Iranian Journal of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
Volume:7 Issue: 2, Dec 2013

Restriction of free submission of Iranian manuscripts is not a new matter. However, the recent political decision of the USA Office of Foreign Assets Control of the Department of the Treasury saying who can and who cannot publish scientific papers in journals is completely against free distribution of data in scholarly and scientific communities and scientific journals and publications which requires discussions and challenges with the statutory authorities. Publishers’ mission requires bringing suit against this illogical and unethical decision. Science should not be involved in the political game of sanctions. Policies of governments and the origins of the manuscript, including the race, ethnicity, nationality, religion, and political belief of the authors should not affect the editorial decisions of scientific publications

Many health systems have traditionally adopted a view of mental disorders based on pathologies and the risk individuals have towards mental disorders. However, with this approach, mental disorders continue to cost billions a year for the healthcare system. This paper aimed to introduce and explore what the strengths-based approach is in the psychiatric arena. Strengths-based approach moves the focus away from deficits of people with mental illnesses (consumers) and focuses on the strengths and resources of the consumers. The paper also aligned the relevance of strength-based approach to mental health nursing and its contribution to mental health recovery.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of adjunctive topiramate in treating acute mania. In this study which was a double-blinded randomized clinical trial, 46 bipolar patients in manic episode, were treated with lithium carbonate and topiramate versus lithium carbonate and placebo and treatment responses were assessed by Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) weekly. In both intervention and control groups, YMRS score had significant decline after 8 weeks (p < 0.001), but there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups (p = 0.419). The highest score decline was after two weeks. YMRS score at baseline did not have statistically significant difference between the intervention and control groups (p = 0.709). This study failed to show antimanic efficacy of adjunctive topiramate in the treatment of those with acute manic

Psychiatric hospitalization of patients imposes heavy burdens on caregivers, but little is known about this issue in Iran. The present cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the risk factors associated with psychiatric hospitalization of patients with schizophrenia who were the regular clients for the educational programs of The Iranian Society for Supporting Individuals with Schizophrenia (ISSIS) in Tehran, Iran. 231 male and female study subjects and 231 of their caregivers participated in the study. The study subjects were independently assessed in demographics, clinical and symptom-related characteristics and basic life skills domains. Their caregivers were assessed in domains of knowledge on schizophrenia, burden, social support, family function, and the patterns of relationships with their patients and the role of health and supportive services. Data were analyzed by performing logistic regression model. Old age, low level of education, unemployment, greater severity of positive and negative symptoms, poor basic life skills among subjects, and objective family burden, inadequate knowledge on schizophrenia, low perceived social support and lack of medical insurance among caregivers were the most important factors associated with psychiatric hospitalization among the clients. Some factors originated in Iranian patients and their caregivers could cause patients’ pathways to psychiatric hospitalization. Although the study results did not establish causation, based on the findings, psychoeducational interventions may reduce schizophrenia referral and lower the rate of need to inpatient services in Iran.

The present study aimed to compare the effectiveness of metacognitive therapy (MCT) and cognitive-behavior therapy (CBT) in treating Iranian patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). Thirty three outpatients meeting DSM-IV-TR criteria for MDD without any other axis I and II disorders were randomly assigned to one of three treatment conditions, i.e. MCT, CBT and pharmacotherapy. The Beck Depression Inventory-II-Second Edition (BDI-II), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Ruminative Response Scale (RRS) and Dysfunctional Attitude Scale (DAS) were administered for pre-treatment, posttreatment and follow-up. Data were analyzed by repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA). Based on repeated measures ANOVA, all the participants demonstrated improvement in depression, anxiety, dysfunctional attitude and ruminative response. Based on percentage results, all the patients in MCT and CBT groups showed significant improvement at post-treatment phase. MCT and CBT were more effective than pharmacotherapy alone In treatment of MDD.

