[Psychosocial and biological aspects of transsexualism]. / Aspekty psychospoleczne i biologiczne transseksualizmu.

This study is an attempt at approximating the question of transsexualism as a psycho-biological and socio-legal problem. The authors point out the role of genetic factors in sex determination and sexual features' differentiation. Social and educational environment plays a great role in forming of a psychical sex. However, the subjective feeling of sex is most probably biologically conditioned. Recognition of the problems connected with transsexualism may contribute to an improvement in quality of life of individuals suffering from disorders of sexual identification.

[Acute non-allergic reaction after administration of penicillin as a factor in the occurrence of neurotic symptoms]. / Ostra niealergiczna reakcja po penicylinie jako czynnik wyzwalajacy zespoly nerwicowe.

The effect of a acute non-allergic reaction occurring after injection of procaine penicillin on the occurrence of different neurotic symptoms is a subject of the paper. 31 clinical cases, in which during the penicillin treatment the said reaction took place, were analysed. It has been found that the most often found consequence of that treatment is conversive neurosis, and subsequently the hypochondriac syndrome. On an average an acute non-allergic reaction occurred after the sixth injection. In 94% of the patients the neurotic symptoms appeared immediately after the described reaction. A positive correlation between the patient's age and an intensity of the converse symptoms was found. The Hoigne'a syndrome was a strong mental trauma, and was treated as an allergic shock for all of the patients. The patients were afraid of the next injection and they all refused to give permission for the continuation of such treatment. Neurotic syndromes related to Hoigne's syndrome turned out to be prolonged with a tendency for relapses, and low susceptibility to different methods of treatment. The mechanism of non-allergic acute reaction after procaine penicillin and ways of its prevention are also discussed.

[Speech and thought disorder in frontal syndrome following subarachnoid hemorrhage]. / Zaburzenia mowy i myslenia u chorego z zespolem czolowym w nastepstwie wylewu podpajeczynówkowego.

Here is described a case of a patient suffering from cerebral hemorrhage resulting in the perforation of the third cerebral ventricle and massive damage of the frontal lobes in consequence of the rupture of an intracranial aneurysm. After neurosurgical operation the patient's general state improved, but in spite of this he displayed symptoms of the frontal syndrome with many symptoms in the area of abstractional thinking and reflectiveness and a significant reduction of higher emotionality. Very interesting in this case is the neurolinguistic symptomatology. The rehabilitation and pharmacotherapy was very successful. This case is very interesting because it contains many of the symptoms called "frontal syndrome". It is also important to show the role of the frontal lobes in the integral process of mental life and in the role of the left hemisphere in the gnostic and coordinative processes of speech and other higher functions of the central nervous system.

[Diagnosis and therapy of depression in consulting psychiatry on the basis of own experience]. / Diagnostyka i terapia depresji w psychiatrii konsultacyjnej na podstawie doswiadczen wlasnych.

Against the background of the general specificity of consulting psychiatry, the author pays attention to the increasing number of consultations and the role of a consulting physician as an adviser, teacher and pupil of the treatment team. It has particularly meaning for the diagnosis of depression, especially masked depression and non-full symptomatic depression the diagnosis of which is still increasing in somatic departments.

[Comments on contemporary concepts of hypnosis and its application in psychiatry]. / Uwagi na temat wspólczesnych koncepcji hipnozy i jej zastosowania w psychiatrii.

This paper is an overview of the concepts of hypnosis from the first descriptive accounts until the present, from a phenomenological and practical perspective. The authors described this phenomenon as a specific state of consciousness, which is engendered by a therapist. It is very important to note the difference among hypnosis, sleeping and wakefulness. This paper discusses the basic hypothesis of the origins of hypnosis e.g. "suggestive acting", theories of neodissociation, psychoanalytical, multidimensional and behavioural. The authors emphasizes the meaning of reducing the sphere of the consciousness in this state and it's limitation in case of suggestions, which are contradictory to the ethics and instinct of self-preservation represented by the patient. The essence of hypnosis is a specific state of rapport between the therapist and the passive patient. The authors remove from hypnosis any hint of mystery emphasising the methodological difficulties in reliable researches on this subject. Hypnosis is an useful instrument in the hands of a qualified and experienced therapist. It is particularly valuable in the therapy of drug dependences, some kinds of neurotic states, an anxiety and phobias, as in treating disturbances of personality.

[The application of hemodynamic examination in psychiatry]. / Zastosowanie i perspektywy badan hemodynamiczynch w psychiatrii.

