bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Life events and schizophrenia: The “triggering” hypothesis
Authors: Day R.
Published: August 2007

The present paper reviews the life event research specific to schizophrenia with the goal of assessing the extent to which recent empirical studies have implicated life stress variables as precipitants of acute episodes of the disorder (i.e. the “triggering” hypothesis). Different methodological strategies used in life events research are reviewed along with the substantive findings from quasi‐experimental and controlled studies of schizophrenic patients. It is concluded that stressful life events have been found to be part of the pool of factors associated with the onset of acute schizophrenic episodes, but evidence is still lacking to indicate that this association is a necessary or direct one. Recommendations are made regarding the types of future studies required to fill the gaps in the existing literature.
Continued follow‐up study of 120 persons born after refusal of application for therapeutic abortion
Authors: Forssman H. , Thuwe I.
Published: August 2007

An investigation material consisting of 120 persons who were born after refusal of an application for therapeutic abortion, with the same number of controls, has previously been followed up by the writers to the age of 21 years. This follow‐up study has now been extended to completion of the 35th year. It is found that in social‐psychiatric respects the index cases as a group are still somewhat worse situated than the control cases. However, the differences have to a certain extent levelled out and during the later part of the observation period no statistically significant differences can be demonstrated for any single variable.
The effects of brief hospitalization upon the psychiatric patient's household
Authors: Platt S. , Hirsch S.
Published: August 2007

This paper describes the social results of a randomized controlled trial of brief versus standard hospitalization for acute psychiatric inpatients. All the data reported were obtained through the use of a new semi‐structured standardized interview schedule, The Patient Behaviour Assessment Schedule (PBAS). Overall, there were no significant differences between groups in the extent of Objective Burden and Subjective Distress experienced by the informant's household. The groups were differentiated, however, on a number of individual items. At the 2‐week evaluation Brief Care informants expressed more distress than Standard Care informants arising out of the patient's slowness, but were less distressed by the effect of the patient's behaviour on their work performance. At the follow‐up interview Standard Care informants were more affected in their social life and pursuit of leisure activities, while expressing less distress as a result of the patient's overdependence. The sensitivity of the PBAS Distress Scales is demonstrated by comparing the informant's differential emotional response to role and non‐role aspects of the patient's behaviour at different points in time.
A neurochemical theory of appetite and weight changes in depressive states
Authors: Hopkinson G.
Published: August 2007

The literature concerning appetite and weight changes in depressive illness is reviewed. Diminished appetite and weight loss have for about 100 years been regarded as prominent symptoms of depressive illness. A tendency for some depressives to gain weight has also been recognized. About 85 % of depressives lose weight and 15 % gain weight. There appears to be a tendency for weight gain to be commoner in milder depressions. Carbohydrate craving is also described in association with some depressed states.

The neurochemical control of appetite in health is surveyed. Norepinephrine appears to be necessary for the intake of food, and drugs which raise intrasynaptic levels of norepinephrine stimulate feeding. Serotonin seems to be associated with satiety and in experimental animals decreased intrasynaptic levels of serotonin produce carbohydrate hunger.

The neurochemical control of appetite is discussed in relation to the amine theories of depression. A number of hypotheses are drawn from this discussion.
Duration of REM sleep latency as predictor of effect of antidepressant therapy
Authors: Svendsen K. , Christensen P. G.
Published: August 2007

Twenty‐three depressed patients were treated with antidepressant drugs or ECT. Thirteen of the depressions were clinically of the endogenous type, and all these patients responded well to therapy. Ten patients suffered from atypical depressions; of these only seven reacted favourably to therapy. EEG showed that patients who were cured had short REM latencies, whereas the three patients who did not respond in a satisfactory way had long REM latencies. These findings suggest that in depressions duration of REM latency may be correlated to respond to antidepressant therapy.
Five‐year mortality in a 70‐year‐old urban population in relation to psychiatric diagnosis, personality, sexuality and early parental death
Authors: Persson G.
Published: August 2007

In 1971–1972 a systematic, representative sample of 70‐year‐olds living in Gothenburg, Sweden, was studied. The study included a psychiatric examination, during which the subjects were questioned concerning important aspects of their life history, and mental symptoms during the previous month. Any mental signs observed were recorded. Symptoms and signs were rated on rating scales, and summed up in diagnoses. The subjects also filled in three different personality inventories. The examination was performed in 166 men and 226 women. In 1976–1977 we ascertained from parish records which subjects had died before reaching the age of 75. Thirty‐two men and 23 women had died. Associations between the psychiatric variables and mortality were studied.

