Reduction In Symptomatology Research Articles

The subjective well-being of mental patients in nursing homes

This article reports a survey of self-reports of well-being by chronic mental patients in nursing homes. Patients reported lower levels of well-being than the general population, but not lower than other socially disadvantaged groups including urban renewal blacks. Nursing home mental patients reported levels of well-being that were generally similar to mental patients in other settings, including day hospital patients, participants in an innovative community care program, and patients receiving traditional hospital and follow-up care. These reports were mostly unrelated to levels of symptomatology or social integration, but were strongly related to patient perceptions of the quality of the environment. Results have important implications concerning the justifications for community care goals like noninstitutional care, reduction of symptomatology, and the fostering of social integration.

Comparisons of Maprotiline with Imipramine in Severe Depression: A Multicenter Controlled Trial

The efficacy and safety of maprotiline (Ludiomil) was compared to imipramine in patients with manic-depressive illness, depressed type (DSM II 296.2). Three hundred forty-one patients from 16 different centers entered this four-week double-blind controlled trial, with 171 in the maprotiline and 170 in the imipramine group. Efficacy measurements included the Hamilton Depression Scale, the Self-Rating Depression Scale, and the Investigator's Overall Assessment of Effectiveness. Tolerability was monitored by collection of treatment-emergent signs and symptoms (TESS), blood pressure and pulse measurements, EKGs, and EEGs. Dosage was fixed for the first week at 50 mg t.i.d. and thereafter could be varied between 50 and 300 mg daily. Clinically and statistically significant reductions in symptomatology were noted in both drug groups for most efficacy parameters at each visit during therapy. Comparison between the drug groups revealed no difference in terms of the scales utilized. A trend toward fewer TESS in the maprotiline group was noted, especially for the side effects nausea, nervousness, and increased sweating.

Influence of the value-system of a psychiatric setting on behavior in group therapy meetings

This paper considers the influence of the overall value-system of an inpatient psychiatric setting on the behavior of patients in group psychotherapy. The treatment goals of the setting stress the return of the patient to the community with reduction of symptomatology and the restoration of ability to function in the family, with peers, and at work. Group therapy is one of the major treatment modalities employed. Using variables reflecting behavior along a number of different dimensions, comparisons were made of three types of group meetings (therapist-led, unled and multiple family) and of the meetings led by three different psychotherapists.