Journal of Psychiatry Research Reviews & Reports
Journal of Psychiatry Research Reviews & Reports is an open access peer-reviewed journal from the publishers of Scientific Research and Community (SRC) which publishes articles in the form of written, video and power-point presentations from the arena of Psychiatry Research Reviews & Reports. The journal focuses to build up accessing the complete content of articles freely from online for reader’s perusal. Articles accepts in the form of Research, Review, Case Reports, Analysis, Magazines, Editorials, Opinion, Communications, Mini-Review, Short Communications, Picturized, Book Review, Video Type and Power Point Presentations (PPTS). You can submit your article through online https://srcpublishers.com/psychiatry-research-reviews/user/register or through E-mail attachment psychiatryresearch@onlinescientificresearch.info 0.5 Impact Factor 84.5% Citations 90% Acceptance
Beyond Medication: The Human Side of Psychiatric Nursing in Outpatient Care
Outpatient psychiatric nursing extends beyond medication administration. Patients often experience emotional, social, and psychological challenges that influence their engagement with treatment. Psychiatric nurses play a central role in providing therapeutic communication, emotional support, and person-centred care that promotes recovery and strengthens therapeutic relationships. Aim: This presentation aims to highlight the human side of psychiatric nursing by demonstrating how therapeutic communication, empathy, trust, and compassionate nursing interventions contribute to patient engagement, continuity of care, and recovery in outpatient mental health settings. Content: The presentation explores practical aspects of everyday psychiatric nursing practice, including therapeutic communication, active listening, building trust, patient education, emotional support, and recovery-oriented care. It also introduces the outpatient nursing encounter as a practical framework for establishing meaningful therapeutic relationships and improving patient experiences. Conclusion: Psychiatric nursing extends far beyond medication administration. Every outpatient encounter provides an opportunity to strengthen trust, preserve dignity, encourage hope, and support recovery through compassionate, patient-centred care.
Copyright (c) 2026 Journal of Psychiatry Research Reviews & Reports
Compensation and Litigation-Related Factors as Predictors of Return to Work after Orthopaedic and Musculoskeletal Treatment: A Systematic Review
Return to work (RTW) is an important patient-centred and socioeconomic outcome after orthopaedic injury and treatment. Compensation and litigation processes may influence occupational recovery, but their independent relationship with RTW remains uncertain. Methods: PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched for observational studies examining compensation, insurance claims or litigation in relation to work-related outcomes after orthopaedic or musculoskeletal treatment. Two reviewers independently screened studies, extracted data and assessed methodological quality using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Because of substantial clinical and methodological heterogeneity, findings were synthesised narratively. Results: The search identified 1,544 records, of which 10 observational studies were included; individual sample sizes ranged from 59 to 9,343 participants. Seven studies were rated as good quality and three as fair quality. Populations included hip and severe lower-limb trauma, cervical and thoracolumbar or lumbar spinal conditions, and shoulder disorders. In a direct comparison after hip fracture, compensable status was associated with lower odds of RTW at 12 months (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.33, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.16-0.70). After severe lower-extremity trauma, absence of legal involvement was associated with a higher rate of total RTW (relative rate ratio 1.61, 95% CI 1.19-2.17). Within compensation-only cohorts, early orthopaedic assessment after shoulder arthroscopy was associated with full-duty RTW of 72% compared with 35% after later assessment; late assessment was associated with RTW failure (odds ratio 4.89, 95% CI 1.60-14.90). Stable RTW after vertebroplasty was 54.3% compared with 70.8% after conservative treatment (aOR 0.46, 95% CI 0.24-0.88). However, several studies lacked non-compensated comparator groups, four publications arose from overlapping Ohio claims data, RTW definitions varied, and only one study used a validated functional measure. Conclusion: Available observational evidence suggests that compensation and litigation-related factors may be associated with delayed or unsuccessful RTW. However, causality and an independent prognostic effect cannot be established because of mixed traumatic and degenerative populations, heterogeneous exposure and outcome definitions, overlapping cohorts, inadequate comparator groups and limited measurement of physical function. Prospective studies using clearly defined populations, baseline exposure assessment, standardised RTW outcomes and validated functional measures are required
The Hidden Cost of Immobility in Neurology: A Literature Review of Physiologic Decline and Caregiver-Led Prevention
Prolonged bed rest is a significant but often underestimated contributor to secondary disability in patients with neurological conditions. Neurological disorders such as stroke, Parkinson’s disease, spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, and advanced dementia frequently result in prolonged immobility and dependency. Extended bed rest produces widespread physiological changes affecting the musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, respiratory, integumentary, and nervous systems, ultimately compromising recovery and quality of life. Objective: This review explores the physiological consequences of prolonged immobilization in bedridden neurological patients and highlights the importance of caregiver-assisted interventions in minimizing secondary complications and promoting functional recovery. Methods: A narrative review of recent literature was undertaken to examine evidence regarding physiological alterations associated with prolonged bed rest and the effectiveness of caregiver-supported interventions, including regular repositioning, passive range-of-motion exercises, respiratory exercises, nutritional support, skin care, and early mobilization. Results: Current evidence indicates that structured caregiver involvement can significantly reduce muscle wasting, joint contractures, pressure injuries, respiratory complications, and cardiovascular deconditioning. Caregiver-assisted rehabilitation also contributes to improved circulation, maintenance of joint mobility, enhanced respiratory function, and stimulation of neuroplasticity. Furthermore, appropriate caregiver education improves adherence to rehabilitation programs and supports better functional outcomes and quality of life. Conclusion: This review concludes that preventing immobility-related decline should be considered a core component of neurological care. Caregivers play a critical role in preserving physiological function in bedridden neurological patients. Integrating caregiver education into rehabilitation programs represents a cost-effective strategy to reduce complications, enhance recovery, and improve long-term patient outcomes. Future research should focus on standardized caregiver training protocols and technology-assisted home rehabilitation.
