Article
Psychiatry
Justin P. Dube, Martin M. Smith, Simon B. Sherry, Paul L. Hewitt, Sherry H. Stewart
Summary: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to increased rates of suicide ideation, suicide attempts, and self-harm, with younger people, women, and individuals from democratic countries being the most susceptible. Strong government protections and best practices in suicide prevention are urgently needed to reduce suicide behaviors during the pandemic.
PSYCHIATRY RESEARCH
(2021)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Fernando Jose Guedes da Silva Junior, Priscilla Ingrid Gomes Miranda, Jaqueline Carvalho E. Silva Sales, Adriana da Cunha Menezes Parente, Claudete Ferreira de Souza Monteiro, Ana Paula Cardoso Costa, Luana Ruth Braga Campos, Larissa Alves de Araujo Lima, Aline Raquel de Sousa Ibiapina, Sandra Cristina Pillon, Angelica Martins de Souza Goncalves, Chrystiany Placido de Brito Vieira, Francisca Tereza de Galiza
Summary: There is a lack of systematic review on factors associated with suicidal behavior in adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aims to critically synthesize the scientific evidence in this area.
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Mohammed A. Mamun, Firoj al Mamun, Ismail Hosen, Mahmudul Hasan, Abidur Rahman, Ahsanul Mahbub Jubayar, Zeba Maliha, Abu Hasnat Abdullah, Md Abedin Sarker, Humayun Kabir, Avijit Sarker Jyoti, Mark Mohan Kaggwa, Md Tajuddin Sikder
Summary: During the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, a study in Bangladesh found that a portion of young adults had suicidal thoughts, with those engaging in unhealthy behaviors, having poor health conditions, facing higher COVID-19 risks, fearing COVID-19 infection, and experiencing depression and anxiety being more likely to have suicidal thoughts. The final predictive model explained a 17.1% variance in suicidality, highlighting the importance of addressing mental health issues during the pandemic.
RISK MANAGEMENT AND HEALTHCARE POLICY
(2021)
Review
Psychiatry
Sarah Steeg, Ann John, David J. Gunnell, Nav Kapur, Dana Dekel, Lena Schmidt, Duleeka Knipe, Ella Arensman, Keith Hawton, Julian P. T. Higgins, Emily Eyles, Catherine Macleod-Hall, Luke A. McGuiness, Roger T. Webb
Summary: Evidence suggests sustained reductions in self-harm presentations during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially in the first half of 2021. However, there is a lack of evidence from low- and middle-income countries. It is concerning that there has been an increase in self-harm presentations among adolescents, particularly girls, in 2021. Findings may reflect changes in help-seeking behaviors, utilization of alternative sources of support, and varying effects of the pandemic across different groups.
BRITISH JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Hirokazu Tachikawa, Midori Matsushima, Haruhiko Midorikawa, Miyuki Aiba, Ryo Okubo, Takahiro Tabuchi
Summary: This study aims to reveal the relationship between loneliness and suicidal ideation following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The data of 6436 men and 5380 women in Japan were analyzed. The results showed that individuals who felt lonely had a higher risk of suicidal ideation, and this relationship remained even after adjusting for depression.
Article
Psychiatry
Euan Neil Paterson, Lisa Kent, Dermot O'Reilly, Denise O'Hagan, Siobhan M. O'Neill, Aideen Maguire
Summary: This study examines the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and associated lockdowns on self-harm and suicidal behavior. The findings indicate a significant decrease in self-harm and suicidal ideation at the beginning of the pandemic, followed by a return to expected levels, except for an increase among children under 16 years old.
BRITISH JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY
(2023)
Article
Psychiatry
Laurent Getaz, Hans Wolff, Diane Golay, Patrick Heller, Stephanie Baggio
Summary: Studies show a significant increase in suicide attempts in prisons during the pandemic, highlighting the need for protective measures for this vulnerable population, including mitigation strategies, access to mental health care, and vaccination.
PSYCHIATRY RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Alessio Simonetti, Evelina Bernardi, Delfina Janiri, Marianna Mazza, Silvia Montanari, Antonello Catinari, Beatrice Terenzi, Matteo Tosato, Vincenzo Galluzzo, Francesca Ciciarello, Francesco Landi, Gabriele Sani
Summary: Post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 include neuropsychiatric disorders, and there is a link between post-COVID-19 syndrome and suicidality. Individuals with persistent post-COVID-19 syndrome have a higher risk of suicide, accompanied by physical complaints, psychiatric history, and anxiety. Treatment for physical complaints and psychotherapy may reduce the risk of suicide.
