Miroslava Jasovic-Gasic | University of Belgrade (original) (raw)
Papers by Miroslava Jasovic-Gasic
British Journal of Psychiatry, Jun 1, 2006
Delayed onset of action of antidepressants? Survey of Delayed onset of action of antidepressants?... more Delayed onset of action of antidepressants? Survey of Delayed onset of action of antidepressants? Survey of recent results. recent results.
Psychiatria Danubina, Oct 17, 2022
Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic health care providers found themselves under increased d... more Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic health care providers found themselves under increased demands in the work environment and in their professional and personal lives which created both physical and mental health challenges. Thus, we aim to provide an integrative review that identifies and summarizes the research published regarding mental health functioning in health care providers, in Serbia, since the beginning of the pandemic. Subjects and methods: A search of the published literature was conducted using Medline and SCIndex databases, applying key earch was limited to papers published since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic until January 2022. Two reviewers independently screened the retrieved papers. The study used pre-defined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results: We identified eight papers on the subject of mental health functioning in health care providers. The studies were all original research papers with predominantly cross-sectional study design, using online assessments. Sample size varied in number of participants and profile of medical providers (physicians, nurses and medical technicians, community pharmacists). Dominantly, focus of interests of researchers were exploration of levels of anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances, burnout, as well as behavioural changes and environmental influences. Conclusions: The studies related to mental health of medical professionals show the importance of recognizing the psychological challenges posed by health crises caused by COVID-19. They raise awareness of recognizing differences and difficulties between wide range of medical sectors, and appeal for necessity for accessible and professional psychological support. Further studies should address the detailed exploration of the mental health of this specific population, as well as propose strategies needed to balance the challenges posed by the pandemic.
Srpski Arhiv Za Celokupno Lekarstvo, 2011
Psihijatrija danas, 2000
Svođenje doza antipsihotika na određene ekvivalente vrši se u odnosu na arbitrarnog predstavnika ... more Svođenje doza antipsihotika na određene ekvivalente vrši se u odnosu na arbitrarnog predstavnika grupe (hlorpromazin ili haloperidol). Definisana dnevna doza (DDD) je statistička jedinica upotrebe internacionalno dogovorno utvrđene količine leka, koja se najčešće koristi za određenu indikaciju. DDD omogućava merenje potrošnje lekova i ekspozicije date populacije. Cilj ovog rada je da se analizira mogućnost upotrebe DDD u merenju efikasnosti antipsihotika. U tu svrhu, statistički je analizirana korelacija između propisanih doza pojedinih antipsihotika za terapiju održavanja, pretvorenih u DDD i njihovih ekvivalenata prema haloperidolu i hlorpormazinu. Analizirane su preskripcije za ukupno 263 pacijenta (141 žena, 122 muškaraca, prosečne starosti 27.38 ± 6,20SD, prosečne dužine bolesti: 2.03god. ± 2.40SD) dijagnostikovanih kao shizofrenija (F20), akutno polimorfno duševno oboljenje sa simptomima shizofrenije (F23.1) i akutno psihotično oboljenje slično shizofreniji (F23.2) prema ICD-X kriterijumima, u fazi uspostavljanja terapije održavanja. Za utvrđivanje statističke značajnosti korišćen je korelacioni model i koeficijent korelacije iz programa SPSS. Analizom korelacije ekvivalenata hlorpromazina, haloperidola i broja DDD, utvrđena je visoko statistički značajna korelacija između sva tri metoda poređenja doza antipsihotika (ukupno devet antipsihotika) (p<0.01). Naši rezultati pokazuju da postoji korelacija između DDD i klasičnih sistema poređenja potentnosti antipsihotika. To dozvoljava prihvatanje koncepta DDD, i nameće potrebu daljeg proučavanja njegove primene u evaluaciji terapijske efikasnosti antipsihotika.
European Neuropsychopharmacology, 2015
Psychiatria Danubina, 2014
The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of certain psychosocial factors - insight,... more The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of certain psychosocial factors - insight, psycho-education, family and social support, loneliness and social isolation - on the appearance of depression and suicidal risk in schizophrenia. This was a cross-sectional study that comprised hospitalized patients with schizophrenia in the initial remission phase. The assessment of depression and suicidal risk was made by applying a semi-structured psychiatric interview that included scrutinized factors (insight, psycho-education, family and social support, loneliness and social isolation), Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), and Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia (CDSS). On the basis of the assessment results, the sample was divided into two groups: Group of patients with depression and suicidal risk in schizophrenia (N = 53) and Control group (N = 159) of patients with schizophrenia without depression and suicidal risk. In the Group of patients with depression and...
