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Free- radicals (Oxygen and Nitrogen species) are formed in mitochondria during the oxidative phosphorylation. Their high reactivity, due to not-engaged electrons, leads to an increase of the oxidative stress. This condition affects above all the brain, that usually needs a large oxygen amount and in which there is the major possibility to accumulate “Reacting Species.” Antioxidant molecules are fundamental in limiting free-radical damage, in particular in the central nervous system: the oxidative stress, in fact, seems to worsen the course of neurodegenerative diseases. The aim of this review is to sum up natural antioxidant molecules with the greatest neuroprotective properties against free radical genesis, understanding their relationship with the Central Nervous System.

(1) Background: Functional Hypothalamic Amenorrhea (FHA) can be caused by the hyper activation of neuro-endocrine responses to stress. Among other endocrine factors and hypothalamic dysfunctions, the psychophysiological stress response can very frequently lead to an inhibition of the gonadal–pituitary axis. The aim of this study was to investigate the level of neurovegetative activation in a group of young women affected by this condition. (2) Methods: Twenty-five women (mean age = 21.1 ± 4.34) with FHA were consecutively recruited. Information on psycho-physiological distress was collected through a Psychopathological assessment (with the administration of three psychometric tests) and the Psychophysiological Stress Profile (PSP). Their data were compared with a control group. (3) Results: In the PSP, the patients displayed significantly higher values compared to controls in terms of the parameters of muscle tension (sEMG), skin conductance (SCL/SCR), heart rate (HR), and peripheral temperature (PT). Furthermore, autonomic hyper-activation at rest, marked reactivity to stress, and reduced recovery were seen. Moreover, a condition characterized by psychological distress (anxiety and somatic complaints, depressed and irritable mood, obsessive-compulsive traits) emerged. (4) Conclusions: The results highlight autonomic hyper-activation in FHA, which is also associated with psychological distress. Considering that FHA is a condition that affects multiple systems between mind and body, a multimodal, multidimensional, and multidisciplinary assessment of stress is becoming an emerging need.

Background: Heart rate (HR) and HR variability (HRV) are valid indices of psychophysical stress. Healthy individuals typically exhibit high vagal tone, as indicated by vagally mediated HRV (vmHRV) values. Despite current knowledge, HRV differences between anxious subjects and controls during a cognitive task have not yet been studied. Methods: Anxious people were compared to controls through the State–Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-Y), both considering State Anxiety (S-Anxiety) and Trait Anxiety (T-Anxiety) one at a time. Subsequently, a psychophysiological stress profile (PSP) was conducted to record HRV values (i.e., SDNN, RMSSD, and HF) at baseline and under induced stress with an electrocardiogram (ECG). During the stress test, the digit span forward task was conducted. Results: Significant differences were described by dividing the sample by S-Anxiety in the baseline values of log-HF (t = 2.68; p = 0.05; d = 0.85) and log-RMSSD (t = 2.34; p = 0.01; d = 0.74). Dividing the sample by T-Anxiety, significant differences were found in the reactivity (t = −2.26; p = 0.03; d = −0.70) and recovery (t = 2.11; p = 0.04; d = 0.66) log-HF values. Additionally, reactivity log-HF and recovery log-RMSSD values demonstrated significant discriminative power of 68% and 68%, respectively, in accurately identifying individuals with anxiety, as measured by T-Anxiety. Lastly, an association was found between the baseline HR value and the equivalent point of digit span forward in both the anxious (r = 0.59, p = 0.01) and control (r = −0.45, p = 0.05) groups. Conclusions: Although a high vmHRV is considered a protective factor against stress, our findings found that a reduced HRV modulation can distinguish a group of people with significant symptoms of anxiety and hinder cognitive efficiency.

