Biomedical subjects

Carsten Spitzer

Publications and source records attributed to Carsten Spitzer.

23 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMedDate not supplied

[The axis "Structure" of the operationalized psychodynamic diagnostics (OPD): Its relationship with sociodemographic, clinical and psychopathological features as well as categorical diagnoses].

To assess the relationship between the axis IV (structure) of the Operationalized Psychodynamic Diagnostics (OPD) and sociodemographic, clinical and psychopathological features, we rated the structural level of 156 psychiatric inpatients, which was related to sociodemographic variables, to clinical diagnoses (particularly to personality and substance use disorders), to suicidal ideation and self-injurious behavior (SIB) as well as to the psychopathological impairment at admission (measured by the SCL-90). We found significant associations among the structural level on the one hand and the marital status, the professional group, a comorbid personality disorder, suicidal ideation and SIB on the other hand. There were no associations with the sex, the age, the school education, the occupational situation or the SCL-90 findings. Our results replicate and extend previous findings. For every-day routine, it is possible to derive a preliminary judgement of the structural level by means of the marital status, the professional group, a comorbid personality disorder, suicidal ideation and SIB.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Screening and Measurement of Change of Dissociative Psychopathology: Psychometric Properties of the Short Version of the Fragebogen zu Dissoziativen Symptomen (FDS-20)].

Given the clinical and scientific relevance of dissociative experiences our study aimed to assess the psychometric properties of a short version of the German Dissociative Experience Scale (called FDS-20) as well as its ability to measure changes in dissociation. In a large sample (N = 1289) the FDS- 20 showed good internal consistency. A factor analysis indicated that the scale measures one single factor reflecting the general degree of dissociative psychopathology. Between-group-comparisons suggested a good discriminant validity between high and low dissociators; however, due to high standard deviations the FDS-20 is not well suited for an individual diagnosis and therefore, it should be used as a screening device. Low effect sizes (d < 0,3) between scores at the beginning and the end of inpatient treatment as well as low micro -indices pointed to a temporal stable construct and a trait scale, respectively. Alternatively to group comparisons, individual parameters of treatment success (statistical and clinical significance) were calculated. They proved to be more appropriate in measuring changes in dissociation.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[The relevance of personality and sexual traumata for sexual offenders in forensic psychiatry].

BACKGROUND: Studies in forensic psychiatry indicate that persons in prison and psychologically disturbed sexual offenders have a high degree of traumatic experiences. But less is known about other specific risk factors. The aim of this study was to investigate the extent to which the diagnoses and traumata of sexual offenders differ from those of non-sexual offenders. METHOD: 51-male, German, forensic psychiatric patients were examined. Various self-evaluation questionnaires served to ascertain dissociative and general psychopathology and interpersonal problems. RESULTS: No significant correlations were found between sexual offences and forensic or socio-demographic variables. Nor was it possible to identify any differences in dissociative and psychopathological factors between sexual offenders and non-sexual offenders. However, the comparison between these groups showed that the former more frequently reported sexual abuse in their biographies and the diagnosis more frequently indicated a narcissistic personality disorder. But the logistic regression analysis coupled with age pointed to only sexual abuse in childhood as a significant factor. CONCLUSION: Our data support the idea that one's own traumatic experiences are reproduced later. That indicates the significance of dealing with traumatic experiences in childhood for this group of offenders.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Gender differences in dissociation. A dimensional approach.

Considering that epidemiological research on dissociative disorders has suggested a 9 to 1 predominance of female cases, this study investigated the relationship between gender and dissociation using a dimensional approach. A total of 2,153 participants from different diagnostic groups completed the Dissociative Experience Scale. In order to control for the confounding effect of current psychopathology a subgroup 790 subjects additionally completed the SCL-90. We did not find any differences in the general or pathological dissociation scores. Hypothetical gender differences in dissociative psychopathology were not a function of diagnostic categories. There were no significant sex differences in the distribution of high dissociators. Our findings suggest that men and women do not generally differ in dissociative psychopathology. The implications for future investigations on the epidemiology, etiology, and psychobiology of dissociative symptoms are discussed.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Interhemispheric transfer in alexithymia: a transcallosal inhibition study.

OBJECTIVE: This study investigates the hypothesis that alexithymia is associated with an interhemispheric transfer deficit via the corpus callosum (CC). METHOD: The transcallosal inhibition paradigm was used to assess interhemispheric transfer. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and peripheral electromyographic recordings were performed in 10 right-handed male and 10 female students with Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) scores of > or = 61 and controls (TAS-20 scores of < 61). The transcallosal conduction time (TCT) reflects the TMS-induced inhibitory cortical activity that is mediated via the CC. RESULTS: There was a significant interaction between gender and alexithymia (Wilks lambda = 0.89; F = 3.4; d.f. = 2, 57; p = 0.04) indicating that alexithymic males had shorter bidirectional TCTs than controls and a significantly shorter left to right TCT than controls (p = 0.002). However, the left to right TCT was not significantly different from the right to left TCT in alexithymic males (p = 0.39). Alexithymic females were not different from controls. CONCLUSION: Our results clearly stand in contrast to the hypothesis of a transfer deficit due to a dysfunction of the CC in alexithymia. Facilitated, bidirectional transcallosal inhibition of the contralateral motor activity is associated with alexithymia in males. Facilitated cortical inhibition may be a neurobiological correlate of alexithymia.

Adult↗