Current opinion in psychiatry
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Since the publication of DSM-III in 1980, the essential criteria for delirium have been reduced progressively through DSM-III-R to DSM-IV. As the field moves toward DSM-V and ICD-11, new data can shed light on the nosological changes that are needed so that diagnostic criteria can reflect empirical data. In this study, we reassess the existing or potential criteria for delirium. ⋯ Recent studies suggest that motoric subtypes should be included as a subtype for delirium but that subsyndromal delirium, although a useful research construct, should not be included in clinical diagnostic criteria given the frequent fluctuation in symptoms over short periods. In addition, though the core symptoms are probably adequate to make the diagnosis, clinicians must be aware of the frequency of other symptoms, for symptoms such as profound sleep disturbance or psychotic symptoms may dominate the clinical picture.
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Curr Opin Psychiatry · Mar 2012
ReviewNew developments in the understanding and management of persistent pain.
It is proposed that central rather than peripheral factors may be important in pain chronicity. We review recent empirical findings on these processes and discuss implications for treatment and prevention. ⋯ We propose that chronic pain is characterized by learning-related and memory-related plastic changes of the central nervous system with concomitant maladaptive changes in body perception. These alterations require new treatments that focus on the alteration of central pain memories and maladaptive body perception.
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Curr Opin Psychiatry · Mar 2012
ReviewEmotion regulation and mental health: recent findings, current challenges, and future directions.
In recent years, deficits in emotion regulation have been studied as a putative maintaining factor and promising treatment target in a broad range of mental disorders. This article aims to provide an integrative review of the latest theoretical and empirical developments in this rapidly growing field of research. ⋯ Despite some yet to be resolved challenges, the concept of emotion regulation has a broad and significant heuristic value for research in mental health.
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It is a well established fact that many serious mental illnesses, in particular psychoses such as schizophrenia, may have a significant hormonal aetiological component. This study aims to discuss the oestrogen protection hypothesis of schizophrenia in particular, with an emphasis on findings from the recent literature in support of this theory. ⋯ Schizophrenia and related psychoses are pervasive and debilitating conditions, for which currently available treatments are often only partially effective and entail a high risk of serious side effects. Thus, new therapeutic strategies are needed, and the literature reviewed here suggests that hormones such as oestrogen could be a viable option. It is hoped that, with further research and larger trials, the oestrogen hypothesis can be translated into effective clinical practice.
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Curr Opin Psychiatry · Sep 2011
ReviewPerspectives on intellectual disability in Taiwan: epidemiology, policy and services for children and adults.
The present review examines the most recent published references to epidemiology, healthcare needs and utilization and social and health policy relating to people with intellectual disability in Taiwan. ⋯ As a result of this review process, this paper suggests that future study should focus on an evaluation of the efficacy of current health and social policies related to people with intellectual disability, and that supportive health environments be initiated for this group of people living in institutions or in the community.