bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A ward in a house: Accommodation for‘new' long‐stay patients
Authors: Wykes T. , Wing J. K.
Published: August 2007

A proportion of psychiatric patients still remain in hospital for more than a year who would not be acceptable in community accommodation because of their severe handicaps. This group has been called the‘new' long‐stay. Studies have suggested that this group could be accommodated in high dependency hostels set up in association with a hospital. The first of these hostels was set up at the Maudsley Hospital in 1977. The study reported here was designed to test its effectiveness in the first 4 years of its operation. It was found that this type of accommodation was suitable for a substantial proportion of the‘new’long‐stay and that it contributed to the alleviation of some of their problem behaviours. It is suggested that further hostels should be set up so that comparisons with other models can be made.
Effect of the benzodiazepine derivative estazolam in patients with auditory hallucinations
Authors: Lingjærde O.
Published: August 2007

The main aim of this study was to test the effect of the triazolo‐benzodiazepine, estazolam, on auditory hallucinations. Fifty‐eight patients (28 male, 30 female) with auditory hallucinosis that had responded poorly to neuroleptics alone, were included; most patients were chronic schizophrenics, and most patients were maintained on previous neuroleptic treatment during the trial. Each patient was treated for three consecutive 3‐week periods, and randomly allocated to receive estazolam (1 + 1 + 4 mg) either in the first and third, or in the second period. Similar‐looking placebo tablets were given in the control periods. There were seven dropouts, three of them due to somnolence on estazolam.

In both treatment groups there was a significant (but not significantly different) improvement during the first 3‐week period, with regard to both global clinical state and auditory hallucinations. During the second and third periods, however, the two groups differed significantly, in that improvement of global state and hallucinosis was seen on estazolam, and deterioration on placebo. It is concluded that estazolam (as an addition to neuroleptics) had a significantly better effect than placebo on the global clinical state, on the frequency of, and attitude towards the hallucinations, and also on the single symptoms “Compulsive thoughts” and “Visual hallucinations” (items in the Comprehensive Psychopathological Rating Scale). There were few side effects except drowsiness.

Possible pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic interactions between benzodiazepines and neuroleptics are discussed briefly.
Some observations and comments on the psychosocial profile of first‐ever referrals to the psychiatric hospital, Enugu, Nigeria
Authors: Ihezue U. H.
Published: August 2007

The psychosocial characteristics of 126 consecutive first‐ever referrals over a 30‐day period to a psychiatric hospital in Nigeria are analysed. There was a male to female ratio of 1.7:1. The largest age group was of those aged 20–29 who constituted about 37.3 % of the total sample. The great majority were aged below 50 years. There were more married females (14.3 %) than single ones (11.9 %); while more men (34.1 %) were single than married (19.1 %). The majority (76.2 %) had received varying degrees of formal education in a country where there is a literacy rate of only about 20 %. About 50 % were unemployed at the time of referral while the majority of those employed were either farm workers or small tradesmen and artisans. The largest diagnostic category was schizophrenia, followed by the affective psychoses. Paranoid and catatonic schizophrenias were diagnosed more commonly than the other types of schizophrenia. Neurotic disorders were the third commonest group. An unclassified group consisting of those presenting with states of acute excitement was also delineated. There was a predominance of persons from the rural areas. Generally, violence, disruptive and abnormal behaviour were the main reasons for referral to hospital. The results obtained are compared with the results of studies from various other workers, while some of the problems hindering systematic field studies in psychiatric epidemiology in Africa are mentioned, as well as certain socio‐cultural characteristics of the target population (of this study) which might be affecting the course of mental disorder occurring in its members.
Factors influencing prolactin release induced by electroconvulsive therapy
Authors: Baixdin J.
Published: August 2007

Electroconvulsions have been reported to induce rapid elevations of serum prolactin (PRL) levels. To further evaluate factors involved in the hormonal release an extended study was performed. Blood samples for determination of PRL were withdrawn from depressed patients 5 min before and 15 min after administration of electroconvulsions. Significant elevations of PRL levels were found in 35 of 37 patients. Increase in PRL levels was significantly correlated to duration of seizures but not to duration of the electric stimulation. The hormonal response to electroconvulsions was diminished with age. Patients on lithium medication had significantly more pronounced rises of PRL levels than patients treated with other psychotropic drugs and otherwise untreated patients. The results indicate that the elevation in PRL levels is a biochemical marker of the seizure activity during electroconvulsive therapy.
Psychological epidemic in Hong Kong I. EPIDEMIOLOGICAL STUDY
Authors: Wong S. W. , Kwong B. , Tam Y. K. , Tsoi M. M.
Published: August 2007

A total of 413 school students were taken ill with symptoms from an alleged poisonous gas affecting two different geographic locations at the same time and without influencing the residents in the neighbourhood. Symptoms were mainly subjective and almost all were discharged from hospital the same day. Vigorous endeavours by authorities had failed to discover the offending agent.

