Üsküdar Üniversitesi NPİSTANBUL Beyin Hastanesi Psychiatry Specialist Prof. Dr. Sermin Kesebir's book, titled “The Rhythm of Brain Waves from a Psychiatrist's Window Bipolar EEG,” met its readers through Üsküdar Üniversitesi Publications. We spoke with Prof. Dr. Sermin Kesebir, who stated that she penned her book with the aim of raising awareness and providing information in a little-known, thus controversial, field, about the book's original ideas and objectives.
Your book titled “The Rhythm of Brain Waves from a Psychiatrist's Window” features many topics. Could you elaborate on these topics?
Kesebir: We can monitor the rhythm of brain waves using EEG. The subheadings of the book are as follows: EEG in mood disorders, which describes its areas of use. Under the 'Physiopathology' heading, I explained how we can elucidate the disease's formation mechanism with EEG. In the 'Dimensional Approach' section, I examined the relationship of individual disease symptoms with EEG variables. One section focuses on risk factors and resilience-promoting factors related to changes observed in relatives of patients. And in the last section, I discussed whether childhood traumas are reflected in EEG. There are also two sections describing the differential diagnoses of recurrent depressions, which we call Schizoaffective and Unipolar, and Bipolar disorder.
A disorder related to the regulation of perceptions and responses…
From a Psychiatrist's Window, what can you tell us about mood disorder? What does mood disorder signify?
Kesebir: Our brain perceives the external environment and external stimuli, processes them, and regulates appropriate responses to them. Mood disorder is a disturbance in the regulation of perceptions and responses in the emotional domain. Under the heading of mood disorder, single-episode major depressive disorder, recurrent depressions, seasonal affective disorder, and bipolar disorder are included.
I aimed for awareness in a little-known, controversial field…
What was your main purpose in writing this book? What did you aim for when writing it?
Kesebir: I aimed to raise awareness and provide information in a little-known, thus controversial, field. I aimed to make a significant contribution for the benefit of our patients and our professional satisfaction.
Technology enhances the power of our treatment methods…
Technological advancements also accelerate the treatment process in psychiatric diseases. What technologies do you extensively use in treatment?
Kesebir: Technological advancements enhance the power of our somatic treatment methods. Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) therapy has long been an effective method that we have safely applied. Deep TMS expanded its application areas by reaching deeper structures. Navigated application allowed us to pinpoint the treatment target and apply treatment precisely to the target.
New cases triggered by uncertainty and anxiety emerged with the pandemic…
As a psychiatrist, has there been a quantitative change regarding mood disorders in the social context, specifically during the pandemic period?
Kesebir: Some reactive depressions and new cases triggered by uncertainty and anxiety emerged. Another portion of new cases were in the form of depression and mania triggered by the virus. Among our existing mood disorder patients, new attacks were triggered in some cases.
Interview: Şüheda Damgacı / ÜHA
Video: