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Psychiatria Danubina 2022COVID-19 is a global public health crisis, and is turning to be a major mental health problem. This review provides a broad overview of mental health situations during... (Review)
Review
COVID-19 is a global public health crisis, and is turning to be a major mental health problem. This review provides a broad overview of mental health situations during COVID-19 pandemic in Africa and globally, while some preventive methods to improve mental health conditions during the pandemic were provided. In the Africa context, various government authorities must ensure the provision and accessibility to mental health care services such as routine preventive information, mental health counseling and self help measures, and social supports such as palliatives, basic needs and special financial assistance to the public during the pandemic. Generally, coping strategies such as personal care-based measures (adequate nutrition, personal hygiene, adequate sleep and rest) activity-based measures (regular physical exercise, learning new tasks and engaging in novel adventures and mindfulness meditation) and behavioral-based measures (avoidance of psychoactive substances, taking breaks from COVID-19-related information, social connectedness and showing supports to others, setting achievable targets, help seeking measures and psychiatrist's visitations, adherence to all COVID-19 preventive measures and uptake of the COVID-19 vaccines) are all viable preventive methods against mental health conditions during the pandemic globally. It is recommended that researchers should conduct more studies on the impacts of COVID-19 on mental health status in Africa populations to ensure a valid basis for proper interventions during and post pandemic era. Also, African countries should seek supports and routine guidance from appropriate international health organizations to ensure an updated and frequent mental health care delivery to the public.
Topics: Adaptation, Psychological; COVID-19; COVID-19 Vaccines; Humans; Mental Health; Pandemics; SARS-CoV-2
PubMed: 35772154
DOI: 10.24869/psyd.2022.325 -
Australasian Psychiatry : Bulletin of... Oct 2023Psychiatric cover for healthcare staffing shortfalls is increasingly common post-pandemic. We aim to provide comprehensive practical advice on providing temporary...
OBJECTIVE
Psychiatric cover for healthcare staffing shortfalls is increasingly common post-pandemic. We aim to provide comprehensive practical advice on providing temporary inpatient or outpatient cover as a psychiatrist, based on the authors' clinical experience and the existing research literature.
CONCLUSIONS
There is limited peer-reviewed advice available on providing safe and effective temporary psychiatric consultant cover for patient care. We suggest a framework for reviewing the potential hazards and benefits of a temporary post, and planning for the role, guided by consideration of the following: caring for patients, supporting staff, working with peers, and understanding local healthcare systems and the local regulatory environment. Application of this reflective framework is informed by the psychiatrist's assessment of the temporary role, and consideration of the local service conditions.
Topics: Humans; Psychiatry; Inpatients; Peer Group
PubMed: 37424206
DOI: 10.1177/10398562231188264 -
Psychiatria Polska 2016In the interwar period the eugenic ideas gained the status of a scientific theory and become attractive to a wide range of physicians. Among them were doctors of Jewish... (Review)
Review
In the interwar period the eugenic ideas gained the status of a scientific theory and become attractive to a wide range of physicians. Among them were doctors of Jewish origin who perceived eugenics as a tool in the fight for biological rebirth of the Jewish nation. Polish-Jewish psychiatrist Raphael Becker (1891-1939?), the author of dozens of scientific papers, was the most famous eugenist among Jewish psychiatrists, not only in Poland but also in Europe. After graduation in medicine at the University in Zurich and training in the psychiatry clinic Burghölzli under the guidance of Eugen Bleuler, Rafał Becker became interested in the question of epidemiology of mental disorders among the Jews. In the interwar period, dealing with the statistics of mental disorders among Polish Jews, and directing a psychiatric hospital "Zofiówka" in Otwock, he significantly contributed to the development of medical care for the mentally ill Jews in Poland. Becker's scientific ideas were greatly influenced by the work of Alfred Adler and Ernst Kretschmer. The article presents the life and scientific achievements of Becker, with particular emphasis on his views on eugenics.
