PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

K Leonhard

Publications and source records attributed to K Leonhard.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1976

[Twin studies with a differentiated diagnosis of endogenic psychoses - psychosocial influences in certain forms of schizophrenia].

The examination started from the premise that "systematic schizophrenias", which constitute the majority of chronic schizophrenias in "differentiated diagnostics", only very rarely have a family history of psychosis. We set out to obtain an explanation of this observation by means of investigation in twins. Surprisingly, these types were not present in identical twins. It seems, therefore, that the severe schizophrenias, which we consider to be similar in character to systemic diseases, are prevented by the influence of an identical twin partner. As, however, the illness did occur in two-egg twins, the favourable influence must be effective during a period of life, when mutual understanding between the twins is already decisive, i.e. during later childhood, probably during puberty. An interaction between individual and environment is probably necessary for normal mental development and also for the maturing of brain systems essential in the adult psyche. In autistic patients there is no interaction, thus schizophrenia may develop. With an identical twin, however, contact is always present: because of similarity in character it is impossible that the partners minds are not mutually accessible. Thus, a satisfactory mental interrelationship is maintained, by which systematic schizophrenia is prevented. For refernces see the end of the following communication.

Autistic Disorder↗
PubMed1976

[Significance of twin birth for the appearance of cyclic psychoses].

The motility psychosis, one of the cycloid psychoses, is frequently encountered in twins. As this is also true of two-egg twins, similarity of character does not seem to be essential. Therefore the influence must probably become active during early childhood, perhaps even the first year of life. Somatic lesions before and after birth must be taken into consideration, as the weaker twin is at higher risk. On the other hand, a mutual influence between the twins has been suggested by the observation that confusion psychoses, which are closely related to motility psychoses, hardly occurred in twins. Investigations in siblings with motility psychosis and confusion psychosis confirmed the mutual interrelationship. Concerning the former, considerably more siblings were found. Many siblings, as well as twins, seem susceptible to the development of a motility psychosis, however they seem less susceptible to the development of a confusion psychosis. The investigation of siblings could lead to verification of early infancy as a period of influence.

Bipolar Disorder↗
PubMed1975

Prognosis of paranoid states in relation to the clinical features.

Scandinavian psychiatrists acknowledge endogenous psychoses which are neither schizophrenic nor manic-depressive, i.e., above all the "reactive psychoses" and the "schizophreniform psychoses", both of which differ from schizophrenia in their features as well as in their good prognoses. These Scandinavian diagnoses bear relationships to psychoses, which I separate from schizophrenia. In the present paper, paranoid states are discussed with regard to their clinical pictures and their good prognoses. Among these are the "cycloid psychoses". Patients suffering from these diseases recover from every phase, though most of the German psychiatrists consider them schizophrenic. Among the cycloid psychoses, the "ansiety happiness psychosis" shows ideas of reference on the one hand and ecstatic ideas on the other. In "inhibited confusion psychosis", the patients are suffering from ideas of reference and ideas of significance; in "excited confusion psychosis", from misidentifications of persons. The other symptoms which occur--anxiety, happiness, stupor, incoherent pressure of speech--confirm the cycloid psychoses and disprove schizophrenias. Besides the already mentioned psychoses, there is a monopolar psychosis, "suspicious depression", in which ideas of reference and ideas of guilt mix. It is extremely important, not only for theoretical but also practical reasons, to separate from schizophrenia paranoid states which terminate in complete recovery from every phase.

Adjustment Disorders↗