bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Role of Stress as a Precipitating Factor of Psychiatric Illness
Authors: Schless Arthur P. , Teichman Alicia , Mendels J. , DiGiacomo Joseph N.
Published: August 2008

Fifty-six psychiatric patients were interviewed to obtain a record of life events preceding admission to hospital, using a modified version of the Schedule of Recent Experiences. Two control groups were studied for comparison: medical and surgical in-patients and a ‘normal’ population studied independently by Myers. Psychiatric patients reported a significantly larger number of events than the medical-surgical patients, who, in turn, reported significantly more events than the ‘normal’ population. There were no significant differences in the specific life event histories between groups.
Personality and Coping with Psychiatric Symptoms
Authors: Foulds G. A. , Bedford A.
Published: August 2008

An attempt was made to extend and cross-validate Mayo's (1969) study of ‘normals with symptoms' using the new Personal Illness measures. Groups of psychiatric patients and symptom-free normals were matched with a ‘normals with symptoms' group for age and sex. The two symptom groups were similarly matched on the number of symptoms as assessed by the Delusions-Symptoms-States Inventory. On the Personality Deviance Scales the ‘normals with symptoms' were found to be the most Extrapunitive group, the symptom-free normals had the lowest Intropunitive scores, whilst the patient group were the lowest scorers on Dominance.
Electroencephalograms of XYY and XXY Men
Authors: Volavka Jan , Mednick Sarnoff A. , Sergeant Joseph , Rasmussen Lejf
Published: August 2008

Abnormal EEGs have been reported in XYY and XXY men located in psychiatric hospitals and prisons. In general, persons resident in institutions are more likely to exhibit EEG abnormalities than ‘normal’ population, and this bias of ascertainment has complicated the interpretation of these results.

The present study was conducted in Denmark. Chromosome determinations were made on 4,140 men selected from a birth cohort of 31,438 men. Twelve XYY and 16 XXY men were detected. Appropriate XY control groups were selected from the same population. The XYY men were found to have a significantly lower average frequency of the occipital alpha activity than their controls. The XYY and XXY men showed significantly more theta activity than the controls.
Karyotyping of Women with Anorexia Nervosa
Authors: Wålinder Jan , Mellbin Gunnel
Published: August 2008

As a contribution to an international pool, chromosomal analysis was carried out on 30 women with anorexia nervosa. The stimulus for this study was that during the last decade nine cases have been described of coincidence between Turner's syndrome and anorexia nervosa. Of the 30 women here examined, all had normal chromosomal constitution.
Dermatoglyphics in Schizophrenia: The Relevance of Positive Family History
Authors: Murthy R. Srinivasa , Wig N. N.
Published: August 2008

In the present study dermatoglyphic features were studied in schizophrenics with and without positive family history of schizophrenia. It was found that the difference between normals and schizophrenics was further exaggerated in those schizophrenics with a positive family history for schizophrenia. The implications of the findings and the need for further work are highlighted.
Staff Relations in Psychiatric Hospitals
Authors: Miles Agnes
Published: August 2008

This study is concerned with the roles of doctors, nurses, occupational therapists and social workers in psychiatric hospitals, as perceived by members of these occupations. Fifty-one respondents from three psychiatric hospitals were interviewed. Information was sought concerning the ways respondents evaluate (a) occupational importance, (b) occupational competence and (c) inter-group contacts. Most respondents regarded the occupational importance of psychiatrists as being higher than that of the non-medical occupations. There was, however, disagreement among the various groups regarding their specific roles and areas of occupational competence. Existing inter-group contacts were evaluated as much less satisfactory by non-medical staff than by psychiatrists.
Monoamine Oxidase in Chronic Schizophrenia
Authors: Murphy Dennis L. , Belmaker Robert , Carpenter William T. , Wyatt Richard J.
Published: August 2008

Reported reductions in the activity of platelet monoamine oxidase (MAO) in chronic schizophrenic patients might be contributed to by alterations in hormones, platelet numbers or other non-specific factors thought to affect enzyme activity. In this study, MAO activity in 27 patients with chronic schizophrenia was measured, using benzylamine as the substrate in an assay based on platelet counts instead of platelet protein, and was found to be markedly lower than mean MAO activity in 375 normal controls. These results were similar to those previously reported with tryptamine as a substrate for the enzyme. Serum testosterone, triiodothyronine, iron and iron-binding capacity were within normal ranges in individuals with reduced MAO activity, and none of these measurements was significantly correlated with MAO activities. Platelet MAO activity remained stable over time in patients and controls.
Studies of Daily Recordings from the Moos Menstrual Distress Questionnaire
Authors: Sampson Gwyneth A. , Jenner F. A.
Published: August 2008

Nineteen volunteers completed a Moos Menstrual Distress Questionnaire daily for a period exceeding one menstrual cycle. The data were analysed, using a least mean square method of fitting sine waves. The fact that the results obtained on this group are essentially those found by other workers looking at the menstrual cycle suggests that this may be a useful method for assessing menstrual distress.
Community Psychiatry in a London Borough
Authors: Oldham A. J. , Gaind R.
Published: August 2008

