The use of social networks is an integral part of our daily life as a means of communication. Scientific dissemination through these kind of platforms has expanded enormously in recent years, for example in networks such as Instagram, a free photo, text messaging and video sharing social media application. Instagram has been used extensively in different fields of medicine. Initially it was limited to visually rich fields but it has been extended to others such as mental health. This tool has enormous potential as a means of more effective communication and prevention.

To analyze the role of Instagram as a tool of psychoeducation and prevention in mental health

An analysis of different mental health profiles was carried based on different items: publications, interactions, likes, commentaries, shares, accounts reached, accounts engaged and hashtags.

Mental health has become one of the sanitary fields generating more traffic on social media reaching a great number of publications per day. Topics that generated more interaction were: depression, anxiety, trauma, sleep and emotion regulation difficulties among others. However most mental health information available in social media had not been provided by proffessinals of the mental health but by many others.

Instagram is presented as a valuable mental health prevention tool and professionals should engage and adapt to new scenarios of communication. In the era where information is easy to get but knowledge is difficult to find, experts of mental health should more involved.

No significant relationships.

Telepsychiatry was proved effective and satisfactory in settings like the emergency department and mental health services, but its use is historically restricted. Although there are several studies about telepsychiatry pros and cons, more is needed to know about its effect on patient’s follow-up and its influence on inpatient treatment rates, specifically during COVID-19 pandemic.

The aim is to look for an eventual change on psychiatric inpatient admissions, during COVID-19 pandemic, when psychiatric patients are in follow-up through teleconsultation.

We compared the number of hospitalizations for 3 different 6 months periods of time: the 2nd semester of 2019 with no teleconsultations, March-August 2020 only with teleconsultations (except some few 1st consultations) and the 1st semester of 2021 with face-to-face and teleconsultations. A one-way repeated measures ANOVA was conducted on a 1050 patients sample.

The statists showed that the type of approach in consultations didn’t lead to statistically significant differences in hospitalizations (F test-statistic = 0.33086, p = 0.718345).

There is a plethora of advantages about telepsychiatry and it was already shown to be as effective as in-person contact. Some articles show an association of telepsychiatry with a decrease in hospitalization rates, but mostly display similar clinical outcomes. In this study, the authors found that the results follow the latter tendency, although we must consider the COVID-19 pandemic as a possible decompensation and worsening clinical factor. More studies on this matter are important to better understand the potential benefits (and risks) of this treatment setting.

No significant relationships.

Life is a stage in which we are all actors and online we can choose who we want to be. Catfishing is a modern phenomenon in which individuals present themselves online as someone they are not as a means of engaging with others through an idealized avatar. This term has gained prominence since its portrayal in documentary and television series. With the emergence of catfishing, an expectation of betrayal in online relationships is anticipated with increasing caution being exercised by those that engage in online forums.

The authors aim to explore this phenomenon and explore what personality traits might be associated with those who engage in catfishing others and in those that fall for the dupe.

A review of the recent literature on the topic with focus on that which is most relevant to the theme was included.

The literature demonstrates that catfishing is an increasing trend as our online social interaction also increases. Catfishing appears to exist on a scale, where approximately 80% of the online population engage in some form, by means of amplifying their social status. Those with low self-esteem, poor self-worth with and a need to connect and to be validated were most susceptible.

The internet permits anonymity where trading “real world” skins with digital ones creating avatars in order to seek what is desired. Catfishing raises questions about the nature of the human self and the role it plays in deception. Understanding how patients use the internet may provide insight into how personality acts on a stage of total anonymity.

No significant relationships.

Grief is a normal and not necessarily pathological psychological process that occurs after the loss of a family member or loved one with its psycho-affective consequences, external manifestations and rituals. Although mourning processes can be associated with losses of different types (employment, housing, baseline situation, housing), we will refer to mourning for the loss of a loved one. For some people, social networks facilitate the expression of feelings and experiences of grief, connecting with the emotional support of other friends and loved ones. However, the presence of accounts belonging to these deceased persons, the persistence of photos and memories that periodically appear on the screen without the person being able to choose them, can make it difficult to process the mourning.

The aim of this paper is to consider the beneficial and detrimental factors of social media during a grieving reaction after the loss of a loved one.

