Journal of affective disorders
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Bipolar spectrum disorders (BSDs) are highly comorbid with anxiety, which is associated with an extended duration and exacerbation of depressive symptoms. Unfortunately, the underlying mechanisms are not known. This study examined the role of maladaptive cognitive styles in the co-occurrence of BSDs and anxiety disorders and prediction of depressive symptoms. ⋯ After taking into account initial levels of depressive and hypomanic/manic symptoms, we found that those with BSD/anxiety comorbidity experienced more severe depressive symptoms, but not more severe hypomanic/manic symptoms. Further, their more severe prospective depressive symptoms are explained by a perfectionistic cognitive style.
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Few studies have addressed the course and severity of maternal depression and its effects on child psychiatric disorders from a longitudinal perspective. This study aimed to identify longitudinal patterns of maternal depression and to evaluate whether distinct depression trajectories predict particular psychiatric disorders in offspring. ⋯ The study revealed an additive effect on child outcome of maternal depression over time. We identified a group of mothers with chronic and severe symptoms of depression throughout the first six years of the child life and for this group child psychiatric outcome was particularly compromised.
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Depression is one of the commonest neuropsychiatric disorders in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) and is associated with poor glycaemic control, vascular complications, a low quality of life and increased health care expenditure. Co-morbid DM and depression remains poorly identified and inadequately treated in sub-Saharan Africa. ⋯ Depression is highly prevalent among patients with DM in Uganda, and is associated with a number of adverse outcomes. A holistic approach that focuses on the depression management among patients with diabetes is recommended.
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The corpus callosum modulates interhemispheric communication and cognitive processes. It has been suggested that white matter abnormalities in the corpus callosum are related to the pathophysiology of major depressive disorder (MDD) and bipolar disorder (BD). The aim of this study was to examine microstructural abnormalities in callosal fibers separated by their connection to functional brain regions and determine the relationship of these abnormalities with cognitive function in MDD and BD. ⋯ Our results suggest that MDD and BD have similar microstructural abnormalities in anterior callosal fibers connecting bilateral frontal cortices, and these abnormalities may be related to impairment of working memory and attention in MDD.
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Forced disappearance is a frequent phenomenon in violent conflicts and regimes, yet little is known about unresolved grief processes as a possible outcome of the disappearance of a loved one. This study investigates prolonged grief disorder (PGD) and its risk factors in a sample of persons who lost a significant other to disappearance as compared with a sample of bereaved individuals, both groups having experienced displacement due to the armed conflict in Colombia. ⋯ Forced disappearance is related to prolonged grief reactions, particularly when those left behind maintain hope that the disappeared person is still alive.