Scientific Program

Day 1 :

Keynote Forum

Sam Vaknin

Southern Federal University Russia

Keynote: Workshop on Cold Therapy

Time : 10:00 - 11.00

Biography:

Sam Vaknin is the author of Malignant Self-love: Narcissism Revisited and other books about personality disorders. His work is cited in hundreds of books and dozens of academic papers. He spent the past 6 years developing a treatment modality for Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD). Over the years, with volunteers, he found that it was effective with clients suffering from a major depressive episode as well.To know more please visit- http://www.narcissistic-abuse.com/mediakit.html

Abstract:

Cold Therapy is based on two premises: (1) That narcissistic disorders are actually forms of complex post-traumatic conditions; and (2) That narcissists are the outcomes of arrested development and attachment dysfunctions. Consequently, Cold Therapy borrows techniques from child psychology and from treatment modalities used to deal with PTSD. Cold Therapy consists of the re-traumatization of the narcissistic client in a hostile, non-holding environment which resembles the ambience of the original trauma. The adult patient successfully tackles this second round of hurt and thus resolves early childhood conflicts and achieves closure rendering his now maladaptive narcissistic defenses redundant, unnecessary, and obsolete. Cold Therapy makes use of proprietary techniques such as erasure (suppressing the client's speech and free expression and gaining clinical information and insights from his reactions to being so stifled). Other techniques include: grandiosity reframing, guided imagery, negative iteration, other-scoring, happiness map, mirroring, escalation, role play, assimilative confabulation, hypervigilant referencing, and re-parenting.

 

  • Mindfulness & Well-being | Child and Adolescent Psychiatry| Mental Health & Stigma| Inventions in Technologies, Treatment and Recovery

Session Introduction

S M Yasir Arafat

Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Bangladesh

Title: Suicide Metrics in Bangladesh
Speaker
Biography:

S M Yasir Arafat has MBBS, MBA, MPH & MD Phase B Resident, Department of Psychiatry at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University. He is acting as an Editor-in-Chief at Int J of Perceptions in Public Health. He has more than 60 publications in international peer-reviewed journals. He is also affiliated as Adjunct Faculty at Public Health, ASA University Bangladesh & Independent University, Bangladesh

Abstract:

Suicide is a public health problem too often neglected by researchers, health policy makers and the medical profession. Globally, approximately one million people kill themselves every year which represents a global mortality rate of 16 per 100,000. Objectives: It was aimed to provide a comprehensive understanding of existing literatures reporting suicide rates, and other suicide metrics, in Bangladesh. Methods & material: Search was done in PubMed, PubMed Central, Google Scholar & BanglaJOL with searching key words ranging date from January 2000 to December 2015. Finally 13 articles were selected for review. Results: The average suicide rate was found 39.6/100000 population/year and most common method is hanging and poisoning with most prevalent age group is age under 40 years. More common in female, low socioeconomic condition with low literacy, in married persons, in housewives and discord with spouse is the most common associated factor. It’s a criminal offence in Bangladesh; source of information is mainly police and forensic reports and nationwide survey is yet to conducted and there is no suicide surveillance strategy. Conclusion: Suicide is a neglected and under attended public health problem in Bangladesh with few research and paucity of literature. Nationwide survey conduction and establishment of national suicide surveillance is now a time demanded step.

 

Tal Dotan Ben-Soussan

Research Institute for Neuroscience, Education and Didactics, Patrizio Paoletti Foundation, Assisi, Italy

Title: The effects of Mindful Movement on emotional and neurophysiological well-being
Speaker
Biography:

Abstract:

As we are immersed in exponentially growing external technological development, internal tools and neuroplasticity may help us to better cope with induced stress. In fact, through training, the brain can undergo neuroplasticity, which in turn can advance emotional and cognitive state. Neuroimaging and electrophysiological studies have consistently demonstrated that training, such as mindfulness practices, can modify the White Matter (WM) pathways and functional connectivity, thus improving mental well-being. Yet, only few investigations examined the effects of whole-body mindful movement practices on WM architecture and the possible relation between WM and behavioral changes.