Using EMDR to Treat PTSD for Soldiers, Victims of War and Sexual Abuse Survivors
EMDR is a way to deal with past trauma, PTSD and burnout - a gentle, effective and quick way to right the ship. It gets to the heart of the matter with imposter syndrome. EMDR is particularly effective with a specific traumatic event (or the same event over a period of time) where a person was trapped, forced, coerced, or even high on drugs when a terrible memory was created). Get rid of this baggage in 3-6 sessions. None of us needs to suffer in self-created prisons. The key is on the floor. Pick it up.
In the Era of Digital Medicine: Using Technologies to Restore Functional Movement in Neurological Patients
The recovery of patients affected by CNS lesion is like a learning process exploiting preserved sensorimotor circuits. The best recovery is related by providing appropriate proprioceptive input to the spinal cord with the goal of maximally engaging preserved neural circuits. The extent of recovery depends on the severity of CNS damage and the individual capacity of a patient to regain a function. Cognition and motivation are important contributors to this learning and must therefore be considered during rehabilitation. But first of all we need to understand that the goal of rehabilitation is not exclusively to re-establish ‘normal’ movement patterns, but to enable well-organized movements to achieve optimal outcome in mobility and independence during activities of daily living (ADL) for the individual patient. Robotic rehabilitation is a young science that is rapidly infiltrating the clinical environment. In 1994 with development of MIT-MaNUS5, robotic device for the upper limb rehabilitation, started the robotic era of neurorehabilitation. In the same year the introduction of Loko mat, a Body Weight Supported Treadmill Training (BWSTT) assisted by a gait orthosis, represented the first pioneering grounded exoskeleton. Exoskeleton is an outer wearable skeleton that allows people with paralysis of the lower limbs to walk. Neurological diseases such as traumatic brain injury, stroke and spinal cord injury cause serious consequences both at physiological and motor levels. Our recent studies have underlined the positive effects of using exoskeletons both in spinal cord injuries and stroke patients, affecting in terms of positive results the two main domains of our brain: psychological and sensory-motor.
To Study the Influence of Cognitive and Psychophysiological Factors among Shooters
Shooting is a psychologically challenging sport based on the act of discharging the projectile from a ranged weapon. Mental ability and physiological technique are the primary foundations for successful sports performance. It determines the success and the failure of the shooter. Objective: The purpose of the research was to study cognitive and psychophysical factors and its influence on the performance of the shooters. Study further expands to the various cognitive and psychophysiological factors that play a vital role in the performance enhancement of shooters. One of the main aims is to study the important factors that are eliminating Indian shooters from international platforms. Method: Sample size was selected using a purposive sampling method and consisted of 18 participants. The age range of the participants was 20 to 40 years across various socioeconomic Stata. The data was collected from Gun for Glory Shooting Academy, India. Mean and standard deviation was used to analyse the collected data. Result: The various physiological and psychological parameters were taken (Concentration, stress tolerance, visual perception, sustained attention, hand steadiness, pulse rate, respiration rate, muscle activity, brain activity, body temperature, skin conductance, etc.). Based on statistical analysis, it was found that these parameters affect the performance of the shooter. Conclusion: It was found that not adequate focus and training in the physiological and psychological can decreases their chances to climb the ladder of success. Thus, it is the emerging need and necessity for all the players in different sports to work on various psychophysiological determinants.
