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Biomedical subjects

C Ghinea

Publications and source records attributed to C Ghinea.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

The wandering psychiatric emergency room--design, location and transformations.

We describe the changes in location and philosophy of a psychiatric emergency room over a period of 20 years. Four phases are described in which location, size, modes of access as well as internal and external boundaries reflect philosophies of treatment and the evolving identity of a psychiatric emergency room. The four phases include an early embryonic stage, a second stage involving rapid development of services, a third stage involving regression and consolidation and a fourth stage representing a fully developed independent service. The authors stress both external and rational considerations, such as mental health policies and budget, as well as unconscious irrational processes, which reflect the dynamic forces within the organization.

Emergency Services, Psychiatric↗

Serum melatonin levels in schizophrenic and schizoaffective hospitalized patients.

Conflicting results on changes of the diurnal melatonin rhythms of patients with affective disorders have been reported in the literature. The heterogeneous data may derive from the great discrepancy in the diagnostic criteria of different authors. A study of 12 schizoaffective and chronic schizophrenic psychotic patients found a constant pattern of an obliterated nocturnal melatonin rise only in the latter group. The presence or absence of the nocturnal melatonin rise was determined in drug-free hospitalized patients and remained unchanged despite 2 months of drug treatment including large doses of neuroleptics. This finding, when confirmed in a larger number of patients, could possibly serve as a marker for the type of mental disorder, drug to be applied and response expected.

Adult↗

[Bromocriptine-associated postpartum psychotic exacerbation].

2 cases are presented in which bromocriptine (Parlodel) was administered to suppress physiological lactation; parturition had precipitated deterioration in mental status and psychotic behavior. Discontinuation of bromocriptine and administration of antipsychotic medication resulted in gradual improvement in the psychotic symptoms, without complications of galactorrhea or breast engorgement. We recommend that changes in mental status be looked for when bromocriptine is given.

Adult↗