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Biomedical subjects

Eliezer Witztum

Publications and source records attributed to Eliezer Witztum.

13 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2004

[Commercial sex engagement: medical and social aspects].

Commercial sex engagement represents a common phenomenon that has not been studied as of yet. Relatively few surveys have been published worldwide. The image of the woman that takes part in commercial sex, as shown by these surveys, is similar to a female victim who was sexually abused during her childhood and who was exposed to maltreatment. It is also shown that these women frequently suffer from violence and that a high percentage of these females can be diagnosed as post-traumatics. In the literature, there is mention of their involvement in the spreading of veneral diseases. The state of affairs in Israel can be seen in the Parliamentary Investigation Committee for the Trading of Women and also in the article by BenZion et al. published in this issue of Harefuah. This paper shows the preliminary results of a study conducted among 55 women who are engaged in organized prostitution and reside illegally in Israel. Our editorial attempts to analyze the issue of commercial sex and the results of this research, and stresses certain important social and medical aspects of this subject.

Female↗
PubMed2004

[The establishment of "Ezrath Nashim" Psychiatric Hospital in Jerusalem: selected issues].

This article describes the process of the establishment and early years of "Ezrath Nashim" Psychiatric Hospital in Jerusalem. Economic aspects in the continuous and daily life of the institution are emphasized, and existential difficulties that were involved in its regular management are mentioned. Selected issues such as economic difficulties and maintenance of the hospital are discussed based on historical documents. The resemblance between the early history and the current state of affairs in the mental health field in Israel is presented and stressed.

Female↗
PubMed2004

[Pathological gambling in Israel as a medical and social problem].

This article discusses the phenomenon of pathological gambling in Israel today, emphasizing its medical as well as social dimensions. After a brief historical review of pathological gambling in world and Jewish history, certain psychological aspects of the disorder are reviewed. The typology of gamblers is mentioned, and the relationship between gambling and affective disorders is briefly discussed. Some of the forensic implications of pathological gambling are also mentioned.

Crime↗
PubMed2003

Trauma and bereavement: conceptual and clinical issues revolving around relationships.

The article re-examines trauma and bereavement and the category of loss considered to be traumatic bereavement. It is argued that the perspective of the relation to the deceased is an insufficiently acknowledged source of traumatic disruption following bereavement. The significance of the relational aspect in bereavement is present in the paradigm of the Two-Track Model of Bereavement (S. Rubin, 1981, 1999). The implications of this approach are examined in the case of a soldier exposed to trauma and death. The case is examined from a traditional trauma perspective stressing exposure to life threat and again from a perspective stressing the significance of the relationship to the deceased. An examination of the different intervention strategies and their outcome lends support to the importance of the relational aspects in this case of trauma and supports the use of the Two-Track Model of Bereavement. The location of trauma as basic to the experience of all bereavement for its impact on the reorganization vis a vis the representation of the loved one now deceased is considered as fundamental to the trauma of all bereavement. The additional contribution of bereavement occurring under conditions of life threat (traumatic situations) is an important feature potentially impacting the bereavement process, but it is not what makes bereavement traumatic per se. An additional source of trauma in bereavement, occurring when the previous representation or introject of the deceased is shattered, is considered for its status as an additional source of complication in the traumas of bereavement.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Perimenstrual psychosis among female adolescents: two case reports and an update of the literature.

OBJECTIVES AND METHODS: Perimenstrual psychosis is an uncommon disorder, not included under the accepted classifications of functional psychoses. Our aim was to describe two Israeli female adolescents who fit this diagnosis. RESULTS: Both youngsters developed an acute psychosis a few days before menstruation, which subsided several days after bleeding, only to reappear in the same form in subsequent cycles. An extensive medical work-up did not show any significant disturbances, with the exception of anovulatory cycles in one youngster. Psychotropic treatment had no effect on the course of the psychosis. Treatment with a combined progesterone/estrogen contraceptive agent in one patient resulted in full recovery within several cycles. The second patient showed a spontaneous remission within four cycles. Follow-up for two to three years indicated a complete remission, with no need to reintroduce any psychotropic agent. CONCLUSIONS: Perimenstrual psychosis may represent a cycloid disorder or an atypical affective disorder, associated with anovulation. The use of psychotropic treatment is considered inconclusive, whereas hormonal agents may prove effective.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2003

Political assassins--the psychiatric perspective and beyond.