A study, covering the years 1964–67, of an integrated psychiatric service for a population of 92,000 was described in this Journal in 1969. This paper describes the continuation of this study to cover the further period 1967–75 and comments on data relating to the whole 11-year period. In this comment, the needs of this psychiatric service have been compared with data from other workers and with current Guidelines from the Department of Health and Social Security.
Treatment Settings in Psychiatry
Authors: Copas John B. , Freeman-Browne Dorothy L. , Robin Ashley A.
Published: August 2008

Ninety-eight matched pairs of patients treated respectively on first admission in a general hospital psychiatric unit or a psychiatric hospital have been followed-up for from five to eight years. The periods of treatment received in either setting remained comparable, and only 3 per cent of patients were in-patients or day patients at five years, while 14 per cent were out-patients and 20 per cent attended their family doctor. There was no evidence in these patients of a transfer of chronicity to the psychiatric hospital, but patients with longer periods of treatment were noted to change hospital from both the general hospital unit to the psychiatric hospital, and in the reverse direction.
The Effect of Mild Hyperventilation on Red Cell Sodium
Authors: Mora J. Damas , Patel M. K. , Jenner F. A.
Published: August 2008

Control subjects voluntarily overbreathed to produce end-tidal PCO2levels similar to those found in patients suffering from neurotic or endogenous non-retarded depression. Red cell sodium content was found to decrease during overbreathing in all the subjects. The changes were similar to those usually reported for depressed patients.

The results imply that red cell sodium levels are in part dependent on respiratory behaviour. They suggest a need for considerable caution in interpreting red cell sodium values from psychiatric patients.
Perinatal Complications in Offspring of Psychotic Parents
Authors: Mirdal Gretty Mizrahi , Rosenthal David , Wender Paul H. , Schulsinger Fini
Published: August 2008

The birth records of 78 subjects born to psychotic parents and 72 subjects born to normal parents were studied.

No significant differences in the rates of pregnancy and birth complications (PBCs) were found between the offspring of psychotic parents and normal control parents. There were no differences between offspring born to psychotic mothers compared to psychotic fathers. Neither the onset of the parent's illness, nor the mother's age at delivery, nor the sex of the offspring seemed to influence the rate of PBCs. The offspring of chronic schizophrenic mothers and manic-depressive fathers had lower PBC rates than the offspring of parents of other diagnostic categories. The parents of these two groups, which were of a limited size, did not differ on any variable of significance, excepting the time of their first psychiatric hospital admission.
Parasuicide in Edinburgh—A Seven-Year Review 1968–74
Authors: Holding T. A. , Buglass Dorothy , Duffy J. C. , Kreitman Norman
Published: August 2008

Parasuicide admissions to the Regional Poisoning Treatment Centre in Edinburgh are reviewed over the seven year period 1968–74. Special emphasis is given to trends in parasuicide rates for Edinburgh City, but social and clinical data are also described. Though the mean annual increase for admissions is 10 · 6 per cent, recent years have shown a fall in the rates for men and a levelling off for women. There have been increases in the rates for the young, for men in social classes 4 and 5 and for divorced women, and in poisonings with psychotropic drugs and alcohol consumption among women. At the same time it is important to note variables which have not changed: the relative risks by age and sex, repetition rates, the diagnostic picture, poisoning with non-prescribed drugs, and the rank order of municipal ward rates: and variables which have diminished: the rates for divorced men, overcrowding, domestic gas and barbiturate poisoning, and drug misuse. A comprehensive explanation of parasuicide in the contemporary scene would have to explain both the consistencies and the changing trends. The answer to the central question of why parasuicide is changing remains elusive.
Diagnostic Classification of First-Ever Admissions to Chainama Hills Hospital, Lusaka, Zambia
Authors: Rwegellera G. G. C. , Mambwe C. C.
Published: August 2008

All new female indigenous Zambian patients (180) admitted to Chainama Hills Hospital from 1 June 1974 to 31 May 1975 were seen by the authors and given a firm diagnosis before they were started on treatment. The diagnostic classification of these patients was compared to that of a similar group of patients (163) admitted to the same hospital from 1 June 1973 to 31 May 1974. Forty-two per cent of the patients in 1974/75 were given a diagnosis of depression as compared to 26 per cent in 1973/74; 14 per cent of those in 1974/75 had a diagnosis of schizophrenia as compared to 21 per cent in 1973/74, and 3 per cent of the patients in 1974/75 fell into the group of ‘not yet diagnosed’ as opposed to 27 per cent in 1973/74. The ‘acute transient psychoses' were noted for their relative rarity in the two groups. A plea is made for all psychiatrists working in Africa to give diagnosis the importance it deserves.
Thought Disorder and the Predictability of Schizophrenic Speech
Authors: Rutter D. R. , Draffan Joan , Davies Jacqueline
Published: August 2008

Previous research suggests that the predictability of speech in schizophrenic patients may be related to certain measures of thought disorder. Two uninterrupted passages of 200 words were taken from 25 randomly selected schizophrenic patients recently admitted to hospital and were ‘Clozed’ by students under both fourth- and fifth-word deletion. Thought disorder was measured by the Bannister-Fransella test, and the Cloze scores were found to be related neither to Intensity nor to Consistency.
A Study of Consanguinity Between the Parents of Transsexuals
Authors: Wålinder Jan , Thuwe Inga
Published: August 2008

