bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Does Violence Have Cognitive Correlates?
Authors: Robertson G. , Taylor P. J. , Gunn J. C.
Published: August 2008

The relationship between cognitive function and violence in 76 remanded prisoners, without formal psychiatric illness, was investigated. The violent group tended to be of slightly lower general ability than the non-violent group, but not abnormally so in relation to the general population; no relationship was found between specific patterns of cognitive functioning and violence. The violent group reported significantly higher levels of neurotic symptoms than the non-violent group, and were more socially deviant. To a small extent general intelligence (reasoning ability), in interaction with many other factors, may be related to a propensity for violent behaviour, but no particular aspect of cortical functioning seems to be related to violence.
The Munchausen Syndrome and its Symbolic Significance: An In-depth Case Analysis
Authors: Cremona-Barbaro A.
Published: August 2008

The ‘gains' of Munchausen syndrome cannot readily be understood on a rational level, and are presumed to be intra-psychic. The presenting fabrications often follow a remarkably similar pattern, and some psychodynamic insight might be gained by analysis of the general themes and contents. The case of one typical patient is reported here, and the aetiology and symbolic significance discussed.
Anorexia Nervosa in Males
Authors: Margo J. L
Published: August 2008

The demographic features, clinical picture, antecedent events and family background in 13 male patients with anorexia nervosa are compared with those in a control group of 39 adolescent female anorectics; the general picture of the illness in males is similar to that in females. Focusing on a group of males, usually less vulnerable to anorexia nervosa, can highlight possible predisposing factors.
Specific Cross-Gender Behaviour in Boyhood and Later Homosexual Orientation
Authors: Green R. , Roberts C. W. , Williams K. , Goodman M. , Mixon A.
Published: August 2008

Data from a group of males aged 13 to 23, who as children exhibited extensive cross-gender behaviour, was analysed. In boyhood they frequently played with dress-up dolls, role-played as females, dressed in girls' clothes, stated the wish to be girls, primarily had girls as friends, and avoided rough-and-tumble play. The majority of the group evolved a bisexual or homosexual orientation; two types of behaviour, boyhood doll play and female role-playing, were found to be associated with later homosexual orientation. The findings suggest developmental associations between specific types of boyhood cross-gender behaviour and the objects of later sexual arousal.
Anorexia Nervosa: An Object Relations Approach to Primary Treatment
Authors: Horne M. , Gallen M.
Published: August 2008

Concurrent behaviour therapy and psychotherapy in the treatment of anorexia nervosa creates significant problems in the development of a therapeutic alliance and in the multiple roles staff are required to assume. Our protocol was developed to keep treatment personnel in their usual roles so that their various treatment skills could be fully utilised. A physician treated the anorexia with naso-gastric feeding, freeing the psychotherapist to act in the usual manner. This avoided role confusion, and the split of ‘bad’ and ‘good’ treatment personnel was appropriate and therapeutic, rather than pathological. Four successful cases are described.
Explorations of a Crisis Intervention Service
Authors: Winter D. A. , Shivakumar H. , Brown R. J. , Roitt M. , Drysdale W. J. , Jones S.
Published: August 2008

Descriptive studies of a crisis intervention service replicated previous findings of relationships between staff members' attitudes towards treatment and their ‘personal styles'. The attitudes and personal styles of crisis team members and non-members differed, largely because of differences in the professions making up these groups. While all staff groups shared the same concept of crisis, they differed in their discrimination of crisis cases from ‘furores'. Initial crisis intervention interviews exhibited more confrontation and less exploration by therapists than did initial psychiatric out-patient clinic interviews. Patients referred to the crisis team differed from significant other people in their lives, and from control patients referred to the ordinary out-patient clinic, in aspects of their perception of problems.
The Maternity Blues in Post-partum and Post-operative Women
Authors: Levy V.
Published: August 2008

In order to establish whether the maternity blues is peculiar to the puerperium a selfrating blues questionnaire was administered to women after childbirth and after surgery. A period of dysphoria, similar in many respects to the maternity blues, was experienced by women post-operatively. The main difference between maternity and post-operative patterns of dysphoria seemed to lie in the timing of the blues, but on closer analysis many post-operative dysphoric symptoms peaked in a similar way to those in the maternity group. In the search for the cause of the maternity blues it may be helpful to study the same parameters in post-operative dysphoria.
A Case of Gilles de la Tourette's Syndrome in Saudi Arabia
Authors: El-Assra Ahmed
Published: August 2008

An occurrence of Gilles de la Tourette's syndrome in a 13-year-old Saudi female patient is documented, and treatment is described. It is thought that the improvement noted may be attributed to the hospital environment and reduced contact with the family.
Erotomania and Senile Dementia of Alzheimer Type
Authors: Drevets Wayne C. , Rubin Eugene H.
Published: August 2008

A case of erotomania in a 75-year-old female with senile dementia of Alzheimer type (SDAT) is described. This case demonstrates the presence of an elaborately systematised delusion in SDAT, and the influence of the progression of SDAT on this delusion.
Capgras syndrome, de Clérambault's syndrome, and folie à deux
Authors: Signer Stephen F. , Isbister Sarah R.
Published: August 2008

