Same Personality, New Ways to Abuse: How Dark Tetrad Personalities Are Connected With Cyber Intimate Partner Violence.

New technologies bring new forms of intimate partner violence (IPV) or abuse, such as cyber intimate partner violence (C-IPV). This is a contemporary issue with different consequences from in-person IPV. C-IPV is a complex phenomenon triggered by a number of factors, including personality traits such as the Dark Tetrad, composed of four "malevolent" qualities: subclinical narcissism, Machiavellianism, subclinical psychopathy, and everyday sadism. The Dark Tetrad plays an important role in predicting the perpetration or victimization of the resulting pervasive behaviors. Although the correlations between in-person IPV and the Dark Tetrad have been studied before, to our knowledge this investigation is the first to look at the links between these four dark personality traits and C-IPV. With a sample of 1,189 participants, we measured C-IPV victimization and perpetration rates and compared the results with the Dark Tetrad profiles of the respondents. To analyze these correlations, we conducted bivariate analysis and structural equation modeling. The analysis yielded positive relations of psychopathy and narcissism with cyber controlling behaviors. Psychopathy was found to be strongly related with direct cyber aggression behaviors; sadism was mainly related with C-IPV victimization in both controlling and direct aggression, and, finally and interestingly, Machiavellianism presented negative correlations with direct cyber aggression. Remarkable is that joining sadistic personalities increased vulnerability to victimization from C-IPV direct aggression, as well as more psychopathic traits and an increased probability of perpetration. These combinations may create dangerous situations. In conclusion, we found that both C-IPV perpetrators and victims present higher scores in the dark personality traits and gender-based differences than in-person IPV actors.

Stress and perceived social isolation (loneliness).

BACKGROUND: Perceived Social Isolation or loneliness, a cognitive state with negative effects on health, is a global problem. OBJECTIVES: Treatment of diagnosed loneliness is mostly through its physical (cardiovascular) and/or mental (depression, anxiety) health consequences, with limited success. Desired solitude is considered a means to wellbeing by Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), Evidence exists for the relevancy of developing stress-related medical factors which have demonstrated a prodromic or causal role in loneliness, depression and hopelessness. Consequently, presently unexplored direct medical treatment of biological factors in loneliness becomes an option. DATA SOURCES: We searched medical and psychological databases including PubMed, PsycINFO and Cochrane from 1975 thru May 2018 with the keywords, no limits, pursuing related links. Studies identified: 373. Studies considered: 42. STUDY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: Studies indicating causal and correlational links between stress and loneliness were considered as to relevancy and study quality. RESULTS: Data indicate that both loneliness and solitude may be caused by or correlate with biological factors resulting from psychological (life quality) and medical (health) factors including circulating stress hormones, immune system components and the glutamate system. LIMITATIONS: Causal and correlational links between stress and loneliness are under-researched and study size is generally small. Most research is correlational and study criteria diverse. This review is partly descriptive. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS OF KEY FINDINGS: Forty years of incidental research give indications as to a co-causal or prodromic role for stress in loneliness. Early medical and psychological stress treatment should be combined for incipient and clinical loneliness.

Antidepressant use in pregnancy: are we closer to consensus?

We specify and summarize significant data from recent large studies in a tool with which to aim at consensus on the question of whether and how serotonin-reuptake antidepressants should be used in pregnancy, on the basis that concern for the mental health of the mother should not vie for primacy with concern for the short-, medium-, and long-term health of the child, but must be best served together. Side effects are small but significant over the majority of 11 categories, perinatal and into adolescence. In clinical practice, alternatives for serotonin-reuptake medication in pregnancy should be more actively pursued.

