Biomedical subjects

Elvira Koić

Publications and source records attributed to Elvira Koić.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2005

Glossolalia.

In this article the authors present through theory and case reports on the phenomenon of glossolalia, the unusual vocal utterances that sound language-like. Sense, meaning and function of glossolalia are closely connected with social and cultural context, and therefore glossolalia is experienced as a normal and expected behavior in religious prayer groups, while in mental disorders it is considered a psychopathological symptom. Historic theological debates explain the pure spiritual etiology of glossolalia, while the current studies present the phenomenon of glossolalia as a result of learned behavior and training. Glossolalia occurs as an individual or a group phenomenon after which the speaker and the persons around him feel good, what is explained psychodynamically as a regression upon early developmental levels. In this temporary regression there is an explanation of positive, almost psychotherapeutic effect of glossolalia.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2003

The influence of risperidone on cognitive functions in schizophrenia.

Introduction of the antipsychotics of the second generation (SGA) into the therapy of schizophrenia roused expectations that, finally, the cognitive dysfunction in schizophrenia could be eliminated by psychopharmacological therapy. The purpose of the study was to verify the effect of atypical antipsychotic risperidone on cognitive functions in schizophrenic patients. The study was carried out upon 48 male schizophrenic patients aged 21-47 years who were switched from the antipsychotics of the first generation (FGA) to the antipsychotic risperidone, due to intolerance, during the treatment. Intelligence, abstract and concrete thinking and mental speed, attention, and short-term non-verbal memory prior to the switch, one month after the switch, and three months after the switch to risperidone, were evaluated. One month after the switch the number of subjects with severe impairment of intellectual abilities decreased significantly from 62% to 15% and after three months the number was even lower-8%. The impairment of concrete and abstract thinking and mental speed also showed the same tendencies of decrease. The improvement of the cognitive functioning after the switch from the antipsychotics of the first generation to the antipsychotic risperidone is explained by removal of the antipsychotics of the first generation from the therapy and the consequential disinhibition of secondary cognitive impairments and by decreased average dose of anticholinergic and decreased number of patients who need anticholinergic therapy beside risperidone. The possibility of clear pro-cognitive effect of risperidone is suggested and its verification is proposed with strict control of other factors that improve cognitive functioning of schizophrenic patients during the treatment.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

Social phobia.

Social anxiety disorder (social phobia) is an irrational fear of being observed and judged by other people in various social settings. The individual is afraid that he or she will act in a way that will be humiliating or embarrassing. It is often a chronic, disabling condition that is characterized by a phobic avoidance of most social situations. Social anxiety disorder is the most frequent anxiety disorder (10-15%) that occurs in two subtypes--generalized and specific. It is a disorder that occurs during the adolescence and reflects negatively to the quality of life of an individual. Neurobiological basis of this disorder has not been explored yet. The disorder is frequently burdened with comorbidity with other anxiety disorders, depression and substance-related disorders. Only cognitive-behavioral techniques are desirable in the psychotherapeutic treatment of the disorder and the best results are achieved in combination with pharmacotherapy. The medicaments of choice in the treatment of social anxiety disorder are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Anxiolytics should be used only as a supplementary in the acute phase. Treatment of social anxiety disorder should last at least 3 months up to one year.

Anxiety↗

PubMed2003

Forensic importance of jealousy.

The aim of the investigation is to define as clearly as possible specific forensic psychiatric characteristics of persons who committed homicide and or attempted due to jealousy (the nature and severity of psychopathology, the level of responsibility, danger for the community, intensity and nature of aggression, the victimologic dimension, the relation of alcohol and jealousy). A retrospective method based on forensic psychiatric expertises in the period 1975-1999 was used. They encompassed 200 examinees that committed murder or attempted it. The results show the connection of psychotic jealousy with the highest degree of danger in diagnostic categories of paranoid psychosis and paranoid schizophrenia. The time span from the first manifestations of jealousy until the actual commitment of a crime is the longest in personality disorders and the shortest in schizophrenia. Exogenous provoking situations were dominant for committing homicide due to jealousy in personality disorders. Acute alcohol intoxication has a specific significance in crime due to jealousy in the same diagnostic category. Clear criteria were designed for forensic psychiatric evaluation of murder and attempts of homicide caused by jealousy, which will be of help in everyday practice in the field forensic work and treatment.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[The Club of Croatian War Veterans treated for PTSD as a form of psychosocial rehabilitation].

For the period after the war patients with complex disorders are specific. Their increased need for psychiatric protection stimulates people to organize additional, outpatient activities in the mental health area. The authors present their experiences of working in the Club of Croatian War veterans treated for PTSD (the PTSD Club) and the positive therapeutic effect of systematic work upon the principles of sociotherapeutic community, systematic family approach, and self-help. The PTSD club is one of possible problem solutions, and the right choice of how to organize and conduct preventive and rehabilitative programs for high-risk groups of patients.

Croatia↗