A woman with Capgras and de Clérambault's syndromes transmitted persecutory, erotic, and somatic delusions to her son in a folie à deux. Capgras and de Clérambault's syndromes appear together more commonly than is apparent in the literature. Review of these cases shows a strong association with severe affective disorder.
Mental Health in Africa: II. the Nature of Mental Disorder in Africa Today
Authors: German G. Allen
Published: August 2008

Aspects of clinical psychiatric syndromes described in Africa which are discussed include the issue of schizophrenic disorders having a better prognosis in developing countries; controversy over this is by no means at an end. There is an increasing realisation as to the frequency of affective disorders in Africa; while somatisation is common, cherished beliefs, such as the absence of guilt, have not been confirmed by more recent research. Nor is suicide as infrequent as has been suggested. The relationship of background physiological abnormalities of cerebral functioning may be relevant to some of the clinical issues that are currently under discussion in African psychiatry.
Is There More Dementia, Depression and Neurosis in New York?
Authors: Copeland J. R. M. , Gurland B. J. , Dewey M. E. , Kelleher M. J. , Smith A. M. R. , Davidson I. A.
Published: August 2008

A computerised diagnosis, AGECAT, is applied to data from random community samples of the elderly in New York and London in order to examine the prevalence of mental illness in the two cities, especially the result reported from the same study, using a different diagnostic procedure, that the proportion of dementia was higher in New York. The greater proportion of dementia in New York is confirmed for all AGECAT's levels of diagnostic confidence, for both sexes and at all half-decades over 65 years. Provided that this difference is upheld and genetic differences can be discounted, these findings would seem to support a contributory environmental cause for dementia. Proportions of depression as a whole are similar in both cities. Syndrome case and sub-case levels of neurotic disorder are generally higher in London.
Can Psychiatric Nurses ‘Catch’ Schizophrenia?
Authors: Cooper Stephen J. , Best Stephen , King David J.
Published: August 2008

The incidence of schizophrenia among psychiatric and general trained nurses was investigated for the period 1955–1979 in Northern Ireland. No difference was found. These results do not support the hypothesis of schizophrenia as a horizontally transmitted infectious disease.
Effectiveness of Time-limited Therapy
Authors: Brockman B. , Poynton A. , Ryle A. , Watson J. P.
Published: August 2008

Common neurotic and personality disorders account for widespread personal restriction and suffering. The need for effective, economically feasible treatment methods is widely acknowledged and the range of conditions successfully treated by available methods needs to be established. This study is concerned with two methods of brief psychotherapy; our aim was the essentially pragmatic one of investigating how far relatively long-term NHS out-patients with neurotic, personality, and interpersonal problems could be successfully and economically treated by the kind of therapists available in NHS settings. It is generally believed by psychoanalytically-oriented therapists that brief therapy requires high levels of training and experience; this is tested here, in that all the therapies were strictly time-limited, and none of the therapists had completed advanced training.
A Ten-Year Follow-Up of Men Discharged from Grendon Prison
Authors: Robertson Graham , Gunn John
Published: August 2008

A ten-year follow-up on the criminal records of men discharged from Grendon Prison was carried out. These records were compared with those of a matched control group, and no differences were found regarding frequency or severity of post-discharge convictions. The validity of this exercise is questioned, and several case histories presented. An examination of subsequent offending within the Grendon group suggests that for some men, the better motivated and more intelligent, exposure to the Grendon regime may have contributed to a change in their criminal behaviour.
A Ten-Year Follow-Up Study of Southampton Opiate Addicts
Authors: Edwards J. Guy , Goldie Ann
Published: August 2008

A ten-year follow-up study of 74 opiate (most heroin) addicts referred to the Drug Dependence Clinic in Southampton showed that overall, little use was made of the treatment facilities available. Half of the patients on whom we were able to obtain follow-up data appeared to be no longer abusing drugs. An appreciable number of subjects had committed offences prior to abusing drugs and a large proportion offended during the follow-up period, adding support to the view that most addicts are not driven to crime because they are unable to obtain the help they need. The death rate of 15% is that expected in a long-term follow-up study. The results suggest that the natural history of many heroin addicts is uninfluenced by therapeutic intervention.
Validity Study of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale Among a Group of Saudi Patients
Authors: El-Rufaie O.E.F.A. , Absood Gamil
Published: August 2008

The Arabic version of the HAD scale was validated in a sample of 50 Saudi patients. The scale scores were assessed against the principal author's clinical evaluations. Spearman correlations of all items of the scale, except for one, were statistically significant. The non-significance of one item was probably related to the way it was translated into Arabic. The study furnished evidence that the Arabic version was a reliable instrument for detecting states of anxiety and depression in Saudi patients in a primary health care setting.
The Copenhagen High-Risk Project
Authors: Jørgensen Å. , Teasdale T. W. , Parnas J. , Schulsinger F. , Schulsinger H. , Mednick S. A.
Published: August 2008