By the use of epidemiological methods, the present study attempted to investigate the nature of and the significant contributing factors related to the episode. The psychological nature was confirmed both by demonstration of positive characteristics as well as by the exclusion of organicity.

There was no direct evidence that teachers, headmasters, parents or the mass media had significant influence on the aetiology of the epidemic, albeit their influence could still be an indirect one. Regarding symptom formation, there was evidence that peer influences were more important than an individual's own previous experiences.
The Hamilton Depression Rating Scale in normals and depressives
Authors: Fava G. A. , Kellner R. , Munari F. , Pavan L.
Published: August 2007

The Hamilton Rating Scale for depression (HDRS) has become the standard observer rating scale for depression, yet there are no adequate data from normal samples. The present study was carried out in northern Italy. The purposes were 1) to examine the ratings in normals and 2) to examine the scale's validity in a different language and culture. The scale was used in 40 normals and 40 depressives who were matched. Two self‐rating scales of depression were administered: the Symptom Rating Test and the Symptom Questionnaire. The results show that the HDRS is a valid mea‐ sure in that it sensitively discriminates between depressed patients and normals. The findings support Hamilton's view that only the first 17 items of the scale are appropriate for computing the score. The use of self‐rating scales yielded additional information. The misclassification rate of the Symptom Rating Test was similar to that of the HDRS. The combined use of Research Diagnostic Criteria (RDC) and HDRS appears to be more reliable for the selection of depressed patients for research than the RDC only.
Herpes simplex virus (HSV) antibodies in child psychiatric patients and normal children
Authors: Jörgensen O. Sylvester , Vejlsgaard Goldschmidt V. , Vestergaard B. Faber
Published: August 2007

The prevalence of herpes simplex virus (HSV) antibodies has been investigated in 123 child psychiatric patients and 86 normal children. HSV antibodies were measured by ELISA technique. The prevalence of HSV antibodies in different diagnostic groups (conduct disorder, emotional disorder, hyperkinetic syndrome, anorexia nervosa, infantile autism and borderline schizophrenia in childhood) was compared with age‐matched normal children, but no significant differences were found.
Epilepsy and psychosis
Authors: Parnas J. , Korsgaard S.
Published: August 2007

In an attempt to survey the evidence of causal relationship between epilepsy and chronic psychosis the literature has been searched with respect to frequency of psychoses, psychopathological classifications and correlations between biological and behavioural variables. It is concluded that a unitary theory of aetiology in epileptic psychosis can not be maintained. The psychotic pictures seldom fulfill the Bleulerian concept of schizophrenia, and consequently the term schizophrenia‐like should be avoided. With respect to future investigations a prospective research method is advocated.
A double blind comparison of lofepramine, imipramine and placebo in patients with primary depression
Authors: Feighner J. P. , Meridith C. H. , Dutt and J. E. , Hendrickson G. G.
Published: August 2007

The results of a double blind trial in which 139 patients with primary depression were randomly assigned to either lofepramine (46), imipramine (48), or placebo (45) are discussed.

After treatment with either active drug, lofepramine or imipramine, the clinical outcome was significantly greater than with placebo. No significant differences were found in clinical responses between lofepramine and imipramine.

With regard to reported side effects, however, a statistically significant lower number of severe and/or moderate side effects were reported for the lofepramine group than for the imipramine group. In particular, for severe and/or moderate occurrences of dry mouth, the statistically significant lower incidence in favor of lofepramine is by almost a factor of 3 (8 lofepramine vs 21 imipramine patients).
Health of children whose parents seek psychiatric care
Authors: Larson G. , Larson A.
Published: August 2007

The study comprises 69 pre‐school children whose parents, mainly mothers, had sought care at a department of psychiatry in Stockholm. The majority of the parents had attended for recurrent ambulatory treatment (58 %) or had only come to the emergency room (25 %). The children demonstrated a significantly higher frequency of somatic and emotional symptoms than a matched control group. To a large extent, the index children showed failure to thrive without any apparent organic cause. In exceptional cases there had been co‐operation between the departments of psychiatry and paediatrics (one case) as well as between the departments of psychiatry and social welfare (five cases). There is an urgent need to develop methods within the scope of psychiatric care whereby the best interests of both the parents and the children are taken into consideration.
The treatment of extreme shyness in maladjusted childrei by implosive, counselling and conditioning approaches
Authors: Lowenstein L. F.
Published: August 2007

This article deals with the reason why little research has been conducted into the area of timidity or shyness in children, and the effect this has on their socialisation and learning.

The study attempts to define and treat the problem of timidity by: reducing anxiety both general and specific; developing greater assertiveness in the child's behaviour; promoting the ability to communicate effectively with other people; discovering and treating the areas which are creating feelings of inadequacy by reducing or eliminating them; investigating parental background and trying to influence this, and attempting to decrease over‐sensitivity.

