Day 1 :
Keynote Forum
Guillem Feixas
University of Barcelona, Spain
Keynote: Dilemma-focused therapy: A new psychological intervention for depression
Time : 9:30-10:10
Biography:
Guillem Feixas, now Professor at the Faculty of Psychology of the University of Barcelona, completed his PhD at this center and hold a postdoc position at the University of Memphis, USA. He is the director of the Master in Cognitive Social Therapy and other postgraduate courses. He has published more than 90 papers in reputed journals and 10 books and led several research projects. His investigations have been focused in interpersonal construing and its role in health (both mental and physical), and in the process of psychotherapy.
Abstract:
A variety of psychotherapies for depression have received substantial empirical support but the rates of recovery are still unsufficient and relapse is all too common. Research on cognitive conflicts has shown that personal dilemmas can be found in over 90% of all patients with depression but current psychotherapies do not focus on these dilemmas at least in a direct way. Dilemma-Focused Therapy (DFT) is a brief intervention which can complement other therapies by targeting on personal dilemmas, an issue which is usually not dealt with but which could explain much of the reluctance to change and relapse that occurs in the course of the treatment for depression. DFT is constructivist-based intervention derived from personal construct theory which has already been supported in an RCT. It uses the Repertory Grid Technique (RGT) for the study of a person’s meaning system. One type of conflict which can be detected with the RGT is implicative dilemma: a desired change on one construct (e.g. “sad-happy”) has an undesired implication on another construct (e.g. “cares for others vs. selfish”). Thus, achieving change (e.g., becoming happy) implies an undesirable change in self-identity (e.g., becoming selfish). Instead of focusing only in symptoms or negative thoughts, DFT is oriented to help clients recognize both sides of the dilemma: the need for change and the need for continuity and for protecting the sense of identity. By empowering clients to deal with their internal conflicts they can resolve their personal dilemmas and govern their lives in a more integrated way.
Keynote Forum
Giampaolo Perna
Hermanas Hospitalarias, Italy
Keynote: Back to William James: The key role of body in Psychiatry
Time : 10:10-10:50
Biography:
Giampaolo Perna has completed his MD and PhD from Milan State University becoming psychiatrist in the same university. He is the chairman of the department of clinical neurosciences of Hermanas Hospitalarias - Villa San Benedetto Menni near Como Lake. He has published more than 100 papers in impacted journals. He is voluntary professor at Leonard Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami and associate professor at Maastricht University. He is the chair of the WPA section on personalized psychiatry and member of the executive board of the Italian Association for Behavior Analysis and Modification and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (AIAMC).
Abstract:
After several years during which psychiatry focused on the role of brain and cognitions in mental disorders recent experimental evidences point out the key role of body in mental disorders, in particular in anxiety and mood disorders. There are clear evidences relating panic disorder to respiratory, cardiovascular and balance system abnormalities that led to a respiratory theory of this disorder and to the development of respiratory therapies with evidences of a role of physical exercise in the wellbeing of these patients. Even in depression, whose impact in the health of world population is growing of importance, there are evidences of a role of immunologic and endocrine systems in its pathogenesis leading to a inflammatory theory of depression with recent experimental studies focusing on the role of anti-inflammatory agents in its treatment. It should be also mentioned that many psychotropic medications affect body, for example the anticoagulant effects of antidepressants are well known as well as cardiac and respiratory direct effect of medications used in the treatment of panic disorder. As well, evidences of an important interface between depression and cancer, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases are emerging clearly. Finally the view of a key role of body in psychopathology, that find its roots in the ideas of William James, is also supported by data showing a central role of cortisol and the stress system in many different mental disorders.
Keynote Forum
Thomas Eduard Schlaepfer
University of Bonn, Germany
Keynote: Rewiring faulty circuits – The promise of Deep Brain Stimulation for Psychiatry
Time : 11:10-11:50
Biography:
Thomas Eduard Schlaepfer, MD is the Vice Chair of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy at the University Hospital Bonn, Germany, where he is also Dean of Medical Education he holds a joint appointment as Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Mental Hygiene at the Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore. He is a fellow of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology (ACNP) and chair of the Task Force on Brain Stimulation of the World Federation of Societies of Biological Psychiatry. He received his medical training at the University of Bern, Switzerland. He worked as Assistant Professor of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland. Since 1997, he has been Associate Professor of the same department, as well as the Department of Mental Hygiene at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore. rnHe focused the research of his group on translational, functional neuroimaging and clinical effects of neuromodulation interventions (including repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation, vagus nerve stimulation, magnetic seizure therapy and deep brain stimulation) for treatment resistant major depression. After the first human application in the year 2000 his group developed the clinical use of magnetic seizure therapy (MST) for depression and more recently the hypothesis-guided therapeutic use of deep brain stimulation of parts of the human reward system (Nucleus Accumbens and Medial Forebrain Bundle) in the same disorder.
