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Biomedical subjects

R Lovitt

Publications and source records attributed to R Lovitt.

15 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1993

A strategy for integrating a normal MMPI-2 and dysfunctional Rorschach in a severely compromised patient.

Effective assessment practice is dependent on synthesizing data from multiple sources. Our standard literature and experimental data base does not supply all the information practitioners need to provide assessment services. Practitioners must engage in a variety of novel operations to generate an acceptable assessment product. The role of the practitioner may be conceptualized as an independent contributor to the knowledge base underlying assessment. In this article, I articulate a series of stages serving as a guideline in integrating discrepant data from a Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2) and Rorschach for a disturbed patient. The integrated data provides a more precise understanding of the patient than either data set by itself.

Female↗
PubMed1991

Emotional adaptation in children after liver transplantation.

The emotional adaptation of 25 children who had undergone successful liver transplantation at least 1 year previously was evaluated and compared with that of a control group of 26 children with diabetes mellitus, matched for age, gender, and socioeconomic status, and with reported normative values. With the use of parent- and self-report measures, emotional adaptation was assessed in terms of behavioral adjustment (Child Behavior Checklist), depressive experiences (Children's Depression Inventory), anxiety (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children), and self-concept (Piers-Harris Children's Self-concept Scale). Similar variables were also assessed by a projective personality measure (Rorschach). We found minimal differences in emotional adjustment between liver transplant and diabetic groups; on self-report measures, the adjustment of those with liver transplants was as good as, or better than, that of normative samples. However, on other tests, children with transplants differed from normative samples. On projective measures, liver transplant recipients had an increased number of depressive experiences, situationally related internal distress, and a greater tendency toward negative self-focus and evaluation. We conclude that in pediatric liver transplant recipients, behavioral and emotional adjustment is as good as in children with another chronic illness; in comparison with physically well children, the transplant recipients have subtle signs of emotional difficulties.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1991

Characteristics of elderly persons seen in an urban psychiatric emergency room.

With the aging of the U.S. population, an increase in the use of the psychiatric emergency room by elderly persons is expected. In this study of 118 elderly persons seen in a general hospital psychiatric emergency room, half had a history of psychiatric illness. A third appeared to have chronic organic brain disease, and a third had affective disorders. Misprescription or misuse of medications was implicated in the problems of 27 patients. The problems of most patients were not emergencies; most had experienced symptoms of their presenting complaint for more than six months, finally overtaxing the coping capacities of their caregivers. The authors discuss factors that prevent elderly persons from seeking help on their own and emphasize the need for earlier interventions with elderly patients and for education of the public and professionals about issues, such as overmedication, that are important in the care of elderly persons.

Aged↗
PubMed1987

A conceptual model and case study for the psychological assessment of hysterical pseudo-seizures with the Rorschach.

Conceptual models are being increasingly utilized to guide psychological assessment of complex clinical problems. In this article, I present a conceptual model to direct the assessment of personality processes involved in producing hysterical pseudo-seizures. Pathological personality processes present in hysterical reactions are outlined. Rorschach parameters that have been validated and that are therefore considered good indicators of the relevant personality processes are presented. A case study of a patient with both documented genuine and hysterical pseudo-seizures demonstrates use of the model. I offer a treatment plan that is related to the psychological structure of the patient. Use of this model may improve psychological consultation in medical settings.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Understanding multiple personality with the Comprehensive Rorschach system.

Exner's Comprehensive Rorschach system is utilized in studying a unique sample of patients--three multiple personalities. Each patient and a number of secondary personalities are tested. Several interpretative and technical aspects of Exner's system are clarified. All of the main personalities are ambient, extending Exner's conclusions regarding the implications of this style. The secondary personalities have personality structures which are remarkably different from those of the main personalities. Differences from previous studies are attributed to unique administrative features of the Comprehensive system.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1982

Psychological testing and consultation-liaison psychiatry.

Although the use of psychological testing in medical settings has been limited primarily to psychiatric units, it can add appreciably to teaching and diagnostic efforts on a psychiatric consultation-liaison service. A number of methodological and procedural modifications are necessary to incorporate testing into the diagnostic workup. The psychologists' efforts must be viewed as supportive, and must be geared to take into account the unique problems on medical and surgical units. Testing efforts can be most helpful in identifying: a) patients whose response set or attitude predisposes them towards exaggerating or minimizing emotional difficulties, b) individuals with conversion reactions or major psychogenic components complicating their medical disorder, and c) patients in whom an organic brain syndrome complicates medical adjustment. The MMPI and the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale are examples of two objective assessment instruments that can aid in dealing with an array of diagnostic problems. A series of test profiles are discussed with specific comments directed towards demonstrating the utility of psychological tests.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1982

Are hysterical seizures more than hysteria? A research diagnostic criteria, DMS-III, and psychometric analysis.

In a double-blind study the authors compared severity of psychopathology and personality organization in three groups of patients: those with organic (neurogenic) seizures alone (N = 11), those who exhibited both neurogenic and psychogenic ("hysterical") seizures (N = 13), and those with pure psychogenic ("hysterical") seizures (N = 13). Patients with neurogenic seizures were found to have alcoholism, anxiety disorder, and minor affective disorder. Patients with mixed and psychogenic seizures had more severe psychopathology, including major affective disorders and major character pathology. Patients with mixed and psychogenic seizures also had a markedly higher incidence of suicide attempts and past history of psychiatric treatment.

Borderline Personality Disorder↗
PubMed1981

Neuropsychological effects of abuse of inhalants.

A neuropsychological battery of 67 measures was completed by 68 inhalant-abusing and 41 other-drug-abusing adolescent subjects. The measures tapped both global and specific functioning. Analysis of covariance was used to control effects of age and other drug use. These analyses indicated that inhalant abusers performed significantly more poorly than other drug abusers on 20 of the 67 measures. Deficits were observed on both global measures (WAIS and WRAT) and specific measures (perception of speech sounds, visual suppression, sensory perception, and Trails). These deficits suggest that the effect of inhalant abuse may be severe and widespread.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1980

Conservation withdrawal vs. depression in medically ill patients: Rorschach case study.

The psychological consultant in a general hospital may be asked to evaluate physically ill patients who present ambiguous clinical symptomatology. The differential diagnoses of depression from the normal (conservation-withdrawal) reaction to stress is particularly difficult. A case study is presented illustrating the Rorschach test findings of a patient who appeared depressed upon initial clinical examination, but who illustrates conservation-withdrawal, an adaptive nonpathological stress reaction.

Adult↗
PubMed1979

Conservation-withdrawal versus depression.

Conservation-withdrawal should be included in the differential diagnosis of the withdrawn, apathetic medical patient. The clinician's awareness of the conservation-withdrawal phenomenon can avert the unnecessary use of psychotropic medications and avoid the alienation that arises between the patient and his primary physician when an unwarranted psychiatric diagnosis is applied. Recognizing the distinction between conservation-withdrawal and clinical depression permits the primary physician to utilize his own skills in supporting his patient.

Adjustment Disorders↗
PubMed1976

Psychological consultation to a police training academy: problems and opportunities.

Police departments are systems of social regulation affecting the lives of many citizens. Psychological instruction to trainees can increase the armamentarium of police techniques in dealing with civil disturbances. Such instruction must be cognizant of attitudinal resistances toward new police instructors, particularly those with an intellectual or university orientation. Crisis situations that are handled by a proper balancing of coercive and negotiation types of techniques generate the most effective solution to disturbance situations. An approach is offered for effective teaching of a balanced-coercive alliance model.

Attitude↗