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PubMed1980

[Aspects of suicide].

A review of relevant publications with reference to epidemiological data and their application to predictive profiles of at-risk populations regarding suicide and attempted suicide is given. It is indicated that suicide and parasuicide are to be seen as sociocultural problems with a complexity of contributing factors. Conscious and subconscious motives play a part within a psycho-existential continuum with intrapsychic, interpersonal, biological, psychological and social components. This spectrum of individualized components and the social impact of the deed present the clinician with a psychiatric emergency for which he must be adequately equipped. Management based on a team approach is delineated.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1982

[With "Beethoven" and juvenile delinquents in the mountains. Report of an experience].

The present report describes the work of an American therapist from Nevada who specializes in child and juvenile psychology. He takes groups of young delinquents, five to ten at a time, for expeditions lasting several days - mountain climbing, shooting the rapids, parachute skiing, hiking through snowed-in alpine valleys, etc. - subjecting his charges to psychologically and physically extreme situations. Offering himself as someone to identify with, he enters into a kind of existential communication with these young people as soon as their resistance has melted away, and approaches them individually in joint efforts (e.g. as felling trees). In my opinion his therapy is quite effective and, among other things, leads to a maturation and completion of the precarious ego structures in these youngsters; it raises their frustration tolerance, thereby diminishing their tendency to aggressive reaction; it improves their ability to grasp reality; it leads to a more positive social behaviour and more positive social needs; and finally, it increases their confidence in the possibility of leading a meaningful life.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1982

Life frustration in cardiovascular patients.

A different structure of values and life frustrations was observed in subjects with psychosomatic disease than in healthy subjects. The subjects with ischemic disease were affected mostly in the sphere of working and existential needs, whereas their family and social relations were not disturbed, and they were not frustrated in the sphere of material needs, either. On the other hand subjects with ulcer disease felt much more affected in social relations and in primary material needs.

Coronary Disease↗
PubMed1980

[Aggression in its communicative and destructive dimension (author's transl)].

Aggression in the sense of a grasping interest belongs to man so intimately that he wouldn't have reached these performances, these accomplishments and this power he has reached today on the vivid and unvivid nature. If the individual would not interest himself "aggressively" for the human beings surrounding himself, if he would not be "hungry" for human contact he would not associate himself for pairing and groups. He would not look for individuals who are of the same mind. This existential hunger, which is laid down in his nervous system seeking for stimuli, contains always an "aggressive" interest and leads man also towards searching scientifically his own psychosomatic conditions and the whole world. But this hunger can lead in certain men and under favouring conditions in whole groups and peoples to dimensions which endanger individuality and the human pride. This aggression then does not any longer serve communication but further incorporation and power. It is the beginning of the way leading to destruction of human values and human life. The responsibilities of our society should keep in mind that the human readiness for aggression does not drive further in the direction of violence and should rather be developed in the sense originally inherent to her: of an interest in the surrounding human beings and in nature.

Aggression↗
PubMed1981

[Mythology of alcohol drinking].

The social order relies on a whole of standards and requires the conformity of the individuals to his models. The consumers of alcohol - alcoholized people - either stay in the order which makes pressure on them to bring them to consume still staying within the standards of consumption according to a process of which the works stay unknown, either drift progressively towards marginality and subversion. Their behaviour is described as a "disease", description which works as a myth as well as a reality, the perception and description of the treatment supposed to be opposed to it acts on the same manner. The consumption of alcohol - alcoholization - can be understood as a social doing which testifies the adhesion to the standard and/or a personal doing in view of a research of psychotropy. Alcoholism announces itself when the alcoholization is perceived by the Other as a deviation and an existential tactical. It is not a clinic diagnosis as one may let believe, but a stigma, a label, even a judgment over a scandal. And then begins the misfortune to the one by whom the scandal arises.

Alcohol Drinking↗
PubMed1981

Rural water supply and the problem of health in village India, case of the Varanasi District.