Abstract:
The introduction of Deep Brain Stimulation for treatment resistant disorders might very well lead to the most significant development in clinical psychiatry of the last forty years – possibly offering a rise of hope for patients to whom medicine had hitherto little to offer. Furthermore, translational research on neuromodulation will allow us to glean something about the underlying cause of patient's illnesses before figuring out a treatment that addresses the source of the problem. Major depression offers perhaps the best example of the rapid progress being made in understanding the biology of mental illness. Studies on the underlying neurobiology of major depression have typically focused on the description of biological differences between patients and healthy subjects such as alterations of monoaminergic or endocrine systems. Psychotropic drugs work by altering neurochemistry to a large extent in widespread regions of the brain, many of which may be unrelated to depression. We believe that more focused, targeted treatment approaches that modulate specific networks in the brain will prove a more effective approach to help treatment-resistant patients. In other words, whereas existing depression treatments approach this disease as a general brain dysfunction, a more complete and appropriate treatment will arise from thinking of depression as a dysfunction of specific brain networks that mediate mood and reward signals. A better understanding of defined dysfunctions in these networks will invariably lead to a better understanding of patients afflicted with depression and perhaps contribute to a de-stigmatization of psychiatric patients and the medical specialty treating them.rn
- Psychiatric Disorders and Clinical Case Reports
Location: SEGRE
Chair
Thomas Eduard Schlaepfer
University of Bonn, Germany
Co-Chair
Guillem Feixas Viaplana
University of Barcelona, Spain
Session Introduction
Rocco de Fillips
Istituto di Psicopatologia, Italy
Title: Continuous circular cycling in bipolar disorder as a predictor of poor outcome
Time : 11:50-12:10
Biography:
Rocco de Filippis completed his MD and PhD from Catholic University of the Sacred Heart in Rome. Investigator Meeting (Western Europe and North America) per il BRENDA/Studio di fase II farmacologico sul Nalmefene (LUNDBECK - pharmaceutical company). Barcellona (Spagna) . He holds a Master’s degree and he improved respectively in Bipolar Disorders and Addictive behavior in the years 2011/2012. He currently works and at the Institute of Psychopathology - Rome as a Psychiatrist and Addictive Medicine, and up to now presented as scientific coordinator of CME and Master of Addictive Behaviors; he currently publishes on Bipolar Disorders with high specialization on rapid cycling;he is also an official candidate at the Psychoanalytic Italian Society of the First Italian Center of Rome, and member of IPSO (International Psychoanalytic Studies Organization). He had a oral speech at Translational Medicine 2014 in Las Vegas on QTc Prolungation and Psychotropic Drugs.
