bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lot and his Daughters—Parent-Child Incest in the Bible and Mythology
Authors: Medlicott R. W.
Published: October 2008

Incest in the Bible and mythology is studied as a preview to the understanding of clinical incest and the related phenomenon of erotic professional indiscretions. In the instances of Lot and Noah, artists’ interpretations of the themes are used to give added insight into their popular significance. The misbehaviour of the Sons of God is presented as the earliest example of the destructive effect of erotic professional indiscretions.
Community Psychiatry and the Clergy: A Melbourne Study
Authors: Kellett Peter
Published: October 2008

As psychiatry attempts to evolve its concepts from therapy of individuals towards preventive psychiatry in the community, caretaking agents are postulated as playing an important part in promoting mental health. This study seeks to investigate the attitudes of one such caretaking agency - the clergy - to this prospective role.
Patterns of Organization in Academic Child Psychiatry
Authors: Nuffield Edward J. A.
Published: October 2008

A. Introduction. 1. Academic aspects of child psychiatry 2. Organization Theory and its applications B. Exposition. 1. Theoretical organizational models 2. Actual organizational models C. Discussion.
Further Investigation of a Possible Epileptogenic Factor in the Serum of Psychotic Children
Authors: Gold Stanley
Published: October 2008

The toxicity of body fluids obtained from adult psychiotic patients has been described previously. Recent work has indicated that this may also be the case with psychotic children, and that this may be epileptogenic in nature. The present study undertakes to validate previous results obtained and to establish whether the toxicity previously described is a function of psychosis or of retardation. The results obtained reinforce the idea that a specific toxic factor exists in the psychotic group, although its epileptogenic nature needs elucidation by elaboration and development of further techniques.
Psychosis and Suicide following Mitral Valvotomy
Authors: Leeks S. R.
Published: October 2008

It is becoming generally accepted that psychiatric disturbance can and does occur following intracardiac surgery. A short case-history is given of suicide following a successful operation for mitral stenosis.
Parent-Child Incest
Authors: Medlicott R. W.
Published: October 2008

This paper is a study of incest and false incestuous allegations with the major emphasis on father-daughter incest. Attention is also drawn to the importance of father-son incest and briefer references are made to the rarer mother-son and mother-daughter incest situations.
Transsexualism and Transvestitism
Authors: Ball J. R. B.
Published: October 2008

The literature in regard to transsexualism and transvestitism is briefly reviewed including considerations of possible aetiological influences. The need for large scale and controlled comparative investigations is indicated. A number of questions to be considered in studying these disorders are stated. A comparative study of male transsexualists, homosexual, exhibitionist and neurotic patients is then described.
The Pattern of Neurotic Illness in the Elderly
Authors: McDonald Carrick
Published: October 2008

Age presents many psychiatric problems. Among them is that of neurotic illness. This paper describes a study of various aspects of neurotic illness in the elderly. Since it would be unwise to assume that conditions governing neurosis in adult life pertain in the geriatric age group, an attempt has been made to reduce prior assumptions about the condition to a minimum. Age and brain damage were not associated with neuroticism. Minor differences were found between affective neurotics and other neurotics, and affective neurosis was associated with hospitalization, unlike the other neuroses of old age.
A Sequential Trial of Adumbram (OXAZEPAM)
Authors: Csillag E. R.
Published: October 2008

A sequential trial of Oxazepam (Adumbran) was carried out on 20 psychiatric outpatients with features of anxiety as part of a personality disorder. A 20 mg. dose t.i.d. was compared with placebo. The result suggests that Oxazepam (Adumbran) is an effective minor tranquilizer and a useful drug in the treatment of psychoneurotic anxiety. The drug appears to have negligible side effects.
A Case of Capgras Syndrome
Authors: Gluckman L. K.
Published: October 2008

A case of Capgras Syndrome is described. The patient had radiologically proved cerebral atrophy. The literature is briefly reviewed and the differential diagnosis discussed. A psychodynamic formulation is attempted.
Personal Discomfort in Australian Aborigines
Authors: Cawte J. E. , Bianchi G. N. , Kiloh L. G.
Published: October 2008

The question is asked whether Aboriginal Australians are the happy, healthy people many European Australians perceive them to be. 294 Aboriginal adults belonging to four ethnic subgroups on Mornington Island in the north of Australia completed a modified Cornell Medical Index Health Questionnaire. Reported discomfort was high, especially among the more economically-deprived and the immigrant. The female excess of complaints was notable; age effects were prominent only on items concerning bodily function. There were five peaks of discomfort, evidenced by respiratory and musculoskeletal complaints and symptoms of exhaustion, inadequacy and irritability. A 20-item questionnaire for trans-cultural use is presented.
Extremes of Aggressive Interaction between Mother and Child
Authors: Eisen Peter R.
Published: October 2008

This paper is concerned with mutual murderously aggressive interaction between mothers and their children. The dynamics of this interaction, along with the relative frequency of this problem, are illustrated by case material. Some aspects are discussed. In particular, the ‘Climate of Aggression’ and the progressive development of an ‘Interchange of Hatred’ from which denial of the instinctual mother-child relationship results, are of importance. There appear to be factors in both mothers and children underlying the loss of normal inhibition against the discharge of murderous feelings.
The Response to Treatment in Hypochondriacal Disorders
Authors: Pilowsky I.
Published: October 2008

Response to treatment has been studied in a group of 147 hypochondriacal patients. A variety of social and clinical variables were found to be related to outcome.

