Antonio Ventriglio

• MD, PhD
• Associate Professor of Psychiatry at University of Foggia

Introduction: Psychosocial interventions are essential in the treatment of severe mental disorders, including Bipolar Disorder. These interventions aim to enhance patients’ psychopathology, alongside pharmacological treatments, while also improving personal functioning and quality of life. Methods: We conducted a comprehensive review of available i...

Background: Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) is highly prevalent among substance use disorders worldwide and is characterized by a multifactorial pathophysiology. AUD treatment is mostly based on combined pharmacotherapy and multidisciplinary clinical approaches. Nonetheless, meta-analytical studies assessing the efficacy of combination therapy are scarc...

La empatía y el optimismo, dos constructos psicológicos de gran relevancia, han captado la atención en diversos ámbitos, incluyendo el educativo y clínico. En el contexto de la educación médica, estos atributos tienen implicaciones no solo para el desarrollo personal y profesional de los estudiantes, sino también para la calidad de la atención que...

Affective Disorders (ADs) include a broad spectrum of clinical conditions, ranging from dysthymia and Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) to various forms of bipolar disorders (BD) and affective psychoses [...]

Background Although environmental factors have been studied for their impact on mental health, the link between ambient temperature and mental disorders remains insufficiently explored. Aim This study aimed to explore the relationship between ambient temperature and the frequency of emergency psychiatric consultations at the sole university hospit...

Case-controlled field studies, ecological implementation field studies, and qualitative or mixed methodology studies have been conducted to evaluate the clinical utility of the ICD-11 clinical descriptions and diagnostic requirements (ICD-11 CDDR) for the diagnosis of mental disorders. This systematic review sought to analyze and synthesize the cli...

Adolescent mental health remains an underexplored area in Paraguay despite its significant implications for public health. This study investigated the prevalence of self-injurious thoughts and behaviours as well as the associated psychosocial and demographic factors among Paraguayan adolescents. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 535 adoles...

Abstract Background Mental pain represents a significant risk factor for suicidal behavior in severe mental disorders. The present study aims to investigate the interplay between childhood traumatic experiences, hopelessness, depressive symptoms and mental pain, using a network analysis approach in a large transdiagnostic sample of participants liv...

Background: Geopsychiatry, an emerging field, explores the interaction between environmental factors and mental health, addressing how sociopolitical, economic, and ecological crises impact psychological well-being. Despite its relevance, Geopsychiatry is largely absent from psychiatric training curricula globally. Study aim: This study aimed to ev...

Background: Cognitive processes play a crucial role in the perception of pain. Catastrophizing, defined as a tendency to focus on a painful experience or amplify its unpleasantness, even in an anticipated form, might increase patients’ negative expectations and feelings of helplessness. In fact, high levels of pain catastrophizing are associated wi...

Background Research on the mental health of medical students enrolled in Paraguayan universities has mainly examined the prevalence of anxiety and depression, with limited exploration of treatment access, barriers, and facilitators. Additionally, substance use, such as alcohol and other substances, is of significant concern because of its associati...

Introduction: The phenomenology of depression is characterized by a wide array of emotional, cognitive, and physical symptoms that significantly disrupt an individual's life. Societal changes, driven by technological advancements, economic pressures, environmental concerns including climate change, and shifting cultural norms, have influenced how...

Introducción: la neurofobia, definida como el miedo o rechazo hacia la neurología por su complejidad percibida, representa un desafío en la formación médica. Este estudio analiza la prevalencia y los factores asociados con la neurofobia en estudiantes de medicina en Paraguay. Objetivo: explorar las percepciones, actitudes y factores relacionados c...

Case-controlled field studies have been conducted to evaluate the clinical utility of ICD-11 clinical descriptions and diagnostic requirements (ICD-11 CDDR) in the diagnosis of mental disorders, including analyses of diagnostic accuracy. The present systematic review and meta-analysis sought to evaluate the sensitivity (Se) of these guidelines comp...

Objectives: A growing body of evidence suggests a potential association between tobacco dependence and eating disorders. Given the appetite-suppressing effects of tobacco, its use may be linked to weight control behaviors among individuals with eating disorders. This study aims to review the prevalence of current smoking among individuals diagnosed...

Background: Psychodermatology is an interdisciplinary field that bridges psychiatry and dermatology, addressing the psychosocial and psychiatric aspects of skin diseases. Managing such cases presents a challenge for both dermatologists and psychiatrists as patients often resist psychiatric consultations, complicating diagnosis and treatment. Aim:...

As people across all nations around the world are beginning to live longer, the World Health Organization estimates the number of older adults is projected to double to 1.5 billion. Population aging has been recognized as one of the four global demographic ‘megatrends’. These trends include population growth, international migration, and urbanizati...

