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Biomedical subjects

D M Turns

Publications and source records attributed to D M Turns.

14 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1988

Should the mentally ill adopt children? How physicians can influence the decision.

No established criteria exist for determining whether a person with a mental illness should or should not be allowed to adopt children. The basis for opinion in such cases can be derived from previous custody cases described in the literature. The interest of the potential parent, as well as the child, must be a primary consideration. Physicians are often called on to make recommendations regarding the parental fitness of a mentally ill person. An intensive assessment of the potential adoptive parent, including a thorough history and investigation of the person's resources and support systems, is necessary before a recommendation can be made.

Adoption↗
PubMed1988

Psychiatric disorders in the elderly. Psychopharmacologic management.

Psychiatric management of elderly patients is a challenging task because of the many age-related physiologic changes and medical problems in this population. Thorough patient evaluation is essential to rule out somatic disorders and determine underlying causes. Somatic complaints must be taken seriously, even if a patient is receiving treatment for a psychiatric disorder. Psychotropic therapy is used mainly for controlling depression, agitation, and psychotic symptoms. If psychiatric symptoms persist or become worse, psychotropics should be discontinued to prevent possible drug toxicity (eg, anticholinergic delirium) and psychiatric consultation should be requested.

Aged↗
PubMed1988

The violent patient: what to do?

Violence is a common clinical problem that must be quickly assessed to be properly managed. The examiner should keep at a safe distance from the patient and conduct the interview in a firm but nonthreatening manner. Verbal intervention, pharmacotherapy, and occasionally, physical restraints are indicated as a first-line approach while treatment of the underlying medical or psychiatric abnormality is initiated. Once the violent patient is under control, management includes thorough diagnostic assessment, pharmacotherapy, careful psychotherapy, and mobilization of community resources.

Humans↗
PubMed1988

Evaluation and management of self-mutilation.

Instances of deliberate self-injury are observed in both psychotic and nonpsychotic individuals. Patients with command hallucinations, religious preoccupations, substance abuse, and social isolation are the most vulnerable. Persons who request unnecessary surgical procedures for bizarre reasons also are at high risk. Such behavior constitutes a medical, surgical, and psychiatric emergency. A thorough psychiatric evaluation is mandated in every case. Vigorous psychiatric treatment and follow-up care involving the full range of pharmacologic, somatic, and psychologic interventions are indicated.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Post-traumatic stress disorder in Vietnam veterans.

Post-traumatic stress disorder evolved from the concepts of shell shock and traumatic war neurosis. In Vietnam veterans, the disorder is associated with unemployment, marital discord, alcoholism and increased autonomic system response to perceived symbols of war trauma. A combination of psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy is the recommended treatment.

Humans↗
PubMed1985

Epidemiology of phobic and obsessive-compulsive disorders among adults.

Phobic and obsessive-compulsive disorders have long been believed to be infrequent in the general population and among persons in treatment. The most recent large-scale multicentered epidemiological study sponsored by NIMH shows startingly different results. Obsessive-compulsive disorders have a life prevalence of 1.9 to 3 percent and a six-month prevalence rate of 1.3 to 2 percent, rates admittedly low but higher than previously thought. Phobic disorders, however, have a life prevalence rate of 7.8 to 23.3 percent and a prevalence rate of 5.4 to 13.4 percent, placing them as the first leading diagnosis. This article also reviews what is known about risk factors and associated pathology.

Cross-Sectional Studies↗
PubMed1977

Rehabilitation of delinquents: the tale of an experience.

Nineteen mentally retarded men with a history of violent behavior were transferred to a civilian institution as a result of a court decision. The problems encountered in the day-to-day management of the unit specially created for their care as well as the behavior changes observed in the group are described and their implications discussed.

Adult↗