Anxiety and depression correlated with a good prognosis, whilst poor outcome was related to other variables, from which two sex-related clinical pictures emerge. These consist of older men who are resentful, particularly resistant to reassurance and non-responsive to E.C.T., and females who are younger, have hysterical personalities and see a variety of non-psychiatric consultants before finally being referred to a psychiatric service.
The Use of Treatment
Authors: Lindsay J. S. B. , Baber W. S.
Published: October 2008

Previous studies of the social structure and climate of a psychiatric ward in a general hospital have shown that the utilisation of patient treatment time follows an harmonic distribution. Factors contributing to the process have reference to the patient, his treatment, length of stay and selection. A comparison of 1966 with 1962 shows that the same basic pattern of utilisation is maintained, possibly reflecting quantitatively a community group with extreme difficulties, of which family disruption is one indicator.
Shower Cabinet in the Treatment of the Mentally ILL in Victoria: Historical Note
Authors: Stoller Alan , Emmerson R.
Published: October 2008

The use of cold-shower therapy in Victoria is discussed in relation to practices in other parts of the world and a warning emerges as to the dangers of institutionalising therapeutic practices.
The Maori Adolescent in Urban Society
Authors: Cluckman L. K.
Published: October 2008

In the last thirty years there has been a substantial shift of Maori populations to towns. This shift involves a young active population. The result is that Maori adolescents now commonly live in towns. The problems of these adolescents are related to both the historical and current perspectives.
Family Relationships of Elderly Mental Hospital Patients
Authors: Davies G. Vernon
Published: October 2008

This paper is a summary of an investigation into family relationships of 200 elderly patients admitted consecutively to the Mont Park Mental Hospital, Melbourne, in 1965–66. From the study, some data of statistical significance concerning social aspects of mental disorders of late life were obtained. Most of these data concerned senile dementia, which was the diagnostic group to which one-third of the patients was allotted.

The survey was the basis for a thesis submitted to the Department of Psychiatry in the University of Melbourne for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy.
Parameters of Research into the Depressive States
Authors: Kessell A.
Published: October 2008

Certain parameters of the depressive states are discussed, genetic, biochemical, physiological and psychological, and the literature is reviewed. It is considered that future drug evaluation studies require a multidisciplinary approach and the measurement of these parameters if we are to progress beyond the present confusion on the indications for the treatment of depression. Such an approach would also be expected to extend our knowledge of the pathophysiology of the depressive states. This review also emphasises those areas of special interest in depression.
Psychiatric and Interpersonal Factors in Infertility
Authors: Mai F. M. M.
Published: October 2008

Various hypotheses regarding the psychopathology of infertility are reviewed. In the female, the immature dependent, and masculine-aggressive personality are said to be associated with infertility. Confusion of sexual identity is considered a factor in the psychogenesis of both male and female infertility. Two carefully designed clinical studies are reviewed and show conflicting results which may be due to a different experimental design. The neuro-endocrine and autonomic mechanisms by which abnormal psychological factors could contribute to infertility are briefly reviewed. The paucity of sound clinical data on both personality and psychophysiological factors is emphasised. The difficulties of experimental design are discussed and some suggestions made as to how these can be overcome.
Further Studies in Conjugal Bereavement
Authors: Maddison David , Viola Agnes , Walker Wendy L.
Published: October 2008

This is the fourth in a series of articles on the consequences of conjugal bereavement, and analyses the responses of 41 Australian widows to an interview designed to assess their perception of environmental support during the bereavement crisis. Consistent with the previous study on American subjects, it is concluded that widows who later experience deterioration in physical and/or mental health are likely to have perceived their environment during the crisis as unsatisfactory.
Deja Vu and Depersonalization in Normal Subjects
Authors: Harper M. A.
Published: October 2008

The author presents a survey of the literature, together with a study of the phenomena of déjà vu and depersonalization in a largely healthy population. He concludes that the déjà vu experience as elicited by a clinical type interview is common particularly in intelligent subjects of higher socioeconomic status. Well defined depersonalization experiences will also be elicited by clinical enquiry from subjects free from major psychiatric disability.
Psychiatric Population of Nursing Homes
Authors: Burvill P. W.
Published: October 2008

One in every ten patients aged 60 years and over in all nursing homes in the metropolitan area of Perth, Western Australia, was interviewed. The nursing homes were found to have a very large psychiatric population of a wide diagnostic range and all grades of severity.
Existential Psychotherapy—An Interpretation
Authors: Das S. Sunder
Published: October 2008