Abstract:
Objective: This prospective study aims to determine if patients with bipolar disorder with a continuous circular course (CCC) are significantly different in clinical characteristics and response to long- term treatment from those with a non-continuous circular course (N-CCC). CCC was defined as the alternation of depression and (hypo)mania without a completely free well interval, and N-CCC as the presence of symptom- free intervals after the sequence mania-depression or depression-mania. Method: The study sample includes 140 consecutive patients with bipolar I or II disorder according to DSM-IV criteria, aged 18-65 years and receiving prophylactic treatment for ≥1 year. Treatment was based upon international guidelines and clinical experience at the time of patient\\\'s enrollment (from January 1998 to January 2006). Primary outcome was the absence of new episodes during the follow-up. Significance level was set at p<.05
Massimo Cocchi
Paolo Sotgiu Institute for Research in Quantitative & Quantum Psychiatry & Cardiology, Switzerland
Title: Linoleic Acid and Psychopathology
Time : 12:10-12:30
Biography:
Paolo Sotgiu Institute for Research in Quantitative & Quantum Psychiatry & Cardiology, Switzerland
Abstract:
The particularity of our investigation is an almost unique opportunity for groped a hypothesis about the evolutionary aspects of the behavior of brain and consciousness, as represented in the human and animal world, as a result of the evidence that led to the diagnostic classification of mood disorders in humans, in their similarity with some animal species. A logical sequence of considerations about the mood disorder diagnosis, due to unequivocal evidence by the use of mathematical tools that cannot be manipulated, it leads to results that most probably indicate and suggest the existence of a common brain “biochemical house“, in man and animal. This “common house” will become more and more complex, during evolution, from animal to man, respecting the concept of the molecular equilibrium and allowing to each living being the adaptation to their needs and their roles. Small deviations from the biochemical equilibrium of brain fatty acids can manifest pathological behavioral responses, much amplified. Everything seems to be witnessed by the strong classificatory correspondence of the platelets fatty acids which correspond to psycho pathologies, especially for the Linoleic acid, which, to varying percentages, it may correspond to psychopathological phenomena.
Guillem Feixas
University of Barcelona, Spain
Title: Views of self and mental distress: Negative or conflictual?
Time : 12:30-12:50
Biography:
Guillem Feixas, now Professor at the Faculty of Psychology of the University of Barcelona, completed his PhD at this center and hold a postdoc position at the University of Memphis, USA. He is the director of the Master in Cognitive Social Therapy and other postgraduate courses. He has published more than 90 papers in reputed journals and 10 books and led several research projects. His investigations have been focused in interpersonal construing and its role in health (both mental and physical), and in the process of psychotherapy.
Abstract:
Negative self-views have been considered a common trait of many psychiatric disorders (particularly, depression) and for psychological distress in general. However, some lines of research have shown that cognitive conflicts represented by conflicting positive and negative self-perceptions can be vulnerability markers of high significance but often neglected or under-researched. We have conducted a series of studies testing out the relevance of these internal conflicts using the repertory grid technique to carefully assess patients’ constructions of self and others and to explore conflicts between their personal constructs. Our results show that patients with depression, eating disorders and other clinical conditions present a pattern of mixed positive and negative self-descriptions with a high rate of conflict. Regression analyses yielded support to the conflict hypothesis in relation to clinically relevant indicators such as symptom severity, and global functioning. Therefore it would be useful for therapy to focus on conflict resolution, making desirable changes in behaviour and mood compatible with the need for preserving coherence of identity. For example, psychological interventions could target dilemmas as a therapeutic focus and enable therapists to tailor treatment to fit their patient’s own experiences. Finally, several studies using interventions targeted to resolve cognitive conflicts will be examined in terms of available evidence and range of disorders to which they could be implemented. They could also be considered as transdiagnostic interventions.
Gino Serra
Universita di Sassari, Italy
Title: Memantine: A new mood-stabilizer for treatment-resistant Bipolar disorders
Time : 13:40-14:00
Biography:
Gino Serra is a Psychiatrist and Full Professor of Pharmacology at the University of Sassari, Department of Biomedical Science. In 1979 he first suggested that potentiation of dopaminergic transmission in neurons arising in the substantia nigra/ventral-tegmental-area induced by repeated treatment with antidepressants plays an important role in their therapeutic effects Recently, He suggested , and he and his collaborators developed preliminary clinical support for the proposal that memantine may exert beneficial, mood-stabilizing effects. Indeed, they have recently observed in 3 naturalistic clinical studies that memantine, as an augmenting agent, was associated with clinically substantial antimanic and sustained mood-stabilizing effects in otherwise treatment-resistant bipolar disorder patients, with excellent tolerability and safety.