For the preparation of this work, a bibliographic review on the subject has been carried out. Likewise, the clinical information provided by patients during our evaluations has provided critical views on what has been published in this regard.

Support through social networks can help to feel more affectionate, but there are other harmful factors that must be taken into account: permanence of photos, appearance of memories and reminder of the deceased person’s birthday.

Social networks can have favorable but also detrimental factors in the elaboration of a grief and should be considered in the psychiatric exploration and intervention.

No significant relationships.

Social anxiety disorder (SAD) can accompany emotional symptoms as well as physical reactions. The assessment and real-time measurement of SAD is difficult in real-world.

This study aims to predict the severity of specific anxiety states and virtual reality (VR) sickness in SAD patients by a machine learning model based on only quantitative measuring of autonomic physiologic signals during VR therapy sessions.

In total, 32 individuals with SAD symptoms were enrolled in VR participatory sessions. We assessed patients’ specific anxiety symptoms through Internalized Shame Scale (ISS) and Post-Event Rumination Scale (PERS), and VR sickness through Simulator Sickness Questionnaire (SSQ). Specific anxiety symptoms and VR sickness were divided into severe and non-severe states based on the total score of each scale by K-means clustering. Logistic regression, Random Forest, Naïve Bayes classifier, and Support Vector Machine were used based on the physiological signal data to predict the severity group in subdomains of ISS, PERS, and SSQ.

Prediction performance (F1 score) for the severity of the ISS mistake anxiety subdomain was higher than other scales with 0.8421. For VR sickness, prediction performance for the severity of the physical subdomain was higher than the non-physical subdomain with 0.7692.

The study findings present that mistake anxiety and physical sickness could be predicted more accurately by only autonomic physiological signals, suggesting these features are probably associated with autonomic responses. Based on the present study results, we could provide the evidence for predicting the severity of specific anxiety or VR adverse effects only based on in-situ physiological signals.

No significant relationships.

The current study tests the relationship between eating disorder (ED) symptoms and trauma exposure. The mechanisms via which trauma is related to ED symptoms have not been sufficiently examined. This study examines the complex role of dissociation and emotional dysregulation in the context of trauma, BMI, ED symptoms and body dissatisfaction (BD).

We hypothesized that dissociation and emotional dysregulation would mediate the relationship between trauma exposure and ED symptoms / BD. We further hypothesized that BMI would play a moderating role in this association.

A community sample of 229 (16.2% male) participants, with a mean age of 29.08±10.68 reported online on traumatic events (Life Events Checklist), dissociation (Dissociative Experiences Scale – II), emotional dysregulation (Difficulties in Emotional Regulation Scale), ED symptoms (Eating Disorders Examination – Questionnaire) and BD (Figure Rating Scale).

Participants reported experiencing a mean of 2.87±2.27 traumatic events, with a relatively high percentage (˜86%) reporting at least one. The most commonly reported traumatic events were transportation accidents and physical assault. Although frequency of traumatic events did not directly predict ED symptoms, BMI, dissociation, emotional dysregulation and BD did. An SEM model showed that traumatic events predicted ED symptoms indirectly through dissociation, emotional dysregulation and BMI. Dissociation and emotional dysregulation predicted ED symptoms directly. BMI also moderated the association between traumatic events and both ED symptoms and BD.

Therapists treating patients with high BMI or obesity should be aware of these relationships and investigate the possibility that trauma and/or PTSD may underlie the presenting disordered eating or eating disorder.

No significant relationships.

During the last 30 years, many studies have shown a high prevalence of substance use among patients diagnosed with an Eating Disorder (ED). Almost 50% of the patients with ED have a history of substance use, and 35% of the patients that seek help for an addiction disorder also meet criteria for ED. Nevertheless, both substance abuse specialists and pratictioners with expertise in ED have difficulties in treating these dually diagnosed patients.

The aim of this study is to emphasize the importance of assessing substance use in patients with ED and disturbed eating behaviors in patients with Substance Use Disorders (SUD), as well as the need for evidence-based treatment guidelines for this comorbid condition.

A literature search of published articles on substance use patterns in ED and on the therapeutic approach for this comorbid condition was performed on PubMed database.