Cognitive factors are the important correlates of reading disorder and their impairments are established in children with reading disorder. Neurofeedback as an intervention has been reported to be useful in improvement of cognitive deficits. The present study aimed to determine the effectiveness of this treatment on attentiveness and working memory and related electroencephalographic (EEG) changes in children with reading disorder. In this single subject study, six children with reading disorder aged 8-10 years old completed twenty 30-minunt sessions of treatment. Continuous performance task, the digit span subscale of the 3rd edition of Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC-III) and quantitative electroencephalography were used to evaluate the changes at pre and post-treatment. The data were evaluated by visual inspection of the graph, the mean percentage improvement and signal detection measures. The results showed improvements in attention and working memory. Furthermore, EEG analysis did not show notable changes in the power of the targeted bands (delta, theta, and beta), rather the normalization of coherence was explicit in theta band at T3-T4, delta band at Cz-Fz, beta band at Cz-Fz, Cz-Pz and Cz-C4. These significant changes in coherence are possible indications of the connectivity between frontal and posterior association and integration between sensory and motor areas that explain the improvements in attention and working memory.

Thought-action fusion (TAF) refers to the tendency to assume incorrect causal relationship between one’s own thoughts and external reality, in which, thoughts and actions are treated as equivalents. This construct is present to development and maintenance of many psychological disorders. The aim of the present study was to predict obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and its types, and major depressive disorder (MDD) with TAF and its levels. Two groups, included 50 persons with OCD and MDD, respectively, were selected by convenience sampling method in private and governmental psychiatric centers in Ardabil, Iran. Then, they responded to Beck Depression Inventory, Padua Inventory and TAF scale. Data were analysed using multiple regressions analysis by stepwise method. TAF or its subtypes (moral TAF, likelihood-self TAF and likelihood-others TAF) can explain 14% of MDD variance (p < 0.01), 15% of OCD variance (p < 0.01), and 8-21% of OCD types variance (p < 0.05). Moral TAF had high levels in OCD and MDD. The construct of TAF is not specific factor for OCD, and it is present in MDD, too.

However, the nature and initial factors associated with this serious health problem have not been studied yet. To understand this issue, a cross-sectional study was conducted and sixty treatment and nontreatment seekers who met the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th ed., Text Revision (DSM.IV-TR) criteria for drug dependence with mean age of 28.7 (± 8.3) years were recruited from 16 addiction clinics and drop-in centers (DICs) in Karaj, Iran. First, demographics, and details of drug use and risky behaviors were collected based on items elicited from Addiction Severity Index (ASI). Then, initial factors associated with high purity heroin use were collected by interviewing and applying a researcher-made questionnaire. Data was statistically analyzed by descriptive methods of statistics, chi-square, and Student’s independent t-test in SPSS software. Initiation of high purity heroin use was facilitated by family/relatives factor (66.7%), curiosity (60.1%), peers (54%), desire to experience rapid physical effects of high purity heroin compared with other opioids (50.1%), and treatment of general medical problems such as colic pain (33%). Chi-square test showed that non-treatment seekers were younger (less than 35 years) (66.6% vs. 56%, p ≤ 0.001) and mostly living with drug-dependent friends (26% vs. 3.3%, p ≤ 0.001) compared with treatment seekers. No relation was found among other factors. Factors facilitating the initiation of high purity heroin use revealed in this study have not been fully addressed by current drug treatment services in Iran. To design comprehensive treatment programs, further studies on larger samples with more women are necessary.

The present study aimed to investigate the effects of spiritual well-being and family protective factors on the family strength in a propositional structural model. The research population consisted of all the married people of the Isfahan, Iran, in 2012 with preschool-aged children and in the first decade of marriage with at least eight grades of educational level. Three hundred and ninety five voluntary and unpaid participants were selected randomly through multi-stage sampling from seven regions of the city. The instruments used were the Spiritual Well-being Scale, Inventory of Family Protective Factors, and Family Strength Scale. Descriptive statistics and a structural equation modeling analytic approach were used. The analytic model predicted 82% of the variance of the family strength. The total effect of the spiritual well-being on the family strength was higher compared to the family protective factors. Furthermore, spiritual well-being predicted 43% of the distribution of the family protective factors and had indirect effect on the family strength through the family protective factors (p < 0.001). The results of this study confirmed the interrelationships among spiritual well-being and family protective factors, and their simultaneous effects on family strength. Family counselors may employ an integrated spiritual-religious/resilient perspective to inform their strength-based work with individuals and their families.