Recovery from Epilepsy, Depression, and Autism
Infantile Epileptic Spasms Syndrome (IESS), Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) represent severe neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric conditions that carry heavy burdens of long-term morbidity. Contemporary medicine widely attributes their etiologies to complex genetic, metabolic, neurodevelopmental, or environmental factors. Conventional clinical interventions remain largely symptomatic rather than curative, offering limited avenues for complete reversal, particularly when these distinct pathologies occur concurrently in a single individual. However, alternative metaphysical frameworks, such as the Guan Yin Citta Dharma Door taught by Dharma Master Jun Hong Lu, conceptualize these chronic, intractable conditions as spiritual or karmic illnesses rooted in mature karmic debts and spirit attachments. Therefore, this case report evaluates the concurrent recovery of a male patient diagnosed with IESS, MDD, and ASD following the long-term application of the Three Golden Buddhist Practices. This result suggests that addressing underlying karmic obstacles may offer an alternative, complementary framework for the restoration of complex neurological and psychological functioning.
Socioeconomic Impact of Synthetic Cannabinoid (“Kush”) Use and Its Effects on Basic Metabolic Panel Parameters Among Users in Three Districts of Sierra Leone: A Mixed-Methods Cross-Sectional Study
Background: The synthetic cannabinoid “Kush” has emerged as a significant public health threat in Sierra Leone, with a 4,000% surge in hospital admissions between 2020 and 2023 prompting a national emergency declaration in April 2024. This study assessed the socioeconomic impact of Kush use and its effects on basic metabolic panel (BMP) parameters among users in three districts of Sierra Leone. Methods: A mixed-methods cross-sectional study was conducted in Western Area (Urban/Rural), Bo District, and Bombali District from May 15–31, 2025. Using snowball sampling, 286 Kush users (≥6 months use) completed structured questionnaires assessing socioeconomic impacts, reasons for use, and beliefs about the drug. Venous blood samples were analyzed using a CYAN SMART semi-automated biochemistry analyzer for liver function (SGPT, SGOT, ALP, bilirubin, total protein, albumin) and kidney function (creatinine, urea, uric acid) parameters. Quantitative data were analyzed descriptively using SPSS version 16.0; qualitative data were analyzed thematically. Results: Participants were predominantly male (75.9%), aged 18–25 years (48.3%), and unemployed (36.4%). Most (53.8%) had used Kush for 1–2 years. Significant social impacts included homelessness (34.3%), community discrimination (69.2%), and stigmatization as thieves or mentally ill (47.6%). Economically, 48.6% spent NLE 1,200 monthly on Kush—exceeding the national average cost of living (NLE 915.45). Kidney function parameters were markedly Elevated: mean creatinine 2.34 mg/dL (reference: 0.6–1.4), mean uric acid 9.41 mg/dL (reference: 2.5–7.7), and mean urea 43.81 mg/dL (reference: 15–45). Liver function showed mild elevations in SGOT (43.8 U/L; reference: 3.12–38.0) and total bilirubin (1.28 mg/dL; reference: 0.2–1.0), with low total protein (6.45 g/dL; reference: 6.6–8.3) and albumin (3.43 g/dL; reference: 3.5–5.0). Conclusions: Kush use in Sierra Leone is associated with severe socioeconomic consequences and significant renal dysfunction. The elevated creatinine and uric acid levels suggest nephrotoxic effects requiring urgent public health intervention. Community-based rehabilitation programs, health education, and regulatory policies targeting precursor chemicals are urgently needed
This work reviews the development of glial cells, gliotransmission, the glial role in brain aging, also the mechanisms of glial cell communication. Current concepts on the importance of glia are shown in pathologies such as schizophrenia, autism spectrum disorders, affective disorders, anxiety, acute/posttraumatic stress disorders, and Alzheimer’s disease.
