---

---

Background and Objective: Today, drug abuse is one of the most important medical and social problems of world population, which can be a threat to human’s health. Cannabis as a common substance can create psychotic symptom, psychiatric disorders and antisocial behaviors. This study was designed to compare the prevalency of psychoticism and neuroticism among cannabis and non-cannabis abusers in this region of the country. Materials and Methods: This case control study was done on100 cannabis users whom seek for drugs in public gardens of Golestan province as case group and 100 non-abusers who spend their leisure time in this place as control group. Two groups matched with regard to age and education level. The data gathered by using self-reported adult version of Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ). The data was analyzed in the SPSS-13.5 software by Chi-square, t-test and Mann-Whitney. Results: The mean score of psychoticism and neuroticism in case and control group was 9.37 and 5.72 respectivley (P<0.05). The mean score of neuroticism in cases and controls was 15.9 and 12.19, respectivley (P<0.05). The relationship between psychoticism and patterns of cannabis consumption was significant (P<0.05). There was a relationship between cannabis consumption and the history of drug misabuse in other substances in cannabis users and in their families. Conclusion: The result of this study can clarify the importance of preventing intervention in substance abuse for improving mental health.

---

Background and Objective: Substance abuse is a major concern all over the world. Due to some individual, familial and social factors the identification of related factors can help us to design a more effective strategies for the prevention of drug abuse. This study was performed to evaluate the relation between individual and familial characteristics with substance abuse tendency in self-introduced addicts. Materials and Methods: This case control study was done on 120 addicted subjects referred to addiction clinic of 5Azar hospital, Gorgan, North of Iran and 120 matched non-addicted subjects were considared as controls. Data collections were performed by questionnaire and interview. Data analyzed with using T-test, Chi-Square and logistic regression. Results: Univariate analysis showed that high school (OR=4.63, 95%CI: 1.78-12.02) and high school graduate subjects (OR=15.5, 95%CI: 4.9-50) showed higher tendency toward addiction compared to university educated people. History of substance abuse in friends (OR=7.33, 95%CI: 4.09-13.13) and previous and present cigarette smoking (OR=12.35, 95%CI: 6.65-22.93) increased abuse tendency. Permanent employment decreased abuse tendency (OR=0.109, 95%CI: 0.05-0.22) compared to temporary job. Conclusion: This study showed that addicted friends, cigarette smoking, low level of education and temporary job increase drug abuse tendency.

---

Background and Objective: Suicide is one of the important causes of death worldwide particularly among 44-15 years. The aim of this study was to survey the prevalency of attempted suicide in Golestan province, North of Iran during 2003-07.

Materials and Methods: This descriptive study conducted on 4977 suicide attempted subjects in Golestan province, North of Iran during 2003-07. Data were gathered through a filed questioners. Data was analyzed by SPSS-18 and Chi-Square test.

Results: Mean±SD of the subjects was 22.91±7.59 years. The female to male ratio was 1.62. 55.6% of subjects were single. The subjects resided in urban and rural area were 62% and 37.8%, respectively. 61.4% and 27.1% of subjects have finished and un-finished high-school studies. 2% and 0.9% from those attempted sucide were died and referred to specific centers, respectively for further medical follow-up. There was a positive correlation between suicide single status and low educated subjects with P=0.036 and P=0.001 respectively.

Conclusion: The findings indicated that the prevalancy of suicide were higher among single, female and those with lower education.

---

Background and Objective: Normal psychological behaviour is one of the general concept of health. This study was carried out to evalute psychological disorders among inhabint residing in poor social district of Gorgan, Iran. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was done on 376 subjects (188 males and 188 females) with simple random sampling method. Data were gathered using the general health questionnaire (GHQ-28). Data was analyzed by SPSS-16, Kruskal–Wallis and Pearson tests. Results: The prevalence of psychological disorders was 37% (33.5% in men, 40.4% in women), depression was 24.45% (22.5% in men and 26.4% in women) and anxiety was 31.6% (31.2% in men, 32% in women). Social affairs disorder 21% (19.2% in men, 22.7% in women) and psychosomatic disorders in 28.5% (22% of men, 35% of women). The relationship between psychological disorder with economic level and family size was significant (P<0.05). Conclusion: This study showed that 37% of inhabint residing in poor social district of Gorgan, Northern Iran had psychological disorders.

