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Psychiatry

The Brutal Reality | Harmful Psychiatric Treatments

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The psychiatric profession purports to be the sole arbiter on the subject of mental health and “diseases” of the mind. The facts, however, demonstrate otherwise:

1. PSYCHIATRIC “DISORDERS” ARE NOT MEDICALDISEASES.
In medicine, strict criteria exist for calling a condition a disease: a predictable group of symptoms and the cause of the symptoms or an understanding of their physiology (function) must be proven and established. Chills and feverare symptoms. Malaria and typhoid are diseases. Diseases are proven to exist by objective evidence and physical tests. Yet, no mental “diseases” have ever been proven to medically exist.

2. PSYCHIATRISTS DEAL EXCLUSIVELY WITH MENTAL “DISORDERS,” NOT PROVEN DISEASES.
While mainstream physical medicine treats diseases, psychiatry can only deal with “disorders.” In the absence of a known cause or physiology, a group of symptoms seen in many different patients is called a disorder or syndrome. Harvard Medical School’s Joseph Glenmullen, M.D., says that in psychiatry, “all of its diagnoses are merely syndromes [or disorders], clusters of symptoms ...

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Psychiatric Mechanisms In Child Murderers

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Most child victims of homicide are killed by a parent or step-parent. This large population study provides a contemporary and detailed description of filicide perpetrators. We examined the relationship between filicide and mental illness at the time of the offence, and care received from mental health services in the past.

Method All filicide and filicide-suicide cases in England and Wales (1997–2006) were drawn from a national index of homicide perpetrators. Data on people in contact with mental health services were obtained via a questionnaire from mental health teams. Additional clinical information was collected from psychiatric reports.

Results
6144 people were convicted of homicide, 297 were filicides, and 45 cases were filicide-suicides. 195 (66%) perpetrators were fathers. Mothers were more likely than fathers to have a history of mental disorder (66% v 27%) and symptoms at the time of the offence (53% v 23%), most often affective disorder. 17% of mothers had schizophrenia or other delusional disorders. Overall 8% had schizophrenia. 37% were mentally ill at the time...

See Also: Filicide: Mental Illness in Those Who Kill Their Children

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Different Communication Strategies For Disclosing A Diagnosis Of Schizophrenia And Related Disorders

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Abstract

This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (Intervention). The objectives are as follows:

To evaluate evidence from randomised controlled trials (RCTs) for the efficacy of different communication strategies used by clinicians to inform patients about the diagnosis and outcome of schizophrenia, compared with treatment as usual

To compare efficacy between different communication strategies.

Background

Description of the condition

Schizophrenia, a serious mental illness, is a group of heterogeneous disorders typically characterised by the presence of delusions, hallucinations, disorganised speech, disorganised behaviour, and negative symptoms (avolition, apathy, anhedonia, alogia, affective blunting). The two major classification systems, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) and International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10), have different requirements of symptoms duration for the diagnosis of schizophrenia. While the DSM requires a total duration of a minimum of six months, the ICD-10 warrants a minimum duration of one month. The DSM-IV has a requirement for...

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Psychiatric Malpractice: Stories of Patients, Psychiatrists, and the Law

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Abstract

Psychiatric Malpractice

Psychiatric Malpractice is written by an attorney who has a history of bipolar disease. It is particularly suited to the novitiate psychiatrist and the general psychiatrist who wants to know about the liability aspect of psychiatric practice.

James Kelley presents classic malpractice cases with good and bad outcomes for the patient: prescription for the wrong medication, release of patients who were still acutely ill, violence by a patient against another person, and unusual disputes about the standard of psychiatric care. Of particular interest are cases of sexual misconduct by psychiatrists. In California Medical Board punishments, sexual misconduct with a patient is near the top of the list along with drugs. Kelley chose the cases not only for their intrinsic interest, but also because of the legal issues involved and the public attention evoked.

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Qualifications Of Agreement Of Phychiatric Diagnosis Revisited

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Abstract

Eighteen years ago in this journal, Spitzer and colleagues1 published "Quantification of Agreement in Psychiatric Diagnosis," in which they argued that a new measure, Cohen's k statistic,2 was the appropriate index of diagnostic agreement in psychiatry. They pointed out that other measures of diagnostic reliability then in use, such as the total percent agreement and the contingency coefficient, were flawed as indexes of agreement since they either overestimated the discriminating power of the diagnosticians or were affected by associations among the diagnoses other than strict agreement. The new statistic seemed to overcome the weaknesses of the other measures. It took into account the fact that raters agree by chance alone some of the time, and it only gave a perfect value if there was total agreement among the raters. Furthermore, generalizations of the simple k statistic were already available. This family of statistics could be used to assess...