A control group of 11 and an experimental group of 11 are studied and treated after random sampling. The duration of study is 7 months. They are treated for 6 months and followed up by reassessment of both groups 2 weeks after the 6‐month period. The sample is assessed by the MPI (Maudsley Personality Inventory) and a rating scale. Among the implosive approaches used is the forcing of the individual to react by promoting an emotion such as anger, or even verbal or physical attack, to develop communication of some kind. Individuals are therefore forced to participate in activities such as swimming and games, experience loud noises in music, are involved in drama therapy and encouraged to mix with members of the opposite sex. Additionally, behaviour therapy is used including the shaping of increasingly assertive responses. Timidity is modified statistically by showing an improved reading ability and through the measurement of extroversion on the MPI. No such change is reported in the control group. Changes in reading, spelling and maths are also in the expected desired direction.
Suicide rates among public mental health patients
Authors: Evenson R. C. , Wood J. B. , Nuttall E. A. , Cho D. W.
Published: August 2007

Age‐specific suicide rates are presented, based on 207 white patients of the Missouri Department of Mental Health who were identified as having committed suicide during 1972–74. Results, divided by age, sex, diagnosis and patient status, are compared with other studies. Male inpatients are about five times more likely to commit suicide compared to the general population, while female inpatients are about 10 times more likely to do so. In both sexes, the rate is greatest for the diagnosis of major affective disorder. A history of psychiatric treatment increases the suicide risk more for women than for men, although male patients are still about twice as likely to commit suicide than are female patients. A quantitative model is presented which describes the relative influence of age, sex and diagnosis on suicide rates.
ECT/chlorpromazine combination versus chlorpromazine alone in acutely schizophrenic patients.
Authors: Janakiramaiah N. , Channabasavanna S. M. , Murthy N. S. Narasimha
Published: August 2007

The response to ECT or no ECT at two levels of chlorpromazine was studied in a 2 × 2 factorial experiment on 60 acutely schizophrenic patients hospitalized for a period of 6 weeks. ECT enhanced the therapeutic response at the 300 mg level of chlorpromazine but neither of the ECT chlorpromazine combinations offered any significant therapeutic advantage over 500 mg of chlorpromazine.
Immunological factors in senile dementia
Authors: Kellett J. M. , Martin J. M. , Fry A. H.
Published: August 2007

Sixty‐four patients suffering from senile dementia were compared with 71 age‐matched controls suffering from functional psychiatric illness, in terms of their chromosome complement, tuberculin and dinitrochlorobenzene response and total immunoglobulin levels. No significant differences emerged between these groups except for slightly reduced levels of immunoglobulin G in the dement sample. We conclude that senile dementia as a whole is not related to a defect in immunological function.
Studies on duration of a late recovery period after chronic abuse of ethanol
Authors: Alling C. , Balldin J. , Bokström K. , Gottfries C. G. , Karlsson I. , Långström G.
Published: August 2007

