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Munchausen’S Syndrome: Towards A Psychodynamic Understanding, Sharon Riser, Md

Jefferson Journal of Psychiatry

INTRODUCTION

The third edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders cites two essential criteria for the diagnosis of chronic factitious disorder with physical symptoms, more poetically known as Munchauseri's Syndrome:

a) Plausible presentation of physical symptoms that are apparently under the individual's voluntary control to such a degree that there are multiple hospitalizations;

b) The individual's goal is apparently to assume the "patient " role and is not otherwise understandable in light of the individual's environmental circumstances(I).

Additionally noted is the frequent occurrence of a true physical illness entailing extensive hospital treatment during the childhood or adolescence …

Faculty Advisor's Column, Harvey J. Schwartz, Md

Jefferson Journal of Psychiatry

The season during which this issue of the Journal is being assembled is Autumn. It is a time of change, of growth, of new development.

For a small group of psychiatrists around the country, this period has an additional special meaning-it is recruitment season. For program directors and faculty it is this time every year that the mating ceremony known as the 'match' is prepared for . The mutual cueing and seductiveness, and indeed the ceremonies of courtship itself, are set in motion as faculty and soon-to-be medic al school graduates begin their unique dance.

Editor's Column, John Matt Dorn, Md, Chief Editor

Jefferson Journal of Psychiatry

Recently, an editor of The Jefferson Journal of Psychiatry remarked to me his regret that we don' t publish more original material. By this, I think he meant that the articles we publish do not break new ground, but tend to be compilations of existing ideas and beliefs. I think that he is right about this, and for a while I was disillusioned. On reflection, however, I think there may be some value in our project.

List Of Editors

Jefferson Journal of Psychiatry

List of Editors for Volume 3, Number 1 of the Jefferson Journal of Psychiatry, Jan 1985.

Letters To The Editor

Jefferson Journal of Psychiatry

We welcome all letters to the editor and encourage authors to reply. Input from residents and faculty on ideas presented in the Journal create an arena for discussion and dialogue that is the ultimate purpose of this undertaking.

Post Psychotic Depression In A Patient Who Castrated Himself, Harvey Stabinsky, Md, Jd, Susan Stabinsky, Md, Alfred Wiener, Md

Jefferson Journal of Psychiatry

With this article we inaugurate our efforts to expand the scope of the Journal beyond the walls of Jefferson. We thus open the Journal to residents of all programsand invite them to share their clinical experience and research. Circulation will include contributing programs.

Introduction

The differential diagnosis of psychosis associated with depression includes schizophrenia, schizoaffective and major affective disorders. Depression associated with schizophrenia may be a prominent feature of the patient's early presentation (I), or manifest itself only as the psychotic symptoms resolve (2, 3). Neuroleptics may play a causal role in the development of post-psychotic depression . This drug …

A Forty-Year-Old Woman With A History Of Psychosis And A Seizure Disorder, Jeffrey R. Sarnoff, Md, Robert E. Morrow, Md, Sharon Riser, Md, Ann E. Steel, Md, Jacob Berman, Md

Jefferson Journal of Psychiatry

In this issue of the Journal, we are introducing a new section. the Interdisciplinary Case Conference. Our goal will be to present psychiatric patients in whom pathology is demonstrable not only by interview, but also by physical examination,laboratory studies. and radiographic imaging techniques.

Book Review, John Matt Dorn, Md

Jefferson Journal of Psychiatry

INDIVIDUAL PSYCHOTHERAPY AND THE SCIENCE OF PSYCHODYNAMICS

David H. Malan, D.M., FRC Psych London: Butterworth , 1979 275 pp., $24.95

Psychosis In A Patient With Autoimmune Deficiency Syndrome, Vivian Charneco, Md

Jefferson Journal of Psychiatry

Introduction

Autoimmune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a disease whose incidence has grownprecipitously in recent years. Its victims face social and psychological isolation (I) .Contributing to this isolation is the fear of contact with AIDS patients that exists among health care workers and the public (2).

Increasingly more is being under stood about this mysterious disease. Recent reports have supported a viral etiology. The chief criterion for diagnosis is an inverted helper to suppressor T-cell ratio. Other supportive findings include lymphopenia,leukopenia, elevated IgA levels, and anergia. The following case report highlights the neurological and psychiatric symptoms that may be seen in …

Chronic Pain, Roberta Ball, Do

Jefferson Journal of Psychiatry

A complex problem of vast dimensions, chronic pain is receiving increasing attention due to the expansion of knowledge of the neurophysiology, neurochemistry and psychology of pain. Chronic pain presents a challenge to many disciplines in the health professions, and one that is more recently being presented to the psychiatrist.This paper will attempt to define the problem of chronic pain, to explore the concept of organic versus psychogenic pain, to describe the psychodynamics and other characteristics seen in the chronic pain patient and to discuss the importance of the psychiatristin evaluation and treatment of chronic pain .