This study was performed to survey the relationship between coaches’ and athletes’ competitive anxiety, and their performance. This is a descriptive correlational study performed using a demographic questionnaire, an athletic performance checklist, and sport competition anxiety test designed by Martens consisting of 15 questions. The study population consisted of 540 players and 60 coaches from 60 futsal teams (5 main players, 4 reserves, and 1 coach for each team). All of the players and the coaches were surveyed in a census method and no sampling was done. The data were analyzed by SPSS software, using chi-square, and Pearson correlation coefficient test. The results showed a positive significant relationship between the coaches’ anxiety level and sport competition anxiety level in the athletes (p = 0.019, r = 0.56). It also showed that there was a negative significant relationship between the coaches’ anxiety level and performance level of the athletes (p = 0.012, r = -0.80). A negative significant relationship was also demonstrated between the athletes’ competitive anxiety level, and their athletic experiences (p < 0.001, r = -0.45) and age (p = 0.001, r = -0.37). Coaches and officials should consider sport competition anxiety among athletes before and during competitions. Formal and planned competitions, training sessions, and preparation practices can be a major factor assisting to decrease athletes'' anxiety.

This study has been done in order to evaluate the papers published in the «Iranian Journal of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences» from 2007 to 2010. A questionnaire was developed according to the design, evidence level, and recommendations to write scientific papers. Validity was achieved by consulting experts. Reliability was tested by re-evaluation of 7 randomly selected papers, one month after the first evaluation by Pearson correlation coefficient (r = 0. 8). Different parts of the paper, including title, abstract, introduction, materials and methods, results, discussion, and references, were evaluated by a total of 47 questions. Each required item was judged as: appropriate, partially appropriate, not appropriate, and not applicable. SPSS software was used for descriptive analysis. From spring 2007 to summer 2010, 7 issues with 72 papers were published. The most frequent problem in the title was that one could not understand the design of the research by reading it. In the abstract part, in 90% of papers, time and setting of research were not mentioned. Statistical test was not mentioned in 70%, and reliability of the questionnaires was not mentioned in 70% of papers. The discussion part was the hardest part to judge and had few inappropriate issues, such as unnecessary repetition of introduction and/or results; in 20% of papers the conclusion was not appropriate based on the research design. The evaluated papers had strong points, yet more effort is needed for them to approach excellence.

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common mental disorder in adults that was under-diagnosed until recently. Due to probable consequences of ADHD such as occupational and educational dysfunctions and substance use, this disorder is becoming more and more of a concern. This study aimed to investigate ADHD symptoms among students of Zahedan University of medical sciences, Iran. This cross-sectional study was performed in Zahedan University of Medical Sciences from 2008 to 2009. Our sample included 1500 individuals who were chosen using simple sampling method. Considering the goal of the investigation, two questionnaires were distributed among students including demographic information form and the Conners'' Adult ADHD Rating Scales–Self Report (Screening Version, CAARS-S:SV). Data analysis was done using descriptive and analytical statistics in SPSS software. Out of 1500 questionnaires distributed among students, 913 were completed. 589 students (64.5%) were female and 324 (35.5%) were male. The Mean age of participants was 21.7 ± 3.2 years. ADHD symptoms were defined based on the Conner’s adult test. Based on CAARS-S: SV, inattention/memory, hyperactivity/restlessness, impulsiveness/emotional lability, and problems with self-concept subscale symptoms were found in 107 (11.7%), 109 (12%), 121 (13.2%), and 30 (3.3%) respondents, respectively. These findings were significantly higher than average. According to our results, it seems that the prevalence of ADHD is high among students. Thus, more screening is required in this population in order to diagnose and treat the disorder earlier and prevent its consequences, such as substance abuse.

Cotard’s syndrome is a rare psychiatric syndrome. Its core symptom is nihilistic ideation or delusion. Case Report: A female patient with Cotard’s syndrome symptoms associated with out of body experience and depersonalization, and complicated grief was referred for evaluation. She believed that she was killed by a creature named «Aal» in the Persian folklore Cultural and superstitious beliefs could affect the forming of the complex constellation of the patient’s symptoms including Cotard’s syndrome symptoms. The resolution of symptoms might be achieved step by step.