Abstract:
We have recently suggested that blockade of NMDA receptors by memantine could result in an antimanic and mood-stabilizing effect in treatment-resistant Bipolar Disorders (BD). Our group found suggestive evidence of mood-stabilizing actions in 40 BD patients in an unblinded, 12-month trial when added to stable, ongoing but inadequately effective standard treatments. Memantine as a monotherapy also has been reported to show beneficial effects in a few individual BD patients, including after discontinuation of lithium treatment. Finally, we published the results of a three-year naturalistic assessment of adding memantine to 30 treatment-resistant bipolar patients at the LucioBini Mood Disorder Center in Rome. In this unblinded trial, memantine appeared to add substantial long-term benefits, for both depressive and mania-like (mania, hypomania) morbidity, in outpatients who had responded consistently unsatisfactorily to standard treatments for more than 3 years, until memantine (20–30 mg/day) was added clinically to otherwise stable regimens for another 3 years, during which patients improved progressively. Memantine showed marked, statistically significant decreases of duration of illness (total, manic and depressive illness, on average –74.2%), symptom severity scores (CGI-BP; –63.1%), duration of new episodes (–56.3%), and recurrence frequency (episodes/year; –55.8%). These findings indicated impressive improvement in the duration and severity of both affective phases of the disorder, with a greater improvement of depression than mania, and evidence of decreased severity of mania indicated by shifting to hypomania. Subjects with previous rapid- (≥4 episodes/year) or continuous-cycling were particularly improved. The possible mechanism of mood stabilizing effect of memantine will be discussed.
Ivanka Zivcic Becirevic
University of Rijeka, Croatia
Title: Depression and Anxiety in University students
Time : 14:00-14:20
Biography:
Ivanka Zivcic Becirevic is a full Professor of clinical Psychology at Department of Psychology, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Rijeka, Croatia. She is the head of a postgraduate specialist program in psychological counseling, head of the University Counseling Center at University of Rijeka and President of Croatian Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies. She has published 44 scientific and professional papers and 6 book chapters.
Abstract:
The psychological problems among students are relatively common, especially symptoms of anxiety and depression, with significant increase in the last two decades. They often interfere with students academic performance through low motivation, poor concentration and general low capacity for work. The results of our 3-years longitudinal study with representative sample of 492 freshmen (60% women) indicate that 52% students have higher level of anxiety and 23% higher level of depressive symptoms when starting college. Based on the cognitive model we have checked the possible moderator role of different cognitive factors contributing to the change in the level of students symptoms, as well as possible protective factors in academic success. Even if depressive symptoms are not as common as anxiety symptoms among students, it seems more important to recognize and alleviate first signs of depression as they have more deleterious effect on academic functioning. Anxious student often feel high stress, but depressed students are at much higher risk for longer attending or dropping out from college. Our results gave strong support for using cognitive-behavioral interventions with depressed students. Cognitive strategies should focus on their negative automatic thoughts during learning and taking exam (especially thoughts related to fear of disappointing parents), expectations and attributions of their success, as well as beliefs about personal control over their achievements. As we have found that better academic adjustment at the beginning of college, better organization and study skills can protect depressed students from dropping out, the behavioral interventions should focus at improving academic skills.
An bang Yu
Institute of Ethnology, Taiwan
Title: The key issue of Clinical Humanities
Time : 14:20-14:40
Biography:
An bang Yu is an associate research fellow at the Institute of Ethnology, Academia Sinica, Taiwan. He received his Ph.D. from National Taiwan University, where he majored in social and personality psychology. His areas of research interest include religious experience, faith healing, self and emotion etc. His indigenous psychological research has focused on Chinese culture and emotion, the body and illness, clinical humanities, and clinical-philosophical practice.
Abstract:
The real purport of “clinical humanities” is putting oneself in an unexpected (calamity or pain) situation and being unable to understand others’ real situations and; hence, uncovering oneself. Therefore, the so-called “clinical humanities” (a verb) attempts to break the self-recursion in humanities and social sciences and puts humanities and social sciences in a helpless and confused state. Then it can achieve humanistic development in human clinical sites, such as illness, disaster, loss of family member and other calamitous situations, while also forming an on-site humanistic support network. At various clinical sites, on the one hand, the inertia of the humanities and social sciences should be broken, and the voice of suffering should be heard to obtain new self-reflections. On the other hand, through self-reflections, humanities and social sciences can transform and penetrate a suffering situation to extract profound humanistic knowledge. Under this context, “clinical humanities” (a noun, referring to transformed humanities and social sciences) truly participates in human suffering situations and has a professional framework that is different from conventional suffering alleviation. It also has its own unique rhythms. The purpose of my research in recent years is to show the multiplicity of “indigenous/cultural psychology” and “clinical humanities and healing.” My studies try to highlight some of the alternative new meanings of “clinical humanities” and the true manifestation of the encounter between “clinical humanities” and “indigenous/cultural psychology.”