A cross‐sectional study on patients with different abstinence time was performed to describe long‐time biochemical and psychiatric changes due to withdrawal from heavy alcohol abuse. Physical, neurological, psychiatric and biochemical parameters were measured in 70 patients with a withdrawal period ranging from 2–90 days. The various parameters changed over time in different manners. Fatigability, reduced sleep, reduced sexual interest, apparent sadness, hostility and global ratings of abstinence improved significantly with the duration of the recovery period. Symptoms related to brain hyperexitability such as fatigability, inner tension, insomnia and pains persisted for approximately 5 weeks. Of the biochemical parameters, the transaminases were normal in patients with more than 10 days of abstinence, while the levels of γ‐glutamyltransferase and HDL‐cholesterol remained high for longer periods. The essential fatty acid status, measured by the fatty acid composition of serum lecithin, appeared to be normal only in patients with long recovery time. MAO in platelets was significantly lower than in the controls. The highest values were seen in the early recovery phase, which may indicate a temporary increase. Since polyunsaturated fatty acids are important constituents of synaptic membranes and since platelet MAO may reflect brain MAO, we consider these co‐existing findings important in the interpretation of the psychiatric symptoms. The study demonstrated the existence of a subacute withdrawal syndrome lasting for 4–6 weeks.
Double‐blind trial of triazolam 0.5 mg vs. nitrazepam 5 mg in outpatients
Authors: Ellingsen P. Adelsten
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT ‐ In a double‐blind, cross‐over trial, triazolam (0.5 mg) was compared with nitrazepam (5 mg) in patients with disturbed sleep. Each drug was given once, with a 48‐h interval, to 40 outpatients. Quality, duration, and latency of sleep, and number of awakenings during the night, showed a significant difference in favour of triazolam. An overall evaluation of sleep also showed triazolam to be superior to nitrazepam. Both drugs seemed to reduce dream activity and to alter the character of the dreams. There was no significant difference in side effects.
Psychometric evaluation of an inventory for assessment of parental rearing practices
Authors: Arrindell W. A. , Emmelkamp P. M. G. , Brilman E. , Monsma A.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT ‐ The EMBU, an instrument which was designed to assess one's memories of parental rearing behaviour, was psychometrically evaluated. Principal component factor analysis of data of a mixed sample of 841 non‐institutionalized phobic individuals revealed four factors which were termed Rejection, Emotional warmth, Over‐protection and Favouring subject, thereby contributing to the convergent (cross‐national) reliability and validity of the structural model of perceived parental behaviour. Besides the utilization of data from aforementioned phobic sample, the scales’internal consistency was assessed in data of five additional samples, which consisted of 277‘normals’, 40 agoraphobics, 29 social phobics, 21 height phobics and 38 obsessive‐compulsive neurotics, and found to be very satisfactory. In the normal and mixed phobic sample, validity measures were shown to be acceptable and to be independent of the parent's sex. Furthermore, findings suggested that the fact that retrospective data is being measured with the scales does not threaten the reliability and validity of gathered information due to faulty recall or falsified accounts.
Lomest psychiatric case register: the statistical context required for planning
Authors: Marinoni A. , Torre E. , Allegri G. , Comelli M.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT – Descriptive statistics derived from a psychiatric case register are presented. They may be useful for a more rational planning of new services, and provide a preliminary evaluation of the effects of the recent Act (1978) which has abolished large mental hospitals in Italy. Each component of the 1‐year prevalence rates has been examined closely, and the results have indicated three main considerations: abolishing the large mental hospital does not abolish the long‐stay patients still living in it, and these people will remain a heavy load on the mental health care system for a long time; the new Act has halved admission rates, but the decline may be a positive result if in‐care and out‐care are sufficiently integrated; treated out‐patients tend to increase year by year, and they seem more and more to be “young men and middle‐aged women” suffering from minor psychiatric disorders. Finally, a closer collaboration between planners and evaluators is suggested.
Couvade
Authors: Bogren L. Y.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT– In a prospective study a number of women and their husbands were interviewed early on in the pregnancy, in the week after delivery and again 4 months later. The couvade syndrome, in which the father‐to‐be suffers from somatic symptoms of psychogenic origin connected in some way with his wife's pregnancy, was investigated. Sixteen of the 81 men who participated in the study fulfilled the syndrome criteria. The most common symptoms were weight gain, toothache, loss of appetite, and “other aches”. The men with the couvade syndrome had more mental symptoms during the pregnancy period. The syndrome had no relation to the somatic or mental symptoms of the women. It is proposed that the couvade syndrome might be a somatic expression of anxiety.
A rating scale for phobic disorders
Authors: Alström J. E. , Nordlund C. L. , Persson G.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT– – Scales were constructed for the rating of phobic disorders, taking into account both behaviour therapeutic and psycho‐dynamic aspects. The scales rate phobic behaviour with regard to anxiety (situational and anticipatory) and coping (avoidance and escape). The target phobia as well as seven common phobias are rated, the former being divided into: fairly easy, moderately difficult, and very difficult situations. The scales also include free anxiety (10 items), ego‐restriction (11 items), and social function (six items with regard to interpersonal relations, and one each for capacity to work and leisure activities), and finally, a global rating. The inter‐rater reliability was good (mostly around 0.90). Construct validity was supported by the result in effect studies of short‐term psychotherapy.
A scale for rating suitability for insight‐oriented psychotherapy