A diagnosis of Bulimia Nervosa and the presence of binging/ purging behaviors are strongly associated with substance use. Most frequently used substances are represented by nicotine, caffeine and alcohol, followed by cannabis and amphetamines. Reasons why patients with ED use substances are emotional regulation and appetite suppression. Detailed and systematic evaluation of the substances used and for other psychiatric comorbidities is mandatory. Management plan involves simultaneously treating ED and SUD.

The comorbidity of Substance Use Disorders and Eating Disorders is a complex entity, but nonetheless treatable. Further studies are needed to specify the patterns of substance use in Eating Disorders and their implications for treatment.

No significant relationships.

Physical activity (PA) level has been found to be an important correlate of eating disorders (EDs). The literature is inconclusive to whether PA is related to symptoms of EDs in non-clinical sample.

The first study aim was to assess the level of PA in non-clinical group of young adults with symptoms of EDs. The second aim was to evaluate the association between PA level and severity of EDs symptoms.

The sample consisted of 327 young adults (Mage = 21.72±2.00;MBMI = 23.20±7.43). All participants completed the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26) and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire(IPAQ). Finally, 32 individuals (9.79%) of the total sample scored above clinical cut-off on the EAT-26 (≥ 20) indicating a high level of symptoms and concerns characteristic of EDs.

The non-clinical group differed significantly in PA level (low-intensity, moderate-intensity, vigorous-intensity levels of PA; H(2,32)=26.19,p<0.001). There was no difference in the severity of ED symptoms between the groups of PA level. Our findings demonstrated a positive relationship between PA (IPAQ total score) and bulimic behaviour and thoughts about food (rho-Spearman=0.31,p=0.04). The highest Bulimia and Preoccupation scale scores were observed in group with vigorous-intensity levels of PA (Me=8.5).

Our findings indicate that the severity of ED symptoms did not differ across the PA levels in a non-clinical sample of young adults. However, PA was positively associated with bulimia and food preoccupation. Since, excessive physical could be an important risk-factor of EDs, the recommended levels of PA for health in non-clinical sample should be enhanced in effective prevention programs.

No significant relationships.

Clients with Eating Disorders may be treated as inpatients (IP), day hospital (DH) or community patients (Ambu). The ITAMITED study is following to treatment termination (or end of October 2025) all new clients with EDs presenting between November 2017 and October 2020 to eight centres in Spain.

To describe to what extent initial care levels (IP, DH, Ambu) are associated with gender, age, social relationships, ED diagnosis Body Mass Index (BMI) and baseline medication.

The study is exploratory/descriptive, practice-based evidence (PBE). Consecutive new clients were approached for participation. Inclusion criteria were a diagnosis of an ED and opting in to treatment.

The only variables not showing a statistically significant relationship with level were gender (no relationship), diagnosis of bulimia and use of prescribed psychostimulant medication (which was rare). OP care was associated with older age which did not discriminate between DH and IP. Similarly, being in a relationship was associated with OP care but didn’t differentiate between DH and OP. Relationships with ED diagnosis other than AN type I were complex but significant. Relationships with AN type I, BMI and being on antipsychotics, antidepressants, anxiolytics, mood stabilisers and a catch-all category of all other medication all showed an ordered relationship IP > DH > Ambu. The most powerful relationships were with BMI and diagnosis of AN type I.

Initial level of care is associated with many factors and strongly with many of them. This will complicate the analyses of trajectories of change but reflects the heterogeneity of this client group.

I am Clinical Director of ITA but analyses are prespecified. Evans, Medina and Paz are not remunerated by ITA nor related to ITA or any of its employees they would counter any pressure on analyses or reporting that might arise from my position.

The links between body image disturbances and distorted relationships with parents were supposed since the early conceptualizations of AN by Hilde Bruch. The empirical studies however were concerned with perceptual aspects of body image and much less is known about how the attitudinal aspects and the body-related behaviors are affected.

To study the attitudinal and behavioral aspects of body image in adolescents with AN in relation to perceived parental care and the attachments to close people.

The Body Investment Scale (BSI), Parental Bonding Instrument (PBI) and Attachment Style Questionnaire (ASQ) were used. 53 girls with Anorexia Nervosa were compared to 63 controls (adjusted by age).