---

Background and Objective: Sleep disurbance is considered to be one of the most common problems in menopausal women. Herbal supplements are being used as herbal supplemental medication to solve the problem. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of Sedamin capsule on sleep disorder among menopausal women. Materials and Methods: This randomized controlled trial study was done on 100 Menopausal women aged 50-60 with sleep disorder. Women randomly divided into intervention and contol groups. Subjects intervention group were received Sedamin capsule (530 mg Valerian root) twice a day for 30 days. Women in control group were received capsule (50 mg of carbohydrate) twice a day for 30 days. Demographic data form and Pittsburg sleep quality index was instrumented for the evaluation of disorder. Data analyzed with using independent T and ANOVA tests. Results: Mean score of sleep disorder peior and after intervention was 9.8±3.6 and 6.02±2.6 (P<0.05) in interventional group and 11.14±4 and 9.4±3.9 in controls, respectively. Also, 40% of the participants in the intervention group and 12% in the control group showed an improvement in the quality of sleep (P<0.05). Conclusion: This study showed that consumption of Sedamin capsule improves the quality of sleep in menopausal women with sleep disorder.

---

Background and Objective: Identification of disorders frequency in adolescence stage has implications for child and adolescence psychiatry. This study was carried out to determine the prevalence of DSM-IV behavioral disorders among 12-17 years pupiles of Golestan province during 2010-11.

Materials and Methods: In a cross-sectional descriptive study, 1500 pupiles (715 boys and 785 girls) from schools of Golestan State were selected through stratified random sampling method. Demographical questionnaire and DSM-IV based behavioral disorders of Achenbach youth self-report scale (YSR) were recorded. Data were analyzed through descriptive statistic and nonparametric test of Chi-Square and calculation of Odd Ratio and 95%CI with PASW software.

Results: Prevalence of behavioral disorders among the sample population 12-14 years, 15-17 years and as total were 5.47%, 5.05% and 5.27%, respectively. Prevalence of somatic disorders and anxiety were 5.8% and 4.7%, respectively. Moreover, the difference between prevalence of conduct and ADHD disorders in males and females were significant (P<0.05). Odd ratio for both genders in prediction of conduct disorder and ADHD and for the scholastic grade in prediction of affective and anxious disorders was significant (P<0.05).

Conclusion: Total prevalence of behavioral disorders among the pupiles of Golestan province in Iran was 5.27%, which is approximately similar to the other studies in Iran.

---

Background and Objective: Schizophrenia is a disorder characterized by a chronic recurrent course. Despite the availability of an ever-expanding range of typical and atypical antipsychotics, a substantial proportion of patients with schizophrenia show a partial or total lack of response to antipsychotic monotherapy. This study was done to evaluate the clinical effects of Ginkgo biloba as an adjunct to the Risperidone and Biperiden in the treatment of chronic schizophrenic patients. Materials and Methods: This randomized clinical trial study was carried out on 60 chronic schizophrenic patients in Sina hospital Shahrekord, Iran during 2009-10. Schizophrenia was diagnosed by DSM-IV-TR criteria. Subjects were randomly divided into intervention and control groups. Two groups were matched according to the age, sex, education, duration of illness. Patients in interventional group received Risperidone up to 6mg/day, Biperiden 4mg/day and Ginkgo biloba 240 mg/day for 12 weeks. The control group received Risperidone up to 6mg/day and Biperiden 4mg/day for 12 weeks. The scales for assessment of positive symptoms (SAPS) and assessment of negative symptoms (SANS) were recorded in prior, 6th and 12th weeks. Data analyzed by using SPSS-15 and student t-test. Results: The mean score of positive symptoms were 55.7±2.1 and 74.4±2.3 in interventional and control groups, respectively (P<0.05) after 12 weeks. The mean score of negative symptoms were 63±1.3 and 69.3±1.8 in interventional and controls, respectivley (P<0.05) after 12 weeks. Conclusion: This study suggested that the use of Ginkgo biloba as an adjunct to Respridone and Biperiden was more effective than Risperidone with Biperiden regimen improving psychological condition of chronic schizophrenic patients.