Faculty Advisor's Column, Harvey J. Schwartz, Md

Jefferson Journal of Psychiatry

This issue of our Journal marks a new stage in our development. We have started accepting papers from residency programs other than our own. Encouraged by the enthusiastic response our prior issues have elicited from psychiatric educators around the country, we are embarking on a program of expansion. In doing so we hope to provide a unique arena for psychiatric resident thinking. Residents nationwide are invited to share with each other and their faculties, their discoveries, their uncertaintiesand the newness with which they view their work.

Letters To The Editor

Jefferson Journal of Psychiatry

We welcome all letters to the editor, and encourage authors to reply. Input from residents and faculty on ideas presented in the Journal create the arena for discussion and dialogue which is the ultimate purpose of this undertaking.

Therapeutic Guitar-An Alternative Approach To The Treatment Of A Difficult Patient, Michael Buxbaum, Md

Jefferson Journal of Psychiatry

The case described in this article is one where an experimental technique was introduced largely because of the therapist's dissatisfaction with the patient's progress. Despite the likelihood of being criticized, I feel compelled to write about this patient. The progress he has made is beyond my expectations, which were admittedly minimal at the outset.

Misuses Of Computers By Adolescents, Henry A. Doenlen, M.D.

Jefferson Journal of Psychiatry

One subject that has been a topic of much recent publicity and concern has been that of computer misuse. Teenage computer programmers gaining entry into the systems of universities, hospitals and businesses have caused the most concern . The duplication of copyrighted programs and information has also been reported to cause loss of considerable money. There seems to be a subpopulation of people who spend considerable time working with computers. These individuals may do so to the exclusion of other aspects of life such as human interaction . This paper will present both my observations of this behavior and my …

The Treatment Of A Borderline Patient Complicated By Involvement With A Charismatic Religious Cult: A Case Report, Mark Miller, Md

Jefferson Journal of Psychiatry

Introduction

Although much has been written about cults in recent years, many questions remain. Do cults recruit subjects by brainw ashing them or do individuals gravitate to cults to fulfill unmet needs? This paper will review some essential points of cult phenomena and discuss the treatment of one patient who was involved in a charismatic religious cult .

Possible Synergistic Action Between Carbamazepine And Lithium Carbonate In The Treatment Of A Manic Patient., John Matt Dorn, M.D.

Jefferson Journal of Psychiatry

Introduction

Carbamazepine has been proven to be efficacious in some patients with affective disorders, notably those who have not responded well to lithium carbonate or neuroleptics (1,2,3) . For those who have responded poorly to either regimen, however, there have been no effective pharmacotherapies until recently, when case reports have suggested a possible synergistic action between lithium carbonate and carbamazepine (4,5,6). The following case report supports this hypothesis.

The Use Of Carbamazepine (Tegretol) In Psychiatry And Its Association To Kindling, Temporal Lobe Epilepsy And Psychopathology, James Stanch, M.D.

Jefferson Journal of Psychiatry

The recent theory of kindling may help to link neurophysiologic, neurotransmitter and neuroanatomic mechanisms important in understanding the neurology of behavior. Limbic kindling is of interest in developing models of epilepsy, psychosis, learning and memory (l -5). Kindling might explain the late development of psychopathology.

This paper will first define kindling and demonstrate how kindling offers a model within which to view more prolonged behavioral deviations as neurophysiological processes. The use of carbamazepine and its association to kindling, temporal lobe dysfunction and psychopathology will be discussed .

Discussion Of The Paper By David A. Scola, M.D. On “The Hemispheric Specialization Of The Human Brain And Its Application To Psychoanalytic Principles”, Howard Field, M.D., Paul J. Fink, M.D., Thomas Swirsky-Sacchetti, Ph.D.

Jefferson Journal of Psychiatry

Dr. Scola proposes a bold and far-reaching synthesis of psychoanalytic theory, developmental neurobiology and neurophysiology of behavior. Freud found this task so frustrating in 1895 that he renounced neurology in favor of a purely psychologic approach (or so Freud claimed; Frank Sulloway sees it differently). Hypotheses that unconscious mental life is situated in the right cerebrum and that defense mechanisms are related to neuroanatomic connections are intriguing. The presentation does not include evidence which contravenes these theories. Sperry presented some evidence that the right hemisphere is self-aware and self-evaluative (I). One great problem in all cross disciplinary studies is the …

The Hemispheric Specialization Of The Human Brain And Its Application To Psychoanalytic Principles, David A. Scola, M.D.