El terapeuta no nace, se hace / Therapists are not born but made

A finales del siglo pasado se había acumulado evidencia suficiente para la identificación científica de los componentes comunes del género terapia psicológica y asignarles un peso relativo medido y verificado. El resultado subraya que el éxito de la terapia depende no del terapeuta sino del cliente. Con ello, se consolidó el fundamento de una psicoterapia moderna que, aún respetando las diversas escuelas y técnicas, ahora se guía más por hechos contrastados que por supuestos teóricos, por muy convincentes que éstos suenen. Sin embargo, no son sólo los datos que pueden ser contrastados los que deben guiar al profesional, y la investigación cualitativa se abre camino para completar datos cuantitativos no tan claros. Los cuatro factores comunes que indican lo que realmente funciona en psicoterapia son de obligatorio conocimiento para los que se dedican a la terapia, tanto clínica como educativa o de crecimiento personal (AU)

At the end of the last century, sufficient evidence had been collected to scientifically identify the common factors of psychological therapy in general, and provide them with a relative measured and contrasted weight. The results indicate that therapy efficacy depends not on the therapist but on the client. This gave a solid base to modern psychotherapy which, with due respect to different schools and techniques, now is guided more by validated facts than by theoretical suppositions, however convincing these seem. The four common factors of what really works in psychotherapy are necessary knowledge for therapy professionals, both clinical and educational or in personal growth (AU)

Can Male Fertility Be Improved Prior to Assisted Reproduction through The Control of Uncommonly Considered Factors?

Male factor infertility or subfertility is responsible for up to 50% of infertility cases. A considerable body of recent studies indicates that lifestyle as well as environmental and psychological factors can negatively affect male fertility, more than previously thought. These negative effects have been shown in many cases to be reversible. This review aims to provide a rationale for early clinical attention to these factors and presents a non-exhaustive evidence-based collection of primary relevant conditions and recommendations, specifically with a view to making first line diagnostics and recommendations. The presently available evidence suggests that considering the high cost, success rates, and possible side effects of assisted reproduction techniques (ART), such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), early efforts to improve male fertility appear to be an attainable and worthwhile primary goal. A series of searches was conducted of Medline, Cochrane and related databases from November 14(th), 2010 to January 26(th), 2012 with the following keywords: male, fertility, infertility, sperm defects, IVF, ICSI, healthy habits, and lifestyle. Subsequent follow-up searches were performed for upcoming links. The total number of studies contemplated were 1265; of these, 296 studies were reviewed with criteria of relevance; the date of study or review; study sample size and study type; and publishing journal impact status. Data were abstracted based upon probable general clinical relevancy and use. Only a selection of the references has been reflected here because of space limitations. The main results obtained were evidence-supported indications as to the other causes of male infertility, their early detection, and treatment.

Delayed childbearing: determining responsibilities for prime gamete quality.

Delayed parenting affects fertility in women and in men, and cryopreservation of oocytes and sperm is becoming the latest trend as a solution for those who want or need to postpone procreation, in an attempt to avoid the damage medical conditions or time itself produces in gametes. Although "social freezing" is considered legitimate, its ethical and social aspects are in need of an overdue medical, public and legal debate. Assisted reproduction and cryopreservation, in combination with womb outsourcing, have opened the door to biological ectogenesis and the subsequent question of whether delayed childbearing means we should formally separate procreation from sexual activity. This article briefly summarizes what cryotechniques are capable of presently and in the near future, to separate fact from fiction. It names the implications for and discusses the practically virgin subject of the underlying responsibilities of delayed parenting techniques towards the child-to-be-not only the unborn but also the not-yet-conceived child. Considering the medical, economic, legal and social consequences of these rapidly growing developments in reproduction, several reasons point at the need to formally separate procreation from sexual activity, specifying responsibilities in the first while respecting personal choice in the second.

El estrés ¿ En qué momento del tratamiento médico de la infertilidad debe tratarse ? / No disponible

Técnicas nuevas ayudan a solucionar la infertilidad. Incluyen la estimulación hormonal, la inyección intracitoplasmática de espermatozoides (ICSI), la transferencia intrafalopiana de gametos (TIG) y la fertilización “in vitro” (FIV). La disposición psicológica de los padres aspirantes tiene influencia sobre su fertilidad y, por tanto, sobre el resultado de las técnicas de fertilización. Los centros de fertilidad incorporan la asistencia de un psicólogo con el objetivo de limitar el estrés producido por el mismo tratamiento. Sin embargo, la evidencia pide que se considere tanto niveles de estrés crónico como agudo, y que se traten ambos antes del tratamiento de fertilidad actual. Con niveles de estrés más bajos la fertilidad femenina y masculina mejora, aunque no exista aún evidencia concluyente de que el estrés más bajo resulta en un mejor resultado del tratamiento de fertilidad. Aún así, la reducción del estrés puede reducir el número de ciclos de tratamiento necesarios para conseguir el embarazo, puede preparar a la pareja para un fallo inicial del tratamiento o puede hacer innecesario el uso de técnicas más invasivas. El tratamiento psicológico primario del estrés crónico, además del estrés agudo, es un método menos invasivo que la FIV, ICSI o TIG y, por ende, debe ser aplicado siempre que esté indicado