During recent years there have been published a number of reports of more than one case of transsexualism or other sexual pathology occurring within the same family. As long as the aetiology of transsexualism remains unknown the authors consider that a possible effect of recessive genes cannot be definitely excluded. To ascertain whether transsexual patients are born of cousin marriages to a greater extent than expected the authors have fully investigated family relationships for 61 known cases of transsexualism. No case of cousin marriage was disclosed.
An Outcome Study of Group Psychotherapy
Authors: Bovill Diana
Published: August 2008

In 1975 a long-term follow-up was undertaken on patients collected as in-patients, treated and studied in 1962–64 (Bovill, 1972). Treatment was by didactic group psychotherapy and relaxation. Treatment was for a mean of six months and of 30 sessions, treatment remained available on demand for a mean of two years after discharge from attendance. In 1975 30 treated patients and 24 control patients were traced out of the original 36 in each group. The criterion of success was, as before, the inverse of days spent re-hospitalized. The success ratio fell from 7: 1 in 1962–64 to 2½: 1 in 1965–74 and to 2: 1 in the single year 1974. This fall was expected in view of the known spontaneous recovery rate operating on the controls.
Hyperostosis Frontalis Interna and Mental Morbidity
Authors: Wålinder Jan
Published: August 2008

Forty-six mentally ill women with radiologically verified hyperostosis frontalis interna (HFI) were compared with 46 matched mentally ill women without HFI in respect of mental morbidity among the full siblings of the two groups. It was found that mental morbidity was lower among the siblings of mentally ill women with HFI than among those of similar mentally ill women without HFI. A reasonable interpretation of these findings is that the combination mental illness-HFI is more often exogenously determined than other forms of mental illness.
Amitriptyline Dosage Schedule, Sampling Time and Tricyclic Plasma Levels
Authors: Ziegler Vincent E. , Meyer David A. , Rosen Samuel H. , Knesevich John W. , Biggs John T.
Published: August 2008

Plasma levels of amitriptyline and nortriptyline were similar in ten depressed patients after administration of amitriptyline hydrochloride in three divided doses or as a single daily dose. Maximum comparability of the plasma levels is achieved by sampling 12 to 16 hours after the single daily dose, or 3 to 7 hours after the morning dose on a thrice-daily schedule. Owing to the long biological half-life of these drugs, therapeutic plasma levels are maintained on a once a day dosage schedule, and the need for sustained release preparations appears questionable.
Aubrey Lewis: The Making of a Psychiatrist
Authors: Shepherd Michael
Published: August 2008

Earlier this year I was invited by the American Psychiatric Association to deliver a public lecture on the contributions of Sir Aubrey Lewis to psychiatry, with particular reference to his work in its historical perspective (Shepherd, 1977). By a happy chance the lecture in question is linked with the name of Adolf Meyer, an eponymous association which facilitated the exposition of the principal theme of my address. It was, I believe, Manfred Bleuler who first drew attention to the similarities between Adolf Meyer and Aubrey Lewis despite profound differences in their temperament and background (Bleuler, 1966). In retrospect it is now apparent that Lewis was Meyer's natural successor, both men standing out as the representative psychiatrist of his generation in the mainstream of psychiatry, each owing his pre-eminence as much to what he stood for as to what he achieved. This was the argument which I did my best to elaborate, drawing for the purpose on the sources and development of Sir Aubrey's ideas, on his manifold achievements and on the various legacies which he has bestowed to his own successors. And, since I was addressing a largely North American audience to whom he was a somewhat remote figure, I attempted to introduce my subject with a few words about the origins and character of the man himself.
Aubrey Lewis' Paper on Health as a Social Concept Reconsidered in the Light of Today
Authors: Wootton Barbara
Published: August 2008

It was only after much hesitation that I accepted your flattering invitation to contribute to this meeting in commemoration of Aubrey Lewis. On the one hand, I have the natural diffidence of a layman amongst experts. But as against this, although we were of the same generation, I cannot but be moved by a feeling akin to filial piety towards one whose work I so greatly admired, and to whom I am indebted for so many personal acts of kindness and generosity as I have been to Aubrey Lewis. I hope, therefore, that since the latter emotion has prevailed you will think it fitting that I should ask you to look back, from the standpoint of nearly a quarter of a century later, at the impressive paper on Health as a Social Concept which Aubrey Lewis read to the British Sociological Association in 1953.
A Framework for Adolescent Disorder: Some Clinical Presentations
Authors: Framrose R.
Published: August 2008

Seven frequently-occurring, more or less stereotyped, adolescent presentations are described to illustrate the relevance of a specific clinical framework for adolescent disorder. This recognizes the maturational background in adolescence, the family involvement in this process and the various factors that can affect it. Disorder is viewed in terms of inappropriate identity choice at this time, a state of maturational deadlock, and can be categorized according to the types and severity of the maladaptive responses. Treatment, capitalizing on the adolescent's state of change and flux, concentrates on more adaptive future identity formation, and can be most rewarding. Orthodox assessment procedures, as used with adult patients, stand the risk of reinforcing a dependent ‘psychiatric patient’ identity.
Provoked Anxiety as a Treatment of Exhibitionism
Authors: Jones Ivor H. , Frei Dorothy Z.
Published: August 2008

A treatment for male genital exposure (exhibitionism) has been given successfully to 15 persons who have previously been resistant to change. The procedure involves the subject undressing before a mixed sex audience, followed by video-taping and subsequent replay to the patient. During the period of nakedness the subject describes in detail the events, his expectations and attitudes, and those attributed to his victim during exposure.

