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At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1999

Catatonia, autism, and ECT.

We describe the clinical presentation, course, and treatment response of a 14-year-old boy with catatonic stupor. This patient, with a preexisting diagnosis of autism, displayed mutism, akinesia, and an extreme level of rigidity, waxy flexibility, posturing, including the psychological pillow, facial grimacing, and other involuntary movements of his upper extremities. In addition he had symptoms suggestive of a depressive disorder as well as some non-specific psychotic symptoms. Intravenous injection of sodium amytal failed to resolve any motor symptoms, although he showed a good response to the zolpidem test. A course of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) caused dramatic and sustained relief of catatonic stupor without a change in the symptoms of autism. The presentation of catatonia in autism and the use of ECT in children are discussed, and the available literature reviewed. This is the first description of the use of ECT in the treatment of catatonia coinciding with autism and we confirm its efficacy.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Healthy students as adult citizens (mental health of the Finnish student. Follow-up, report V).

The longitudinal research project dealing with the mental health of Finnish students was started in the year 1965. This paper is the fifth follow-up report from research phase III. It describes the most healthy subgroup by contrasting it with the ill subgroup. Time and sex as well as external and internal reality are essential aspects of this comparison between the healthy and the ill. Differences between the healthy and the ill have been described in terms of a) external facts, b) background information (phases I and II) and c) subjective inner feelings. The special character of mental health and illness in men and women is also discussed from several points of view. In the attempt to interpret the extensive body of data and to give it a coherent shape, one general hypothesis which has been formed is that women tend to be characterized by a greater 'mobility' between the more mature, adult level and an earlier one, reaching back all the way to the oral aspects of the dyadic relationship. Such mobility and flexibility has both its advantages and its disadvantages. The specific aspects of women's difficulties are easily obscured by the duality of the roles taken on by the woman, and the great difference between them - that of adult woman and that of mother. In particular the maternal role easily comes to mask problematic early elements, which under subsequent conditions of stress may be activated. The male personality is more definite and clearcut in this respect, but by the same token also more rigid.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1997

Effect of testosterone administration on sexual behavior and mood in men with erectile dysfunction.

This double-blind placebo controlled, cross-over study was carried out to assess the effect of testosterone administration on sexual behavior mood, and psychological symptoms in healthy men with erectile dysfunction. Biweekly injections of 200 mg of testosterone enanthate were given over a period of 6 weeks separated by a washout period of 4 weeks. Blood samples for hormonal assessment, behavioral and psychological ratings were obtained prior to each injection. Luteinizing hormone remained significantly depressed but circulating testosterone had returned to baseline levels by 2 weeks following each hormonal injection. The ejaculatory frequency during the testosterone phase was statistically higher than during the placebo phase. There were marked, although statistically nonsignificant, increases in median frequency of reported sexual desire, masturbation, sexual experiences with partner, and sleep erections during the testosterone period. Testosterone did not have demonstrable effects on ratings of penile rigidity and sexual satisfaction. Mood variables and psychological symptoms did not change following hormonal administration. Results suggest that androgen administration to eugonadal men with erectile dysfunction may activate their sexual behavior without enhancing erectile capacity and without effects on mood and psychological symptoms.

Affect↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Pain perception and psychological status of patients suffering from spinal osteochondrosis with pain syndrome].

132 patients suffering from spinal osteochondrosis with pain syndrome were examined for pain perception and psychological status. Pain intensity in such patients showed association with hypochondriac and anxiodepressive disorders combination with rigidity and development of fixations. Deterioration of life quality correlated with severity of pain syndrome and such features as unsatisfaction, tension, anxiety, rigidity, fixation of attention on personal feelings, pessimistic outlook, low stress resistance. Psychological characteristics and quality of life depended on gender and location of vertebrogenic pain syndrome.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Objective and subjective effects of treatment for testicular cancer on sexual function.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the treatment of patients with testicular cancer, using cisplatin combined with etoposide and bleomycin (BEP) after orchidectomy in those with disseminated disease, causes changes in sex hormones and penile vascularization, possibly related to sexual dysfunction. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Ten patients treated with BEP were compared with 11 undergoing orchidectomy alone followed by surveillance. Sex hormone levels were analysed and cavernosal artery duplex ultrasonography performed before orchidectomy and at 6 and 12 months afterward. Patients were questioned about their sexual function. After 1 year, a visual erotic stimulation (VES) test was performed to assess penile rigidity. RESULTS: In contrast to the surveillance group, BEP-treated patients had higher follicle-stimulating hormone (4.6 vs 26.5 U/L) and luteinizing hormone (1.4 vs 8.2 U/L) levels, and lower testosterone levels (21.1 vs 14.7 nmol/L) at 6 months than at baseline. At 1 year, most patients had compensated hypergonadotrophic eugonadism, but Leydig cell function had recovered. Changes in cavernosal artery peak flow velocities induced by local injection with papaverine/phentolamine showed no difference between the groups before and 6 months after orchidectomy. Loss of libido and erectile dysfunction were reported more frequently by BEP-treated patients. However, 1 year after treatment, most reported a satisfying sex life and VES resulted in a rigid erection in nearly all patients. The reported erectile dysfunction could not be explained by changes in plasma testosterone levels or diminished blood flow velocities. CONCLUSIONS: After being diagnosed with testicular cancer, sexual morbidity is considerable, but within 1 year some improvement may be expected. BEP induces transient testicular dysfunction but this recovers. Although BEP is related to symptoms of angiopathy, cavernosal blood flow seems to be unaffected. These findings and the normal VES-evoked penile rigidity suggest that sexual dysfunction is more psychological than organically induced by BEP.

