bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A one-year audit of specialist psycho-oncology services in an Irish tertiary referral centre
Authors: Hallahan Brian , Garland Malcolm 
Published: March 2016

AbstractObjectives: Psychological services to patients with cancer are very limited in Ireland. A dedicated psycho-oncology service was established at our Institution 18 months ago. The aim of this study was to examine referral rates, psychiatric diagnoses and treatment interventions in this patient group.Methods: The clinical and psychiatric characteristics of consecutive patients (n = 63) referred to a recently established specialist psycho-oncology service in an Irish university teaching hospital over a one-year period were examined prospectively. International diagnostic criteria were applied. Forms of treatment instituted and clinical response to same were also audited.Results: Over half (54%) of patients presented with affective disorder spectrum illnesses. The remaining referrals represented a diverse group of psychiatric diagnoses, but included a large proportion of patients with delirium. Approximately 20% of patients did not meet criteria for a psychiatric diagnosis. There was an over-representation of breast cancer and lymphoma. Thirty-eight per cent of patients were on prescribed corticosteroids at the time of referral. Eighty-two per cent of patients required some form of psychiatric intervention, and 86% of these benefited clinically from our intervention.Conclusions: The data suggest that even in oncology services with good existing support networks, such as this one, the role of an additional input from liaison psychiatry is considerable.
The case of Robert Walser (1878-1956)
Authors: Lyons Viktoria , Fitzgerald Michael 
Published: March 2016

Robert Walser (1878-1956), one of the great literary geniuses of 20th century German literature, was also one of the most mysterious writers of his time. Born in Switzerland in 1878 he was diagnosed with schizophrenia at the age of 50 and spent the remaining two and a half decades of his life in Swiss psychiatric hospitals until his death in 1956. His literary legacy consists of four novels, numerous pieces of short prose (essays and stories) as well as 526 pages of pencil notes written in minuscule script, the famous ‘micro-gramms’.Although highly unsuccessful during his lifetime and leading the life of an artist on the margins of society, his writings have been linked to Kleist, Kafka, Joyce and Beckett. The silencing of Walser's unique voice by mental illness and his disappearance behind the walls of psychiatric hospitals has been considered a tragedy and over the years doubts were raised about the true nature of his illness.
A paranoid migrant family – folie à famille
Authors: Oshodi Abiola , Bangaru Raju , Benbow Jackie 
Published: March 2016

AbstractThis report describes a case of folie à famille in which an African man (Mr X), his wife and three daughters travelled around the world as Mr X transmitted his persecutory delusions to his family members. Mr X who had previously had two brief admissions in the UK and in Ireland, received an adequate trial of antipsychotic treatment in his third admission with us in Dublin. During informal contact with his daughter B, it became apparent that the whole family shared his delusions. On her advice, the other family members voluntarily consented for assessment and psychological interventions, they were interviewed separately. All the family members recovered following separation and psychological interventions without antipsychotic treatment. This case illustrates folie imposée, one of the four subgroups summarised by Gralnick1 from the 20th century literature. This family undertook an extreme measure of travelling around the world because of their induced delusions.
Ten year follow-up of children with school refusal
Authors: McCune Noel , Hynes Joanne 
Published: March 2016

Abstract:Objectives: To assess school refusal (school phobia) outcome in adult life.Method: A 10 year follow-up used questionnaires completed by the target group of young adults and their parents and telephone interviews with their parents. Comparison groups were used.Results: Psychiatric disorder was present in 30 % and caseness in a further 20%.Conclusions: There is a need to identify interventions with long lasting effectiveness in this childhood disorder.
Schizophrenia: update on genetics, cognitive behavioural therapy and early intervention
Authors: Kelly Brendan D 
Published: March 2016

AbstractThere have been considerable advances in the understanding of schizophrenia in recent years. This educational review paper focuses on three areas of interest and relevance to trainees preparing for the membership examination of the Royal College of Psychiatrists (MRCPsych): (a) recent advances in the genetics of schizophrenia; (b) advances in cognitive behavioural therapy in schizophrenia; and (c) advances in early intervention strategies for schizophrenia. Relevant papers and systematic reviews are discussed, and recommendations for further reading are provided.
A case of clarithromycin psychosis
Authors: Elahi Fawad , Bhamjee Moosajee 
Published: March 2016

AbstractA 19 year old girl developed an immediate psychotic reaction following IV clarithromycin (Klacid). She responded to atypical antipsychotics but needed psychiatric hospitalisation. She recovered after a year and is now symptom free without any medication. This is a rare side-effect but needs to be recognised.
A longitudinal study of depression in old age I: outcome and relationship to social networks
Authors: Freyne Aideen , Fahy Sabina , McAleer Angela , Keogh Fiona , Wrigley Margo 
Published: March 2016

