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Biomedical subjects

D Bourget

Publications and source records attributed to D Bourget.

14 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2000

Spousal homicide and suicide in Quebec.

Domestic violence is a cause for major concern in psychiatry today, yet little is known about the amplitude and dynamics of spousal homicide and extended suicide. Within the jurisdiction of the Quebec Coroner's Office, the investigation files on all consecutive cases of deceased victims of intrafamilial violence occurring between 1991 and 1998 were reviewed. Using a validated checklist, a variety of variables were systematically collected and reviewed for descriptive analysis. Three hundred eighty-eight cases of death were studied. Of this sample, 145 cases (37.4%) concerned victims of conjugal homicide. Fifty-eight cases (40.01%) concerned victims whose homicidal spouses subsequently killed themselves. Suicidal offenders were more likely to be men, to be estranged from their spouse through separation, and, most often, to have used a firearm in the commission of the extended homicide-suicide. The majority of offenders suffered from clinical symptoms of depression. This study emphasizes the need to develop a detailed tool to assist coroners in the field and police investigators with the gathering of specific information that will be of use to clinical researchers.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Sex offenders who claim amnesia for their alleged offense.

Information relating to demography, history, and psychiatric functioning was collected for 20 consecutive individuals presenting to the Sexual Behaviours Clinic of the Royal Ottawa Hospital who claimed amnesia for their alleged sexual offenses. In addition, comparison groups of admitter and nonadmitter sex offenders were established to isolate relevant psychopathological constructs within the primary study group. Amnestic offenders displayed higher degrees of violence and fulfilled diagnostic criteria for potentially more harmful paraphilia.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Ritanserin, imipramine, and placebo in the treatment of dysthymic disorder.

Fifty outpatients with dysthymic disorder (DSM-III) were divided by double-blind randomized assignment into three groups given ritanserin, imipramine, and placebo, respectively. The trial was of 7 weeks' duration; by week 6, imipramine was clearly superior to placebo, whereas by week 7, both drugs caused significantly more improvement than the placebo. Although imipramine had slightly greater efficacy than ritanserin, it also had significantly more side effects. This was particularly evident in the higher dropout rate with imipramine. The efficacy and side effect profile of ritanserin makes it well tolerated and acceptable with dysthymic patients who, although they do not respond as quickly as patients with major depressive disorder, do show significant improvement, given sufficient time.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Homicide, infanticide, and filicide.

Homicidal behavior appears to be a heterogeneous phenomenon. Although the causative role of mental illness in relation to homicide remains a controversial and debatable issue, recent studies indicate that a significant number of homicidal adults suffer from serious mental illness, more specifically psychosis. Most reports that attempt to correlate the presence of identifiable risk factors and homicide yield inconclusive or unreplicated results. In addition to supporting the need for further research in the area of aggressive behavior and violence, prevention also should involve the use of a multidisciplinary approach in considering the multiple causes and solutions to this problem.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Adolescent murderers.

Clinical, developmental and environmental factors were retrospectively studied in 14 adolescent murderers who had been referred to a forensic psychiatric clinic over an 11 year period. Results of these analyses were compared with findings from previous reports. The majority of subjects came from split families. There was a greater than expected degree of psychiatric illness in the adolescents. Previous psychiatric contact, antisocial behaviour and substance abuse were common among these adolescents. A tentative profile of adolescents who are likely to commit murder can therefore be drawn up, which may suggest direction for preventive action and rehabilitation.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Homicidal parents.

