Dream of absent-minded transgression: an empirical study of cognitive withdrawal syndrome

Article Abstract:

Despite the stories that former smokers tell of being distressed by dreams in which they smoked, the phenomena has never been studied and it is not included in descriptions of tobacco withdrawal syndrome. Dreams of absent-minded transgression, as these dreams are categorized, during abstinence from smoking were studied and compared with the occurrence of other tobacco withdrawal symptoms. Researchers asked 293 individuals who were beginning a smoking cessation program to filled out a dream questionnaire. The study group consisted of 65 percent women. The subjects' average age was 38.2 years and they had smoked an average of 23 cigarettes per day. After a four-week program of abstinence, 97 (33 percent) of the subjects, reported having dreams about smoking during the program, and 94 (97 percent) of these subjects reported that they had never had such dreams while still smoking. For 63 percent, the dreams were more vivid than their usual dreams and for 4 percent, the dreams were less vivid than usual. The range of occurrences was one to nine dreams, with an average of 1.9 dreams per subject who had them; this is about the same rate as other tobacco withdrawal symptoms. The dreams overwhelmingly elicited feelings of panic and guilt upon waking, and relief when the subject realized that he or she had not really smoked. In subjects who remained abstinent for a year, the occurrence of the dreams increased to an average of five dreams about smoking; having dreams of absent-minded transgression, therefore, positively correlated with maintenance of abstinence. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Care and treatment, Dreams, Tobacco habit, Drug withdrawal symptoms, Substance withdrawal syndrome

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Cognitive functioning in young "social drinkers": is there impairment to detect?

Article Abstract:

Excessive alcohol consumption is known to have negative effects upon physical and mental health. In contrast, light-to-moderate drinking has been reported by some researchers to do no harm, and may even have some positive effects upon health by reducing stress and the risk of heart disease. However, there is also evidence that indicates that moderate alcohol consumption may have a subtle toxic effect on the body. To further investigate this, the drinking practices of a large group of young men and women aged 18, 21, and 24 were examined. A total of 1,308 subjects were assessed for cognitive (mental) performance using several tests; the subjects were also placed in one of four drinking categories: abstainers (84 subjects); infrequent users of alcohol (52 subjects); intensive alcohol users (42); and intensive alcohol users who were also heavy users of marijuana (32). The data were examined using hierarchical and correlational regression analyses with respect to age group, sex, and alcohol usage. No significant relationship was found between drinking behaviors and cognitive performance; instead performance was found to be related more to IQ (intelligence quotient) and level of education. There was a slight suggestion that frequent, high consumption of alcohol may be predictive of future alcohol usage. In conclusion, no causal relationship between alcohol use and defective cognitive functioning was found. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Health aspects, Demographic aspects, Drinking of alcoholic beverages, Drinking (Alcoholic beverages), Alcohol and youth, Juvenile drinking

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Morton Prince on anxiety disorders: intellectual antecedents of the cognitive approach to panic?

Article Abstract:

An analysis of the technique and dignostic explanation of anxiety disorders by Morton Prince is presented. Using a case study of a woman with a multilple anxiety disorder co-written by his partner, James J. Putnam, Prince's analysis of the case shows that his ideas were revolutionary. He had an interest in descriptive psychopathology, he focused on the unconscious, and he identified the fear factor in phobias, unlike his contemporaries who subscribed to Freud's ideas.

Evaluation, Beliefs, opinions and attitudes, Anxiety, Panic disorders, Panic disorder, Prince, Morton

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