Chronic insomnia in workers poisoned by inorganic mercury: psychological and adaptive aspects

Insomnia is one of the symptoms of inorganic mercury poisoning (IMP). The objective of this study is to analyze the chief psychological aspects in the adjustment of workers with chronic insomnia associated with IMP. For this purpose the Preventive Clinical Interview and the Ryad Simon Operational Adaptive Diagnostic Scale (Escala Diagnóstica Adaptativa Operacionalizada-EDAO) were utilized. Fifteen subjects with mean age of 40 years (10 males and 5 females) were studied. Nine were diagnosed with High Adaptive Inefficacy, five with Moderate Inefficient Adaptation and only one with Mild Inefficient Adaptation. Impairment occurred in four adaptive sectors: affective relationship, social-cultural, productivity and organic. Adaptive efficiency indicated that in all the 15 subjects studied the adaptive solutions were frustrating and led to psychic suffering and/or environmental conflict confirming the severity of the involvement in chronic IMP.

Early childhood insomnia and maternal bonds / Insônia do lactente e a relaçåo måe-bebê

Early childhood insomnia, also known as sleepless child disorder, is the difficulty in initianting or maintaining sleep throughout the night, usually starting in the first years of life. Due to its early onset, we investigated these children's behavioral characteristics and their mothers, encompassing maternal attachment and bonds. A group of 17 children with insomnia starting in early childhood was evaluated, and compared with a control group of 11 children. The mean age was 1 year and 11 months for the insomnia group, and 2 years and 2 months for the control group. Both groups were classified as low socioeconomic status. They were submitted to psychiological and developmental assessment and the mothers were interviewed. The results showed a tendency for more trantums and restlesness in the affected group. Aspects related to sex, maternal age, bedroom characterisitics, cosleeping, and the birth order of the child in relation to its siblings were similar in both groups. Sleeping in the parents bedroom and cosleeping were remarkably common and similar in both groups. Mother group counseling sessions were started with promising results, suggesting the importance of the role as a factor in the development of the early childhood insomnia

Early childhood insomnia and maternal bonds / Early childhood insomnia and maternal bonds

Early childhood insomnia, also known as sleepless child disorder, is the difficulty in initiating or maintaining sleep throughout the night, usually starting in the first year of life. Due to its early onset, we investigated these children's behavioral characteristics and their mothers, encompassing maternal attachment and bonds. A group of 17 children with insomnia starting in early childhood was evaluated, and compared with a control group of 11 children. The mean age was 1 year and 11 months for the insomnia group, and 2 years and 2 months for the control group. Both groups were classified as low socioeconomic status. They were submitted to psychological and developmental assessment and the mothers were interviewed. The results showed a tendency for more tantrums and restlessness in the affected group. Aspects related to sex, maternal age, bedroom characteristics, cosleeping, and the birth order of the child in relation to its siblings were similar in both groups. Sleeping in the parents bedroom and cosleeping were remarkably common and similar in both groups. Mother group counseling sessions were started with promising results, suggesting the importance of the maternal role as a factor in the development of the early childhood insomnia.

Narcolepsy psychology with group and individual therapy for patients and their families / Narcolepsy psychology with group and individual therapy for patients and their families

The present report describes a psychological assistance service for narcolepsy patients and their families which is comprised of individual counselling, family psychotherapy and group sessions with patients oriented by a psychologist. The objectives were both to provide therapy for narcolepsy and to increase awareness and comprehension regarding it, together with the psychosocial consequences. The basis utilized was the systemic family theory, which is founded on the family member relationships. Techniques applied were those of the systemic family theory and psychopedagogic orientation. The narcoleptic patient, along with family emotional aspects, as well as a case example are described. An effort was made to distinguish emotional symptoms consequent of narcolepsy from those predominantly related to familial dynamics. The observed narcoleptic characteristics are here commented on in the qualitative domain.

Narcolepsia: atendimento psicológico em grupo / Narcolepsy psychology group therapy

Narcolepsia, como patologia crônica e por vezes incapacitante, na qual há sonolência excessiva diurna, cataplexia, alucinaçäo hipnagógica e paralisia do sono, traz comprometimento psicossocial acentuado. O presente artigo relata comentários iniciais de um grupo terapêutico de pacientes narcolépticos. O objetivo do grupo inclui o melhor conhecimento de sua própria patologia, e das dificuldades psicossociais por ela propiciadas, e troca de experiência. Consequentemente, visa ampliar a integraçäo social e reestruturaçäo pessoal. O grupo consta de 8 pacientes, sendo 5 homens e 3 mulheres; a média de idade foi de 46,8 anos, variando de 19 a 66 anos. As sessöes do grupo ocorrem a cada 15 dias em um total de 8 sessöes. O trabalho com o grupo é realizado por uma psicóloga, como agente facilitador. Principais preocupaçöes apresentadas pelos pacientes foram relacionadas à sonolência no trabalho; acidentes pela sonolência e cataplexia; falta de compreensäo da doença no lar e no trabalho. Resultados iniciais sugerem melhora de auto-estima, e de desempenho no trabalho

Insônia do lactente / Infantile insomnia

A insônia do lactente é a dificuldade para adormecer ou a presença de despertares frequentes durante a noite, iniciando no primeiro ano de vida. Nove casos sao relatados neste artigo dando ênfase à dinâmica familiar da criança

Jactatio capitis nocturna in childhood and adolescence: a neuropsychological evaluation / Jactatio capitis nocturna na infância e adolescência: uma avaliação neuropsicológica

Jactatio capitis nocturma, um distúrbio da transiçao sono-vigília é também conhecido como balanceio ao adormecer. Geralmente deixa de ocorrer espontaneamente no segundo ano de vida. Avaliamos 25 crianças com tais movimentos iniciando no primeiro ano de vida que persistiram ao longo da infância e adolescência, houve predomínio do sexo masculino (68 por cento ). Avaliaçao neuropsicológica mostrou traços relativamente uniformes em 36 por cento , caracterizados por introversao, timidez e insegurança. Deficiência mental foi diagnosticada em 8 casos. Déficit nas praxis construtivas foi delectado em 52 por cento , enquanto outras funçoes, incluindo gnosias, memória e linguagem nao mostraram diferanças acentuadas

Narcolepsia: avaliacao neuropsicologica / Narcolepsy: neuropsychological evaluation

O objetivo foi verificar o acometimento neuropsicologico em narcolepticos. Estudamos 13 pacientes sendo 5 do sexo masculino e 8 do feminino, de 10 a 55 anos de dade (media 33,6anos). A avaliaçao padronizada incluia a Semiologia Neuropsicologica de Lefevre e Nitrini (14), WAIS, WISC, Bender Gestalt, Crown-Crisp Experimental Index e teste de Personalidade de Pfister Funçao motora, gnosias, fala receptiva e expressiva foram adequadas. O setor mais comprometido, caracterizando esta amostra, foi a memoria, independentemente da modalidade considerada, seja visual, auditiva ou de retençao visual. Alem da possibilidade do deficit ser restrito a memoria, aventamos a do comprometimento da atençao pela reduçao do alerta, levando a piores indices no setor memoria