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Biomedical subjects

Y Ginath

Publications and source records attributed to Y Ginath.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1994

The efficacy of naltrexone in preventing reabuse of heroin after detoxification.

The efficacy of Naltrexone in preventing reabuse of heroin among heroin addicts in Israel was studied in a double-blind, controlled design. Naltrexone (or placebo) treatment was given as part of a general treatment plan that continued for 12 weeks. Thirty-two addicts who successfully completed a detoxification program and met research criteria, were included in the study. Fifty milligrams of Naltrexone were taken orally three times a week (25 mg twice a week for the first 2 weeks). The follow-up procedure included an interview, urine tests, and screening for possible adverse effects. In addition, social and psychological parameters were evaluated. Fewer heroin-positive urine tests were found the Naltrexone group than in the placebo group. Throughout the entire study, the number of drug-free patients in the Naltrexone group was higher than in the placebo group. The Naltrexone group showed a significant improvement in most psychological parameters as compared with the placebo group. No differences were found in compliance or ratio of adverse effects between the Naltrexone and placebo groups. The concept "heroin abuse load" based on daily heroin consumption and duration of addiction enabled us to predict which addicts would complete the treatment program. The results suggest that heroin addicts in Israel may benefit from treatment with Naltrexone.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

[Lithium-associated alopecia].

A 39-year-old woman who developed alopecia shortly after treatment with lithium carbonate was initiated is described. The alopecia resolved 2 months after lithium was discontinued. Though this side-effect is relatively rare, we suggest that patients getting lithium for short or long term treatment be monitored for it.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Psychological adjustment and distress among Soviet immigrant physicians: demographic and background variables.

The goal of the present study was to examine the psychological distress of Soviet immigrant physicians in Israel and to identify risk and resilience factors in the psychological adjustment to immigration. This is a first report on a study conducted among 385 (152 men and 233 women) Soviet immigrant physicians who participated in preparatory licensing courses. The design of the study is described in detail and initial results are presented. These include demographic characteristics of the sample, background variables connected with motivation for immigration and reported absorption difficulties encountered in Israel. Family problems were found to be significantly correlated with depression: the highest rate of reported depression was found among single parents. Subjects who were examined during the second year after immigration reported depression more often than subjects who were in Israel less than a year. The findings suggest that motivational and family factors may enhance or mitigate the psychological distress experienced by immigrants.

Acculturation↗
PubMed1993

The criminal liability of the mental patient in Jewish law (Halacha).

The legal status of the mentally impaired has been dealt with in Halachic literature since the third century. This article presents four Halachic viewpoints regarding the exemption of the mentally ill patient from legal responsibility in tort and criminal law: lack of mental awareness; lack of free will; lack of judgment; categorial personal status. Halachic legislations with regard to the liability of the insane predate the criteria as applied by modern psychiatry. The similarities between the Halachic and contemporary medicolegal approaches are presented.

Bible↗
PubMed1993

Who is to protect the rights of hospitalized mental patients?

The 1991 Treatment of Mentally Sick Persons Act contains a large section on the rights of hospitalized mental patients. However, mental patients are often ignorant of their rights, have difficulties gaining access to outside support and are hence unable to materialize their rights and protect them. Who is to protect their rights? The various individuals and groups which play a role in protecting the civil rights of mental patients are listed and discussed: patients themselves, family members, human rights organizations, legislators, courts, the state comptroller, the media and therapists. The introduction of another institution, non-existent in Israel, a 'patient advocate' (ombudsman) is suggested and discussed.

Civil Rights↗
PubMed1993

Report of the committee assigned to investigate the protection of hospitalized mental patients against sexual assault and abuse--a critical review.

