PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

E Witztum

Publications and source records attributed to E Witztum.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

[Depersonalization after withdrawal from cannabis usage].

The phenomenon of depersonalization during cannabis usage (intoxication) is commonly known. However, its appearance after drug stoppage is relatively unknown. This article reviews the literature on depersonalization after cannabis withdrawal and discusses three representing cases demonstrating the severity of the problem. Clinical features are described as well as effects on functioning and the long-term nature of this disorder. The treatment approach in each case is also presented.

Anxiety Disorders↗
PubMed2004

The enigma of Lenin's (1870-1924) malady.

The health of heads of states is not always handled in the same way as an incapacitating disability in ordinary professionals. Instead of suspension of responsibilities, the health status of political leaders is concealed, especially when the illness is perceived as stigmatizing, such as organic mental impairment or sexual disorder. The objective of the present paper is to analyse the malady of Lenin (1870-1924) in the light of relevant and new medical information. It is hoped that this will accentuate the need for transparency when the health of a statesman is concerned.

Autopsy↗
PubMed2004

Reassessing "Jacob's case": a serial killer re-examined after ten years.

The current study re-examines an exceptional case of a serial killer incarcerated since a decade ago. "Jacob" is the first serial killer apprehended in Israel. His known actions were committed during the eighties of the last century, and continued for eleven years. The victims were elderly individuals, including both his parents. Shortly after incarceration he became overtly schizophrenic and underwent five hospitalisations. The case is re-examined in view of changes, both in the perpetrator's diagnosis and criminal legislation. Was Jacob doomed to become a serial killer, or could his fate be avoided through early professional intervention? Were the killings presenting symptoms of a psychotic or pre-psychotic phase? Should he be eligible for a retrial? What would have been his position with the current law in view of the new 300A(a) clause ("Reduced Punishment") of the Israeli Criminal Code? Could he ever be released back to the community? These are some of the questions to be addressed.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

[Cyclic psychosis associated with the menstrual cycle].

Cyclic psychosis associated with the menstrual cycle is an uncommon disorder, not included under the accepted definitions of functional psychoses. We present three female adolescents who developed an acute psychosis a few days before menstruation, which resolved completely upon bleeding or several days later, only to reappear in the same form in subsequent cycles. The clinical presentation was not in line with that of the typical functional psychoses. An extensive medical work-up did not show any significant disturbances, with the exception of anovulatory cycles in one youngster. Psychotropic treatment had no effect on the course of the psychosis. Treatment with progesterone in the second half of the cycle in one case, and with a combined progesterone/estrogen contraceptive agent in another, resulted in full recovery within several cycles. The third girl showed a spontaneous remission within four cycles. Remission continued in all cases after discontinuation of the hormonal treatment, and with no need to reintroduce any psychotropic agent, for a period of 2-4 years. We discuss several possible etiologic mechanisms for cyclic psychosis associated with the menstrual cycle, including it being a cycloid non-specific affective disorder, and its association with a temporary functional hypothalamic-pituitary dysfunction, and with anovulation. We also discuss the role of psychotropic and hormonal treatment in this disorder.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

[Enigma of Lenin's illness].

A difficult problem that arises periodically involves the physical and psychological problems of political leaders. Unlike the ordinary person, where the presence of physical or psychiatric disability that interferes with functioning will be revealed and will result in suspension from work responsibilities (e.g. pilot, bus driver, physician), the situation is different with regard to political leaders. Concerning the latter, the information may remain concealed because it is conceived of as stigmatizing, e.g., mental illness, and sexual disorder. The result of hiding such information is that sick leaders may continue to hold their positions of vast power in spite of their disability. Examples of world leaders who suffered from sustained disability as a result of incapacitating neurological or psychiatric illnesses, physical problems or medication effects include Woodrow Wilson, Franklin Roosevelt, Dwight Eisenhower, Winston Churchill and Conrad Adenauer. In the present article we will discuss in detail Lenins severe illness--whose differential diagnosis and real facts were kept hidden from the public--and the consequences of this cover-up.

Attitude to Health↗
PubMed2002

[Cerebral and physical risks associated with cannabis use].