The present paper presents an existential analysis of the condition of rural India in reference to water supply and pollution and the resulting health hazard mainly due to high content of chloride, nitrate, sulphate and the hardness. From the view-point of public health, the prevailing sources of water supply i.e. wells, streams and reservoirs, are the subject of contamination as they are exposed to pollution from surface drainage, household and animal refuse, as well as from the uncleaned buckets used for carrying water. In reference to bacterial checkup of athe well water awareness among villagers is necessary, so that the government authorities may provide good quality drinking/potable water through their schemes.

Chlorides↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Principles, means and evaluation of a programme for diabetes education (author's transl)].

A programme of patient information and education, as a primary tool of diabetes treatment, has been developed during the past 5 years, aiming to an effective self-management of diabetes. The programme is patient-oriented, with an essential psychological approach, based on a realistic language and following the concepts of a simple "diabetes philosophy". The diabetes is considered as an human condition, not necessarily a disease. Two phases are proposed. The first, termed "basic information", essentially consists of: 1) an individual checklist of 20 main-items to be gradually completed, with sharing of responsibilities between professionals and diabetics, according to the Etzwiler's contract concept; 2) a set of six original slide-tapes (Bell a. Howell and Reflex projectors) and video-tape films (Fairchild), with personal comments; 3) the red booklet "Condizione diabete" published in 1978 by the Karen Bruni Diabetes Centre. The second phase of the programme, termed "advanced information", is intended for a continuous up-to-dating of diabetological knowledge. The means used are: 1) periodical information meetings with discussion on various existential problems of diabetics; 2) a quarterly magazine "Centro KB", in which new techniques and investigations (such as C peptide and insulin antibody determination) are explained or local events are commented. The effectiveness of the programme has been evaluated through a questionnaire given to 305 subjects attending both the diabetes ward (in-patients and out-patients) and the diabetes clinic (out-patients only). The questionnaire asks 20 specific questions, of the multiple choice type, about day-to-day care complications, natural history of the diabetes, and so on. The percentage of total correct responses, as well as of correct responses to 3 key questions (hypoglycaemia, hyperglycaemia, complicating infections) has been analyzed on a computer PDP 11/23 (FORTRAN) in relation to demographic and diabetological variables. The educational level appears to be positively correlated with attendance to the ward (initial hospitalization) in comparison to the out-patients clinic, young age and insulin-dependence, and schooling. No relationship was found between level of information and metabolic control, as assessed by HbA1C. Following conclusions are drawn: 1) the complete programme of patient education is particularly valuable for young insulin dependent (ID) diabetics, who really need and properly use the information; 2) to the adult-old, non insulin-dependent diabetics (NID) a limited information programme seems to be more suitable; 3) a separation between ID and NID diabetics has to be considered when planning a future information programme; 4) permanent hard personal engagement by the diabetologist, and continuous review and criticism of information means and techniques, are requested if the tasks of a really patient-oriented teaching have to be attained.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1980

Introduction to an evaluation of art therapy.

An analysis of questionary data leads to an assessment of the actual role of art as a form of therapy. Art therapy seems mainly to be used as a form of occupational therapy and as a tool for clinical diagnosis. Only in a few cases is art therapy applied in a different way, taking into account the patient as a subject with his own biography and his own existential problems. Animation and other similar methods may represent an alternative approach.

Art Therapy↗
PubMed1980

[A computer oculographic and electroencephalographic double-blind study including well-being for determining changed vigilance under therapy with tiapride].

Owing to its specific action on the dopaminergic neurons of the corpus striatum, which has been demonstrated in animal experiments. N-[2-(diethylamino)ethyl]-5-(methyl-sulfonyl)-o-anisamide (tiapride, Tiapridex) a recently developed drug from the family of the benzamides, appears to be particularly suited for the treatment of motor disorders resulting from extrapyramidal effects. In a double-blind study, the action of the drug on the vigilance of 16 normal subjects was compared with that of diazepam and a placebo. A minor reduction in vigilance was seen in the EOG and EEG following administration of 100 mg three times daily. However, this effect would not be expected to impair general performance or behaviour in traffic. With regard to self-assessment (existential orientation scale, list of complaints), no change was noted in male individuals receiving tiapride, while female test persons exhibited a slight tendency toward feeling low, though their mood remained above the limits of depression.