This paper describes a series of 13 cases of parents who have killed their children. A review of the literature suggests that child murder is infrequent and committed in most instances by the parents. Most attention has been directed to the universal phenomenon of child abuse. The killing of a child in our culture is viewed much more seriously than the killing of a newborn infant, legally defined as infanticide. Only a few authors have reported on the former, and their studies tend to demonstrate that a higher proportion of these crimes are perpetrated by mothers. Homicidal behaviour in parents may also be associated with common forms of psychiatric disorders and may manifest as the extended suicide phenomenon (homicide reported with major depressive illness). Attributes of both parents and the children are also significant factors to be considered. In a retrospective study the relevant demographic and clinical data of a series of 13 cases are reviewed. The diagnostic classification using DSM-III-R is discussed in detail. A higher incidence of maternal perpetrators was found and is consistent with previous studies. Exposure to a variety of psychosocial stresses appears to have been a major factor. Similarly the suicidal history and behaviour of the subjects is significant. Affective disorder appears to be an important diagnostic category. Finally, the role of psychiatric and other social agencies is considered in relation to the murder of children. A better understanding of this phenomenon is indicated in order to help us deal with families at risk.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Female arsonists: a clinical study.

This paper is a detailed study of a sample of 15 female arsonists. A review of the literature suggests that arson is seen more frequently in males with female firesetters usually comprising 10 to 18% of the samples of firesetters studied. As a result, female arsonists have been studied less often, and only a few authors have reported on their clinical features. This retrospective study demonstrates that female arsonists do not fall in any particular age group and are mostly either single or separated. Some psychosexual aspects of their behavior also appear to be clinically relevant. In contrast to previous studies, they were more often diagnosed as personality disordered and an association with suicidal behavior was found. Their motivations for the firesetting behavior were also considered. Finally, this paper compares some demographic, clinical, and other differences between male and female arsonists. The study also suggests that poor impulse control may be a prerequisite to this type of criminal behavior. The identification of psychopathic traits in the arsonist has important medico-legal implications.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Satanism in a psychiatric adolescent population.

In a university affiliated adolescent psychiatric facility, providing approximately 250 consultations per year, an unsuspectedly high prevalence of preoccupation with "satanism" was found in referred adolescents. Interested by the phenomenon, the authors have identified and documented eight cases in an attempt to isolate common characteristics among the cases. Initially a link between the marginal cult belief and general maladjustment was hypothesized, specifically delinquent behaviour. The study confirmed this trend and showed a significant impairment in the social adjustment of these adolescents. One of the most striking findings was the high prevalence of family disruption and parental abuse. Furthermore, a wide range of psychiatric symptoms were found in our subjects. This study raises concerns over the psychological development of adolescents who are subject to high levels of psychosocial stress. It will hopefully encourage further work in the area of increased susceptibility towards beliefs and indoctrination.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Affective disorder and homicide: a case of familial filicide theoretical and clinical considerations.

This paper discusses a case of maternal homicide which occurred in the course of a major affective disorder. The relationship between mental illness and criminality is reviewed with a particular emphasis on affective disorder in relation to filicide. A number of significant issues are dealt with including consequences of failure to elicit positive family history of affective disorder, suicide and filicide. Indeed, a history of familial double filicide raises the question of possible hereditary influences. The significance of hypochondriacal symptomatology in the course of the illness and the role of steroids in precipitating or aggravating a psychotic depression also need to be explored. It primarily addresses the importance of prevention and recognition of risk factors associated with child murder committed by depressed parents.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Fire fetishism, diagnostic and clinical implications: a review of two cases.

From the 19th century and early writings on the subject, psychosexual factors have been reported to play a role in pyromania. After a brief review of the literature on firesetting and pyromania, two cases of arsonists are presented in which fire appears to be part of a fetish. Full sexual behaviours assessments were completed, therefore providing objective findings. Both subjects were treated for the sexual deviation associated with the acts of arson and showed significant changes in their sexual functioning. This paper deals with the issues of identification and management of such conditions.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Immunologic survey on leptospirosis in the Marquesas Islands].

Marquesas Islands, within the French Polynesian territory, are situated in the south hemisphere, near the Equator. They are volcanic islands, with a humid and hot climate, and high hygrometry . These islands are relatively isolated. Our sera were collected at the occasion of a blood test campaign: in Taiohae , 104 people, and Atuona , 149 people; they were between 17 and 57 years old. The results show that 45 people have antibodies against L. biflexa Patoc (17,8%). Among them, 24 have antibodies against icterohaemorrhagiae (9,5%). This is the evidence of the presence of leptospires in these islands.

Adolescent↗