There was a positive association in men between mortality and organic psycho‐syndromes. There was a positive, but nonsignificant association with indications of previous alcohol abuse. There was no association with anxiety, depressive and obsessive compulsive neuroses or with personality deviations and few associations with personality dimensions and psychogenic needs. There was a positive association in married men between mortality and early cessation of sexual intercourse. There was also a positive association in men between mortality and loss of parents by death before the age of 16.
The risk of assaultive behavior in suicidal patients
Authors: Tardiff K.
Published: August 2007

This study assessed the occurrence of assaultive behavior in a group of suicidal patients who were in psychiatric hospitals, many for long periods of time. Of the 94 suicidal patients, 42 (45%) patients physically assaulted other persons at least once in the 3 months preceding the survey. Although many patients manifested active psychotic psychopathology at the time of the survey, there were no significant differences between assaultive and non‐assaultive suicidal patients in terms of the presence of psychosis. The sex, race, primary psychiatric diagnosis, and length of stay of patients also were not related to the occurrence of assaultive behavior in suicidal patients.

Only youth and the presence of seizure disorders were related to increased risk of assaultive behavior in hospitalized suicidal patients. The author compares the findings of this study to his previous study of concurrent assault and suicide just before or at the time of admission to psychiatric hospitals.
Serum lithium concentrations around the clock with different treatment regimens and the diurnal variation of the renal lithium clearance
Authors: Lauritsen B. J. , Mellerup E. T. , Plenge P. , Rasmussen S. , Vestergaard P. , Schou M.
Published: August 2007

The serum lithium concentration was determined around the clock in patients treated with conventional tablets given once daily, in the evening, and in patients treated with slow‐release tablets given twice daily, in the morning and in the evening. Curve shapes differed markedly in the two groups, with much wider variation of serum concentrations in the former than in the latter. The data were used to calculate for the two patient groups the ratio of the mean serum lithium concentration over the 24‐h day to the serum lithium concentration in blood samples drawn 12 h after the last intake of lithium.

Around‐the‐clock determinations of the patients' renal lithium clearance showed about 20 % lower values during the night than during the day.
Comparison of MAO, D β H, and COMT activities in chronic schizophrenics selected on the basis of nailfold capillary pattern
Authors: Dunlop S. R. , Sattin A. , Shea P. , Hendrie H. C.
Published: August 2007

A group of 17 white male chronic schizophrenic subjects were divided on the basis of plexus visualization score (PVS). High and low PVS subjects were compared to each other and to low PVS controls on measures of platelet monamine oxidase (MAO), rbc catechol‐o‐methyl transferase (COMT), and plasma dopamine‐β‐hydroxylase (DβH). There were no differences between high and low PVS subjects on any biochemical variable. Schizophrenic subjects had lower platelet MAO activity than controls. Platelet MAO and rbc COMT were significantly correlated in schizophrenic subjects.
Patterns of overt sexual interaction among acute psychiatric inpatients
Authors: Modestin J.
Published: August 2007

An indepth study was carried out over 1 year on all instances of overt heterosexual interactions among acute psychiatric patients on mixed‐sex intensive treatment units. Sixteen of the 1060 patients treated on the units were involved in nine instances of overt heterosexual interactions. Analysis of the interactions showed three distinct patterns, called Types 1, 2 and 3. In Type 1 interactions, overt sexual behavior approaches normality. In Type 2 interactions, overt sexual behavior is of a pronounced demonstrative quality but avoids genital involvement. In Type 3, overt sexual interaction is confined exclusively to sexual intercourse. Multiple determinants of the patients' involvements in overt heterosexual interaction are presented. The type of overt sexual interaction engaged in by inpatients depended more on each patient's history, including past sexual life, than on clinical diagnosis. As a rule, the patient's most relevant and central problems were expressed in a very distinct manner in the overt sexual interaction on the unit. Thus, a thorough investigation of every case of such interaction provides an opportunity to discern these problems rapidly and to elaborate on them therapeutically.
The risks of long‐term neuroleptic treatment of schizophrenia: especially depression and akinesia
Authors: Rifkin A.
Published: August 2007

Most extrapyramidal side effects of neuroleptics are easily recognized and cause little problem in diagnosis and treatment. The exceptions are those which mimic psychopathology: akathesia and akinisia. Akathesia resembles anxiety. Akinesia is similar to depression, residual schizophrenia, and demoralization. Differential diagnosis may require interruption of the neuroleptic. Whether neuroleptics can cause depression not associated with akinesia has never been established. The first obligation of the clinician is to be sure that the depressive symptoms are not concomitants of akinesia, before treating with antidepressants which may not be the appropriate treatment. There is no convincing evidence that one neuroleptic drug is more likely to cause akinesia than another, although this had not been studied extensively using a broad definition of akinesia.
Open clinical study of cis(Z)‐clopenthixol
Authors: Sechter D. , Caillard V. , Cuche H. , Deniker P.
Published: August 2007

The antipsychotic effect and tolerance of cis(Z)‐clopenthixol were studied in 13 patients with acute exacerbation of chronic schizophrenia. Seven patients were with CGI registered as improved after 28 days of treatment while 2 did not complete test treatment and the remaining 4 patients were considered unchanged. Significant average reductions of the initial total BPRS‐score were registered throughout, while with NOSIE‐30 a significant score reduction was seen only at day 28. The frequency of single side effects fell progressively during the treatment period. Dosages were individual and ranged at day 28 from 30 to 350 mg.
A double‐blind clinical investigation of cis(Z)‐clopenthixol and clopenthixol in chronic schizophrenic patients
Authors: Heikkilä L. , Karsten D. , Valli K.
Published: August 2007

The therapeutic effect of the neuroleptic cis(Z)‐clopenthixol has been compared with that of clopenthixol in mainly chronic schizophrenic patients in a double‐blind 8‐week trial. Forty‐nine of the 54 patients in the trial received clopenthixol in the pre‐trial period. Ratings with CGI and a single side effects form were done at weeks 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8. The registration of therapeutic effect at week 8 indicated a symptomatological status quo in both groups of patients while there was a tendency of slightly less interference by cis(Z)‐clopenthixol with patient's functioning than by clopenthixol. The ratio of therapeutically equipotent cis(Z)‐clopenthixol/clopenthixol doses was found to be 1:2. It is suggested that long‐term treatment with clopenthixol advantageously may be replaced by cis(Z)‐clopenthixol.
A double‐blind comparison of the effects of haloperidol and cis(Z)‐clopenthixol in senile dementia
Authors: Götestam K. G. , Ljunghall S. , Olsson B.
Published: August 2007

The therapeutic effects in senile dementia of haloperidol and cis(Z)‐clopenthixol were compared in a double‐blind, double‐dummy clinical 8‐week study in 47 demented patients after wash‐out periods of 3 weeks or less. Forty patients, most of whom received 0.5 mg haloperidol or 5 mg cis(Z)‐clopenthixol, completed the study in which assessments with the geriatric rating scales of Gottfries‐Cronholm and Crichton in addition to CGI were done at weeks ‐3, 0, 1, 2, 4, and 8. With the Gottfries‐Cronholm Scale few significant changes from week 0 were seen in the two groups of patients. Significant deteriorations at weeks 1 and 8 in the haloperidol group were, however, registered. The only significant difference between the two groups of patients regarded motor activity which was most positively influenced by cis(Z)‐clopenthixol. Accordingly, most results suggesting a difference between the two test drugs were in the favour of cis(Z)‐clopenthixol. With the Crichton and the CGI scales changes in the over‐all impression of the patients were very few. Side effects were mild and transient.
Cortical and central atrophy in chronic schizophrenia
Authors: Okasha A. , Madkour O.
Published: August 2007

CT of the brain was carried out in 43 chronic schizophrenics of more than 5 years' duration and less than 60 years of age, and 39 normal controls matched for age, sex and education. There was no statistical difference between controls and schizophrenics as regards cortical atrophy (as measured by the interhemispheric and Sylvian fissures and mean sulcal width). Highly significant differences were found regarding central atrophy. Third ventricle measurements were normal in 9.3%, there was slight enlargement in 37.2%, moderate in 48.8% and extreme in 4.7% The cella media index denoting lateral ventricle dilatation showed changes in 46.5%, slight in 9.3% and the remaining 44.2% were normal.

This study shows that a large number of chronic schizophrenics have an associated central atrophy.
A prospective study of 133 patients with anorexia nervosa
Authors: Bassøe H. H. , Eskeland I.
Published: August 2007

One hundred and thirty‐three patients with anorexia nervosa have been treated in a prospective study from 1958 to 1976. The doctor and the patient alone formed the therapeutic team, the doctor playing the role as an instructor in the pathophysiology of hunger without discussing social or psychological problems. At follow‐up 58 % of the patients were grouped as ‘good’, and 28 % as ‘intermediate’, figures which are in accordance with those obtained from other authors. Fourteen per cent of the patients were grouped as ‘poor’. None of the patients died. That therapists with different attitudes to treatment may obtain fairly similar results strengthens our view of a strong tendency to spontaneous recovery in anorexia nervosa. The outlook for patients with a short history of anorexia nervosa seems good.
Genetic factors in puerperal affective psychoses
Authors: Whalley L. J. , Roberts D. F. , Wentzel J. , Wright A. F.
Published: August 2007

The hypothesis that puerperal affective psychosis (PAP) is genetically related to maniodepressive disorder was tested by comparing the morbidity risks for puerperal and non‐puerperal affective disorders in the relatives of 17 PAP subjects and 20 parous manic‐depressives (PMD) with no history of puerperal illness. The risk for affective disorder (mania, depression or suicide) and puerperal affective disorder was the same in the two groups of relatives and the test hypothesis was accepted, although the sample size was small. The fre‐quencies of HLA‐A, B and C locus antigens, nine blood group antigens and 10 red blood cell isoenzymes were not significantly different in the PAP and PMD subjects, showing that in this series genetic markers do not distinguish puerperal from non‐puerperal affective psychoses.
Differential diagnosis of presenile dementia on clinical grounds
Authors: Gustafson L. , Nilsson L.
Published: August 2007