A Cutting-Edge Trauma Treatment Centre in the United Kingdom: An Integrated, Polyvagal-Informed Model of Residential and Outpatient Trauma Recovery with Practice- Based Outcomes Evidence
Background: PTSD and complex PTSD (CPTSD) are prevalent and burdensome conditions. Recent syntheses of ICD-11 constructs suggest that PTSD and CPTSD occur in the general population and rise substantially in trauma-exposed and clinical groups, underscoring the demand for specialist services capable of addressing both symptom clusters and disturbances in Self-Organization (DSO) [1-4]. Objective: To describe an integrated trauma treatment center delivering residential and outpatient trauma recovery in a stepped pathway, and to report practice-based outcomes using routine outcome monitoring (ROM) from independent analyses. Method: The clinical model combines “bottom-up” autonomic regulation and relational safety (co-regulation, stabilization) with “top-down” therapies (trauma-focused processing and integration), organized across a staged roadmap (stabilisation → processing → integration) and delivered via residential, step-down, intensive outpatient, and outpatient formats. Outcomes are summarized from independent annual reports using the CORE-Outcome Measure (CORE-OM) for closed cases across multiple cohorts (2012–2019; 2024), including mean pre–post change and recovery/improvement profiles defined via reliable change and clinical cutoffs. Results: Across cohorts, baseline distress typically fell within moderate-to-severe or severe bands and most clients scored above the clinical cutoff at intake (commonly >90%), consistent with a complex clinical case-mix. Independent reports commonly show clinically meaningful reductions in CORE-OM distress (e.g., ~6–10 point mean reductions in several cohorts), alongside variable recovery/improvement rates (approximately one-third to three- quarters depending on year and context). In years where inpatient and outpatient care were documented within a connected treatment episode, the highest recovery/improvement rates were often observed (while noting small subgroup cell sizes in later cohorts). Conclusions: A continuity-oriented, staged trauma pathway that integrates residential stabilization with outpatient consolidation can deliver meaningful improvements in routine outcomes for high-severity cohorts under real-world clinical conditions. Future research should incorporate trauma-specific measures for ICD-11 PTSD/CPTSD, follow-up assessments, and comparative designs to clarify mechanisms and durability [5]
MindScreen AI: A Multi-Modal System for Interpreting Digital Environments
Modern digital life is organized around a single surface: the smartphone home screen. It is where communication, work, finance, planning, and personal habits all converge. Despite how central this space is, it is rarely examined in a structured or meaningful way. Most tools that attempt to understand digital behavior rely on tracking, usage logs, or long-term monitoring. While those methods can provide detailed data, they often introduce privacy concerns and require continuous access to personal information.
Conflict As a Result of Intervention: Artificial Intelligence and Translation
Translation as one of the types of human activity is related to topical philosophical issues, including transhumanism, as well as the need for its application in modern technologies for creating a man-machine and the upcoming AI singularity. The accuracy and unambiguity of language content is the foundation of AI software. For a specialized technical translation, this is an undeniable advantage in terms of the speed and efficiency of the process. The reduction of heterogeneity and polysemy of any language as a reflection of the activity of human consciousness to unambiguous definitions is an absolute limiter of creative mental activity. Specific examples of the intervention of an automatic editor in the process of individual activity of an AI user demonstrate real conflict situations. According to the author, translation is a universal property of human thinking, and cognitive processes are generated by the activity of the brain, and not exclusively by its structure. Reflection - the subject’s appeal to himself - is one of the most important acts of consciousness, which makes it possible for an individual translation of thoughts into their native and any other language.
On occasion, a new syndrome or diagnosis appears, and there is plentiful research to support it. However, on occasion, a tangential or strange compilation of behaviors and emotions appears that is somewhat strange and esoteric. These conditions then appear in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual and are readily accepted by some and questioned by others. This paper will attempt to review this syndrome or condition and examine and explore the elements of this diagnosis.
Effect of Yoga and Meditation on Quality of Life and Anxiety Among Adolescents
Objective: The Main Objective is to understand the predictors of quality of life and to find the effect of yoga and meditation on quality of life and anxiety among adolescents. Methods: For the present study the researcher collected a total sample size of 60. The sample was collected from the colleges of Nashik district (Maharashtra, India). The sample age group is between 16 to 19 years old males and females. For the intervention purpose, the participants for the experiment were selected by using the randomized sampling technique. The data were collected before and after yoga and meditation intervention at the end of the month. A specific Yoga module was administered to the intervention program for 30 days. Results: In our results, the P value of Quality of life among adolescents is 4.89 and it’s significant at a 0.01 level of significance. And P value of Anxiety among adolescents is 3.73.and a P value is above the 0.01 level of significance which shows a significant difference between the pretest and post-test values of anxiety. Conclusion: After this study, we conclude that one month’s yoga and meditation practice significantly improvement in quality of life and it will positively effect on the quality of life among adolescents. Also, the result shows that one month of yoga and meditation practice significantly reduced anxiety in adolescents.