The success of the treatment appears to depend on the profound anxiety induced. During the phase of greatly increased anxiety, cognitive changes previously resisted seem to be made possible.
Cannabis and the Peripheral Nervous System
Authors: Dibenedetto M. , McNamee H. B. , Kuehnle J. C. , Mendelson J. H.
Published: August 2008

The possible ill-effects of cannabis on the peripheral nervous system were examined in 27 male subjects with respect to their motor and sensory nerve conduction. They were classified by their previous cannabis use into casual and heavy users. The nerve conduction studies were done after a baseline period of five days and then repeated after a three-week period during which the subjects could acquire and smoke standardized cannabis cigarettes. The casual users smoked a mean of 54·3 and the heavy users a mean of 109·5, cigarettes during the smoking period. No deterioration of peripheral nerve function could be demonstrated.
Male Transsexualism in Singapore: a Description of 56 Cases
Authors: Tsoi W. F. , Kok L. P. , Long F. Y.
Published: August 2008

A psychiatric investigation on 56 cases of male transsexuals in Singapore revealed a prevalence of 1 in 25,000. Eighty-two per cent were prostitutes and 83 per cent had completed secondary education. All were unmarried, and 35 per cent were co-habiting with men. Fifty-eight per cent had felt they were females before the age of 5, 65 per cent cross-dressed before the age of 10, and by the age of 20, 57 per cent were completely cross-dressed of whom 73 per cent were receiving female sex hormones. Their mean IQ was 105. Thirty-two (58 per cent) underwent sexual reassignment surgery. There was no report of psychiatric complications. It was concluded that transsexualism as described by different authors may not refer to the same condition. Aetiologically, these cases did not appear to be determined by early childhood experience.
Abuse and Neglect as a Cause of Mental Retardation
Authors: Buchanan Ann , Oliver J. E.
Published: August 2008

The survey of 140 children under 16 in two subnormality hospitals showed that 3 per cent of the children had definitely been rendered mentally handicapped as a consequence of violent abuse, and that a possible maximum total of 11 per cent might have been thus rendered mentally handicapped. In 24 per cent of the children, neglect was considered to be a contributory factor in reducing intellectual potential.

Impairment of intellect from abuse and neglect, especially in those with ‘vulnerable’ brains due to pre-existing abnormality, may be much commoner in children than is generally realized.
The Children of Psychiatric Patients: Clinical Findings
Authors: Cooper S. F. , Leach C. , Storer D. , Tonge W. L.
Published: August 2008

Findings are presented on 42 children of school age, the offspring of 26 adult psychiatric patients. Psychiatric disorder was found in 19 (45 per cent) of the children, compared with 12 (26 per cent) of 47 children from a control group of families.

Families with disturbed children differed from the remaining families in the following ways: presence of frank marital discord, the diagnosis of personality disorder in the parents, the inability of the father to tolerate angry situations, and the presence of siblings of under 9 years of age. Six months later, 9 of the 19 children had improved considerably. In almost every family this was associated with improvement in the condition of the parents.

It is suggested that the psychiatric disorder of these children is reactive to the presence of emotional turmoil in the families.
The Gaslight Phenomenon—An Institutional Variant
Authors: Lund C. A. , Gardiner A. Q.
Published: August 2008

A case of paranoid psychosis in an elderly female is reported in which recurrent episodes were apparently induced by the staff of the institution where the patient was a resident. The issues raised by this case are discussed.
The Biochemistry of Brain Development and Mental Retardation
Authors: Davison A. N.
Published: August 2008

Mental retardation may be associated with a number of environmental factors such as undernutrition, lead poisoning or exposure to neuroactive drugs during a critical period of brain development. Possible biochemical mechanisms operating in these various conditions and in animal models are reviewed in relation to the vulnerable period hypothesis. Small brains are common in the mentally retarded, and this may be related to a developmental abnormality particularly at the level of the synapse.
Hallucinogenic N-Methylated Indolealkylamines in the Cerebrospinal Fluid of Psychiatric and Control Populations
Authors: Corbett Lionel , Christian Samuel T. , Morin Richard D. , Benington Frederick , Smythies John R.
Published: August 2008

The incidence and quantities of dimethyltryptamine and O-methyl-bufotenine were studied in the cerebrospinal fluid of patients suffering acute schizophrenic illnesses and in surgical and neurological control groups. Some schizophrenic patients have higher levels of both amines than do controls, though the differences in distribution did not reach statistical significance in the sample studied. The gas-chromatographic technique used is sensitive at the low picogram level.
An Alternative to Group Homes
Authors: Anstee B. H.
Published: August 2008