AbstractObjectives:To ascertain the relationship between social network type and depression over time.Method:A longitudinal outcome study of depressed elderly patients attending an old age psychiatric service was carried out. Subjects were seen at baseline and regular intervals over two years.Results:Depression severity at baseline and at follow-up times differed according to subjects' social network. Those with more socially integrated networks had the best outcome and those who had more dependent networks had a poorer outcome. There was a lot of movement between networks over time for subjects, with many moving towards more dependent networks.Conclusions:When treating depression in the elderly it is important to consider the social network and milieu in which the patient resides. Treatments should include strategies encouraging the maintenance and formation of social integration.
A longitudinal study of depression in old age II: depression and physical disability
Authors: Freyne Aideen , Keogh Fiona , Kelly Maria , Wrigley Margo 
Published: March 2016

AbstractObjectives: As part of an outcome study of depression in older people, the relationship between physical disability and depression was explored at baseline and longitudinally. The aims were to identify whether illness in specific body systems or physical disability was associated with a poorer outcome of depression.Method: Subjects over 65 with depression referred to an old age psychiatry service were recruited. Depression was diagnosed according to ICD-10 criteria. An in-depth initial assessment obtained data concerning depression severity and illness in specific body systems as well as disability levels. Objective and subjective ratings of health status were also made. Subjects were followed up at three, six, 12, 18, and 24 months. Ongoing assessments were made of depressive symptomatology and of physical status.Results: Subjects with higher disability levels had more severe depression at baseline. There was no relationship between illness in specific body systems and depression severity. At follow up assessments, those with higher disability scores had poorer outcomes as recorded by depression rating scales and by reviewing the longitudinal course of depression in terms of proportions remaining well, suffering relapses or remaining depressed.Conclusions: There is an ongoing relationship between depression and disability. Older people with greater physical disability have a poorer outcome of depression. Service providers should be aware of this relationship and respond rapidly and assertively to depression in older people with disability. There should be a lower threshold for initiating treatment in this population.
Body dysmorphic disorder treated with venlafaxine, olanzapine and cognitive behavioural therapy
Authors: McWillliams Stephen , Whitty Marie , Lydon Donal , Clarke Mary 
Published: March 2016

AbstractBody dysmorphic disorder (BDD, previously called dysmorphophobia) is an excessive preoccupation with trivial or non-existent physical abnormalities, perceived to be deformities. BDD causes significant distress or functional impairment and is both time-consuming and difficult to control. Feelings of low self-esteem, shame, embarrassment and unworthiness are common, as is fear of rejection. This report presents a case of BDD in a young male who sought surgery abroad in an effort to ameliorate his perceived deformity. His suicidal ideation, low mood and anxiety symptoms responded well to venlafaxine, olanzapine and cognitive behavioural therapy; however his overvalued ideas with regard to his physical appearance were slow to improve.
First episode schizophrenia in general practice: a national survey
Authors: Gavin Blanaid , Cullen Walter , O'Donoghue Brian , Ascencio-Lane Juan Carlos , Bury Gerard , O'Callaghan Eadbhard 
Published: March 2016

AbstractObjective: We sought to establish the views of general practitioners about detecting and managing patients with a first episode of schizophrenia in Ireland.Method: Twenty per cent of GPs were invited to participate in a cross-sectional postal survey.Results: Sixty-two per cent (n = 261) participated. Almost all (99.2%) see at least one case of suspected first episode schizophrenia annually. The most commonly (80.7%) encountered symptom is ‘bizarre behaviour’. Many (47.7%) rarely or never prescribe antipsychotics to patients whom they suspect have a first episode of schizophrenia. However, 80.6% of GPs reported that they ‘always’ refer this group of patients to psychiatric services. Over half (57.8%) advised patients with schizophrenia to continue medication for less than a year. A large number of respondents reported that it is difficult to obtain a rapid psychiatric assessment.Conclusions: GPs want more information about identifying early psychosis, a closer liaison with psychiatric services and a rapid intervention service.
Suicidal behaviour and cognitive problem solving therapy: theory, application and review
Authors: Bannan Noreen 
Published: March 2016

AbstractSuicidal behaviour is a major public health problem worldwide, both with regard to mortality and treatment of clients who have deliberately harmed themselves. It is a multifaceted problem resulting from complex interactions between social, biological and psychological factors. There is insufficient evidence on which to make firm recommendations about the most effective forms of treatment This is remarkable considering the extent of the problem worldwide, and the importance of dealing with it appropriately in order to prevent further suicides.
Drug treatment programmes in prison: longitudinal outcome evaluation, policy development and planning interventions
Authors: Pugh Julian , Comiskey Catherine M 
Published: March 2016