The Copenhagen longitudinal high-risk study of offspring of 129 schizophrenic mothers commenced in 1962. At that time, the mothers were diagnosed according to contemporary Danish criteria. We have re-examined all of the hospital records of these mothers: 108 (84%) fulfil present-day DSM-III criteria for schizophrenia and 95 (74%) were diagnosed as paranoid schizophrenic according to ICD-8 criteria. In a follow-up at mean age 24, the offspring of the paranoid schizophrenic mothers were themselves found to be less frequently schizophrenic (5%) than were the offspring of non-paranoid schizophrenic mothers (29%).
Depressive Syndromes in the Year following Onset of a First Schizophrenic Illness
Authors: House Allan , Bostock Janet , Cooper John
Published: August 2008

A complete, unselected series of 68 patients who were seen during their first episode of an undoubtedly schizophrenic illness, and followed up one year later (for 56 patients) is described clinically. Depressive symptoms were common at onset, and 22% of patients could have been considered cases of depression from these symptoms alone. At follow-up, depressive symptoms had reduced in prevalence and only 7% of subjects were depressed cases. Only two cases of depression at follow-up had not been cases at onset. These changes could not be attributed to the use of antidepressants or ECT. Depressive syndromes could be distinguished from akinesia and the negative syndromes. The findings indicate that depression cannot be attributed solely to the administration of neuroleptics.
Psychogeriatrics 1974 to 1984
Authors: Christie Alex B. , Wood Eric R. M.
Published: August 2008

The impact of a 16% increase between censuses in the population aged 65 and over, on a psychogeriatric department whose bed complement remained static between 1974 and 1984, has been studied. Demand for service, as measured by new referrals, rose by 150%, while admissions fell by 14%. The increase in new referrals was uniform across the diagnostic spectrum, but the fall in admissions was not. Functional admissions fell in all age-groups except that of women of 85 and over, while organic-case admissions other than for cases of dementia virtually collapsed. Overall admissions for dementia rose to the predicted level, but the distribution of the increase was irregular and unexpected. Admissions of males and females aged 65–74 and females of 85 and over fell relatively and absolutely, while those of women aged 75–84 and men of 85 and over were little changed. Only admissions of men aged 75–84 alone increased in real terms.
In Vivo Assay for Neuroleptic Receptor Binding in the Striatum
Authors: Cambon H. , Baron J. C. , Boulenger J. P. , Loc'h C. , Zarifian E. , Maziere B.
Published: August 2008

Using PET, we investigated the potency in six patients of therapeutic doses of neuroleptic drugs for preventing specific binding of trace doses of intravenously administered 76Br labelled bromospiperone to corpus striatum in vivo. Measured receptor occupancy showed a clear-cut dose-dependent saturation curve with increasing daily oral dose of neuroleptics, indicating the validity and reliability of the method when used as an in vivo radioreceptor assay. Following drug withdrawal in eight patients, recovery to normal or supranormal receptor availability occurred in a matter of days. The results demonstrate an approach that may help resolve controversies about, and design better strategies for, neuroleptic treatment schedules.
A Case of Self-Inflicted Leucotomy
Authors: Solyom L. , Turnbull I. M. , Wilensky M.
Published: August 2008

A suicide attempt with a gun resulted in left frontal lobe damage in a 19-year-old obsessive man. While intelligence did not suffer and no frontal lobe syndrome emerged, the patient's obsessive rituals were significantly reduced
Failure to Convulse with Electroconvulsive Therapy
Authors: Sharpe Michael , Andrew Bernice
Published: August 2008

A case is reported of a severely depressed patient in whom treatment with electroconvulsive therapy was abandoned because of repeated failure to induce a convulsion. Reasons for the failure to convulse and alternative treatment approaches are discussed.
The Neuropsychiatry of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
Authors: Watson I. P. Burges , Hoffman L. , Wilson G. V.
Published: August 2008

The publication of DSM-III introduced the diagnosis Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), thus providing, for the first time, a framework for studying the consequences of extremely stressful events. Previously, traumatic neuroses had attracted a wide variety of labels – as wide as the experiences that produced them. Competing explanations in psychological and biological terms have characterised the approach to these disorders, and social and legal issues have added to the confusion. In recent years, psychosocial issues have tended to dominate the literature in relation to PTSD. While acknowledging the importance of such phenomenological and psychosocial approaches, this paper seeks to redress the balance by focusing on a biological perspective.
Factors Influencing Non-attendance at Child Psychiatry Out-patient Appointments
Authors: Cottrell David , Hill Peter , Walk David , Dearnaley Jo , Ierotheou Andreas
Published: August 2008

The clinic attendance of 100 consecutive referrals to child psychiatry is described. Only 47 cases ended in agreed discharge. Different factors were found to be associated with attrition at different stages in the treatment-uptake process. Of referrals offered an appointment, 16% failed to attend at all; this was significantly associated with parents being against referral. Of cases offered a subsequent appointment, 40% dropped out. Continued attendance was associated with a presenting problem of general anxiety and with consultation to the referrer. Dropping out was associated with parents who were separated.
Monitoring Problem Drug use in Bristol
Authors: Parker Julie , Pool Yvonne , Rawle Robert , Gay Martyn
Published: August 2008