Recently, a new whole-body mindful movement paradigm, the Quadrato Motor Training (QMT) was developed with the aim of enhancing attention, coordination, creativity, and self-awareness. QMT was found to enhance WM pathways related to cognitive and emotional well-being, as well as to increase creativity, self- efficacy and emotion regulation. QMT was further found to increase reflectivity and reduce impulsivity and automatic responses, as it requires the ability to wait for the coming command in an attentive way. QMT was also linked to improved coordination and attention, in contrast to two control groups. Together, the current results support the usefulness of integrating mindful movement training such as the QMT across the lifespan and suggest that it may help in enhancing cognitive functions and well-being

Fabio Marson

Research Institute for Neuroscience, Education and Didactics, Patrizio Paoletti Foundation for Development and Communication, Assisi, Italy

Title: The diagonal movement: electrophysiological effects and clinical implications
Speaker
Biography:

Abstract:

Diagonal movements have previously been used in rehabilitation protocols in order to promote cerebral plasticity and motricity. For example, diagonal arms movements have been used since they have more intrinsic complexity compared to vertical movements because they involve the crossing of sagittal body midline and the active processing of both left and right peripersonal hemispace. Recently, Adele Diamond (2015) has supported the idea that rehabilitation protocols that focus on diagonal movements, eye-hand coordination and bimanual coordination could be effective on cognitive rehabilitation as well. Still, the neural mechanisms that underlie these rehabilitation benefits is not clear. Diagonal movements have been associated to specific changes in absolute fronto-parietal alpha and beta (9-13 and 14-30 Hz, respectively) power using a pre- and post- training design. Yet no study that we are aware of assessed cerebral activity during actual movements. Consequently, in the current study, we examined the neural correlates of diagonal arm movements by recording cerebral electrophysiological activity during task performance, comparing diagonal and vertical arm movements. In line with previous studies, time-frequency analysis showed differences between the diagonal and vertical movements in fronto-parietal alpha and beta, as well as theta (6-7 Hz) activity which are known to be related to working memory, motor planning and cognitive and memory task performance, respectively. The current data, together with aforementioned theoretical models, suggest that future applications of Diagonal movements in rehabilitation protocols could lead to improvement in mental well-being, ranging from improved sports performances and to clinical setting.

 

Sabrina Venditti

Department of Biology and Biotechnology Charles Darwin, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy

Title: The molecular side of Quadrato Motor Training: implications for mental health
Speaker
Biography:

Abstract:

Neurotrophins are closely related to stress, mental health and well-being. Initially synthesized as precursor proteins (pro-neurotrophins), they can influence both developing and mature neural circuits. For example, while pro Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (proBDNF) and Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) are related to learning and neuronal plasticity, proNGF is related to nociception and neurodegeneration. Levels of pro-neurotrophins are considerably changed in neurodegenerative pathologies such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. In addition, stress was shown to suppress BDNF synthesis, and exogenous administration of BDNF may produce an opposing response in some cases, emphasizing the importance of activating the body’s own resources.

To this aim, we utilized the Quadrato Motor Training (QMT), a specifically-structured sensorimotor training, which was found to increase alpha synchronization, and improve spatial cognition, reflectivity, creativity, as well as emotion regulation and general self-efficacy. Our studies demonstrated that proNGF and proBDNF vary following several weeks of QMT practice, and are correlated with improved creativity, which is closely related to mental well-being. Together, these results support the idea that QMT is a useful integrated training that may aid in enhancing physical and mental well-being. In the current talk, we will discuss the implications of combining cognitively challenging physical training for healthy development and aging.

 

Speaker
Biography:

Abstract:

The presentation will outline some of the key proposed mechanisms through which exercise might alleviate depression through a cognitive-behavioural perspective.  Parallels will be made with the mechanisms underpinning evidence-based cognitive and behavioural therapy approaches such as behavioural activation and activity scheduling.  Additionally, the extent to which exercise has the ability to induce cognitive shift through engagement in a socially valued activity and emotional shift through engagement in activity that provides pleasure, mastery and connection with others, alongside interruption of rumination cycles will be outlined in detail.  The impact of exercise on the physical symptoms of depression will also be discussed with a specific focus on the potential for improvement in sleep, appetite and energy levels that tend to occur when engaging in regular exercise.

