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Biomedical subjects

K Solomon

Publications and source records attributed to K Solomon.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1988

Lithium augmentation for treatment-resistant depression in the elderly.

Lithium has been used successfully to enhance the effectiveness of tricyclic and other antidepressants, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, and combinations of antipsychotics and antidepressants. The safety and efficacy of adding lithium to the treatment regimen was examined in 14 elderly patients with refractory depression. Seven of the 14 had a complete recovery, and three showed a partial response. Side effects, including peripheral weakness, severe fine tremor, and neurotoxicity, necessitated the discontinuation of lithium in three patients. In two other patients with side effects, lower dosages of lithium relieved their symptoms. Lithium augmentation appears to be a promising treatment for geriatric depressed patients who are unresponsive to or cannot tolerate other standard therapies.

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PubMed1981

The masculine gender role and its implications for the life expectancy of older men.

The lifespan of men is shorter than that of women. This study is an effort to identify some causal factors. Six dimensions of the masculine gender role examined in relation to certain stress-related disorders more prevalent among older men than among older women. These dimensions are "No Sissy Stuff"; "The Big Wheel"; "The Sturdy Oak"; "Give 'Em Hell"; homophobia; and sexual dysfunctioning. Specific problems of retirement are also discussed. Only in recent years have the roles of men been studied more closely. The results may offer positive implications for the lifespan of men.

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PubMed1981

The depressed patient: social antecedents of psychopathologic changes in the elderly.

The importance of depression as a psychopathologic syndrome in the elderly is stressed by the estimate that about 30 percent of persons over the age of 65 may be expected to experience an episode of depression severe enough to interfere with daily functioning. Depression is the chief cause of psychiatric hospitalization among the elderly, and it bears great potential for death through inanition or suicide. Loss of mastery (ability to cope) and the onset of helplessness are frequent dynamic issues in the development of depression or behavioral problems in the elderly. Geriatric stereotypes contribute directly to helplessness by reinforcing such behavior. Stereotypes also minimize the chance of appropriate response outcomes relative to needs. Rolelessness, a partial result of stereotyping, leads to anomie, alienation, and lowered self-esteem. These issues are discussed and points of interaction among them are examined. The relevance to psychotherapy with older persons is outlined.

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PubMed1979

Attitudes of health workers toward old people.

The Tuckman-Lorge Questionnaire was used to study the attitudes of three groups of health workers toward old people and to test their acceptance of geriatric stereotypes. The health workers tested were medical students, housestaff members, and members of a mobile psychogeriatric screening team. Many significant differences were found between and within the groups tested, as well as between male and female subjects. The female housestaff had extremely high and significantly different scores from all other groups. The geriatric staff adhered least to the stereotypes. The results are discussed in the framework that the attitudes of care givers are directly related to the quality of the care provided. It is hypothesized that female housestaff members have special difficulties with role conflicts that cause them to adhere to stereotypes of the aged. The milieu of geriatric treatment, rather than knowledge of statistics about old people, is the most effective background for positive changes in attitudes toward the elderly.

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