New techniques help solve infertility. They include hormonal stimulation, intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), gamete intrafallopian tube transfer (GIFT) and in vitro fertilization (IVF). The psychological disposition of the parents-to-be influences their fertility, and thus the outcome of fertilization techniques. Fertility clinics offer consultation with a psychologist with a view to keeping in check the stress produced by the treatment itself. However, the evidence suggests a need to consider both chronic and acute stress levels, and to provide treatment for their reduction prior to commencing the (actual) fertility treatment. Lower stress levels mean better female and male fertility, though there is as yet no conclusive experimental evidence that lower stress levels result in better fertility treatment outcome. Even so, reduction of stress may reduce the number of treatment cycles needed before pregnancy is obtained and may prepare the couple for an initial failure of treatment; it may even make the more invasive techniques unnecessary. Primary psychological treatment for trait and state stress, being a less invasive method than IVF, ICSI or GIFT, should be applied wherever indicated

Fact: antidepressants and anxiolytics are not safe during pregnancy.

Psychotropic medication is used by a growing number of women of reproductive age. Although necessary in some cases, in many others non-pharmacological treatments offer valid alternatives for the pregnant woman. The noxious effects of antidepressants and anxiolytics urge the physician to look for other solutions. The efficacy of alternative treatment is enhanced by early detection that requires monitoring for mood disorders from the earliest stages of pregnancy, and multidisciplinary professional care.

The premenstrual syndrome revisited.

More women - and their families - are affected by the physical and psychological irregularities due to premenstrual symptoms than by any other condition. Up to 90% of women of childbearing age report perceiving one or more symptoms during the days before menstruation, symptoms which can alter their behaviour and wellbeing and which, therefore, can affect their family, social and work circle. However, and notwithstanding this general prevalence, the clinical entity that in a large number of cases results from these symptoms, commonly known as the premenstrual syndrome, still lacks defined and validated contents so that recommendations of treatments backed by adequate experimental and clinical evidence are only slowly appearing. In the present paper, we review recent experimental data as to a possible aetiology of the premenstrual problem. We propose a Premenstrual Profile, i.e. a new register of symptoms, to be used for the differential diagnosis of the three forms of the premenstrual alteration. Finally, we review the evidence-based recommendations from reliable sources as regards the treatment of "normal" and "abnormal" premenstrual symptoms.

Nuevos parámetros clínicos del síndrome premenstrual / New clinical parameters in premenstrual syndrome

Los síntomas premenstruales conforman, probablemente, la alteración física y psíquica que a más personas afecta, tanto a las mujeres como a los varones de su entorno. Se estima que hasta un 90% de las mujeres en edad reproductiva percibe uno o más síntomas en los días antes de la menstruación que pueden alterar su comportamiento y bienestar y, por tanto, afectar a su entorno familiar, social y laboral. A pesar de esta prevalencia generalizada, el síndrome premenstrual como entidad clínica aún carece de un contenido concreto y validado, así como de métodos diagnósticos consensuados y comprobados, y sólo tímidamente empieza a disponerse de recomendaciones de tratamiento sobre la base de evidencia experimental y clínica. Esta revisión comentará nuevos datos de investigación en cuanto a la posible etiología de la alteración premenstrual. Propondrá un nuevo perfil premenstrual, registro de síntomas de obligado cumplimiento para el diagnóstico de las 3 formas clínicas en que puede manifestarse la alteración. Finalmente, incluirá una compilación de las recomendaciones de fuentes fidedignas y basadas en la evidencia en cuanto al tratamiento de los síntomas «normales» y «no normales»