On 7 March 1991 a special committee was nominated by the Deputy Minister of Health to investigate the protection of mental patients hospitalized in Israel against sexual assault and abuse. The committee reached the conclusion that '[t]here were cases of sexual assault and abuse' but avoided examining the frequency of such cases. The committee interpreted the Israeli criminal law to mean that no patient has the ability to give consent to sexual relations, thus every incident of sexual relations with a patient has to be considered to be rape, that is the total responsibility rests on hospital staff. The inevitable recommendation was to convert all the psychiatric wards in Israel to unisexual wards. This article contains a critical review of the report. The main arguments brought forward are: (a) Most psychiatric wards in Israel are open, a fact that makes separation meaningless. Since the mixing of the wards both sexual and aggressive behaviour has been significantly reduced. (b) Many, if not most inpatients are voluntary and if brought to court would be found to be responsible for their actions, including their competence to give consent for sexual relations. (c) Patients, like everybody else, adjust their behaviour to the expectancies of society. The message that they are irresponsible will have a detrimental effect on their behaviour. (d) It is the staff's duty to prevent patients who may later regret their sexual behaviour from having sexual relations. This can be done without separating the wards.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Female↗
PubMed1992

Genetic epidemiological study of schizophrenia: reproduction behaviour.

Data from the Tomsk Epidemiological Register and epidemiological family sample were used to study the relationship between schizophrenics' reproductive behaviour (marital status and fertility rate), severity of ICD-9 schizophrenia and risk of illness among relatives of probands. The results are interpreted in terms of multifactorial threshold and single monolocus models. Their importance for the interpretation of epidemiological data (a change of prevalence rate, cohort effect and clinical polymorphism) is discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Improving psychiatric environments through minimal architectural change.

Minimal architectural changes in a treatment environment can lead to significant improvements in how the setting functions, with positive effects for staff, patients, and families. When a mental health center located in an antiquated hospital in Jerusalem added five additional entrances, the change improved accessibility, increased the sense of freedom, and helped define the identity of the units. Other therapeutic effects were obtained from minimal modifications in a day hospital unit, including brightening paint and changing lighting, reopening a separate stairway for use by patients not enrolled in the day unit, and defining separate living, dining, and personal-expression areas within the common room. The authors note that cooperation between the disciplines of architecture and psychiatry is essential and that the idea of change as a continuous process should be incorporated into an organization's culture.

Architecture↗
PubMed1992

The psychological profile of Jewish late adolescents in the USSR: a pre-immigration study.

Psychological well-being and the level of psychological autonomy were studied in a group of 109 Jewish late adolescents in the USSR. The subjects were not found to be more distressed than their American peers, but their dependency on their parents was significantly higher. The findings are discussed in the light of Soviet social values and child rearing attitudes and their impact on the adjustment of Soviet immigrant adolescents in Israel.

Acculturation↗
PubMed1991

[Lithium carbonate augmentation in tricyclic antidepressant-resistant depression].

Combinations of lithium carbonate and tricyclic antidepressants are effective in the treatment of resistant unipolar depression. We present a case in which addition of lithium carbonate to a maximal dose of desipramine provided rapid and sustained improvement in a severely depressed 57-year-old woman. She had previously failed to respond to maximum doses of antidepressant drugs of 2 different classes. Although the lithium-tricyclic combination was successful in our case, we caution against its routine use.

Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic↗
PubMed1991

Propranolol in the treatment of akathisia caused by antipsychotic drugs.

We have reported the case of a patient with neuroleptic-induced akathisia who had rapid amelioration of his symptoms after treatment with the highly lipophilic beta-blocker propranolol. His symptoms had previously failed to respond to traditional pharmacologic treatment. There is clearly a need for more double-blind studies to assess the efficacy of propranolol and other beta-blockers in the treatment of this troublesome side effect of antipsychotic medications.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Predicaments of the closed ward staff.

Coordinated team work is a sine qua non for efficient functioning of a therapeutic ward. Extreme violence on the part of a patient may disrupt the working relationship within the team to the extent of causing its members to question their choice of profession. Physical assaults and allegations of professional or personal misconduct brought forward by a patient and his/her family may undermine the competence of the attending staff. Recognition by the health, legal and psychiatric authorities of the difficulties to which the personnel on an acute closed ward is continually exposed may alleviate staff burnout. This in turn will contribute to better management of the patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

[Bromocriptine-associated postpartum psychotic exacerbation].

2 cases are presented in which bromocriptine (Parlodel) was administered to suppress physiological lactation; parturition had precipitated deterioration in mental status and psychotic behavior. Discontinuation of bromocriptine and administration of antipsychotic medication resulted in gradual improvement in the psychotic symptoms, without complications of galactorrhea or breast engorgement. We recommend that changes in mental status be looked for when bromocriptine is given.

Adult↗