[Reaction time in relation to duration of heroin abuse].

INTRODUCTION: Consequences of heroin abuse include organic damage of cerebral structures. The level of impairments is in a direct and positive relation with the length of heroin abuse. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this research was the evaluation of the reaction time with heroin addicts with different length of substance abuse. RESEARCH METHOD: 90 examinees were divided into three groups with relation to the length of heroin abuse. Data collection included a questionnaire referring to socio-demographic and addictive characteristics. A specially designed programme was used for the evaluation of reaction time to audio/ visual signal. RESULTS: In relation to the reaction time as overall model, the difference between examinees with different length of heroin abuse can be found on the marginal level of significance (F = 1.69; df = 12; p = 0.07). In visual modality, with the increase of length of heroin abuse leads to a significant prolongation of simple (the first visual sign: F = 3.29; df = 2; p = 0.04) and choice reaction time (the second visual sign: F = 4.97; df = 2; p = 0.00; the third visual sign: F = 3.08; df = 2; p = 0.05). Longer heroin consumption also leads to the prolongation of the simple (the first auditory task: F = 3.41; df = 2; p = 0.04) and the complex auditory reaction time (the second auditory task: F = 5.67; df = 2; p = 0.01; the third auditory task: F = 6.42; df = 2; p = 0.00). CONCLUSION: Heroin abuse leads to the prolongation of both simple and choice reaction time in visual as well as auditory modality. The average daily dose of opiates was the most important predictor of the abovementioned cognitive dysfunction.

AD/HD in the genesis of conduct disorder--does biopsychosocial approach make sense?

There are numerous theories approaching the source of mental disorders (including conduct disorder) from different perspectives - biological, psychological, social and multifactorial. The question that arises is which theory is to be used to explain the issue. In the interpretation of phenomena in psychiatry, Kecmanovic discusses possibilities of different approaches (biological, psychological, social and biopsychosocial models) and concludes that none of them provide a complete solution as to how to approach different disorders. The question, therefore, is how to proceed? Although according to Kecmanovic, the biopsychosocial model, as Engel has formulated it, "provides only ingredients not a prescription", it is our opinion that it indeed does not need to provide prescriptions- it is sufficient if it indicates the necessary ingredients. The prescription itself is to be found in novel scientific disciplines, in particular neuropsychology and epigenetics. Gilbert, on the other hand, points out that the bio- psychosocial approach is holistic, and more than that. "The bio psychosocial approach addresses the complexity of interactions between different domains of functioning and argues that it is the interaction of domains that illuminates important processes" e.g. a hierarchical dimension of the model as one and development as another dimension provide the basis for a comprehensive perspective on psychiatric disorders, in this case of AD/HD as a risk factor for conduct disorder.

Psychiatric consequences of stress after a vehicle accident.

BACKGROUND: Vehicle accidents are a common cause of disease and death among people over 30 years of age. Essentially, reaction to stress due to the vehicle accident does not differ from the reaction to other stress factors. There are still no uniform viewpoints about the kind of sequels and their percentage representation after vehicle accidents. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The research was provided as a prospective study, included 150 subjects who had vehicle accident minimum 2 years prior to the examination. A questionnaire adjusted to the needs of the research and a battery of psychological tests was used. RESULTS: Affective disorders occurred in 35.33% of subjects, 65% of persons suffer from travel anxiety, 9% of the total number of examinees doesn't drive any more, 65% have somatisational dysfunctions of the vegetative nervous system, while the posttraumatic stress disorder is present in 36% of subjects. CONCLUSION: In 87.4% of persons psychiatric consequences last over two years. Long term consequences in 60% of subjects occur as a combination of multiple psychiatric disorders, so the posttraumatic stress disorder and affective disorders never occur one at a time.