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Biomedical subjects

C A Pollard

Publications and source records attributed to C A Pollard.

28 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1987

Inpatient treatment of complicated agoraphobia and panic disorder.

Despite recent advances in the treatment of agoraphobia and panic disorder, some patients do not respond to standard outpatient regimens of biological and psychosocial intervention and may require more intensive, closely supervised care. The authors describe a specialized inpatient program that integrates pharmacotherapy, intensive levels of exposure and other behavioral therapies, a structured and strategically reinforcing environment, panic and anxiety management strategies, and other interventions designed specifically for patients with complicated panic-based disorders. Outcome data for 25 patients indicate that after a mean stay of 35 days, 19 patients were significantly improved. These preliminary results suggest that appropriately designed inpatient programs offer an effective treatment option for some patients with refractory conditions of agoraphobia or panic disorder.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

The Pain Disability Index: psychometric and validity data.

The Pain Disability Index (PDI) is a brief instrument that was developed to assess pain-related disability, providing information that complements assessment of physical impairment. This paper presents the results of two studies concerning the psychometric properties and the validity of the PDI. In study I, PDI scores of 108 patients appeared internally consistent (alpha = .86), although a factor analysis revealed two factors. The first factor (59.3% of variance) seemed to include more discretionary, less obligatory activities. The second factor (14.3% of variance) included activities more basic to daily living and survival. Study II found that the PDI scores of 37 former inpatients were significantly higher than 36 former outpatients who responded to a follow-up questionnaire. These findings support the validity of the PDI. Several methodologic issues are discussed, and suggestions are made for future uses of the instrument.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Inpatient behavior therapy: the St. Louis University model.

Many of the problems that impede the practice of behavior therapy on traditional psychiatric and medical inpatient services can be avoided by a separate behaviorally-oriented inpatient unit, but few guidelines exist for establishing such a unit. The present paper describes the inpatient Behavioral Treatment Unit developed at St. Louis University Medical Center. Critical administrative and clinical features of the Unit are discussed, including the administrative philosophy which emphasizes unit autonomy and participative management, the central role of nursing staff, the importance of the clinical team system, the development of referral sources, admission procedures and criteria, and basic approaches to assessment and treatment.

Academic Medical Centers↗
PubMed1984

Comprehensive behavioral management of complex tinnitus: a case illustration.

This paper describes a comprehensive program for behavioral management of complex tinnitus. The clinical characteristics and typical treatment of tinnitus are reviewed. Psychosocial sequelae are discussed in terms of their exacerbation of the symptom and their potential as foci of treatment. The management problems of tinnitus are considered analogous to those of chronic pain. A case illustration is provided with a description of the treatment process. The comprehensive behavioral program discussed in the present paper included biofeedback therapy, pain management training, social skills training, assertion training, in vivo exposure to being alone, cognitive treatment of depression, and marital therapy. Outcomes were monitored multidimensionally. Self-report of tinnitus severity decreased after the 6th treatment day and stabilized at a "mild" rating after the 9th day. Skin temperature readings at baseline increased and stabilized after the 8th day, and the patient was able to reliably increase skin temperature on request. Scores on the Beck Depression Inventory and the Willoughby Personality Schedule, and a self-rating of Fear of Being Alone dropped markedly by the end of treatment. Follow-up data at 3 months indicated maintenance of gains.

Assertiveness↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Managing panic attacks in emergency patients.

Patients experiencing panic attacks often seek help at emergency departments. However, the symptoms of panic can be difficult to distinguish from some common medical emergencies. Furthermore, many emergency medicine clinicians may not be equipped to deal effectively with panic attacks and related psychiatric conditions such as panic disorder and agoraphobia. Early misdiagnosis and inadequate management of panic attacks can have devastating long-term clinical and financial consequences. The purpose of this paper is to provide information designed to increase the comfort and efficacy of emergency physicians and allied professionals in dealing with panic attacks. The authors offer guidelines regarding differential diagnosis, present strategies for management of acute symptoms of panic and anxiety, and make recommendations for brief postpanic clinical intervention.

Anxiety Disorders↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Late-life-onset panic disorder: clinical and demographic characteristics of a patient sample.

Although panic disorder is generally believed to begin in young adulthood, 13 cases of panic disorder with an initial onset after age 60 years have recently been seen at our clinics. Other than the time of life in which the first panic attack occurred, clinical and demographic profiles of these 13 patients were similar to those that have been reported for panic disorder patients whose panic began earlier in life. These findings indicate that panic disorder can affect older adults with no previous history of panic attacks, but further research is needed to determine the clinical and theoretical significance of late-life-onset panic disorder.

Age of Onset↗