Maria Lidia Gouveia
Ministry of Health, Mozambique
Title: Mental health in Mozambique (1984 – 2009)
Time : 14:40-15:00
Biography:
Maria Lidia Gouveia is renowned scientist presently working with Ministry of Health in Mozambique. His work mainly concentrates on addiction psychiatry and DNA sequencing. Lidia has huge contributions in understanding and development of public mental health in Mozambique.
Abstract:
Several efforts have been made to improve health care for people with mental and behavior disorders in Mozambique. Nevertheless, new steps to a dynamic and innovative era have to be taken in order to guarantee this services quality and expansion with the quality needed. Staring from the First National Mental Health Seminar in 1984, crossing the creation of National Mental Health Program in 1990, running a long way until 2006 when the Second National Mental Health took place, and concluding with the creation of Mental Health Department at Ministry of Health in 2008, the mental health trajectory in Mozambique can be considered historic. The need to expand psychiatry and mental health services and training human resources are some of the main spotlights for developing this huge health area in Mozambique.
- Childhood and Adolescent Psychiatry
Location: SEGRE
Chair
Ivanka Zivcic Becirevic
University of Rijeka, Croatia
Session Introduction
Rivka A. Edery, M.S.W. L.C.S.W.
Psychotherapist, USA
Title: Trauma and Transformation: A 12 Step Guide
Time : 15:10-15:30
Biography:
An experienced psychotherapist, published author on trauma, and radio show co-host addressing issues of adult survivors. I am very passionate about the healing process, and helping people acknowledge their truths, strengths, stumbling blocks, and buried gifts. I am an excellent communicator, understanding that to take the time to speak a person’s language may be the beginning of their healing.
Abstract:
ABSTRACT: The consequences of surviving trauma are complex, making it difficult to formulate a recovery and treatment plan. The most common defense mechanism, and the toughest one to work through, is denial. Throughout human history, lack of knowledge and non-acceptance of the perpetrators misdeeds has placed the suffering of survivors behind an armored wall, perpetuating traumatic effects. No recovery can occur behind this wall of forced silence, ignorance and lack of helpful resources. Over the last two decades, research has revealed the frequency of traumatic events, and their injurious effects on a survivor’s psyche. Mental health professionals have come to understand the connections between unresolved trauma and serious psychological problems. The role of spirituality in trauma recovery is often misunderstood and subsequently minimized. Trauma survivors usually have a difficult time experiencing their vulnerability and the attending feelings of having once been profoundly helpless and alone. The process of unearthing one’s memories and re-experiencing anguish requires the help of skilled, knowledgeable and spiritually grounded professionals who have done healing work on themselves. Interest and research on the healing effects of applying spiritual tools to the multi-layered consequences of trauma survival - including emotional pain, and interpersonal difficulties - has burgeoned. This book, “Trauma and Transformation: A 12-Step Guide”, discusses the efficacy of the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous to address and heal the root causes and conditions of dysfunctional behaviors, lack of meaning in life, and persistent psychic pain. Results: The primary outcome measure is the client’s self-report on improved affect regulation, reduced depression, decrease in maladaptive behaviors, decreased sense of helplessness and hopelessness, increased sense of personal accountability, meaning and purpose in life, and greater ability to modulate arousal; both physical and emotional.
Wenn Lawson
Private Practitioner, Australia
Title: Autism: Problem behaviours are they due to poor theory of mind or could it be the non-generalization of ‘Object permanence’?
Time : 15:50-16:10
Biography:
Dr. Wenn Lawson is a psychologist (UK) and member of the Australian Psychological Society. Wenn is also a qualified social worker with the ASSW. Specializing in training for autism spectrum conditions for over 20 years, Dr. Lawson is well known in the Northern and Southern hemispheres. As a researcher, an author (of more than 12 books); conference speaker, seminar presenter and university lecturer, Dr. Lawson is passionate about his work. All of Dr. Lawson’s work is research based, practical and accessible. Dr. Lawson is on the editorial board for the Open Access Autism Journal, a teaching fellow with the University of Birmingham’s Distant Ed. Autism Master’s course and involved with The Middleton Centre for Autism in Ireland. As well as presenting and writing on the topic of autism spectrum conditions, Dr. Lawson lectures on Learning Difficulties at Melbourne University, Australia. Dr. Lawson is an autistic adult, a parent of 4 children, the younger one being autistic too and grandparent to three, (including two gorgeous little girls, also on the autism spectrum). All of Dr. Lawson’s work is presented from the insight of living and working with autism.
