In recent years, both the prevalence of drug use and related child and adolescent psychiatric emergencies have risen sharply. There are few studies about the impact on child and adolescent emergency services. This study has a twofold aim. The first is to describe the prevalence of substance use disorders, mental disorders and dual diagnosis (substance use problems plus mental disorder) in adole...

The paper describes the suicidal ideation and behavior in a series of 26 adult psychiatric patients affected by Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs), the clinical features and the psychiatric comorbidity of patients presenting suicidal behavior, and the history of suicide or suicide attempt in their relatives. Two (7,7%) patients committed suicide. One (3.8%) patient attempted suicide twice, and on...

BACKGROUND In this study, we compared the prevalence of psychiatric disorders and the characteristics of those who either use or do not use faith healers (FHs) services. We also assessed the independent factors of study subjects associated with using FHs. METHODS This cross-sectional study compared those who use FHs (n = 383) with a control group of those who do not use them (i.e., shopping m...

BACKGROUND Relapse in people with schizophrenia is a major challenge for mental health service providers in Tanzania and other countries. Approximately 10% of people with schizophrenia are re-admitted due to relapse at Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH) Psychiatric Unit each month. Relapse brings about negative effects and it results in a huge burden to patients, their families, the mental healt...

OBJECTIVE Panic disorder is characterized by the spontaneous and unexpected occurrence of panic attacks. During panic attacks, patients (pts) refer to the Emergency Department (ED). The diagnostic work-up for any panic attack is expensive since symptoms at presentation mimic other diseases such acute coronary syndrome or neurological emergencies. The aim of the present study was to describe a 1...

UNLABELLED BACKGROUND In Low and Middle Income Countries, mental health services are often poorly developed due to the lack of resources and trained personnel. In order to overcome these challenges, new ways of care have been suggested such as a focus on community-based services. In Somalia, the consumption of the natural stimulant khat is highly prevalent, aggravating mental illness. At the...

INTRODUCTION A youth's emergency department (ED) visit for suicidal behaviors or ideation provides an opportunity to counsel families about securing medications and firearms (i.e., lethal means counseling). METHODS In this quality improvement project drawing on the Counseling on Access to Lethal Means (CALM) model, we trained 16 psychiatric emergency clinicians to provide lethal means counsel...

BACKGROUND Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is the most common diagnosis among children treated in outpatient psychiatric clinics in China, accounting for up to 50% of all patients. OBJECTIVE Understand changes over time in the characteristics and treatment of children with ADHD seen at specialty psychiatric clinics in China. METHODS For each year from 2000 through 2011, 250 ...