Psychiatria Danubina, 2011
The purpose of the study was to research gender differences in suicides committed in Podgorica be... more The purpose of the study was to research gender differences in suicides committed in Podgorica between 2000 and 2006, including sociodemographic variables (e.g. age, marital status, education etc.), methods of and motives for committing suicide. Data were taken from the Police Directorate of Montenegro. We used data on 220 males and 83 females who committed suicide. Statistical analysis was done by using the crude specific rate. Significance between two independent crude rates is constructed around their 95% confidence intervals and it utilizes the difference between the two rates (D) to determine significance. The incidence of suicide in males was found to be higher than in females (the male to female suicide ratio is 2.6 to 1). Females were older than males. Females had completed elementary education more frequently , and they were single or divorced or widows. Males had completed secondary education more frequently and they were married. The most frequent employment status of bot...
Srpski arhiv za celokupno lekarstvo
Richard Morton was a distinguished physician of the 17th century. He was born in Suffolk, England... more Richard Morton was a distinguished physician of the 17th century. He was born in Suffolk, England, on July 30th 1637. Morton published three works but his landmark paper was "Phthisiologia, seu exercitationes de phthisi, tribus libris comprehensae" published in 1689, dedicated to William III. The book established his reputation at home and abroad lasting for over a century. Pulmonary tuberculosis was very frequent in the 17th century in England. He was the first physician ever to state that tubercles were always present in its pulmonary form. When we add to these momentous observations and their rational explanation the facts that he was the first physician to state categorically that tubercles are always present in phthisis, we must agree that Morton richly deserves his honoured place in the long list of those who have contributed to the solution of the problem of tuberculosis. Morton first described and gave conclusions of numerous today well known and already examined i...
Psychiatria Danubina, 2004
Cognitive impairment is the hallmark of progressive neurodegenerative process observed in Alzheim... more Cognitive impairment is the hallmark of progressive neurodegenerative process observed in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Acetylcholine (Ach) deficiency is considered to be one of major factors underlying cognitive dysfunction in AD. Several lines of evidence suggest that sigma receptor ligands can elevate Ach extracellular levels in prefrontal cortex rat brain. Since all selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) show affinity for sigma receptors, it has been assumed that fluoxetine could improve cognition in AD. The aim of study was to investigate the effects of fluoxetine on learning and memory processes in experimental model of AD in rats. Experiments were carried out on adult male Wistar rats divided into three major groups: intact control, sham-operated and nucleus basalis-lesioned rats. Bilateral electrolytic lesions of nucleus basalis Meynert (NBM) (experimental model of AD) were made by 1 mA direct current passed through unipolar electrode for 30 sec. The behavioural tes...
Psychiatria Danubina, 2006
The paper analyzes some issues on the comorbidity between schizophrenia and cancer. Epidemiologic... more The paper analyzes some issues on the comorbidity between schizophrenia and cancer. Epidemiological studies have reported contradictory results, but it is certain that patients with schizophrenia are more likely to suffer from risk factors for cancer development, such as increased alcohol abuse, obesity, nicotine dependence and decreased physical activity. The paper gives guidelines for the treatment of cancer in patients with schizophrenia, and discusses possible interactions between chemotherapy and psychotropic drugs. Particular attention is paid to the use of antipsychotics which increase the level of prolactin, in view of the possible risk of breast and endometrial cancer in patients with schizophrenia.
Psychiatria Danubina, 2006
Currently available evidence reveals comparatively few studies of the psychological and social ef... more Currently available evidence reveals comparatively few studies of the psychological and social effects of acquired hearing impairment, in spite of the fact that clinicians have for a long time been aware of a connection between acquired hearing impairment and mental disorders. The existing data indicate that psychological disorders are significantly more frequent in a population with hearing impairment than in the average population and are accompanied by disharmony in interpersonal and social relations. Establishing the presence and the type of mental disorders in patients with hearing impairment due to otosclerosis, before and 6 months after corrective surgery, as well as finding the role of adaptation style (personal adjustment) and facing strategy (communication strategies) as mediating variables between the acquired hearing impairment and observed psychical changes. in 60 subjects, potential candidates for stapedectomy, MMPI-201 has been applied before and after surgery, in ord...