Jefferson Journal of Psychiatry

Volumes of research have been accumulated over the past decade concerning hemispheric specialization of the human brain. Likewise, over the past century, psychoanalysts have painstakingly unraveled through their clinical observation many of the mysteries of intrapsychic functions. Yet little has been written concerning attempts to integrate these seemingly divergent viewpoints.

It was Freud's hope that a neural basis for his clinical observations and psychological explanations of the human mind would eventually be established . This was not possible in his day, however, so this idea was gradually abandoned. With the advent of computers and high technology, perhaps it is time …

Faculty Advisor's Column, Harvey J. Schwartz, Md

Jefferson Journal of Psychiatry

This second issue of our resident journal enlarges our educational effort s in two important ways. The first is obvious . As you can see, we have published this forum in an attractive new form at. This is highlighted by the new cover designed by Dr. Jeffrey Sarnoff. The second piece of progress is our enlarged audience. In addition to our own Jefferson faculty and residents, the Journal is now being distributed to psychiatrists throughout Pennsylvania. For both of these improvements in form we are indebted to the Mead Johnson Pharmaceutical Division for their generous sponsorship.

Table Of Contents: The Jefferson Journal Of Psychiatry, Volume 2, Number 1, January 1984

Jefferson Journal of Psychiatry

Table of Contents: The Jefferson Journal of Psychiatry, Volume 2, Number 1, January 1984.

Dedication

Jefferson Journal of Psychiatry

Dedication to Paul J. Fink, MD.

Editors: The Jefferson Journal Of Psychiatry

Jefferson Journal of Psychiatry

Chief Editor, Associate Editors, Former Editors, Cover Design and Faculty Advisor.

Meningitis Presenting As Depression: A Case Report, Karl Doghramji, Md

Jefferson Journal of Psychiatry

The relationship between psychiatric and medical illness has long been recognized by clinicians. Of special importance to psychiatrists are the diagnostic dilemmas posed by medical illnesses presenting as psychiatric disorders. In a review of recent studies, LaBruzza found that "at least one out of every twenty patients receiving an initial psychiatric evaluation may have an underlying medical illness which accounts for the psychiatric symptoms." This was especially true with inpatients, where between 5% and 30% of patients, with a weighted average of 12%, had medical illnesses accounting for their psychiatric complaints 11). One medical illness which can resemble psychiatric illness …

Attention Deficit Disorder, Residual Type- A Case Study, James Stanch, Md

Jefferson Journal of Psychiatry

The syndrome of Minimal Brain Dysfunction (MBD) in children has been well described by a number of authors. Such children were first described in 1941 by Werner and Strauss(1) who made a distinction between brain injury and -simple- mental retardation. In the past such terms as Hyperactive Child Syndrome, Minimal Brain Damage, and Hyperkinetic Behavior Syndrome have been used to describe this syndrome.

A Case Of Recurrent Dissociative Episodes In A Patient With Congenital Defects, Mark Miller, Md

Jefferson Journal of Psychiatry

Case Report

Marie, a 30 year old American-born Hispanic female, was first seen in the emergency room with suicidal ideation (the impulse to jump in front of an oncoming car), depression, anxiety, and distress about "always getting attacked so much."

Interpersonal Relationships As Sources Of Medical Student Stress, Beverly Jones, Md

Jefferson Journal of Psychiatry

Introduction

The issue of physician impairment, that is , decreased ability or quality of functioning due to intemperate use of drugs or alcohol, emotional or psychiatric dysfunction, has recently received attention (1,5) . Studies have indicated the risks physicians face of substance abuse problems(6,7), marital discord(8,9), suicide (lO,ll), and psychiatric problems (l2-14). studies have also addressed the difficulties faced by medical students (15-20).

A group of medical students at the University of North Carolina came together to investigate the subject of medical student impairment . A survey was constructed in order to ascertain the sources of stress in medical school. …

Olfaction And Sexuality, Michael Buxbaum, Md

Jefferson Journal of Psychiatry

A patient who describes himself as "sanitary" told me of his concern with odors. Whenever he thinks about establishing a sexual relationship , he develops a fear that his partner may smell offensive, especially around her genital area. He describes signs and symptoms of sympathetic overactivity when he engages in foreplay, and is afraid that he might be impotent if he smells anything offensive. In fact, he has to insert a finger into his partner's vagina during foreplay, to test the nature of the odor. He feels relieved when the smell is neutral or perfumed, and demonstrates enhanced sexual performance. …

Editors' Column

Jefferson Journal of Psychiatry

With this issue, The Jefferson Journal of Psychiatry , a Resident Publication, comes into being.

The purpose of this journal is to provide a forum for the presentation of ideas, data, and discussion. We are trying to give residents a setting in which to communicate in a way more formal than the seminars of residency training, but less forbidding than national journals.