This paper describes a supported lodgings scheme as an alternative to group homes. It is pointed out that the County Council has a statutory duty to finance supported lodgings and that schizophrenics are ideally suited to such a scheme. Some short-stay, the majority of the ‘new’ non-demented long-stay, and a large number of the ‘old’ long-stay patients have been discharged by this means. Aftercare facilities were important, as nearly half attended the day centre and over one third were regularly visited in their lodgings by the community psychiatric nurses and social workers.
Familial Nature of Reading Disability
Authors: DeFries J. C. , Singer S. M. , Foch T. T. , Lewitter F. I.
Published: August 2008

An extensive psychometric test battery was administered to 125 children with a reading disability, to their parents and siblings, and to members of 125 matched control families (N = 1,044). In addition to expected differences in spelling and reading, probands obtained significantly (P ≤ · 01) lower scores than controls on tests of other cognitive abilities. Manifold deficits were also found in siblings and parents of probands, conclusively demonstrating the familial (genetic and/or common-family environmental) nature of the disorder.
Resting Levels of Alpha and the Eysenck Personality Inventory
Authors: Kondo C. Y. , Bean J. A. , Travis T. A. , Knott J. R.
Published: August 2008

The number of microvolt seconds of alpha rhythm emitted during a five-minute period were collected for 30 male and 30 female subjects. This measure of alpha abundance was then compared in subjects who scored high and in those who scored low on the E and N scales of the Eysenck Personality Inventory. Subjects who scored low on the E scale tended to have a significantly greater number of microvolt seconds of alpha than did subjects who scored high on the scale. No differentiation on the basis of emitted alpha was possible for subjects scoring high and low on the N scale.
Plasma Amino Acid Levels in Huntington's Chorea
Authors: Watt J. A. G. , Cunningham W. L.
Published: August 2008

Concentrations of plasma amino acids in nine patients with Huntington's chorea and nine control patients were studied while diet and drug therapy were controlled. Significantly low values for threonine, alanine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine and histidine were found in the Huntington's chorea patients. However, since different investigators have failed to establish a consistent pattern of abnormality, it is considered that the findings are probably due to non-specific factors.
Teaching Psychotherapy in Mental Hospitals
Authors: Lieberman S. , Hafner R. J. , Crisp A. H.
Published: August 2008

This paper deals with the early results and problems of establishing and developing a regional training programme in psychotherapy, using peripatetic senior lecturers. The difficulties of a psychoanalytic approach to psychotherapy in mental hospitals are discussed, and a model of psychotherapy more suitable for general application in mental hospitals and district general hospital psychiatric units is proposed.
Management of the Demented Elderly Patient in the Community
Authors: Bergmann K. , Foster E. M. , Justice A. W. , Matthews V.
Published: August 2008

Eighty-three consecutive patients with organic mental disorder were studied on their first admission to a psychiatric day hospital assessment unit in a general hospital. They were evaluated medically, psychiatrically and by social work, re-evaluated after 3 months, and again after 12 months or at death. The types of care, and the number of days in each setting, were recorded. Nearly three-quarters were dead or in institutions by 12 months: those initially living with spouses did worst, and those with their children did best, while those on their own became long-stay residents in institutions. Family support seemed the most important factor determining continued life in the community, and increased help to families from social services appeared to be needed. The value of earlier psychiatric diagnosis and earlier treatment of physical ills is also discussed.
Early Parent Death and the Clinical Scales of the MMPI
Authors: Birtchnell John
Published: August 2008

There is growing evidence that early parent death can affect the severity of adult depressive illness. It was anticipated, therefore, that early-bereaved depressed patients might score higher on certain MMPI clinical scales than non-bereaved, depressed controls matched for age and sex. This is shown to be the case, the most affected scales being Hypochondriasis and Paranoia. Hypochondriasis is shown to be more strongly associated with early father death, while Paranoia is associated equally with mother and father death. There is some suggestion that early mother death is also associated with elevation of the F score. Early parent death is shown to have no effect upon the MMPI scores of non-depressed patients.
A Common Language for the Psychotherapies?
Authors: Ryle Anthony
Published: August 2008

The account of mental processes emerging from the work of cognitive psychologists is briefly reviewed, and aspects of the theoretical basis of the work of psychoanalytic and behaviourist psychotherapists are considered in the light of this. It is argued that in both traditions increasing attention is being paid to cognitive processes. A restatement of psychoanalytic theory in cognitive terms could free it from its present confusion of metaphors, and an extension of behaviourist theory in this direction could free it from reductionism. The advantages of the adoption of a common language, based on the models of cognitive psychology, to theory, practice and research are briefly considered.
Necrophilia, Murder and High Intelligence: A Case Report
Authors: Lancaster Neville Peel
Published: August 2008

On Tuesday 10 June 1975 G.M.B. was convicted at Bristol Crown Court of the murder of a young woman and sentenced to imprisonment for life.
Classification of Suicide Attempters by Cluster Analysis
Authors: Paykel E. S. , Rassaby E.
Published: August 2008