In existential psychotherapy, the client is treated as a Gestalt and attempts are made to raise his self-awareness at the same time encouraging him to sample pleasurable and unpleasurable experiences. Man's positive valence towards others, the love Gestalt, qualitatively the same in all human relationships, is seen to differ only in its emphasis. Mental illness is seen as a lack of awareness of aspects of this Gestalt and psychotherapy as restoring this awareness, as also the appropriate emphasis. Authentic behaviour patterns are achieved as a result of rehearsals of existential modes.
Forearm Blood Flow in Anxious and Non-Anxious Patients
Authors: Bloch Sidney , Davies Brian
Published: October 2008

A mercury-in-rubber strain-gauge plethysmograph was used to measure forearm blood flow in anxious and non-anxious psychiatric patients. No statistically-significant differences in forearm blood flow were found between the two groups.
The Nature of Adolescent Psychiatric Illness
Authors: Henderson A. S.
Published: October 2008

“I see no hope for the future of our people if they are dependent on the frivolous youth of today, for certainly all youth are reckless beyond words … When I was a boy, we were taught to be discreet and respectful of elders, but the present youth are exceedingly unwise and impatient of restraint.”
Papua and New Guinea Trans Cultural Psychiatry
Authors: Burton-Bradley B. G.
Published: October 2008

An account is given of the forerunners of psychiatry in Papua and New Guinea prior to the advent of psychiatric services in 1959.
Suicide in and after Discharge from a Private Psychiatric Hospital over a Period of Eighty-Six Years
Authors: Medlicott R. W. , Medlicott P. A. W.
Published: October 2008

Inpatient suicides (twelve cases) in a private psychiatric hospital between 1882 and 1968 are studied as to age, sex, marital status, diagnosis, time in hospital, stage of illness, physical health, previous threats, previous attempts and method of suicide. They are also divided into a pre-1947 group, when the hospital was primarily custodial, and a post-1947 group, when the hospital became an active treatment unit.

Known ex-patient suicides (forty-nine cases) in the post-1947 era are discussed under similar categories and compared both with a matched control group and with the inpatient suicides.

Special mention is made of suicides in patients with personality disorders.
Drau Ni Kau
Authors: Gluckman L. K.
Published: October 2008

Drau ni kau is a syndrome found in Fijians. This syndrome is essentially a supernatural explanation for natural disease processes or reactions to stresses. The history of drau ni kau is reviewed. A clinical case involving mother and son is described. The son had Klinefelter's syndrome and the mother rheumatic heart disease. The son exhibited asocial behaviour; the mother an ill-defined syndrome of anxiety and depression. Other clinical aspects of reputed supernatural disease encountered in the Fijian are mentioned. The techniques of inducing and relieving drau ni kau are discussed in past and present perspective.
Leda and the Swan—An Analysis of the Theme in Myth and Art
Authors: Medlicott R. W.
Published: October 2008

This paper is one of a series investigating basic mythological themes and making special use of the artistic representation of such themes over the centuries. The rape of the mortal, Leda, by Zeus in the form of a swan is examined in terms of comparative mythology and of poetic and pictorial portrayals. The myth is seen primarily as one of sexuality and three aspects are isolated. Firstly, the sexual relationship of gods to humans, and this is seen as both an extension of the parent-child relationship and consequently incestuous, and as having an important creative aspect. Secondly, the general portrayal of sexual union, and this is handled in a diverse manner, the rape element is largely ignored, and there is a high proportion of deviant relationships of an oral or sado-masochistic nature revealed. Finally, the influence of the bird as the sexual partner is seen in terms of the bird as a sexual symbol, of bestiality and the use or not of specific aspects of avian sexuality, notably, cloacal sexuality, superfoetation and oviparous birth.
Psychosocial Problems of Adolescent Aborigines in Victoria
Authors: Gault E. I. , Krupinski J. , Stoller A.
Published: October 2008

A psychosocial interview was carried out with 172 Aboriginal adolescents in Victoria, comprising approximately one half of all part-Aboriginal adolescents in the State. The prevalence of psychoneurotic disorders in the group interviewed did not differ from corresponding data obtained through surveys of white adolescents. However, there was significantly more “delinquency and anti-social behaviour” and “social maladjustment” in the Aboriginal group. The prevalence of psychosocial disturbances has been related to the family and social backgrounds of the Aboriginal adolescents and compared with their school and work performances.
Group Psychotherapy in Private Practice
Authors: Christie George L.
Published: October 2008

Some tentative conclusions about the organization and management of relatively closed psychotherapeutic groups are illustrated by examples culled from private clinical practice. After reviewing the rationale of group psychotherapy and its advantages over the individual form, the paper deals mainly with patient selection, the developmental history of the group and group leader technique.
Precausal and Paracausal Thinking: Concepts of Causality in Aboriginal Children
Authors: Nurcombe B.
Published: October 2008

This paper is the outcome of fieldwork carried out in Arnhem Land during 1968.