Abstract:
This presentation concerns children with autism and their understanding of what's 'here, now, permanent, on-going and so on, even when it's out of sight'. For example, one 4 yr. old & one 7yr. old girl with autism know their drinks bottles are in their lunch bag, even when they can't see them, BUT, they don't know that Mummy (or some other person/thing/event) are still available, happening and so on, even though out of sight. How is it they know one concept, but not the other? Could it be connected to lacking in a more generalised understanding of Object Permanence (OP)? If so, maybe this challenges aspects of ‘lacks in theory of mind’ in autism? As in, could failure of theory of mind tasks actually be explained by lacks in object permanence? If so, it explains so much of the fear and possibly subsequent stress support needs we see in these children. So, this presentation explores autism in children and adolescents with regard to problem behaviours often thought to be due to poor theory of mind. But, the author will argue that such behaviours are in fact connected to non-generalization of Object Permanence.
Cigdem Yuksel
Gulhane Military Medical Academy, Turkey
Title: Transition between child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) and adult mental health services (AMHS)
Time : 16:10-16:30
Biography:
Cigdem Yuksel is psychiatrist presently working with Gulhane Military Medical Academy in Turkey. Her expertise includes child and adolescent mental health services, medication in nursing, Proton Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy in Social Anxiety Disorder, schizophrenia & major depression comorbidity.
Abstract:
Although child and adolescent’s transition from child and adolescent services to adult services has received much attention in the field of physical health, little attention has addressed the transition process in mental health services [1]. Nonetheless children and adolescents often struggle to move between child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) and adult mental health services (AMHS), and in particular that they are poorly supported. There is a growing evidence-base for interventions with children and adolescents, but transition in mental health settings is still the area where the evidence-base is scant [2]. A number of detailed international clinical guidelines
 has produced to guide intervention in mental health problems occurring in children and adolescent but still there are some differences among between them. It is important to use best practice guidelines to close the gap between current operational practice and the evidence-based practice in transition [3]. The purpose of this paper is to provide a critical review through screening literature for the guidelines released between 01.01.2010-01.03.2015 about transition between child and adolescent mental health services and adult mental health services and to describe the basic steps of effective transition in common. Google database were screened between 27.01.2015 and 01.03.2015 with the key words of ‘national transition guideline, CAMHS, AMHS’ and research restriction “all in text”. As a result of the screening, a total of 36 guidelines were obtained and 11 suitable results were taken into consideration. The results of this review study show that all guidelines define some issues in common. These are a) involving the young individual and the family for transition plans, b) early planning, c) referring the individual to accessible services appropriate to age, d) working in collaboration with other professionals and agencies, e) providing appropriate and accurate information, f) managing the service transition process, g) assessing needs and letting the individual to perform a more central role in deciding his/her care plan, h) assuring continuity of care and follow-up with planning and assessments, i) reviewing and evaluating practice and service models, and include young people, families and careers in the process. Focusing on the whole life of the child and adolescent when assessing needs and planning transition, including their family, friends, housing, school, college and work, as these factors will affect their overall wellbeing. Poor service transitions may cause disengage from mental health services despite continuing is needed which can seriously affect a young person's health and wellbeing, as well as that of their parents, careers and wider family. Adverse outcomes in mental health are associated with difficulties in many aspects of life, including being able to take advantage of education, training and employment opportunities. Proper planning in transition may improve mental health outcomes for child and adolescents
- Post- traumatic Stress Disorder and Neuropsychiatry of Addiction Disorders
Location: SEGRE
Chair
Gabriele Dietze
Humboldt University, Germany
Session Introduction
Gabriele Dietze
Humboldt Universität, Germany
Title: Dada, War and Psychiatry – ‘Active Dynamics of Trauma’
Time : 16:40-17:00
Biography:
Gabriele Dietze is a professor at the Department of European Ethnology Humboldt University of Berlin, Germany. She did her fellowship in the DFG Research Unit "cultures of madness" during summer of 2009 and in 2012 she participated in a part-project "Affective masculinities". She has studied German, philosophy, political science in Frankfurt (Main) and American studies and Cultural Studies at the Free University Berlin. She completed her PhD at the John F. Kennedy Institute for North American Studies, FU (". Hard-Boiled Women Sex Wars in American Mystery Novels"); 2004 Habilitation at the Humboldt University Berlin ("justice negotiate. Competition of Race and Gender in US American emancipation discourse"). She was among others Harris Professor of Gender Studies at Dartmouth; Visiting Fellow at the DuBois Institute at Harvard, NYU and Columbia University; Robert Bosch Guest Professor at the University of Chicago; Visiting Professor of Cultural Studies at the HU and Aigner-Rollett guest professor of gender studies and cultural studies at the University of Graz.