AbstractAims: The aim of this research is to evaluate a seven week abstinence-based drug treatment programme and to use this to assist policy makers in the planning and provision of future programmes.Methods: Design: Seventy-nine clients were interviewed at two stages. Stage I, prior to the treatment programme, stage II, immediately after the treatment programme. A selected group of 20 clients were followed-up and interviewed at stage III, up to 24 months after the treatment programme.Setting: All clients were prisoners at Mountjoy Prison, Dublin Ireland.Participants: Seventy-nine male prisoners were recruited. A sample of 20 of the original cohort of 79 was selected using a snowball sampling method approximately 24 months following treatment. This latter sample of 20 clients consisted of eight prisoners who had re-offended and returned to prison, three prisoners who were still in prison serving their original sentence and nine prisoners who were out of prison. These 20 also participated in a more detailed quantitative and qualitative survey.Measurements: In order to measure prisoner's criminogenic attitudes and needs the Crime Pics II instrument was used. This is a semantic differential scale which measures attitudes toward offending behaviour. It includes a problem checklist which can be used to measure change over time.Results: An 82% follow-up rate was achieved on the original group of 79 clients, similarly a follow-up rate of 100% was also achieved for the selected group of 20 clients who were interviewed three times. Regardless of category of client, findings demonstrate an improvement over time for the outcome variables, general attitude to offending, anticipation of re-offending and perception of current life problems. However, the study failed to demonstrate any significant change for the outcome variables victim hurt denial and evaluation of crime as worthwhile.Conclusions: These results were short lived for many prisoners, who failed to sustain the gains made. Interviews with the cohort of 20 who underwent stage III interviews possibly suggest that those clients who did not receive continuity of treatment post programme, in terms of case management and structured treatment did not fare as well as those who did.
The validity of a latent class typology of adolescent drinking patterns
Authors: Percy Andrew , Iwaniec Dorota 
Published: March 2016

AbstractObjectives:This study examined the validity of a latent class typology of adolescent drinking based on four alcohol dimensions; frequency of drinking, quantity consumed, frequency of binge drinking and the number of alcohol related problems encountered.Method:Data used were from the 1970 British Cohort Study 16-year-old follow-up. Partial or complete responses to the selected alcohol measures were provided by 6,516 cohort members. The data were collected via a series of postal questionnaires.Results:A five class LCA typology was constructed. Around 12% of the sample were classified as ‘hazardous drinkers’ reporting frequent drinking, high levels of alcohol consumed, frequent binge drinking and multiple alcohol related problems. Multinomial logistic regression, with multiple imputation for missing data, was used to assess the covariates of adolescent drinking patterns. Hazardous drinking was associated with being white, being male, having heavy drinking parents (in particular fathers), smoking, illicit drug use, and minor and violent offending behaviour. Non-significant associations were found between drinking patterns and general mental health and attention deficient disorder.Conclusion:The latent class typology exhibited concurrent validity in terms of its ability to distinguish respondents across a number of alcohol and non-alcohol indicators. Notwithstanding a number of limitations, latent class analysis offers an alternative data reduction method for the construction of drinking typologies that addresses known weaknesses inherent in more tradition classification methods.
Does psychoeducation influence carers' attitudes to treatment of schizophrenia?
Authors: McWilliams Stephen , Hill Shane , Mannion Nora , Kinsella Anthony , O'Callaghan Eadbhard 
Published: March 2016

AbstractObjective: To measure the impact of a six-week Carer Psychoeducation Program (CPP) on factors that influence attitudes towards treatment among carers and relatives of people suffering from schizophrenia. We also examined which specific attitudes to treatment the CPP had the most effect on.Method: Between 2002 and 2004, all patients and their relatives continued standard care. During this period, we conducted a historically-controlled open trial, in which 64 relatives completed a 17-item adapted version of the Drug Attitudes Inventory (DAI) before and after the CPP.Results: Attitudes to treatment improved significantly overall (p < 0.001), an improvement most marked in terms of attitudes to health and illness, attitudes towards the physician and attitudes towards the potentially harmful effects of treatment. No statistically significant improvement was found, however, in attitudes to locus of control or the preventative role of treatment.Conclusion: A CPP specifically improves family attitudes towards treatment. This finding is clinically important because such attitudes influence adherence which, in turn, influences outcome. The fact that certain attitudes are influenced by the CPP, while others are not, may help to explain the mechanism through which patient outcomes improve.
Determinants of duration of untreated psychosis in an Irish catchment area sample
Authors: Clarke Mary , Browne Stephen , McTigue Orfhlaith , Gervin Maurice , Kinsella Anthony , Waddington John L , Larkin Conall , O'Callaghan Eadbhard 
Published: March 2016