A Complete Review on: Bipolar Disorder and its Health Complications
Bipolar disorder is mainly intended with chronic psychiatric conditions which characterized by alternating episodes of depression and mania that leads to significant mood, behaviour and energy changes in Humans being. It's caused due to genetic, neurobiological, and environmental factors and is a leading cause of mental disability worldwide. Treatment involves a combination of mood-stabilizing medications and psychosocial interventions like therapy and psycho-education, though diagnosis is often delayed due to symptom overlap with other disorders and lack of insight from patients. Bipolar disorder is associated with significant physical health complications, including increased rate of obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and metabolic syndrome, which contribute to a significantly reduced life expectancy. Patients also face higher risks of substance use disorders and suicide, with annual suicide rates substantially exceeding the general population. These complications are driven by a combination of genetic, neurobiological, and environmental factors, highlighting the need for integrated care to address both psychiatric and physical health needs.
Mind-waves: Using a Human an AI Collaborative APP to Support Emotional Awareness and Personalized Learning in Education
Mind-waves is a digital application designed as a daily emotional compass, combining human insight with AI-assisted support to promote emotional awareness, self-regulation, and mindful engagement. This article presents a case study exploring the use of Mind-waves with sixth-grade students in an educational setting, demonstrating how real-time emotional data can inform teaching practices, personalize learning, and foster inclusive classroom environments. Beyond education, Mind-waves has potential applications across multiple domains, including parenting, coaching, healthcare, and professional development.
The Moderating Role of Compassion Satisfaction and Resilience on Compassion Fatigue and Psychological Distress among Healthcare Workers
Compassion and the healthcare system have consistently been viewed as intertwined. Healthcare Workers (HCWs) are expected to exhibit compassion and empathy while making reasonable decisions across various settings. However, daily challenges and exposure of HCWs to patients’ suffering can hinder their ability to provide compassionate care. Their role may induce stress, potentially leading to compassion fatigue (CF). While the COVID-19 pandemic has raised attention to the mental health of those who have been impacted, little is known about HCWs’ CF and other psychological distress in the recent post pandemic days. The psychological impact of dealing with the uncertainty and the stress of the pandemic may continue, even though the immediate risk of viral contact has decreased. Hence, this study aims to examine the moderating role of Compassion Satisfaction (CS) and resilience on CF and psychological distress among Malaysian HCWs. This study hypothesized that: (H1) CF will significantly and positively predict psychological distress, (H2-H3) CS and resilience will moderate the relationship independently, (H4) CS and resilience will moderate the relationship jointly and (H5) there will be a significant difference in level of CF between professions. The study adopted a cross-sectional design. 226 HCWs were recruited through convenience and snowball sampling, and data were analysed using simple linear regression, moderation analysis and One-Way ANOVA. The results revealed that H1, H3 and H5 were supported, whereas H2 and H4 were not. The findings suggested that resilience may be prominent when external supports were not accounted for.
Exploring the Criminal Mind: CKM, The New Psychometric TestMethod
The revealing connection between language and character has been known since antiquity. Nevertheless, the attempt to measure not only the ordinary, but especially the criminal mind by means of language has not yet been significantly successful in psychological-forensic research.
Copyright (c) 2024 Journal of Psychiatry Research Reviews & Reports
At the beginning of December 2018, in Bihać, Bosnia and Herzegovina, a man (born 1981.) killed his three children and then he commited suicide by hanging. The children were 7, 5 and 2 years old. The media reported that a man left a wife twenty days ago and is assumed to be the motive for this terrible crime. Police officers and forensic experts could not do much, but the place of this terrible crime would forever remain in their memory.
Copyright (c) 2019 Journal of Psychiatry Research Reviews & Reports
Pervasive Developmental Disorders in Iraqi Children
Background: Pervasive developmental disorders include five chronic disorders marked by early impairment in socialization, communication and behavior. Little is known about the types of pervasive developmental disorders in Iraq. This is a retrospective clinical study aiming at determining the types of pervasive developmental disorders in Iraqi children observed at the pediatric psychiatry clinic in a tertiary pediatric referral center. Patients and methods: During nine months period (November 18th, 2018 to July 18th, 2019), fifty one patients with a diagnosis of pervasive developmental disorders (30 males and 21 females) were observed at the psychiatry clinic at the Children Teaching Hospital of Baghdad Medical City. Their ages ranged from two and half years to twelve years. Results: Thirty two (17 males and 15 females) patients had autism without significant mental retardation as indicated by adequate urine and bowel control and self care skills particularly spoon feeding. Thirteen patients were considered to have atypical autism or Pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (10 boys and 3 girls), in eleven of them, the disorder was considered atypical because of the lack of adequate urine and bowel control and self care skills particularly appropriate spoon feeding indicating significant degree of mental retardation. In one patient, his condition was considered a typical because of the presence of an acceptable eye contact and response appropriately to name in most instances. Three patients had Asperger syndrome including two girls and one boy. Two boys had childhood disintegrative disorder (Heller syndrome), one of them have changes on brain MRI suggestive of cerebral vasculitis. One girl had Rett syndrome and her case and early treatment was published. Conclusion: In this series, typical autism without significant mental retardation accounted for 63%. Atypical autism (Pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise) was the second most common type of Pervasive developmental disorders accounting for about 25%. Asperger syndrome accounted for only 6% of the cases in this series.
