Biomedical subjects

John M Kuzma

Publications and source records attributed to John M Kuzma.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Chronic widespread pain and psychiatric disorders in veterans of the first Gulf War.

More than 10% of the 700,000 American troops who served during the first Gulf War (GW) are receiving treatment for a constellation of diffuse and frequently poorly defined medical and psychiatric symptoms that have been designated the GW syndrome by both clinicians and the popular media. The current clinical consensus is that the symptoms reported in GW veterans are the sequela of combat and other stressful events that have been identified in the veterans of other wars and armed conflicts. Chronic diffuse pain is one constellation of symptoms commonly reported in GW veterans. Research has confirmed a close bimodal relationship between chronic pain and psychiatric symptoms. Investigators are now exploring the efficacy of treatment approaches that address the close relationship between chronic pain and mental illness in this challenging patient population.

Chronic Disease↗

PubMed2004

Compulsive disorders.

Compulsive disorders include a diverse group of conditions characterized by excessive thoughts or preoccupations combined with poorly controlled behaviors. They include trichotillomania, kleptomania, pathologic gambling, compulsive buying disorder, compulsive sexual behavior, and compulsive computer use. Some investigators have suggested that these conditions constitute a spectrum of disorders linked to obsessive-compulsive disorder. Others have questioned the validity of this conceptualization, and have debated the relationship between these disorders. Nevertheless, much has been learned about compulsive disorders, and there have been some successes with psychotherapeutic and psychopharmacologic treatments. Recent therapy-based interventions have moved from psychodynamic treatments toward cognitive-behavioral modalities. Serotonin reuptake inhibitors remain the best-studied pharmacologic treatment, but researchers have also explored other antidepressants, opioid agonists, mood stabilizers, and atypical antipsychotics.

Antidepressive Agents↗

PubMed2004

Integrating pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy in the management of anxiety disorders.

Anxiety disorders are among the most prevalent psychiatric conditions throughout the world, and they are responsible for considerable morbidity and functional impairment. Patients with these disorders make extensive use of medical resources, not only through their use of the mental health system but by frequent utilization of primary care and emergency medical services. Although it is common clinical practice to combine pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy, some researchers have argued that this has not been shown effective in practice and is an inefficient use of limited mental health resources. This article will examine the evidence supporting integrative therapy for the major Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Text Revision anxiety disorders and discuss clinical considerations surrounding the use of combined therapies for anxiety.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Disorders characterized by poor impulse control.

BACKGROUND: Impulse Control Disorders (ICDs) are an eclectic group of conditions in which a person has a drive, urge, or temptation, to perform a potentially harmful act, or fails to resist an impulse. METHODS: Authors reviewed the current medical literature addressing this diverse group of disorders. RESULTS: Although the behaviors associated with these conditions can cause a great deal of suffering for patients and their families, they have remained relatively under-researched and poorly characterized. CONCLUSIONS: Recent studies have explored both pharmacological and psychosocial treatments, giving rise to greater hope for the development of more effective treatments for these challenging disorders.

Diagnosis, Differential↗