Biomedical subjects

M Gelkopf

Publications and source records attributed to M Gelkopf.

25 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed1991

[Commitment of drug abusers in Israel: medical or social responsibility?].

In 1977 a new paragraph was added to Israel's penal law allowing rehabilitation of convicted drug abusers by compulsory psychiatric treatment. The commitment was implemented on the basis of a court order. Notwithstanding the doubts of psychiatrists the law permitted the commitment of a significant number of drug abusers to psychiatric wards. The rehabilitation treatment through commitment and some of its negative consequences are described in a study that covers 10 years of activity at the Pardessia Menta Health Center. We present 3 typical profiles of drug abusers who were treated in our center as specified by the law. None needed medical help in physical withdrawal from the drug. All took advantage of the opportunity to spend part of their incarceration time in the hospital instead of in jail. The law was amended in July 1989 and since February 1990 treatment is conducted under the supervision of probation officers and not in a medical institution. The amended law reflects the approach to drug abuse as a social not psychopathological problem, so that social agencies and no medical instances are in charge.

Attitude to Health↗

PubMed1991

Munchausen syndrome by adult proxy revisited.

A new variant of Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy (MSbP) case is presented here: Munchausen by Adult Proxy (MSbAP). The article discusses the case of a man (publicly known as the "Gasoline Injector") who is serving a 46-year jail term for attempted murder and manslaughter. His behavior is reminiscent of MSbP but his victims were two female adults, and his cell mate (on whom he repeated his actions). A description is given in terms of egosyntonic irresistible pathological impulses involving sexual objects. A common ground is proposed for paraphilias, Munchausen syndrome, MSbP and MSbAP.

Adult↗

PubMed1990

Combat-related, chronic posttraumatic stress disorder: implications for group-therapy intervention.

The patient with combat-related chronic Posttraumatic Stress Disorder suffers from a wide spectrum of maladaptive behaviors. This paper delineates the work that has been done with such a population in group therapy. The plan that is proposed takes into account three interrelated sets of factors: factors important for creating an effective working relation; curative factors; and particular themes. Each of these factors is analyzed in the light of the particularities of group work with such a population. Each of the points discussed is based upon the relevant literature, upon the experience of the therapist, and illustrated with examples.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

PubMed1990

The therapeutical implication of a strike in a psychiatric ward.

This paper compares patient functioning during a maintenance workers' strike. Four criteria were used to assess change: 1) patients' functioning as evaluated by five independent judges on a questionnaire; 2) number of days out of the hospital; 3) number of days of closed intensive therapeutic ward hospitalization and 4) number of patients that underwent a major improvement during that period. A positive therapeutical effect in patients as a result of the strike has been found. This effect is thought to be due to the staff's higher expectations towards the patients, and not due to a need of the patients to restore a sense of balance in the threatened family-like system of the ward--as was believed in a previous study (1). The role of the staff in helping the patient to constructively cope with the strike is discussed.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMed1990

Medical and legal aspects of the Munchausen by proxy perpetrator.

The Munchausen by Proxy syndrome is described, and illuminated by case histories. A plea is put forward for the adoption into Israeli law of the doctrine of diminished responsibility, as perpetrators of crimes who suffer from the MbP syndrome are treated by the law as if they had no psychiatric disability.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Munchausen by proxy syndrome: the triad of abuse, self-abuse, and deception.

The Munchausen By Proxy Syndrome (MbPS) is a complicated phenomenon whereby a peculiar threefold relationship between perpetrator, victim, and medical staff develops. This triad is based on abuse of the child, deception of the doctor, and, in many cases, self-abuse or passivity of the victim towards the perpetrator's deeds. We have analyzed the interrelationship between the perpetrator, the victim, and the medical authority, in light of the mother's pathology.

Child↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Ganser syndrome: a review of 15 cases.

Using the diagnostic criteria found in the literature, 15 new cases of Ganser syndrome were examined. A relationship was found between specific premorbid personality traits and severity of the syndrome; a high percentage of the sample belonged to an ethnic minority and was suspected of having symptoms of premorbid neurological pathology.

Adult↗