JOURNAL OF PERSONALIZED MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Psychiatry
Naaheed Mukadam, Andrew Sommerlad, Jessica Wright, Abigail Smith, Aleksandra Szczap, Solomis Solomou, Rohan Bhome, Roshan Thayalan, Esha Abrol, Golnar Aref-Adib, Lucy Maconick, Dominic Aubrey-Jones, Senem Tugrul, Melanie Knowles, Helen Menys, Shivanthi Sathanandan, Sarah Moslehi, Jonathan Huntley, Kathy Liu, Juan Carlos Bazo-Alvarez
Summary: The UK lockdown led to a decrease in psychiatric presentations, but those who sought help had more severe symptoms, were more likely to be detained under the Mental Health Act, and were more likely to be admitted to hospital. Services need to ensure care for these patients and plan for future waves of COVID-19.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Ann John, Sze Chim Lee, Susan Solomon, David Crepaz-Keay, Shari McDaid, Alec Morton, Gavin Davidson, Tine Van Bortel, Antonis A. Kousoulis
Summary: The study found that during the COVID-19 pandemic, young people, females, students, unemployed individuals, and those with pre-existing mental health conditions were more likely to report feeling lonely and not coping well. Suicidal thoughts and self-harm were associated with loneliness, poor coping, and pre-existing mental health conditions among young adults. Developing interventions to address loneliness and promote coping strategies during prolonged social isolation may help mitigate mental health issues related to the pandemic.
Review
Psychiatry
Callum Shields, Jack Bernard, Omer Idris Mirza, David Reeves, Adrian Wells, Anthony Heagerty
Summary: This study compared deliberate self-harm presentations in the emergency department of Manchester Royal Infirmary in 2018, 2019 and 2020, showing a significant increase in self-harm admissions during the lockdown period. There was a higher proportion of male admissions compared to females in 2020, and a decrease in cases relating to paracetamol overdose.
FRONTIERS IN PSYCHIATRY
(2021)
Article
Education & Educational Research
Dana Lassri
Summary: This study used a person-centered approach to identify two distinct profiles among Israeli teaching staff during the fourth wave of COVID-19: a risk group (55%) and a resilience group (45%). Despite the significant demands and stress, many teachers showed good mental health. The two groups did not differ in COVID-19-related stress outcomes, but they consistently differed in their psychological reaction to COVID-19 (psychopathology, compassion fatigue, and compassion satisfaction).
TEACHING AND TEACHER EDUCATION
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Na Min Kim, Young Woo Seo, Sang Gyu Kwak
Summary: This study analyzed the data on emergency medical service (EMS) requests in Daegu Metropolitan City, Korea and found an increase in self-harm and suicide attempts during the COVID-19 pandemic, with a particular increase in female patients. The study also identified changes in the methods and reasons for self-harm and suicide, as well as an increase in patients with psychiatric history and other chronic illnesses. These findings highlight the need for medical support and measures for mental health and emergency medical systems, especially for vulnerable groups.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Xue-Yan Zheng, Si-Li Tang, Shu-Li Ma, Wei-Jie Guan, Xiaojun Xu, Haofeng Xu, Ying-Shan Xu, Yan-Jun Xu, Li-Feng Lin
Summary: The mortality rate of all-cause injury, transport injury, and drowning decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic in Guangdong province. However, there were noticeable increases in mortality rates associated with falls, fire/heat/hot substance injuries, and self-harm, particularly in specific age groups, indicating the need for targeted control and prevention measures for at-risk populations.
Article
Psychiatry
Mahima Panigrahi, Jigyansa Ipsita Pattnaik, Susanta Kumar Padhy, Vikas Menon, Suravi Patra, Kumari Rina, Subhransu Sekhar Padhy, Binod Patro
Summary: The analysis of COVID-19 related suicides (CRS) found that males, those whose COVID status was unknown, and individuals in quarantine/isolation were more frequently affected, providing valuable information for identifying at-risk individuals for COVID-19 related suicidal behavior.
ASIAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY
(2021)
Review
Psychology, Developmental
Ines Muerner-Lavanchy, Michael Kaess, Julian Koenig
Summary: There are various diagnostic instruments available for assessing DMDD, with good reliability. However, there is a lack of reporting on psychometric properties. Further research and refinement of recently developed DMDD interviews are needed to establish the validity of the diagnosis.
EUROPEAN CHILD & ADOLESCENT PSYCHIATRY
(2023)
Article
Psychology, Developmental
Julian Koenig, Elisabeth Kohls, Markus Moessner, Sophia Lustig, Stephanie Bauer, Katja Becker, Rainer Thomasius, Heike Eschenbeck, Silke Diestelkamp, Vera Gille, Alisa Hiery, Christine Rummel-Kluge, Michael Kaess
Summary: Based on a study in Germany, the first school-closing during the COVID-19 pandemic did not have an immediate and severe impact on the mental health and well-being of adolescents. Suicide plans and conduct problems decreased during the lockdown, and the influence of socioeconomic status on mental health also decreased. However, the study's scope was limited and long-term consequences cannot be ruled out.
EUROPEAN CHILD & ADOLESCENT PSYCHIATRY
(2023)
Article
Psychology, Developmental
Daniel Graf, Stefan Lerch, Ulrich Boehnke, Corinna Reichl, Jochen Kindler, Julian Koenig, Michael Kaess
Summary: Home treatment can be an effective alternative to inpatient treatment for children and adolescents with acute mental disorders. A pilot project in Switzerland showed that home treatment resulted in significant improvements in psychopathological burden, comparable to inpatient treatment.
EUROPEAN CHILD & ADOLESCENT PSYCHIATRY
(2023)
Article
Psychology, Developmental
Sophia Lustig, Michael Kaess, Nina Schnyder, Chantal Michel, Romuald Brunner, Alexandra Tubiana, Jean-Pierre Kahn, Marco Sarchiapone, Christina W. Hoven, Shira Barzilay, Alan Apter, Judit Balazs, Julio Bobes, Pilar Alejandra Saiz, Doina Cozman, Padraig Cotter, Agnes Kereszteny, Tina Podlogar, Vita Postuvan, Airi Varnik, Franz Resch, Vladimir Carli, Danuta Wasserman
Summary: Early detection and intervention can help prevent mental disorders and risk behaviors among adolescents, but many of them do not seek help. School-based screenings are a promising approach to identify at-risk adolescents and encourage help-seeking behavior. However, this study found that the intervention called ProfScreen did not significantly improve the use of mental health services or reduce the at-risk state among participants compared to the control group.
EUROPEAN CHILD & ADOLESCENT PSYCHIATRY
(2023)
Article
Psychology, Developmental
C. Michel, S. Lerch, J. R. Buetiger, R. Flueckiger, M. Cavelti, J. Koenig, M. Kaess, J. Kindler
Summary: Among individuals with clinical high risk for psychosis, children/adolescents show more frequent but less stable perceptive symptoms compared to adults. Ecological momentary assessment (EMA) can be used to explore real-time experiences of these symptoms. This study found that perceptive symptoms were more frequently reported but less stable in children/adolescents based on EMA.
EUROPEAN CHILD & ADOLESCENT PSYCHIATRY
(2023)
Article
Psychiatry
Fanny Carina Ossa, Vanessa Jantzer, Franziska Neumayer, Lena Eppelmann, Franz Resch, Michael Kaess
Summary: This study examines the associations between cyberbullying and mental health problems, risk-taking, and self-harm behavior. It finds that cyberbullying has unique associations compared to school bullying and adds an additional burden for students already involved in school bullying.
Article
Psychology, Clinical
Leonie Fleck, Anna Fuchs, Eva Moehler, Katharina Williams, Julian Koenig, Franz Resch, Michael Kaess
Summary: Research has shown that borderline personality disorder (BPD) can be diagnosed in adolescence. However, there is limited understanding of BPD traits in school-age children and how they compare to those seen in adolescents. This study compared the prevalence of BPD traits in 14-year-old adolescents and 9-year-old children, finding no significant differences between the two groups. BPD traits were associated with comorbidity, emotional and behavioral problems, and lower quality of life in both cohorts, but showed weaker associations with the mother-child relationship in children compared to adolescents.