Background: E-cigarettes, initially designed for nicotine consumption, are now increasingly being used to smoke cannabis, resulting in a growing trend known as “dual vaping”. This term describes individuals, referred to as “dual users”, who use e-cigarettes for both substances. This study aims to review and analyze existing research on dual vaping,...

Professor Dinesh Bhugra, whose illustrious career in psychiatry spans nearly 5 decades, continues to collaborate with healthcare professionals, policymakers, patients, and caregiver groups worldwide, assuming multifaceted roles with unparalleled dedication. As a distinguished educator, researcher, writer, and mentor, he bridges diverse disciplines...

Background: This study examined the prevalence of mental health issues among Paraguayan researchers and their relationships with emotional regulation and psychosocial factors. Methods: A cross-sectional survey of 235 researchers was conducted using validated instruments: the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21); the Job Content Questionn...

Background: Pakistani television dramas often depict scenes involving suicide that may affect the psychological wellbeing of viewers. We aimed to examine the effects of suicide depiction in Pakistani television dramas on their viewers. Methods: In April 2023, we searched the YouTube website for Urdu-language television dramas released between 20...

Introducción: la autoeficacia en la lactancia materna es un factor crucial que influye en su éxito y duración. Estudios han demostrado que la ansiedad y la depresión maternaspuede afectar negativamente la autoeficacia en la lactancia, lo que puede dificultar la continuación de esta. Comprender esta relación es esencial para diseñar intervenciones q...

Introducción. La salud mental de los médicos y estudiantes de medicina ha sido estudiada extensamente en Paraguay. Sin embargo, no se han realizado estudios que se enfoquen en las actitudes o creencias que este grupo tiene sobre el suicidio. Objetivo. Identificar y caracterizar las creencias sobre el suicidio entre estudiantes de medicina y médicos...

Background Substance Use Disorders are often associated with significant levels of domestic and external violence registered among abusers. This investigation aimed to evaluate the Domestic Violence Involvement (DVI) and related gender differences among Crack Cocaine Users in Brazil. Methods For this purpose, a secondary data analysis of a multice...

The Israel–Gaza conflict traces back to the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, which left Gaza under Egyptian control and home to many Palestinian refugees. In 1967, Israel captured Gaza during the Six-Day War, initiating decades of occupation. The Oslo Accords of the 1990s granted limited Palestinian self-governance, but tensions escalated after Hamas took co...

Sexuality and gender identity are crucial aspects of human personal identity and experience. Both significantly affect the individual self-perception, any personal belief, thinking, social being, and connections with the family and community. Sexual variations (e.g., LGBTQIA+: lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual) are commo...

Both work and unemployment can serve as significant protective and/or risk factors for mental health in different ways. Indeed, employment provides individuals with a sense of purpose, structure, economic stability, and social interaction, contributing positively to their mental well-being. Conversely, unemployment can lead to financial stress, los...

Study aim : This study aimed to investigate the impact of physical activity on the mental health characteristics of a sample of university students from Paraguay, assessing their daily physical activity and the prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress. Materials and methods : This observational, descriptive, prospective, cross-sectional study...

As a professional duty, physicians are often required to publicly comment on health-related topics. However, ethical complexities can arise during discussions about high-profile individuals or events, especially in an era of rapid news cycles and digital media. The American Medical Association (AMA) has policies concerning physician commentary and...

Background: E-cigarettes, initially designed for nicotine consumption, are now increasingly being used to smoke cannabis, resulting in a growing trend known as "dual vaping." This term describes individuals, referred to as "dual users," who use e-cigarettes for both substances. This study aims to review and analyse existing research on dual vaping,...

Aim This study aimed to assess the psychological distress, specifically anxiety and depression, among nurses employed at University Hospital Center of Rabat in Morocco and tested the associations between support in the workplace and nurses’ psychological well-being. Methods A cross-sectional observational study was conducted at University Hospital...

Introduction Migrants face numerous risk factors for mental disorders, including stressors and traumatic events during the pre-, peri-, and post-migratory phases. Acculturation stress, a significant post-migratory stressor, can adversely affect mental health during the cultural adaptation process. This study aims to assess the clinical implications...

Background Adolescence is a crucial life stage for the individual identity formation. The growing employment of social media and screen-exposure among teenagers and the concerning rise in suicide ideation rates in this susceptible group both suggested this study. Thus, we explored the association between adolescents’ suicidal ideation and their dai...

Background The shortage of physicians in Turkey is a highly critical emergency. In fact, physicians’ migration to developing or high-income countries, defined as brain drain, threatens the sustainability of the national healthcare system. Aims This study explored the driving factors associated with Turkish Physicians’ brain drain, including high-e...