Girls with AN scored significantly higher on BIS Body attitude (p<.001) and Protection scales (p<.01), while displayed equal results on Body Care scale. They displayed lower Confidence in relationships (p<.01), higher Need for approval, Discomfort and preoccupation in close relationships (p<.05). No differences were found on PBI, excerpt for AN group perceiving less paternal control (p<.05). The correlation analysis, while showing a number of similar correlations within groups, suggests that in AN group positive Body image was more closely linked to perceived early care, especially from father (r=.6), in contrast with controls. In current relationships negative Body image for AN is stronger related to Discomfort and Need for approval (r>0.6), while Discomfort with Touch is less linked to problems in relationships than in controls.

Results suggest the importance of studying the father’s mediating role in the formation of body attitudes in AN.

No significant relationships.

Previous studies applying the Lausanne Trilogue Play (LTPc), a semi-structured method for observing family dynamics, highlighted dysfunctional interaction patterns in the families of individuals affected by restrictive eating disorders (REDs). Family-centered approaches are considered the first-line treatment for severe cases of REDs in adolescence.

To investigate family functioning in the families of adolescents with severe REDs assessed before and 6 months after a multidisciplinary family treatment program that combined psychodynamic psychotherapy, parental role intervention and triadic or family-centered intervention.

Sixty-seven families of adolescent patients diagnosed with REDs were assessed for eligibility between July 2017 and October 2020. Family functioning was assessed using the clinical version of LTPc. Nutritional counseling and neuropsychiatric monitoring were also provided.

We observed a significant change in the family functioning score for the LTPc phase 2, in which the father interacts with his daughter while the mother acts as a silent observer. This suggests that the fathers, when playing an active role, could improve dyadic family functioning. The treatment was not found to change triadic functioning: a 6-month treatment may not be long enough to modify interactions at the triadic level.

A brief multidisciplinary treatment program may significantly improve family functioning in the families of patients diagnosed with severe REDs. Although appropriate clinical trials are needed to further test the efficacy of this treatment, our study reinforce the concept that treatment programs targeting the individual patient and both the parents should be a first-line approach in adolescents with severe REDs.

The authors declare that they do not have a significant financial interest, consultancy or other relationship with products, manufacturer(s) of products or providers of services related to this abstrac.

A major revolution in psychiatry since the late 20th and early 21st Century has sought to put the individual client at the heart of intervention, promoting shared decision making. Increasing use of patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) to evaluate interventions and even steer therapies (“power assisted steering for psychotherapy”, Evans 2012) appears congruent with this. But is caution needed interpreting PROMS where self-perception distortions form a core part of the client’s problem? Eating disorders are a paradigmatic test.

To see if PROM scores at initial presentation at services for ED seemed congruent with help-seeking. We report CORE-Outcome scores here.

Inclusion criteria were a diagnosis of an ED and opting in to treatment. Consecutive new clients at all the centres were approached for participation. Scores distributions were analysed to see if numbers of low scores, “non-clinical range” scores seemed congruent with help-seeking.

18% of the participants who completed the CORE-OM at baseline had a score below the Clinically Significant Change (CSC) cutting point. Though the rate was higher in participants with an Anorexia type I diagnosis (22.6%) than those with other ED diagnoses (15.8%): in the expected direction, the difference was narrowly non-significant (chi-squared = 3.5, d.f. = 1, p = .06). Scores did relate to treatment level.

The predicted elevated rate of non-clinical baseline scores in the AN1 group was narrowly non-significant but the rate of 18% non-clinical scores in a help-seeking population raises a cautionary message about interpretation of change from initially low scores.

I am one of the three trustees of CORE System Trust which holds the copyright on the CORE measures used in this study but the measures are all provided under a Creative Commons licence so I receive no remuneration from this.

Eating disorders (EDs) constitute serious mental illnesses with high morbidity, lifetime mortality and associated stigma due to the label of mental illness. The sparse research assessing adolescents’ knowledge of and attitudes towards EDs highlights their low understanding of these conditions.

The proposed study aims to bridge this gap by investigating adolescents’ knowledge of and attitudes towards EDs as this will inform young people’s engagement with ED services.

Participants aged 12-18 will be randomly assigned a vignette depicting either a male or female 15-year-old displaying symptoms of anorexia nervosa (AN) or binge eating disorder (BED). They will be asked to select what they believe the condition described in the vignette is from a pre-determined list. They will then be informed of the correct diagnosis before completing a series of scales designed to assess their attitudes towards EDs. Participants’ own potentially disordered eating behaviours will be assessed using the ED risk composite (EDRC) subscale from the EDI-3.