A prospective multi-agency survey of problem drug use associated with illicit drugs and solvents in the city of Bristol in 1984–1985 found 759 problem drug users, giving a period prevalence rate of 0.4–0.8% of those aged 10–44 years. The group was a young one, with 92% under the age of 35. Over half had problems associated with opiates, mainly illicit heroin; 17% had problems associated with solvents, 9% with cannabis, 13% with stimulants, mainly illicit amphetamine, and 3% with hallucinogens. There was little indication of problematic use of barbiturates or cocaine. The problems associated with drugs and solvents were wide-ranging and not specific for individual drugs. Future community surveys would find it cost-effective to concentrate on the five best sources identified here, and to supplement these with indications of drug-taking among teenagers. The difficulties of using the definition of problem drug use for research and the value of case-register surveys for community drug monitoring are discussed.
Therapeutic Factors Within In-patient and Out-patient Psychotherapy Groups
Authors: Kapur Raman , Miller Keith , Mitchell Gordon
Published: August 2008

Therapeutic factors operative in in-patient and out-patient therapy groups were compared. These settings differ greatly, both in terms of the patient population they serve and the overall systems within which they operate. The study revealed significant differences between the therapeutic factors operative in these two settings, and suggested that clinicians should modify their techniques for running psychotherapy groups across settings, to take account of these findings.
Anorexia Nervosa and Turner's Syndrome
Authors: Fieldsend Bob
Published: August 2008

A case is described of a patient with Turner's mosaic (XO/XX) associated with anorexia nervosa. The cases described in the literature point towards the multifactorial aetiology of anorexia nervosa, emphasising factors other than the suppression of sexuality.
Long-Term Phenothiazine Administration and the Eye in 100 Malaysians
Authors: Ngen Chin Cheuk , Singh Pall
Published: August 2008

Seventy-three out of a hundred Malaysians on phenothiazines for more than 24 months had ocular pigmentation. Seventy-one had conjunctiva pigmentation. No pigmentary retinopathy or visual impairment was detected. Frequency of pigmentation increased with age and with higher total dosage prescribed, but there was no critical level below which pigmentation was not detected.
Mitral Valve Prolapse and Social Phobia
Authors: Chaleby Kutaiba , Ziady Galal
Published: August 2008

Of 30 Saudi patients with social phobia, eight had echocardiogram evidence of mitral valve prolapse. Only two out of 30 controls had echocardiogram evidence of mitral valve prolapse. The clinical and research implications of this finding are discussed.
General Practice Patients on Long-Term Psychotropic Drugs
Authors: Catalan J. , Gath D. H. , Bond A. , Edmonds G. , Martin P. , Ennis J.
Published: August 2008

In a health centre, 3.6% of the registered patients were found to have received at least one prescription for psychotropic drugs in each quarter of a year. These patients were mainly elderly and female. Psychiatric interviews were held with randomly selected index patients, and with matched controls. Most index patients reported taking psychotropic drugs for several years, mainly anxiolytics, antidepressants and non-barbiturate hypnotics, and mainly in low dosage. Index patients had much higher levels of psychiatric morbidity, as shown by the Present State Examination, history of specialist psychiatric treatment, and previous drug overdoses. In index patients the main diagnoses were neurotic depression and phobic disorder. Index patients reported more problems with finances and with social isolation.
Birth Order Sibship Size and Socio-Economic Factors in Risk of Schizophrenia in Greece
Authors: Malama Irene M. , Papaioannou Dimitri J. , Kaklamani Evangelia P. , Katsouyanni Klea M. , Koumantaki Ivoni G. , Trichopoulos Dimitri V.
Published: August 2008

A case-control study was undertaken to evaluate the effects, if any, of sibship size, birth order and parents' age at birth on the risk of a person's developing schizophrenia. Information was obtained, during an 18-month period, from 221 schizophrenic patients in the only mental-health hospital of the region of Peloponese, Greece, and from an equal number of matched patients. The data were analysed by modelling through logistic regression. No relationship was found between the occurrence of schizophrenia in a patient and either father's or mother's age at patient's birth, or sibship size, or birth order, when demographic and socio-economic variables were accounted for in the analysis. Although patients with schizophrenia were of similar socio-economic status to the comparison patients, they came from families with higher original socio-economic status, a fact which appears to reflect the decline of both schizophrenic and pre-schizophrenic people in the social ladder.
The Benzodiazepine Receptor and its Role in Anxiety
Authors: File Sandra E.
Published: August 2008

Ten years ago, specific high-affinity binding sites for benzodiazepines (BDZs) were found in the brain (Mohler & Okada, 1977; Squires & Braestrup, 1977). These binding sites are believed to be the primary site of action of BDZs and are found on the same protein as GABA receptors. GABA is the main inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain.
Visual Evoked Potentials in Elderly Patients with Primary or Multi-Infarct Dementia
Authors: Wright Christine E. , Furlong Paul L.
Published: August 2008