After a brief introduction to Piaget's theory of the development of causal thinking, the manifestations of pre-causality are described. Using a standard questionnaire developed by Canadian workers, the author has examined in English 21 transitional Aboriginal children, aged from 11 to 12 years, with regard to their concepts of the dream process, the nature of life, the origin of night and the movement of clouds. Criteria for the rating of the level of concept development are described and the performance of the children has been scored accordingly. This is compared with norms for Canadian children. Important and markedly significant differences emerge, particularly in concepts of the nature of life and the origin of night. To eliminate the possibility of language bias, a number of the children were examined in the vernacular. Their performances did not change significantly.

Possible reasons for the marked differences between Aboriginal and western children are discussed. The evidence suggests that a relative lack of verbal and material stimulation in critical pre-school years is the most significant factor. The paper ends with a consideration of the ethnocentrism implicit in studies of this nature, and examples are given of the complex modes of thinking found in adult Aborigines.
Sociopsychiatric Study of Schizophrenia
Authors: Krupinski J. , Stoller A. , Skinner Edith , Chesler B. , Cutler H. T. , Lorbeer S. H. , Singh K.
Published: October 2008

The psychiatric status and social and family backgrounds of 154 schizophrenic patients were assessed in order to determine the degree to which interpersonal relations, social factors or the psychotic state itself were predominant factors in the promotion of hospitalization. It was found that the psychiatric status of the patient was the most important factor in determining admission to hospital. An unwarranted extrusion of a patient from a family setting was noted in very few cases, and this most often in the face of adverse effects of the patient's illness on the family.
Drama and Psychiatry: Some Insights of Euripides
Authors: McConaghy N.
Published: October 2008

The author examines some of the beliefs about human behaviour displayed in the plays of Euripides, and compares and contrasts them with the views of modern psychiatrists, particularly adherents of the psychodynamic and neo-organic viewpoints. He points out that Euripides comes close to the neo-organic position, in the belief that many processes, while not part of the mind, can act upon it to determine resultant behaviour.
Examination Anxiety
Authors: Buckle Roger C.
Published: October 2008

The characteristics of students who become anxious with examinations are presented and defined. The concept of anxiety is clarified and examples are drawn from case material. It is thought that students presenting to health and counselling services identify a population of vulnerable students with psychological problems. There is a need for a mental health approach to be adopted to this problem. Preventive aspects are explored from the point of view of the student, the services and the faculties, and the collaboration between these groups.
A Twelve Month Follow-Up Study of Psychogeriatric Admissions to Mental Health Services and Geriatric Service Hospitals
Authors: Burvill P. W.
Published: October 2008

Eighty-five (100 per cent) consecutive psychogeriatric patients admitted to the Public Health Department Geriatric Service of Western Australia and eighty (94 per cent) of the original 85 psychogeriatric patients admitted to the Mental Health Services of Western Australia were re-examined by the author 12 months after admission. Twenty-five Geriatric Service patients had died, 19 were alive in the community, and 41 alive in hospital; the corresponding Mental Health Services figures were 15, 33 and 32.

Differences in movement pattern and outcome between the two services, and between mental hospital admissions in the United Kingdom and Western Australia, were documented. There was a considerable number of repeated transfers from one hospital or nursing home setting to another during the 12 months among those patients living in hospital at follow-up, and to a less extent among those who died. Outcome of the patients was related to a number of factors for each service.
Psychodrama as a Therapeutic Technique in an Admission Centre Setting
Authors: Duncan Margaret , Gathman Loyd , Scholem Liesel R.
Published: October 2008

The use of psychodrama as a therapeutic technique in an acute psychiatric ward setting is described. The value of this technique in releasing suppressed and repressed emotions and conflict in a safe “holding” situation is that it takes advantage of crisis and breakdown. This means that therapeutic pressure can be brought to bear on patients at their most vulnerable stage. In many patients, this leads to a rapid (and, so far, lasting) resolution of crisis.
Comparison of Methylperidol and Trifluoperazine in the Treatment of Chronic, Underactive Schizophrenic Patients
Authors: Jones Ivor H. , Davies J. M. , Buckle R. , Hanna W. H. , Pikler N.
Published: October 2008

The two major tranquillizers, methylperidol and trifluoperazine, are compared as treatments for underactive, chronic schizophrenic patients. They are found to be equally effective.
Psychosocial Problems of Aboriginal Adolescents and Their Sociocultural Environment
Authors: Gault E. I. , Krupinski J. , Stoller A.
Published: October 2008