Authors: Persson G. , Alstrom J. E.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT– An instrument for rating patients as suitable (I) or not suitable (NI) for insight‐oriented psychotherapy, is described. It is based on factors suggested by Dewald, and consists of 24 scales, each with 5 steps. Inter‐rater reliability was > 0.60 in 11 of the scales in a study of 25 cases, and four subscales were significantly correlated to suitability for insight‐oriented psychotherapy according to the total scale: “influence of environmental factors on the symptoms”, “variability of the symptoms during the last year”, “self‐confidence”, and “possibility of psychodynamic formulation with a circumscribed focus”. Construct validity was estimated by comparing 29 pairs of I and NI patients. I patients belonged to a higher social class, scored higher on the personality trait dominance and lower on neuroticism, had a more positive experience of the therapist, had lower symptom intensities, and were given a lower global rating of the disorder. I patients were more improved than NI patients when given unspecific treatments. The differences were, however, small. Predictive validity in 38 patients was low which may be due to the fact that the rater had to consider the research points of view, the global nature of several variables and the coarse criteria for correct allocation.
Recurrence of affective illness after withdrawal of long‐term lithium treatment
Authors: Sashidharan S. P. , McGuire R. J.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT– – Clinical outcome following discontinuation of long‐term maintenance therapy with lithium in manic‐depressive patients was studied. Although the majority showed recurrence of affective episodes, the relapses tended to be spread over a period of months. There was no evidence of immediate and inevitable ‘rebound’ of psychotic episodes following lithium withdrawal. This finding is discussed in the light of results from other lithium discontinuation studies.
Lithium and pregnancy
Authors: Källén B. , Tandberg A.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT– – By record linkage of a discharge diagnosis registry and a medical birth registry we identified 350 women with manic‐depressive disease who had born a child. The total delivery outcome was poorer than expected with a high perinatal death rate and a high malformation rate. Further studies revealed a high rate of perinatal deaths and/or congenital malformations among infants born of women who had used drugs in early pregnancy, and this phenomenon was concentrated to women who had used lithium and to heart defects. The sample is small, however, and there is no statistically significant difference between delivery outcome in women on lithium and in women on other psychotropic drugs. Until better risk estimates are obtained, lithium should not be used in early pregnancy.
A double‐blind comparison of alprazolam Vs. imipramine and placebo in the treatment of major depressive disorder
Authors: Feighner J. P. , Meredith C. H. , Frost N. R. , Chammas S. , Hendrickson G.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT– In a 6‐week double‐blind trial 129 outpatients with major depressive disorder received either alprazolam, imipramine or placebo. Dosage was adjustable from 0.5 mg alprazolam, 25 mg imipramine or two capsules placebo b.i.d. to 4.5 mg alprazolam, 225 mg imipramine or three capsules placebo t.i.d. Both active drugs were more effective than placebo according to all the rating scales used. Alprazolam and imipramine did not differ consistently except in the somatic symptom cluster on the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale. Mean final daily dosage was 2.7 mg alprazolam, 117.3 mg imipramine and 7.2 capsules placebo. Patients on alprazolam reported fewer side effects than patients on imipramine and approximately the same number as patients on placebo. Anticholinergic side effects were commonly associated with imipramine; drowsiness was the most frequent side effect with alprazolam.
Effect of sleep deprivation as a predictor of treatment response to antidepressant medication
Authors: Fähndrich E.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT– Sixty depressed patients were treated first with sleep deprivation (SD) and afterwards with clomipramine or maprotiline. A statistically significant correlation was found between the positive effect of SD and response to clomipramine and the negative effect of SD and response to maprotiline.
Psychotic behaviour in children and young adults in a mental handicap hostel
Authors: Gillberg C.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT– One hundred and twelve children and young adults living in a long‐stay hostel for the mentally handicapped were examined with regard to problems of social relationships, speech and language, and behaviour. Exactly half of the population showed severe impairment of social interaction. The socially impaired persons very often had severe speech/language and behavioural difficulties as well. A small number of classically autistic persons were identified. The results lend support to the view that infantile autism is but one behavioural syndrome along a continuum of triads of language and social impairments as outlined by Lorna Wing.
Alcohol‐abusing teenage boys
Authors: Rydelius P.‐A.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT– This is the second part of an investigation of alcohol‐abusing teenage boys, focusing on personality. One group of 50 High‐consumers and one group of 50 0‐consumers were selected from 862 18‐year‐old boys in the general population summoned to the Regional Recruiting and Replacement Office in Solna. These boys answered a personality inventory (KSP) to test a hypothesis on alcohol abuse and personality factors which might indicate psychopathy. The results support the hypothesis that alcohol‐abusing teenage boys have psychopathic personality traits while the non‐consuming boys have normal personalities. The study cannot reveal whether the differences in personality were the result of the high alcohol consumption or if the psychopathic personality traits preceded the high consumption. A reasonable hypothesis for further research is that vulnerable boys living under poor social conditions react to their situation with motoric restlessness, impulsiveness and aggressive acting‐out behaviour. Due to this their social adjustment as grown ups is poor with consequent alcohol and drug abuse and criminality.
Attempted suicide by jumping
Authors: Prasad A. , Lioyd G. G.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT– A series of 18 patients who attempted suicide by jumping is reported. All were diagnosed as being psychiatrically ill and 14 received psychiatric treatment after the episode. These patients differ in several important aspects from those who harm themselves by drug‐overdose.
