International journal of geriatric psychiatry
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Int J Geriatr Psychiatry · Jan 2003
Differences in community mental health literacy in older and younger Australians.
Depression has been traditionally considered to increase with age, although that may be due to sampling of those who have presented with depressive conditions. It is now recognised that patients' understanding of depression and beliefs about its appropriate treatment, mental health literacy, influences treatment-seeking behaviour. ⋯ Depression was not more common among older than younger members of the community. Despite recognising depression in a vignette less often and perceiving less likelihood of help from several different mental health professionals, those in the older group were more likely to receive antidepressant medication and to have recently consulted a medical practitioner.
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Int J Geriatr Psychiatry · Jan 2003
Multicenter StudyPsychopathology and autobiographical memory in stroke and non-stroke hospitalized patients.
Psychopathology and autobiographical memory were investigated in a cohort of stroke and non-stroke hospitalized patients. Both these cohorts have been identified as having high levels of psychopathology (Katon and Sullivan 1990; Burvill et al., 1995). Difficulties recalling specific autobiographical memories (overgeneral memory) have been identified as important psychological variables in depression and predictors of outcome (Williams and Scott 1988; Brittlebank et al., 1993). Intrusive autobiographical memories have also been found to be associated with depression and overgeneral memory in depressed women (Kuyken and Brewin, 1995) and depressed cancer patients (Brewin et al., 1998a). This study looked at levels of psychopathology and autobiographical memories in stroke and non-stroke hospital patients. ⋯ Significant levels of psychopathology were identified in this cohort. However, there were no significant differences in the levels of depression, anxiety, PTSD symptoms and autobiographical memory between stroke and non-stroke hospitalized patients. Of particular interest was the finding that PTSD-like symptoms did not appear to be influenced by the nature of the person's illness. In combined data (stroke and non-stroke) autobiographical memories (intrusive images of their illness, intrusive memories of other events and overgeneral memory recall variables) were significant predictors of depression in this cohort. This suggests that psychological intervention of memory processes may be a worthwhile target in psychological intervention for depression in these cohorts. Gender, cognitive impairment, antidepressant medication, and estimated IQ were significant predictors of overgeneral memory recall and further investigation into the validity of these findings are warranted. Suggestions for further research and limitations of the study are also discussed.
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Int J Geriatr Psychiatry · Dec 2002
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Clinical TrialConfusion assessment method in the diagnostics of delirium among aged hospital patients: would it serve better in screening than as a diagnostic instrument?
The Confusion Assessment Method (CAM) is an easy, four-step algorithmic diagnostic test developed to detect delirium. ⋯ The CAM seems to be an acceptable screening instrument for delirium, but the diagnosis should be ensured according to the formal criteria of delirium, preferably by the DSM-IV.
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Int J Geriatr Psychiatry · Dec 2002
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialDouble blind randomised placebo controlled trial of low dose melatonin for sleep disorders in dementia.
Disturbance of sleep is common in individuals with dementia where there may be reversal of the sleep-wake cycle. People with dementia of the Alzheimer's type have melatonin secretion rhythm disorders. There is some evidence that treatment with exogenous melatonin is an effective treatment for sleep disturbance associated with dementia. A randomised double blind placebo controlled cross over trial was undertaken to test the hypothesis that slow release exogenous melatonin 6 mg improves sleep for people with dementia. ⋯ Contrary to previous findings, we found no evidence that two weeks of exogenous melatonin is effective in improving sleep in people with dementia, although possible benefits of melatonin following longer periods of administration cannot be discounted.
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Int J Geriatr Psychiatry · Nov 2002
Complaints of informal caregivers providing home care for dementia patients: the Pixel study.
Prospective study of the complaints, problems and requirements of the main caregiver providing home care for dementia patients. ⋯ It is necessary to change the focus of home care for dementia patients to fit the context in which they live and to allow for periods of relief for home caregivers.