Cluster analytic procedures for classification were carried out on a sample of 236 suicide attempters. Rating variables concerned previous suicidal behaviour, details of the recent attempt and its motivation, mental state, and demographic characteristics. Results suggested the existence of three groups of attempters. The first comprised patients taking overdoses, on the whole showing less risk to life, less psychiatric disturbance, and more evidence of interpersonal rather than self-destructive motivation. The second group, fewer in number, made more severe attempts with more self-destructive motivation, by violent methods rather than overdose. The third and smallest group had a previous history of many attempts and gestures, made relatively mild attempts and were overtly hostile, engendering reciprocal hostility in the treating psychiatrist. These groups show some resemblance to those found in other studies.
Vulnerability Factors and Depression in Women
Authors: Roy Alec
Published: August 2008

A matched controlled study of 84 depressed women confirms the findings of Brown et al, that loss of mother before 11, three or more children at home under 14 years of age, lack of a confiding marital relationship and lack of employment may be vulnerability factors predisposing to depression in working-class women.
Recurrent Unipolar Depressions with a 48-hour Cycle: Report of a Case
Authors: Gelenberg Alan J. , Klerman Gerald L. , Hartmann Ernest L. , Salt Patricia
Published: August 2008

Since 1804 there have been twelve case reports of patients with mood disorders showing a regular periodicity of 48 hours, eight bipolar and four unipolar. This paper describes an additional patient, a 57-year-old man with a 48-hour unipolar cycle. Although his 24-hour serum Cortisol pattern was abnormal, there were few clear-cut biological abnormalities. Possible mechanisms are discussed, and comparisons made with previous reports of similar patients.
The Neuroleptic Hypothesis: Study of the Covariation of Extrapyramidal and Therapeutic Drug Effects
Authors: Alpert M. , Diamond F. , Weisenfreund J. , Taleporos E. , Friedhoff A. J.
Published: August 2008

A therapeutic trial with chlorpromazine was conducted with a homogeneous (for age and sex) group of recently admitted schizophrenic patients. Extrapyramidal effects were measured through quantitative analysis of digital tremor, after four days of fixed-dose treatment. Assessment of treatment efficacy was based on Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale ratings, done at the end of four weeks' treatment. Those patients whose tremor was least affected by drug were most likely to benefit from the treatment. Implications of this negative correlation for our understanding of the neuroleptic hypothesis and the closely associated dopamine hypothesis of schizophrenia are discussed.
Matiruku, a Fijian Madness: An Initial Assessment
Authors: Price John , Karim Isaac
Published: August 2008

In Fijian, matiruku means literally ‘low tide in the morning’ and figuratively somebody periodically insane. In this study, the conceptual basis of matiruku was examined by means of a questionnaire completed by 24 Fijians which explored its occurrence, aetiology and precipitation, phenomenology, management and prognosis. It was concluded that matiruku corresponds to hypomania, which may have special features in Fiji: short duration, frequent recurrence and an intensification of symptoms in the morning.
Season of Birth Among the Sibs of Schizophrenics
Authors: Buck Carol , Simpson Helen
Published: August 2008

The season of birth distribution of 1,039 sibs of Canadian schizophrenic patients was compared with that of births in the Canadian general population over the same time period. The excess of winter births observed among the schizophrenics was not found among their sibs.
Psychotropic Drugs
Authors: Pollitt John
Published: August 2008

Psychotropic drugs are but one of our tools in treatment and when appreciating articles or books about these compounds, it is always stimulating to see that the author(s) know as much about people and the disorders they are treating as about the drugs which they are using. It is also helpful when the separation between symptomatic and curative treatment is made, and “comfort” and “cure” are distinguished. Papers which help doctors help patients rather than those of somewhat esoteric interest have more appeal, and I think we may ask: Does the author relate this to the work of the clinic and ways to assist the next patient?
Forensic Psychiatry
Authors: Sclare A. Balfour
Published: August 2008

The term forensic psychiatry is used broadly here to describe the involvement of the psychiatrist at any stage—pre-trial, during the trial, or post-trial—of the legal process, whether this be criminal or civil. In its widest sense, it is also concerned with the procedures associated with the Mental Health Acts. The subject interdigitates closely with general and adolescent psychiatry, mental handicap, criminology, sociology, social work, psychology, legal studies, alcohol and drug dependence studies. Accordingly, reading in forensic psychiatry must necessarily carry the student into such related fields.
The Effectiveness of a Service for Helping Destitute Men
Authors: Leach John , Wing J. K.
Published: August 2008

The effectiveness of a voluntary organization which aimed to help destitute men contacted by means of a ‘soup run’ was evaluated. The assessment was carried out in stages. At the end of each stage results were discussed with the organization and a set of recommendations for further action put forward. At the end of the first stage, it was agreed that the organization's aim should be restricted to attempting to help men settle in one of its houses (staffed by young volunteer workers) for a period of at least three months. A number of recommendations intended to achieve this result were unsuccessful. Following the setting up of a night shelter, it was observed that many men attended regularly. An assessment procedure was instituted which resulted in the selection of men who did settle in the houses for long periods, so much so that no further admissions became possible.
A Controlled Comparison of Simulated and Real ECT
Authors: Lambourn J. , Gill D.
Published: August 2008