An Effective Model to Save Children with Substance Use Disorder in Developing Countries; Children Addiction Treatment and Rehabilitation Residential Centers (CATRCs)
Background: Until recently, there was no center specialized for the treatment and rehabilitation of children with substance use disorder in Iran. However, recently, a new initiation in the form of Children Addiction Treatment and Rehabilitation Residential Centers (CATRC) has been piloted in Iran. This brief report is an early evaluation of the performance of CATRC in the treatment and rehabilitation of children with drug use/use disorder. Objective: Feasibility and evaluation of a comprehensive treatment and rehabilitation model for children and adolescents with substance use disorder. Methods: The evaluation on pilot project was done in two CATRCs established in the city of Zahedan. Subjects were 107 children between the ages of 0 and 18 with a history of drug use or drug use disorder sent to CATRCs to fulfill a judicial decision or by the Welfare Organization. Results: Out of 88 children discharged from the two CATRCs during the 1.5 years since their establishment, there were no relapses or criminal activity in 97.7% of children. Conclusion: this study showed early evidence of the positive performance of CATRCs in Iran.
Copyright (c) 2025 Journal of Psychiatry Research Reviews & Reports
Rebalancing Diagnosis and Clinical Treatment: A Contribution to Clinical Discourse on Youth Gender Medicine
The management of gender dysphoria and gender incongruence in young people has become one of the most contested areas in contemporary medicine. This presentation recounts the contribution of the National Association of Practising Psychiatrists (NAPP) to rebalancing clinical discourse in this controversial area. Prof Morris draws attention to the similarities but clear differences in the medical history of homosexuality and transgender identity. He outlines the ethical and professional obligations for medical practitioners involved in youth gender medicine. He then describes the principles behind the NAPP guide to the management of gender dysphoria in young people. This guide offers a compassionate, caring, cautious and evidence-informed approach to this clinical condition emphasising careful diagnosis, ethical practice and prioritisation of patient welfare.
The Brain/Mind Experience of Psychosis: A Case Study
As a part of my clinical research project (“Listening to the Brain/Recovering the Brain/Mind”) I came across the fact that one of the long-term consequences of a traumatic brain injury (concussions and post-concussion syndrome) is psychosis. What is psychosis? It is the loss of the ability to be grounded, most often characterized by hallucinations and delusions, a decline in cognitive functioning, and an inability to be present in many life situations because of dissociation. The first such case I was presented with occurred with a National Basketball Association player who was forced into an early retirement because he was suffering with schizophrenia, a major mental illness. While working with Mr. C, I was alerted to a large Danish Study (2014) that demonstrated the connection between traumatic brain injuries and major mental illness. You can follow the details of this case in my book “The Complex Architecture and Healing of Traumatic Brain Injuries” from Cambridge Scholars Publishing 2023, chapter on “Brutality to the Brain.” Sadly Mr. C passed away in 2018 due to heart complications. Before his death, he shared with me how brutal the NBA was at the time he was playing. Elbows to the head, both intentional and unintentional, were a constant problem for him, causing a number of concussions. I only had a short time with his case before his death, but even at the end, there was no recognition of what the Danish Study had found. And no treatment of the real cause of his suffering. Over time, I came to the realization that all concussions (this is a strong statement to make, but it is what I have observed), create neurodegenerative disease processes in the brain. (See my article: “The Complex Architecture of Traumatic Brain Injuries.) Fast forward to now, I am seeing this pattern, this connection between brain injuries and psychosis, more often than I would have expected. I will be presenting 2 cases where early concussions during childhood eventually led to difficulties with cognitive decline and a full-blown psychosis.
Mental Health Problems in Young People: Many Enduring Problems, a Few Proposed Solutions
Rates of depression, self-harm and suicide in young people worldwide are approaching epidemic proportions. In Australia, almost one-third of those who die in the 15-24 year age group will have taken their own life, a proportion that increases each year. Predicting these adverse events in young people has proved to be an insoluble problem, and approaches to reducing the incidence of such events have clearly been ineffective. For young people, their families, friends, and school communities, the consequences can be particularly devastating. This keynote aims to address two main questions relevant to the mental health of young people today: (1) What are the main challenges you that young people are facing today?, and (2) What needs to be done to address this issue?