Depo‐medroxy progesterone acetate as an adjunctive treatment in three aggressive schizophrenic patients
Authors: O'Connor M. , Baker H. W. G.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT– A double‐blind trial of depo‐medroxy progesterone acetate (DMPA) was performed with three violent schizophrenic patients resistant to neuroleptic medication. Violence decreased in two cases.
Frequency and clinical significance of delusions across cultures
Authors: Ndetei D. M. , Vadher A.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT– The pattern of delusions in a cross‐cultural hospital population was studied. It was found that there were cultural differences in persecutory, grandiose and religious, and sexual and fantastic delusions, accounted for mainly by the relatively higher frequencies in the African and West Indian cultural groups. These phenomena can be understood in terms of the cultural backgrounds of these groups. It is further argued that similarly defined persecutory delusions have a wide clinical significance that goes beyond schizophrenia in some cultural groups.
Offspring of women with nonorganic psychosis: mother‐infant interaction at three days of age
Authors: Persson‐Blennow I. , Naslund B. , McNeil T. F. , Kaij L. , Malmquist‐Larsson A.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT– Mother‐infant interaction during a feeding was studied at about 3 days of age in 51 index mother‐infant pairs in which the mother had a history of nonorganic psychosis and in. 73 demographically similar control pairs. Interaction was significantly more negative and deviant in index than control cases, index mothers establishing a significantly more negative emotional climaie and less harmony in feeding, evidencing more tension and uncertainty, and showing less social contact toward the infant. Index infants showed significantly less social contact toward the mother and index pairs less reciprocal visual contact than did controls. While the Schizophrenic, Cycloid and Nonendogenous Psychoses groups each differed from their matched controls on a number of variables, the Affective group was not in any way more negative than its controls on interaction.
The availability of confiding persons for depressed patients
Authors: Eisemann M.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT– The availability of confiding persons both within and outside trie household has been investigated in a series of 110 depressed patients and of 98 non‐psychiatric controls. The depressive sample has been classified into diagnostic subgroups of unipolar, bipolar, reactive‐neurotic and unspecified type of depression. The de‐pressives reported lack of confidants lo a significantly higher degree. The only difference among the diagnostic subgroups emerged for the bipolar patients who had about the same availability of a confiding relationship outside the household as the controls.
Problems posed for supporting relatives of geriatric and psychogeriatric day patients
Authors: Gilleard C. J.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT– Relatives of patients attending geriatric and psycho‐geriatric day hospitals throughout Scotland were asked to provide details of the problems they experienced looking after their elderly dependent. They also completed Goldberg's General Health Questionnaire (GHQ), to provide an index of degree of emotional disturbance. While differences emerged in the type of problems these two groups of supporters experienced with their dependent, the overall prevalence of emotional disturbance was high in both groups. Implications for the service provided by both types of day hospital are discussed.
Erythrocyte cation transport in endogenous depression: clinical and psychophysiological correlates
Authors: Strzyzewski W. , Rybakowski J. , Potok E. , Zelechowska‐Ruda E.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT– Clinical (psychometric), psychophysiological and biochemical (erythrocyte membrane transport) variables were studied in 44 patients with endogenous depression (unipolar/bipolar) during acute depressive episode and in remission. All parameters studied showed paralleled and unidirectional changes when depression was compared with remission period. During a depressive episode, unipolar patients had greater intensity of depression than bipolar patients. Ouabain‐dependent sodium fluxes were significantly lower in female than in male patients during depression than in remission. In male bipolar patients, the indexes of active transport in erythrocytes showed significant correlations with clinical ratings and with results of psychophysiological tests. The results point to a possible relationship between various levels of physiological functioning in endogenous depression. This suggests a generalised “background” defect of energy‐dependent membrane transport pertaining to both erythrocytes and nerve cells, which may be linked to disturbances of activational processes within the central nervous system.
Depression and ventricular enlargement
Authors: Shima S. , Shikano T. , Kitamura T. , Masuda Y. , Tsukumo T. , Kanba S. , Asai M.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT– Compared with controls, 46 depressed patients showed increased ventricular‐brain ratio (VER). Patients with poor outcome, single episode, onset at 50 years or over, or without melancholia were found to have greater VBR than controls.
The relationship of personality to social network aspects and loneliness in depressed patients
Authors: Eisemann M.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT– In a study of 110 depressed patients possible relationships between personality and social contact features, loneliness and contact difficulties, have been investigated. The results yielded numerous correlations between personality characteristics and different aspects of the social environment. Most pronounced were the relationships with loneliness and contact difficulties.
Kidney function and quantitative histologjcal changes in patients on long‐term lithium therapy
