CONCLUSION: Classical platelet parameters (PLT, MPV, PCT, PDW) and CRP were shown to be associated with specific depressive symptoms and cognitive impairment factors, including sleep, gastrointestinal symptoms, hypochondriasis, losing interest in work, and despair. These results suggest that both platelet parameters and CRP could be suitable biomarkers for predicting the occurrence and prognosis of depression, thus providing a new target for its treatment.

This communication highlights a rare case of suicide by self-induced hemopericardium caused by a penetrating syringe needle. A 20-year-old male, diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, severe depression and hypochondriasis, was found dead at home. There was a 23-gauge 3 cm long syringe needle, connected to a 3 cc barrel, penetrating the left side of the chest. Autopsy revealed 3 fresh puncture marks on the left side of the anterior chest with subcutaneous hemorrhage underlying the puncture marks. The...

Illness anxiety disorder (previously called hypochondriasis, a term which has been revised in the DSM-5 due to its disparaging connotation) is a psychiatric disorder defined by excessive worry about having or developing a serious undiagnosed medical condition. People with an illness anxiety disorder (IAD) experience persistent anxiety or fear of developing or having a serious medical illness that adversely affects their daily life. This fear persists despite normal physical examination and...

Background Somatoform disorder (SD), known as the presence of physical symptoms suggesting a physical condition, for which there are no demonstrable organic findings or established physiological mechanisms with positive evidence that the symptoms are related to psychological causes. The aim of this study was to highlight the epidemiological characteristics, demographic features, comorbidities, and clinical presentations of patients with SD. Materials and methods This was a retrospective study of...