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Common Psychosexual Disorders: Presentation And Management

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Introduction

During the last decade effective, short term treatment of the major psychosexual disorders has become a reality. For the general practitioner, who seeks to provide developing standards of patient-care, this may bring new expectations and responsibilities, for which he or she may feel ill equipped by virtue of training. In this paper we will be considering the main categories of dysfunction, in terms of established characteristics and principles of treatment. It is hoped that this outline will provide a source of information to the GP, who may wish to participate in aspects of management, in suitable cases, or refer when special expertise is required. Psychological and relationship aspects of aetiology will be considered first on account of their prominence as causative factors. The discussion will, again, be limited to heterosexual problems in couples. Classification of psychosexual disorders is, broadly speaking, either by function (eg. erectile impotence, premature ejaculation) or by phase (e.g. desire, excitement, orgasm) affected. A simplified representation of the main disorders, with outlines...

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Concealment of Psychopathology in Forensic Evaluations: A Pilot Study of Intentional and Uninsightful Dissimulator

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Both clinical and forensic psychiatrists recognize that individuals whom they evaluate may be unreliable historians. Clinical psychiatrists are diligent in attending to the possibility that patients may not be forthcoming with all of their symptoms, beliefs, or personal history. For example, consider a clinician’s skepticism about the claims of a delusional paranoid schizophrenic brought to a clinic by his concerned family members or about the denials of suicidal intent of a depressed patient brought to the emergency room for a drug overdose. Clinicians approach cases such as these recognizing that patients may withhold critical information about their psychopathology, whether because of paranoid fears, in response to voices they hear, covert suicidal intent, desires to appear “normal,” or other motives. Forensic practitioners approach evaluations with a somewhat different focus, colored chiefly by inclusion of strategies to detect the possibility of malingering. It is certainly reasonable to be skeptical of a forensic evaluee’s claimed symptoms and complaints in light of the secondary gain attached to the outcome of the evaluation, whether it involves obtaining financial compensation or evading or minimizing...

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Human Mate Poaching: Tactics And Tempations For Infiltrating Existing Mateships

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Abstract

The authors explored the psychology of romantically attracting someone who is already in a relationship--what can be called the process of human mate poaching. In Study 1 (N = 236), they found that attempts at poaching were relatively common and were linked with distinctive personality dispositions. Study 2 (N = 220) documented that the perceived costs and benefits of poaching differed somewhat for men and women and depended on whether short-term or long-term poaching outcomes were targeted. Study 3 (N = 453) found support for 5 evolution-based hypotheses about the perceived effectiveness of poaching tactics. Study 4 (N = 333) found that poaching effectiveness was influenced by the type of relationship being encroached on-marital, dating, long distance, highly committed, just beginning, or about to end. Discussion focuses on the importance of placing mate poaching within the broader context of human sexual strategies...

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Liability of the Psychiatrist for Improper Commitment

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An important category of cases of alleged psychiatric malicious practice involves actions for false and improper commitment of a person to a mental institution, an action sometimes based upon statute but more often arrived at by a common law false imprisonment or malicious prosecution action. This consideration poses an interesting concrete question: If a psychiatrist conspires with a patient's relative to commit the patient to an institution because of alleged insanity, and writes to a court requesting confinement of the patient, is the psychiatrist liable for damages where the court later finds the patient was not insane and orders him released ?

Malicious Prosecution
The answer to this intriguing query is to be found in Loweii vs Hilton (351 P 2d 881), decided by the Supreme Court of Colorado in I960. In that case the plaintiff brought a suit for malicious prosecution against his brother and a psychiatrist. He charged that they had conspired to institute lunacy proceedings against him. The plaintiff's brother had signed...

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Buspirone

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Uses
This medication is used to treat anxiety. It may help you think more clearly, relax, worry less, and take part in everyday life. It may also help you to feel less jittery and irritable, and may control symptoms such as trouble sleeping, sweating, and pounding heartbeat. Buspirone is a medication for anxiety (anxiolytic) that works by affecting certain natural substances in the brain (neurotransmitters).

How to use Buspirone HCL
Take this medication by mouth, usually 2 or 3 times a day or as directed by your doctor. You may take this medication with or without food, but it is important to choose one way and always take it the same way so that the amount of drug absorbed will always be the same.

Buspirone may come in a tablet that can be split to get the correct dose for you. Follow the manufacturer's Patient Instruction Sheet or ask your pharmacist how to split the tablet to get your dose.

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Carbamazepine

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Tegretol suspension in combination with liquid chlorpromazine or thioridazine results in precipitate formation, and, in the case of chlorpromazine, there has been a report of a patient passing an orange rubbery precipitate in the stool following coadministration of the two drugs (see PRECAUTIONS: DRUG INTERACTIONS). Because the extent to which this occurs with other liquid medications is not known, Tegretol suspension should not be administered simultaneously with other liquid medications or diluents.

Monitoring of blood levels has increased the efficacy and safety of anticonvulsants (see PRECAUTIONS, Laboratory Tests). Dosage should be adjusted to the needs of the individual patient. A low initial daily dosage with a gradual increase is advised. As soon as adequate control is achieved, the dosage may be reduced very gradually to the minimum effective level. Medication should be taken with meals.

