bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Trends in Suicide Rate for England and Wales 1975–80
Authors: McClure G. M. G. 
Published: August 2008

SummaryThe suicide rate in England and Wales has increased annually in the period 1975 to 1980. The increase has occurred in both sexes, but has been greater for males. There has been a decrease in suicide by poisoning with solid or liquid substances (including overdoses) and a marked increase in poisoning by vehicle exhaust gas. The rate of hanging, strangulation and suffocation has also increased substantially: taken together (ICD E953) these now form the most common method of suicide in males. Statistics for ‘undetermined’ and ‘accidental’ death have been examined, and indicate that the increase in the official suicide rate represents a real increase in suicides during this period.
How Effective is the Standard Dose of Disulfiram? A Review of the Alcohol-Disulfiram Reaction in Practice
Authors: Brewer Colin 
Published: August 2008

SummaryThe current maximum recommended dose of disulfiram, 200 mg daily, is often inadequate. Of 63 patients taking disulfiram under supervision who either risked drinking alcohol or who had a medically supervised challenge with alcohol, only half produced a significant response on a dose of 200–300 mg daily. Some patients need as much as 1.5 g daily but even at high dosage significant side effects are uncommon, reversible and rarely serious.A modification to the recommended technique for a medically supervised alcohol challenge is described, which minimises distress.
Evaluating the Teaching of a Method of Psychotherapy
Authors: Maguire G. P. , Goldberg D. P. , Hobson R. F. , Margison F. , Moss S. , O'Dowd T. 
Published: August 2008

SummaryA teaching package was produced to help trainees in psychiatry learn the techniques specific to a ‘conversational model’ of psychotherapy, prior to group supervision. This consisted of a booklet and three videotapes. The third tape used a micro-counselling approach to illustrate each key skill and was viewed together with a teacher. After this, trainees met in groups of three with a psychotherapist for eight weekly sessions. To evaluate this teaching, 12 trainees were asked to interview simulated patients before and after they used the package and after supervision. These interviews were recorded on videotape and rated. There were significant improvements on most of the key skills as a result of this training, and nine of the 12 trainees improved considerably. There was a strong negative correlation between improvement scores and a biological orientation to psychiatry. It is concluded that the teaching package is an economic but effective way of helping trainees learn the basics of a method of psychotherapy before they are given supervision.
Psychiatric Diagnostic Discriminations with Combinations of Quantitative EEG Variables
Authors: Shagass Charles , Roemer Richard A. , Straumanis John J. , Josiassen Richard C. 
Published: August 2008

SummaryThe possible psychiatric diagnostic utility of certain quantitative EEG measures was evaluated by further analysis of previously reported data from 242 unmedicated patients and 94 non-patients. Time series of amplitude, frequency and wave symmetry measures for 12-lead EEGs (eyes closed and open) were factor analyzed across leads. Factor scores meeting specified criteria in multivariate analyses were entered into discriminant analyses comparing pairs of the following groups: non-patients, neurotics, personality disorders, overt schizophrenics, latent schizophrenics, major depressives and manics. The following discriminations were obtained with at least 50 per cent sensitivity, and diagnostic confidence rates from 69 to 92 per cent: (a) non-psychotic patients (neuroses, personality disorders) from overt schizophrenics, latent schizophrenics or manics; (b) major depressives from latent schizophrenics or manics; (c) non-patients from schizophrenics (overt and latent), depressives or manics. Most discriminations were replicable in split-half analyses. Possible utility of EEG measures in differential diagnosis is supported.
Positive and Negative Symptoms and the Thematic Organisation of Schizophrenic Speech
Authors: Allen Heidelinde A. 
Published: August 2008