It is expected that BED will be less likely to be correctly identified compared to AN, eliciting more stigma and male vignette subjects will be seen more negatively than female vignette subjects. Also, it is expected that participants with higher EDRC scores will have more knowledge of and less negative attitudes towards EDs than those with lower EDRC scores.

This study will highlight the need for education around EDs targeted at adolescents to increase their knowledge and awareness, providing them with factual information ought to reduce stigma and negative attitudes and beliefs about EDs.

No significant relationships.

Adolescence, when physical body image changes occur, is highly vulnerable to the development of eating disorders. At this age, there is an acute task of accepting oneself as another - an adult who has changed.

To study the features of the image of an adult in young people with eating disorders.

The study involved 58 girls (from 17 to 22 years old). The main group included 31 people with a high risk of eating disorders, the control group - 27 people with an average and low risk. Respondents filled in: Taylor Manifest Anxiety Scale, Eating behavior rating scale, projective drawing of an adult and child, association test about words «adult» and «child»

1. A high level of personal anxiety was revealed in the main group; 2. The visualized image of an adult in the main group has more distortions and fewer signs of gender identification than in the normal group; 3. Semantic ideas about adulthood in the main group are negatively emotionally colored and include categories related to eating behavior; 4. Semantic ideas about childhood in the main group are more negatively emotionally colored, and ideas about the present are more connected with appearance than in the control group. Semantic ideas about the future in this group are often negatively colored.

Figurative and semantic ideas about childhood, adulthood and about oneself in the present and in the future in girls with eating disorders have qualitative characteristics in comparison with the control group.

No significant relationships.

The quantification of suicidal risk in specific populations is important for the adoption of prevention and risk reduction measures. This risk remains very high in patients with eating disorders compared to the general population.

The present study evaluates the prevalence of suicide among patients with eating disorders all seeking different suicidal risk factors in these patients.

A retrospective study of medical records of all patients with eating disorders, diagnosed according to DSM 5 criteria, at Arrazi hospital of Salé for the past 14 years, by assessing the prevalence of suicide attempts and care.

In our work, all patients are female, 17 years old on average, 18 patients out of 20 have anorexia nervosa, 4 of them have had bouts of bulimia, and only one patient was admitted for management of bulimia nervosa alone. The mean age of onset was 15 years with addictive comorbidity in 5 patients.

Thirteen patients had comorbid depressive disorder, one patient was schizophrenic and six patients had borderline personality disorder.

12 patients have made suicide attempts, planned especially in a depressive environment.

Preventive management of suicidal risk must be taken in order to improve the prognosis in this category of patients.

No significant relationships.

Body image dissatisfaction as negative evaluation of personal physical characteristics is often associated with low self-esteem, eating and affective disorders. What body regulation practices can people resort to when they are dissatisfied with their body image?

The goal is to determine body image practices that help people to reduce tension caused by dissatisfaction with their body image.

We obtained the data by using a focus group technique. The group comprised 43 healthy undergraduate university students of both genders. Afterwards, the data were subject to analysis and systematization.

The findings revealed 11 variants that represent the spectrum of body regulation practices, which semantically can form three groups. The first group combines adaptive regulation practices that help people successfully adapt to actual life situation, develop their capabilities concerning their physiology, personality, intellectual interests, and image making. The second group combines compensatory regulation practices that mainly focus on one of the sides of body regulation, which bear a certain threat to their health (weight control, building up muscle bulk, medical cosmetology procedures, body modification). The third group includes non-adaptive body regulation practices associated with high risk to their health and personal wellbeing (auto-aggressive, hetero-aggressive, and psychopathological).

Information about preferable body regulation practices used by people who are dissatisfied with their body image can help predict health hazards and disorders, as well as work out targeted prevention programs.

No significant relationships.

A distorted body image appears to be a significant factor predisposing an individual to developing anorexia nervosa and its maintaining. Anorexia nervosa presents with the highest mortality rate among all mental disorders.

The aim of the research work was to assess the distorted body image in women diagnosed with anorexia nervosa, as well as to analyse the impact of the severity of the symptomatology of eating disorders, level of depression and anxiety on the distorted body image.