Psychiatria Danubina, 2012
More than half a century ago, Delay and colleagues have discovered, quite accidentally, that anti... more More than half a century ago, Delay and colleagues have discovered, quite accidentally, that antihistamine (chlorpromazine) relieves psychotic symptoms. This discovery prompted further investigation through a series of performed experiments aimed to elucidate the antipsychotic mechanism of action. Initial results have shown that antipsychotic drugs in experimental animals lead to "neuroleptic effect" (indifference). However, not until the end of 1960s, it becomes clear that all previously known antipsychotics block dopamine receptors, particularly postsynaptic D2 receptors. The next three decades marked the development and application of these so-called classic neuroleptics in the treatment of psychotic patients. During the nineteen nineties, as a result of ongoing efforts to achieve greater efficiency and reduce the scope of side effects, novel antipsychotics were synthesized (second generation antipsychotics--SGA). As a result the notion of serotonin-dopamine antagonist ...
Psychiatria Danubina, 2009
Mood stabilizer augmentation of standard antidepressant drugs has been shown to be effective in t... more Mood stabilizer augmentation of standard antidepressant drugs has been shown to be effective in treatment-resistant depression. Despite the reported high overall efficacy, lithium has been relatively underused in recent years. Lamotrigine, a novel anticonvulsant recently recognized as a mood stabilizer, seems to have putative antidepressive properties. The aim of the study was to investigate lamotrigine efficacy and tolerability as antidepressant augmentation for unipolar treatment-resistant depression compared to lithium. 88 patients suffering from treatment-resistant Major depressive disorder, having acute recurrent depressive episodes according to DSM-IV criteria, were enrolled in the study. This was an open-label trial with a flexible dosing regimen. All patients, received antidepressants in full therapeutic doses. They were divided into two augmentation groups: 46 patients received 50-200 mg/day lamotrigine, and 42 patients received 600-1200 mg/day lithium. The Hamilton Rating ...
Psychiatria Danubina, 2009
A rapid expansion of new treatment options in recent decades and the increasing volume of scienti... more A rapid expansion of new treatment options in recent decades and the increasing volume of scientific evidence published on a daily basis have been followed by the necessity of introduction of clinical guidelines and therapeutic algorithms. The development of these guidelines and algorithms has also been driven by increased cost-awareness and the increasing pressure to improve cost-efficiency. The Serbian Physicians Society published "Therapeutic Guidelines for the Treatment of Schizophrenia" in 2003 and "Therapeutic Guidelines for the Treatment of Bipolar Affective Disorder" in 2004. The School of Medicine, University of Belgrade published "Therapeutic Guidelines for the Treatment of Depression" in 2004. All of these national guidelines, at the moment of development, were based upon up-to-date scientific evidence. According to the recently conducted survey at the Institute of Psychiatry, Clinical Centre of Serbia, about 65% of psychiatrists stated that ...
Psychiatria Danubina, 2009
As one of the most potent and substantial form of mass communication, film exercises a very signi... more As one of the most potent and substantial form of mass communication, film exercises a very significant influence upon the perceptions of the audience, especially in relation to mental illness issues, and that perception is very much blurred with populists' misinterpretation and lack of awareness regarding problems faced by persons suffering from mental disorders. Movies such as "Psycho", "One Flew Over Cuckoo's Nest", "Exorcist", despite being valuable in an artistic sense, corroborated and encouraged confusion and undermined the clarity and certainty concerning the fine line separating mental health from mental illness. Modern film makers and movie theoreticians try to overcome these limitations which are often generated by exploitation of stereotypes and myths referring to mentally ill people. This paper defines and discusses the most frequent thematic stereotypes seen in movies which are perpetuating stigmatization of mentally ill people. Th...
Psychiatria Danubina, 2009
A case is reported of a 36-year-old male, found dead in his locked room, lying on a bed, dressed ... more A case is reported of a 36-year-old male, found dead in his locked room, lying on a bed, dressed in his mother's clothes, with a plastic bag over his head, hands tied and with a barrel wooden cork in his rectum. Two pornographic magazines were found on a chair near the bed, so that the deceased could see them well. Asphyxia was controlled with a complex apparatus which consisted of two elastic luggage rack straps, the first surrounding his waist, perineum, and buttocks, and the second the back of his body, and neck. According to the psychological autopsy based on a structured interview (SCID-I, SCID-II) with his father, the deceased was single, unemployed and with a part college education. He had grown up in a poor family with a reserved father and dominant mother, and was indicative of fulfilling DSM-IV diagnostic criteria for alcohol dependence, paraphilia involving hypoxyphilia with transvestic fetishism and anal masturbation and a borderline personality disorder. There was n...