SummaryThis study questions the prevailing view that schizophrenic delusions, hallucinations and incoherence of speech (positive symptoms) reflect loss of cognitive control and that flattening of affect and poverty of speech (negative symptoms) reflect restriction of cognitive processing.The prevailing view was examined by analysing the thematic organisation of speech produced by 18 patients describing pictures. Results showed that (a) positive and negative symptom schizophrenics did not differ in the control and restriction of thematic speech organisation; (b) speech disordered schizophrenics, positive as well as negative, showed cognitive restriction, by producing fewer inferential ideas than non-speech disordered schizophrenics.The wider implications of these results are discussed, particularly the implications of (b) for the notion of concreteness in schizophrenia.
No Correlation between Neuroleptic-induced Increase of β-Endorphin Serum Level and Therapeutic Efficacy in Schizophrenia
Authors: Naber D. , Nedopil N. , Eben E. 
Published: August 2008

SummaryIn 23 acute, unmedicated, schizophrenic patients, psychotic behaviour and β-endorphin serum level were measured before and during four weeks of neuroleptic therapy. Prior to drug treatment, β-endorphin level of all patients was within the normal range. Neuroleptic therapy induced marked elevations of β-endorphin in eight subjects; statistical analysis revealed a slight but significant increase for the whole group. This endocrine effect was not correlated with therapeutic efficacy of neuroleptic treatment.
A Note on Two Important Aspects of Kleinian Theory ‘Projective Identification’ and ‘Idealisation’
Authors: Ployé Philippe M. 
Published: August 2008

SummaryThe concept of ‘projective identification’, introduced by Melanie Klein and extensively used by her followers, is still held by many to be highly controversial and difficult to understand. Great importance is also attached by Kleinian workers to what they describe as the infant's early use of ‘idealisation’ as a defence against anxiety. A hypothesis is presented according to which both mechanisms could be seen as the continuation or persistence, in mental form and in early post-natal life, of some of the ways in which the unborn child could be said to relate to the mother physically during the last few months of intrauterine life.
Drugs and Suicide Attempts in Benin City, Nigeria
Authors: Eferakeya Adego E. 
Published: August 2008

SummaryA review of reported cases of attempted suicide in Benin City indicates that the incidence has not increased over the four-year period 1978 to 1981, during which the average crude suicide attempt rate was 7 per 100, 000. Eighty seven per cent of the attempters were under the age of 30, but the commonest age-group was 15–19 years (39.4 per cent). The female/male ratio was 1:1.2. The majority of the attempters (64 per cent) were students, housewives, and the unemployed. Ingestion of drugs (68 per cent) or of chemicals (20 per cent) was the predominant method. The major predisposing factors were mental illness (32 per cent) and conflicts with parents (24 per cent).
Nutritional Aspects of Down's Syndrome with Special Reference to the Nervous System
Authors: Sylvester Peter E. 
Published: August 2008

SummaryMultiple deficiencies of vitamins and trace metals have been demonstrated in Down's syndrome. The picture is complex, especially since not all individuals are affected equally. Deficiencies are not age-related, but appear to be lifelong. The brain in Downs's syndrome does not develop adequately; one area, the hippocampus, which is concerned with memory, is poorly developed and is also involved in the pathological changes of Alzheimer's disease. The role of nutrients is discussed in relation to damage to the mature brain, and to the ageing process.
Happy Families?
Authors: Heron Judith , Leheup Rachel 
Published: August 2008

SummarySixteen consecutive patients with anorexia nervosa were studied and compared with a control group of other patients coming to an adolescent service, matched for sex and admission status. The anorexic group were not significantly different from the controls in social class and I.Q., and had a male-to-female ratio of one to four. However, they were significantly more likely to have perfectionistic personality traits and to profess to be happy with their families; these families had few external stresses, were very close, and had a high degree of exclusivity.
The use of the C. A.T. Head Scanner in Clinical Psychiatry
Authors: Roberts J. K. A. , Lishman W. A. 
Published: August 2008

SummaryThree hundred and twenty-three patients were referred by psychiatrists for scanning with a 160 x 160 matrix CT 1010 Head Scanner at the Maudsley Hospital during the first year this machine was in use (1977/1978). Two hundred and one referrals were for clinical and 122 for research reasons, 50% of the former and 57% of the latter showed some abnormality on their scans. Review of the patients' notes identified data that were significantly predictive of abnormal scan results; and the referring psychiatrists were significantly more able to predict the scan results correctly during the second six months of the study. Diagnosis, management, and/or prognosis were influenced in 11.7% of those patients scanned for clinical reasons.
Community Care in Camberwell
Authors: Sturt Elizabeth 
Published: August 2008