Topics: Eugenics; History, 20th Century; Humans; Jews; Male; Mental Disorders; Mentally Ill Persons; Poland; Psychiatry; Research Personnel
PubMed: 27086342
DOI: 10.12740/PP/38918 -
The Psychiatric Clinics of North America Mar 2022Many mental health practitioners, including psychiatrists, have suffered multiple social and mental health impacts from COVID-19. A range of actions are described that... (Review)
Review
Many mental health practitioners, including psychiatrists, have suffered multiple social and mental health impacts from COVID-19. A range of actions are described that health care organizations and individuals can take to mitigate these impacts. There will likely be substantial positive short- and long-term outcomes for psychiatrists individually and as a profession post-COVID-19. These include improved professional well-being and more efficient practice modalities through the development of hybrid care clinical approaches integrating technologies into practice, and a greater focus on providing better care for diverse racial and ethnic communities.
Topics: COVID-19; Ethnicity; Humans; Mental Health; Psychiatry; SARS-CoV-2
PubMed: 35219432
DOI: 10.1016/j.psc.2021.11.007 -
The Israel Journal of Psychiatry and... 2012The psychiatrist's main role is to provide care to the paraphilic patient and to reduce personal distress. However, in cases of paraphilia associated with sexual... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
The psychiatrist's main role is to provide care to the paraphilic patient and to reduce personal distress. However, in cases of paraphilia associated with sexual offences, reducing paraphilic behavior is critical in an approach to preventing sexual violence and reducing victimization. This review will focus on this specific population.
METHOD
We discuss the recently published recommendations for the treatment of paraphilias of the World Federation of Societies of Biological Psychiatry which were based on a review of the available literature about pharmacological treatment of paraphilias (1970-2010).
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION
Antiandrogens, and mostly GnRH analogues, significantly reduce the intensity and frequency of deviant sexual arousal and behavior, although informed consent is necessary in all cases. GnRH analogue treatment constitutes the most promising treatment for sex offenders at high risk of sexual violence, such as pedophiles or serial rapists. SSRIs remain an interesting option in adolescents, in patients with depressive or OCD disorders, or in mild paraphilias such as exhibitionism. Pharmacological interventions should be part of a more comprehensive treatment plan including psychotherapy and, in most cases, behavior therapy.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; Humans; Paraphilic Disorders; Practice Guidelines as Topic; Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors; Sex Offenses
PubMed: 23585467
DOI: No ID Found -
Tijdschrift Voor Psychiatrie 2023Language is the most important tool for every psychiatrist and psychotherapist. Metaphors can enhance the effect of language.
BACKGROUND
Language is the most important tool for every psychiatrist and psychotherapist. Metaphors can enhance the effect of language.
AIM
To stimulate reflection on the role of metaphors in psychiatric discourse.
METHOD
Discuss illustrative examples and some relevant studies.
RESULTS
Psychotherapeutic schools each have their own way of using metaphors. Many psychiatrists also like to use them. A successful metaphor refers to the main clinical problem in treatment, contains an element that the patient is still missing, and are adapted to the patient’s person.
CONCLUSION
A personalized application of metaphors works best. Well-chosen metaphors lead to recognition, inspiration and satisfaction for both patient and therapist.
Topics: Humans; Metaphor; Language
PubMed: 36951768
DOI: No ID Found -
BJPsych Bulletin Jul 2023Professional statements suggest that psychiatrists engage in media work to supply a general audience with medical knowledge informed by relevant professional expertise.... (Review)
Review
Professional statements suggest that psychiatrists engage in media work to supply a general audience with medical knowledge informed by relevant professional expertise. However, media work may be motivated by interests other than disinterested service to the well-being of the public, such as fame, money and a platform for one's wider views. The role of media psychiatrist is also crucially shaped by the unpredictable needs of a complex media ecology and marketplace. Furthermore, the properties of the media, and different forms within them, bring implicit meanings such as the wider authorisation of therapeutic self-reflection or the promotion of para-social intimacy. Finally, the media psychiatrist may function as an entrepreneur, converting the currency of celebrity into new forms of cultural, social and political capital. Professional guidelines for media work should be updated in light of such observations.