 

Speaker
Biography:

Abstract:

Patients with schizophrenia suffer from loneliness, inadequate social support, and low levels of satisfaction with life, which make them more vulnerable to relapse and exacerbate of their symptoms. This study aimed at identifying the predictors and relationships of loneliness with social support and satisfaction with life. Data were collected by cross-sectional method from 230 in-patients with schizophrenia through a structured interview. The mean score of loneliness was 52.6 (SD=7.5). Two-thirds of the participants had moderate to high level of loneliness. The mean score of perceived social support was 44.86 (SD=16.84). The highest level of social support perceived from significant others. The mean score of satisfaction with life was 17.12 (SD=7.73). Three variables (satisfaction with life, social support from friends, and duration of treatment) predicted loneliness explaining 41.3% of the total variance. Addressing loneliness and its correlated variables is very important in creating interventions that targeting patients with schizophrenia to decrease loneliness and enhance social support system and satisfaction with life.

 

Day 2 :

Keynote Forum

Jace Pillay

University of Johannesburg, South Africa

Keynote: Development of a web-based child mental health profiler system in South Africa: Global implications

Time : 10:40 - 11.20

Biography:

Jace Pillay completed his doctorate in 1996 at the Rand Afrikaans University in South Africa. He is the South African Research Chair in Education and Care in Childhood focusing on the mental health of orphans and vulnerable children. He has published numerous papers in reputed journals and has presented his research at numerous international conferences.

 

Abstract:

Child mental health conditions, disorders and diseases are rarely on the frontline of health regulations and local health agendas. WHO estimates that worldwide, about 10-20% of children and adolescents experience mental health difficulties. Neuropsychiatric conditions are the leading cause of disability in young people in all countries. If untreated, these conditions severely influence children’s development, their educational attainments and their potential to live fulfilling and productive lives. Children with mental problems face major challenges with stigma, isolation, and discrimination, as well as the lack of access to healthcare and education facilities, in violation of their fundamental human rights. It is against this background that the critical need to obtain valid, reliable and efficient information around child mental health that the idea of a child mental health profiler was conceptualised. The objective of the system is to support an approach in understanding and meeting needs of mental health care of children. Central to the key features of the system is addressing the need for a Rapid Analysis Web-Based Child Mental Health Profiler which we are developing to use in South Africa. The system has the capability to test from both the online and offline environments enabling researchers and all stakeholders or data consumers to commission and/or receive research evidence or draw data at a click of a button, for example on child depression, anxiety, stress, suicidal tendencies, etc. Immediate support and care could be provided for children through the network of supporting organisations on the data base. At the conference I will share the conceptualisation and mechanics of this child mental health profiler system highlighting the benefits of this system to a global audience in supporting child mental health initiatives. 

 

Keynote Forum

Michaela Pascoe

Victoria University, Australia

Keynote: Mindfulness can mediate stress: as told by physiological markers

Time : 10:00 - 10.40

Biography:

Michaela is a researcher in the field of stress, inflammation, wellbeing and mental health. She has drawn attention to the impact of stress on mental health and cognitive outcomes, and the mediating influence of non-pharmacological stress mediating interventions, such as diet, exercise and mindfulness on these outcomes. She has researched the impact of stress both in the context of chronic illness, and young people in Australia experiencing chronic, normative stress related to their academic demands.

Abstract:

Stress is common and associated with the onset of mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. Meditation is a popular form of stress management, argued to mediate stress reactivity. Given the frequency with which people are selecting meditation as a form of self-management, it is important to validate if the practice is effective in meditating stress-reactivity using well-controlled studies. At present, many studies in this field commonly fail to include an active control group when assessing the impacts of mediation practices in randomised control trails. We conducted a meta-analysis investigating the neurobiological effects of meditation, compared to an active control group on markers of stress. Meditation reduced systolic blood pressure. Our results indicate that meditation practice leads to decreased physiological stress markers, compared to an active control group, in a range of populations.