Full-blood, part-aboriginal and white adolescents in Derby, Western Australia, were compared in terms of their social background and psychological adjustment. Part-aborigines, who are the backbone of the town, proved to be the best adjusted. The highest rate of psychosocial disturbance, especially ‘delinquency and anti-social behaviour’, was found in the full-bloods and this was related to: a) their poor socioeconomic environment; b) rapid changes in their way of life after moving to Derby in recent years; and c) their unpreparedness for the demands of schooling and work in the new situation. The data were compared with the findings of a similar survey in Victoria, and confirmed the relevance of socioeconomic environment in the psychological adjustment of full-blood and part-aboriginal adolescents.
Characteristics of a Group of Male Schizoid Adolescent Offenders
Authors: ter Hoevan B. , Nurcombe B.
Published: October 2008

The Maudsley Personality Inventory (MPI) was administered individually to 18 adolescent offenders diagnosed clinically as schizoid personalities and to their matched controls. It was predicted and verified that schizoid offenders would score lower on Extraversion (E). An analysis of E items suggests that the lower E scores can be attributed to responses indicating avoidance of social interaction. An examination of the nature of the offence shows that schizoids tend to commit sexual offences while offender and victim are alone, whereas the controls tend to commit property offences while in a group of two or more.
A Survey of Community Attitudes towards Mental Illness
Authors: Graves Gwen D. , Krupinski J. , Stoller Alan , Harcourt A.
Published: October 2008

Selected respondents drawn from metropolitan Melbourne (N = 318), when asked to express their opinions and attitudes in relation to four hypothetical characters, recognized mental illness in the paranoid schizophrenic, were hesitant to acknowledge it in the simple schizophrenic and the alcoholic, and denied it almost absolutely in the anxiety neurotic. Failure to diagnose a condition as mental illness did not, however, necessarily preclude recognition that the person described was in need of psychiatric help. Certain respondent characteristics and, in particular, education were related to the opinions and attitudes expressed.
A Survey of Community Attitudes towards Mental Illness
Authors: Graves Gwen D. , Krupinski J. , Stoller Alan
Published: October 2008

Selected respondents from metropolitan Melbourne (N = 318) were required to make ratings on fifteen semantic differential scales for each of ten concepts which opposed physical medicine with psychiatric medicine, not only at the level of individual patient disability but also in terms of the facilities provided for their treatment and the medical personnel directly involved in the treatment process. Cluster scores on the factors evaluation, understandability and potency consistently favoured concepts relating to physical medicine. This relationship was maintained, independent of various respondent characteristics.
Suicide in Western Australia, 1967: An Analysis of Coroners' Records
Authors: Burvill P. W.
Published: October 2008

This paper reports an analysis of the police and coroners' records of all suicides in Western Australia in 1967 Where necessary, previous medical records of inpatient treatment were also scrutinized by the author. The findings are set out and discussed. It is concluded that the medical profession has much to learn in the detection of suicidal risk.
Discharging Elderly Patients from a Psychiatric Hospital
Authors: McDonald Carrick , Teltscher Betty
Published: October 2008

The community is able to tolerate discharged psychogeriatric patients by virtue of a reaction between the resources which it has to offer and the behavioural abnormalities which the discharged patient presents. Therefore, in order to maximize the potential for community care, an attempt was made to identify those factors in the community or in the patient which favoured or militated against survival in the community.

It was found that only females and those patients with a diagnosis of depression showed a significant increase in their chances of re-hospitalization. No factors were found to be associated with an ability to stay outside hospital.
Loose Associations: Straight and Crooked Thinking and the Group of Schizophrenias
Authors: McLeod W. R.
Published: October 2008

In this paper I hope to provide the basis for a discussion on logic, logical thinking and creativity in medicine, particularly in psychiatry. By way of illustration we will examine schizophrenia with particular reference to biochemistry, but the discussion will focus on semantic issues and philosophical concepts. These issues are of fundamental importance in the development of psychiatry both as art and craft. Thus the paper deals both with the study of madness and madness itself.

The title of the address illustrates some forms of communication which occur in the schizophrenias. It includes references to other ideas, to formal thought disorder and illogical thinking, private puns, vague links, and pointers to other sources and authors, namely, Bleuler (1950), Ernest Jones (1959) and Thouless (1974). These are all contained in a loose framework, wherein reference is made to a key anomaly always found in, but by no means unique to schizophrenia.
A Prospective Study of Premenstrual Tension Symptoms in Healthy Young Australians
Authors: Beumont P. J. V. , Abraham Suzanne F. , Argall W. J. , Simson Kathleen G.
Published: October 2008

Thirty healthy young women volunteered to complete questionnaires concerning physical and psychological symptoms during a full menstrual cycle. A maximal incidence of minor physical and psychological symptoms was observed in the first few days of menstruation. This was preceded by a gradual rise in the level of symptomatology during the premenstruum.
Family Structure and Relationships of 50 Female Anorexia Nervosa Patients
Authors: Hall Anne
Published: October 2008

Family features of the first 50 anorexia nervosa patients referred to a psychiatrist from a defined geographic area are documented.

High socio-economic class, absence of non-white population, older age of parents, instability factors in the parents' backgrounds and high incidence of both physical and psychiatric illness in the parents suggest multiple factors may be aetiological. Possible pathogenic factors are equally distributed between mothers and fathers.