PubMed: 37519270
DOI: 10.1192/bjb.2023.63 -
Frontiers in Psychiatry 2021Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) comprises a series of rare hereditary connective tissue diseases characterized by joint hypermobility, joint dislocation, and... (Review)
Review
Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) comprises a series of rare hereditary connective tissue diseases characterized by joint hypermobility, joint dislocation, and hyperextensibility of the skin, as well as cardiovascular involvement. EDS is often associated with chronic widespread physical pain, which can lead to psychological pain. Poor awareness and limited diagnosis of EDS and related symptoms result in decreased self-esteem and confusion regarding physical sensation. Furthermore, EDS imposes substantial psychological burden on patients due to exercise restriction, scars, keloids, and subcutaneous fat accumulation on the extremities, which leads to parental overprotection and bullying experiences from other children at school age. Recent large-scale studies have suggested that patients with EDS have a higher risk of mood disorders than the general population. Other cohort studies indicated high prevalence of anorexia nervosa, addiction, obsessive compulsive disorder, and anxiety disorder were found in patients with EDS. Case reports instead indicated that some psychiatric disorders were secondary symptoms due to physical problems from EDS. Therefore, psychiatrists must be more knowledgeable and proactive about EDS in their practice. We review the previous case reports and literature for patients with EDS, along with our own case of complicated psychiatric problems, which are strongly related to early stressful situations through childhood and adolescence. This is to aid general psychiatrists in the discussion of appropriate medical management in such infrequent, yet challenging conditions.
PubMed: 35087434
DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.803898 -
The Indian Journal of Medical Research Apr 2015Organ transplantation has emerged as the saving grace for those who are suffering from end organ disease. Advent of modern surgical procedures and immunosuppressants... (Review)
Review
Organ transplantation has emerged as the saving grace for those who are suffering from end organ disease. Advent of modern surgical procedures and immunosuppressants further decrease morbidity and mortality. Meta-analyses have shown that post-organ transplantation quality of life improves for social, physical and daily activity functioning, but not consistently for psychological health. Psychiatrists can play a useful role not only in selecting the best suitable candidate for the procedure by psychosocial screening but also to tackle post-operation psychological issues that trouble patients as well as caretakers and decrease their quality of life. Issues like selection of patients with psychiatric disorders and substance abuse for transplantation process and their treatment both pre- and post- operation, risky health behaviours, treatment adherence for immunosuppressants and psychological support for caretakers can be better addressed by a psychiatrist who is sensitive towards these issues. Prescribing various psychotropics and immunosuppressants in the background of impaired organ function and drug-drug interaction is further challenging. Thus, psychiatrists need to be knowledgeable about these issues and should be an integral part of organ transplantation team for overall better outcome.
Topics: Humans; Immunosuppressive Agents; Organ Transplantation; Postoperative Period; Psychiatry; Quality of Life; Social Support; Substance-Related Disorders
PubMed: 26112841
DOI: 10.4103/0971-5916.159268 -
Frontiers in Psychiatry 2013A disability assessment for non-therapeutic reasons is the most common evaluation requested of treating psychiatrists. Mental disorders affect approximately 20 percent...
A disability assessment for non-therapeutic reasons is the most common evaluation requested of treating psychiatrists. Mental disorders affect approximately 20 percent of Americans each year. People who are unable to work need some financial assistance. As part of the system, it's our goal to assist them in this process. When a disability claim is filed, psychiatrists take into account the individual's impairments and disabilities. A psychiatrist's evaluation of disability involves knowledge and experience. There are many ethics related challenges, especially when performing disability evaluation of their own patients. Disability training should therefore be part of residency curriculum for training of psychiatry residents.
PubMed: 23785336
DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2013.00054