Fifty‐seven patients were studied for differential diagnosis between dementias. Three rating‐scales were used for identification of Alzheimer's disease (AD), Pick's disease (PD) and multi‐infarct dementia (MID). Their validity was tested against verified diagnoses in 28 patients. The rating‐scale of ischemic score consisting of 13 items such as abrupt onset, stepwise progression, fluctuating course, history of strokes and neurological symptoms and signs, identifies patients with MID. This can also be achieved by the two rating‐scales for diagnosis of AD (12 items) and PD (9 items), which, however, can also be used for the differentiation between these two dementias. The rating‐scale for diagnosis of AD contains clinical features such as early spatial disorientation, apraxia, aphasia, agnosia, logoclonia and increased muscular tension. The rating‐scale for PD contains i.a. early loss of insight, early signs of disinhibition, echolalia, mutism and amimia. The results show that the differentiation between the major types of presenile dementia can be achieved by a systematic rating of the clinical features.
Abrupt lithium discontinuation in manic‐depressive patients
Authors: Christodoulou G. N. , Lykouras E. P.
Published: August 2007

Prophylactic lithium was abruptly discontinued (under double‐blind conditions and using placebo) in 18 manic‐depressive patients for 15 days. Following lithium withdrawal tremor of hands, polyuria, general muscular weakness, polydipsia and dryness of mouth were significantly reduced. No withdrawal symptoms were noted. Three patients relapsed within 4 days of lithium discontinuation. The questions arising from these findings are discussed and the possibility of a rebound phenomenon produced by lithium is considered.
Emotional experience of music by psychiatric patients compared with normal subjects
Authors: Nielzén S. , Cesarec Z.
Published: August 2007

Psychiatric patients (n= 107) and normal subjects (n= 100) were exposed to seven newly composed pieces of music orchestrated for a small symphony orchestra. The patients were divided into seven subgroups: schizophrenic, depressive and manic psychosis; obsessive, depressive, anxiety and hysterical neurosis. All subjects rated the music on semantic differential scales describing three factors of emotional experience: tension‐relaxation, gaiety‐gloom and attraction‐repulsion. The ratings by patients in the different groups were compared with those by the normal subjects. Expressiveness in music was found to be communicated to patients in the same relative way as to normals. However, in the various diagnostic groups, several marked differences in experience were demonstrated. The main findings were that schizophrenic psychotics experienced the music as more attractive, while depressive and anxiety neurotics experienced it as less attractive, than normals. Depressive and manic psychotics experienced the music as less gay. Obsessive neurotics seem to be more sensitive to tension in music than normals.
Practical problems in psychiatric field surveys
Authors: Davidian H.
Published: August 2007

The value of epidemiological studies in psychiatry, particularly field surveys, becomes increasingly evident, not only because they produce opportunities to study the associations between population characteristics and disease, but also for the assessment of the community needs for psychiatric facilities.

The field survey in psychiatry is also that aspect of the epidemiological study which can provide valuable knowledge about human personality, in both health and disease. This knowledge can be obtained from data derived from demographic studies, community attitudes towards mental illness, and first‐hand impressions.

The scope of these investigations is very wide, since the patient is being studied in relation to his surroundings and in a sociocultural setting, which includes numerous factors and variables. Although these factors very often represent a hindrance to the application of known methods and means of study, they could be overcome by taking into consideration the sociocultural condition of societies.

The present paper gives a short description of problems which have been encountered in a number of field surveys in Iran. An examination of these problems may be of help when planning mental health surveys of cultural groups similar to those of Iran.
An inpatient treatment program for anorexia nervosa patients
Authors: Pierloot R. , Vandereycken W. , Verhaest S.
Published: August 2007

Inpatient treatment for anorexia nervosa can be necessary for medical, psychosocial or psychotherapeutic reasons. In general, these patients are characterized by “negative” selection characteristics (illness duration, failures of previous treatments, unfavourable natural milieu, poor motivation, etc.). An inpatient treatment program, in which 145 female patients have been admitted, is described. It consists of two phases: a first “symptom directed” phase aiming at weight restoration and normalization of eating, based mostly on behavior therapy principles; in a second “problem oriented” phase, patients are oriented either towards outpatient treatment (family therapy, individual psychotherapy), or, in the majority of the described cases, to an inpatient psychotherapeutic community program. The difficulties of this approach and some outcome results at long‐term follow‐up are discussed.
Lofepramine and imipramine in unipolar depressed outpatients
Authors: Rickels K. , Weise C. C. , Zal H. M. , Csanalosi I. , Werblowsky J.
Published: August 2007

This is a double‐blind study involving 158 outpatients diagnosed ac‐cording to the DSM‐III as suffering from major depressive disorder. Both active drugs produced significantly more improvement than placebo on both physician and patient ratings, and lofepramine produced slightly less sedation and anticholinergic effects when compared with imipramine.
Recovery of orientation after electroconvulsive therapy
Authors: Daniel W. F. , Crovitz H. F.
Published: August 2007