The authors discuss the most modern non-invasive methods for the examination of the circulatory system and consider the opportunity of their application in psychiatry. They refer to the results of their earlier studies on the some selected parameters of the circulatory system by means of radiocardiography i.e. Total Peripheral Resistance Index (TPRI), Heart Rate (HR), Arterial Blood Pressure (AP) and the Stroke Index (SI). It follows from the results that such examinations are appropriate mainly in patients with endogenous depression and may contribute to an increased safety factor in the treatment with tricyclic antidepressants. Among the methods which could contribute to the better evaluation of the state of the circulatory system (especially on contraction in the left ventricle of the heart and peripheral resistance) in depressive patients, phonocardiography, mechanocardiography and Doppler echo sounding cardiography are enumerated. Haemodynamic examinations turned out to be useful in predictions of the somatic tolerance of tricyclic antidepressants and to be helpful in understanding the reason for several complains involving the circulatory system in patients with endogenous depression. Two groups of patients: psychomotorically retarded and excited (with high intensity of anxiety) who differ from each other in the haemodynamic parameters are discriminated. This paper points out the necessity for the control of the circulatory system in these patients by means of modern non-invasive methods and is in agreement with the holistic attitude towards a patient.

[Changes in hemodynamic indicators during doxepin therapy as a prognostic factor in the treatment of endogenous depression]. / Zmiany wskazników hemodynamicznych w czasie leczenia doksepina jako czynnik prognostyczny w terapii depresji endogennej.

Hemodynamic studies with a radiocardiographic method were conducted in 28 male patients with unipolar affective disorder during treatment of a current depressed phase with doxepin. Total Peripheral Resistance Index (TPRI) indicated the best potential for prediction of hemodynamic tolerance to doxepin and of final treatment outcome.

[Evaluation of the effect of mianserin om hemodynamic indicators in patients with endogenous depression]. / Ocena wplywu mianseryny na wskazniki hemodynamiczne u chorych z depresja endogenna.

30 patients (25 males and 5 females) treated clinically with mianserin for a depressive episode in the course of unipolar affective illness was examined for hemodynamic problems using a radiocardiographic method. After two weeks of treatment Total Peripheral Resistance Index (TPRI) and blood pressure diminished significantly compared to basal pretreatment levels. A clear decrease of TPRI during the treatment may be a positive prognostic sign.

[Effect of thymoleptics on hemodynamic indicators and prediction of the effectiveness of the treatment of endogenous depression]. / Wplyw tymoleptyków na wskazniki hemodynamiczne a przewidywanie skutecznosci leczenia depresji endogennej.

In 92 patients (22 females and 70 males) with unipolar affective disorder hemodynamic studies using a radiocardiographic method were performed during treatment of a depressed phase of illness with amitriptyline or doxepin or mianserin. Frequent presentation of hemodynamic disturbances (increased heart rate and increased blood pressure) in the course of endogenous depression was noticed. Thymoleptic treatment causes the disturbances to alter in a statistically significant manner which allows to predict the final treatment outcome. Total Peripheral Resistance Index (TPRI) reveals the highest prognostic potential.

[Analysis of the structure of admissions and the course of hospitalization of drug addicts treated at the I Clinic for Mental Diseases, Medical Academy, in Gdansk 1982-1988]. / Analiza struktury przyjec i przebiegu hospitalizacji toksykomanów leczonych w I Klinice Chorób Psychicznych AM w Gdansku w latach 1982-1988.

The structure of admissions and the course of hospitalization were evaluated in the group of 78 (48 men, 30 women) with diagnosis of psychoactive substance dependence hospitalized in the Ist Clinic of Psychiatry in Gdansk during the period of 1982-88. The mean duration of hospitalization lasted 24 days. The most numerous (59%) group of opioid dependent patients was characterized by the shortest time of hospitalization. The longest duration of the abstinence symptoms was observed in the group of multiple-substance+ dependent patients. 62% of them were taking the drugs during hospitalization. In the group of euphoria + there was a positive correlation between the period of abstinence symptoms and a duration of hospitalization. Half of the patients discontinued hospitalization before the end of therapy. The abstinence symptoms were treated with neuroleptics, clomethiazole and subcomatic insulin.

[Various hemodynamic indicators in patients with endogenous depression before and during amitriptyline treatment]. / Niektóre wskazniki hemodynamiczne u chorych z depresja endogenna przed- i w trakcie leczenia amitryptylina.

The hemodynamic tests using radiocardiographic method, as well as the evaluation of mental status with the help of rating scales was made in 34 patients with endogenous depression. Following differences between depressive patients and age-matched controls were found: higher heart rate (HR), higher systolic arterial pressure (SAP), higher diastolic arterial pressure (DAP), slightly higher systolic index (SI), and higher total peripheral resistance index (TPRI). In addition it was found that HR and TPRI show positive correlation with the intensity of anxiety in Hamilton's++' scale. Two-week lasting amitriptyline treatment partially corrects the unfavourable hemodynamic effects.