PERSONALITY DISORDERS-THEORY RESEARCH AND TREATMENT
(2023)
Letter
Neurosciences
Julian Koenig, Michael Kaess
AUTONOMIC NEUROSCIENCE-BASIC & CLINICAL
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Lorna Staines, Colm Healy, Paul Corcoran, Helen Keeley, Helen Coughlan, Elaine McMahon, Padraig Cotter, David Cotter, Ian Kelleher, Camilla Wasserman, Romuald Brunner, Michael Kaess, Marco Sarchiapone, Christina W. Hoven, Vladimir Carli, Danuta Wasserman, Mary Cannon
Summary: In this study, a secondary data analysis was conducted on a clustered-randomized control trial to investigate the effectiveness of school-based interventions in reducing and preventing psychotic experiences. The findings suggest that a screening and referral intervention significantly reduced the occurrence of psychotic experiences in adolescents. This study provides the first evidence for such school-based interventions.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Ines Murner-Lavanchy, Johannes Josi, Julian Koenig, Corinna Reichl, Romuald Brunner, Michael Kaess
Summary: This study investigated the relationship between treatment response and resting-state functional brain connectivity (RSFC) in adolescents engaging in non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI). The findings suggest that lower baseline RSFC is associated with better clinical outcomes, while both lower and higher baseline RSFC are associated with symptomatology and severity, independent of time and treatment.
JOURNAL OF AFFECTIVE DISORDERS
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Tania Moretta, Michael Kaess, Julian Koenig
Summary: Major depressive disorder (MDD) is associated with autonomic nervous system (ANS) dysfunction, characterized by decreased parasympathetic (PNS) and increased sympathetic (SNS) activity. This study aimed to assess the ANS activity in adolescents with MDD and found that patients with MDD showed decreased PNS activity, as indicated by reduced heart rate variability (HRV), while no significant differences were found in SNS activity between groups. The findings suggest that ANS dysfunction in adolescent MDD may be predominantly driven by decreased PNS activity.
JOURNAL OF NEURAL TRANSMISSION
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Christine Sigrist, Hannah Jakob, Christoph J. Beeretz, Stefanie J. Schmidt, Michael Kaess, Julian Koenig
Summary: Heart rate (HR) and vagally mediated heart rate variability (HRV) are distinct biomarkers of cardiac autonomic activity. Decreased HRV has been linked with impairments in stress and emotion regulation, which are also observed in individuals engaging in non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI). This study examined diurnal variations of HR and HRV in female adolescents with NSSI disorder and found altered patterns compared to healthy controls. The findings highlight the potential of diurnal rhythms of cardiac autonomic activity as objective indicators of disordered stress and emotion regulation in developmental psychopathology.
EUROPEAN ARCHIVES OF PSYCHIATRY AND CLINICAL NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Jasper Voeckel, Christine Sigrist, Michael Kaess, Julian Koenig
Summary: This study aimed to identify predictors of treatment non-response in female adolescents with depression. The results showed that greater symptom severity, higher frequency of self-injury, history of suicide attempts, and history of childhood trauma were consistently associated with treatment non-response. Only a lower number of siblings was robustly associated with treatment non-response based on self-reports.
JOURNAL OF AFFECTIVE DISORDERS
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Chiara E. G. Castiglione-Fontanellaz, Samira Schaufler, Salome Wild, Christoph Hamann, Michael Kaess, Leila Tarokh
Summary: Current evidence suggests that sleep is important for the physical and mental health of adolescents. Most studies have focused on the association between sleep duration/quality and health. Recent research has found that regularity in the timing of sleep also plays a role in well-being. This study investigated the variability of sleep and its relationship with depressive symptoms/mental health in adolescents. The results showed that regular sleep timing was associated with longer duration and higher quality sleep, and may be protective of adolescent mental health.
JOURNAL OF SLEEP RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Emilia L. Mielke, Julian Koenig, Sabine C. Herpertz, Sylvia Steinmann, Corinne Neukel, Pelin Kilavuz, Patrice van der Venne, Katja Bertsch, Michael Kaess
Summary: Interpersonal dysfunction is a core symptom of borderline personality disorder (BPD), and recent research suggests that low levels of oxytocin in plasma may be related to this disorder. This study examined plasma oxytocin levels in 131 female BPD patients, finding that they had reduced levels compared to non-BPD controls, and this was independent of age. Plasma oxytocin was also negatively associated with the number of BPD symptoms, and there was a mediating effect of adverse childhood experiences on the relationship between BPD symptoms and oxytocin levels.
PROGRESS IN NEURO-PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY & BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY
(2023)