The sex and number of siblings and the patients' birth order are recorded.
Urban-Rural Differences in Student Mental Health: The Hong Kong Scene
Authors: Law S. K.
Published: October 2008

Student mental health of Hong Kong urban and rural fifth-formers and sixth-formers was assessed by examining their scores obtained from the General Health Questionnaire twice administered. The first administration was done soon after commencement of a school term and served as a baseline measure, and the second was done six weeks before the fifth-formers took an important public examination, a significantly stressful event. The results indicated that all groups of fifth-formers showed an increase in mean scores, reaching statistical significance only in urban boys and rural girls. The latter finding was explained in terms of different parental attitudes and expectations of their academic achievement. The sixth-formers had no public examination to take and they therefore acted as controls. They showed no increase in their mean scores. Students from lower social class also gave higher mean scores, and this finding was used to explain urban-rural differences in mean scores. The significance of severe examination distress and its possible late psychiatric sequelae remained unanswered.
Posted Summaries in Marital Therapy
Authors: Heins Terence
Published: October 2008

Summaries of marital therapy sessions, similar to those used in group psychotherapy by Yalom, were posted to reach couples three or four days after each session. The summaries of 600 to 1,000 words included a narrative account of the session and some editorial comment by the therapist. Couples completed a questionnaire assessing the use of the summaries. Replies to questionnaires and clinical impressions indicate the summaries had good acceptability. Couples felt the summaries increased their focus on marital problems between the sessions and provided helpful clarification.
Length of Residence, Life Change and Psychiatric Morbidity in an Australian Urban Population
Authors: Byrne D. G. , Henderson Scott , Duncan-Jones P. , Adcock Sylvia , Scott Ruth , Steele Greg
Published: October 2008

A component of a large population study of a random sample of 750 Canberra residents is described, in which length of residence in Canberra is related to the quality and quantity of recent life experiences, and to indices of minor psychiatric morbidity (the General Health Questionnaire and the Zung Depression Scale). Life event frequency, but neither measure of morbidity, distinguished between persons with different lengths of residence in Canberra. It can be suggested that a random sample, containing an under-representation of migrants and persons moving from rural to urban environments, in whom the transition in shifting place of residence would be expected to be greatest, is an inappropriate sample to test hypotheses concerning length of residence and psychiatric morbidity. Future studies should give due emphasis to the adequate inclusion of these groups of persons.
A World of Cities: Dream or Nightmare?
Authors: Hordern Anthony
Published: October 2008

With the progress of civilization cities, many of which originally developed in Mesopotamia and Egypt, spread northwards into Europe to proliferate there and, later, in the New World. The Industrial Revolution, a predominantly British phenomenon, was the original stimulus to Western urbanization, a process that continues to this day. City living has many advantages, but also many drawbacks including increased mortality and urban stress; psychiatry has had to concern itself with many of its difficulties. Rural-urban migration is also currently taking place in Asia, Latin America and Africa; in these continents the problems of urbanization, exacerbated by indigenous factors, have proved to be considerable. Some remedies for overurbanization are considered, as is also city development in the future.
Negative Capability as a Factor of Problem-Solving within the Psychotherapeutic Process
Authors: Eisen Peter
Published: October 2008

It is proposed that negative capability, that is, the capacity for tolerating uncertainty, doubt and not-knowing, is a factor that contributes to a problem-solving approach utilizable in some aspects of the psychotherapeutic process. Negative capability can be demonstrated both in therapists and patients. An analysis of the functions of negative capability within the psychotherapeutic process shows five stages in its utilization. These are the activation of therapist's negative capability; which is followed by observations about the patient's response to his perception of the therapist's negative capability; then the therapist's clarification of the patient's problems contained within the patient's response; followed by a working-through by the patient and therapist of the problems which are demonstrated and clarified; and lastly, a transier to or enhancement of the patient's use of negative capability as a continuing behavioural mode. Some theoretical bases for the concept of negative capability and its application as a factor of problem-solving within the psychotherapeutic process, are proposed. Clinical excerpts from psychotherapeutic work are given to exemplify the stages as defined above.
Psychological Factors in the Aetiology of Pre-Menstrual Symptoms
Authors: Taylor John W.
Published: October 2008

Some studies associating pre-menstrual symptoms and personality characteristics are reviewed. The possible relationships of EPI Neuroticism and specific personality characteristics (assessed by the 16PF) with pre-menstrual symptoms were investigated. Possible differences between volunteer and non-volunteer subjects' 16PF results and changes in 16PF results during the menstrual cycle were also studied. The severity of some normal women's menstrual symptoms was assessed by (1) a specially constructed daily symptom rating scale and (2) four criteria of severe premenstrual symptoms.