SummaryA census was taken of all patients in psychiatric hostels and homes, psychiatric day care, and short-term in-patient care who also had at least one year's history of contact with services. During the following two years, 61% of the patients stayed continuously in day or residential care, while 17% were discharged from care within the first year and made no further use of day or residential services. Two main patterns of contact were evident–repeated short-term in-patient care or longer-term care in services outside hospital. Their most important determinant was whether a viable marriage still existed for the patient.
Anorexia Nervosa in Down's Syndrome—A Case Report
Authors: Cottrell D. J. , Crisp A. H. 
Published: August 2008

SummaryA case is described of anorexia nervosa arising in a mentally-handicapped 35-year old person with Down's syndrome. The late onset is accounted for on the grounds that adolescent challenges had only recently arisen in this instance. Removal of the patient from the provocative situation, coupled with some effective psychotherapeutic ‘grief work’ with the family, was associated with restoration of normal body weight and menstrual function, following the patient's acceptance of the usual re-feeding treatment programme.
Cognitive-Behaviour Therapy for Depression: Problems and Perspectives
Authors: Williams J. Mark G. 
Published: August 2008

SummaryA number of reviews of the effectiveness of cognitive behaviour therapy for depression, though optimistic, have pointed to some difficulties in interpretation of the outcome literature. These difficulties, and the extent to which more recent research has dealt with them, are reviewed. It is suggested that while some of the genuine difficulties have been resolved, and other commonly expressed criticisms may prove to be unfounded, there remain a number of important areas of ignorance which demand further investigation.
Anorexia Nervosa in a Black Zimbabwean
Authors: Buchan T. , Gregory L. D. 
Published: August 2008

SummaryIn spite of the comparative rarity of anorexia nervosa in African patients, the case of a young black Zimbabwean woman which fulfils Feighner's diagnostic criteria is presented. Special reference is made to several unusual features which include the social and psychological conflicts engendered by changes of culture, the clinical symptoms, and the role of a traditional healer in her recovery. A speculative hypothesis concerning aetiology is suggested.
The Limited Utility of the Dexamethasone Suppression Test for the Diagnostic Process in Psychiatry
Authors: Berger Mathias , Pirke Karl-Martin , Doerr Peter , Krieg Jürgen-Christian , von Zerssen Detlev 
Published: August 2008

SummaryIn 231 psychiatric in-patients, the 1 mg or 1.5 mg DST with blood samples at 0900 h, 1600 h and 2300 h and a post-dexamethasone plasma cortisol threshold of ⩾ 5 μg/dl were tested for their differential diagnostic utility in clinical psychiatry. Neither test significantly separated endogenous depressed. patients from patients with other depressive or non-depressive psychiatric disorders. Studies of the 1 mg or 1.5 mg DST in 75 healthy subjects revealed about 12% of cortisol non-suppressors, when a post–dexamethasone cortisol threshold of ⩾ 5 μg/dl was used. This seemed to be an unacceptably low specificity of the test in normal subjects. A threshold criterion of ⩾ 8 μg/dl, however, yielded only 2.7% of non-suppressed normal subjects. Analyses of the DST data of the psychiatric patients, using a cortisol threshold of ⩾ 8 μg/dl, also failed to reveal a significantly higher specificity of the DST for endogenous depression. However, it was demonstrated that intervening variables such as stress due to hospital admission, drug withdrawal, suicidal turmoil, weight loss, as well as a low dexamethasone plasma level, enhance the rate of abnormal DST results in psychiatric in-patients, regardless of their diagnostic classification.
Psychosocial Outcome after Coronary Artery By-pass Surgery
Authors: Bass Christopher 
Published: August 2008

