RESUMEN
The determination of whether a patient has criminal responsibility or is able to stand trial is routine psychiatric work. Cases in which we- psychiatrists- are asked to express our opinion on whether a patient can testify, however, are quite rare. We shall attempt to clarify some of the issues relating to the testimony of mentally ill patients through a case presentation. In this case, the Court agreed to consider our patient's testimony, only after receiving our expert opinion. We find that the Court's reversal of its original decision and its willingness to consider the testimony of a mental patient in the same trial in which he was initially found unable to stand trial, marks an important precedent. The question of the credibility of the mental patient as a witness has significance beyond this case concerning mental patients' rights in regard to the judicial system. We believe there is a need for further discussion between psychiatrists andjurists regarding the fitness of the mental patient to testify as a witness.
Asunto(s)
Derecho Penal/legislación & jurisprudencia , Psiquiatría Forense , Competencia Mental/legislación & jurisprudencia , Trastornos Mentales , Adulto , Humanos , Israel , Masculino , Revelación de la VerdadRESUMEN
A descriptive study of all the admissions to a psychiatric hospital in Israel during the first month of the persian Gulf War was carried out. There was no decline in the number of admissions, and all the admitted 31 patients were civilians. War-related symptoms were manifest at the admission of 12 patients. Delusions of war-related content were prevalent, sometimes with corresponding hallucinations; three cases with these features are described briefly. There appeared to be an over-representation of female patients whose families originated in the Persian Gulf area. These findings may help in the planning of psychiatric services for similar future emergencies.
Asunto(s)
Trastornos Mentales/etiología , Guerra , Adulto , Deluciones , Femenino , Alucinaciones , Hospitalización , Hospitales Psiquiátricos , Humanos , Israel , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Medio OrienteRESUMEN
The distinction between schizophrenia and affective disorders is fundamental. However, overlapping has been described in most studies of schizophrenia and of affective disorders. We studied 20 families, each with at least 1 parent and 1 child with a diagnosis of schizophrenia or of affective disorder. In half the families there were 2 diagnoses. In most of these families the children had a more severe disorder than the sick parent, onset was earlier, more were diagnosed as schizophrenic, hospitalizations were longer, and social functioning was worse. The results emphasize current problems in psychiatric diagnosis, which still lacks a pathophysiological etiologic basis.
Asunto(s)
Trastornos del Humor/genética , Esquizofrenia/genética , Adulto , Niño , Familia , Humanos , Trastornos del Humor/complicaciones , Trastornos del Humor/diagnóstico , Núcleo Familiar , Esquizofrenia/complicaciones , Esquizofrenia/diagnósticoRESUMEN
Uptake of 3H-spiperone into lymphocytes obtained from control subjects (N = 22), chronic schizophrenics (N = 20), relatives with psychiatric disorder (N = 11) and unaffected relatives (N = 17) was studied. No differences were observed in spiperone uptake among any of the groups examined. Although previous investigations reported marked differences in 3H-spiperone uptake between schizophrenic and control subjects, we were unable to replicate their findings: the failure to replicate those of Bondy and colleagues may well be due to our inability to duplicate in our laboratory the exact biochemical methodology described by these investigators. Saturation curves could not be determined for most subjects. In addition, chronicity of illness and long-term exposure to neuroleptic medication among the schizophrenic subjects may partially account for the contradictory results reported by different investigators.
Asunto(s)
Receptores Dopaminérgicos/metabolismo , Esquizofrenia/sangre , Psicología del Esquizofrénico , Espiperona/farmacocinética , Adulto , Enfermedad Crónica , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Escalas de Valoración Psiquiátrica , Factores de Riesgo , Esquizofrenia/genéticaAsunto(s)
Selección de Profesión , Internado y Residencia , Psiquiatría/educación , Adulto , Femenino , Humanos , Israel , MasculinoRESUMEN
Two bipolar depressed patients and one unipolar depressed patient developed manic symptoms after receiving trazodone. The symptoms resolved when the treatment was discontinued or reduced. We believe the two bipolar patients are the first cases of this reaction reported in the literature.