A strong association between Neuroticism and high levels of pre-menstrual symptoms was found. There was also an association between high levels of symptoms and 16PF scores (high on factors L, O and Q4, low on factors C, N and Q3) but this finding was less clear cut. No systematic variation in 16PF scores was apparent during the menstrual cycle nor were there differences between volunteers and non-volunteers on 16PF results.

Findings suggest an association between pre-menstrual symptoms and psychological dysfunction and as revealed on the 16PF, personality characteristics of emotional instability, suspiciousness, guilt-proneness, apprehensiveness, unpretentiousness, tension and self-conflict.
Parental Deprivation and Depression in a Non-Clinical Group
Authors: Parker Gordon
Published: October 2008

Despite a large number of studies it remains unclear whether early parental loss or separation experiences from parents are associated with depression in adult life. In order to circumvent the possible confounding influence of psychiatric patient status, a non-clinical group was used to study any influence of early permanent parental loss and early parental separation on subsequent depressive experience in adulthood.

The depressive experience of 236 post-graduate students was assessed using measures of trait depression, self-esteem, alienation and incidence of depressive episodes. Depressive experience was not increased in those 27 subjects who had been permanently separated from a biological parent before the age of 16 years. When duration of separation from influential parent-figures was examined it was found that trait depression scores were increased in those who had experienced longer separation, but those subjects also rated their parent-figures as having been less caring. Findings are consistent with the view that it is the quality of any parental contribution, rather than its continuity, that is associated with subsequent depressive experience in adulthood.
Onset of Mania in Bipolar Manic-Depressive Patients
Authors: Johnson G. F. S. , Hunt G. E.
Published: October 2008

Onset of mania was evaluated retrospectively in 48 bipolar manic-depressive patients. Mania occurred as the initial episode in 40% of cases. In patients with initial episode of depression, approximately 80% developed mania prior to their third episode of depression and within 5 years from the onset of this illness. Differences in type of illness onset were related to family history of bipolar illness and sex of the proband. Male patients with a positive family history were significantly more likely to manifest mania at onset of illness.
Behaviour Therapy as Precipitant and Treatment in a Case of Dual Personality
Authors: Price J. , Hess N. C.
Published: October 2008

The patient described is a 33-year-old woman, L., who developed a transient dual personality while undergoing desensitization for contact phobia, the alternate personality, Toni, manifesting overtly aggressive behaviour. L. was taught how to behave angrily using role-playing techniques within 48 hours of Toni's first appearance and the alternate personality did not reappear after this treatment was commenced. It is suggested that behavioural psychotherapy may, in some instances of multiple personality, have advantages over psychodynamically oriented psychotherapy, which has frequently been advocated as the treatment of choice for this condition.
Diethylpropion and Paranoid Psychosis
Authors: Petursson H.
Published: October 2008

The case of a 36-year-old woman who developed a paranoid psychosis while abusing diethylpropion is reported. It is suggested that the newer appetite-suppressing drugs have a bigger abuse potential than was previously thought and may therefore be a hazard for a minority of susceptible subjects. The need to test separately for diethylpropion in cases of suspected drug-induced psychosis is emphasized.
Neurosis and Social Bonds in an Urban Population
Authors: Henderson Scott , Duncan-Jones P. , Byrnf D. G. , Adcock Sylvia , Scott Ruth
Published: October 2008

The hypothesis that a deficiency in social bonds is a significant causal factor in neurosis was examined in a sample of an urban population (N = 756). The General Health Questionnaire was used as a measure of morbidity while social bonds were measured by the Interview Schedule for Social Interaction. An association was found between neurosis and a deficiency, particularly a perceived deficiency, in social bonds. Attention is now being directed to the interpretation of this association and to establishing the direction of causality.
Sex Differences in Non-Clinical Depression
Authors: Parker Gordon
Published: October 2008

Two recent reviews have suggested that the prevalence of depression is higher in women than in men. In one review Weissman and Klerman cited several United States community studies, and claimed that findings reveal a female excess in the ‘true prevalence’ of depressive syndromes. Their interpretation of those studies allowed them to reject the artefact hypothesis that women perceive, acknowledge, report and seek help for stress and symptoms differently to men. The present paper questions their interpretation of those studies. In addition, results from a recent study of depressive experience in a non-clinical group, where no sex difference was found, are presented.
The Mental Illness of Captain Hyndman
Authors: Edwards Graham A.
Published: October 2008

The mental illness of Captain Charles Robertson Hyndman resulted in his compulsory hospitalization in Tarban Creek Asylum in 1843 and 1864–1866. His illness, and the question of mental health law which was subsequently raised, were of great significance for the colony of New South Wales in that it led to the first specific lunacy legislation in the state. The issues raised are still the fundamental questions with which contemporary mental health law is concerned.
Assessment of Suicidal Intent by a Visual Analogue Scale
Authors: Goldney Robert D.
Published: October 2008

