Biography:

Najiha Syeda has completed her M Sc in Counselling and Psychotherapy from the Institute of Behavioural science and Management, Bachelors in Psychology from St. Francis University, India and Post Graduate Diploma in Child and Youth Counselling from Career Academy, Australia. She is a Member of American School Counselor Association (ASCA), International Association for Counselling and Affiliate Member of Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation Of Australia.

Abstract:

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) may seem confusing. This study deals with how do acceptance and commitment paired with mindfulness form an effective treatment. It also explains about the role of commitment. In the case of ACT, you are committing to facing the problem head-on. Instead of avoiding your problems, you commit to actions that will help you stop struggling against the inevitable and facilitate thriving instead. ACT is effective for a wide range of psychological disorders, but it is also effective as a life-affirming and inspirational perspective on the world. ACT can show you exactly what happens and how you can harness the power of acceptance to get the life you want. ACT in simple terms, it is a type of therapy that aims to help patients accept what is out of their control and commit to actions that can improve and enrich their lives.There are six core processes of ACT that guide patients through therapy and provide a framework for developing psychological flexibility: Acceptance, cognitive diffusion, being present, self as context, values and committed action. ACT is built on the relational frame theory, a theory that is well supported by psychological research. This theory is based on the idea that the human ability of relating is the foundation of language and cognition. We can apply mindfulness to accept our feelings and change how we react and relate to them instead of trying to avoid them. ACT Metaphors : Metaphors play a big role in acceptance and commitment therapy, as they provide clients with a simple way to understand how their feelings and thoughts influence their actions, allowing them to see how adjusting the way they think can result in extremely positive outcomes. The sailing boat metaphor, the mind bully quick sand metaphor are few common metaphors. ACT for treating disorders: While ACT, like the practice of mindfulness itself, can be applied in any individual’s life, it has also proved to be effective in treating many psychological disorders, including general anxiety disorders, chronic pain, depression, OCD, eating disorders and social anxiety. Applying ACT in Group Therapy: ACT can be applied on an individual level, but it is also effective when delivered via a treatment group. The association for contextual behavioral science acknowledges the effectiveness of group ACT treatments for anger, depression and general anxiety, social anxiety, chronic pain and for struggling adolescents. ACT apps that can help: As technology flourishes, so too does the set of treatment options available to us. As with so many other problems, issues or opportunities, there’s an app for that. The two most popular apps are described below.The Happiness Trap App and the ACT coach. ACT has the potential to produce extremely positive results, not only for those suffering from psychological disorders, but also for those suffering from the pain inherent in everyday life. With so many resources available online, it’s easier than ever to give ACT a try. 

Biography:

Zahra Amjadi Goojgi has completed her Doctorate degree in Medicine from Islamic Azad University of Iran and Specialty degree of Psychiatry from Mashhad University of Medical Sciences.

Abstract:

Introduction: Nowadays, the association of stimulants and sleep disorders is more interested. Given the few number of studies in the current scientific literature regarding assessment of the structure of sleep in patients with dependence on amphetamines, especially after long periods of abstinence, present study is designed for the assessment.

Method: This study was conducted in 2013-2014 in Mashhad and the subjects were selected through the convenience sampling method from medium-term residential treatment centers. They were assessed through psychiatric interview whether or not meet the inclusion/exclusion criteria. The case group consisted of 12 patients whom were diagnosed as in early full remission according to DSM-IV TR criteria, were explained about how polysomnography worked and sent to sleep lab. The collected data was analyzed by SPSS. On the basis of Kolmogorov-Smirnov results, the quantitative data with normal distribution were then analyzed with t-test and the qualitative data with Chi-square test.

Result: However the mean Total Sleep Period (TSP) and Total Sleep Time (TST) were in the normal range (403.0±52.9 and 333.6±79.1 minutes, respectively), there was a significant difference between these two variables (p=0.001). There was a slight increase in Sleep Onset Latency (SOL) that was not significant (p=0.47). The participants generally, suffered poor quality of sleep, subsequent to significant decrease of Sleep Efficiency (SE) (p=0.047) and slight rise in WASO (Waking After Sleep Onset) (69.53±3.4, p=0.08). Besides, results indicated changes in sleep stages including significant rise in stages 1and 3 of non-REM sleep with a trivial fall in NREM stage 2, though the total amount of NREM sleep was not significantly changed. Evaluation of REM phase, in turn showed an increase in latency and percent of it significant. Although REM pressure which was calculated by the number of REM episodes, slightly increased.

Conclusion: Current findings shown sleep disturbances due to stimulants, within prolonged period of abstinence, could reflect the preliminary mechanisms causing neuropsychiatric disorders, although it needs further studies which consider and resolve our limitation.

Biography:

Dr. Sadia Shakeel obtained her M.Pharm (Pharmaceutics) in 2009 from University of Karachi, Pakistan and awarded doctorate degree in Pharmacy practice in 2017 from Jinnah University for women, Pakistan. She is a Clinical Research Certified Professional from Dow University of Health Sciences. She is currently rendering her services as a Faculty member in Dow College of Pharmacy, Dow University of Health Sciences, one of the oldest public research university located in urban metropolitan area of Karachi, Pakistan. She is a prolific researcher and author. She has authored over 70 peer-reviewed publications in international journals and several research abstracts / research posters to her credit.

Abstract:

Abuse of medicines is a global health concern with negative consequences that varies from addiction, psychosis, cardiovascular complications, and premature deaths from inadvertent overdose. In Pakistan, prescription drugs, which are misused or abused by patients, are usually acquired from pharmacies. The objective of current study was to assess the attitudes of clinical pharmacists regarding interventions towards the abuse of prescription medicines (PM) in Pakistan. This transversal study was conducted for a period of 4 months by adopting a pre validated questionnaire distributed to clinical pharmacists simultanously in different hospitals of Karachi. Descriptive statistics were used to demonstrate participants’ demographic information and their response to the questionnaire items. Pearson’s chi-squared test was executed to evaluate the association of gender, age, organization, and experience of pharmacists with their response. A p value < 0.05 was considered as significant. It was revealed that mass population 77% claimed that they had sufficient comprehension of prescription medicine abuse. About 82% perceived drug abuse as a serious health issue and 90% was well versed that the role of pharmacist was very crucial in prevention of inapropriate PM abuse. Nevertheless respondents were not self-assured that patients would follow instructions, will respond positively and would like to make needed behavior changes. Findings from this study will assist health authorities to formulate appropriate health promotion interventions to control and prevent abuse of prescription medicines. Actions directed at early intervention, capacity building, education, public health initiatives and law enforcements will hopefully curb the menace of PM abuse.

Biography:

John Roberts has completed his MA in Social Work Studies from Exeter University. He has 12 years of experience as a Cognitive and Behavioral Psychotherapist and Motivational Interviewer. He has joined the Improving Access in Psychological Therapies Teaching Team at Plymouth University. He has worked as a Lecturer at the Higher Colleges of Technology. He has managed and led primary and secondary care mental health services in UK as well as became the Director for his own independent consulting and treatment company. He has published in motivational interviewing and managed through a number of CBT research projects in a clinical setting. He retains interest in psychological aspects of chronic condition management and medically unexplained symptoms.

Vasintha Veeran is an Associate Professor in the Health Science Division in Abu Dhabi Women’s College. Dr Veeran has extensive research experience especially in the field of children and youth in all aspects of their health and social well-being. Her research experience spans international collaborations with countries such as the UK, USA, Netherlands, Germany and Ireland, in which she has held positions of Principal Investigator. Dr Veeran’s research experience also includes the successful supervision of PhD, Masters and Honours students in some of the countries mentioned above. She has served as an International Expert Consultant for the United Nations Development Program and has vast experiences in compiling and presenting reports highlighting technical, evaluative and qualitative outcomes. In addition to this, Dr Veeran has extensive scholarly publications in peer reviewed journals as well as book chapters. Dr Veeran is currently an Adjunct Professor at the Open University of Mauritius and continues to maintain an active research profile with her network of research collaborators across the globe. Dr Veeran serves as an evaluator of research proposals for the National Research Foundation, South Africa as well as a peer reviewer for a few international journals.

Abstract:

A significant factor in developing services for the hard-to-reach individual must, if it is to be successful, consider the role of culture in the social context in which it occurs. Hence, cultural contexts can be restrictive or facilitative in the way that access may be obtained to sites of substance abuse. Creative methodologies in gaining access to the hard to reach community sites as well as individuals will be highlighted in this workshop. This interactive workshop will demonstrate the use of a systematic approach (motivational interviewing) to the assessment and management of hard to reach clients with substance and alcohol problems in Community Outreach settings. This workshop will be conducted using the experiential design through participatory and reflective exercises, against the backdrop of the cultural contextual forces covering issues such as etiology, availability of drugs and regulatory structures. This workshop will help participants to learn how to apply common motivational interviewing skills with people with substance and alcohol problems. some key research applications when using motivational interviewing with this client groups will also be focussed . Experienced use of the OARS method in motivational interviewing with substance misuse. A special focus on outreach and community-based interventions supports an integrated model of intervention that seeks to include the hard to reach client in gaining access to health care systems. In the conclusion of the workshop, participants will be guided in developing goals and objectives to continue their trajectory of their own professional development needs in the specialization of motivational interviewing.