A total of 105 people participated in the study. The clinical group consisted of 36 women diagnosed with anorexia nervosa, while the group of healthy women consisted of 69 participants. Patients completed several psychological and clinical measures such as: EAT-26, BSQ-34, BIDQ, BDD-YBOCS, CDRS, CESDR, and STAI.

Between group comparisons were performed using nonparametric the Mann-Whitney U test. Results revealed statistically significantly greater distorted body image perception in anorexia group. Women diagnosed with anorexia nervosa showed significantly higher levels both depression and anxiety compared to the healthy controls. Based on correlation analyses, it was shown that there are statistically significant relationships between the body image variable and eating disorders, depression, and anxiety (state and trait).

To deepen the problem of distorted body image, further research is required on etiopathogenesis and dynamics of body image in relation to body mass index and illness chronicity.

No significant relationships.

Despite the huge effect eating disorders (Eds) have on the lives of sufferers and their families there has been little research on the effect an ED has on siblings even though their lives are repeatedly significantly affected by the situation. It is important to gain more insight into the experiences and needs of siblings as the nature and magnitude of the effect of patients EDs on non-affected siblings is mixed in the current research.

To conduct a systematic review allowing an extensive search of the current literature to identify where the current research is lacking. Also, to highlight the need for a greater focus on the effect of EDs on siblings both in research and clinical practice.

A systematic review is being conducted to gain an understanding of the gaps in the literature.

It is expected that the systematic review will reveal a lack of literature regarding siblings’ experiences of having a brother or sister with an ED. As well as showing the conflicting emotions felt by the siblings, both positive due to the love they feel for their sibling and negative due to the burden they feel.

By raising awareness of the needs of non-affected siblings this research should have a notable impact on their experiences by highlighting the need for specific interventions and support services as well as education about their siblings’ ED.

No significant relationships.

There is a well-established body of investigations showing that the experience of shame is associated with eating disorders symptoms. Meta-analytical data indicate that body shame is one type of shame that seems to be especially relevant in case of eating disorders. While there are many studies which investigated the association between the predisposition to feel ashamed about one’s body and eating disturbance, there are virtually no inquires on how momentary body shame is related to disturbed eating behaviors.

In this study we aimed to investigate the relationship between momentary body shame and disturbed eating behaviors using an intensive longitudinal design.

Females with high levels of eating disorders symptoms completed five, randomly-initiated surveys per day delivered via a smartphone application for a total of two weeks. The survey evaluated the level of body shame and disturbed eating behaviors (i.e., binge eating, purging, excessive exercises, body checking).

Preliminary results indicate that higher levels of body shame are associated with higher levels of disturbed eating behaviors. The level of body shame was higher in binge eating days compared with non-binge eating days.

Fluctuations in body shame seem to contribute to the maintenance of disturbed eating behaviors. Implications and limitations of these findings are discussed.

No significant relationships.

Anorexia nervosa is an eating behavior disorder that is often related to various personality factors. The relationship between obsessive compulsive disorder and eating Disorders has been highlighted.

To present a clinical case of a patient with eating disorder and gastric bezoar, secondary to compulsive hair ingestion.

Bibliographic review of articles published in relation to the comorbidity of these disorders, based on articles published in the last 5 years in Pubmed.

26-year-old female. Diagnosis of restrictive anorexia nervosa. She was admitted to the hospital on two occasions for nutritional disorders. In the last admission, she reported greater anxiety and significant weight loss. She reports that she has limited her food intake, but she does feel thin and is unable to eat for fear of gaining weight. Ruminative thoughts about her body image. During admission, the patient expressed a sensation of fullness, nausea and vomiting, later observing in abdominal X-ray and gastroscopy, the presence of a gastric trichobezoar, which was finally resolved conservatively.

Trichotillomania is observerd in 1 in 2000 people, trichophagia is even less frequent. According to DSM- V, these disorders are grouped within obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorders. A Trichobezoar is a conglomerate that can be found in the stomach or intestine, composed mainly of hair, previously ingested. Trichotillomania can be associated with anorexia nervosa, especially in patients with obsessive personality traits, which occurs frequently. The gastric slowing that patients with anorexia often present is a factor that favors the formation of the bezoar

No significant relationships.