Since a given dose of Tegretol suspension will produce higher peak levels than the same dose given as the tablet, it is recommended to

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Haloperidol

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Haldol is the brand name for haloperidol, an anti-psychotic medicine used to treat mental and mood disorders, including schizophrenia and acute psychosis.

It is often used in emergency room psychiatric situations. It helps reduce aggression, negative thoughts, and the desire to harm someone or oneself.

It can also help to reduce hallucinations, as well as to treat uncontrolled outbursts related to Tourette's disorder, and it can be used for short periods of time for people who have acute agitation.

In children, Haldol may be used for severe behavior problems including hyperactivity or aggression.

Haloperidol was developed by a Belgian company in 1958, and approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1967. McNeil Laboratories marketed the drug under the brand name Haldol. The tablet forms are now available only generically.

Haldol Warnings
Haldol may make you dizzy, so do not drive or operate machinery until you know how it affects you. Do not drink alcohol and use Haldol.

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Lithium Carbonate

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Lithium Carbonate is an antimanic agent used to treat Manic-Depressive Disorder (Bipolar Disorder). This medication may also be used to prevent cluster headaches. It may also be used to treat other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Lithium smoothes out the highs (manic) and lows (depression) in bipolar patients by restoring the balance of neurotransmitters in the brain. It is sometimes referred to as a mood stabilizer.

Using this medication continuously may help to reduce the frequency of manic episodes. It also may decrease manic episode symptoms, including anxiousness, aggressive or hostile behaviors, feelings that others wish to harm you, exaggerated feelings of well-being, irritability, or rapid/loud speech.

This information is for educational purposes only. Not every known side effect, adverse effect, or drug interaction is in this database. If you have questions about your medicines, talk to your health care provider.

How to Take It
Follow the directions for using this medicine provided by your doctor. Take this medicine with food. Drinking extra fluids

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Trifluoperazine

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USES:
This medication is used to treat certain mental/mood disorders (such as schizophrenia, psychotic disorders). Trifluoperazine helps you to think more clearly, feel less nervous, and take part in everyday life. It can reduce aggressive behavior and the desire to hurt yourself/others. It may also help to decrease hallucinations (hearing/seeing things that are not there). Trifluoperazine is a psychiatric medication that belongs to the class of drugs called phenothiazine antipsychotics. It works by helping to restore the balance of certain natural substances in the brain.

This medication has also been used for the short-term treatment of anxiety. However, there are safer drugs to treat anxiety that should be used first before trifluoperazine.

HOW TO USE:
Take this medication by mouth with or without food, usually once or twice daily or as directed by your doctor.

Dosage is based on your medical condition, age, and response to treatment. In children, the dosage is also based on weight. To reduce your risk of

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Trimipramine

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Description

Tricyclic antidepressants act to change the balance of naturally occurring chemicals in the brain that regulate the transmission of nerve impulses between cells. Trimipramine acts primarily to increase the concentration of norepinephrine and serotonin (both chemicals that stimulate nerve cells) and, to a lesser extent, to block the action of another brain chemical, acetylcholine. Trimipramine shares most of the properties of other tricyclic antidepressants, such as amitriptyline , amoxapine , clomipramine , desipramine , imipramine , nortriptyline , and protriptyline . Studies comparing trimipramine with these other drugs have shown that trimipramine is no more or less effective than other antidepressants of its type. Its choice for treatment is as much a function of physician preference as any other factor. antidepressants, appear slowly. Maximum benefit is often not evident for at least two weeks after starting the drug. People taking trimipramine should be aware of this and continue taking the drug as directed even if they do not see immediate improvement.

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“Force, Fraud And Fear” Said To Be Accompanying The Recent Upsurge In Use Of Electroshock (E.C.T.)

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SUMMARY

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is utilized worldwide for various severe and treatment-resistant psychiatric disorders. Research studies have shown that ECT is the most effective and rapid treatment available for elderly patients with depression, bipolar disorder and psychosis. For patients who suffer from intractable catatonia and neuroleptic malignant syndrome, ECT can be life saving. For elderly patients who cannot tolerate or respond poorly to medications and who are at a high risk for drug-induced toxicity or toxic drug interactions, ECT is the safest treatment option. Organic causes are frequently associated with late-life onset of neuropsychiatric conditions, such as parkinsonism, dementia and stroke. ECT has proven to be efficacious even when these conditions are present. During the next decade, research studies should focus on the use of ECT as a synergistic therapy, to enhance other biological and psychological treatments, and prevent symptom relapse and recurrence.

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a biological treatment procedure involving a brief application of electric stimulus to produce a generalized seizure. ECT is utilize...

Additional Resource: Current electroconvulsive therapy practice and research in the geriatric population

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