Wounds without Bruises: Hidden Trauma and Recovery in Victims of School Bullying
While school bullying is frequently perceived as a behavioural issue, its profound psychological and emotional ramifications remain insufficiently examined, particularly the latent trauma endured by victims and the intricate pathways to recovery. This presentation draws upon doctoral research employing Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), as conceptualised by Jonathan Smith, to understand the (un)lived experiences of adolescents who have been victimised at school. Anchored in phenomenological epistemology and constructivist ontology, this study seeks to understand how bullying-related trauma is internalised, navigated and potentially transformed in the lives of young people. Seven participants (3 females and seven males) aged between 12 to 16 from Grades 7 to 10 were purposively selected, based on formal referrals for bullying-related issues from the school counselling services in Mauritius. Data were collected through semi-structured, in-depth interviews designed to elicit rich narratives of suffering and resilience. The interviews were transcribed verbatim, and the analysis followed a rigorous idiographic approach involving iterative reading, initial noting, development of emergent themes, and abstraction into cross-case superordinate themes. The study delineated f ive superordinate themes encompassing both trauma and recovery: (1) Fractured sense of self, (2) Silenced pain and the need to be heard, (3) Disrupted relationships and rebuilding trust, (4) Hypervigilance and emotional residue, and (5) Powerlessness to personal agency. The findings highlight that trauma from bullying is often invisible, yet profoundly embodied and enduring. Despite the hidden nature of trauma, adolescents demonstrate meaningful capacities for healing and develop substantial adaptive strategies through relational support, personal insight, and self-empowerment in response to prolonged victimisation. This study advocates for trauma-informed, culturally grounded school mental health practices and explores how youth-accessible digital tools, such as expressive writing platforms, anonymous reporting systems, and peer support networks can facilitate recovery by integrating care with compassion. By centring adolescents’ voices, this presentation contributes to the broader discourse on innovating care in educational mental health by arguing for a shift from behaviour-focused responses to relational, empathetic, and student-led interventions.
Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA)
How Music and Neurofeedback Can Supplement Your Psychotherapy
Neurofeedback is a method of bio feedback where our brain waves are monitored using an EEG machine. Music with certain pattern stimulates brain injury such a way that it helps to stabilise the brain and helps synchronisation. I am hereby sharing my experience of what happens and my rationale for how and why we can use music and neurofeedback to help people to enhance their cognitive and emotional skills. Also, I would discuss the various methods that can help stimulate your cognition. We will discuss the impact of music in brain and how can we train our brain to synchronise so that it can regulate emotions.
Psychological Safety and Mental Health: What Happens When Healthcare Workers Don’t Feel Safe to Speak?
In healthcare, silence is not neutral, it can be dangerous. Nurses may carry emotional fatigue in silence. Junior doctors may hesitate to raise concerns or admit uncertainty. This silence is not about personality. It reflects how psychologically safe people feel and how leadership responds. This talk explores psychological safety as the silent engine behind resilience, trust, and team performance. Defined by Professor Amy Edmondson, psychological safety means people feel they can speak up, ask for help, and learn from mistakes without fear. In hospitals and clinics, this enables early error reporting, open communication, reduced burnout, and safer care. But psychological safety is not about avoiding discomfort. It’s about creating space to grow through discomfort with support. Leaders play a central role. They are the thermostat of team culture. When leaders model vulnerability, invite feedback, and respond non-defensively, they signal safety. In Malaysian hospitals, teams using reflective rounds, anonymous wellness checks, and inclusive huddles are not seeing more errors, they’re seeing more transparency and earlier interventions. Toxic leadership, on the other hand, creates silent teams. And silence in high-stakes settings like healthcare can cost lives. This talk shares real stories, research, and practice insights to show how psychological safety turns policy into practice, and innovation into connection. Aligned with the MindMatters2025 theme of bridging neuroscience, technology, and compassion, this session frames psychological safety as an essential catalyst for human-centered care. Because before we can transform mental health systems, we must first build teams where people feel safe to speak, and safe to care.