Flash and pattern-reversal visual evoked potentials (VEP) were recorded in 35 elderly patients with dementia, and 19 controls of equivalent age. Dementia produced a slowing of the major positive (P2) component of the flash VEP but did not affect the latency of the flash P1 component or the P100 pattern-reversal component. This unusual type of abnormality was found in both primary and multi-infarct types of dementia, and has previously been found in primary presenile dementia. The results show that the VEP can be used for the diagnosis of multi-infarct, and primary presenile and senile dementias.
A Case of a Delusional Psychotic Syndrome in the Setting of Werner's Syndrome (Adult Progeria)
Authors: Tannock T. C. A. , Cook R. F.
Published: August 2008

The literature on Werner's syndrome is scarce, and to our knowledge, no documented evidence is available to substantiate central nervous system involvement in this multisystem disease. We present a case of Werner's syndrome associated with recurrent delusional psychosis in the presence of cognitive impairment and computerised tomography (CT) radiological changes in the posterior cerebral cortex.
The Mortality of Long-stay Patients Following Interhospital Relocation
Authors: Morriss Richard K. , Bowie Peter C. W. , Spencer P. Victoria
Published: August 2008

The mortality of 99 long-stay psychiatric patients did not significantly increase after interhospital relocation. Preparation for the transfer, and the type of environmental change, seem to be important determinants of outcome in this and other studies.
Acetylcholine and Alzheimer's Disease
Authors: Perry E.
Published: August 2008

The hypothesis that cognitive impairment in Alzheimer's disease is related to cholinergic degeneration in the brain is still, a decade after its formulation, subject to critical evaluation. In marked contrast to the monoamine hypotheses of affective disorders or schizophrenia – based primarily on the mechanisms of action of therapeutic drugs, and yet lacking convincing pathological data on the human brain itself – the cholinergic hypothesis of Alzheimer's disease currently rests largely on evidence of neurochemical pathology in affected tissue, but still depends on effective therapy for its ultimate validation. The urgent need for a means of countering cognitive impairment in degenerative dementias such as Alzheimer's disease (probably the most important cause of intellectual decline in old age) hardly needs emphasising. In this annotation, a number of key questions specifically relating to the cholinergic involvement in Alzheimer's disease are considered. These questions are already being answered both within and, as so often in the history of biological psychiatry, outside the immediate area of investigation.
True Hallucinations as a Culturally Sanctioned Experience
Authors: Andrade Chittaranjan , Srinath Shoba , Andrade A. Chitra
Published: August 2008

Earlier, we reported that true hallucinations may present as a conversion symptom. We here reiterate this and suggest that cultural sanction may be one factor that can lead to hallucinations being classified as true in non-psychotic psychiatric states.
Shop-lifting as a Symptom of Stress in Families of Mentally Handicapped Persons
Authors: Roy Meera
Published: August 2008

A case of shop-lifting involving the father of a severely handicapped school-leaver is described. The need to support families during the transition of the handicapped person from school to a work environment is emphasised.
Severe Memory Impairment with Acute Overdose Lithium Toxicity
Authors: Saxena Shekhar , Mallikarjuna P.
Published: August 2008

This report describes a young patient with acute overdose lithium toxicity, who developed severe memory impairment in spite of treatment with haemodialysis. His memory showed gradual recovery, but definite impairment could still be detected 2 months after the overdose.
Spectrum Concept of Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome
Authors: Adityanjec  , Singh Suarn , Singh Gurnam , Ong Susan
Published: August 2008

Although neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) was initially thought to be a rare, idiosyncratic complication, the incidence estimates have been rising over the years. A part of this increase can be explained on the basis of an over-inclusive definition of NMS. The unitary concept of NMS has been challenged recently and a spectrum concept has been enunciated on the basis of findings of retrospective chart-reviews which have used too broad a definition of NMS. The authors describe three cases of neuroleptic-related toxicity with different clinical presentations which appeared in a manner apparently supporting the spectrum concept. They discuss this controversial concept critically, however, and caution against its overzealous use in routine clinical practice owing to its far-reaching clinical implications.
Psychiatric Morbidity and Social Problems in Patients with Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Wilkinson Greg , Borsey D. Q. , Leslie P. , Newton R. W. , Lind C. , Ballinger C. B.
Published: August 2008

A two-stage screening strategy was used to study psychiatric morbidity and social problems in a consecutive series of out-patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. The prevalence of psychiatric morbidity was 18%, and consisted of depression, anxiety, and attendant symptoms. Patients reporting major social problems had significantly higher levels of psychiatric symptoms. Psychiatric morbidity was not associated with the presence of complications of diabetes.
Electricity: A History of its use in the Treatment of Mental Illness in Britain During the Second Half of the 19th Century
Authors: Beveridge A. W. , Renvoize E. B.
Published: August 2008

The use of electricity in British psychiatry during the second half of the 19th century is examined. An account is given of the clinical and theoretical aspects of electrical therapy. Factors leading to its use and eventual decline are considered.
A Century of Delusions in South West Scotland
Authors: Robinson A. D. T.
Published: August 2008

Two groups of patients admitted to psychiatric hospital in Dumfries were studied, drawn from the periods 1880–1889 and 1970–1979. Feighner criteria were applied to make three diagnostic categories – depression, mania and schizophrenia – and the occurrence and content of delusions were noted for each. A significant decline in the prevalence of delusional depressive illness was found between the two periods, and a similar trend was noted for delusional manic illness. In contrast, the prevalence of delusional schizophrenic illness was stable. This decline is taken to reflect a change in the phenomenology of affective illness since last century in South West Scotland. The content of delusions is also discussed.
Dementia in Subjects Over 65 Years of Age in the Republic of San Marino
Authors: D'Alessandro R. , Gallassi R. , Benassi G. , Morreale A. , Lugaresi E.
Published: August 2008