Premenstrual symptoms probably constitute the physical and psychological alteration that affects more people than any other, including both women and the men in their environment. Up to 90% of women of childbearing age report one or more symptoms during the days before menstruation. These symptoms can alter women's behavior and well-being and can therefore affect their family, social and work circles. Despite its widespread prevalence, premenstrual syndrome as a clinical entity has not been clearly defined, and consensuated and proven diagnostic methods are lacking. Treatment recommendations supported by experimental and clinical evidence are only slowly beginning to appear. In the present review, we discuss recently published experimental data on the possible etiology of premenstrual syndrome. We propose a new symptom register, the Premenstrual Profile, to be used for the diagnosis of the three forms in which this alteration can manifest itself. Finally, we review evidence-based recommendations from reliable sources on the treatment of «normal» and «abnormal» premenstrual symptoms

Should fertilization treatment start with reducing stress?

In the past few decades, new and more efficient techniques to help solve fertility problems have become widely available throughout the developed world. These techniques include hormonal stimulation, ICSI, gamete intra-Fallopian transfer (GIFT) and IVF, and their cost is, on average, considerable. There is substantial initial evidence that the psychological disposition of the parents-to-be influences their fertility and thus the outcome of fertilization techniques. Many fertility treatments include consultation with a psychologist and do try to keep the stress produced by the treatment itself to a minimum, using concurrent therapy. However, the accumulating evidence points to the need to program medical fertility treatment, bearing in mind both chronic and acute stress levels, and to treat for their reduction before commencing the (actual) fertility treatment. There is ample evidence that lower stress levels mean better female and male natural fertility, though there is as yet no conclusive experimental evidence that lower stress levels result in better fertility treatment outcome. However, first reducing stress may diminish the number of treatment cycles needed before pregnancy is obtained, may prepare the couple for an initial failure of treatment or even make the more invasive techniques unnecessary. Primary psychological treatment for trait and state stress, being a less invasive method than IVF, ICSI or GIFT, is to be applied whenever indicated. Also, treatment and therapy to reduce stress, and in so doing enhance fertility, do not provoke the ethical and religious objections raised by infertility treatments.

Venlafaxine and serious withdrawal symptoms: warning to drivers.

Venlafaxine is a widely used serotonin- and norepinephrine-reuptake inhibitor-type antidepressant that causes serious adverse effects in at least 5% of cases. Serious withdrawal symptoms may occur within hours of cessation or reduction of the usual dosage and may affect motor and coordination skills to such a degree that patients should be explicitly urged either to adhere to a strict medication routine or not to drive a car. Recent clinical evidence about withdrawal symptoms is presented that may indicate incidents in noradrenergic activity irrespective of dosage.

The obstetrician and depression during pregnancy.

The objective of this article is to review the literature as to the presence of depression during and after pregnancy and some of its clinical implications; and to present a simple statistical aide for screening purposes. Clinical depression affects at least one in five women of childbearing age. During pregnancy, this figure does not diminish and not only signals problems for the pregnant woman but also for the child, measurably so into adolescence. Postpartum depression, but even more so antepartum depression, are medical conditions that negatively affect mother and child, and need to be detected as early as possible to avoid or limit the use of pharmacological treatments with possible side effects. The obstetrician should regularly test for depression from the very first moments of planning for a child, and use the test results for a "pregnancy mood profile". This profile requires only a few minutes and is very simple to complex. It could serve for early control of depression during pregnancy as well as determine the risk for postpartum depression and thus serve as a pre-alert for postpartum suicide.

Screening depressive patients in pregnancy with the pregnancy mood profile.

Depression and related psychopathologies have turned into a modern bubonic plague. World Health Organization figures signal a worldwide epidemic, affecting > or = 15% of the population and probably > 22% of women of childbearing age. Antepartum and postpartum depression are medical conditions that negatively affect mother and child and that need to be detected as early as possible to avoid or limit the use of pharmacologic treatments, with their possible side effects. The obstetrician should regularly test for depression with simple means from the very first moment of planning for a child and should use the test results for a pregnancy mood profile. This profile could assist in determining the risk of postpartum depression and serve as an early alert for postpartum suicide.