 

  • Child and Adolescent Psychiatry | Psychiatry and Addictions | Psychotherapy and its Advances | Stress | Mental Health & Stigma | Suicidology and Suicide prevention
Speaker
Biography:

Sylva Sarafidou was born in Athens, Greece in 1992. She completed her BA with a major in Psychology and a minor in Art History in 2015. At the same time she conducted her internship for two years in a psychiatric clinic and three elderly care units. She is now completing her MSc in Neuroscience and Psychology of Mental Health at King’s College London (along with the Accredited King’s Membership Programme), and her training in Integrative Psychotherapy and Expressive Arts Therapies. Professionally, she is working with individuals with Alzheimer’s and other neuropsychiatric disorders since 2015, with children with developmental disorders (in groups of creativity and expression) since 2016, and with the caregivers and families with support and psychoeducation.Moreover she is writing articles about psychology and mental health in online magazines and is conducting public speeches about dementia. Her main tool is a combination of all arts and a neuroscientific background.

Abstract:

Alzheimer’s is a neurodegenerative disorder that manifests itself physically, cognitively, emotionally, behaviorally. Despite that AD influences all aspects of life of the sufferer, treatment focuses on the biological and cognitive aspects, fact which is problematic, both theoretically (as cognitive abilities decline, it is thought that the self is gradually lost) and practically (aspects that should be targeted are neglected). The result is that AD is approached differently from other neuropsychiatric disorders and there is no focus on the individual’s actual well- being. A Person- Centered Approach recognizes and targets all aspects of the person. The model approaches the core of the self and its goal is to promote the holistic well- being of the person, leading to a life with quality despite the disorder.The importance of the PCA is made apparent through a case study of an 84- year old man with AD. The interaction with the man began with sessions of cognitive reinforcement only, as requested by the caregivers, yet the spherical needs of the person and his low life quality lead to the PCA being applied. The treatment plan became more personalized (attuned to the preferences and mood of the man), more engaging (allowing a sense of agency, including the person in the process and the goal) and elements that allowed the expression of the self (roles, character) were added.After some time, a therapeutic alliance was developed and the man became more stable emotionally and cognitively, learned to manage life with his existing skills, and his subjective well- being increased,as reported by the caregivers, the man himself, and as revealed through questionnaires. A PCA in AD allows the person to maintain a sense of self, and a quality of everyday life, because it approaches individuals as persons and not as manifestations of disorders.

Speaker
Biography:

He has MBBS, MBA, MPH & MD Phase B Resident, Department of Psychiatry at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University. He is acting as an Editor-in-Chief at Int J of Perceptions in Public Health. He has more than 60 publications in international peer-reviewed journals. He is also affiliated as Adjunct Faculty at Public Health, ASA University Bangladesh & Independent University, Bangladesh.

 

Abstract:

Suicide is a global public health problem too often neglected by researchers and Bangladesh is not an exception. There is no suicide surveillance and nationwide study is yet to be conducted in the country. It was aimed to look into the suicide based on newspaper reporting in Bangladesh focusing the demographic variables and risk factors. Methods: 6 national newspapers were scrutinized since November 2016 to April 2017. Data were checked, crosschecked and then analyzed with SPSS software. Results: In six month duration total 271 cases were reported; age was found 11-70 years, (26.67±13.47). 61% (83) of the reported cases were less than 30 years of age, 58% were female, 24% (64) were student, 17% were house maker, 61% from rural background, and 45% were married. Hanging was found as the commonest method (82.29%); marital and familial discord remained as a noticeable risk factor 34.32%. Family members and neighbors noticed 103 (38%) cases, and only 3 cases were found to have suicide notes.  Conclusion: Suicide is an under attended public health problem in Bangladesh with few research and paucity of literature.

Speaker
Biography:

Michaela is a researcher in the field of stress, inflammation, wellbeing and mental health. She has drawn attention to the impact of stress on mental health and cognitive outcomes, and the mediating influence of non-pharmacological stress mediating interventions, such as diet, exercise and mindfulness on these outcomes. She has researched the impact of stress both in the context of chronic illness, and young people in Australia experiencing chronic, normative stress related to their academic demands.