A study on neurological conditions was performed in the Republic of San Marino, which is the smallest independent state in the world (60 km2, 21 792 people). We personally examined or collected information on all people born in 1898, 1903, 1908, 1913 and 1918 and living in the Republic of San Marino on 31 July 1985. We found 29 people out of 488 with mild to severe dementia. Frequency of dementia increased progressively with age, from 1.8% among 67-year-olds to 25% among 87-year-olds. In women the increase was due mainly to primary degenerative dementia, whereas in men other types of dementia were involved. Our study shows a female/male ratio of more than 2:1 for primary degenerative dementia even considering mild dementia, and this form of dementia represents about 50% of all types of dementia. We found an association between severe auditory loss and primary degenerative dementia.
Prevalence of Familiality, Obstetric Complications, and Structural Brain Damage in Schizophrenic Patients
Authors: Nimgaonkar V. L. , Wessely S. , Murray R. M.
Published: August 2008

Schizophrenic in-patients with and without a family history were identified prospectively. The two groups did not differ with respect to clinical variables, ventricular enlargement, prevalence of cortical sulcal widening, or a history of obstetric complications, even when a variety of definitions of familiality were used.
A Preliminary Study of Violent Incidents in a Special Hospital (Rampton)
Authors: Larkin Emmet , Murtagh S. , Jones S. J.
Published: August 2008

A six-month prospective study of violent incidents was carried out in a Special Hospital (Rampton). Comparisons were made with results from earlier studies in general psychiatric hospitals. As might be expected, incidents occurred more frequently in the Special Hospital. These incidents were also more serious in nature and resulted in greater injury. Although more patients in the Special Hospital were involved in incidents, only a small number of patients accounted for the majority of these. Female patients, who comprised 25% of the Special Hospital population, were involved in 75% of the incidents. Nursing staff were three times as likely to be assaulted as patients.
Premenstrual Syndrome
Authors: Sampson Gwyneth A. , Heathcote Patricia R. M. , Wordsworth Jennifer , Prescott Philip , Hodgson Alan
Published: August 2008

A double-blind, cross-over, placebo-controlled study of dydrogesterone (10 mg b.d.) in the treatment of premenstrual syndrome is described. Two groups of women were studied: secondarily referred hospital clinic patients, and self-referred patients. Only one-third of patients screened completed the study. All patients showed significant improvements in symptom scores during the course of the study, the only significant difference between placebo- and dydrogesterone-treated patients being an increase in frequency of breast tenderness and a decrease in pain with menstrual bleeding in the latter.
Psychiatric Clinics in Different Settings
Authors: Low C. Bruce , Pullen Ian
Published: August 2008

Out-patient referrals to the Edinburgh adult psychiatric service between 1981 and 1985 were studied using the Edinburgh Psychiatric Case Register. The hypotheses that primary-care clinics have more patients with less severe illnesses and fewer patients with psychotic illnesses were confirmed.
Use of ECT in Hysterical Catatonia
Authors: Dabholkar P.
Published: August 2008

Catatonia is now accepted as a non-specific syndrome. Hysteria can very rarely be a cause. A case of hysterical catatonia developing twice in a year, and on both occasions responding to ECT, is presented. Initial diagnostic difficulties, and use of the sodium pentothal interview as a diagnostic test, are also described.
Anorexia Nervosa in a Woman Totally Blind Since Birth
Authors: Touyz S. W. , O'Sullivan B. T. , Gertler R. , Beumont P. J. V.
Published: August 2008

A 19-year-old woman, blind since birth, lost 26 kg over a 7-month period. This was achieved by restriction of food intake, excessive exercise, laxative abuse, and self-induced vomiting. Although the visual experience is often believed to be an integral component of body-shape perception and the overvaluation of thinness in contemporary society, it does not preclude the development of anorexia nervosa.
Lithium-Induced Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Authors: Deahl Martin P.
Published: August 2008

Two cases of lithium-induced hypothyroidism, presenting as carpal tunnel syndrome, are reported. This is believed to be the first report of such an association.
Arrest Patterns among Mentally Disordered Offenders
Authors: Robertson Graham
Published: August 2008

One unknown factor in the link between crime and mental illness is whether or not mentally ill offenders are more liable than others to arrest. Ninety-one mentally ill, and 76 normal, criminally offending men were asked about the circumstances of their offence and arrest. A majority of mentally ill men had been arrested at the scene of the crime, and more than a quarter of the schizophrenic group had reported themselves to the police. We argue that when many offenders are either unreported or undetected, the increased vulnerability of the mentally ill to detection and arrest makes them disproportionately liable to detection. Attempting to assess the relationship between crime and mental illness is thus extremely difficult.
Life Events and Schizophrenia in Nigerians
Authors: Gureje Oye , Adewunmi A.
Published: August 2008

