2010; 12, 3

Archives of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy 3/2010

CONTENT

 

Martin Drapeau, John Christopher Perry, Annett Körner
5 Interpersonal behaviour and BPD. Are specific interpersonal behaviours related to borderline personality disoder? An empirical study using the Core Conflictual Relationship Theme Standard Categories.
Summary
Aim. It is common knowledge that disturbed interpersonal functioning is a key feature of borderline personality disorder (BPD). However, it remains uncertain whether patients with BPD have specific interpersonal behaviours that can be validly and objectively identified. This study examined the interpersonal behaviours of patients with BPD.
Method. The narratives of interpersonal interactions of the 66 participants were rated using the Core Conflictual Relationship Theme (CCRTRT) method.
Results. Results showed that once other Axis II disorders were controlled for, only three CCRTRT components significantly predicted scores on the Borderline Personality Disorder Scale: not wishing to be good as a CCRTRT Wish component, others not being untrustworthy as a response of other component, and not being open to others as a response of self component. However, while these findings were significant, the percentage of variance explained remained low.
Conclusions. The authors argue that future research will need to examine subgroups within BP D if specific interpersonal behaviours are to be reconsidered.

Renata Modrzejewska, Jacek Bomba
11 Mental disorders and psychoactive substance use in metropolitan late adolescent population: assessment of prevalence with self-report scales
Summary
Aim. To determine the extent to which mental disorders (depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, eating disorders) and psychoactive substance use are prevalent among Kraków secondary school adolescents in the late adolescent phase.
Method. A representative sample of the population of Kraków secondary school pupils was tested. A two-stage draw method identified a group of 1933 2nd form pupils of all types of secondary schools: grammar schools, technical schools and vocational schools (17-year olds). They were tested using the following screening questionnaires: Beck depression scale, EAT-26 eating disorders scale, Obsessive-compulsive disorder (Leyton) scale and author’s drug questionnaire.
Results. Girls declared the occurrence of symptoms of mental disorders twice as often than boys (41.2% vs. 22.7%). Among girls, the most common disorders were: depressive symptoms (33.6%), eating disorder symptoms (18.7%) and obsessive-compulsive disorder symptoms (5.4%). And in the boys group: depressive symptoms (22.7%), eating disorder (7.3%) and obsessive-compulsive symptoms (3.4%). Findings were obtained concerning the prevalence of substance use in the boys and girls group (73% vs. 68%), mainly alcohol, as well as alcohol and cigarettes and alcohol, cigarettes and drugs.
Conclusions. The prevalence of mental disorders in the population of 17-year-olds is significant, it concerns especially depressive symptoms and eating disorder symptoms. A significant prevalence of psychoactive substance use was found in this age group, mainly alcohol and mixed type substance use: alcohol and cigarettes and alcohol, cigarettes and drugs.

Lidia Popek
21 Contemporary tendencies in infants and toddlers psychotherapy
Summary
Aim. The article presents the principle rules which psychotherapists who work with children have to follow and the models of therapy associated to the character of child disorders.
Method. Two groups of the Early Intervention Programmes have been discussed more widely: the promising perinatal interventions and home visiting programmes.
Results. The quoted results of the controlled trials confirm the efficiency of these types of programmes both in reference to the improvement of the functioning of families and to the reduction of the health and developmental problems of the small children.
Conclusions. Early Intervention Programmes require further studies to create the proper design of the programme itself, in order to give some measurable social and economic benefits.

Bernadetta Izydorczyk, Elżbieta Niziołek
27 Application of group psychotherapy in the treatment of adolescent girls and women with anorexia nervosa (a model of therapeutic work conducted in the “Dąbrówka” Neurosis and Eating Disorders Centre – author’s own experience)
Summary
Aim. The article shows chosen motifs from authors’ self experience in the specificity and principles of conducting group psychotherapy in adolescent girls and women with anorexia nervosa.
Method. Analysis of the group therapy models of treatment for teenagers and adult patients with anorexia nervosa.
Results. In the teenagers groups therapeutic techniques should be different from the adult patients’ group therapy.
Conclusions. Curative factors of the group therapy process of women with anorexia nervosa are indicated.

