Avicenna Journal of Neuro Psycho Physiology
Volume:9 Issue: 4, Nov 2022

Domestic violence against women is a major physical and mental health problem all across the globe. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the prevalence of domestic violence in pregnancy, as well as its correlation with sociodemographic and psychological characteristics.

This cross-sectional study was conducted on 360 pregnant women who were referred to the health care centers of Hamedan in 2022. Data were collected through a questionnaire that consisted of three parts: sociodemographic characteristics, psychological characteristics, and the questionnaire on domestic violence (Revised Conflict Tactics Scales OR CTS2). Data analysis was performed in SPSS software (version 20) using descriptive statistics, t-test, and Chi-square.

The overall Prevalence of domestic violence during pregnancy was 58.6%. The prevalence rates of emotional, sexual, and physical violence were obtained at 46.8%, 31.6%, and 27.7%, respectively. The level of education, occupation, wealth index, as well as alcohol and drug abuse, had a significant relationship with domestic violence (P<0.001). Domestic violence was significantly correlated with unplanned pregnancies (P<0.001), self-esteem (P<0.004), stress (P<0.001), social support (P<0.001), and prenatal depression (P<0.001).

The results of this study pointed to a relatively high prevalence of domestic violence during pregnancy. Therefore, it is suggested that all prenatal care centers have a screening program to identify domestic violence. Moreover, it is recommended to educate health professionals and women at risk and implement support programs for injured women.

The results of many studies have shown that depression can cause weakened cellular immune control, decreased antibody response to some vaccines, and the development and exacerbation of numerous medical disorders, including viral disease. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the severity of COVID-19 disease and depression.

In this cross-sectional multicenter study, conducted between February 2021 and March 2021, patients were randomly selected at the time of positive results of reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction for COVID-19, and called to assess for a history of depression within the previous two weeks using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). Afterward, 14 days later, they were asked about the COVID-19 infection course.

The number of days a patient had a fever, decreased sense of smell or taste, and other symptoms were higher in depressed than in non-depressed individuals (P<0.05). Patients with COVID-19 symptoms (fever and decreased smell or taste) and consequences (hospitalized and intubated) had higher PHQ-9 scores than patients without these symptoms (P<0.05). Moreover, 46.2% of depressed and 18.5% of non-depressed patients reported complications of the disease (including renal, gastrointestinal, vascular, neurological, and skin complications), which was statistically significant (p-value exact test:0.026).

There was a significant relationship between depression and the duration and severity of COVID-19. This preliminary study suggested that baseline depression had adverse effects on the seriousness of COVID-19 disease. More studies with substantial evidence are needed to confirm the causality effect

Depression is a prevalent mental disorder that reduces the quality of life. It is associated with various psychological, behavioral, and physiological symptoms. A combination of genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors could be traced in depression etiology. Depression affects various parts of the brain, becoming hypoactive and/or hyperactive. Various functions are impaired in depression due to the deregulated secretion of brain neurotransmitters, hormones, and growth factors. Moreover, it leads to immune system dysfunction and structural brain alterations. Therefore, administering proper and effective treatment for depression requires comprehensive knowledge of its underlying causes. All in all, the overview of the role of different brain areas and some of their influencing factors could be beneficial for the treatment of depression.

Studies have shown that polycystic ovary (PCO) may be induced by morphine and CA1 may be damaged by PCO-related oxidative stress but can be protected by a potent GABAB receptor agonist. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the protective effect of baclofen against oxidative stress in the dorsal hippocampus (DH) of morphine-treated rats with ovarian cysts.

 In total, 66 female Wistar rats were selected and randomly divided into control and experimental groups. The control group received saline (1 ml/kg, intraperitoneally [i.p.], once a day). Experimental groups were treated with morphine (5 mg/kg, i.p.), baclofen alone (10-30 mg/kg, i.p.), and baclofen (10, 20, 30 mg/kg, i.p.) before morphine (5 mg/kg, i.p.), once daily. One group received morphine (0.4 µg/rat) once in the ventromedial hypothalamus, and the last ovariectomized group was administered morphine (5 mg/kg, i.p.) after recovery. Then blood and hippocampus samples were prepared. Moreover, the levels of oxidative stress factors (GPX, MDA, SOD, and CAT), and the intensity of estrogen and glucocorticoid receptors in DH were evaluated. Ovaries and the uterus were also examined biometrically.

In the morphine-treated groups, regardless of the injection method, the development of follicles was rare, compared to the control group, instead, thick-walled follicular cysts were abundant. However, in the groups that received baclofen alone or baclofen together with morphine, the number of cysts decreased and the number of mature follicles increased significantly. Oxidative agents showed high levels in the DH of the morphine-treated group, which correlated with low estrogen receptors in DH. However, baclofen pretreatment improved these conditions. Besides, glucocorticoid receptors in DH did not show significant differences in different groups, and necrosis in the CA1 area was not observed either in the morphine-receiving group or in the other groups. The uterus did not show significant changes in any group.

Prophylactic use of baclofen can protect against morphine side effects.

 Narcissism is a personality disorder that is conceptualized as the excessive love of self and appears as a great feeling of self, more merit, and superiority. This study aimed to evaluate the prediction of depression with emotional intelligence and critical thinking in people with a narcissistic personality disorder.

 The statistical population in this descriptive-correlational study included all people with narcissistic personality disorder who were referred to Nik Amal Psychiatric Clinic, Tehran, Iran, in 2022. In total, 130 people were selected using the available sampling method. Ames' narcissistic personality questionnaires, Beck Depression Inventory, Schering Emotional Intelligence Test, and California Critical Thinking Skills Test were administered to collect data. Data analysis was performed using correlational and multivariate regression tests in SPSS software (version 23).

 The results showed that emotional intelligence and critical thinking were negatively and significantly associated with depression (P<0.01). Emotional intelligence (62%) and critical thinking (45%) explained the variance in depression scores of people with a narcissistic personality disorder.

 To reduce the problem of depression in people with narcissistic personality disorder, it is recommended to increase emotional intelligence and critical thinking

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) respiratory manifestations range from mild signs to respiratory failure. Nevertheless, Coronavirus is not limited to the respiratory system and affects other organs, including the central nervous system. In this study, we reported a case of COVID-19 associated with the first episode of psychotic symptoms.

The patient was a 39-year man who was brought to the emergency ward with loss of consciousness, following opioid overdose. He was intubated for airway protection. After the naloxone infusion, he became alert. The brain CT scan was normal, but the findings of the chest CT scan were compatible with COVID-19 involvement. In addition, his throat swab sample was positive. On the second day, he stated that he heard strange voices talking to each other, but he could not figure out where those voices were coming from. He did not experience hallucinations in any other sensory modalities. On the third day, three episodes of generalized tonic colonic seizures suddenly emerged. The brain CT scan demonstrated bilateral parieto-occipital hypoattenuation, which extended to the frontal lobes. Cortical hemorrhage was also seen in the right parietal lobe.

Implications for Practice: 

The evidence indicates the neuroinvasive potential of COVID-19. Therefore, psychiatric symptoms are a novel phenomenon related to this disease. Clinicians should consider psychiatric representations in COVID-19 patients in order to decrease the complication of this disease.