Investigates the resolution of inconsistent attitude communications by schizophrenic patients as compared to a matched group of normal subjects. Twelve inconsistent messages served as the experimental stimuli. Some general guidelines for the practicing therapist and implications for double-bind theory are discussed. (Editor/RK)

True-false scales were devised to measure anhedonia, the lowered ability to experience pleasure. The scales were Physical Anhedonia (40 items) and Social Anhedonia (48 items). (Editor)

Discusses the borderline/schizoid marital constellation as the prominent constellation among borderline patients on a long-term inpatient unit. Contends that treatment of this marital constellation requires application of the concept of the holding environment as an essential treatment construct with the therapist as manager of the holding…

The demographic characteristics, life histories, and current placements of dually diagnosed elderly persons (n=27) was obtained by reviewing 132 case records of a Los Angeles regional center for developmentally disabled persons. Approximately 20 percent of the total sample were dually diagnosed and the most common mental health diagnosis was…

Parents of 21 well-functioning autistic children were examined. Clinical details of the eight parents diagnosed as schizoid are analyzed, leading to the conclusion that one etiological factor may be a genetic predisposition to schizoid personality traits. Global and specific developmental delays in the autistic children's siblings were not found.…

Two experiments evaluated the social interactions of 15 Asperger-type autistic subjects with either normal or schizoid control subjects. Asperger subjects tended to avoid gazing at the interviewer when the interviewer was talking. Results suggest that a lifelong absence of gaze response to social clues including speech may explain some features of…

Reviews literature on marital status and well-being. Review finds little support for selection hypothesis which asserts that the relationship between marital status and well-being is spurious because emotional maturity explains both conditions. However, the evidence is consistent with protection/support hypothesis that a marital partner who…

Well-controlled clinical trials have established the efficacy of a number of family-based psychosocial interventions for the treatment of schizophrenia. Reviews seven studies with long term follow-up. (Author)

Describes Boundless Adventures, a Canadian outdoor adventure program that offers 5-day trips to clients with mental-health problems. Suggests that the trips inspire hope, but that follow-up is needed to convert that hope into real lifestyle changes. Sidebars present a poem entitled "Hope" and describe the Clarke Institute of Psychiatry…

Background: Dopamine, a neurotransmitter involved in motor and cognitive functioning, can be non-invasively measured via observation of spontaneous blink rates. Blink rates have been studied in a number of clinical conditions including schizophrenia, autism, Parkinsons, and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder with results implicating either…

The Arabic Scale of Death Anxiety (ASDA) was administered, individually, to 7 groups (N=765) of Egyptian normal participants (non-clinical), anxiety disorder patients, and patients suffering from schizophrenia (males and females), and addicts (males only). They were generally matched as groups according to age, occupation, and education. The…

This study provides preliminary psychometric support for a version of the Clinician-Administered Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Scale (CAPS; D. D. Blake et al., 1990) adapted for use with patients with schizophrenia (CAPS-S; J. S. Gearon. S. Thomas-Lohrman, & A. S. Bellack, 2001). Nineteen women with schizophrenia and co-occurring illicit…

Objective: To investigate which cognitive and affective features contribute most to responder/non-responder group separation during a switching trial with atypical antipsychotic. Design: A prospective open trial with an atypical antipsychotic (olanzapine). Patients: One hundred and thirty-four patients meeting diagnostic criteria for…

Straub "et al." ("2002") recently identified the 6p22.3 gene dysbindin (DTNBP1) through positional cloning as a schizophrenia susceptibility gene. We studied a rare cohort of 102 children with onset of psychosis before age 13. Standardized ratings of early development, medication response, neuropsychological and cognitive performance, premorbid…

The literature has yet to reach a consensus as to the stability of severe psychiatric diagnoses in youth. Previous studies among youngsters tracked over set follow-up periods have reported diagnostic stability estimates that are similar to or slightly lower than those of adults. Less is known, however, about the stability of youth psychiatric…