---

Background and Objective: The prevalence of behavioral disorders in children with mentally ill parents are higher compared with children of healthy parents. This study was carried out to assess the behavioral disorders in children with major depressive mothers. Materials and Methods: This case – control study was done on 50 children (6-11 years) of mothers with major depressive as case group and 50 children of healthy mothers as controls in Bandar Abbas, Iran drung 2009. With psycological interview, DSM-4-R and Beck tests, deprsion in mother were confirmed. The psycological health of control mothers were confirmed using Minnesota multiphasic personality inventory (MMPI) and questionnaire health general (QHG). The behavior disorders of children in two groups were compared using Achenbach child behavior questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS-17, Chi-Square and student’s t tests. Results: Somatic complains, anxiety and depression, social problems, thought problems, externalization, internalization and antisocial behavior scores, were significantly higher in cases compared to controls (P<0.05). No significant differences in isolation and attention behavior were noticed between cases and controls. Conclusion: Behavior disorders in children with depressive mothers are common.

---

Background and Objective: Autism spectrum disorder is a genetic-based cognitive and neurobehavioral disorder characterized by impairment in social interaction, verbal and non-verbal communication and repetitive motor behavior. This study was done to evaluate the verbal fluency and working memory deficit in first-degree relatives of autistic children. Materials and Methods: In this case - control study, 49 first-degree relatives of autistic children from 33 families (32 mothers, 10 fathers, 6 sisters, and 1 brother) supported by Isfahan autism association were selected and compared with 51 first-degree relatives of typical children (23 mothers, 16 fathers, 7 sisters, and 5 brothers) of 27 families during 2010. The assessing tasks were phonemic and semantic verbal fluency tests to assess verbal fluency and forward and backward digiti span tests to assess low load and high load working memory. Data were analyzed using SPSS-19 and independent t-test and paired t-test. Results: Autistic relatives showed significant poor performance in phonemic (11.46±3.3 V.S. 14.08±3.8), semantic verbal fluency (16.83±3.3 V.S. 19.23±3.9), forward digiti span (5.22±0.6 V.S. 5.55±0.9) and backward digiti span (3.65±0.98 V.S. 4.14±0.8) (P<0.05) compared to healthy children of first-degree relatives. Conclusion: This study showed that parents and siblings of autistic children have a lower performance in phonemic and semantic, low and high load verbal fluency, which might be transmitted genetically.

---

Background and Objective: Headache is one the most common compliant of patients and has different causes and the migraine and tension headaches are common. Personality is characteristics forming an individual distinctive manner. This study aimed to determine the frequency and association of different types of personality characteristics in patients with migraine and tension headaches. Materials and Methods: This descriptive-analytic study was done on 160 (12 male and 148 female) subjects with chief complaint of headache whome referred to 5th Azar clinics of Gorgan, Iran during 2007-08. Subjects were selected by simple random sampling and were examined by either a neurologist or psychiatrist patient with diagnosis migraine either of or tension headache were included. Selected patients evaluated by short form of Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI). Data were analyzed using SPSS-13 and Chi-Square test. Results: The mean age was 11.18±33.29 in women and 34.33±13.7 in men. 96 patients (60%) had tension headache and 64 (41.2%) had migraine. In tension headache, depressed personality (43.8%) and hysterical personality (16.4%) were more common but in migraine headache, depressed personality (48.9%) and paranoid personality (20%) were common but this difference was not significant. Conclusion: This study showed that there is no relation between personality characteristics with tension headach and migraine.

---

Background and Objective: Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is one of the most common methods in treatment of different types of psychological disorder. The effectiveness of this therapy has a direct relation with the duration of convulsion. This study was conducted to assess the effect of lidocaine on duration of seizure and hemodynamic alterations in electroconvulsive therapy. Materials and Methods: This clinical trial study was conducted on 72 ASA-I, II patients with psychotic disorders in Hajar Medical Center in Shahrekord, Iran during 2010. The patients randomly divided into intervention and control group. The interventional group was received 1.5 mg/kg lidocaine and controls were received normal saline. For induction of anesthesia, all patients were received Sodium Thiopental (2mg/kg), Succinylcholine (1mg/kg) and Atropine (0.5mg) Propofol and Succinylcholine during 72 sessions of ECT. Duration of objective convulsion and hemodynamic alterations including blood pressure and heart rate were recorded (before, immediately and 3, 5 minutes after ECT). Data were analyzed using SPSS-11.5 and t-test. Results: Systolic and diastolic blood pressures and heart rate in 3rd minutes in interventional group following electroconvulsive therapy were 143.38±16 mmHg, 79.86±6.7 mmHg, 91.9±9.9 mmHg, respectively and in controls were 128.88±13.04 mmHg, 87.63±5.79 mmHg and 102.86±13 mmHg, respectively. These difference were significant (P<0.05). The above-mentioned indices for 5th minutes in intervention and controls were as follow: systolic (113.47±9.97 mmHg, 122.36±13 mmHg), diastolic (73.47±4.27 mmHg, 77.63±6.26 mmHg) heart rate (84.41±4.6 in minute, 93.19±12.53 in minute). These differences in above indices were significant (P<0.05). Conclusion: This study showed that lidocaine administration during electroconvulsive therapy increase the duration of convulsion and reduces heart rate and blood pressure.