Authors: Jørgensen F. , Larsen S. , Spanager B. , Clausen E. , Tangø M. , Brinch E. , Brun C.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT– Renal function and structure were studied in 57 patients on long‐term lithium treatment. Nine per cent had a moderate decrease in glomerular filtration rate (GFR), 75 % had decreased concentrating ability. No correlation between GFR and the duration of the lithium treatment was found. Twenty‐four renal biopsy specimens were studied by light microscopy and compared with kidney biopsies from an age‐matched control group of patients without arterial hypertension and who had never been treated with lithium or neuroleptics, but who suffered from acute oliguria or slight protein‐uria. The number of sclerotic glorneruli and the focal distribution of intestitial fibrosis was significantly increased in the group of patients treated with lithium. No difference in the total amount of fibrous tissue or the number of atrophic tubules was demonstrated. There was no correlation between the duration of lithium treatment and the structural changes. The biopsy material originated from patients treated with a single and reduced dose regimen only. This regimen might explain the few and slight structural changes found, in contrast to other investigations in which patients were treated with lithium in divided doses.
Incidence of severe dementia in an urban sample followed from 70 to 79 years of age
Authors: Nilsson L. V.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT–The incidence of severe dementia between the age of 70 and 79 years was studied in a representative urban sample. The study comprised 385 subjects at 70 and sufficient information was obtained in 94.5 ck in the age interval 70–75 and in 89.2 % in the age interval 75–79. A case was defined by absence of symptoms of severe dementia at the beginning of the interval and by disorientation and/or severe memory impairment in psychiatric interviews at the age of 75 or 79, or the same signs noted in case records from the intervals studied. In all, 43 subjects developed severe dementia. When mortality was taken into account the annual incidence rates were 17.7 ± 10.7/ 1,000 in the 5‐year interval between 70 and 75 and 32.3 ± 16.9/1,000 in the 4‐year interval between 75 and 79 in men compared with 5.0 ± 4.9/1,000 and 25.3 ± 11.3/1,000 respectively in women. There were no significant differences between men and women with regard to the incidence rates of all severe dementias or of etiological subgroups. There was a high degree of institutionalization. Most studies from Scandinavian countries have reported lower incidence figures.
A comparitive cross‐cultural study of the frequencies of hallucination in schizophrenia
Authors: Ndetei D. M. , Vadher A.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT– The frequencies of auditory, visual and olfactory hallucinations as defined by Wing et a!, were studied in schizophrenic patients of various groups treated in the same hospital. The diagnosis of schizophrenia was made by the use of the Syndrome Check List. It was found that there were some cultural differences in the frequencies of hallucinations, these being higher in the African, West Indian and Asian culture groups than in the English and other groups. The possible clinical significance of these variations are discussed.
Mortality among persons with depressive symptoms and among responders and non‐responders in a health check‐up
Authors: Enzell K.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT– The death rate for persons in Stockholm born in 1905 has been investigated during a 9‐year period (1971–1979). In 1971 these persons were invited to participate in a health check‐up. Another check‐up was carried out 3 years later, during which a psychiatric examination of 589 persons was undertaken. The correlation between depressive disorders and mortality was investigated in two steps. The death rates for those subjects who had responded affirmatively to items in a questionnaire indicating depression were compared with the death rate for the remaining responders. The death rates for those subjects considered to have neurotic disorders or sleeping disturbances in the psychiatric examination were compared with the death rates for the members of a control group considered to be without psychiatric symptoms. Both methods gave fundamentally the same result: there is an excess mortality among persons with depressive symptoms compared to persons without. The death rates were significantly higher in the populations that did not participate in the health check‐ups than in those who did. The rates of suicide were also greater in the non‐response populations. None of the persons who participated in the 1974 health check‐up committed suicide during the next 3 years. The study shows that physically and mentally healthier persons were overrepresented among those who participated in the health check‐ups at the ages of 66 and 69.
C3 and haptoglobin polymorphism in dementia of the Alzheimer type
Authors: Eikelenboom P. , Vink‐Starreveld M. L. , Jansen W. , Pronk J. C.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT– The C3 and haptoglobin phenotype distribution was studied in 60 patients with dementia of the Alzheimer type. In contrast with earlier reports we did not find any significant association between dementia of the Alzheimer type and certain C3 or haptoglobin phenotypes.
Family environments of depressed outpatients
Authors: Bromet E. J. , Ed V. , May S.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT– The present study assessed the family environments of 43 depressed patients treated in an outpatient clinic. All family members 11 + years of age were administered the Family Environment Scale. Results showed that perceptions of the family environment were not statistically different from a normative sample. Differences among unipolar, bipolar and secondary affective disorder groups also did not attain statistical significance. On the other hand, current symptomatology among patients was associated with negative perceptions of the family environment.
Suitability for insight‐oriented psychotherapy as a prognostic factor in treatment of phobic women
Authors: Persson G. , Alström J. E.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT– Suitability for insight‐oriented psychotherapy comprises many factors that may have a positive relation to outcome in individual psychotherapy. We wanted to test the hypothesis that patients suitable for insight‐oriented psychotherapy (I patients) improve more than not‐suitable patients (NI patients) in non‐dynamic therapies. Pairs of phobic female NI and I patients were formed with age, type of phobia, global rating of severity, therapist and type of therapy as matching variables. All women received a simple basal therapy in the form of standardized information, self‐exposure instructions and anxiolytic medication. Six pairs received this treatment only, six pairs in addition received relaxation therapy and nine pairs in addition received therapist‐directed prolonged exposure in vivo. The patients were rated with regard to symptoms and functions at the start of the treatment, at the termination of treatment 3 months later, and at a 1 year follow up. NI patients were less often married, had a longer duration of their phobias, and had higher initial ratings on aspects of indirect as well as direct manifestations of anxiety, ego restriction, and global severity. I patients improved more than NI patients with regard to aspects of the target phobia, both at the termination of the treatment and at the follow up. Otherwise the outcome was similar. There was no indication of a greater amount of conflict solution in the I patients. The result might be explained by supposed differences in the amount of self‐exposure. The hypothesis was supported, but the results cannot be applied to other types of neuroses.
