Encephale
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Anxiety sensitivity represents a stimulus-outcome expectancy that reflects individual differences in the propensity to experience fear in response to one's arousal-related bodily sensations. It refers to the fear of anxiety-related symptoms that are based on beliefs that such sensations have negative somatic, social or psychological consequences. Anxiety sensitivity occupies an important place in theory and research on panic and related interoceptive fear disorders. ⋯ This finding is consistent with research that indicates that women generally report more intense fears and men less intense fears, and that they differ in levels of overall anxiety sensitivity specifically (29). This preliminary report was the first attempt to examine the construct of anxiety sensitivity using the ASI-R in a French university students. It can serve as a reference point for future research.
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The increasing prevalence of the agitation states in the emergency department (ED) is a problem little studied on the epidemiological plan. ⋯ The management of the agitated patients in the ED requires the placing of protocols and of specific trainings as well as of adapted premises. The major prevalence of attacks imposes realization of epidemiological studies and the priority placing of a coherent politics, considering the potential and often real gravity of these behavioural problems.
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Polyunsatured fatty acids are made out of a hydrocarbonated chain of variable length with several double bonds. The position of the first double bond (omega) differentiates polyunsatured omega 3 fatty acids (for example: alpha-linolenic acid or alpha-LNA) and polyunsatured omega 6 fatty acids (for example: linoleic acid or LA). These two classes of fatty acids are said to be essential because they cannot be synthetised by the organism and have to be taken from alimentation. The omega 3 are present in linseed oil, nuts, soya beans, wheat and cold water fish whereas omega 6 are present in maize, sunflower and sesame oil. Fatty acids are part of phospholipids and, consequently, of all biological membranes. The membrane fluidity, of crucial importance for its functioning, depends on its lipidic components. Phospholipids composed of chains of polyunsatured fatty acids increase the membrane fluidity because, by bending some chains, double bonds prevent them from compacting themselves perfectly. Membrane fluidity is also determined by the phospholipids/free cholesterol ratio, as cholesterol increases membrane viscosity. A diet based on a high proportion of essential polyunsatured fatty acids (fluid) would allow a higher incorporation of cholesterol (rigid) in the membranes to balance their fluidity, which would contribute to lower blood cholesterol levels. Brain membranes have a very high content in essential polyunsatured fatty acids for which they depend on alimentation. Any dietary lack of essential polyunsatured fatty acids has consequences on cerebral development, modifying the activity of enzymes of the cerebral membranes and decreasing efficiency in learning tasks. ⋯ Some epidemiological, experimental and clinical data favour the hypothesis that polyunsaturated fatty acids could play a role in the pathogenesis and/or the treatment of depression. More studies however are needed in order to better precise the actual implication of those biochemical factors among the various aspects of depressive illness.
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The high prevalence of psychoactive substance abuse or dependence among schizophrenic patients has now been well established. Mueser et al. stressed the need to assess the abuse of specific classes of substances and analyse the data accordingly. The objective of this study was to compare the socio-demographic correlates and the clinical features in a group of schizophrenic patients with a lifetime cannabis abuse or dependence according to the DSM III-R with a group of schizophrenic patients who had never presented any abuse or dependence. ⋯ The socio-demographic characteristics of cannabis abuse or dependence in schizophrenia are similar to those found in general population. Cannabis using schizophrenic patients were more likely to be younger and male than non users. The duration of hospitalization was significantly longer for the group with cannabis abuse. Prevalence of suicide attempts in schizophrenia is closely correlated to cannabis abuse.
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We choose to discuss from the PTSD's point of view because this diagnostic reference is commonly used. We wish outline its restrictive sight which could prevent the professional from having a diagnosis of PTSD. We don't want to say there is a PTSD everywhere but it appears to us that a traumatic reading can be a precious advantage for the clinician to establish a real therapeutic relation with some patients. ⋯ With patients who suffered an infarct, the treatment of PTSD which prevents their recovery will help to go back to the way they lived before the event. It has been showed how important could be the PTSD detection on the severe burned people's pain control. Thus it seems to be crucial for the clinician to keep this diagnosis in mind alongside any other.