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Biomedical subjects

J C Morrant

Publications and source records attributed to J C Morrant.

9 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1993

The wing of madness: the illness of Vincent van Gogh.

This paper briefly describes some aspects of Vincent van Gogh's life and attitudes. It discusses absinthe and several psychodynamic factors that may have contributed to his psychotic episodes at Arles, when he cut off his ear. It discusses Vincent's descriptions of his illness, especially at Saint Rémy de Provence and concludes that he probably suffered from partial complex seizures (temporal lobe epilepsy) with manic depressive mood swings aggravated by absinthe, brandy, nicotine and turpentine.

Depressive Disorder↗
PubMed1984

A catatonic syndrome resulting in death.

A patient is described who presented with post-partum catatonic schizophrenia and who later became comatose and died with hyperthermia. The differential diagnosis of catatonic stupor is notoriously difficult. The clinical picture somewhat resembled Stauder 's lethal catatonia, doubtless a syndrome secondary to various encephalopathies rather than a disease sui generis . The differential diagnosis is discussed with special emphasis on herpes virus encephalitis and the rare but very important neuroleptic malignant syndrome, which is often unrecognized but for which specific treatment may be available.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Boredom in psychiatric practice.

This paper discusses some of the causes of boredom in psychiatric practice. It also describes how many psychiatric conditions can have boring facets to them, which can lead to difficulties in treatment and "burn-out" in the therapist. Finally, some practical suggestions are given to help avoid and deal with boredom.

Affective Symptoms↗
PubMed1983

Use and abuse of psychoactive drugs in the elderly.

The elderly are susceptible to many psychiatric symptoms caused by the vast array of drugs they may take. Therefore, history-taking demands a very careful look at all their medicines. In this paper some dangers of over-the-counter drugs are described, and the paradox of psychotropic drugs sometimes causing psychiatric side effects is discussed. Several types of drugs and their side effects are outlined, and suggestions are made for appropriate drug treatment in this age group.

Aged↗
PubMed1983

The angry elderly patient. An approach to understanding.

Management of an angry or violent elderly patient can be difficult. It is most helpful to understand that the cause of the combatant behavior can be physical, psychologic, or drug-related. If the patient is approachable, immediate management involves sitting down with him or her to calmly discuss what happened. If the patient is unapproachable, a gentle but firm show of force and administration of a sedative is required. All patients with dramatic change in behavior should receive a complete physical examination to rule out a reversible cause. Long-term management may be arduous but is worthwhile.

Aged↗
PubMed1982

How often do you receive a good psychiatric report?

It is easier to write a good psychiatric report about psychotic patients than neurotic ones. A psychiatrist is inhibited by fears that patients might read "their" notes and be overwhelmed by clinical descriptions, that the referring doctor will believe his or her patient is being slandered, of going against patients' wishes that information, often most important, should not be told to his or her referring physician, and that the referring doctor will use the information to bustle his or her patient prematurely into making life changes. Suggestions for writing a good report are given, although discussion by telephone may sometimes be the best resolution of the difficulties discussed.

Humans↗
PubMed1981

The first few minutes.

Within the first few seconds usually of meeting a new patient, the therapist has formed an impression of the likely diagnosis and difficulties that lie ahead during psychotherapy. There are many clues about a patient given by the person, if anyone, accompanying him or her; by the patient's style of greeting dress and jewellery; type of voice, and so on. Many of these clues, and the inferences that are preconsciously or consciously made from them, are described and discussed. The first impression is probably correct and may correlate well with an assessment made after many hours' work with a patient.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1975

Medicines and mental illness in old age.

When treating an apparent psychiatric disturbance in an elderly patient it is wise to review all his medications carefully, and then to prescribe sparingly only those drugs with which one is completely familiar. Psychiatric side effects of drugs commonly used with elderly patients are reviewed.

Aged↗