level scale, as well as a data collection sheet and a survey of workers' knowledge, attitudes, fears, and needs regarding COVID-19.
RESULTS
A total of 233 workers were surveyed. The prevalence of poor sleep quality was 56.7%. A higher score on the Beck Depression Inventory (OR: 1.21, CI 95%: 1.13-1.29), being a doctor (OR: 3.48, CI 95%: 1.5-8.01), and frequent alcohol consumption (OR: 2.4, CI 95%: 1.13-5.2) were identified as risk factors for poor sleep quality. A lower score in the depersonalization dimension of the Maslach Burnout Inventory (OR: 0.5, CI 95%: 0.26-0.99) was identified as a protective factor for poor sleep quality.
CONCLUSIONS
During the pandemic, the stress of health workers increased due to work alterations that were necessary to treat the greatest number of patients, so their quality of sleep decreased. Unfortunately, the mental health of healthcare workers is often under-assessed in many institutions. Thus, it is relevant to identify risk factors for alterations (especially those of sleep), since by identifying the target population, comprehensive interventions can be carried out, which can reduce the prevalence of burnout, anxiety, and depression, but if not addressed, the alterations can lead to inadequate care for users of health units.
PubMed: 38510518
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.56502 -
European Journal of Psychotraumatology 2024The current study aimed to investigate the within-day symptom dynamics in PTSD patients, specifically focusing on symptoms that most predict changes in other symptoms....
The current study aimed to investigate the within-day symptom dynamics in PTSD patients, specifically focusing on symptoms that most predict changes in other symptoms. The study included a baseline diagnostic assessment, followed by an assessment using the experience sampling method (ESM) via a smartphone. Participants answered questions related to their PTSD symptoms four times per day for 15 consecutive days (compliance rate 75%). The clinical sample consisted of 48 treatment-seeking individuals: 44 with PTSD as a primary diagnosis, and four patients with subsyndromal PTSD, all of whom had not yet begun trauma-focused treatment. The ESM assessment included the 20 items from the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5, five items from the International Trauma Questionnaire (ITQ) assessing disturbances in relationships and functional impairment, and two items from the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5 assessing symptoms of depersonalization and derealization. Temporal networks (prospective associations between symptoms) showed that changes in predicted changes in the greatest number of symptoms at the next time point. Furthermore, showed temporal connections with at least one additional symptom from each of the DSM-5 PTSD symptom clusters. Results show that the contemporaneous network (representing the relationship between given symptoms within the same assessment occasion) and the temporal network (representing prospective associations between symptoms) differ and that it is important to estimate both. Some findings from earlier research are replicated, but heterogeneity across studies remains. Future studies should include potential moderators.
Topics: Humans; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic; Anxiety; Checklist; Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; Ecological Momentary Assessment
PubMed: 38506735
DOI: 10.1080/20008066.2024.2317675