Departments of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences

The current worldwide outbreak of the novel coronavirus Covid-19, originated from Wuhan (China), has spread to 6 continents, 213 countries and territories around the world. This paper aggregates and consolidates the state of the art about Sars Cov2 virology, molecular genetics, immunology, pathogenicity, epidemiology, explores the concept of crisis and psychological effects on population by the ongoing 2020 Covid-19 outbreak crisis vs previous pandemic impacts. The detailed description of this public health threat highlights the great uncertainty surrounding it. Uncertainty and confusion can amplify the psychological impact of this event on the general population. Results are summarized and discussed. Methodological suggestions are provided for studies aimed at investigating psychological effects of critical catastrophic and unexpected life events, such as a pandemic. The analyzed aspects have implications for healthcare professionals in their efforts to promote the psychological well-being of general population during critical unexpected events.

Dopamine along with other chemical messengers like serotonin, cannabinoids, endorphins and glutamine, play significant roles in brain reward processing. There is a devastating opiate/opioid epidemic in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), at least 127 people, young and old, are dying every day due to narcotic overdose and alarmingly heroin overdose is on the rise. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved some Medication-Assisted Treatments (MATs) for alcoholism, opiate and nicotine dependence, but nothing for psychostimulant and cannabis abuse. While these pharmaceuticals are essential for the short-term induction of " psychological extinction, " in the long-term caution is necessary because their use favors blocking dopaminergic function indispensable for achieving normal satisfaction in life. The two institutions devoted to alcoholism and drug dependence (NIAAA & NIDA) realize that MATs are not optimal and continue to seek better treatment options. We review, herein, the history of the development of a glutaminergic-dopaminergic optimization complex called KB220 to provide for the possible eventual balancing of the brain reward system and the induction of " dopamine homeostasis. " This complex may provide substantial clinical benefit to the victims of Reward Deficiency Syndrome (RDS) and assist in recovery from iatrogenically induced addiction to unwanted opiates/ opioids and other addictive behaviors.

Dopamine along with other chemical messengers like serotonin, cannabinoids, endorphins and glutamine, play significant roles in brain reward processing. There is a devastating opiate/opioid epidemic in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), at least 127 people, young and old, are dying every day due to narcotic overdose and alarmingly heroin overdose is on the rise. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved some Medication-Assisted Treatments (MATs) for alcoholism, opiate and nicotine dependence, but nothing for psychostimulant and cannabis abuse. While these pharmaceuticals are essential for the short-term induction of " psychological extinction, " in the long-term caution is necessary because their use favors blocking dopaminergic function indispensable for achieving normal satisfaction in life. The two institutions devoted to alcoholism and drug dependence (NIAAA & NIDA) realize that MATs are not optimal and continue to seek better treatment options. We review, herein, the history of the development of a glutaminergic-dopaminergic optimization complex called KB220 to provide for the possible eventual balancing of the brain reward system and the induction of " dopamine homeostasis. " This complex may provide substantial clinical benefit to the victims of Reward Deficiency Syndrome (RDS) and assist in recovery from iatrogenically induced addiction to unwanted opiates/ opioids and other addictive behaviors.

Context: Despite the seriousness of domestic violence and its consequences, it is largely underestimated, and many female victims cannot receive appropriate assistance. Despite the psychological consequences of domestic violence, women who are victims of such violence are not primarily intended for the psychiatrist. Objective: To study the profile of women who have been victims of domestic violence and to assess their psychopathological impact. Methods: Cross-sectional study carried out for 76 women victims of domestic violence recruited in the ANNAJDA help center in Rabat during a period from March 2017 to May 2017. The instruments used were: a data collection sheet for socio-demographic, clinical and violence characteristics, the PCL-S scale was used to assess Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression (HAD) scale was used to assess anxiety and depression and the DSM 5 criteria were used to assess addiction. Results: 76 female victims of domestic violence were included in the study. The average age of the mothers was 34.62 years. 47.3% have a low socioeconomic level. 63.2% of the victims were unemployed. All our victims have been subjected to psychological violence. 68.4% of our sample has a post-traumatic stress condition. 82.9% of victims show definite anxiety. 61.8% of women have a definite depressive disorder. 14.5% a dependence on a substance. There was a significant association between sexual violence and anxiety and drug use, between financial violence and drug use, between physical violence and depression.

Received: Jul 17, 2019 Accepted: Dec 22, 2019 Abstract Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a commonly used treatment method by professionals both for anxiety disorders and mood disorders. The method includes behavioral interventions as well as cognitive restructuring. The primary aim of the approach is to change patients’ maladaptive thinking and behavior patterns with more useful ones. GAD is a common anxiety disorder which is characterized by insistent, extreme and unrealistic concern about everyday life experiences.The present study aims to analyze a case of general anxiety disorder patient, who was successfully treated by CBT. Various CBT techniques, which were employed in the treatment, will be discussed in the light of evidence from the literature.

The COVID-19 pandemic has become a global crisis; it has prompted each country to take the necessary measures, starting with the health sector with its different material and human resources. This study evaluates the anxiety and depression of a group of 403 healthcare workers across Morocco using a Hospital Anxiety and Depression (HAD) assessment scale during this crisis. The results show severe anxiety among the healthcare workers in the COVID-19 services compared to staff who do not work in the COVID-19 department with a very significant p-value <0.0001. Insurmountable psychological pressure on nurses leads to various problems such as anxiety, fear, frustration, depression and insomnia that affect quality of life and require psychological support.