Adult↗
PubMed1978

[Interview with thérèse bertherat.].

The author gives an account of her interview with Thérèse Bertherat. The latter is a French physiotherapist who, after an initial classical training, become discouraged by the inhuman attitudes that were common in her professional surroundings, She attended then a summer session with Françoise Mézières. There she learned to be more attentive to her own experience rather than to depend on reading or on other's experience. After a few years of professional practice, she developped new muscular activities called "préalables". These non mechanical activities are aimed at the reappropriation of one's own body. With her patients, Thérèse Bertherat discovered that the psychological realm is sometimes encapsulated into muscular rigidity. In effect, releasing these rigidities often induces the recall of a painful memory. Some patients refuse to give up the rigidities and stop the treatment at the approach of important improvement. This physio therapeutic approach is characterized by a profound respect for individual evolution. Through its main stages, it also resembles some psychotherapeutic approaches. In this context her book may be valuable to anyone who is interested in the unity of the individual.

English Abstract↗
PubMed1975

[The personality of the teacher as a patient type in psychological diagnosis].

The report concerns the questioning of 200 pedagogues using the questionnaire concerning introversion, neuroticism, rigidity and autonomic instability. All the patients are teachers and pupils in working relationships who were chosen from medical dispensary care with present symptoms of exhaustion and conflicting reactions, and who were transferred to psychological supervision. From the resulting data in the scales investigated, a configuration frequency analysis of the symptoms of introversion, neuroticism, rigidity and autonomic instability is given. Three oft-occurring typical configurations of scale can be found. From this a configuration type (with stikingly rigid behaviour and an otherwise unobtrusive scale constellation) can be interpreted as the "typical tacher" product of lengthy pedagogic activity.

Female↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[The spatial organization of the EEG and individual psychological characteristics].

The influence of cognitive styles (analytic versus synthetic style, rigid versus flexible cognitive control, impulsivity versus reflexivity, field-dependence versus independence) on the information brain processes was estimated by means of analysis of spatial organization of cortical electrical activity (48 derivations) in 40 right-handed subjects (aged from 18 to 40) during their realization of verbal and non-verbal tasks using successive and simultaneous processing modes. Modulation of the "cognitive axis" (activity of the left anterior and right posterior cortical areas) was revealed connected with the factor of task subjective difficulty, especially in case of simultaneous processing mode. The combination of the synthetic cognitive style and flexibility of the cognitive control may be thought of as being the most favourable for the activation of the "cognitive axis" and utilization of the left- and right-hemispheric information processing, especially in non-standard situations.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Psychological predictors of future suicidal behaviour in hospitalized suicide attempters.

Rates of attempted suicide have increased in most Western countries over the past 20 years. This level of deliberate self-harm is made more significant by the fact that a large proportion of attempted suicides will reattempt in the six months following their attempt and as a group they have a high risk of eventually killing themselves. While much of the research on prediction of suicidal behaviour has concentrated on demographic factors, little is known about the psychological variables that precede the suicidal act. This study examined 67 New Zealand suicide attempters on a range of psychological variables including self-esteem, hopelessness, depression, cognitive rigidity and social skills. Subjects were followed up after six months to determine their level of suicidal behaviour and ideation. Results suggest hopelessness and self-esteem are important indicators of future suicidal behaviour, with differential effects over short- and long-term periods. The implications for psychological assessment and suicidal risk assignment are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Metaphor and meaning in conversion disorder: a brief active therapy.

The concept of conversion disorder as a change in somatic function that symbolically represents an unconscious conflict is currently challenged in the literature. In this article, the author elaborates on the psychodynamic concept of conversion and defines its characteristics and mode of diagnosis. The usefulness of this approach is demonstrated in a detailed case presentation of a brief, active psychodynamic psychotherapy of six sessions that led to the rapid disappearance of symptoms. In particular, the metaphoric meanings of the physical symptoms were interpreted and followed by an immediate disappearance of symptoms. The logic of this therapeutic approach and its implications as a transference cure are discussed in detail.

Aged↗