Two groups of 16 patients with depressive psychosis took part in a controlled evaluation of electro-convulsive therapy (ECT). One group received six brief pulse unilateral shocks under conventional anaesthesia and muscle relaxation; the second group underwent the same procedure without receiving shocks. Outcome was assessed by a separate investigator using the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression under double-blind conditions. The results showed that this form of ECT was only superior to the control treatment for one item in the scale, a finding which could have occurred by chance. The results suggest that the ECT pre-treatment procedure has an important therapeutic effect. This casts some doubt on current views of the effectiveness of electro-convulsive therapy in general, and of brief pulse unilateral ECT in particular.
Violence and Mental Illness in a Peasant Society: Characteristics of Violent Behaviours and ‘Folk’ use of Restraints
Authors: Westermeyer Joseph , Kroll Jerome
Published: August 2008

Thirty-five people labelled as baa (crazy or insane) were studied in Laos—a country without psychiatrists or psychiatric institutions. Informant information was obtained for violence prior to becoming baa, violence during the course of their baa condition, and violence during the seven days prior to interview. Observation for violence was made for a one day period at the time of the interview. Use of restraints was also assessed.

Subjects were significantly more apt to have assaulted others, posed a risk to themselves, and been restrained (although not incarcerated) during their baa condition as compared to their previous state. Those in early stages of their condition (two years or less) manifested more violence than those later in their condition. ‘Folk’ use of restraints was applied only after dangerous or violent behaviour had occurred. Restraints were released as soon as practicable, but there was an ‘ascending’ use of certain restraint measures if violence persisted.
Treatment of Methadone Withdrawal with Cerebral Electrotherapy (Electrosleep)
Authors: Gomez Evaristo , Mikhail Adib R.
Published: August 2008

The use of cerebral electrotherapy (CET) in methadone detoxification was studied in 28 patients. Fourteen patients received active CET; the other 14 acted as controls and received either simulated CET or only methadone detoxification therapy. One patient dropped out of the study. The Taylor Manifest Anxiety Scale and the Hamilton Anxiety Scale were administered before and after the study period. Nine of the patients receiving active CET were drug-free by the end of 8 to 10 days, and all experienced a marked reduction of their symptoms; the control group did not show significant changes. CET was clearly beneficial in the treatment of patients undergoing methadone withdrawal.
Parental Characteristics in Relation to Depressive Disorders
Authors: Parker Gordon
Published: August 2008

Using a reliable and valid measure of reported parental care and overprotection (the Parental Bonding Instrument) patients with two types of depressive disorder were compared with a control group, and the relationships to depressive experience examined in a non-clinical group as well. Bipolar manic-depressive patients scored like controls whereas neurotic depressives reported less parental care and greater maternal overprotection. Depressive experience in the non-clinical group was negatively associated with low parental care and weakly associated with parental overprotection.
The Validity of Addict Notifications
Authors: Mott Joy , Macmillan John
Published: August 2008

Two representative samples of males first notified as addicts during 1969, one by hospitals and the other by penal establishments, were followed up for five years. It was found that 95 per cent of the hospital sample, but only 30 per cent of the penal sample, were addicted to opiates at some time during this follow-up, as judged by Home Office records. Notification may depend as much upon the setting and circumstances in which doctors see their patients as on their clinical judgement of a ‘notifiable’ case of addiction.
A Comparative Study of Parents of Emotionally Disturbed and Normal Children
Authors: Chawla P. L. , Gupt K.
Published: August 2008

Parents of fifty children attending a child guidance clinic (clinic parents) were studied and compared with the parents of non-referred children matched on relevant parameters (control parents). The clinic parents differed significantly from the control parents on certain variables: presence of psychiatric morbidity in clinic mothers, disciplinary techniques used, attitude towards their own children and the marital relationship. There were no significant differences between the parents of the two groups in their attitudes towards their own parents. Alcoholism and sociopathy were not common among clinic fathers.
The Effect of Some Incentives on the Work Performance of Psychiatric Patients at a Rehabilitation Workshop
Authors: Walker L. G.
Published: August 2008

Five experimental incentive conditions were compared with a control condition in terms of their effect on work performance. Each of the six groups studied had a standard four-week baseline period (Block 1) consisting of an attendance payment, followed by a four-week experimental period (Block 2). Whereas all patients in the Control and Feedback groups produced less during Block 2, only two patients in the remaining four groups failed to improve. An analysis of variance indicated that Social Reinforcement, Piece Rate, Piece Rate plus Social Reinforcement, and Pay Increase plus Social Reinforcement were significantly superior to the Control and Feedback conditions.
Self-Report Reliability of Skid-Row Alcoholics
Authors: Annis Helen M.
Published: August 2008

The stability of self-report of 72 skid-row alcoholics over a one to six month interval was explored. Relatively high response agreement on reinterview was indicated for demographic items, but less reliability was observed on items assessing social functioning and drinking patterns. Implications of the findings for the evaluation of treatment programs are discussed.
Pseudocholinesterase Activity and Phenotypes in Mentally Ill Patients
Authors: Propert David N.
Published: August 2008

Pseudocholinesterase activities and phenotypes have been determined in 103 affectively ill patients, 168 schizophrenics and 73 Huntington's disease sufferers and compared with those of a sample of healthy controls. The distributions of phenotypes in the patient samples did not differ significantly from those of the controls.

