Organised by the EPA Section on Old Age Psychiatry. Apathy is a symptom that can be encountered in various psychiatric (affective disorder, psychosis), neurological (neuro-cognitive disorder such as Alzheimer disease, frontotemporal dementia or Parkinson’s disease) and also general affections (for example stroke, cancers, hypothyroidism). It is frequent and associated with both poor health outcomes and the caregiver burden. It is not described in the international classification of mental disorders, yet a growing body of literature strengthen apathy as a strong component of neuropsychiatric disorders. It is currently understood as a trans-nosographic and multi-dimensional concept including reduced goal-oriented behaviors, cognitions and social-interactions. It has relied for a long-time on motivation, which, although difficult to define and to quantify, remains a psychological construct of interest. During this course, we will address i) the diagnosis pathway starting with apathy in light of the clinical context and of the concurrent symptoms ii) a clear strategy to lead a clinical examination of apathy (including the caregiver burden assessment associated with apathy) iii) the different screening tools and more advanced scales to quantify apathy iv) the most robust data related to the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying apathy and v) the possible psychopharmacological and psychotherapeutics available at hand. To this, we will provide clinical vignettes and enhance experience sharing using small groups discussion interactions. Role play will be performed so that participants can integrate the basics apathy clinical examination. Participants will be able to provide questions throughout the course and regular tests will be carried out to ensure appropriate understandings of the topic.

Organised by the EPA Sections on Old Age Psychiatry and Psychopharmacology. Patients with mental disorders are frequently treated for other comorbidities, including psychiatric and somatic comorbidities. While often underreported and undertreated, somatic comorbidities represent a high burden in patients with mental disorders and represent the most important cause of death. The most prevalent somatic comorbidities are cerebral- and cardiovascular diseases, different infections, and metabolic diseases. Insomnia and pain also frequently occur in multimorbid elderly patients. Despite a high burden of somatic comorbidities in this population, different studies have shown their inadequate treatment, low screening, and low treatment rates have been described. Medication selection in this population is mainly based on possible drug-drug interactions and irrational polypharmacy minimizing, often presented in this population. There are some tools available to help in pharmacotherapy selection in clinical practice, including different medication lists (e.g., Beers criteria, STOPP/START, and general guidelines). Although most important evidence-based papers and treatment guidelines describe the treatment of psychiatric disorders by often excluding somatic and non-somatic comorbidities. In this context, pharmacotherapy of comorbidities is complicated, and well-designed treatment guidelines are urgently needed. This proposed joint workshop of the Section of Old Age Psychiatry and the Section of Psychopharmacology will address a neglected topic: how to treat somatic and non-somatic comorbidities in elderly patients with mental disorders. Experts in psychiatry and psychopharmacology will address pharmacotherapy in this vulnerable population. The participants will learn how to treat these patients supported by the evidence-based data and real clinical pharmacological tools useful for daily practice.

Upon invitation only

Although psychiatrists and neurologists value close collaboration, their areas of interest and professional skills differ. Besides, among other psychiatric disorders, Alzheimer's disease has a rather unclear position. So the questions of whether Alzheimer's disease is a neurological or a psychiatric disease and the branch of physicians who will treat dementia are still relevant. Two discussants will present their points of view to broaden the joint discussion on dementia and treating physicians

In this session medical students from across Europe speak on their perspectives regarding the specialty of psychiatry and initiatives to promote mental health. The workshop will showcase some student led initiatives, such as the work in schools carried out by the Headucate student society in Norwich, United Kingdom. It will include medical students from several countries for example Germany, Turkey and Portugal discussing their experience of initiatives to promote the specialty and mental health. The Chair of the EPA Education Committee will discuss their work promoting psychiatry. There will then be an interactive discussion with the audience - aiming to share ideas and learn from the inspirational experiences of others, and thereby inform future work.