Background: Sotos syndrome is a genetic disorder caused by NSD1 gene (nuclear receptor binding SET domain containing protein 1) variants and characterized by overgrowth, macrocephaly, learning disabilities, and co-occurring neuropsychiatric symptoms. Methods: Literature sources published in 2002–2023 were selected and analyzed from PubMed and Google Scholar databases. Results: Neuropsychiatric symptoms are observed among children and adolescents with Sotos syndrome. The majority have intellectual disabilities or borderline intellect. Verbal IQ is higher than performance IQ. Individuals display difficulties in expressing language. Aggression is reported by parents. Children express autistic behavior, ADHD, anxiety based on phobias, and early bedtime-wake times. Conclusions: Sotos syndrome is associated with neuropsychiatric disorders in children. Slow intellectual and language development, aggressive outbursts, anxiety, autism spectrum disorder, and hyperactivity are present in the newest studies. Comprehensive assistance is needed for Sotos syndrome patients in responding to areas of difficulty. There is still a lack of research on the developmental characteristics of these children and the possibilities of improving psychosocial adaptation by providing multidisciplinary long-term medical, educational, and social care.

Background: Studies in recent years have shown a significant increase in problematic internet use. Prolonged internet usage negatively impacts various aspects of adolescents’ lifestyles. Methods: The survey was conducted in three Lithuanian cities—Vilnius, Klaipėda, and Molėtai—between October and December of 2023. The survey involved students between the ages of 12 and 16. The participants completed a questionnaire that included questions about wellness and happiness, the Internet Addiction Test (IAT), and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Our study aimed to investigate problematic internet use among Lithuanian adolescents and its relationships with wellness, happiness, and mental health. Results: This study included 1412 adolescents, with a mean age of 14.41 ± 1.20, with the sample composed of 52.3% boys. Boys indicated that they felt healthier and happier than girls (69.4% vs. 47.4%; 51.4% vs. 29.6%), p < 0.001. A total of 20.8% of students had IAT scores that reflect a normal level of internet usage. For IAT, the average score of girls was statistically significantly higher than that of boys (41.87 ± 12.24 vs. 39.96 ± 12.37), p < 0.001. The IAT score was higher in the group of students who felt less happy and healthy, had more frequent headaches or abdominal pain, and had problems with sleep, p < 0.001. A statistically significant, positive weak correlation was found between students’ IAT scores and SDQ internalizing and SDQ externalizing scores (r = 0.366; r = 0.385, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Prolonged internet use is arising as a serious problem among adolescents. Negative feelings, unhappiness, and poor emotion regulation have an association with internet addiction. Also, the female gender may be more associated with possible internet addiction. The results of this study can serve as initial steps toward developing preventive interventions.

Background: Nonsuicidal self-injurious behavior in children and adolescents is a major concern that requires mental health professionals’ attention. The aim of this study is to analyze clinical care aspects of children and adolescents who self-harm in psychiatric hospitals.Materials and methods: In 2023, 30 various specialists from five different child and adolescent psychiatric units in Lithuania were interviewed. The survey used a semistructured interview consisting of twelve questions related to complex clinical care methods of children and adolescents who self-harm. The interview responses were summarized and grouped into 5 categories: assessment and monitoring, methods and consequences of self-injury, safety measures, prevention and treatment, insights from staff.Results: Self-injurious behavior in psychiatric inpatient settings was managed through risk assessment, monitoring, communication, medication, counselling, removal of sharp objects, patient allocation, and a several of other methods such as safety contracts, rewards or alternate pain-inducing or self-harm mimicking stimuli. Despite the hospital’s safety procedures patients frequently devised alternate methods to self-harm, such as hitting and scratching themselves and using nonspecific materials.Conclusions: The management of self-harm in children and adolescents psychiatric settings remains insufficient. Further research is needed to explore alternative ways of managing self-injurious behavior in child and adolescent psychiatric hospitals.

Background: Lyme disease can lead to neuropsychiatric symptoms like depression, anxiety, and cognitive issues, often mimicking primary psychiatric disorders. This paper examines the connection between Lyme disease and neuropsychiatric outcomes to improve diagnosis and treatment.Materials and Methods: The PubMed database was searched for scientific literature sources. Publications published in English in 2019–2024 were selected. All psychiatric symptoms and disorders found to be associated with Lyme disease were included. For neurological symptoms, the analysis focused on studies addressing cognitive dysfunction.Results: Acute neuroborreliosis may have minimal effects on the cognitive function and typically resolves well with treatment. However, some studies suggest that Lyme disease can affect the patients’ cognitive abilities, leading to impairments in verbal fluency, attention, and memory, with a few isolated dementia-like cases highlighting the need for careful diagnosis. Nevertheless, recent large-scale studies show no increased risk of dementia. Regarding psychiatric symptoms, findings are also inconsistent, with some studies suggesting an increased risk of depression, anxiety, sleep disturbances, and other mental health conditions, while others find no such association.Conclusions: There is no strong evidence supporting Lyme disease’s role in long-term cognitive or psychiatric disorders. However, an early diagnosis and timely antibiotic treatment remain crucial in minimizing long-term consequences and improving patient outcomes.

Background: Suicides are an actual issue, especially in Lithuania, where, despite significant efforts, the number of suicides remains very high. In cases of suicide, society painfully loses its members, and the relatives of the person who committed suicide, engaged in self-harm, or attempted suicide face many negative experiences. Methods: The purpose of this article is to describe the pilot project applied for 2 years in the Mental Health Center (MHC) in the city of Vilnius, Lithuania, in organizing and providing services to people whose relatives committed suicide or attempted suicide or self-harm. This prevention and early intervention program, organized by an interdisciplinary team at an MHC, appeared appropriate, effective, and well-attended. Program clients could participate anonymously and have the opportunity to choose the time and the right services for themselves from the offered program services package. Results: Providing the possibility for family members to receive flexible mental health services at the primary center increased the attractiveness of the program and reduced stigma. Conclusions: The program results demonstrated the applicability of the implementation of such an initiative as a relevant possibility when providing complex help for the relatives of self-harming and/or suicidal people.

Medical students and doctors are at increased risk of experiencing depression. Doctors exhibit varying severity of depression symptoms at different stages of their careers. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of depressive symptoms among medical students and doctors using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). We conducted a cross-sectional study in Lithuania from February to March 2024, using an anonymous online questionnaire that collected demographic data and included the PHQ-9. A score of ≥10 indicated criteria for depression. The questionnaire was completed by 146 respondents, comprising 77 medical students and 69 doctors or resident doctors. Overall, 40% of respondents met the criteria for depression, including 48% of medical students and 32% of doctors. Medical students had a higher mean PHQ-9 score compared to doctors, and the difference in PHQ-9 scores between students and doctors was significant (P = 0.045). No significant differences were found in PHQ-9 scores between genders (P = 0.430) or among respondents living in different city sizes (P = 0.780). Our data align with the literature findings that medical students exhibit higher depression scores than doctors. The study underscores the importance of regularly monitoring the emotional well-being of medical students and doctors and implementing interventions to improve their emotional health.