Angelo Bruschi

Introduction The scales for the assessment of depressive symptoms, translated and validated in Italian, lacks in the recognition of the psychopathological nuances of the disorder. The Bipolar Depression Rating Scale (BDRS) is a tool specifically built to reflect the characteristics of bipolar depression. Methods Screening criteria: - aged 18–65 years- diagnosis of BD (DSM-IV-TR) (125 patients) or- diagnosis of MDD (DSM-IV-TR) (30 patients)- manifestation of depressive symptoms- no further psychiatric comorbidity on axis I and axis II (including abuse/addiction)- no serious cognitive deficits Psychometric battery: Bipolar Depression Rating Scale (BDRS), Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D), Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS). Results The analysis of the BDRS scores, according to the Kolmogorov-Smimov method shows a normal distribution; the α Cronbach's coefficient shows that the the scale, in its Italian version, has considerable validity and reliability (r = 0.82). The factor analysis was verified using the Varimax rotational method: after several tests, we found 2 subscales, one linked to mixed/depressive symptoms and a second related to (hypo)manic symptoms. Conclusions The BDRS is a valid scale for the measurement of depression in patients with Bipolar Disorder, with a notable internal consistency (Cronbach α 0.82), a significant consistency between items/total (Cronbach α from 0.80 to 0.82) and positive correlation with other scales (MADRS r 0.67, p < 0.001; HAM-D r 0.81, p < 0.001; YMRS r 0.46 p < 0.0001), including the Young Mania Rating Scale (better than the original validation sample Berk et al., 2007).

Aim of the study was the validation of the Bipolar Disorder Rating Scale (BDRS) in an Italian population. Secondary aim was the evaluation of differences between unipolar and bipolar depression and between bipolar I and II depressed patients. 125 Bipolar Disorder and 60 Major Depressive Disorder patients were administered an Italian translation of the BDRS (I-BDRS), Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS), Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) and Temperament and Character Inventory-Revised (TCI-R). I-BDRS showed considerable validity and reliability. Factor analysis found 3 subscales, two linked to depressive symptoms and one to mixed symptoms. Measures concerning depression (MADRS and HAM-D) were positively related to the I-BDRS's subscales, but mostly to the two subscales measuring depression. In mixed symptoms, the mean of the bipolar group was significantly higher than the unipolar group suggesting that the BDRS was able to disti...

Since many psychopathological traits seem to be related to Gambling Disorder (GD), impulsivity, alexithymia and dissociation could play a central role in gambling behaviors, particularly in pathological gambling. We test this hypothesis in four distinct samples of gamblers, three undergoing different types of treatments and a control group. The study sample consists of 204 subjects (males 87.3%, mean age=47.75 years, SD=12.08) divided into four groups: (1) 59 subjects belonging to an Outpatients Treatment Program in the National Health System (NHS); (2) 60 subjects of an Outpatients Self-Help Group Program; (3) 35 subjects belonging to a Residential Treatment Program (Inpatients Program); and (4) 50 subjects without gambling problems (Control Group). Results show a positive relationship between gambling behaviors, impulsivity and alexithymia, and a negligible link between gambling behaviors and dissociation. Findings also display the presence of higher levels of all these features in pathological gamblers with higher scores on the SOGS, and particularly, in participants attending a Residential Treatment Program (Inpatients Program). This study confirms the hypothesis of the presence of higher levels of impulsivity, alexithymia and dissociation in pathological gamblers with a greater severity and seems to indicate a significant importance of impulsivity and alexithymia in predicting gambling behaviors.

The relationship between substance use disorders and criminal activity is strong, and one that is not easily resolved in the criminal justice system. A better understanding of personality traits among substance misusers who commit offences could support better treatment efforts. The aim of this study is to explore associations between the psychopathology of people addicted to substances who have also committed crimes. We recruited 263 substance-dependent individuals (80% male, 20% female) from a cohort of people attending regional community services in Italy. They all completed an extensive evaluation of their current mental health and personality traits. Their official criminal records were obtained, and the psychopathology of those who had a criminal record compared with those who did not. The criminal group was more likely to perceive the external world as hostile and to consider others as responsible for their own problems and difficulties; in addition, substance-dependent individuals with criminal records showed more personality traits within the psychopathy range and fewer in the dependent personality range than the substance abusers who had never committed crimes. These findings allow us to hypothesise that substance abusers who also have criminal convictions may have a specific personality profile. If further research were to confirm this, then it could have important implications for identifying people for particular treatment pathways and developing more effective treatments. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

A theorization that can understand the inherent economy of dissociative mechanisms supported the development of modern psychology, accompanying many authors in their thoughts. If Janet and Freud, in Europe, highlighted the association between dissociative phenomena and trauma, American psychologists focused on the double personality. An integration of the different theories happened only in the beginning of the 80s, with the release of DSM-III. This paper analyzes the peculiar association between the fluctuation of consciousness and the discontinuity in the perceptual categorization, pointing out the etiological hypoteses and the limitations of this topic. This could be useful to hypothesize a treatment for that peculiar “gap” that is found, in dissociation, between the two complex functions of the mind: memory and consciousness.