Srpski arhiv za celokupno lekarstvo
The development of legislation in the field of mental health in our region is linked with the eme... more The development of legislation in the field of mental health in our region is linked with the emergence and development of the oldest psychiatric hospitals in Serbia.The principle that the mentally ill who committed a criminal offense need to be placed in a psychiatric hospital instead of a prison was introduced at the same time as in the most developed European countries. The founders of the Serbian forensic psychiatry, Dr. Jovan Danić, Dr.Vojislav Subotić Jr. and Dr. Dusan Subotić, were all trained at the first Serbian Psychiatric Hospital ("Home for the Unsound of Mind") that was founded in 1861 in the part of Belgrade called Guberevac. Their successors were psychiatric enthusiasts Prof. Dr.Vladimir F.Vujić and Prof. Dr. Laza Stanojević. A formal establishment of the School of Medicine of Belgrade, with acquirement of new experience and positive shifts within this field, based on the general act of the University in 1932, led to the formation of the Council of the Schoo...
Collegium antropologicum, 2014
Ksenja Atanasijević (1894-1981) was the first woman in Serbia to obtain a Ph.D. in philosophy. Go... more Ksenja Atanasijević (1894-1981) was the first woman in Serbia to obtain a Ph.D. in philosophy. Going through numerous psychological metamorphoses in her lifetime and confronted with numerous challenges, Ksenija Atanasijević developed a specific philosophical-psychological system of consolation prominently featuring the concepts of happiness, bliss, moderation, courage and wisdom. Modifying the original teachings of Democritus and Epicurus, Ksenija Atanasijević developed a distinctive anthropology based on confrontation with but equally the overcoming of obstacles, both internal (spiritual) as well as external ones. The philosopheress developed a reflexive and indeed metaphysical defensive psychotherapeutical skill at the root of which was cleansing the soul, as well as dedication to the realm of fancy, fantasy and imagination. Ksenija Atanasijević also had precious literary talent which was best expressed in her analyses of the poetry and prose of great Serbian writers (Pandurović, ...
British Journal of Psychiatry, Jun 1, 2006
Delayed onset of action of antidepressants? Survey of Delayed onset of action of antidepressants?... more Delayed onset of action of antidepressants? Survey of Delayed onset of action of antidepressants? Survey of recent results. recent results.
Psychiatria Danubina, Oct 17, 2022
Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic health care providers found themselves under increased d... more Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic health care providers found themselves under increased demands in the work environment and in their professional and personal lives which created both physical and mental health challenges. Thus, we aim to provide an integrative review that identifies and summarizes the research published regarding mental health functioning in health care providers, in Serbia, since the beginning of the pandemic. Subjects and methods: A search of the published literature was conducted using Medline and SCIndex databases, applying key earch was limited to papers published since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic until January 2022. Two reviewers independently screened the retrieved papers. The study used pre-defined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results: We identified eight papers on the subject of mental health functioning in health care providers. The studies were all original research papers with predominantly cross-sectional study design, using online assessments. Sample size varied in number of participants and profile of medical providers (physicians, nurses and medical technicians, community pharmacists). Dominantly, focus of interests of researchers were exploration of levels of anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances, burnout, as well as behavioural changes and environmental influences. Conclusions: The studies related to mental health of medical professionals show the importance of recognizing the psychological challenges posed by health crises caused by COVID-19. They raise awareness of recognizing differences and difficulties between wide range of medical sectors, and appeal for necessity for accessible and professional psychological support. Further studies should address the detailed exploration of the mental health of this specific population, as well as propose strategies needed to balance the challenges posed by the pandemic.