Studies which provide quantitative analyses of postictal disorientation following electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) are reviewed with emphasis on the variable of time since seizure induction as it relates to recovery of orientation. The studies make it clear that separable components of orientation (person, place, and time) recover at different rates following ECT. The length of disorientation tends to increase with increasing treatment number, but modifications of electrode placement (nondominant unilateral ECT) and electrical stimulus waveform (brief‐pulse ECT) result in a decrease in disorientation when compared to standard bilateral sinusoidal ECT. Bilateral ECT may produce more disorientation than dominant unilateral ECT if more generalized seizures occur with the former than the latter treatment modality. Practical implications of these issues are discussed.
CSF monoamine metabolites in schizophrenic patients
Authors: Gattaz W. F. , Waldmeier P. , Beckmann H.
Published: August 2007

The monoamine metabolites 3‐methoxy‐4‐hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG), homovanillic acid (HVA) and 5‐hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5‐HIAA) were measured in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of 16 psychiatrically healthy controls and in 28 schizophrenic patients. There was no difference in CSF MHPG and HVA levels between the group of patients and the controls. CSF levels of 5‐HIAA were significantly lower in schizophrenic patients than in controls. Differential analysis of patients with and without neuroleptics revealed that these findings were not due to drug treatment. Positive correlations were found between the level of 5‐HIAA and the items: hallucinatory behaviour, grandiosity, and tension as rated on the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale. As 5‐HIAA CSF data are controversial for nosological entities, the search for correlations between 5‐HIAA and individual psychopathological variables could provide more specific indices for psychiatric diagnosis, treatment or prophylaxis.
Acute memory impairment following electroconvulsive therapy
Authors: Daniel W. F. , Crovitz H. F.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT ‐ The literature concerning acute changes in memory functions following electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is reviewed. Most studies indicate that low‐energy brief‐pulse ECT is followed by less amnesia than high‐energy sinusoidal ECT. Many studies show that amnestic deficits are exacerbated with increasing treatment number. However, it is unclear whether this exacerbation is related to increased electrical energy typically used to induce threshold seizures in the latter treatments Or to more endogenous physiological alterations of the CNS across treatment number. Practical and theoretical implications of these issues are discussed.
The bi‐seasonal incidence of some suicides
Authors: Näyhä S.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT ‐ The seasonal variation in suicides in Finland is examined by marital status using the individual records for all suicides committed in 1961–1976 and periodic regression analysis. Suicides were usually most frequent in spring or summer, but there was an exceptional secondary concentration of suicides in the autumn period among married and widowed females, which makes the monthly pattern bimodal. Suicides among divorced and widowed males aged 15–44 years showed a unimodal variation with the peak in autumn. While an influence from certain social factors might be entertained, the reasons for the seasonal variation in suicides in general and for this anomalous bimodality in particular remain unknown.
Sodium vaiproate and biperiden in neuroleptic‐induced akathisia, parkinsonism and hyperkinesia
Authors: Friis T. , Christensen T. Rosted , Gerlach J.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT ‐ Fifteen psychiatric patients participated in a double‐blind cross‐over study of the effect of sodium valproate (a GABA mimetic drug), biperiden (an anticholinergic drug) and placebo in neuroleptic‐induced akathisia, parkinsonism and hyperkinetic movements. All patients had subjective and objective signs of akathisia, 11 had parkinsonism and 11 hyperkinesia, eight of which were tardive dyskinesia (TD) and three initial hyperkinesia. After a pretreatment washout period of 2 weeks, during which anticholinergic drugs, if any, were replaced by placebo, the patients were treated in three randomized periods of 4 weeks with sodium vaiproate, biperiden and placebo. Compared to placebo, sodium vaiproate (900–2400 mg/day, median 1700) had no significant effect on akathisia and parkinsonism, although akathisia was reduced in four patients (unchanged in 10 and increased in one) and parkinsonism was induced or aggravated in seven patients (unchanged in five and reduced in three). Sodium valproate, however, reduced hyperkinesia score (TD + initial hyperkinesia) from 1.6 to 1.2 (P < 0.05). Biperiden (6–18 mg/day, median 12) significantly reduced akathisia score from 1.4 to 0.6 (P < 0.01) and parkinsonism from 2.0 to 0.6 (P < 0.01), and increased TD score from 2.1 to 3.9 (P < 0.05). None of the drugs induced significant side effects. It is concluded that 1) sodium valproate has no significant effect on akathisia, but a slight beneficial effect in hyperkinetic movements, both TD and initial hyperkinesia, 2) sodium valproate may aggravate parkinsonism without necessarily aggravating akathisia, and 3) anticholinergic drugs like biperiden appear still to be the best treatment for akathisia.
Amount of therapist contact and outcome in a multidimensional depression treatment program
Authors: Schmidt M. M. , Miller W. R.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT ‐ An 8‐week multidimensional program of behavioral management, cognitive restructuring, and assertiveness training was administered to depressed outpatients either individually with a single therapist (n= 12), in two small groups (n= 11), or one large group (n= 11), or as bibliotherapy (n= 12). A randomly assigned waiting list control group was also included (n= 10). Follow‐up assessments were conducted at 18 weeks. Principal findings were that 1) there were no significant pretreatment differences among groups, 2) all treated groups including bibliotherapy improved substantially over the course of treatment, 3) the waiting list control group was unchanged during this same period, 4) there were no significant differences among treated groups at termination or at follow‐up, nor did these groups change significantly over the period of follow‐up. Thus the effectiveness of this multidimensional program was supported, but its efficacy was not systematically influenced by amount of therapist contact.
Inpatient violence and the schizophrenic patient
Authors: Yesavage J. A.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT ‐ A correlational analysis of Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) ratings and measures of inpatient violence in 207 schizophrenic patients is presented. Significant correlations were found between BPRS measures of schizophrenic symptomatology and several measures of inpatient violence including assault. BPRS subscales which related to paranoid symptoms were also significantly correlated with inpatient danger‐related measures; however, to a lesser degree.
Neuropsychiatric symptoms in workers occupationally exposed to jet fuel — a combined epidemiological and casuistic study
Authors: Struwe G. , And B. Knave , Mindus P.
Published: August 2007