ABSTRACT Introduction Adult Separation Anxiety Disorder (ASAD) is related to greater personal dysfunction and to a reduced sensitivity to conventional treatment, such as cognitive-behavioural therapy or anti-panic drugs, even considering severity of anxiety symptoms, number of co-morbid disorders, socioeconomical status, disease duration, and severity of agoraphobia. Objectives To evaluate separation anxiety, psychiatric co-morbidity, levels of anxiety, character and temperament personality traits, and global functioning, in subjects with anxiety disorders attending a tertiary-level outpatient clinic. Aims To predict the outcome and customize treatment for anxiety disorders. Methods After symptom stabilization of one month (T0) 40 patients with anxiety disorders were assessed by means of SCI- SAS, SASI, ASA -27, MINI, HAM- A, TCI-R, GAF. Prospective evaluation is planned at T60 and T180. Results According to preliminary cross-sectional data, higher scores of separation anxiety show statistically significant correlations with some domains of the TCI-R; in addition, patients with ASAD show greater psychiatric co-morbidity. No correlations were found between the presence of separation anxiety and levels of anxiety at HAM-A or GAF scores at baseline. Conclusions The prospective study of long-term response to treatment is ongoing and the sample will be expanded. The comprehension of anxiety symptoms appraisal in the framework of psychobiological personality characteristics is expected to influence the choice of both pharmacological and psychological therapeutic tools, particularly in patients showing higher levels of dysfunction.

ABSTRACT Introduction Adult Separation Anxiety Disorder (ASAD) is related to greater personal dysfunction and to a reduced sensitivity to conventional treatment, such as cognitive-behavioural therapy or anti-panic drugs, even considering severity of anxiety symptoms, number of co-morbid disorders, socioeconomical status, disease duration, and severity of agoraphobia. Objectives To evaluate separation anxiety, psychiatric co-morbidity, levels of anxiety, character and temperament personality traits, and global functioning, in subjects with anxiety disorders attending a tertiary-level outpatient clinic. Aims To predict the outcome and customize treatment for anxiety disorders. Methods After symptom stabilization of one month (T0) 40 patients with anxiety disorders were assessed by means of SCI- SAS, SASI, ASA -27, MINI, HAM- A, TCI-R, GAF. Prospective evaluation is planned at T60 and T180. Results According to preliminary cross-sectional data, higher scores of separation anxiety show statistically significant correlations with some domains of the TCI-R; in addition, patients with ASAD show greater psychiatric co-morbidity. No correlations were found between the presence of separation anxiety and levels of anxiety at HAM-A or GAF scores at baseline. Conclusions The prospective study of long-term response to treatment is ongoing and the sample will be expanded. The comprehension of anxiety symptoms appraisal in the framework of psychobiological personality characteristics is expected to influence the choice of both pharmacological and psychological therapeutic tools, particularly in patients showing higher levels of dysfunction.

The aims of the study were: (1) to study possible associations between temperament, personality dimensions, and psychopathological variables in a clinical sample of euthymic patients with bipolar disorder (BD) and cyclothymia; and (2) to assess how Cloninger's temperament and personality dimensions were associated with affective temperaments. Participants, consisting of 60 patients with BD (type I or II) and cyclothymia in the euthymic phase, completed Akiskal's Temperament Evaluation of Memphis, Pisa, Paris, and San Diego-Autoquestionnaire (TEMPS-A), and Cloninger's Temperament and Character Inventory–revised version (TCI-R). The diagnostic groups differed in past hospitalization, for age at onset of the disorder, and on two affective temperaments: the TEMPS-A Hyperthymia, and the TEMPS-A Irritability. There were six significant associations between affective temperaments and Cloninger's personality dimensions, ranging from 0.26 to 0.54. The measures of Akiskal and of Cloninger tap common behavioral features in patients with bipolar disorder and cyclothymia, yet the differences indicate that the two measures are not redundant. BD and cyclothymic patients differed significantly in temperament and personality, differences that may have important implications for treatment.

There is a growing interest for the effects of weather changes on both healthy and psychiatric individuals. This study aims to validate a short questionnaire (METEO-Q) for the detection of meteoropathy and meteorosensitivity. The METEO-Q was administered to 1099 (528 men, 571 women) healthy subjects. Factor analyses, internal consistency, and item analysis were undertaken to examine the factorial structure of the questionnaire. The METEO-Q has satisfactory factorial structure and internal reliability. Our results demonstrate that women have higher scores than man and, therefore, women mostly have meteoropathy. Our findings support the use of the METEO-Q for collecting information regarding the effects of weather changes on healthy subjects and potentially on psychiatric patients.