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Biomedical subjects

Otto Kausch

Publications and source records attributed to Otto Kausch.

7 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2004

Irrational fear of AIDS associated with suicidal behavior.

This article concerns patients who have an irrational conviction that they have AIDS, despite medical evidence to the contrary, and who, despite medical reassurance, go on to complete suicide or make serious suicide attempts. Patients with such irrational convictions often develop this symptom complex in the setting of extramarital affairs and subsequent feelings of guilt and shame. Two case reports are presented, one of completed suicide and one of serious attempted suicide. Both patients were on inpatient chemical dependency wards at the time of their suicidal acts. A comparison is made to syphilophobia. The literature on the irrational fear of AIDS and syphilophobia is reviewed. Although such cases are not common and suicidality among such patients is not common, it is helpful for clinicians to be aware of the potential risk for serious suicidal acts in patients who develop this irrational belief system.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed2004

Pathological gambling among elderly veterans.

The purpose of the present study was to examine elderly patients, aged 60 and older, admitted to a residential gambling treatment program and to compare them to a younger cohort on a variety of mental health factors and measures. A retrospective chart review was performed for 37 elderly gamblers consecutively admitted to the Gambling Treatment Program of a VA center between December 1999 and December 2002. These elderly subjects were compared with a younger cohort of 98 gamblers. On intake, the gamblers completed the Addiction Severity Index (ASI) and a variety of mental health questionnaires. Compared to the younger cohort, elderly gamblers were more likely to be retired but demonstrated similar impairment on the ASI composite employment severity score. Elderly gamblers were just as likely as the younger gamblers to have a lifetime history of serious suicidal ideation. They were equally likely as the younger cohort to carry a psychiatric diagnosis, and depression was the most common diagnosis.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Patterns of substance abuse among treatment-seeking pathological gamblers.

Substance abuse patterns were reviewed for a group of patients admitted to the Gambling Treatment Program at the Brecksville Veterans Administration Medical Center. A retrospective chart review of 113 consecutively admitted patients between September 2000 and September 2001 found that 66.4% of pathological gamblers had a lifetime history of substance abuse or dependence at some point in their lives. A history of substance abuse or dependence was less common among gamblers aged 60 and above. In the year prior to admission, 58.1% of those with a history of substance abuse or dependence were actively using substances. Alcohol was the most commonly used substance, followed by marijuana and cocaine. In most gamblers with comorbid disorders, the onset of substance dependence preceded the onset of problem gambling. Pathological gamblers engaged in multiple impulsive and dysfunctional behaviors including suicide attempts, compulsive shopping and spending, and compulsive sexual behavior, and the presence of comorbid substance abuse disorders may influence the degree to which pathological gamblers engage in these additional problematic behaviors. These factors have important implications for treatment and prevention of relapse, as well as for theories of addictions.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Suicide attempts among veterans seeking treatment for pathological gambling.

BACKGROUND: There is little information in the scientific literature regarding the suicide attempts of pathological gamblers, even though studies of problem gamblers have found that completed suicide, suicide attempts, and suicidal ideation are common outcomes related to gambling behavior. There has been no attempt in previous studies to identify the contributions of comorbid conditions, such as substance abuse, to the suicide attempts of pathological gamblers. METHOD: A retrospective chart review was completed for all consecutive admissions (N = 114) to the Gambling Treatment Program of the Louis Stokes VA Medical Center over a 12-month period (September 2000-September 2001). All subjects met DSM-IV criteria for pathological gambling. Relevant information was obtained from the admission history and physical examination, as well as a variety of self-report questionnaires and structured instruments. RESULTS: Forty-five patients (39.5%) reported that they had made a suicide attempt at some time in their lives. The most common method was overdose. Sixty-four percent of attempters reported that their most recent attempt was related to gambling. Forty-two percent of gamblers with a history of alcohol dependence and 58.8% of those with a history of drug dependence had a history of suicide attempts. Mean impulsivity scores differentiated suicide attempters from nonattempters among gamblers with a history of drug and/or alcohol dependence. Severity of psychiatric symptoms and family problems on admission was related to a history of suicide attempts. CONCLUSION: Pathological gamblers have high rates of attempted suicide. They are highly impulsive and suffer from high rates of comorbid psychiatric conditions as well as social disruptions. A combination of these risk factors very likely contributes to their potential for suicidal behavior.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Suicide prevalence in chemical dependency programs: preliminary data from a national sample, and an examination of risk factors.

Completed suicides over a one year period of time were reported from a nationwide survey of Department of Veteran Affairs medical centers. Of a total of 248 completed suicides, 11 occurred in outpatient substance abuse programs, and an additional 5 occurred among patients receiving combined outpatient substance abuse and psychiatric treatment. There were no inpatient suicides. During this time, there were 7 suicide attempts on inpatient units and 37 suicide attempts in outpatient chemical dependency treatment. The majority of suicides were committed by males who had a primary alcohol addiction (63%). Thirty-eight percent of the sample had a comorbid mood disorder and 38% had a comorbid personality disorder. Risk factors relating to the potential for suicide in chemical dependency programs are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Lifetime histories of trauma among pathological gamblers.

This study extends the work completed with pathological gamblers and substance abusers, looking at associations between a history of trauma and comorbid substance dependence, impulsivity, measures of problem severity, and personality variables. We studied 111 patients admitted to the gambling treatment program at the Brecksville VA Medical Center and found that 64% of gamblers reported a history of emotional trauma; 40.5%, physical trauma; and 24.3%, sexual trauma. Most of this trauma occurred in childhood. A history of trauma was associated with a greater relative frequency of suicide attempts and drug and alcohol dependence, more severe scores in measures of psychiatric distress, and limited effects on personality functioning.

Adult↗