[The dependence of alcohol abuse and psychiatric comorbidity]. / Abuso-dipendenza da alcol e comorbilità psichiatrica.

Aim of this paper, based on data collected at the General Hospital Psychiatric Unit of Pavia (Italy), is to study comorbidity between alcohol abuse/dependence and other mental illness. Thirty-five out of 188 patients admitted during the study period received a (DSM-III-R) diagnosis of alcohol abuse/ dependence and an other psychiatric diagnosis. Data were collected through a questionnaire, from patients and relatives, about history of dependence, psychiatric history both in patients and relatives, about life style and drinking opinions. Psycho-diagnostic (Wechsler, Rorschach) informations were obtained for 29 patients. Results show the importance of a complex treatment for both psychiatric and alcoholic problems.

[Possible relationship between childhood malaise and psychiatric disorders in adulthood. Preliminary study on an in-patient sample from the psychiatric unit of the general hospital in Pavia]. / Possibili rapporti tra disagio infantile e patologia psichiatrica adulta. Studio preliminare su un campione di utenti del SPDC di Pavia.

The authors report the preliminary data of a study which aims to identify the variables (socio-demographic, clinical and nosographic) which may be used to predict the evolution of psychiatric disorders. A retrospective follow-back study was carried out using the medical records and any other documentation available from medical and psychological centers in order to identify the evolutionary stages of disease and possible pre-disease antecedents. The sample group examined was selected from users attending the Diagnosis and Treatment Psychiatric Unit at Pavia Hospital who were found to have undergone infantile neuropsychiatric outpatient or hospital treatment during childhood. The preliminary phase of the study reports the results of the first 42 cases. The predictive value of the diagnosis made during childhood emerges from an analysis of the results and consequently emphasises the need to orient Infantile Neuropsychiatric structure not only towards diagnosis and care but also, towards a more strictly therapeutic action.

A critical approach to prophylactic use of lithium in therapy for manic-depressive patients.

During a follow-up study of 120 cases of recurrent affective disorders treated prophylactically with lithium, the authors considered certain aspects of this treatment from a psychologic point of view. In particular, they examined the problems connected with prolonged administration of the drug, the relationship between drug therapy and psychotherapy, and the significance of pharmacologic prevention of the crisis by modifying the underlying individual, familial, and social conditions that the crisis manifests.