Dysphoria in male alcoholics with a history of hallucinations

Article Abstract:

Alcoholics undergoing detoxification often experience depressed mood and hallucinations. The depressed mood appears to be the same as that experienced by patients with major depression, and the hallucinations appear to be the same as those experienced by schizophrenics. In males, depression is related to chronic alcohol use and hallucinations are commonly seen during withdrawal from chronic heavy drinking. However, depression and hallucinations are not seen in all chronic alcoholics. It was hypothesized in the present study that alcoholics entering an inpatient alcohol treatment program with a history of hallucinations would have greater levels of subjective depression than those without such histories. It was also hypothesized that the level of depression in alcoholics who have experienced hallucinations will remain higher at the end of treatment than in alcoholics who have never experienced hallucinations. Data were gathered from 161 male subjects with an average age of 47 years and an average of 19 years of heavy drinking. A psychological test battery, including the Beck Depression Inventory, was administered to each patient shortly after admission to the in-patient alcohol treatment program and again a two days before completing treatment. Results confirmed both hypotheses: male alcoholics entering rehabilitation with histories of alcohol-related hallucinations reported higher levels of depression during and after detoxification than alcoholics without such histories. Depression was not associated with blackouts, seizures, or delerium tremens, but was strongly associated with hallucinations. The relationship between hallucinations and major depression remains to be explored. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Risk factors, Alcoholics, Hallucinations and illusions, Hallucinations

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A study of anxiety/depressive symptoms of medical students, house staff, and their spouses/partners

Article Abstract:

It has been well-documented that the functional capabilities of medical students can be compromised by psychiatric symptoms. The reasons for psychiatric symptoms may be numerous, and may include early life experiences, sex, race, and fatigue. An anonymous questionnaire was sent to medical students attending a large midwestern university; house staff and spouses or partners of the students also received the questionnaire. Four major areas were covered: perception of stressors; social support systems; adaptive behaviors; and intervention programs. A 55 percent response rate for the medical students was received, with 634 out of 1,159 completing the questionnaires. Forty percent of the house staff completed and returned the questionnaire, and 387 responses were received from spouses or partners of the students. Overall, a significant proportion of respondents reported that they were anxious or depressed much or most of the time. Forty-one percent of the female students reported symptoms of anxiety and depression, compared with 27 percent of the male students. This difference was especially significant between medical school and residency, where a large decline in symptoms of anxiety and depression was reported by the male students, but not by the female students. The rate of symptoms was similar among the female students and the female house staff, but differed between the male students and the male house staff, with the male house staff reporting the lowest rates of symptoms. This difference between men and women medical students should be investigated further. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Medical students, Surveys

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Hyponatremia and depression

Article Abstract:

The body's water balance is known to be disturbed in patients with certain psychiatric illnesses; little is known, however, regarding any association between hyponatremia (low blood levels of sodium, an important regulator of water balance) without excessive urination (polydipsia; usually, urine output increases in parallel with sodium output). The case history is presented of a man with depression and hyponatremia, without polydipsia, whose water balance problem resolved after electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). The diagnosis of the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH, a hormone that regulates fluid balance) was made when sodium levels dipped 24 hours before ECT; after the patient's fluid intake was reduced, the sodium level rose. Following ECT two days later, sodium levels returned to normal, and the patient's mood improved, as did other signs of depression. Patients' water balance should be evaluated as part of the examination for persistent depression, and evaluations should be performed regularly, since sodium levels fluctuate. Substances such as vasopressin (antidiuretic hormone) and atrial natriuretic peptides, which regulate water balance, may play a role in psychiatric illness in some patients. Research results that provide evidence for this possibility are discussed briefly. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Case studies, Physiological aspects, Hyponatremia

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