 

Abstract:

Introduction and Aims: Practices that include yoga asanas for the management of stress are increasingly popular; however, the neurobiological effects of these practices on stress reactivity are not well understood. Many studies investigating the effects of such practices fail to include an active control group. Given the frequency with which people are selecting such interventions as a form of self-management, it is important to determine their effectiveness. Thus, this review investigates the effects of practices that include yoga asanas, compared to an active control, on physiological markers of stress.

Methods: A meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials published in English compared practices that included yoga asanas to an active control on stress-related physiological measures. MEDLINE, AMED, CINAHL, PsycINFO, SocINDEX, PubMed and Scopus were searched. Randomised controlled trials were included if they assessed at least one of the following outcomes: heart rate, blood pressure, heart rate variability, mean arterial pressure, C-reactive protein, interleukins or cortisol. Meta-analysis was undertaken using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis Software Version 3. Subgroup analysis was conducted for different yoga and control group types, different populations, length of intervention, and method of data analysis.

Results: Forty two studies were included in the meta-analysis. Interventions that included yoga asanas were associated with reduced evening cortisol, waking cortisol, ambulatory systolic blood pressure, resting heart rate, high frequency heart rate variability, fasting blood glucose, cholesterol and low density lipoprotein, compared to active control. However, the reported interventions were heterogeneous.

Conclusions: Practices that include yoga asanas appear to be associated with improved regulation of the sympathetic nervous system and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal system in various populations.

 

Speaker
Biography:

Abstract:

Patients with schizophrenia suffer from loneliness, inadequate social support, and low levels of satisfaction with life, which make them more vulnerable to relapse and exacerbate of their symptoms. This study aimed at identifying the predictors and relationships of loneliness with social support and satisfaction with life. Data were collected by cross-sectional method from 230 in-patients with schizophrenia through a structured interview. The mean score of loneliness was 52.6 (SD=7.5). Two-thirds of the participants had moderate to high level of loneliness. The mean score of perceived social support was 44.86 (SD=16.84). The highest level of social support perceived from significant others. The mean score of satisfaction with life was 17.12 (SD=7.73). Three variables (satisfaction with life, social support from friends, and duration of treatment) predicted loneliness explaining 41.3% of the total variance. Addressing loneliness and its correlated variables is very important in creating interventions that targeting patients with schizophrenia to decrease loneliness and enhance social support system and satisfaction with life.

 

Abrar AlMajed

Imam Abdulrahman bin Faisal University Saudi Arabia

Title: Stigma towards Mental Illness among Saudi Laypeople
Speaker
Biography:

Abrar AlMajed is from Riyadh the capital of Saudi Arabia, she had a bachelor degree in psychology from King Saud University, and now she is pursuing her master degree in clinical psychology from college of medicine, Imam Abdulrahman bin Faisal University. Abrar works as assistant psychologist at King Fahad Medical City. She had studied abroad for three years in the United States where she studied English as a second language and then had a chance to be an intern at mental hospital for four months in Wisconsin state. she chooses clinical psychology as career because she believes that psychological suffering can be reduced and quality of life can be enhanced. Her area of interest in research are stigma and cross-cultural studies. In the near future, Abrar hopes to start her own podcast to advocate people of Saudi about mental health and increase awareness.

 

Abstract:

Stigma is a perceived negative attribute that causes someone to devalue or think less of others. In mental health, stigma is resulting from negative attitudes people hold about mental ill and patients about themselves. Such attitudes might be publicised on social distances that could attribute symptoms of mental illness to misconceptions of causes and the way they can be treated. Stigma towards mental illness is a global phenomenon, it influences, on one hand seeking mental health services while they are needed, and on the other hand the way mental illness can be managed. Fighting for decreasing stigma has increasingly become a demand thru certain planned clinical, community and political procedures, aiming at “Destigmatisation”. Saudi society is not excluded, stigma is there, it might be more exacerbating due to social and cultural interpretations. Although health care system in Saudi is one of the best in the region, the field of mental illness is still a taboo. Whereas many people rarely hesitate to seek religious healers as the first line of treatment which they practice exorcism believing people psychological pain springs from demons, envy and witchcraft. Consequently, addressing stigma in Saudi is essential that cannot be denied. Aiming to decrease ignorance and increase people mental health and quality of life which usually get affected and the suffering get endured, hence that others do not stigmatize them.