Forty-two first-episode RDC schizophrenic patients were matched on sociodemographic variables with an equal number of control subjects. The life-event histories of both groups for 6 months before onset or interview were compared. Onset of illness was not preceded by an increase in life events. The only significant observation was that control subjects had experienced more events in the month previous to interview. These were reported mainly by male control subjects, involved the family, and were possibly related to the period when the control subjects were interviewed. The observations are discussed within the context of the Nigerian culture.
Plasma Levels of Fluphenazine Decanoate
Authors: Soni Som D. , Wiles David , Schiff A. A. , Bamrah J. S.
Published: August 2008

Depot neuroleptics are now commonly used for maintenance therapy of schizophrenia. Their physicochemical composition makes them ideal for such use because they are long-acting and show stable blood levels for prolonged periods. Their absorption from the site of injection may, however, be affected by local muscle factors. This paper describes three such factors in relation to fluphenazine decanoate: varying the site of injection; massage of the injection site; and effects of muscular exercise. Our results suggest that fluphenazine pharmacokinetics are not significantly affected by any of these factors.
Schizophrenia and Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Templer Donald I. , Cappelletty Gordon G. , Kauffman Inge
Published: August 2008

The present study extended an earlier report of USA states with high levels of schizophrenia also having high levels of multiple sclerosis (MS). A high correlation (r=0.81) between schizophrenia and MS rates in the districts of Italy was found.
Effects of Thallium Poisoning on Intellectual Function
Authors: Thompson Christopher , Dent J. , Saxby P.
Published: August 2008

A student of chemistry was treated for thallium poisoning. Seven months after his ingestion of thallium, intelligence tests were performed on the patient and his non-identical twin brother, who was of similar educational background. These indicated severe deterioration in intellectual function of the patient, particularly in memory and performance abilities. Tests 13 months after ingestion showed little general improvement.
Twenty-five Years of the British Journal of Psychiatry
Authors: Crammer J. L.
Published: August 2008

The year 1963 was a time of innovation and excitement in British psychiatry, thanks largely to the National Health Service (NHS), which in 1948 had taken the mental hospitals from the control of the local authorities and made them part of a national service, which meant more money and far more medical staff. Rehabilitation of chronically ill patients resulted in a proliferation of out-patient clinics, home assessments, day hospitals, and even halfway houses; doors were unlocked, and informality became the order of the day. Hospitals with enough nurses demonstrated that the whole adult psychiatric service of an area could be successfully provided without a single locked door and almost without a compulsory order in a year. Medical superintendents disappeared and therapeutic communities developed. Suicide ceased to be a crime and became a new subject of research. And, of course, it was the era of successful chemotherapy, chlorpromazine in 1954 and imipramine in 1957 being the first of many drugs used.
The Maudsley Lecture, 1987
Authors: Shepherd Michael
Published: August 2008

It is incumbent on anyone who is honoured by an invitation to deliver the Maudsley Lecture to familiarise himself with the preceding lectures of the series. For me, the task has been unexpectedly instructive. Since its inception in 1919, the list of lecturers is impressive by virtue of not only their eminence, but also the heterogeneity and range of their selected topics. Taken as a group, the lectures emerge as a line of beacons which illuminate the direction, if not always the advances, of psychological medicine over the past three generations.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Civil Violence in Northern Ireland
Authors: Loughrey G. C. , Bell P. , Kee M. , Roddy R. J. , Curran P. S.
Published: August 2008

The case records of 499 victims of civil and terrorist violence were examined, and the presence or absence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and associated features recorded. The results support the face, and predictive, validities of PTSD. ‘Acting as if the event were reoccurring’ and 'survivor guilt’ seemed not to be characteristic symptoms, and the homogeneity of the emotional state in PTSD was questionable. Only marital disharmony and suicidal behaviour were associated complications. PTSD seemed to be found in a wide range of stressors, but the danger in over-reliance on results from combat veterans is emphasised.
Major Genes for Major Affective Disorder?
Authors: McGuffin Peter
Published: August 2008

Some authorities view the history of science as a sort of saltatory process in which periods of modest gain and of plodding ‘normal science’ are interrupted by dramatic leaps forward and episodes of ‘revolution’ (Kuhn, 1962). If this is so then genetics has, for the past several years, been in a phase of remarkably sustained and continuous revolution. The advent of the ‘new genetics' of recombinant DNA has resulted in new discoveries occurring at a breath-taking pace, many of which have important clinical implications. Recent findings of psychiatric relevance have included the localisation of the gene for Huntington's chorea on the short arm of chromosome 4 (Gusella et al, 1983) and the use of DNA probes in predictive testing (Harper, 1986). Advances have been achieved in the understanding of the molecular biology of Alzheimer's disease, and at least some of the familial forms of the condition appear to be linked to a gene on chromosome 21 (St George-Hyslop et al, 1987). However, perhaps the most exciting development for most psychiatrists has been the report (Egeland et al, 1987) of a major gene for manic-depressive illness linked to a marker on the short arm of chromosome 11. Could this signal the leap of biological psychiatry into a revolutionary phase? It is perhaps appropriate before attempting to answer this that we give some consideration to the recent historical background.
A Hospital-Based Treatment Programme for Male Mentally Handicapped Offenders
Authors: Day Kenneth
Published: August 2008

