Bipolar affective disorder--techniques and results of treatment

The Effect of Pet Therapy and Artist Interactions on Quality of Life in Brain Tumor Patients: A Cross-Section of Art and Medicine in Dialog

With the evolution of modern medical treatment strategies, there also comes the realization that many times we reach a point where traditional goals of medical care, such as overall survival or disease-free survival, are not realistic goals for many patients facing devastating illnesses. One such disease is malignant primary brain tumors, known as malignant glioma (MG). With median survival of only 20.9 months following best available standard of care treatment strategies, including surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and tumor treating fields, MG is one of the deadliest malignancies of the modern era. Along the course of treating patients with MG, clinicians often realize that traditional treatment therapies can at best provide incremental benefit of symptom management without any survival benefit. However, even in these difficult situations, it is possible to make significant positive changes in patients’ health-related quality of life (HRQoL) using creative, non-traditional interventions. In this paper, we describe the initial findings from our project that takes a unique approach to studying the intersections of clinical care and art by using pet therapy and art-making as interventions for patients diagnosed with brain tumors. Our preliminary findings suggest that pet therapy and the ability to reflect as well as speak about their journey through a life-altering disease significantly increases patients’ overall feeling of wellbeing and reduces anxiety about future uncertainty.

Manic depressive psychosis: an alternative therapeutic model of nursing

Traditionally, the approach to affective disorders has focused upon the biophysical aetiology of the disorder. Given that a significant proportion of the so called 'recovered' manic depressive population experience a relapse, the adequacy of traditional treatment methods is questionable. The nursing literature represents the view that manic depressive patients have little, if any, control over their condition and the nursing management, therefore, is predominantly custodial, supportive and directive in character. Recent research suggests that life events, in particular the patient's perception and interpretation of such events, are potentially significant in the development of manic depressive symptomatology. This paper reports some aspects of an on-going nursing research project which is evaluating the efficacy of a multi-model nursing management package. The therapeutic model of nursing under study is briefly discussed and results of locus of control measurements are presented, which compare a random sample of recovered manic depressive women with existing norms. A description is also given of an attribution schedule developed by the authors for the research project. This schedule attempts to specifically assess the patient's attitudes towards her control of her illness.

Sex differences in biological factors putatively related to depression

Gender differences in the prevalence of affective disorders were suggested by several authorities in the field. Such differences may be attributed to sex-related differences in levels or activity of monoamine transmitters, especially since some of these variables have been shown to be altered by gonadal hormones. The reported association of perimenstrual and postpartum dysphoria, with affective disorders may contribute to further elucidation of pathophysiology of depression in women--in light of the hormonal-behavioral dynamics of these periods. Several factors associated with monoamines biosynthesis, availability, uptake and metabolism were found to be more abnormal in normal and depressed women compared to men. Age-sex differences in some biological markers for depression are reported as well. Their relevance to the underlying pathophysiology of depression is unclear but they may provide clues for further research.

Self-monitoring in the treatment of an acute mania

A behavioral self-monitoring program was successfuly utilized to treat continuing manic episodes in a 47-yr.-old male. Although lithium carbonate was effective in reducing the severity of the attacks, two episodes occurred weekly before the behavioral self-monitoring program was initiated. After training, the patient was able successfully to monitor his thoughts and keep from engaging in hypomanic behavior.