Introduction/objective: In this cross-sectional study, the connections between indicators of subjective happiness, hope, and resilience were investigated in 591 adult Paraguayans (average age 37.7 years; SD = 11.35) during the COVID-19 post-pandemic period, using network analysis for the first time. Method: The indicators of subjective happiness,...

Background The Mpox, a zoonotic viral disease that has historically affected Central and West Africa, has been declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern by the World Health Organization. Rapid transmission and recent dissemination in Africa may imply significant challenges to global health, including mental health. Methods We rev...

Assessment in psychiatry is a complex process carried out for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes, aimed to describe and measure heterogeneous clinical conditions in different settings. The examination of patient’s mental status is pivotal as well as diagnosis and treatment choices are mostly based on the assessment of psychopathological characteri...

Background In electoral contexts, mental health topics have recently attracted sociopolitical relevance, influenced by policy developments, election-related psychopathology and popular discourse about individual candidates. Yet, whether this reflects generalised trends or is contingent on election-specific and contextual factors remains difficult t...

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 700,000 people take their own life every year globally. WHO also estimates that for every suicide, there are at least 10–20 acts of self-harm and about a hundred people have suicidal thoughts. Every suicide affects a large number of people in the victims immediate and extended circle of fa...

This study aimed to explore the perception of barriers to accessing mental health services within the general population of Paraguay using the Barriers to Access to Care Evaluation (BACE) scale. The barriers were categorized into three types: attitudinal, instrumental, and stigma-related. The sample comprised 321 participants, the majority of whom...

Inmates' food refusal is a large-scale phenomenon raising clinical, ethical, and professional responsibility issues. Obtaining a clinical balance of the right to refuse food with the right to protect the inmate's health can be a challenging process. Several reasons may support inmates' choice of refusing food, including political or protest reasons...

This article discusses the critical issues of mental health in Pakistan, highlighting the significant burden of mental disorders in the country, and limitations of mental health services which are under-addressed. In particular, the authors discuss the under-reporting of the epidemiological rates of mental disorders and the scarcity of mental healt...

Introduction: The impact of public transportation on the human emotional well-being is certainly under-studied, especially in the developing countries. This study proposes and validates a questionnaire aimed to assess the emotional well-being in the context of public transportation use in Paraguay (as in any other Spanish country). Methods: We cond...

Background Youth violence and knife crime is increasing dramatically, so much so it has been described as a global epidemic. The social, economic and political forces fuelling this rise mean that minority groups are particularly affected. Aim This paper reviews the literature primarily from a UK perspective, and illustrates the disparate factors t...

The importance and impact of youth violence is increasingly being recognised and is a cause of international concern. In the UK, youth violence, specifically knife crime, is on the increase and has resulted in the deaths of many young people. In order to explore the impact of knife crimes on mental health and wellbeing of individuals, a number of f...

Modern psychiatry aims to adopt precision models and promote personalized treatment within mental health care. However, the complexity of factors underpinning mental disorders and the variety of expressions of clinical conditions make this task arduous for clinicians. Globally, major depression is a common mental disorder and encompasses a constell...

As a professional duty, physicians often publicly comment on health-related topics. However, ethical complexities can arise during discussions about high-profile individuals or events, especially in an era of rapid news cycles and digital media. The American Medical Association (AMA) has policies concerning physician commentary and media interactio...

Geopsychiatry, a newly emerging discipline within psychiatry, examines the influence of geopolitical determinants on mental health and mental illness. Geopolitical determinants include conflict and wars, global austerity, climate change, public health crises (such as the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‑19)), and migration. This study focuses on the...

Due to several geopolitical factors, the number of older migrants increased worldwide with an estimated of 34.3 million in 2020. Older migrants are particularly vulnerable to mental health problems because of their physical health, reduced social networks, and lack of social support. This review aims to summarize current evidence on mental health i...

Geopolitical determinants of health have been well recognized by the World Health Organization and are increasingly being discussed across governments, institutions, academics, policy makers, and across global health sector. Geopolitical determinants of health are events, structures, processes, and factors that influence individual health including...

Although there is considerable evidence showing that the prevention of mental illnesses and adverse outcomes and mental health promotion can help people lead better and more functional lives, public mental health is overlooked in the broader contexts of psychiatry and public health. Likewise, in undergraduate and postgraduate medical curricula, pre...

Throughout history, armed conflicts have profoundly affected individuals and societies, with recent events in Ukraine, the Middle East, and beyond bringing into sharp focus the severe mental health and humanitarian consequences of geopolitical crises. Such situations often result in mass fatalities, destruction, displacement, forced migration, and...