Some aircraft personell and airline industry workers are exposed to jet fuel, a mixture of aliphatic hydrocarbons (petroleum 80%) and some organic solvents (aromatic hydrocarbons 20%). In order to evaluate the possible neuropsychiatric sequale of such long‐term occupational exposure, we examined 30 workers exposed at about 250 mg/m3 for 4—32 years at a jet motor factory. They were compared with two control groups (2 × 30) of matched non‐exposed workers. The medical history was first assessed by standardized interviews and examination of medical records kept by the factory physician. The exposed subjects had, after their employment, much more often saught medical advice because of emotional dysfunctions, such as depression and anxiety, than had the control groups (P < 0.005). When the prevalent mental symptoms, indicative of brain lesion, later were rated by psychiatrists, the exposed workers scored higher than did the controls (P < 0.001). 14 subjects showing most symptoms were then selected for a thorough neuropsychiatric clinical investigation comprising psychosocial inquiries, psychological testing, personality assessment and neurological/neurophysiological examinations. Seven were judged to suffer from mild organic brain syndrome (i.e. “organic neurasthenia”) of which one subject was a severe case. The subjects had all undergone a slow but steady personality change over the years — starting from an ordinary strength without neurotic traits and moving towards an asthenic state with fatigue, anxiety and vegetative hyperreactivity. No other cause for this change could be identified as an alternative to the occupational exposure to jet fuel. It is concluded that personality changes and emotional dysfunctions are the foremost effects of such long‐term exposure to petroleum products.
Psychological function changes among maintenance house painters exposed to low levels of organic solvent mixtures
Authors: And K. Lindström , Wickström G.
Published: August 2007

The adverse psychological effects of long‐term exposure to organic solvent mixtures were studied among 219 maintenance house painters. Their mean age was 42 years and the duration of exposure 22 years. 229 reinforcement workers of the same mean age served as a nonexposed reference group. The groups were also matched according to pre‐exposure intellectual level. The painters average exposure to white spirit was estimated to be 40 ppm. The maintenance house painters were characterized by defects in short‐term visual memory and prolonged simple reaction times. Some slight relationships were found between low test performances and various individual indices of long‐term exposure to solvents. The results implied that adverse psychological effects existed even though the exposure level was much lower than the hygienic standard applied for white spirit in many countries.
Father/son relationship during the preschool years: An integrative review with special reference to recent Swedish findings
Authors: Nettelbladt P.
Published: August 2007

This review is an attempt to integrate Anglo‐American and Swedish studies on father/son relationships. The puerperal period, infancy and early childhood are surveyed. Swedish studies do not support specific stereotyped bonding in the puerperal period. The review confirms the bidirectional nature of the father/son relationship. Thus, counteridentification, i.e. the father's identification with his son, and identification during the oedipal phase, i.e. the son's identification with his father, seem to be essential components in the father/son relationship. However, studies on parent‐infant behaviour indicate that different parental roles exist early in infancy. Also, attachment studies point to the specificity of the father/son relationship before the oedipal phase. It is concluded that the major importance of the father/son relationship during the preschool years is to facilitate the son's masculine identification.
Do brain damage and liver disease interrelate in advanced abusers of alcohol?
Authors: Elton M.
Published: August 2007

In a consecutive material comprising 43 alcoholics immediately prior to pension, due to their abuse, the interrelations between different symptoms of dysfunction of the brain and liver were studied. Signs of brain damage used were: psychometric test, delirium tremens and withdrawal seizures. Liver disease was examined by biopsy and liver function tests. The signs of dysfunction were compared with drinking pattern, amount of alcohol consumption and duration of abuse. The group was fairly homogeneous with respect to these variables. The patients showed a considerable degree of brain and liver damage, but relevant significant correlations between the criteria of brain and liver disease could not be demonstrated. This may support the hypothesis that the brain and the liver, in the same individual, react differently to alcohol.
Pregnant women with nonorganic psychosis: life situation and experience of pregnancy
Authors: McNeil T. F. , Kaij L. , Malmquist‐Larsson A.
Published: August 2007

