[Influence of psychopathological factors and personality traits on the results of the study of quality of life in patients with multiple sclerosis]

Effectiveness of compassion-based online therapy on suicidal thoughts and pain catastrophizing in female patients with multiple sclerosis in the relapsing-remitting phase

Introduction

According to research, multiple sclerosis is related to suicidal thoughts and pain catastrophizing as psycho-pathological variables, and on the other hand, compassion-based treatment can reduce mental disorders by targeting dimensions such as self-compassion. Also, since this disease is progressive and over time can cause movement restrictions in these people, online psychotherapy can be a better option for these people. So, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of online compassion therapy on suicidal thoughts and pain catastrophizing in female patients with multiple sclerosis.

Methods

The current research was applied and quasi-experimental in a pre-test-post-test manner with a control group. The research sample consisted of 30 patients with multiple sclerosis living in Shiraz in 2019, who were randomly divided into two 15-person experimental and control groups. The participants were tested on scales of suicidal thoughts and pain catastrophizing, and the treatment plan based on compassion therapy was presented to the participants of the experimental group in 8 two-hour sessions online. The control group was placed on the waiting list until the completion of the treatment sessions and the post-test implementation, and after the post-test implementation, they received the treatment. Control variables in this study included gender and disease phase. Then, their scores were measured, after completing the treatment, and a three-month follow-up period. Descriptive statistics and covariance test were used to analyze the data.

Results

Patients showed a clear improvement in the severity of symptoms in both variables. So that the scores of suicidal thoughts and pain catastrophizing in the experimental group after receiving the treatment, as well as after a three-month follow-up period, were significantly reduced (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Confirming the effectiveness of online therapy based on compassion on improving psychological outcomes in these patients, as an effective and online treatment method, is a clear step towards continuing the implementation of psychological interventions and paying attention to the dimension of mental health in this group of people.

Conceptualization and management of personality disorders in Russian psychiatry

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This article aims to present the current picture on conceptualization, diagnosis and care provision of personality disorders (PD) in modern Russia. These issues are highly relevant to Russian psychiatry, which has a rich historical tradition of analysing psychopathic constitution, personality types and dynamics.

RECENT FINDINGS

This narrative review covers the main tendencies in the recent Russian academic literature devoted to PD. PD are most frequently investigated in the frames of forensic psychiatry, in which expert conclusions and assessment of the risk factors for socially dangerous behaviour are particularly important. Another area of research concerns comorbidity, since PD often affect other health conditions or are co-occurrent with other mental or behavioural problems. Specialists have also focused on the challenges of therapy in PD.

SUMMARY

Reviewed manuscripts show a pathogenic and pathoplastic role of personality factors in manifestation of other mental, behavioural or somatic disorders. Analysis of pathocharacterological profile and self-regulation processes is a major component in assessing and diagnosing PD. The principal perspectives in this particular area focus on evidence-based research of mechanisms of personality pathology and validation of targeted personalized combined therapeutic approaches.