The use of a visual analogue scale to assess feelings about living and dying at the time of suicidal acts is described. It appears to have face validity, and the results obtained correlate significantly with those of a validated suicidal intent scale. Of note, is the significant correlation between the visual analogue score and that part of the suicidal intent scale which rates the objective circumstances of the attempt, suggesting that suicidal subjects are aware of their mixed feelings of living and dying, and that their actions approximate these feelings. These findings, coupled with its ease of administration and scoring, suggest that it has a place in the screening of suicidal patients
The New Patient in San Francisco
Authors: Lederer Wolfgang , Botwin Alexandra
Published: October 2008

This paper describes an increasingly prevalent type of patient seen in San Francisco, a city which is often regarded as a social trend-setter. Such patients are characterized by social and material success, diffusion or reversal of traditional sex roles, acceptance of any sexual behaviour and instability of all relationships. The resultant insecurity leads to heavy reliance on self-help books and pseudo-therapies, often with disastrous results. Conventional therapeutic methods seem inapplicable, the task being apparently more one of education than therapy.
Parental Characteristics of Jews and Greeks in Australia
Authors: Parker Gordon , Lipscombe Penny
Published: October 2008

A controlled study was conducted in Sydney to assess the reported characteristics of Jewish and Greek parents. Using a measure of fundamental parental characteristics the 81 Jewish subjects differed from controls only in scoring their mothers as less caring. The 125 Greek subjects scored both parents as more overprotective; further investigation revealed that the Greek parents were overprotective of their daughters only. Findings in the latter study suggest that overprotection by Greek parents may be influenced slightly by the age of the child when migrating, and that such a cultural pattern is resistant to acculturation effects.
The Influences of Social Class and Sex on Sustained Attention (Vigilance) and Motor Inhibition in Children
Authors: Levy F. , Hobbes G.
Published: October 2008

A sample of 220 normal pre-school and primary school children was tested by the Continuous Performance Test(CPT), a test of sustained attention (vigilance), the Drawa-Line Slowly test (DALS), a test of motor inhibition and two sub-tests of the latter test. Significant social class associations were found for the CPT and DALS tests, but were not present for DALO and DALF (measures of speed in drawing a line). Sex differences were not found for the CPT test or for DALS, but the boys completed the DALO and DALF tests faster than the girls suggesting superior motor activity and co-ordination.
Family Intervention for Beginners: A Rationale for a Brief Problem-Oriented Approach in Child and Family Psychiatry
Authors: Churven P. G.
Published: October 2008

Many therapists in Community Health Centres work with children and families but lack training and experience in resolving child/family problems. Inexperienced therapists often find the family therapy models described in the literature too complex. This paper describes a simplified view of family survival functions and a related problem-oriented intervention technique evolved for the training and supervision of community health workers
Depression in Childhood
Authors: Williams Sara , Harper Juliet
Published: October 2008

Ninety-three children with a diagnosis of depression were admitted to a residential children's unit over a six-year period. Background and clinical data were analysed in order to identify correlates associated with the disorder and to examine the concept of depressive equivalents'. The results indicated that parental loss, particularly loss of father, through death or desertion, psychiatric illness in the parents and stressful events in early childhood were important concomitants of the disorder. The study also supported the current literature on depressive equivalents and their expression in childhood.
The Treatment of an Obsessive-Compulsive Girl in the Context of Malaysian Chinese Culture
Authors: Ong Susan B. Y. , Leng Yeoh Kim
Published: October 2008

The case history, treatment and follow-up of a thirteen-year-old girl with obsessivecompulsive neurosis of six months duration are reported. Results show that behaviour modification techniques were effective though a second course of treatment was required Her illness and its treatment by behaviour therapy in relation to the Malaysian Chinese culture is discussed.
Reported Parental Characteristics in Relation to Trait Depression and Anxiety Levels in a Non-Clinical Group
Authors: Parker Gordon
Published: October 2008

Care and overprotection appear to reflect the principal dimensions underlying parental behaviours and attitudes. In previous studies of neurotically depressed patients and of a non-clinical group, subjects who scored their parents as lacking in care and/or overprotective had the greater depressive experience. The present study of another non-clinical group (289 psychology students) replicated those findings in regard to trait depression levels. In addition, associations between those parental dimensions and trait anxiety scores were demonstrated Multiple regression analyses established that 9–10% of the variance in mood scores was accounted for by scores on those parental dimensions. Low maternal care scores predicted higher levels of both anxiety and depression, while high maternal overprotection scores predicted higher levels of anxiety but not levels of depression. Maternal influences were clearly of greater relevance than paternal influences.
Brain Amines and Peptides—Their Relevance to Psychiatry
Authors: Smith Graeme C. , Copolov David
Published: October 2008

The amine theory of affective disorder and the dopamine and endorphin theories of schizophrenia are controversial but heuristically valuable concepts that have emerged from the psychobiological revolution of the last decade. That revolution stemmed largely from the development of techniques for localizing and assaying neuroregulators and their receptors in the brain under normal, pathological and experimental conditions. The data thus obtained are reviewed here, and the current status of the emergent psychobiological hypotheses assessed.