Eighty‐eight index women with a history of nonorganic psychosis and 104 demographically similar control women were interviewed during pregnancy after quickening concerning their experience of pregnancy and their current life situation. The index group, compared with controls, reported a significantly increased frequecy of material‐situational problems, interpersonal difficulties and a lack of support for the pregnancy among the spouse and the woman's parents, an initially unplanned and undesired pregnancy, a negative attitude toward the pregnancy after quickening, moderate‐to‐heavy smoking, nervousness and anxiety, panic about the delivery, and great concern about their own mental health in the near future. No significant difference between groups was found on frequency of typical pregnancy symptoms, the experienced effect of pregnancy on physical health or concerns about the child's health or mothering.
Expectations of improvement and attitudes to treatment proceses in relation to outcome with four treatment methods for phobic disorders
Authors: Persson G. , Nordlund C. L.
Published: August 2007

One hundred and three agora‐ or sociophobic women who were not suitable for insight‐oriented psychotherapy filled in an inventory with questions pertaining to expectations as to improvement, and atitudes towards goal of treatment and function of the therapist. The patients received one of four randomly assigned types of outpatient treatment for 3 months. All patients received basal therapy in the form of medication, standardized information and selfexposure instructions. One group received this treatment only once a month (B). The others received in addition either therapist‐directed prolonged exposure in vivo (PE), dynamically oriented supportive therapy (ST), or relaxation therapy (R). The patients were rated by an independent rater with regard to symptoms and functions at the start and termination of the treatment, and at the end of the followup period 9 months after termination.

1) The patient's expectation as to improvement was positively associated with outcome with R and B, but there was no association with PE and ST. Thus, expectancy was associated with outcome when the treatment given was fairly unspecific. 2) A good match between the patient's pretreatment attitude to the goal of treatment and how the therapist should function was associated with a better outcome.
Persistent discrepancy in international diagnostic practice since 1970
Authors: Saugstad L. F. , Ødegärd Ø.
Published: August 2007

