The Urge to Splurge in Time of COVID-19: Emotional Spending, Revenge Buying and Compulsive Shopping.

BACKGROUND: Shopping is a reality for all of us; it can also be a pleasure or a source of problem, depending on the psychology behind it and our decision making. Furthermore, our spending patterns were seriously shaken and impacted by the COVID pandemic; restrictions, safety measures and lockdown generated changes in the way we buy. So, what has changed and why? SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Between January 2023 and May 2023, a literature search based on electronic bibliographic databases as well as other sources of information (grey literature) was conducted in order to investigate the most recent data on shopping habits and especially how they were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. RESULTS: Various shopping behaviors observed post COVID, such as the urge to splurge, emotional spending, revenge buying and problematic shopping behavior, can be read and explained via psychology. Customers's socio-demographic characteristics play considerable roles in new buying patterns, but some general changes show that online shopping and contactless payment have certainly increased, consumers are more aware of their spending habits, looking for value first and not remaining loyal to brand, homebody economy has risen and money is rather spent on domestic tourism instead of foreign holidays. CONCLUSIONS: A lot of buying habits have changed during COVID-19 and many of these modifications will remain in a post pandemic world. If many consumers gained some insight in their spending behaviors and are looking for durability and sustainability as preferred choices, luxury products will always attract clients. Shopping being emotionally driven, money should rather been spent on experiences (rather than things) and on others (rather than ourselves) in order to make happy.

Exploration of the Epidemiological and Emotional Impact of Quarantine and Isolation During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Starting in December 2019 in Wuhan Municipal Health Commission, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has crossed the borders forming a pandemic in 2020. The absence of pharmacological interventions has pushed governments to apply different sets of old, non-pharmacological interventions, which are, though temporary, helpful to prevent further pandemic propagation. In the context of COVID-19, research confirms that quarantine is useful, mainly if applied early and if combined with other public health measures. However, the efficacy of quarantine and isolation is limited in many ways, ranging from legal issues and suspension of economic activities to mental health considerations. This chapter is an exploration of (i) epidemiological impact of isolation and quarantine; (ii) emotional impact of isolation and quarantine; and (iii) the possible effect of culture on quarantine experience.

Psychiatric Considerations on Infanticide: Throwing the Baby out with the Bathwater.

BACKGROUND: Infanticide is not a new concept. It is often confused with child murder, neonaticide, filicide or even genderside. Each of these concepts has to be defined clearly in order to be understood. Through time reasons for infanticide have evolved depending on multiple factors such as culture, religion, beliefs system, or attempts to control the population. It was once seen as a moral virtue. So what has changed? SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Between January 2020 and May 2020, a literature search based on electronic bibliographic databases as well as other sources of information (grey literature) was conducted in order to investigate the most recent data on infanticide and child murder, especially the newest socio-economic and psychiatric considerations as well as the different reasons why a mother or a father ends up killing their own child and the Irish situation. RESULTS: Recent works on the subject demonstrate how some new socio economic factors and family considerations impact on infanticide. Mental illness, especially depression and psychosis, is often part of the picture and represent a very high risk factor to commit infanticide and filicide. Fathers and mothers do not proceed the same way nor for the same reasons when they kill their offspring. Neonaticide and infanticide are almost always committed by women. A recent case in Ireland (2020) proves how filicide remains an actual problem. CONCLUSIONS: Filicide is a relatively rare event, and therefore particularly impact both the public and the press when it occurs. Infanticide does not result from a unique cause, but from multiple factors (some being well known, some remaining hypothetical). Psychopathological and socio-economical parameters associated to peculiar family grounds are currently prevalent. To help and prevent infanticide, screening for psychiatric disorders and risk factors and treating or offering assistance to parents at risk should be implemented.

Management of ARFID (Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder) in a 12-year-old on a Paediatric Ward in a General Hospital: Use of Mirtazapine, Partial Hospitalisation Model and Family Based Therapy.

BACKGROUND: Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID), at the cross roads of eating and feeding disorders, is sometimes called an "umbrella diagnosis" as it covers a certainly large and rather heterogeneous list of eating symptoms. It came with the DSM5 (2013) but still, there are no clear guidelines re diagnosis and treatment. PURPOSE: Through this case, we aim to report not only a presentation of ARFID, but also how this relatively new and emerging diagnostic category has been identified and managed on a Pediatric Ward, in a General Hospital. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This study reports the case of a 12y old girl Irish girl with ARFID treated by a multi-disciplinary team on a Pediatric Ward in a general hospital. A literature review regarding ARFID was concomitantly carried on, in order to consider the current therapeutic options recommended. RESULTS: 3 admissions on a pediatric Ward were necessary for this patient with ARFID, who was successfully managed with a partial hospitalization model, Family Based Treatment (FBT) and Mirtazapine. CONCLUSIONS: The dynamic around the management of this condition is the occasion to discuss the other therapeutic options suggested these days, and more specifically the different pharmacological molecules that have also been used in young patients with ARFID and the importance of involving a multi-disciplinary team.

Triage of children with mental health difficulties presenting in a&e in a general hospital.

In Wexford and Waterford, an "out of hours" child psychiatric service has been developed, in order to provide help when the regular Child Psychiatry services (CAMHS) are not accessible. Providing a service for under 18 years old patients with mental health issues presenting in the Emergency Department (ED) of a General hospital, it functions with extremely limited resources (a consultant psychiatrist and a doctor in psychiatric training), and therefore needs an efficient triage procedure. The purpose of this article is to review the literature about existing triage tools, and especially the 2016 Irish Children's Triage System (ICTS) and to discuss how to optimise triaging our specific patients in this new 'out of hours' CAMHS cover for Waterford /Wexford area. CONCLUSION: A post triage tool and some clinical changes could improve the service.