 

Speaker
Biography:

Abstract:

Self - stigma is an individual perception that he/she experiences the stigma from the society because they are part of that stigmatized group that creates a negative reaction from the individual to themselves.Purpose of this research is to know the self – stigma description of female sex worker with HIV/AIDS in Jakarta and its review from the side of Islam.Research method used is cross sectional analytic descriptive research. Sampling method used in this research is simple random sampling method by taking primary data with questionnare to get respondent identity, and other primart data with   Berger Stigma – Scale questionnaire.The result of this research most of the respondent showed Disclosure Concerns stigma scale with 53 (74,6%) respondent.Conclusions from this research by using Berger Stigma Scale showed that most of respondent experiences stigma wih Disclosure Concerns subscale, that means still many female sex worker sheltered their status as ODHA because they are concern on how public will react to themselves. Islamic law forbid the practice of adultery in any form, even if the action is favored by humans and deed done only by a person without harming others. transactions according to Islam are also viewed in terms of type of the occupation. Because of that, it is forbid for Muslims to make a transaction to do wrong things

 

Speaker
Biography:

Abstract:

Objective To observe the effects of acupuncture at Sanyinjiao(SP6) and Baihui (GV20) on spontaneous activity, impulsivity, learning-memorial ability, and monoamine neurotransmitter dopamine (DA), noradrenalin (NE) and 5-hydroxytrypamine (5-HT) contents in prefrontal cortex of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) as a model of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) rats, so as to study its mechanism underlying improment of ADHD. Methods 4-week-old SHR rats were randomly divided into the model group, methylphenidate group, acupuncture group, the same age WKY young rats were selected as the normal control group, 10 rats in each group. Acupuncture was applied to Baihui (GV20) and Sanyinjiao(SP6) of SHR rats in acupuncture group for 15 min, once daily for 4 weeks. The rats in MPH group was gavaged with MPH (ritalin) at a dose of 2 mg/kg/day, Rats were treated for 4 weeks in the dark-phase. Open field test (OFT), elevated plus maze (EPM) and novel object recognition test (NORT)were conducted to evaluate the spontaneous activity, impulsivity and learning-memorial ability of rats individually at the end of treatment. and contents of DA, NE and 5-HT in PFC were detected by HPLC. Results Compared with the normal control group, all of the behavior parameters of the model group rats were significantly higher(P<0.05), the contents of DA, NE and 5-HT in PFC of the model group rats were lower than that of normal control group(P<0.05). Compared with the model group, acupuncture group had shorter movement distance, less rearing and grooming activities in the OFT, reduced percentage of the times entering the open arms and staying duration in the total period in the EPM, and the elevated preference index in the NORT after receiving four weeks treatment(P<0.05), and the contents of NE and 5-HT in PFC of the acupuncture group rats were higher than that of control group(P<0.05), but there was no significant difference in DA levels between the two groups(P>0.05). Conclusion Acupuncture could relieve the spontaneous activity and impulsivity, improve learning-memorial ability of ADHD model rats, which may be related to elevated NE and 5-HT levels in the PFC.

 

Speaker
Biography:

Michaela is a researcher in the field of stress, inflammation, wellbeing and mental health. She has drawn attention to the impact of stress on mental health and cognitive outcomes, and the mediating influence of non-pharmacological stress mediating interventions, such as diet, exercise and mindfulness on these outcomes. She has researched the impact of stress both in the context of chronic illness, and young people in Australia experiencing chronic, normative stress related to their academic demands.

Abstract:

Stress is common and associated with the onset of mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. Meditation is a popular form of stress management, argued to mediate stress reactivity. Given the frequency with which people are selecting meditation as a form of self-management, it is important to validate if the practice is effective in meditating stress-reactivity using well-controlled studies. At present, many studies in this field commonly fail to include an active control group when assessing the impacts of mediation practices in randomised control trails. We conducted a meta-analysis investigating the neurobiological effects of meditation, compared to an active control group on markers of stress. Meditation reduced systolic blood pressure. Our results indicate that meditation practice leads to decreased physiological stress markers, compared to an active control group, in a range of populations.