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Biomedical subjects

J H Demling

Publications and source records attributed to J H Demling.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

Heilpraktiker.

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Clinical Competence↗

A survey on psychiatric patients' use of non-medical alternative practitioners: incidence, methods, estimation, and satisfaction.

OBJECTIVES: We investigated to what extent psychiatric inpatients consult Heilpraktiker, i.e. non-academically trained providers of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), which diagnostic and therapeutic methods Heilpraktiker employ, how patients assess Heilpraictikers' professional competence, CAM in general and issues of satisfaction for those who have had experience with Heilpraktiker. DESIGN: Four hundred and seventy three patients admitted to a psychiatric university department during a 9-month period filled out a questionnaire developed for this investigation. RESULTS: About one third of the patients had consulted a Heilpraktiker, a quarter of these for their current psychiatric illness. Women were in the majority. Patients with the highest secondary school education consulted Heilpraktiker less often. There was considerable 'customer loyalty' towards Heilpraktiker. Largely the same diagnostic and treatment methods were employed for mental illness as for somatic complaints. Except for iridology, exotic or dangerous methods played a secondary role. Patients generally revealed a very positive attitude toward Heilpraktiker and CAM, although methods were rated differently. CAM enjoyed greater appreciation among women and patients who had consulted Heilpraktiker. Patients with personal experience were, on the whole, very satisfied with the professional competence, with the atmosphere in the practice and staff concern for the patient's well-being. Degree of satisfaction correlated closely with frequency of consultation. More patients with neurotic disorders considered the cost unreasonable than others, despite comparatively frequent visits. CONCLUSIONS: Psychiatric patients seek out Heilpraktiker to a considerable degree. Especially those who have relevant experience rank Heilpraktiker highly, in particular due to their 'psychotherapeutic' attitude, but professional competence is also valued. Methods of CAM received mixed reviews from patients but are generally seen in a positive light. It is recommended that doctors collecting case history data on their patients also ask about experience with alternative practitioners and treatments.

Adult↗

[The concept of anniversary reaction - an explanation for the onset of depression].

In this contribution, the concept of anniversary reaction is explained and elucidated by a paradigmatic case-report. The influence of a certain date, e.g. birthday, on mortality is epidemiologically well proven. The psychoanalytical comprehension of anniversary reaction emphasizes the significant coherence to a biographical trauma. An anniversary reaction emerges on a specific date or age of life that reminds and actualises the conflict attached to the trauma. The anniversary reaction may appear in the shape of a psychic or an organic disease. In the case described, the anniversary reaction emerged on the anniversary of the death of the partner of life that had initially been followed by pathological mourning.

Adjustment Disorders↗

On the physiological function of lithium from a psychiatric view point.

Lithium is a naturally occurring alkali metal, which living organisms ingest from dietary sources and which is also present in trace amounts in the human body. In much higher concentrations, lithium is effective as a medication for mania and mood swings including manic depressive disorders. Many studies have shown that a deficiency in 'endogenous' lithium, i.e. lithium in food and drinking water, can lead to defects in growth and development in animals and to grave psychopathological problems in humans. It is therefore conceivable that lithium has an essential function in the physiological regulation of mood and that a subgroup of pathological mood disorders cause a bodily requirement for drastically higher concentrations of lithium in compartments. Taking lithium long-term could have a prophylactic effect on this kind of change in bodily requirements.

Animals↗

[Psychotherapy and religion: a survey of Northern Bavarian psychotherapists].

By taking a survey of physicians and psychologists accredited as psychotherapists in Franconia (northern Bavaria), we attempted to draw conclusions about the importance of religion for the therapists themselves and for their therapeutic settings. 253 physicians and 78 psychologists returned usable questionnaires (a return rate of 70% for each group). 30% of each group were non-denominational, significantly more men than women were not religious or considered themselves "agnostic/atheistic." Catholic therapists appeared to be more loyal toward their church and more open-minded toward religion in general than protestants and non-denominationals, respectively. Around 1/5 of the psychologists had prayed for their patients. Among the psychoanalysts there were no fewer non-denominationals or agnostics/atheists than among physician/psychotherapists or behavioural therapists. The physician/psychoanalysts classified the role of religion as less important than physician/psychotherapists; however, there were marked differences between the psychoanalytic schools. Many therapists could imagine consulting a spiritual counselor in appropriate cases. The results indicate a correlation between the subjective attitude of therapists toward religion and their handling of this topic in therapeutic practice.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