ABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of psychosensory features in mood disorder patients, and to investigate the relationship between psychosensory features and classic psychopathology. We evaluated 50 mood disorder patients (39 bipolar, 11 schizoaffective) for the presence of psychosensory features and psychopathology. We assessed psychosensory features separately using the Profile of Psychomotor Symptoms. We obtained additional information regarding each patient's psychiatric and drug history, family history, and electroencephalogram. Seven (14.0%) experienced three or more recent psychosensory features, and 12 (24.0%) reported three or more past psychosensory features. The presence of alcohol and drug abuse, number of medications, and electroencephalographic abnormality had no effect on the prevalence of psychosensory features. Psychosensory features significantly (rs = .53, P < .001) correlated with hallucinations, but not with other psychopathology (P > NS). Psychosensory features are not uncommon in mood disorders and have a strong relationship with hallucinations. Our findings also suggest that the presence of psychosensory features in mood disorder suggests episode severity and not a specific subgroup.
Subject(s)
Bipolar Disorder/psychology , Perceptual Disorders/psychology , Psychotic Disorders/psychology , Adult , Analysis of Variance , Female , Hallucinations , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Neuropsychological TestsABSTRACT
Seizure durations were determined during electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) by a computer-automated procedure for interpreting electroencephalographic (EEG) and electromyographic (EMG) signals. These seizure durations were compared with durations determined by two experienced clinicians from simultaneous paper recordings of EEG and EMG and with independently recorded observations of cuffed-limb motor movements. The computer EEG seizure end point was programmed as the point where the moving average EEG voltage first fell below the pre-ECT value and remained there for at least 2 s. The computer EMG seizure end point was programmed as the point where the moving average EMG voltage first fell below 200 mV and remained there for at least 2 s. Close correspondence between seizure durations rated from EEG recordings and computer-automated EEG measurements demonstrated validity and high reliability of the computer procedure. Likewise, validity and reliability were demonstrated for motor seizure durations both computer-derived and interpreted from the paper EMG recording by their close correspondence with cuffed-limb motor seizure durations.
Subject(s)
Electroconvulsive Therapy/instrumentation , Electroencephalography/instrumentation , Electromyography/instrumentation , Anesthesia , Computers , Electrodes , Humans , Methohexital , SuccinylcholineABSTRACT
Sixty-three male inpatient alcohol and drug addicts and 34 of their female partners participated in a study of variables associated with physical and nonphysical abuse of women. Results suggest that domestic abuse by male addicts is not directly related to experience of violence or addiction in the family of origin, external locus of control, or severity of alcohol abuse. Correlates of domestic abuse were an early onset of drug/alcohol-related problems; low income; a history of nonalcohol drug use, particularly cocaine; and a history of arrest and outpatient counseling.
Subject(s)
Alcoholism/psychology , Spouse Abuse/psychology , Substance-Related Disorders/psychology , Adult , Alcoholism/rehabilitation , Child of Impaired Parents/psychology , Cocaine , Domestic Violence/prevention & control , Domestic Violence/psychology , Dominance-Subordination , Female , Heroin Dependence/psychology , Heroin Dependence/rehabilitation , Humans , Internal-External Control , Male , Personality Assessment , Personality Development , Risk Factors , Spouse Abuse/prevention & control , Substance Abuse Treatment Centers , Substance-Related Disorders/rehabilitationABSTRACT
Left and right unilateral electrode placements were alternately applied in electroconvulsive therapy given to 21 men with melancholia. Accompanying heart rate elevations were greater following right unilateral treatment than left unilateral, apparently because of longer persistence of peak rates. This is consistent with right cerebral hemisphere superiority in the control of heart rate activity in neurologically intact humans.