SummaryThirty-six patients with obstructive coronary artery disease were interviewed before by-pass graft surgery, and again a mean period of 12.3 months (n = 34) after the operation. The operation was successful in providing relief from chest pain in 31 patients. Psychiatric outcome was related to preoperative mental state, social maladjustment, neuroticism, Bortner Type A score, and previous psychiatric history. One quarter of those employed preoperatively failed to return to work after operation, even though they were improved in terms of symptoms and functional capacity. No association was found between measures of either psychiatric morbidity, or employment status at follow-up, and pre-operative physical variables.
Changes occurring in Appetite and Weight during Short-Term Antidepressant Treatment
Authors: Harris Brian , Young John , Hughes Bill 
Published: August 2008

SummaryChanges in appetite and weight were recorded in mild to moderately depressed out-patients during the course of clinical trials of various antidepressant drugs. After six weeks, differences due to treatment regimes were minimal. Patients who on becoming depressed experienced severe changes in appetite and weight in either direction, tended to return to normal. The significant associations of appetite and weight change during treatment were with weight, appetite, and carbohydrate preference at presentation, and also with the ‘appetite history’ and ‘weight history’. The associations with the degree of depression were relatively minor.
On the value of P300 Event-Related Potentials in the Differential Diagnosis of Dementia
Authors: Slaets J. P. J. , Fortgens C. 
Published: August 2008

SummaryThe possible value of event-related potentials (ERPs) in the differential diagnosis of dementia was investigated in a group of 42 demented elderly patients, 29 non-demented elderly patients, and 10 healthy young controls. The auditory evoked potentials were elicited by using target and non-target auditory stimuli. There was no significant difference in N100 and P200 latency between these groups. Our results indicate an age-related increase of P300 latency of 0.3 msec/year in the non-demented subjects. There was no significant difference in P300 latency between demented and non-demented patients, and the latencies vary widely within the groups of elderly patients.
The X-ray Department and Psychiatry
Authors: Larkin E. P. 
Published: August 2008

SummaryAll X-rays requested by psychiatrists in-training during 1982 and performed by the Department of Radiology of a large mental hospital were analysed. Forty-five per cent of all requests were marked routine, and the majority of these were for chest X-rays; only 4% of these revealed significant abnormality and no patient under the age of 55 had a significant abnormality on routine chest X-ray. All routine skull X-rays were normal. One-third of the long-stay hospital population accounted for one-quarter of the overall workload of the department. It is recommended that: requests for routine skull X-rays be abandoned, and that routine chest X-rays for patients below the age of 55 be restricted to high-risk groups such as immigrants, those on steroids, etc. The financial implications of such a policy are discussed.
Fusarial Mycotoxins and Behaviour: Possible Implications for Psychiatric Disorder
Authors: Schoental R. 
Published: August 2008

SummaryMan and animals are sporadically exposed to mycotoxins (the secondary metabolites of moulds), which include those produced in damp and cool environment by the almost ubiquitous soil-microfungi, theFusaria.Perinatal exposure to the mycotoxins may cause damage to many organs, including the CNS and those which are targets for oestrogenic agents. Depending on the levels of the mycotoxins and the time of their action, the effects may manifest themselves as neonatal abnormalities, or as neurological and behavioural anomalies and chronic disorders later in life. The relationship between the anatomical and behavioural development of individuals and their perinatal exposure to fusarial mycotoxins requires further investigation.
A Study of 250 Patients Referred to a Department of Psychiatry for the Deaf
Authors: Denmark John C. 
Published: August 2008

Summary250 patients referred to a department of psychiatry for the deaf were selected by random sampling and studied. The results underline the need for specialised services for deaf patients of all types, not only those who communicate solely by manual methods. Patients are referred to this department suffering from mental illness and communication disorders, as well as from problems related to their deafness. Some of the difficulties of managing a supra-regional service are discussed.
Zopiclone: A Non-Benzodiazepine Hypnotic
Authors: Wheatley David 
Published: August 2008