(1) Background: This study aimed to compare psychological symptoms between Italian university students and American college students, considering both external (e.g., nationality) and internal variables (e.g., gender, age, and personality traits) potentially associated with mental health status. (2) Methods: A total of 201 Italian students from the University of Parma and 214 American students from Boston College were recruited. Participants completed the Symptom Questionnaire (SQ) and the 16 Personality Factors Questionnaire (16PF). Group comparisons were conducted on socio-demographic and psychological variables using chi-square and independent samples t-tests. Subsequently, hierarchical linear regression analyses were performed separately for each sample to identify personality traits that predict psychological symptoms, while controlling for gender and age. (3) Results: Both samples scored above the clinical cut-off on all SQ symptom scales. American students reported significantly higher levels of depression and hostility. Across both groups, psychological distress was primarily predicted by high tension and low emotional stability, with personality traits explaining a greater proportion of variance than nationality. Traits related to social interaction and emotional regulation also emerged as significant predictors. (4) Conclusions: Identifying personality profiles that are more vulnerable to psychological symptoms may support the development of early identification strategies and targeted prevention programs in university settings.

(1) Background: Patients with hypertension face a relevant reduction in health-related quality of life. Specifically, the vitality domain is significantly impaired. This research aims to explore the association between quality of life and mental distress in patients with hypertension, explicitly emphasizing the mediating factor of social functioning above vitality. (2) Methods: This observational study consecutively recruited a hundred hypertensive patients (49% were males and 51% were females) aged between 23 and 82 years old (Mage = 56.04, SDage = 12.04). The Symptom Checklist-90-Revised (SCL-90-R) and the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) were administered to assess mental distress and quality of life, respectively. Two biological measures (i.e., cortisol levels and heart rate) were also collected. (3) Results: In total, 50% of participants indicated higher mental distress and reduced quality of life. Correlation analyses demonstrate various negative relationships between clinical features. Moreover, positive associations were found between mental distress and vitality and between vitality and physical and social functioning along with heart rate. Notably, it was determined that vitality negatively predicted mental distress directly and indirectly by mediating social functioning. (4) Conclusions: Despite these promising findings, this study’s cross-sectional nature does not allow for the definition of the causal relationship between the investigated variables. These results emphasize the importance of a comprehensive and multidisciplinary evaluation in understanding hypertensive patients’ psychophysical well-being and lifestyles, which social support may significantly modulate.

The growing level of psychopathological symptoms among tertiary students is becoming a difficult phenomenon for institutions to manage. The present study aimed to analyze the complex associations of anxiety and somatization with predisposing personality traits, such as perfectionism, neuroticism, and type A behavior. The 248 university students (Mage = 24.4, SD = 5.45) recruited completed a state (the Symptom Questionnaire), stress (the P Stress Questionnaire), and personality (Cattell’s 16-Personality Factors Questionnaire) questionnaire. The results validated that perfectionism/self-control negatively predicted anxiety (β = -0.49, p < .001) and somatization (β = -0.35, p = .02); but also that it positively predicted psychopathological symptoms indirectly through adopting a lifestyle very similar to type A behavior (Anxiety: β = 0.14, p = .005; Somatization: β = .14, p = .01). Moreover, emotional stability and gender inserted in the model were significant as covariates for both Anxiety (β = -0.43, p < .001 and β = 2.18, p < .001, respectively) and Somatization (β = -0.55, p < .001 and β = 2.9, p < .001, respectively). Notwithstanding, emotional stability was a significant predictor only for type A behavior (β = -1.08, p < .001). In conclusion, our findings validated the double valence of perfectionism in determining the development of anxiety and somatizations. Preventing distress through managing the emotional states in tertiary students is becoming even more important, especially in this post-pandemic period that is exacerbating risk factors for mental distress.

The present study aimed to verify whether psychopathological symptoms, such as anxiety and depression, among hypertensive patients mediate anger expression and mental health. To this purpose, one hundred hypertensive patients completed the State and Trait Anger Inventory-2, the Symptom Checklist-90-Revised, and the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey. Fifty percent of the participants reported higher levels of psychopathological symptoms and lower levels of quality of life. A correlation analysis described positive associations between most of the scales of anger and psychopathological symptoms, including anxiety and depression. In contrast, mental health was negatively associated with anger expression and trait anger. A serial mediation model revealed that anxiety and depression fully mediated the relationship between anger expression and mental health. Our findings highlight the importance of conducting a multidimensional and multidisciplinary assessment to describe the mental health of hypertensives and prevent their psychological distress through the management of their emotional states. Taking care of the mental health of these patients may help them reduce psychological factors that influence their medical conditions.