---

Background and Objective: Autism is one the most disturbing neurodevelopmental disorders associated with any kinds of communicative problems and physical objects. This study was done to evaluate the effectiveness of pivotal response treatment on communicative and behavioral disorder of 8-12 years-old autistic boys. Materials and Methods: This clinical trial study was done on 24 boys with autism (aged between 8-12 years) in pediatric rehabilitation clinic in Tehran, Iran, during 2011. Patients randomly were divided into two groups: control and pivotal response treatment (PRT). The interventional group was received 20 session of PRT during the two months, but the control did not receive any intervention. All patients were examined in the field of social communicative, interactive disorder and self-stimulation behavior, using autism diagnostic interview revised. Data were analyzed using SPSS-16 and MANCOVA test. Results: The mean±SD of social communicative (18.58±0.45), interactive disorder (17.13±0.46), self-stimulations behavior (1.92±0.36) in interventional group were significantly lower than control with following index, 26.33±0.45, 23.11±0.48 and 6.16±0.37, respectively. Conclusion: This study showed that pivotal response treatment can be useful in communicative behavioral disorder of 8-12 years old autistic boys.

---

Background and Objective: Attention deficit / hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopment abnormality. Inattentive behavior is considered a core and pervasive feature of ADHD. This study was done to compare the executive function and working memory in attention deficit / hyperactivity disorder and healthy children. Materials and Methods: This case – control study was done on 50 children with ADHD as cases and 40 healthy children as controls. The disorder was diagnosed by applying Kanerz teacher test and confirmed by a psychiatrist. Stroop test, Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST), Continuous Performance Test (CPT) and n-back test were used to assess the executive function and working memory. Results: There was a significant difference between case and control groups in regard to executive function and working memory (P<0.05). Error omission was 16.98±8.157 and 7.3±3.824 in cases and controls, respectively (P<0.05). Conclusion: Attention deficit / hyperactivity disorder reduces executive function and working memory in children.

---

Background and Objective: According to destructive consequences of untreated attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), this study was done to evaluate of the prevalence of adult ADHD and its relation with depression among Iranian students. Methods: This descriptive study was carried out on 414 students of Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran during 2010-11. ADHD was screened by ADHD self report scale for adult ADHD and asking DSM-IV criteria from parents for childhood ADHD. Beck depression inventory questionnaire was used to determine depression. Results: The prevalence of adult ADHD and childhood ADHD was 3.9% and 8.5%, respectively. Depression was more prevalent in those with adult or childhood ADHD. Depression was more prevalent in under graduate than post graduate students (P<0.05). Conclusion: Depression is more prevalent in students with adult ADHD or with history of childhood ADHD.

---

Background and Objective: Thalassemias is the most common inherited disease in the world. This study was designed to assess general health of patients with beta-thalassemia major in Gorgan, northern Iran. Materials and Methods: This descriptive study was performed on 163 patients with beta-thalassemia major whom referred to Thalghani hospital in Gorgan, northern Iran. Socio-Psychosocial status of patients was assessed by using general health questionnaire-28 (GHQ-28). Results: Socio-Psychosocial status of 44.2%, 46% and 9.8% of patients was normal, suspected and suffered from psychosocial disorders, respectively. Social dysfunction (12.9%) and depression (10.4%) were the most prevalent and anxiety was the less prevalent (4.9%) in the patients. There were significant correlations between psychosocial status and mother’s ocupation (P<0.05), patients level of education (P<0.05) and history of associated diseases (P<0.05). Conclusion: Social dysfunction and depression were the two major general health complications in beta-thalassemia patients in this region.