The paper describes a special hospital-based treatment programme for male mentally handicapped offenders, comprising a package of practical and personal skills training coupled with a socialisation programme based on token-economy strategies within a controlled and structured environment. Twenty patients admitted to the programme and followed up after discharge for an average of 3.3 years were studied in detail. All had committed serious or persistent offences and showed a high level of psychosocial pathology. A good or fair response to the treatment programme was made by 85%, and 65% were judged well adjusted or reasonably well adjusted at last follow-up contact. A good outcome was associated with more than two years' in-patient care, a good response to the treatment programme and stable residential placement, regular occupation and regular supervision and support in the community. Offenders against the person (sex and assault) had a better prognosis than and showed other interesting differences from property offenders (property and arson).
The Long-Term Outcome of Depressive Illness
Authors: Kiloh L. G. , Andrews Gavin , Neilson Megan
Published: August 2008

One hundred and forty-five patients with primary depressive illness admitted to a university hospital between 1966 and 1970 were followed up an average of 15 years later. Adequate data were obtained on 133 (92%) of the 145. During the follow-up period, 7% of the 133 had suicided, 12% had remained incapacitated by illness and only 20% had remained continuously well. Patients for whom the index admission was not their first were especially likely to be readmitted during the follow-up period. Patients with endogenous depression, none of whom developed schizophrenia during the follow-up period, were more likely to need readmission than patients with an index diagnosis of neurotic depression. In all other respects the prognosis for the two types of depression was the same, with considerable morbidity evident in both.
Family History and Five-year Suicide Risk
Authors: Scheftner William A. , Young Michael A. , Endicott Jean , Coryell William , Fogg Louis , Clark David C. , Fawcett Jan
Published: August 2008

Family history was examined to determine whether suicide in index patients is associated with suicidal behaviour or mental disorder in their first-degree relatives. Twenty-seven suicides occurred within 5½ years among 955 affectively disordered probands. Among 5042 proband relatives aged 18 years and older, 44 had committed suicide prior to proband entry to the study; however, only one was the relative of a proband suicide. Only two of the relatives who committed suicide were themselves related. As to attempted suicide of relatives, neither the number of attempts nor the severity of attempt was predictive of suicide in probands. Comparison of diagnosis between groups of relatives showed more drug abuse among relatives of proband suicides; this appears to be related to drug abuse among the proband suicides themselves. In contrast to the clustering of suicides within biological families found in other research, these data do not support the use of family history as a clinically useful indicator of suicidal potential in affectively disordered probands.
The Assessment of Psychological-Mindedness in the Diagnostic Interview
Authors: Coltart Nina E. C.
Published: August 2008

In the last paragraph of his paper ‘A defect in training’, Yorke (1988) has a sentence which serves as an excellent link to the opening of this paper – “For all their importance, empathy and awareness of patients' anxieties do not in themselves amount to psychological understanding”. In his paper, he had made a plea for more psychoanalytical psychology to be included in a general postgraduate psychiatric training, and I am in complete agreement with his cogently-argued case.
Serial Cognitive Profiles in Levodopa-induced Hypersexuality
Authors: Harvey N. S.
Published: August 2008

A patient with recent-onset Parkinson's disease was tested for mood, physical disability, and cognition, before treatment and then during and after a period of levodopa-induced hypersexuality. The effects of different anti-Parkinsonian drugs on cognition and behaviour are described. The unique cognitive data from this case support the hypothesis that hypersexuality is a manifestation of enhanced libido and not frontal disinhibition.
Unsubstantiated Complaints of being Poisoned Psychopathology of Patients Referred to the National Poisons Unit
Authors: Hutchesson Elizabeth A. , Volans Glyn N.
Published: August 2008

The psychopathology of a series of patients referred to a combined psychiatric-toxicological assessment service with the specific complaint of being, or having been, poisoned is described, and related to the nature of their exposure to incriminated agents. The need for and value of this service are discussed.
The Switch Mechanism and the Bipolar/Unipolar Dichotomy
Authors: Carney M. W. P. , Chary T. K. N. , Bottiglieri T. , Reynolds E. H.
Published: August 2008

During open trials of intravenous and oral S-adenosyl methionine (SAM) and a placebo-controlled trial of intravenous SAM in 29 patients, 25 patients had SAM and four had placebo (27 courses of SAM, two of the patients receiving two trials apiece). Nine of 11 bipolar patients (all SAM-treated) switched into elevated mood state (hypomania, mania and euphoria) and two did not respond. Six endogenous unipolar patients improved and five did not. No non-endogenous patient or placebo patient responded for more than 14 days. No unipolar patient switched into elated mood. In eleven (38%) trials and nine (33%) patients there was a switch from depression to elation. Biochemical data from the cerebrospinal fluid of eight patients suggested that the role of the dopaminergic system should be further explored.
Hyponatremia and Clomipramine Therapy
Authors: Pledger D. R. , Mathew H.
Published: August 2008

The fortuitous detection of SIADH is described in a patient receiving clomipramine therapy.