Asynchronous Text-Based Mental Health Support: Real-World Evidence of Next Day Mood Improvement in Non-Clinical Population
Introduction: Mental health applications are known to offer innovative means to support emotional wellbeing, providing users with resources like online or virtual therapy, mood tracking, and self-help strategies via their mobile device. Of these, asynchronous text-based interventions are known to be effective adjuncts to traditional or online (synchronous) therapy, leading to symptom reduction, effective engagement between sessions and adherence to medication among other positive effects. However, results on the effectiveness of asynchronous text-based interventions are mixed, with most studies focused on patients with diagnosed mental health conditions and often emphasize its use as an adjunct to traditional or online (synchronous) therapy. To our knowledge, no study has reported the effectiveness of asynchronous texting as a preventive tool (with an undiagnosed population) independent from other modes of therapeutic interventions. Using real world data, the present study examined the relationship between asynchronous text-based engagement with a mental health professional via the Thoughtful app and next-day mood improvements. Methods: Secondary data provided by Thoughtful World was extracted from the database which consist of 234 unique individuals who had spent at least 30 minutes of asynchronous texting with a mental health professional prior to the measurement of next-day mood. Mood scores that were recorded before the day of intervention was taken as baseline scores. Variables such as gender and age, mood scores (before and after using the asynchronous texting feature), time spent using the app were collected and analysed. All data were collected via the Thoughtful app and is based on a real world (non-controlled) setting. Permission for use of deidentified data was obtained from all participants prior to the overall wellbeing program as stated in the terms of use and informed consent. Results: The paired T-test indicated there was a significant increase in mood from before the session (M = 1, SD = 0) to after (M = 2.21, SD = 0.857), t(233) = -21.7, p < .001. The mean increase in the mood before and after the session is 1.21, with a 95% confidence interval ranging from - 1.66 to – 1.10. The eta squared statistic (.67) indicated a large effect size. Discussion & Conclusion: The observed improvement noted from these sessions reinforces the efficacy of -asynchronous text-based interventions in improving next-day mood. For undiagnosed individuals experiencing short term emotional distress, asynchronous texting with a mental health professional; is able to provide effective emotional support and mood regulation independent of its use with other forms of interventions. The findings from this research suggest that interventions of this nature could be effectively applied in broader populations beyond those diagnosed with mental health conditions to combat low mood levels and enhance overall psychological well-being. Moving forward, it is essential for future research to explore the underlying mechanisms that facilitate mood improvements and to examine additional variables that could influence these outcomes, such as frequency and intensity of the interventions. These insights will be instrumental for clinicians in developing comprehensive treatment plans that prioritise prevention as well as psychological and emotional well-being.
What Neurotechnology Reveals about Hypnotic Trance, Cognition, and How it Influences Therapeutic Outcomes
Clinical Hypnosis (CH) is gaining traction as an effective intervention for mental health, chronic pain, and overall wellbeing. Traditionally linked to heightened suggestibility, recent advances in neuroscience have begun to uncover the distinct neural dynamics underpinning the hypnotic state. CH has demonstrated efficacy across anxiety disorders, PTSD, anesthesia, and somatoform disorders. Underlying mechanisms may involve PFC-amygdala-hippocampal regulation, reduced stress hormone responses, and improved cognitive flexibility. Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) studies reveal that hypnosis elicits a characteristic pattern of brain activity, including decreased connectivity within the default mode network (DMN), heightened engagement of the anterior cingulate cortex, and modulation of thalamocortical circuits. Notably, Spiegel et al. (2016) observed consistent downregulation of the dorsal anterior cingulate, affirming the neurobiological distinctiveness of hypnosis. Emerging neurotechnologies such as mobile EEG (mEEG), brainwave entrainment (BWE), and bio/ neurofeedback now enable clinicians to monitor and deepen hypnotic states with greater precision. These tools are being employed to enhance memory integration, facilitate therapeutic openness, and assist in processing unresolved trauma. By examining trance states through current neuroscientific frameworks, this presentation demonstrates how clinical hypnosis is now established as a quantifiable, adaptable, and evidence-based therapeutic modality in modern integrative practice.
Role of Epidemiology & Science • Drives evidence-based, personalized care. • Translates population data into individual risk profiles. • Informs early diagnosis and targeted interventions. Evolving Role of Physicians • From treatment providers to data-informed decision-makers. • Must adapt to digital tools and genomic insights. • Lead ethically in applying new technologies. Changing Mindsets • Foster collaboration between public health, research, and clinical care. • Encourage openness to innovation and complexity. Artificial Intelligence • Enhance diagnosis, prediction, and treatment personalization. • Not a replacement for physicians—an empowering tool. • Requires careful attention to bias, ethics, and transparency. Key Challenges • Data privacy and governance. • Unequal access to innovation. • Integration into real-world health systems. • Cultural and institutional resistance to change. Summary: • The future of medicine lies at the intersection of data, empathy, and innovation. Epidemiology and science provide the map, physicians guide the journey, and AI can help drive the vehicle—if we navigate carefully and equitably.