---

Background and Objective: Domestic violence is the most common against women with negative effect on mother’s health, family, children and society. This study was performed to determine the prevalence of domestic violence against women in Bandar Abbas, Iran. Methods: This descriptive cross - sectional study was conducted on 500 women referred to Shahid Mohammadi hospital in Bandar Abbas, Southern Iran. Violence and physical injuries were recorded for each woman using a questionnaire. Results: Domestic violence was reported in 460 (92 %) women. The mean age of women was 33.80±8.64 years. The mean years of marriage were 10.53±7.83 years. 389 (77.8%), 102 (20.4%) and 9 (1.8%) of women were housewive, employee and self employee, respectively. 14 (2.8%) women had addiction background. The most common type of violence against women was psychological (54%), followed by verbal (31%), physical (24.8%) and sexual (6.8%). Level of education and addiction in the families were the main factors in domestic violence. Conclusion: Psychological violence is the most common type of domestic violence and it is related to the level of education and addiction in the families.

---

Background and Objective: Methadone is a synthetic opioid which is used in opium addiction therapy and relief of acute and chronic pain. Side effects of Methadone were reported on heart and induction of Torsade De Pointes disease and increase QTc interval in electrocardiogram. This study was conducted to determine the effect of Methadone therapy on QTc interval in electrocardiogram and its relationship with dosage and duration of Methadone therapy. Method: This cohort study was conducted on 60 opium addicted patients (57 males, 3 females) whom referred to “Methadone Therapy Clinic” in 5 Azar teaching hospital in Gorgan, northern Iran during 2009-10. Patients were divided to three groups based on the dosage of methadone: 0-35 mg (27 cases), 35-55 mg (27 cases) and 55-120 mg (26 cases) per day. QTc interval in electrocardiogram was measured at the beginning of study, one month and 5 months afterward. Results: The mean±SD of QTc interval in patients at the beginning, one month and 5 months afterward of study was 0.42±0.027, 0.43±0.029 and 0.43±0.041 seconds, respectively. There was a significant increase in QTc interval after one month of methadone therapy, compared to the beginning of study. There was no significant difference in QTc interval between 1 month and 5 months following methadone therapy. There was no significant difference between QTc interval and different dosage of methadone. Conclusion: Methadone therapy increase QTc interval but there is not any relationship between dosage and duration of methadone therapy and QTc interval.

---

Background and Objective: Body psychotherapy technique (BPT) is a program teaches to deal more effectively with stressors. This study was done to evaluate the effectiveness of body psychotherapy technique on the stress and salivary cortisol level in high school girl students. Methods: In this randomized clinical trials study, thirty 15-18 years old female students were randomly divided into intervention and control groups. BPT group was given to the intervention group in nine sessions during two months. Cohen stress scale was used perior and the end of study to determine the scale of stress. Perior and at the end of study, salivary samples of subjects were collected directly after getting up in the early morning , 15, 30 and 45 minutes later on to measure salivary cortisol level. Results: The mean of stress scale scores and salivary cortisol level in the intervention group significantly reduced in comparison with the controls (P<0.05). Conclusion: Body psychotherapy technique reduces stress scale scores and salivary cortisol level in high school girl students in Gorgan, northern Iran.

---

Background and Objective: Attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most common neurodevelopmental disorder in childhood. 20-50% of ADHD affacted children have sleep disorders which can cause cognitive and behavioral disorders. This study was done to determine the sleep problems in children with ADHD. Method: In this case control study, 52 children with ADHD was considered as cases and 52 school age children without ADHD as a control group in Gorgan, northern Iran during 2013. Sleep habits (CSHQ) and DSM-IV questionnaires were filled for each child. Results: Sleep problems were observed in 45 (86.5%) and 36 (69.2%) of children in case and control group, respectively (P<0.05). The mean score of sleep problems in case and control group was 48.25±6.61 and 45.87±6.23, respectively (P<0.05). The score of resistance to sleep, anxious habits of sleep and waking during night in cases were more than controls (P<0.05). Conclusion: Sleep problems in children with ADHD are more frequent than children without ADHD.