Srpski Arhiv Za Celokupno Lekarstvo, 2011
Psihijatrija danas, 2000
Svođenje doza antipsihotika na određene ekvivalente vrši se u odnosu na arbitrarnog predstavnika ... more Svođenje doza antipsihotika na određene ekvivalente vrši se u odnosu na arbitrarnog predstavnika grupe (hlorpromazin ili haloperidol). Definisana dnevna doza (DDD) je statistička jedinica upotrebe internacionalno dogovorno utvrđene količine leka, koja se najčešće koristi za određenu indikaciju. DDD omogućava merenje potrošnje lekova i ekspozicije date populacije. Cilj ovog rada je da se analizira mogućnost upotrebe DDD u merenju efikasnosti antipsihotika. U tu svrhu, statistički je analizirana korelacija između propisanih doza pojedinih antipsihotika za terapiju održavanja, pretvorenih u DDD i njihovih ekvivalenata prema haloperidolu i hlorpormazinu. Analizirane su preskripcije za ukupno 263 pacijenta (141 žena, 122 muškaraca, prosečne starosti 27.38 ± 6,20SD, prosečne dužine bolesti: 2.03god. ± 2.40SD) dijagnostikovanih kao shizofrenija (F20), akutno polimorfno duševno oboljenje sa simptomima shizofrenije (F23.1) i akutno psihotično oboljenje slično shizofreniji (F23.2) prema ICD-X kriterijumima, u fazi uspostavljanja terapije održavanja. Za utvrđivanje statističke značajnosti korišćen je korelacioni model i koeficijent korelacije iz programa SPSS. Analizom korelacije ekvivalenata hlorpromazina, haloperidola i broja DDD, utvrđena je visoko statistički značajna korelacija između sva tri metoda poređenja doza antipsihotika (ukupno devet antipsihotika) (p<0.01). Naši rezultati pokazuju da postoji korelacija između DDD i klasičnih sistema poređenja potentnosti antipsihotika. To dozvoljava prihvatanje koncepta DDD, i nameće potrebu daljeg proučavanja njegove primene u evaluaciji terapijske efikasnosti antipsihotika.
European Neuropsychopharmacology, 2015
Psychiatria Danubina, 2014
The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of certain psychosocial factors - insight,... more The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of certain psychosocial factors - insight, psycho-education, family and social support, loneliness and social isolation - on the appearance of depression and suicidal risk in schizophrenia. This was a cross-sectional study that comprised hospitalized patients with schizophrenia in the initial remission phase. The assessment of depression and suicidal risk was made by applying a semi-structured psychiatric interview that included scrutinized factors (insight, psycho-education, family and social support, loneliness and social isolation), Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), and Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia (CDSS). On the basis of the assessment results, the sample was divided into two groups: Group of patients with depression and suicidal risk in schizophrenia (N = 53) and Control group (N = 159) of patients with schizophrenia without depression and suicidal risk. In the Group of patients with depression and...
Psychiatria Danubina, 2011
The purpose of the study was to research gender differences in suicides committed in Podgorica be... more The purpose of the study was to research gender differences in suicides committed in Podgorica between 2000 and 2006, including sociodemographic variables (e.g. age, marital status, education etc.), methods of and motives for committing suicide. Data were taken from the Police Directorate of Montenegro. We used data on 220 males and 83 females who committed suicide. Statistical analysis was done by using the crude specific rate. Significance between two independent crude rates is constructed around their 95% confidence intervals and it utilizes the difference between the two rates (D) to determine significance. The incidence of suicide in males was found to be higher than in females (the male to female suicide ratio is 2.6 to 1). Females were older than males. Females had completed elementary education more frequently , and they were single or divorced or widows. Males had completed secondary education more frequently and they were married. The most frequent employment status of bot...
Srpski arhiv za celokupno lekarstvo
Richard Morton was a distinguished physician of the 17th century. He was born in Suffolk, England... more Richard Morton was a distinguished physician of the 17th century. He was born in Suffolk, England, on July 30th 1637. Morton published three works but his landmark paper was "Phthisiologia, seu exercitationes de phthisi, tribus libris comprehensae" published in 1689, dedicated to William III. The book established his reputation at home and abroad lasting for over a century. Pulmonary tuberculosis was very frequent in the 17th century in England. He was the first physician ever to state that tubercles were always present in its pulmonary form. When we add to these momentous observations and their rational explanation the facts that he was the first physician to state categorically that tubercles are always present in phthisis, we must agree that Morton richly deserves his honoured place in the long list of those who have contributed to the solution of the problem of tuberculosis. Morton first described and gave conclusions of numerous today well known and already examined i...
