Medical Specialties Commons^™

The Efficacy And Toxicity Of Bupropion In The Elderly, William T. Howard M.D., M.S., Julia K. Warnock M.D., Ph.D.

Jefferson Journal of Psychiatry

Bupropion is an antidepressant with excellent tolerability and few side effects or drug interactions. These characteristics suite it well for use both in the elderly and in the medically ill. However, early reports of seizures with bupropion therapy in patients with bulimia limited its use. The pharmacology, efficacy, toxicity, and side effect profile of both the immediate release (IR) and the recently available sustained release (SR) formulations of bupropion are reviewed. Bupropion SR is associated with a reduced seizure incidence (0.1%) compared to that found with the IR formulation (0.4%). Recent reports, however, demonstrate that the half-life of bupropion is …

Methylphenidate, Bupropion, And Ssri Triple Therapy, William Bobo M.D.

Jefferson Journal of Psychiatry

Methylphenidate and bupropion have been demonstrated as being effective adjuncts to serotonin reuptake inhibitors in the treatment of depression (1,2). The use of these medications in case of a depressed patient whose condition was resistant to several forms of monotherapy, monotherapy with "standard" augmentation and ECT. After only a partial response to fluoxetine and methylphenidate, bupropion was added, resulting in full, sustained remission.

Conversion Disorder In A Depressed Patient: The Analysis Of Paralysis, Michael A. Chen Ph.D., David S. Im M.D.

Jefferson Journal of Psychiatry

Patients presenting with neurologic and pseudoneurologic symptoms present both a diagnostic and treatment challenge. This case report describes the ER course of a man who presented with aphonia and paralysis, his medical clearance, transfer to the psychiatric ER and subsequent recovery. The history of conversion disorder and its characteristics are briefly reviewed, and the etiology of this patient's symptoms and a discussion of effective treatment plans are discussed.

Seasonal Affective Disorder And Seasonality: A Review, Leo Sher M.D.

Jefferson Journal of Psychiatry

Seasonal affective disorder is a condition where depressions in fall and winter alternate with nondepressed periods in the spring and summer. The Degree to which seasonal changes affect mood, energy, sleep, appetite, food preference, or the wish to socialize with other people has been called "seasonality." The author reviews historical aspects, clinical features, epidemiology, genetics, pathophysiology, and treatment of seasonal affective disorder and seasonality. Better understanding of the contemporary concept of seasonal affective disorder, seasonality, and light treatment will improve patient care and promote scientific advances in behavioral sciences.

The Somatization Of Depression In Native Pakistani Women, Rubeena H. Mian M.D., Linda S. Grossman Ph.D.

Jefferson Journal of Psychiatry

Previous studies have pointed out the comorbidity of somatization and depression among non-Western psychiatric patients. We studied the somatization of depression in Pakistani women. Two groups were studies: inpatients with DSM-III-R diagnoses of major depression and a comparison sample of women living in the community without psychiatric diagnoses. Both groups were administered a rating scale for somatization. Results indicated that patients reported significantly more somatic symptoms than nonpatients. These findings support the concept that somatization may be a cultural mode of mental distress among Pakistani women, as has been observed for other non-Western populations.

Ultradian Cycles Of Mood In Normal And Depressed Subjects, Donald P. Hall Jr., M.D., David Benedek M.D., Audrey Chang

Jefferson Journal of Psychiatry

Objective: To study ultradian cycles of mood in four inpatient groups.

Method: We assessed the mood of depressed and nondepressed subjects, on an hourly basis, between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. for two consecutive days using a visual analog scale of mood. Hourly mood scores for each group were plotted against time.

Results: We found ultradian cycles with mean lengths of 3-4 hours in all groups. The major depressive episode and adjustment disorder depression groups, however, had ultradian cycles of significantly greater amplitude than ward staff.

Conclusions: Depressed patients demonstrate greater amplitude in ultradian cycles of mood than nondepressed subjects.