IntroductionMajor depressive disorder is a common mental disorder worldwide that has many clinical presentations and is associated with many diseases. The aim of this study is to assess the levels of depression among medical students in Saudi medical colleges.MethodsA cross-sectional study with a convenience sample conducted in Saudi medical colleges. Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) was used for screening and associated with sociodemographic characteristics.ResultsA total of 2,562 medical students from 20 universities were recruited into this study, and 1,572 (61.4%) of the participants were females and 990 (38.6%) were males. Depression symptoms are found to be associated with college years, living conditions and smoking status (P<0.05).ConclusionHigh levels of depression symptoms were found among Saudi medical students (83.4%). Students in the first years of college should be screened for depression, while education and support for medical students in these years are essential.

BackgroundX-linked ichthyosis is a dermatological condition caused by deficiency for the enzyme steroid sulfatase. Previously, X-linked ichthyosis/steroid sulfatase deficiency has been associated with developmental and neurological phenotypes. Here, we show for the first time, that X-linked ichthyosis may be comorbid with an additional psychiatric phenotype (psychosis).Case presentationWe report the case of an 11-year-old Saudi Arabian boy with X-linked ichthyosis associated with psychosis, mental retardation, autism spectrum disorder, inattentive attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and epilepsy. Genetic analysis revealed a 1.68 Mb deletion encompassing STS in 95% of cells while biochemical analysis revealed correspondingly low steroid sulfatase activity consistent with a diagnosis of X-linked ichthyosis. The psychotic symptoms could be reasonably well controlled by administration of an atypical antipsychotic.ConclusionsThis report describes a case of comorbid X-linked ichthyosis and psychosis (most closely corresponding to early-onset schizophrenia) for the first time, and suggests that deficiency for steroid sulfatase and contiguous genes may increase vulnerability to psychosis as well as other psychological disorders.

ObjectiveTo study the pattern of psychotropic medication use and compare this pattern between inpatient and outpatient psychiatric settings in Saudi Arabia.MethodThis cross-sectional observational study was conducted between July 2012 and June 2014 on patients seeking psychiatric advice at major hospitals in five main regions of Saudi Arabia. Male (n=651) and female (n=594) patients who signed the informed consent form and were currently or had been previously using psychotropic medications, irrespective of the patient’s type of psychiatric diagnosis and duration of the disease, were included. A total of 1,246 patients were found to be suitable in the inclusion criteria of whom 464 were inpatients while 782 were outpatients.ResultsSeveral studied demographic factors have shown that compared with outpatients, inpatients were more likely to be male (P=0.004), unmarried (P<0.001), have less number of children (1–3; P=0.002), unemployed (P=0.001), have a lower family income (<3,000 SR; P<0.001), live in rural communities (P<0.001), have a lower body mass index (P=0.001), and are smokers (P<0.001); however, there were no differences with regard to age or educational levels. The current frequency of use of psychotropic medications in overall patients was antipsychotics (76.6%), antidepressants (41.4%), mood stabilizers (27.9%), and antianxiety (6.2%). However, compared to outpatients, the current use of medications for inpatients was more frequent (93.8% vs 89.9%, P=0.019) with inpatients more likely to be treated with multiple medications (2.1 vs 1.8 medications). A similar trend was observed in the case of antipsychotics, high potency first-generation antipsychotics, second-generation antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, and antianxiety medicines where inpatients were more frequently treated with these medications for all psychiatric diagnoses when compared with outpatients. On the contrary, in the case of antidepressant treatment, an opposite trend was observed with more number of treated outpatients in comparison to inpatients. Among elderly patients, 75.9% received antipsychotics, mainly second-generation formulations (67.2%), whereas only 41% received antidepressants and 13.8% received mood stabilizers.ConclusionBased upon the present study data, it is concluded that among all the psychotropic medications, antipsychotics were heavily used and the frequency was found to be significantly high in the case of inpatients compared with outpatients. Such a practice may lead to multiple negative consequences among the Saudi psychiatric patient population. Further, extensive use of sodium valproate in the case of bipolar disorder, and also among females either in childbearing age or during pregnancy is also the cause of concern and warrants logical use. Overall, this study may help in assessing the burden of psychiatric illness within specific patient demographics and might be effectively used to strategically plan health resources allocation, generate new treatment hypothesis, or be used as a source of evidence that could f...

