Insane patients and their insanities

This book addresses the following issues:-(1) What the medical meaning of insanity is,(2) What the causes of insanity are, (3) What common types of insanity exist in the general population, how these are diagnosed by the psychiatrist, what the principles of their treatment are and (4) What current trends of or factors promote or frustrate insanity management in the society.(AU)

Psychiatric consequences of brain disease in the elderly

Alzheimer's disease, stroke and Parkinson's disease are the most prevalent brain diseases in the elderly. The psychiatric and behavioral consequences of these and other brain disorders contribute greatly to the decline in function of these patients, often leading to greater suffering and a decreased quality of life, placement in institutions and increased stress on the family and other caregivers. The authors in this book discuss the psychiatric consequences of brain disease in the elderly with a particular focus on the management of these disorders...We believe that this book will be helpful to all those working with the elderly, whether in the community or in the institution. This includes physicians, nurses, social workers, occupational therapists, psychologists and all those working with this patient population...The case vignettes in this book bring life and added meaning to the subject and form a bridge between theory and actual clinical problems. Our understanding of these issues often stems from the special and deep relationship which develops between professionals and their patients. As clinicians we must be aware of our indebtedness to our patients and their families, as we search together for an understanding of how to cope with these often insurmountable problems(AU)

First admissions and planning in Jamaica

An unselected sample of 90 first admissions (66 male and 24 female) to the only mental hospital in Jamaica is described. Over 60 percent were less than 35 years of age with a younger age of onset in the males. Half the admissions were schizophrenics, a fifth affective disorders, a quarter of organic disorders, and none psychoneurotic. The sex distributions of these groups showed a marked male excess for schizophrenia and organic disorders which was not present for affective disorders. In addition to the effects of introducing psychiatric care in general hospitals, factors of selection, social stress and protection are discussed to explain these findings. The implications for planning and research are noted. It is recommended that nurses be given authority as Mental Health Supervisors to cope with the problems in this rural society (Summary)

Psychiatric sequelae of late congenital syphilis: a case report from Jamaica

The presentation of congenital syphilis in a 10-year-old female patient in Jamaica is described. Behaviour disorder and E.E.G. abnormalities were reversed by therapy (AU)