Schizophrenia
Authors: Hoult J. , Reynolds I.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT– Sixty‐five schizophrenic patients presenting for admission were randomly allocated into two groups. Control patients received standard hospital care and after‐care. Experimental patients were not admitted if this could be avoided; instead they were taken back to the community by the Community Treatment Team who provided them and their relatives with comprehensive community treatment and a 24‐h crisis service. During the 12 months study period 68% of the schizophrenic patients in the experimental group were not admitted; 10% were admitted two or more times and for 5 weeks or longer. All the schizophrenic patients in the control group were admitted ‐ two‐thirds two or more times and for 5 weeks or longer. It was feasible to treat most schizophrenic patients in the community. Community treatment was considered by patients and their relatives to be the more satisfactory and helpful form of treatment and achieved a superior clinical outcome.
The reliability of psychiatric diagnosis in Israel's Psychiatric Case Register
Authors: Goodman A. B. , Rahav M. , Popper M. , Ginath Y. , Pearl E.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT– To determine the reliability of psychiatric diagnoses in the Israel Psychiatric Case Register, DSM‐III criteria were applied to case record abstracts of first admissions to a large psychiatric hospital in Jerusalem. The DSM‐III diagnoses were compared with ICD‐8 recorde diagnoses. Between 40 and 50% of those originally diagnosed as schizophrenia were re‐diagnosed into less severe categories. The proportion diagnosed as affective disorder doubled from 21% for ICD‐8 diagnoses to 40% for DSM‐III diagnoses. The unreliability concerned the diagnoses of schizophrenia and affective disorder. Findings suggest that the introduction of standardized diagnostic criteria in Israel will lead to a substantial increase in the number of cases diagnosed as affective disorder, although difficulties involved in differentiating schizophrenia from the major affective disorders remain. The DSM‐III findings suggest a high prevalence of affective disorders among Jews.
Feighner's symptom profile of alcoholism in a Kenyan general hospital
Authors: Ndetei D. M. , Kiptong P. , Odhiambo K.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT– Eighty‐three consecutive first‐ever admissions to the general medical wards at the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), were screened for alcoholism using the Feighner's Research Diagnostic Criteria for Alcoholism (FRDCA) in their first week of admission. They were aged between 18–65 years and able to give informed consent and participate in an interview. 48% of the males, 13% of the females and 31% of the overall sample scored for definite alcoholism. Abnormal drinking behaviour and social pathology associated with drinking rather than the medical and psychiatric aspects of alcoholism were more associated with the alcoholism group. These findings are compared and contrasted with similar findings in Western settings.
Attempted suicide (parasuicide) in Nairobi, Kenya
Authors: Mengech H. N. K. Arap , Dhadphale M.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT– The authors report on socio‐demographic characteristics, methods and associated causes among 110 suicide attempters seen by them in Nairobi. Attempted suicide is still an offence in Kenya, like it is in other Third World countries. A profile of a typical young person who attempts to take his/her life is described and some relevant aspects of ‘parasuicide’ are discussed.
Psychosocial considerations of the premenstrual syndrome
Authors: Bernsted L. , Luggin R. , Petersson B.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT– For many years a possible conjoint physical and psychological cyclicity among women has been discussed. To date there has been no biological explanation for psychological cyclicity. Attempts to treat negative psychological symptoms during the premenstrual phase by pharmacological means have not been significantly superior to placebo. The psychological viewpoint stresses that the repetitive confrontation with often conflicting material during the premenstrual phase must be seen in light of the development and integration of the personality. This process occurs by identification with the mother, and premenstrual symptoms can be seen as reflecting problems with feminine self‐acceptance and self‐esteem. The attributional explanation where women's negative but not positive moods are seen as biological could further affect women's self‐esteem. Important scientific problems regarding the study of cyclical moods and behavior, the description of a baseline, the validity of self‐reports and the soundness and validity of questionnaires often used, remain unsolved.
Prevalence of mental disorder in an urban population in central Sweden
Authors: Halldin J.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT– The principal reason for this epidemiological study was the lack of psychiatric morbidity studies in a predominantly urban population, by psychiatrists in direct interviews. The psychiatric examination, covering 1970–71, included a representative selection of 2,283 persons, 18–65 years old from “former” Stockholm County, and the 12‐month prevalence of mental disorders was measured. The total of non‐participants was 12%. Forty‐seven percent had a psychiatric diagnosis ‐ significantly more women (54%) than men (40%). Excluding the psychosomatic diagnoses, 31% of the population received a psychiatric diagnosis, which agrees closely with other contemporary studies of mental disorder in the Nordic countries. The primary diagnoses were: neuroses 26%, psychosomatic diagnoses 16%, schizophrenic/paranoid conditions or other psychoses 0.6%, affective disorders 0.2%, psychoorganic syndromes 1.2%, psychopathy 0.2%, character neurosis 1%, drug dependence 0.2% (as a primary or a secondary diagnosis 0.6%), alcoholism 1.4% (as a primary or a secondary diagnosis 3.1%) and mental retardation 0.4% (as a primary or a secondary diagnosis 0.8%).