No abstract

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disease that can negatively impact a person’s mental health, including depression and anxiety. The impact of social support on negative, stressful events can be analyzed in relation to different personality styles. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the impact of personality style, negative, stressful events, and social support on depression and the quality of life of MS patients. Methods: This observational, descriptive study utilized a regression analysis method. The study population consisted of all MS patients, who were members of the Zahedan MS Society in Zahedan, Iran, during the 2019 internship. The study sample included 101 patients who were selected through convenience sampling. These patients completed various scales, including the Personal Style Inventory (PSI), Beck’s Depression Inventory (BDI), Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36), Interpersonal Support Evaluation List (ISEL), and Life Events Schedule (LES). Results: Negative, stressful events accounted for 22% of the variance in the quality of life of sociotropic patients (P = 0.036), while social support explained 33% of the variance in quality of life (P = 0.008). Moreover, adverse stressful events within this group accounted for 33% of the variance in depression (P = 0.007). In contrast, social support accounted for 60% of the variance in depression (P < 0.001). In the group with autonomous personalities, it was found that negative, stressful events accounted for 22% of the variance in the quality of life (P = 0.014), while social support did not account for any variance in the quality of life (P = 0.204). Conclusions: Social support can moderate and protect individuals from negative, stressful events, particularly for those who are sociotropic or autonomous. However, the moderating effect was more significant in the sociotropic group than in the autonomous group.

Neurofeedback training is one of the alternative therapies for Generalized anxiety disorder. Although research suggests its effective therapy, there is a lack of studies for comparing different protocols. So, this study aimed at comparing sensory motor rhythm and alpha-theta increase protocol of neurofeedback. In this research, a two-arm randomized trial was conducted to compare two different protocols of neurofeedback. A total of 40 individuals diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder were assigned to either group which received 15 sessions of alpha-theta increase on Pz and group two received 15 sessions of sensory motor rhythm increase on Cz. Pretest and post-test measurements were taken using Beck Anxiety Inventory, State-Trait Spielberg, and Perceived Stress Scale, and finally data were analyzed using IBM SPSS v24 software. The results of the Wilcoxon test shows both protocols significantly reduced anxiety symptoms, but the alpha-theta protocol was more effective in reducing state anxiety and the sensory motor rhythm protocol was more effective in reducing Beck Anxiety Inventory and Perceived Stress Scale. According to the research, both protocols are effective in reducing anxiety. However, they each have their own advantages in reducing specific anxiety symptoms.

Background: Emotional disorders are common and recurring mental conditions that can severely impact individuals and have long-term economic consequences for society. Objectives: This study aimed to predict emotional disorders in patients diagnosed with emotional disorders, using neuroticism, emotion regulation, experiential avoidance (EA), and repetitive negative thinking as predictors. Patients and Methods: The study included a sample of 414 patients diagnosed with emotional disorders residing in Tehran. Participants were selected through convenience sampling. Data were collected using the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS), Negative Repetitive Thoughts Questionnaire, Experiential Avoidance Questionnaire, Inventory of Depression and Anxiety Symptoms (IDAS), and NEO Personality Questionnaire (NEO FFI). Structural equation modeling, analyzed with SPSS-22 and AMOS-24 software, was employed for data analysis. Results: Neuroticism significantly predicted negative emotional regulation, EA, emotional disorders, and repetitive negative thoughts (P < 0.001). The coefficient of determination for emotional disorders was calculated as 0.73, indicating that 73% of the variance in emotional disorders can be explained by the predictor variables (neuroticism, emotional regulation, negative repetitive thoughts, and EA). Conclusions: Therefore, it is essential to consider the influence of personality and psychological factors on the inclination toward disorders. The findings of this study offer valuable insights for the development of culturally sensitive, contextually relevant, and psychosocially oriented prevention and treatment programs for emotional disorders using an integrated approach.

Background: The relationship between bipolar disorder (BD) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is investigated in several studies. According to the reports, the comorbidity of these two-disorders is more than the general population. Objectives: The current study aimed to compare the severity of OCD in different episodes of BD. Methods: This cross-sectional (descriptive-analytic) study included 90 patients referred to Baharan Psychiatric Center affiliated to the Zahedan University of Medical Science in 2019 with a primary diagnosis of BD according to Semi-structured interview (SCID). The Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive scale was used to measure the severity of OCD symptoms in different episodes of BD. Results: The severity of OCD symptoms in the depression group was significantly higher than the manic (P < 0.01) and remission groups (P < 0.01). Conclusions: Mood state influences the severity of obsessive-compulsive symptoms. Since the course of disorder in the comorbidity of these two disorders become chronic and diagnosis, and the OCD is difficult in the manic episode; it is necessary to be aware when diagnosing BD or OCD.