Reactions of psychiatric patients to an earthquake in Egypt

Ninety two psychiatric patients of different diagnoses and 104 normal controls were studied in the aftermath of an earthquake in Egypt [1-15 days after the event], using a semi-structured questionnaire. There was no significant association between diagnostic category and affective and behavioral reactions durng the earthquake. There was a significant association between diagnosis and concerns during the earthquake, with schizophrenics less frequently concerned for important others. Few patients expected the earthquake to have an impact on their illness. Religious thoughts were strongly present at this time of severe stress

Reality and object relations through Bahranian and Egyptian proverbs

This paper is a trial to explore certain psychological and psychopathological phenomena as they are presented via the mass intuition of people in both Bahrain and Egypt as manifested in certain proverbs in the colloquial language [slang]. The problem of methodology in psychiatric research in general and in transcultural comparative studies in particular has been a stimulating challenge

Breakthrough in the current psychiatric nosology part II: multiaxial vis-a-vis multidimensional approach to psychiatric nosology

This is the second part of the trial to add some of our orientation out of clinical practice about the current psychiatric nosology. In a trial to share in the effort to achieve the essential level of international consensuality by using a common nosological language. Some sort of compromise was suggested to make use of the enormous and unique effort behind the construction of the ICD-10. The clinical syndromes as described in the clinical diagnostic guidelines of the ICD-10, would occupy the frist diagnostic level. In a trial to open the gate for added dimensions for optional use, three dimensions are provided [one of which is subdivided into four subscales]. The overlap is expected and notified and the difficulty in agreement is accepted. Any other possible dimension could be added whether related to cultural differences, different modes of conceptualization or special colouring of clinical experience. A very preliminary trial to show the outline of each dimension is given. The rationale of the proposed multi-dimensional approach with illustrated few examples is demonstrated. The consequence on high power diagnostic delineation, management, prognosis and research is referred to with an invitation to field trials