Amir Rezaei Ardani’s research while affiliated with Western University and other places

Anxiety disorders are among the most prevalent mental health conditions globally, and studying their trends helps societies provide better care and prevention plans. The present study aimed to explore the global trend of anxiety disorders and antianxiety medication-related terms using Google Trend analysis and forecast future trends. A Google Trend analysis was performed on specific search terms related to anxiety disorders from June 2005 to August 2023. Curve estimation regression analysis was conducted for the five main categories, and the Expert Modeler in SPSS software was used to model the data. Auto-Regressive Integrated Moving Average was applied for forecasting. Our model for anxiety-related search terms over the internet accurately predicted trends reported by the World Health Organization. The seasonally adjusted model for anxiety-related terms, BNZs, SSRIs, gabapentin, trazodone, and the sum of all drugs estimated changes of 16.8%, − 44.9%, 18.2%, 67.3%, 36.6%, and 16.8% respectively, from August 2023 to January 2030. Searches for anxiety-related terms and medications have shown an increasing trend since 2005. The forecasting model indicates a 16% rise in general anxiety searches from 2023 to 2030, with medication-related terms predicted to increase more rapidly.

Self-induced extreme intoxication akin to automatism (SIEA) is a complicated and controversial legal concept resistant to jurisdictional consensus. In the United States, SIEA has, at times, been considered under the concept of “settled insanity.”. In the United Kingdom, the defense may be allowed for specific intent crimes, though the defendant's awareness of the foreseeability of risk is addressed at trial. In Canada, recent jurisprudence has led to legal and practice landscape changes related to self-induced extreme intoxication. Here, we provide an overview of automatism and an update on the Canadian perspective with a review of the facts and an analysis of the Supreme Court of Canada's landmark decision in R v. Brown, where the court permitted the SIEA defense to be utilized for general intent crimes and acquitted Matthew Winston Brown, a 26-year-old male with no history of mental illness, with respect to two counts of “break and enter” and one count of “aggravated assault.” We review the social and legislative response to the changing case law as well as related implications for expert testimony, which may be provided by forensic mental health professionals. Given the judicial and legal implications of the recent changes for both perpetrators and victims of violent crime and given the dynamic international landscape on extreme intoxication in criminal law, the review is thought to be of interest to a broad category of stakeholders including policymakers and those working in forensic psychiatry and law.