Browsing by Author "Sultan, Meshal A."

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Behavioral Activation (BA) in the Management of Depression in an Adolescent with Down Syndrome in Dubai
(2021) Shadan, Sidra; Almarzooqi, Sarah; Sultan, Meshal A.
Abstract: Depression has been commonly treated with psychotherapy and/or pharmacotherapy for several decades. Ongoing research in the field has suggested promise for behavioral activation (BA), a form of psychotherapeutic intervention, as a means of increasing engagement in adaptive activities and developing skills to counter avoidance in individuals suffering from depression. In this case report, we present the treatment course of BA for an adolescent with Down syndrome (DS), presenting with depression. A multidisciplinary approach was utilized in developing a personalized management plan for the patient since the initial presentation. Sessions at the outpatient psychiatry clinic alternated between in-person visits and virtual ones, due to circumstances associated with physical distancing with the COVID-19 pandemic. Parents were included as integral parts of the management plan, and education, strategic implementation of BA, and barriers to care were discussed extensively to support the adolescent through the course of her treatment. Within 6 weeks of introducing BA, positive outcomes were noted in the patient, with the resolution of her clinical depression. In this report, we discuss BA further as a potentially effective therapeutic approach to the treatment of depressive symptoms in children and adolescents with DS and intellectual disabilities.
Comorbidities Associated With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Children and Adolescents at ‎a Tertiary Care Setting
(2022) Nawaz, Faisal A.; Khan, Abdul Rahman; Sultan, Meshal A.
Abstract:‎ Studies have revealed high rates of neurodevelopmental and psychiatric comorbid conditions among ‎individuals diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). However, research on this ‎topic in the Arab world has been limited. This study evaluates the medical, neurodevelopmental, and ‎psychiatric comorbidities in children and adolescents diagnosed with ADHD in Dubai, United Arab ‎Emirates (UAE). A total of 428 pediatric patients diagnosed with ADHD were included. Children and ‎adolescents with ADHD had high rates of comorbid disorders. Twenty comorbid conditions were ‎identified. More than 3 quarters of the study sample had at least 1 comorbid disorder. The most ‎common comorbidity among children was autism spectrum disorder, and among adolescents was ‎anxiety disorders. Comprehensive assessments are highly warranted to identify and manage associated ‎comorbid conditions. Further research is needed in exploring the biopsychosocial factors contributing to ‎the elevated rate of comorbidity in children and adolescents with ADHD.‎
The Efficacy of Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) in Children with Attention Problems, Hyperactivity, and Impulsivity in Dubai
(2021) Sultan, Meshal A.
Abstract: Disruptive behaviors can be associated with significant functional impairment. Early intervention for young children is essential to prevent long-term consequences. Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) is a psychotherapeutic intervention, which has shown to be effective for children with externalizing symptoms. We present the treatment course of PCIT for two kindergarten children. The first has Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and the second has frontal lobe epilepsy. Both presented with attention problems, hyperactivity, and impulsivity associated with significant impairment in multiple settings. Two certified PCIT therapists provided 17 sessions to the parents of the first patient and 25 sessions to the parents of the second patient. Most of the sessions were in-person; however, some were “virtual” due to the circumstances associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Parents of both patients achieved the “mastery” criteria. In both cases, PCIT contributed to improving the disruptive behaviors. PCIT may serve as an effective therapeutic option for young children with externalizing symptoms in Dubai.
Impact of #PsychTwitter in promoting global psychiatry: A hashtag analysis study
(2023) Sultan, Meshal A.
Introduction: Multiple studies have shown how valuable Twitter hashtags can be for promoting content related to dierent themes in the online community. This arena has grown into a rich data source for public health observation and understanding key trends in healthcare on a global scale. In the field of mental health in particular, it would be of benefit to understand and report the key stakeholders’ (individual mental health professionals, academic organizations and their countries) trends and patterns of psychiatric knowledge and information dissemination using #PsychTwitter. Objective: In this study, we aim to evaluate the achieved outreach of psychiatry-related tweets using the hashtag #PsychTwitter. Methods: We utilized the Symplur Signals research analytics tool to characterize tweets containing #PsychTwitter from the 20th of August, 2019, to the 20th of August, 2022. Results: The #PsychTwitter movement resulted in 125,297 tweets that were shared by 40,058 Twitter users and generated a total of 492,565,230 impressions (views). The three largest identified groups of contributors were Doctors (13.8% of all tweets), Org. Advocacy (6.2% of all tweets), and Researcher/Academic (4% of all tweets) stakeholders. The top influential accounts consisted of 55 psychiatrists and 16 institutional or organizational accounts. The top 5 countries from where most of the tweets containing #PsychTwitter were shared include the United States (54.3% of all users), the United Kingdom (10.4% of all users), Canada (4.9% of all users), India (2% of all users), and Australia (1.8% of all users). Conclusion: This is the first of its kind study featuring the influence and usage of #PsychTwitter and covering its global impact in the field of psychiatry using the Twitter platform. Our results indicate that Twitter represents a broadly used platform for mental health-related discussions.
Low Birth Weight Prevalence in Children Diagnosed with Neurodevelopmental Disorders in Dubai
(2021) Nawaz, Faisal A.; Sultan, Meshal A.
Abstract: The aim of this study is to evaluate the prevalence of low birth weight and other perinatal risk factors in children diagnosed with neurodevelopmental disorders. This is one of the first studies in the Arabian Gulf region focused on the contribution of these factors toward the development of various disorders such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, autism spectrum disorder, and other mental disorders. This descriptive study was based on qualitative data analysis. We reviewed retrospective information from the electronic medical records of 692 patients in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The prevalence of low birth weight in children with mental disorders was significantly higher as compared to the general population (16% vs 6% respectively). Furthermore, other risk factors, including high birth weight and preterm birth were noted to have a significant association with neurodevelopmental disorders. Future research on the impact of perinatal risk factors will contribute to advancement of early intervention guidelines.
Obsessive-Compulsive Symptoms in an Adolescent with Intellectual Disability
(2022) Al-Abdullah, Zainab; Nawaz, Faisal A.; Kair, Hawk M.; Sultan, Meshal A.
Abstract: Individuals with intellectual disability (ID) experience various psychiatric comorbidities including anxiety, depression, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in a rate that is equivalent or higher than individuals without ID. Unfortunately, these cooccurring conditions are often missed during the evaluations due to various reasons, including their atypical presentation. In this case report, we present the clinical symptoms of an adolescent with mild ID who presented with irritability and was diagnosed with OCD following a comprehensive assessment. The treatment course is also summarized as well as the positive outcome to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) medication. In this report, we discuss potential factors that increase the rate of psychiatric comorbidities including OCD in individuals with ID. Furthermore, in the context of limited research in this area, we recommend additional studies in order to build a detailed understanding of the clinical presentation of psychiatric cooccurring disorders in individuals with ID with the goal of enhancing assessment tools in the future.