Abstract:
The lecture relates stage performances of dada artists to war neurosis and shell shock as sociocultural phenomena. The leitmotif of this investigation is the notion of simulation, as dada artists were referred to as malingerers (simulators) of madness by the press at the time. I hypothesize that the performers imitate/simulate with drums, shouting and ‘bruitist’ sound poems, the noises of war, staging themselves as war neurotics in a kind of shocking clinical demonstration. Both discourses intersect in the fact that many dadaists try to dodge the draft by simulating madness. The scandalizing anti-art of dada will be understood as contagious anti-pedagogy, trying to vaccinate against the madness of the era.
Hannes Bielas
University of Zurich, Switzerland
Title: Preliminary evidence for a compromised T cell compartment in maltreated children with depression and post-traumatic stress disorder
Time : 17:00-17:20
Biography:
Hannes Biela is a Senior Physician Psychosomatics and Psychiatry presently serving for University of Zurich, Switzerland. His research interest includes Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), Anxiety disorders, Obsessive Compulsive disorders, Autism & Learning and memory in children and youth.
Abstract:
Objective: Adverse childhood experiences, such as maltreatment, and affective disorders associate with a pro-inflammatory state and/or variably compromised counts in lymphocyte subsets in adults. Animal models of social stress indicate that recent thymic emigrant (RTE) cells, which maintain the T cell compartment, are affected. Methods: We evaluate the link between lymphocyte subsets, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among 16 maltreated children (ages 6-17 years) one to three years after the intervention of a child protection team and among 14 healthy age-matched controls. The participants completed psychological assessment and had blood drawn for fluorescent activated cell sorting analysis. Results: Among maltreated children and adolescents, depression was associated with lower counts of RTEs and helper T cells, after controlling for age. We found additional trends and large effect sizes with regard to the percentages of these cells, as well as for related lymphocyte subsets. Similar effects were found for PTSD, associated with lower counts of naïve T cells, also supported by a trend for their percentage. Compared to controls, maltreated participants with a clinical level of depression had decreased percentages of RTEs, with a similar trend for PTSD. Conclusion: These preliminary findings are the first to demonstrate a compromised T cell compartment related to psychiatric symptoms in maltreated children and adolescents. There is a need for further studies, particularly evaluating the role of RTEs.
Marta Vizcaino Rakosnik
Universitat Abat Oliba CEU, Spain
Title: The new technology victims: Sexting and grooming
Time : 17:20-17:40
Biography:
Marta Vizcaino Rakosnik has a Degree in Psychology. She has completed her post graduation in forensic psychological expert and master in legal , forensic and criminological Psychopathology. She is a professor in the Psychology degree at Abat Oliba Ceu University. She has published several papers about domestic violence and sexual abuse.
Abstract:
With Internet, there is a new way of communication. The main characteristic with no precedent is the immediate information exchange with no clear rules. The sexual content has increase during this new digital era, mainly because Internet makes possible to collect and distribute a large number of sexual content in an easiest and fastest way ever. The sexting term is usually use to the sending and receiving of sexual content messages, like photos or images mainly thought smartphones. This is quite a new way used by young kids and teenagers. The sexting attitude can end having very negative consequences for the minors, that can be expose to grooming. Grooming is a major crime, this happens when an adult wins the trust of a minor and by lying the adult gets personal information and images with sexual content from the the minor. From here, the adult can coerce the minor to meet him. The grooming and the sexting can be a vital stress factor with deep psychological consequences for the minor and even in suicide attempt.