When corrections were made for sex, age and E1phenotypes, the Huntington's disease patients showed a reduced level of cholinesterase activity. Normal levels were found in affective disorders and schizophrenia.
The Relationship between Wrist-Monitored Motor Activity and Serum CPK Activity in Psychiatric In-Patients
Authors: Goode David J. , Meltzer Herbert Y. , Moretti Robert , Kupfer David J. , McPartland Richard J.
Published: August 2008

Motor activity, monitored by a wrist motion transducer, was related to serum CPK activity the following morning in a group of psychiatric in-patients. In 4 of 10 patients, studied for periods exceeding one week, total 24-hour activity was significantly correlated with morning serum CPK activity. Motor activity during the night was unrelated to serum CPK activity. In a larger group of 30 patients, studied for one or two-day periods, inter-individual differences in activity level were not related to serum CPK activity, although both sex and race were significantly related to variance between subjects in that activity.
Psychiatric Disorders in Children in Long-Term Residential Care: a Follow-Up Study
Authors: Wolkind Stephen , Renton George
Published: August 2008

Ninety-two children who had been examined in a psychiatric study of five to twelve year-olds in long-term residential care were followed up four years later. Three-quarters were still in children's homes, but over half had been moved to different establishments. At both the original study and follow-up, the majority showed evidence of psychiatric disorder. Considerable continuity of behavioural pattern was found, particularly amongst those who originally had antisocial disorders, who were also most likely to have had changes of care-taker during the four years. It is suggested that the persistence of their disorder may be due to a vicious circle of unacceptable behaviour and adult rejection.
Assessment Procedures Used in Studies on Long-Stay Patients
Authors: Hall John N.
Published: August 2008

Every article published in the British Journal of Psychiatry between 1945 and 1974 was reviewed that provided original information derived from the direct assessment of long-stay patients. The 225 articles were examined for details of assessment practice and characteristics of the patients studied. Most studies used a very restricted range of assessment methods, with rating scales, used most frequently. Many used wholly unstandardized methods, and the description of patient characteristics was inadequate. A number of improvements in assessment practice are suggested.
Schneider's First Rank Symptoms: their Prevalence and Diagnostic Implications in an Asian Population
Authors: Chandrasena R. , Rodrigo A.
Published: August 2008

In an in-patient population in Sri Lanka, only those receiving a diagnosis of schizophrenia had Schneider's First Rank Symptoms. Among 65 males and 104 females, the prevalence of FRS was 25.4 per cent. Those patients with FRS in the first episode are likely to develop more during subsequent episodes. An attempt is made to explain the findings on a cultural basis.
Psychiatric Manifestations in Temporal Lobe Epilepsy: A Controlled Study
Authors: Shukla G. D. , Srivastava O. N. , Katiyar B. C. , Joshi V. , Mohan P. K.
Published: August 2008

Psychiatric disorder was studied in 62 patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (study group) and 70 patients with grand mal epilepsy (control group), both diagnosed electroencephalographically. The two groups were similar as regards age, sex, socio-economic status, duration and frequency of fits, family history and premorbid personality.

A significantly greater number of temporal lobe epileptics had emotional disturbances in childhood and psychiatric abnormalities at the time of study. Neuroses, schizophrenia and behaviour disorder occurred more commonly in the study group, while epileptic personality and confusional psychosis were seen more frequently in the controls.

The findings of the study are discussed in the light of relevant literature.
An Enquiry into the Mental Health Enquiry
Authors: Gandy R. J.
Published: August 2008

A limited study into the accuracy of information for the Mental Health Enquiry was undertaken at two major mental illness hospitals in Leicestershire. The results indicate that certain items of data are of questionable value. The current arrangements for processing the data may also need review.
Alcohol Dependence and Phobias: Clinical Description and Relevance
Authors: Mullaney J. A. , Trippett C. J.
Published: August 2008

Of 102 alcoholics admitted to an alcoholism treatment unit one third (33) were clinically rated as having disabling agoraphobia and/or social phobia, and a further third (37) as having less disabling phobic symptoms of either or both kinds. Questionnaires and self-report symptom scales were used to validate the clinical ratings. Alcohol problem screening tests and consumption levels confirmed the severity of alcohol dependence. In a group of 44 phobic alcoholics who reported physical dependence, the onset of phobic symptoms preceded the onset of alcohol-telated problems and physical dependence significantly more frequently than the converse.

The prevalence of agoraphobia and social phobia in alcoholics is discussed in relation to prevalence data in affective and normal populations, together with their implications for the aetiology of phobias and alcohol dependence, and for screening and assessment of phobic alcoholics, preventative counselling, treatment approaches and prognosis.