Three cases of highly publicized political assassinations, which occurred during the twentieth century, are described. In two of them (Tsafendas and Amir) a head of a state was assassinated. In both cases the second author (A.Z.) was involved in the psychiatric evaluation of the perpetrator. A third case, in which a head of state was badly wounded (Hinckley) is referred due to its overwhelming impact on public opinion and legislation. Few similarities are found between the perpetrators, who came from different cultures and acted in different eras. The psychiatric examination had a crucial role in the outcome of their trial. In spite of different milieus the forensic psychiatrist found himself amidst a highly charged event. There is no single common denominator characterizing the psychopathology of the political assassin. It is suggested that there is a spectrum of psychiatric diagnoses ranging from the psychotic perpetrator who targets the victim due to his intrapsychic delusional world, to the "sane" fanatic who chooses to commit an extreme act of violence in the service of a political goal. The criminal act, as well as the trial and the verdict bring in its wake a huge emotional public response. Consequently, theories of conspiracy as well as legislation initiatives are raised. The forensic psychiatrist should adhere to the sphere of his expertise, and it is for the court to decide upon the issues of responsibility and fitness to stand trial.

Forensic Psychiatry↗
PubMed2003

Kandinsky-Clerambault's Syndrome: concept of use for Western psychiatry.

The aim of our paper is to describe Kandinsky-Clerambault's Syndrome, which has important cultural-historical value in the history of psychiatry, and to illustrate the syndrome by means of a case report. Although its component symptoms are known among Western psychiatrists, the syndrome's specific name is generally unknown. The authors suggest that detailed clinical descriptions of some specific conditions may contribute to a more detailed knowledge of psychopathology, a more colorful and memorable view of conditions, with an increased awareness of the historical and cultural origins of psychiatry.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Cross-cultural encounters between careproviders: rabbis' referral letters to a psychiatric clinic in Israel.

This paper explores the meaning and social functions of referral letters sent to a mental health clinic in Israel by Haredi (ultra-orthodox) rabbis. The letters exemplify social mechanisms by which various institutions and individuals (careproviders, therapists, and other social actors) negotiate different therapies, advice, and interventions in cross-cultural encounters. We argue that beyond the practical functions of the letters, the rabbis-representatives of a "popular" and religious social sphere-use them to negotiate their position in relation to the psychiatric clinic as a representative of a professional and secular sphere. We show that the rabbis "submit" to the professional and secular therapists by using a local adaptation of Western psychological and psychiatric discourses (instead of a religious or mystical discourse), but also that by choosing a letter as their preferred medium of communication (instead of a personal visit to the clinic), they distance themselves from it. We suggest that the rabbis reconstitute, via the letters, social boundaries within their religious community and between their community and secular society. Hence, through analysis of discourses of mental illness in a cross-cultural encounter we examine ways in which illness is practically managed among diverse groups in society. Specifically, we analyze such discourses as part of a power relationship between careproviders who belong to different therapeutic social spheres, using a phenomenological exploration of how mental illness is perceived and constructed as both "a medical problem" and as "social deviance".

Clergy↗
PubMed2002

Lithium-induced tremor treated with vitamin B6: a preliminary case series.

OBJECTIVE: The occurrence of tremor in patients receiving lithium is well known, but the management of this side effect is a significant problem both for patients and physicians. Although some reports have suggested that beta-blockers may be useful in treating lithium-induced tremor (LT), these agents have different side effects which limit the possibility of their use. Vitamin B6 has been reported to be effective in treatment of patients suffering from different kinds of neuroleptic-induced movement disorders including parkinsonism and tardive dyskinesia. METHODS: This report presents the results of a preliminary four-week open-label clinical trial of five patients who suffered from LT and who were treated with vitamin B6 (900-1200 mg/d). The severity of tremor was assessed using the tremor subscale from the Simpson-Angus Scale (SAS) and Subjective Clinical Improvement Impression scale (SCII). RESULTS: After the addition of vitamin B6 to their treatment, according to the SAS scores four patients showed an impressive improvement until total disappearance of tremor. The subjective scale, on which the patients' scored their impression of clinical improvement, showed similar results. None of the patients suffered from any side effects attributable to vitamin B6. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that vitamin B6 may alleviate LT, double-blind controlled trials are needed to establish this effect.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

[False memory syndrome: state of the art].

The review describes the heated dispute on the present state of recovered traumatic memories. There are two main schools concerning the status of recovered memories of child abuse. One school believes in their authenticity unconditionally. Those who oppose the authenticity claim False Memory Syndrome's existence. They describe it as "a serious form of psychopathology characterized by strongly believed pseudomemories of childhood sexual abuse" and "condition in which a person's identity and interpersonal relationships are centered around a memory of traumatic experience which is objectively false but in which the person strongly believes". This review presents the allegations of both sides involved in the dispute, with updates of scientific and judicial references and relevant recommendations to care takers.

Child↗