AbstractObjective: To examine the variables that influence of duration of untreated psychosis (DUP) prior to presentation in persons with a first episode of psychosis.Method: Prospective examination of consecutive first presentations with DSM-IV psychosis attending a community based psychiatric service.Results: One hundred and seventy-one patients had an average duration of untreated psychosis of 18 months and a median of five months. The mean duration of untreated mania was 1.5 months, median 0.75 months. DUP was predicted by social withdrawal and diagnosis in the total group and by prodrome in the schizophrenia/schizophreniform group. DUP was not associated with age at onset of psychosis, educational years or living status.Conclusions: There are significant differences in DUP between diagnostic groups. Increased social withdrawal is associated with a longer DUP.
Characteristics of patients admitted to psychiatric intensive care units
Authors: Kasmi Yasir 
Published: March 2016

AbstractObjective: A paucity of research exists on the types of patients admitted to psychiatric intensive care units (PICUs), which is important in terms of identifying patient needs, training and service provision. Questions have also been raised as to whether or not ethnic minorities are overrepresented in these units.Method: A literature review using MeSH headings from a wealth of databases was performed to identify such studies. In addition studies on ethnic minority overrepresentation in psychiatric care were also identified.Results: Under a dozen studies were identified, mainly from the UK and Australia. Study designs tended to be basic and heterogeneous, but this was reflected in the nature of the study and the data gained. A typical PICU patient emerged, namely a young schizophrenic detained male, belonging to an ethnic minority (if in an inner city), known to mental health services with previous informal, detained and PICU admissions, admitted due to violence and often possessing a forensic history. If a complex need existed, it was usually substance misuse. The inpatient stay tended to be for less than two months and discharge was usually to an acute ward. Ethnic minorities were overrepresented in PICU care.Conclusions: The literature review highlighted a paucity of good-quality studies in this field. The establishment of a national association of intensive care units as well as national guidelines can only improve services. The reason for ethnic minority over-representation on these units is still far from clear.
Information sharing and risk: a survey of psychiatrists
Authors: Feeney Larkin , Moran Paul 
Published: March 2016

AbstractObjectives: Historical information is central to decision making in mental health care. Clinical information in the Irish mental health services is currently mostly paper based. Mental health care in Ireland has moved from an institutional medical model towards a community based multidisciplinary model in recent years. This change has resulted in a dispersal of information between multiple sites and professionals, rendering it less accessible, particularly in emergency settings.This study sought to find out if psychiatrists working in Ireland were experiencing information problems, their ideas about and attitudes towards electronic solutions to these problems, and their views as to what particular pieces of information are indispensable in emergency mental health assessments.Method: A questionnaire was designed to answer these questions and sent to a representative sample of 150 psychiatrists working in Ireland.Results: One hundred and nineteen questionnaires (79.3%) were returned complete. Of the 119 respondents 98(82.4%) stated that they had performed emergency mental health assessments within the past year without access to key information and 79(66.4%) said they would have made different decisions in some cases had they had all the available information. Information deficits were particularly apparent in liaison and forensic psychiatry.Of the respondents 110(92.4%) stated that they would welcome an electronic database designed to support emergency mental health assessments. Misgivings were expressed regarding forms of consent, data quality, breach of confidentiality, resources and much more. Risk factors (ie. self-harm potential), a high alert message and medication details were the data items thought to be most critical.Conclusions: A shareable set of essential pieces of information (a minimum data set) would offer a balance between patient safety, confidentiality and shareability. A wider debate about solutions to the information deficits in mental health care in Ireland needs to take place among all stakeholders so that this idea can be moved forward.
Psychological assessment of candidates for bariatric surgery
Authors: Davies Mark 
Published: March 2016

AbstractObjectives: National Institute of Clinical Excellence guidelines indicate that pre-surgical assessment of patients wishing to undergo bariatric surgery should include consideration of psychological factors. This paper describes the psychological characteristics of a cohort of 59 patients.Method: Patients were interviewed and completed the following psychometric assessments: the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, the Dieting Belief Scale, the Binge Eating Scale, the Emotional Eating Scale, the Generalised Self Efficacy Scale, and the Social Support Questionnaire.Results: High levels of psychological distress and binge eating were reported. Men more commonly reported a history of alcohol misuse. There was evidence to suggest that psychological distress predated obesity in the majority of cases.Conclusion: Compulsive eating leading to obesity appears to be both a consequence and a cause of psychological distress. Replacing compulsive eating represents a major post-surgical challenge in the majority of cases. Psychological assessment and follow-up should be offered to each patient.