This article summarize the results of research studies that indicate that the accepting, permissive approach to cannabis use is not justified. After theoretical introduction and a discussion of the forms currently available, we review research and epidemiological surveys demoting the effects of cannabis on various body systems. The deleterious effects associated with cannabis use and its derivatives are discussed.

Attitude to Health↗
PubMed2001

The misidentification of Clerambault's and Kandinsky-Clerambault's syndromes.

Eponymic terms or eponyms are labels describing phenomena that reflect the name(s) of the person(s) who first described the phenomena. Using a similar term to describe different forms of pathology leads to a muddle. In this paper, we describe "Clerambault's syndrome" and "Kandinsky-Clerambault's syndrome" and discuss and clarify the confusion surrounding these different syndromes.

Automatism↗
PubMed2001

[Chapters in the history of psychiatry in Israel and its surroundings: B). The Asfouriyeh hospital for the insane in Lebanon].

This is the second of a series of articles dealing with the history of psychiatry in Eretz-Israel and its surroundings. After a brief survey of the Ottoman medicine and Islamic hospitals, this article presents a short description of the treatment for mentally ill patients in the Ottoman Empire. We describe the historical background and the establishment of the Asfouriyeh hospital for the insane in Lebanon towards the end of 19th century, as well as other mental hospitals in this land. We outline some similarities in initiative and administration during the foundation of Ezrath-Nashim hospital in Jerusalem at that time.

History, 15th Century↗
PubMed2001

Death, bereavement and traumatic loss in Israel: a historical and cultural perspective.

In the present article, we focus on the experience of bereavement and traumatic loss in Israel and examine the main influences that continue to shape them. For the Jewish population the main features are: religious aspects stemming from Jewish tradition and its variants; the secular and contemporary traditions, the ethos of the Israeli state, and the influence of the struggle to reestablish the Jewish people in its homeland. In an increasingly multicultural society, significant changes are occurring. A series of vignettes of grief and mourning illustrate current issues and practices among religious, secular, kibbutz, Russian and Ethiopian segments of society. The remainder of the article discusses emerging patterns of response to bereavement that are socially constructed and historically situated. We follow the variations in these patterns, from shifting forms of memorialization on the collective level to changes in expressive mood on the individual level, which are mediated by the cultural mosaic of the society. Mental health professionals would benefit from an understanding of the multifaceted fabric of beliefs and cultural-specific customs that shape the mourning rituals and their meanings for the bereaved.

Attitude to Death↗
PubMed2000

[Cannabis--a drug with dangerous implications for mental health].

Accepting and forgiving attitudes to the use of cannabis in its various forms, such as marijuana or hashish, are not justified, as they may result in dangerous mental health consequences. A theoretical framework for this opinion is provided, including information on the various forms of cannabis available. Case studies presented exemplify possible complications resulting from use of cannabis or its derivatives.

Cannabis↗
PubMed2000

Pharmacotherapy of paraphilias in the next millennium.

Paraphilias are psychiatric disorders of abnormal sexual behavior whose prevalence has markedly increased during the last decade. Treatment modalities currently used fall into three categories: surgical castration, psychotherapy, and pharmacotherapy. The pharmacological interventions consist of antiandrogens that either completely reduce testosterone secretion and/or antagonize the action of testosterone at the level of the receptor, and psychotropic drugs, namely antidepressants. Cyproterone and medroxyprogesterone acetates are the two antiandrogens more commonly used. They are only effective in relatively high doses, but have a substantial number of severe side effects which has considerably limited their use. Psychotropic drugs may be effective solely in men with a definite obsessive-compulsive disorder component. Because of the erratic results and lack of permanent eradication of the paraphilic manifestations their use in paraphilias is highly controversial. Long-acting gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist analogues are the most potent antiandrogens, and selectively abolish testosterone secretion in a totally reversible fashion. They are administered parenterally once every 1 to 3 months, and have the fewest side effects. Long-acting GnRH analogues, together with psychotherapy, are highly effective in controlling selected paraphilias (pedophilia, exhibitionism, and voyeurism), and are the most promising mode of therapy in the next millennium. There is an urgent need for good methodological research; carefully designed double-blind controlled studies with a large number of subjects in order to validate or not the use of the various pharmacotherapies.

Drug Therapy↗