SummaryZopiclone, a non-benzodiazepine hypnotic, was compared with temazepam in the treatment of 36 patients suffering from insomnia; the trial period was two weeks, with cross-over of medications at one week and a randomised order of administration. There were highly significant improvements with both drugs, as compared to the control period in respect of: sleep latency, number of times waking during the night, and quality and duration of sleep. The incidence of side-effects was very low. No significant between-drug differences were found in respect of any of the assessment measures or of the incidence of side-effects.
Understanding the Italian Experience
Authors: Jones Kathleen , Poletti Alison 
Published: August 2008

SummaryThe “Italian Experience” in closing down mental hospitals has been highly praised by some British observers, who have seen lessons for Britain in the development of community care. However, it has been the subject of heated debate in Italy—and the policy is now to be reversed by law. Two questions arise: why have the claims been exaggerated? And why have they found such ready and uncritical acceptance in Britain?
Language in Schizophrenia
Authors: Rutter D. R. 
Published: August 2008

SummaryExperimental research into language in schizophrenia has been guided traditionally by two main assumptions: that language disturbance is widespread among schizophrenic patients and easy to detect and measure, and that schizophrenia is fundamentally a cognitive disorder in which language disturbance is part of an inability or failure to regulate one's thoughts. However, recent findings have challenged both assumptions. Two experiments are reported here, the first based on monologues, the second on conversations, which were subjected to reconstruction and discourse analyses. Schizophrenic material is found to be harder to follow than normal, and is characterised by poor reference networks and inappropriate use of questions. While some of the results are specific to the schizophrenic group, others are found also in affective patients, but none is the product of formal thought disorder. The central problem lies less in cognition than in the social process of taking the role of the other.
Psychological Profile of the Spouse of the Female Agoraphobic Patient
Authors: Arrindell Willem A. , Emmelkamp Paul M. G. 
Published: August 2008

SummaryIt has been contended that psychological characteristics of the partner of the agoraphobic patient are important factors in the development and maintenance of the patient's symptoms. To examine this hypothesis, male partners of female agoraphobics were compared with those of non-phobic psychiatric patients and of normal controls on a total of 48 measures referring to several symptom complexes and traits, including defensiveness. The partners of agoraphobics as a group were not found to be more defensive or psychologically more disturbed than their control counterparts. Additional within-couple analyses across groups showed spouses in the control couples to be more comparable to each other than were agoraphobics and their partners—a finding which was attributed to the highly elevated scores of the agoraphobic patients.
Maggot in the Salt, the Snake Factor and the Treatment of Atypical Psychosis in West African Women
Authors: Farmer Anne E. , Falkowski Wojciech F. 
Published: August 2008

SummaryWe describe psychotic illness in a Nigerian and a Togoese woman respectively. Although the clinical presentation was familiar to the clinical team, neither responded to conventional methods of treatment. Detailed ethnic enquiry revealed cultural beliefs which had a profound impact on each illness. Swift recovery occurred after repatriation. Eisenbruch (1983) has reported a case of ‘wind illness' in a paper described as a 'study of psychiatric anthropology’, which stresses the importance of understanding the patient's own view of his illness and it causes, in arriving at the correct diagnosis and intervening effectively. We describe here two cases of atypical psychosis in West African women, which lead us to endorse this view; as in his case, Western medicine proved useless, although complete recovery occurred once both had been repatriated.
Mates of Schizophrenic Mothers
Authors: Parnas Josef 
Published: August 2008

SummaryBoth mates of schizophrenic mothers and a control group consisting of mates of non-schizophrenic mothers were diagnostically examined. The former were more frequently psychiatrically deviant than their controls, both with respect to a life-time syndrome diagnosis and a personality diagnosis. Mating between a schizophrenic mother and a father who suffered from schizophrenia spectrum disorder significantly increased the offspring's risk of developing a schizophrenia spectrum disorder himself. Assortative mating was negatively correlated with age of onset of maternal schizophrenia. It is proposed that defective emotional rapport or sub-psychotic features constitute the phenotypic traits by which assortative mating operates in schizophrenia.