Since its inception, social media has brought about numerous benefits, including higher levels of social connectedness, potential positive interactions, and greater access to information. Nonetheless, the excessive use of social media can lead to negative health outcomes, such as social anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, reduced sleep quality, a...

Background Depression is a highly heterogeneous disorder, often resulting in suboptimal response and remission rates. This underscores the need for more nuanced clinical characterization of patients to tailor individualized treatment plans. Emerging evidence highlights the critical role of cognitive and emotional dysfunction in major depression, pr...

In an era marked by escalating international crises, environmental shifts, and sociopolitical volatilities, global mental health is facing profound challenges. With its distinctive position at the intersection between clinical and judicial domains, forensic psychiatry can be predisposed to the consequences of adverse external determinants and event...

Objective: The Psychological-Physical-Pain Visual Analogue Scale (PPP-VAS) was thought to probably help in identifying patients at risk of suicide. However, no data on its validity to measure psychological pain was available. Our main aim was to investigate the convergent validity of the PPP-VAS using two well-validated scales of psychological pain...

The aim of this study was to assess the rates of depression, anxiety, and stress and quality of sleeping among COVID-19 patients with and without type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). A case and control design has been employed, involving patients affected by COVID-19 infection (884 with T2DM vs. 884 controls without T2DM) and hospitalized in Istanbul (...

Abstract: Neuroticism is a personality trait associated with the risk of affective disorders and perinatal depression. We investigated the relationship between different levels of neuroticism, psychological characteristics, and depressive symptoms in a sample of pregnant women (N = 2631) who accessed the gynecology departments in the Puglia Region...

This study aims to analyze the rates of suicide mortality in the State of Paraíba (Brazil) between 2010 and 2021, describing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the suicide rates in 2020 and 2021. We here proposed a mixed longitudinal - ecological study that employed secondary data provided by the Mortality Information System regarding deaths fr...

Migration process is a well-known risk factor for a number of mental disorders, particularly psychotic, trauma-related and major mood disorders. However, refugees and asylum seekers (RAS) often face several challenges in accessing mental health facilities, leading to treatment delays, resulting in worse prognosis and increased risk of referral to t...

Objective Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMs) is a chronic, musculoskeletal pain disorder characterized by sleep disturbances, fatigue, and cognitive dysfunction. Heart rate variability biofeedback (HRV-BF) aiming to improve self-regulation and strengthen the parasympathetic nervous system has been shown to be effective in several pain syndromes, but its e...

Craving is one of the most important symptoms of cocaine use disorder (CUD) since it contributes to the relapse and persistence of such disorder. This systematic review aimed to investigate which brain regions are modulated during cocaine craving. The articles were obtained through searches in the Google Scholar, Regional BVS Portal, PubMed, and Sc...

El tema de la salud mental en niños y adolescentes requiere mayor atención. Por lo tanto, este estudio tuvo como objetivo determinar las características de los pacientes de consulta externa de un centro especializado de un hospital universitario paraguayo. Este estudio empleó una serie retrospectiva, no probabilística, de casos consecutivos. Se exa...

Suicidality among migrants represents a multifaceted and complex issue with significant implications and challenges for public mental health and policies. This narrative review aims to explore the factors contributing to suicidality within the migrant groups, consequently highlighting the need for tailored interventions and supporting strategies. F...

Aim This study explores the predictors and associated risk factors of sleep quality, quality of life, fatigue, and mental health among the Turkish population during the COVID-19 post-pandemic period. Materials and methods A cross-sectional survey using multi-stage, stratified random sampling was employed. In total, 3,200 persons were approached. O...

Homicide-suicide is a tragic event characterized by multiple fatalities within the intimate relationships, familial bonds, and community networks. Our aim was to explore the extent of coverage of homicide-suicide cases in the newspaper reports delivered in Pakistan during the COVID-19 lockdown (March-August 2020). We conducted a quantitative conten...

Background Research suggests that microaggressions detrimentally impact the mental health of members of marginalized social groups. Aims The aim of this systematic review was to assess the exposure to microaggressions and related implications on mental health of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex, and Queer (LGBTIQ) people. Method Medl...

Introduction. The connection between news sources and the connotation of mental health articles in Paraguay during the COVID-19 pandemic (2020-2023) significantly impacted public opinion about mental health. Objective. This study analyzed news on mental health in Paraguay in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Material and methods. A descriptive...

Medical students are the medical workforce of the future responsible for population and individual health. They are also at a vulnerable age when they are likely to develop psychiatric disorders. The present volume presents research findings on the rates of burnout in medical students from around the world. With rapid advances in medicine pressures...