(1) Background: The observational retrospective study aimed to investigate the prevalence of personality disorders (PDs) and their association with psychopathological symptoms in a group of patients with cocaine addiction. (2) Methods: Ninety-five medical records of the Pathological Addictions Service of the National Health Service of Lecce (Italy) were analyzed. PDs were diagnosed using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis II Personality Disorders (SCID-II) and psychopathological symptoms were investigated through the Symptom Checklist 90-Revised (SCL-90-R). (3) Results: Ninety-two out of ninety-five patients met the criteria for at least one PD (96.8%), almost 35% had two Cluster B PDs, and over 25% had three Cluster B PDs. Nine out of ninety-five people met the criteria for all Cluster B PDs. Among the Cluster B PDs, it emerged that the most frequent diagnosis was that of narcissistic–borderline–antisocial (over 20% of the total sample). The analysis highlighted that mental suffering is prevalent in those with multiple comorbid Cluster B PDs. Specifically, depression and psychoticism exceed the clinical cut-off (T score > 63) in all patient groups. At the same time, anxiety and obsessions–compulsions are complained of only by those with more than two PDs as well as the level of general distress. Furthermore, anxiety, hostility, and paranoid ideation are significantly higher in the group of patients with more than three PDs. (4) Conclusions: Further studies should better investigate the relationship between the two aspects and describe the causal effects of PDs on psychopathological symptoms or, on the contrary, the effects of the substance on mental health and the worsening of personality alterations.

(1) Background: Subclinical hypothyroidism (SHT) is a condition that has been a subject of controversy in the literature due to its association with psychological and psychiatric symptoms as well as autonomic imbalances. To gain a better understanding of the effects of SHT on patients, a research study has been undertaken to investigate the presence of psychological symptoms and autonomic imbalances in a group of individuals diagnosed with SHT. (2) Methods: In this case–control study, 50 patients diagnosed with SHT who accessed the Department of Endocrinology of the University of Pisa were consecutively recruited. Psychological symptoms were measured through the Crown–Crisp Experiential Index (CCEI), whereas autonomic imbalance was described using the Psychophysiological Stress Profile (PSP), with simultaneous recording of the following psychophysiological parameters: Surface Electromyogram (sEMG), Skin Conductance Level (SCL), heart rate (HR), and peripheral temperature (PT). The patients’ values were compared to those of 50 healthy control subjects. (3) Results: The comparison between groups highlighted significant differences in the CCEI and PSP. In particular, patients reported higher rates of psychological symptoms (anxiety, depression, somatic complaints, and hysteria behavior). Significantly higher levels of autonomic arousal were also recorded. More specifically, the sEMG, SCL, HR, and PT values were different between the two groups. (4) Conclusions: The study has confirmed the presence of autonomic hyperarousal in patients diagnosed with subclinical hypothyroidism. This is likely due to the body’s attempt to compensate for a general lack of energy by accelerating the autonomic activity. The findings also underline the significance of a comprehensive assessment approach that takes into account various dimensions such as psychological and psychophysical well-being. Such an approach helps in evaluating the impact of subclinical diseases on overall health and well-being.

(1) Background: Depression is a serious health problem with a high cost for public administration. Epidemiological studies report that one in five children have a mental disorder and about 50% of mental health problems exacerbate in childhood and adolescence. Moreover, the antidepressant efficacy in children and adolescents is poorly demonstrated and can cause severe behavioral adverse events such as suicidal ideation. (2) Methods: This systematic literature review examined oral supplementations (Omega-3, fish oil, Vitamin D3) to treat depressed children, preadolescents, and adolescents. MEDLINE, Scopus, Embase, and PsycInfo were searched for articles published in the last five years. Six studies met the eligibility criteria. The inclusion criteria encompassed children, preadolescents, and adolescents, a diagnosis of depression, and an intervention of oral supplementations such as Omega-3, fish oil, and Vitamin D3. (3) Results: Most of the studies demonstrated that dietary intervention provides positive outcomes in terms of depression symptoms. (4) Conclusions: Overall, the results demonstrate a positive effect for oral supplementation suggesting an increase intake of Omega-3, fish oil, and Vitamin D3. However, only a few studies assess the effectiveness of diet recommendations, as a monotherapy or combined treatment, for the management of depression at developmental ages. Thus, there is still a need to further investigate these aspects and to look more specifically at adolescents and preadolescents.