Psychiatria Danubina, 2004
Cognitive impairment is the hallmark of progressive neurodegenerative process observed in Alzheim... more Cognitive impairment is the hallmark of progressive neurodegenerative process observed in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Acetylcholine (Ach) deficiency is considered to be one of major factors underlying cognitive dysfunction in AD. Several lines of evidence suggest that sigma receptor ligands can elevate Ach extracellular levels in prefrontal cortex rat brain. Since all selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) show affinity for sigma receptors, it has been assumed that fluoxetine could improve cognition in AD. The aim of study was to investigate the effects of fluoxetine on learning and memory processes in experimental model of AD in rats. Experiments were carried out on adult male Wistar rats divided into three major groups: intact control, sham-operated and nucleus basalis-lesioned rats. Bilateral electrolytic lesions of nucleus basalis Meynert (NBM) (experimental model of AD) were made by 1 mA direct current passed through unipolar electrode for 30 sec. The behavioural tes...
Psychiatria Danubina, 2006
The paper analyzes some issues on the comorbidity between schizophrenia and cancer. Epidemiologic... more The paper analyzes some issues on the comorbidity between schizophrenia and cancer. Epidemiological studies have reported contradictory results, but it is certain that patients with schizophrenia are more likely to suffer from risk factors for cancer development, such as increased alcohol abuse, obesity, nicotine dependence and decreased physical activity. The paper gives guidelines for the treatment of cancer in patients with schizophrenia, and discusses possible interactions between chemotherapy and psychotropic drugs. Particular attention is paid to the use of antipsychotics which increase the level of prolactin, in view of the possible risk of breast and endometrial cancer in patients with schizophrenia.
Psychiatria Danubina, 2006
Currently available evidence reveals comparatively few studies of the psychological and social ef... more Currently available evidence reveals comparatively few studies of the psychological and social effects of acquired hearing impairment, in spite of the fact that clinicians have for a long time been aware of a connection between acquired hearing impairment and mental disorders. The existing data indicate that psychological disorders are significantly more frequent in a population with hearing impairment than in the average population and are accompanied by disharmony in interpersonal and social relations. Establishing the presence and the type of mental disorders in patients with hearing impairment due to otosclerosis, before and 6 months after corrective surgery, as well as finding the role of adaptation style (personal adjustment) and facing strategy (communication strategies) as mediating variables between the acquired hearing impairment and observed psychical changes. in 60 subjects, potential candidates for stapedectomy, MMPI-201 has been applied before and after surgery, in ord...
Psychiatria Danubina, 2012
More than half a century ago, Delay and colleagues have discovered, quite accidentally, that anti... more More than half a century ago, Delay and colleagues have discovered, quite accidentally, that antihistamine (chlorpromazine) relieves psychotic symptoms. This discovery prompted further investigation through a series of performed experiments aimed to elucidate the antipsychotic mechanism of action. Initial results have shown that antipsychotic drugs in experimental animals lead to "neuroleptic effect" (indifference). However, not until the end of 1960s, it becomes clear that all previously known antipsychotics block dopamine receptors, particularly postsynaptic D2 receptors. The next three decades marked the development and application of these so-called classic neuroleptics in the treatment of psychotic patients. During the nineteen nineties, as a result of ongoing efforts to achieve greater efficiency and reduce the scope of side effects, novel antipsychotics were synthesized (second generation antipsychotics--SGA). As a result the notion of serotonin-dopamine antagonist ...
Psychiatria Danubina, 2009
Mood stabilizer augmentation of standard antidepressant drugs has been shown to be effective in t... more Mood stabilizer augmentation of standard antidepressant drugs has been shown to be effective in treatment-resistant depression. Despite the reported high overall efficacy, lithium has been relatively underused in recent years. Lamotrigine, a novel anticonvulsant recently recognized as a mood stabilizer, seems to have putative antidepressive properties. The aim of the study was to investigate lamotrigine efficacy and tolerability as antidepressant augmentation for unipolar treatment-resistant depression compared to lithium. 88 patients suffering from treatment-resistant Major depressive disorder, having acute recurrent depressive episodes according to DSM-IV criteria, were enrolled in the study. This was an open-label trial with a flexible dosing regimen. All patients, received antidepressants in full therapeutic doses. They were divided into two augmentation groups: 46 patients received 50-200 mg/day lamotrigine, and 42 patients received 600-1200 mg/day lithium. The Hamilton Rating ...