Background: The current study aims to know the prevalence, effects and types of bullying at primary schools of Riyadh city for both male and female. Methods: Male and female students at primary schools in Riyadh city are targeted using Crosssectional study method. 517 students are included in this study 55.3% are female and 44.7% are male. Riyadh primary schools were divided into five groups according to geographic region North, South, East, West and Middle. The surveys were conducted after the approval of school's principals. In order to get an accurate response, the survey was distributed to student in classrooms in papers. Results: 517 students participated in the study. Out of four regions the proportion from the Southern region were the highest at 187 (36.2%). The levels of bullying and victimization was low. Compared to female students, male students showed statistically significant higher bullying and victimization rates. Compared to the five regions in Riyadh city the bullying and victimization rate is highest in the Eastern region, and lower in the southern region. Conclusion: The study shows that the levels of bullying and victimization at Riyadh's primary schools was low. Furthermore, research studies about bullying and victimization prevalence rates are not enough and need more researches to improve the intervention and prevent the side effect of it. Background Bullying is known as aggressive behavior or acting in a way that brings intentional harm that when repeated over time includes an imbalance of power [1]. It can be categorizing into two groups, either direct or indirect. Direct bullying can be verbal (e.g. name-calling and threats) or physical (e.g. hitting and kicking). On the other hand, indirect bullying can be e.g. social exclusion or spreading rumors [2]. Effects of bullying have been associated with the victim not attending school [3] which could cause problems with achievements in their studies [4]. Bullying also could be associated with mental health problems [5-8] such as suicidal behavior and depression. The prevalence of bullying behavior varies across the country partly due to differences in the definition, age, gender, study design, and sample [9]. Bullying victims tend to suffer from anxiety and depression more than children who are not victimized

Background The current study aims to know the prevalence, effects and types of bullying at primary schools of Riyadh city for both male and female. Methods Male and female students at primary schools in Riyadh city are targeted using Cross-sectional study method. 517 students are included in this study 55.3% are female and 44.7% are male. Riyadh primary schools were divided into five groups according to geographic region North, South, East, West and Middle. The surveys were conducted after the approval of school's principals. In order to get an accurate response, the survey was distributed to student in classrooms in papers. Results 517 students participated in the study. Out of four regions the proportion from the Southern region were the highest at 187 (36.2%). The levels of bullying and victimization was low. Compared to female students, male students showed statistically significant higher bullying and victimization rates. Compared to the five regions in Riyadh city the bullying and victimization rate is highest in the Eastern region, and lower in the southern region. Conclusion The study shows that the levels of bullying and victimization at Riyadh's primary schools was low. Furthermore, research studies about bullying and victimization prevalence rates are not enough and need more researches to improve the intervention and prevent the side effect of it.

Introduction: Depression prevalence is increasing worldwide, and so are Astrology, tarot cards, and psychics readings practices, as most people who seek pseudoscience practices tend to seek an answer to life issues that they suffer from, such as relationships, or financial issues for example. Aim: This study aimed to find the correlation between pseudoscience practices and depression among pseudoscience believers in Saudi Arabia. Subjects and methods: This is a cross-sectional study conducted among the Saudi population who believe in pseudoscience. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed electronically using social media platforms, which adhere to the tenets of the Declaration of Helsinki 2013. The questionnaire was composed of socio-demographic variables, psychic-related practices, and depression questionnaires using Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). Results: Of the 409 pseudoscience believers, 41.8% were aged between 26 – 35 years old with females being dominant (94.5%). The most prominent practice of reading was the Zodiac (81.3%). The prevalence of depression among pseudoscience believers was 36.3%. In univariate analysis, depression was significantly associated with the younger age group (p<0.001), less educated participants (p=0.028), being single (p<0.001), student (p=0.001), and practicing Zodiac (p=0.014). In a multivariate regression model, Zodiac practice reading was determined as the sole independent significant predictor of increased depression rates. Conclusion: There was a high prevalence of depression among pseudoscience believers. Increased depression was demonstrated more frequently by younger believers who were still single, less educated, and who were currently engaged in Zodiac reading practices. More research is needed to shed more light on the effect of pseudoscience on the mental health condition of its believers. Keywords: Pseudoscience, psychic reading, depression, astrology

Background: The current study aims to know the prevalence, effects and types of bullying at primary schools of Riyadh city for both male and female.Methods: Male and female students at primary schools in Riyadh city are targeted using Cross-sectional study method. 517 students are included in this study 55.3% are female and 44.7% are male. Riyadh primary schools were divided into five groups according to geographic region North, South, East, West and Middle. The surveys were conducted after the approval of school's principals. In order to get an accurate response, the survey was distributed to student in classrooms in papers.Results: 517 students participated in the study. Out of four regions the proportion from the Southern region were the highest at 187 (36.2%). The levels of bullying and victimization was low. Compared to female students, male students showed statistically significant higher bullying and victimization rates. Compared to the five regions in Riyadh city the bullying and victimization rate is highest in the Eastern region, and lower in the southern region.Conclusion: The study shows that the levels of bullying and victimization at Riyadh's primary schools was low. Furthermore, research studies about bullying and victimization prevalence rates are not enough and need more researches to improve the intervention and prevent the side effect of it.