Introduction According to recent reports Covid-19 patients may exhibit psychiatric co-morbidities that cause dysfunction, loss of autonomy and emotional suffering even after the physical illness is treated. Considering the high impact Covid-19 may have on mental health, we have created a psychiatric consultation dedicated to the study, observation and support of patients that developed mental illness after being hospitalized due to Covid-19. Objectives We aim at 1) describe the profile of patients that developed psychiatric comorbidities following a hospitalization due to Covid-19 and 2) recognize and treat early psychiatric symptoms in Covid-19 patients. Methods Based on what was described in other epidemic crisis, we established a semi-structured interview to evaluate several dimensions of the patients’ life that may have been affected by Covid-19 and that may impact on mental health. The interview included the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21), the Impact of Event Scale – Revised (IES-R) and the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI). Each patient was observed multiple times over several months. Our evaluation was done in parallel with consultations in Internal Medicine. Results Most patients complained of symptoms directly related with the infection of SARS-CoV-2, namely fatigue, short breath and reduced tolerance to efforts. Importantly, many patients also reported de novo or aggravation of anxiety, stress, depression, sleep disturbances and grief often associated with feelings of existential emptiness and lack of purpose. Conclusions Hospitalization due to Covid-19 has a high impact on mental health, raising important questions on purpose and emptiness. An early psychiatric intervention is highly recommended. Disclosure No significant relationships.
Introduction Bulimia Nervosa (BN) is a debilitating eating disorder characterized by binging and purging episodes generally accompanied by excessive concern with body weight and shape as well as body image disturbance. BN and Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) may co-occur. In fact, studies estimate that one quarter to one third of patients with BN also meet criteria for BPD. However not much is known about the relationship between these two diseases. Nevertheless, the high comorbidity rate might not be surprising as both BN and BPD may share interacting aetiologies and common core symptoms such as impulsivity and emotional instability. So far, only very little is known about the clinical presentation of patients with both BN and BPD and their response to treatment. Objectives Literature review on BN and comorbid BPD. An illustrative clinical case is presented. Methods Case report and non-systematic review of the literature - sources obtained through search on Pubmed.gov database. Results Female, 19-year-old, student, lived with her mother and stepfather. Developed a poor relationship with her body image due to dental problems during high school. The patient started to binge eat, exhibit compensatory behaviors, restrictive eating pattern, body dissatisfaction and emotional instability while maintaining a normal BMI. Over the last year, she started a self-destructive behavior with slight improvement of BN symptoms. Conclusions Special attention should be given to patients suffering from BN and comorbid BPD as they present greater risk of recurrent suicide attempts and non-suicidal self-injury, as well as lower rates of remission. Early interventions that target impulsivity and problematic eating behavior may mitigate risk of future borderline personality features. Disclosure No significant relationships.
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a deterioration in the quality of life and, particularly, the mental health of university students. This situation highlights the need to offer coping programmes and preventive mental health measures. The effectiveness of self-care programmes designed to increase well-being in students has hardly been studied, although promising effects have been found in some studies in the work context (Gomez- Borges et al., 2022). In line with JD-R theory, we conceptualize and empirically examine two resources, self-care activities and Psychological Capital (PsyCap), as antecedents of academic engagement as a positive state of well-being or fulfilment. These personal resources, self-care and PsyCap, can play an important role in meeting demanding situations such as those encountered by students and, thus, contribute to their well-being. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to analyse the mediating role of PsyCap in the relationship between self-care and academic engagement. The participants were 397 university students from two Spanish universities (77.8% women; mean age 26.08 years). The data collection was carried out during the COVID-19 pandemic. We used structural equation modelling (SEM), and the results showed positive relationships between academic engagement and self-care, on the one hand, and PsyCap, on the other. However, the total mediation model obtained better fit and results, highlighting the mediating role of PsyCap. Based on the results, we discuss the importance of self-care activities for university students and, above all, programmes to develop personal resources such as PsyCap, in order to enhance their effect on academic engagement.
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