Psychiatria Danubina, 2009
A rapid expansion of new treatment options in recent decades and the increasing volume of scienti... more A rapid expansion of new treatment options in recent decades and the increasing volume of scientific evidence published on a daily basis have been followed by the necessity of introduction of clinical guidelines and therapeutic algorithms. The development of these guidelines and algorithms has also been driven by increased cost-awareness and the increasing pressure to improve cost-efficiency. The Serbian Physicians Society published "Therapeutic Guidelines for the Treatment of Schizophrenia" in 2003 and "Therapeutic Guidelines for the Treatment of Bipolar Affective Disorder" in 2004. The School of Medicine, University of Belgrade published "Therapeutic Guidelines for the Treatment of Depression" in 2004. All of these national guidelines, at the moment of development, were based upon up-to-date scientific evidence. According to the recently conducted survey at the Institute of Psychiatry, Clinical Centre of Serbia, about 65% of psychiatrists stated that ...
Psychiatria Danubina, 2009
As one of the most potent and substantial form of mass communication, film exercises a very signi... more As one of the most potent and substantial form of mass communication, film exercises a very significant influence upon the perceptions of the audience, especially in relation to mental illness issues, and that perception is very much blurred with populists' misinterpretation and lack of awareness regarding problems faced by persons suffering from mental disorders. Movies such as "Psycho", "One Flew Over Cuckoo's Nest", "Exorcist", despite being valuable in an artistic sense, corroborated and encouraged confusion and undermined the clarity and certainty concerning the fine line separating mental health from mental illness. Modern film makers and movie theoreticians try to overcome these limitations which are often generated by exploitation of stereotypes and myths referring to mentally ill people. This paper defines and discusses the most frequent thematic stereotypes seen in movies which are perpetuating stigmatization of mentally ill people. Th...
Psychiatria Danubina, 2009
A case is reported of a 36-year-old male, found dead in his locked room, lying on a bed, dressed ... more A case is reported of a 36-year-old male, found dead in his locked room, lying on a bed, dressed in his mother's clothes, with a plastic bag over his head, hands tied and with a barrel wooden cork in his rectum. Two pornographic magazines were found on a chair near the bed, so that the deceased could see them well. Asphyxia was controlled with a complex apparatus which consisted of two elastic luggage rack straps, the first surrounding his waist, perineum, and buttocks, and the second the back of his body, and neck. According to the psychological autopsy based on a structured interview (SCID-I, SCID-II) with his father, the deceased was single, unemployed and with a part college education. He had grown up in a poor family with a reserved father and dominant mother, and was indicative of fulfilling DSM-IV diagnostic criteria for alcohol dependence, paraphilia involving hypoxyphilia with transvestic fetishism and anal masturbation and a borderline personality disorder. There was n...
Srpski arhiv za celokupno lekarstvo
The development of legislation in the field of mental health in our region is linked with the eme... more The development of legislation in the field of mental health in our region is linked with the emergence and development of the oldest psychiatric hospitals in Serbia.The principle that the mentally ill who committed a criminal offense need to be placed in a psychiatric hospital instead of a prison was introduced at the same time as in the most developed European countries. The founders of the Serbian forensic psychiatry, Dr. Jovan Danić, Dr.Vojislav Subotić Jr. and Dr. Dusan Subotić, were all trained at the first Serbian Psychiatric Hospital ("Home for the Unsound of Mind") that was founded in 1861 in the part of Belgrade called Guberevac. Their successors were psychiatric enthusiasts Prof. Dr.Vladimir F.Vujić and Prof. Dr. Laza Stanojević. A formal establishment of the School of Medicine of Belgrade, with acquirement of new experience and positive shifts within this field, based on the general act of the University in 1932, led to the formation of the Council of the Schoo...
Collegium antropologicum, 2014
Ksenja Atanasijević (1894-1981) was the first woman in Serbia to obtain a Ph.D. in philosophy. Go... more Ksenja Atanasijević (1894-1981) was the first woman in Serbia to obtain a Ph.D. in philosophy. Going through numerous psychological metamorphoses in her lifetime and confronted with numerous challenges, Ksenija Atanasijević developed a specific philosophical-psychological system of consolation prominently featuring the concepts of happiness, bliss, moderation, courage and wisdom. Modifying the original teachings of Democritus and Epicurus, Ksenija Atanasijević developed a distinctive anthropology based on confrontation with but equally the overcoming of obstacles, both internal (spiritual) as well as external ones. The philosopheress developed a reflexive and indeed metaphysical defensive psychotherapeutical skill at the root of which was cleansing the soul, as well as dedication to the realm of fancy, fantasy and imagination. Ksenija Atanasijević also had precious literary talent which was best expressed in her analyses of the poetry and prose of great Serbian writers (Pandurović, ...