Andrzej Kiejna, Andrzej Czernikiewicz, Tomasz Adamowski
37 Psychiatrist’s opinions on somatic health in patients with schizophrenia – results of a Polish nationwide study
Summary
Aim. In view of a growing number of publications indicating that schizophrenia increases the risk of somatic disorders and mortality, a study was undertaken, the objective of which was to analyse the extent to which psychiatrists evaluate the somatic status of their patients suffering from schizophrenia.
Method. A nationwide questionnaire study was ordered by Bristol Myers Squibb and carried out in 2009 with the participation of 404 psychiatrists. Questionnaires were completed by 184 participants during the scientific conference, whereas the remaining number of respondents was requested to complete the questionnaire at their workplaces. The questionnaire used previously in a similar study consisted of ten questions pertaining to various aspects of somatic health, such as control of health parameters and influence of pharmacological treatment on schizophrenic patients’ health status and other.
Results. The majority (73.1%) of the respondents considers assessment of somatic health status in their patients a very important element of medical examination. Also, the majority reports that during “nearly every visit” a full physical examination is made and laboratory test results are monitored. According to 70.5% respondents, the occurrence of metabolic disorders is the most significant threat to somatic health in this group of patients. Doctors with private practices paid more attention to sexual dysfunctions and endocrine disorders than physicians working in state-owned hospitals.
Conclusions. The results of the questionnaire survey reveal that somatic examination is of high priority for evaluation of health status in schizophrenia patients and that simultaneously psychiatrists admit to their high involvement in assessment of physical health.
Even though there are no doubts about the reliability of these statements, patients ought to be asked whether their needs in this respect have been adequately met, and should this not be the case, actions ought to be undertaken with the aim of deepened education concerning the ability to select antipsychotic drugs, and in terms of a minimum threat to somatic health.

Andrzej Kokoszka, Mona Abd El Aal, Aleksandra Jodko, Agnieszka Kwiatkowska
47 Prevalence of subjectively assessed symptoms of sexual disorders in schizophrenia. Preliminary report.
Summary
Aim. Assessment of the frequency of subjectively assessed symptoms of sexual dysfunctions and sexual disorders in patients with schizophrenia in comparison with general population results.
Method. The study was anonymous and was conducted on a group of 56 persons with schizophrenia
– patients of psychiatric hospital day-wards. A Sexological Questionnaire was used, which was based on the ICD-10 criteria. The questions contained, concern subjective perception of the occurrence of symptoms within the last 6 months.
Results. The symptoms of at least one dysfunction were reported by 93% patients (96% of women and 90% of men), symptoms of at least one disorder of sexual preference by 53.6% patients (36% of women and 71% of men). Symptoms of at least one sexual dysfunction or disorders of sexual preference were confirmed by 96.4% of the patients, most of whom reported signs of numerous conditions. The results achieved on frequencies in the study, were significantly higher than the ones in the “Report on sexuality of Poles” done in 2002. Symptoms characteristic for gender identity disorders were declared by 5 patients (9%). Almost 20% of the persons admitted to a constant attraction towards the same sex, whilst 10.6% do not accept their homosexual orientation; 17.8% reported having doubts about their sexual orientation.
Conclusion. The obtained results point to a need of further studies with resembling methodology, on a more representative and larger group of people with schizophrenia. Confirmation of the data gathered in the pilot study would imply a necessity of introducing effective methods of evaluating sexual problems within a routine diagnostic and therapeutic proceedings. The presented results suggest that every patient with schizophrenia requires a discussion about sexual dysfunctions and disorders, as well as therapeutic actions in case of their prevalence.

Veronika Ježkowá, Petra Matulová
57 Pilot study of KON-2006 in the Czech Republic
Summary
Aim. Psychometric analysis of Czech translation of Neurotic Personality Inventory (KON-2006) and analysis of correlation with PSSI and CAQ scales.
Method. 82 volunteers (healthy population) selected randomly filled the questionnaires. The scales of the KON-2006 and X-KON were compared with scales of PSSI and CAQ.
Results. The results of the correlations are very satisfying, all the hypothetic coherences displayed significant nexus.
Conclusions. Most of the discovered nexuses are clinically well evaluated and applicable for praxis and other researches.The pilot study has shown to be reasonable enough to continue researches in the Czech Republic.

Karolina Korwin-Piotrowska, Teresa Korwin-Piotrowska, Jerzy Samochowiec
63 Self perception among patients with multiple sclerosis
Summary
Aim. The aim of this study was to describe self perception among patients with multiple sclerosis and
asses if it correlates with the degree of disability.
Method. 63 patients took part in this study – all fulfilled McDonald criteria of multiple sclerosis. Disability was quantified using the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) by Kurtzke. Self perception was estimated by Adjective Check List (ACL, Gough and Heilbrunn), which was divided into two parts: actual self perception and self perception before developing SM.
Result. The population of patients with Multiple Sclerosis is characterised by low self-esteem, decreased self-acceptance, resignation, despair and apprehension. These people tend to restrict or withdraw from interpersonal relationships, stop creating new challenges and aims and as a result their life slowly starts to concentrate mostly on observing symptoms of the illness. Another trend observed in this group is looking for support, protection and attention – which is connected with coming into dependency from other people.

Andrew Axer, Robert C. Beckett, Jennifer Jones
69 Reducing stigma of criminal insanity
Summary
Aim. Analysis of phenomena and possible factors influencing public opposition to the program of Residential Secure Treatment Facility for criminally insane patients.
Method. Review of the minutes of meeting with neighbours and officials.
Results. Study of the 31 statements revealed different aspects of prejudices and negative emotional reactions. Contacts between members of community and residents evidently improve the relations.
Conclusions. The authors conclude that the implementation the Good Neighbor Agreement and encouraging direct contact between neighbours and patients both reduced to some degree the public stigma of criminal insanity.