National admission statistics by diagnosis since 1970, were available from seven WHO member countries. All had officially introduced the ICD 8, but only two countries strictly adhered to the ICD categories in practice. The new 3‐digit category 298 (Other psychosis) has met with no succes, nor did the new subgroups of schizophrenia with a favourable outcome (295.4, 295.5 and 295.7) gain much acceptance. The discrerepancy in diagnostic distribution is virtually unchanged from that before 1970 with a persistent wide concept of schizophrenia in U.S.A. and of depressive illness in England. A new feature is the striking increase in non‐psychotic admissions at a time when there is a marked decline in the hospital population. This is taken to indicate that the social stigma attached to the term psychosis persists, and is met with evasion. A preference for unspecified terms (fourth digit 9) is evident, as is the use of terms which leave open whether the patient is psychotic or not (311 in ICD 9). Evidently, instruction in the use of the WHO glossary is called for. In the U.S.A. the replacement of the ICD by the local classification DSM‐III is likely to accelerate the reluctance to accept international standards. Moreover, the development of local diagnostic systems for research purposes in England and U.S.A. is not without problems, as there is a disturbing lack of consensus in diagnosis between these two national systems. Obviously, we need the ICD with its clear concepts, and above all the ICD is valuable for securing continuity in diagnostic classification.
Prognosis of treated hypochondriasis
Authors: Kellner R.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT – Thirty‐six patients who had hypochondriacal neurosis for 6 months or longer were treated with individual psychotherapy which focused predominantly on presenting complaints, fears and beliefs. Antianxiety drugs were used at times of anxiety. Sixty‐four percent either recovered or improved to the extent that they no longer believed that they had a disease. The improvement was largely maintained on a 2‐year follow‐up. Good outcome was associated with illnesses of less than 3 years duration, the absence of an additional diagnosis of a personality disorder and there was a nonsignificant trend to belong to a higher social class. Outcome was not associated with age, sex, or severity of initial ratings of anxiety, depression or somatic symptoms. It appears that the prognosis of treated hypochondriacal neurosis is good in a substantial proportion of patients.
Evaluation of home care treatment for schizophrenic patients
Authors: Pai S. , Kapur R. L.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT – Twenty‐seven patients diagnosed as schizophrenics suffering their first episode of illness and who had not received any prior medical treatment for the present illness, have been treated in their own homes. The treatment was carried out by a visiting nurse, trained in follow‐up assessment and counselling. The outcome of this group was compared with a similar group of 27 patients who underwent initial mental hospital admission and subsequent outpatient follow‐up. Both groups were followed up for 6 months. The results reveal that the home treatment through a visiting nurse gives a better clinical outcome, better social functioning of the patient and greatly reduces the burden on the patients' families. This treatment modality is also more economical.
Studies on biogenic amine metabolizing enzymes (DBH, COMT, MAO) and pathogenesis of affective illness
Authors: Puzynski S. , Hauptmann M. , Zaluska M.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT – Platelet MAO activity was determined in blood from 31 healthy persons and 43 persons with endogenous depressive syndrome. It was found that the enzyme activity is significantly higher in women than in men, both in healthy controls and in affective illness groups. Statistically significant lowering of the enzyme activity was found in the group of women with affective illness as compared with healthy women controls (P < 0.05). Although the latter phenomenon is true of all three diagnostic subgroups of affective disorder (bipolar, unipolar, undifferentiated), it is most pronounced, and statistically significant only in the group of women with an undifferentiated course of disease. A small rise in the enzyme activity was noticed in some patients during remission, as compared with a period of depression, but this was not statistically significant. Analysis of the possible links between MAO activity and the clinical picture, or the severity of depression, revealed no significant correlations. No correlation was found between the level of MAO activity and a family history of psychiatric disturbances in general, and affective disorders in particular – in either women or in men.
Effect of midazolam, flunitrazepam, and placebo against midwinter insomnia in northern Norway
Authors: Lingjærde O. , Bratlid T. , Westby O. C. , Gordeladze J. O.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT – Forty‐three outpatients with “midwinter insomnia” (an early type insomnia commonly seen north of the Polar Circle when the sun stays below the horizon) were randomly allocated to one of three treatment groups, receiving either 15 mg midazolam, 1 mg flunitrazepam, or placebo, for 5 nights, double blind, after 3 nights without drug. In all three groups, this was followed by 5 nights on placebo (single blind). Several subjective sleep variables were recorded every morning, some variables also at noon. Placebo had practically no effect on any sleep variable, whereas both active drugs markedly improved sleep with regard to the following variables: sleep latency, number of awakenings, total duration of sleep, quality of sleep, total evaluation of sleep, and feelings of drowsiness in the morning and at noon. In the withdrawal period, patients who had Received active drug showed a deterioration of sleep on most variables, but not beyond the baseline level. A true “rebound insomnia” could thus not be demonstrated. There was no significant difference in any of the variables between midazolam and flunitrazepam treatment. Side effects were reported by very few patients. Midazolam seems to be as effective as flunitrazepam in this type of insomnia, in spite of its much shorter biological half‐life.
A long‐term follow‐up of adolescent anorexia nervosa
Authors: Steinhausen H.‐C. , Glanville K.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT– Twenty‐one female patients between the ages of 15 and 44 years who had suffered from anorexia nervosa between the ages of 11 and 17 were re‐evaluated at a mean follow‐up of 9.4 years. The continuing psychic impairment of the former patients was apparent both in interviews and questionnaires. Abnormalities were found in 10 to 66 % of the patients according to different symptoms and criteria. The outcome was less favourable for patients who had experienced a high initial weight loss and had been subjected to repeated in‐patient treatment. Three variables were most significant in terms of poor long‐term prognosis: pre‐morbid obesity, pre‐morbid eating disorders and complications during pregnancy.
First admissions for psychiatric disorders
Authors: Joensen S. , Wang A. G.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT– Historical accounts emphasize a high rate of mental morbidity in the Faroe Islands compared with Denmark. As prerequisites for a comparative investigation are now present, we have compared a 10‐year period of first admission rates in both areas. We found a lower rate for the Faroes generally, in particular for women, for the age group 30–64, and also for the majority of diagnostic groups. The group manic‐depressive psychosis come closest to Danish conditions, followed by reactive psychosis and alcohol and drug abuse. The greatest difference was found for the groups personal disorders, neuroses, and schizophrenia.
Attempted suicide and immigration in Perth, Western Australia, 1969–1978
Authors: Burvill P. W. , Armstrong B. K. , Carlson D. J.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT– – Rates and methods of attempted suicide during 1969–1978 of migrants in Perth, Western Australia, were compared with native born Australians. There was a 4.6‐fold male and a 2.8‐fold female differential rate for migrants from individual countries of birth – significantly higher rates in migrants from New Zealand and Scot‐land (men), and lower rates in those from Greece, Italy and India/ Pakistan (men) and Italy, Poland and Yugoslavia (women). The data were compared with previously published suicide rates of migrants in Australia 1962–1970, showing both similarities and differences. There was very little difference in attempted suicide methods used by different groups. These results were discussed considering factors in the country of origin, in the country of resettlement and relating to the migration itself. Difficulty was encountered in comparing the rates with those in the countries of origin. Strong family ties, religious adherences and maintenance of traditional values were postulated to ex‐plain the low Asian and Southern European rates.
Penile malformation, gender identity and sexual orientation
Authors: Berg R. , Berg G.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT– Gender identity and sexual orientation were investigated in 34 men operated for hypospadias in childhood and in 36 matched control subjects. Independent psychiatric assessments from semi‐structured interviews, and double‐blind formalized psychological ratings from the Rorschach, yielded similar findings. The probands were less secure in their maleness but were similar in sexual orientation as compared to the controls. A third blind, independent measure of unconscious gender identity, the Franck Drawing Completion Test, gave further evidence of uncertain gender identity in the patients. A self‐administered inventory, the Gough Femininity Scale, showed a tendency for the patients to take more feminine sex rules. The findings are discussed from psychoendocrinological as well as psychoanalytical view points. The need for early psychological preventive measures for hypospadic boys and their pirents is stressed.