Arousal↗
PubMed1980

[Chronicity: chronicization or chronification? Or, the disease evolution in relation to therapy].

The state of chronicity in the psychiatric patient questions the psychiatrist's sense of responsibility as well as his guilt feelings due to therapeutic failure. On the other hand, chronicity revives the psychiatrist's curiosity and interest in discovering more affective means to counteract a process which seems, apparently, inevitable. The author, after demonstrating that chronicity cannot be defined in accordance with psychiatric nosology, not simply in opposition to an acute state, proposes a definition that takes into account the process as one developing in the interaction between the patient, his environment and his therapist. This long and morbid evolution, which we call chronicity, corresponds to the patient's existential equilibration which is characterized by dependency and ruptures with his personal history, where the perception of time is altered and where all desires are given up. The true representative of this state can thus be perceived only through the relationships that are established. The author therefore defines this evolution as a process developing in the interaction with a given environment (hospital or other), and/or the therapeutic relationship. It becomes thus necessary to question the structures that generate chronicity, whether it be the hospital, the social services which might foster child-like dependance, chemotherapy, or negative attitudes resulting from a therapeutic relationship. A more adequate healing attitude permits a modification of the precarious compromises which the patient tends to establish, and serves to encourage his possibilities to gain more freedom of action.

Attitude to Health↗
PubMed1994

[Changed perception in depressive diseases--an overview].

This paper attempts to give a comprehensive survey of the disturbed perception in depressive disorders. Therefore results from clinical psychopathological research as well as from experimental studies are presented. Introductory remarks consider problems of this task that arise from the missing consistent definition of perception and the manifold classifications of affective disorders. Phenomenology and anthropological interpretations of the disturbed time- and space-experience are the main topic. Among the alterations of the subjective time-experience disturbances of "erlebnisimmanente" time and reference to the future (according to Straus and v. Gebsattel) are of special importance. Up to now studies on the time estimation of depressive patients that can be located at the interface between phenomenologically deducible subjective and experimentally determinable objective time-experience have shown different results.--The detailed description and analysis of the disturbed space-experience goes back to Tellenbach, who demonstrates applicable structures for this as well as consequences for the existential determination of life.--Furthermore disturbances of self-perception in patients with depressive disorders and their alienation of the perceptual world in its wholeness are demonstrated. The discussion of the so far reported results takes special account of their diagnostic value and calls for clinical and experimental procedures first of all at continuing the differentiated and by means of replication studies substantiated apprehension of perceptual disturbances.

Delusions↗
PubMed1993

Cytokines, decidua, and early pregnancy.

Cytokines and other small signalling molecules appear to play important roles in determining the success or failure of early pregnancy. Much more information is needed, particularly with respect to interaction effects of the multiple cytokines present in situ and matrix molecules. Further, this author would like to emphasize the importance of experiments which test in vivo the physiologic relevance of factors detected in samples of reproductive tissues using in vitro methods, existentialism notwithstanding.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

["Snow" and "Walpurgisnacht". Hans Castorp's exemplary maturation crises in "Zauberberg"].

On the occasion of a rather incidental visit in the sanatorium "Berghof" at Davos, Hans Castorp, the--as to his primary personality--asthenic and low-profile protagonist of the "Zauberberg" is gradually getting caught up in the maelstrom of the there prevailing timelessness and irresponsibility, this being interrupted solely by two tapering to crisis episodes: his amouressness to Mme. Chauchat as an erotic crisis and by the visionary daydream during a snowstorm about the abilities of men as a cognitive, mental crisis. Both events are triggered by a pathoid irritability, following the maxim of Th. Mann that illness, decay and death as borderline experiences may be the presupposition for cognition and reversal. Both crises end without consequences--the "Zauberberg" is the negation of the novel of education and development in the narrower sense. The unsuccessfulness and undecidedness of Hans Castorp's existence culminate in the open end of the novel, regarding his surviving on the battle field, and is in strict contrast to Adrian Leverkühn's determined autoinfection with Lues with the aim of artistic perfection and the creative break-through of "Doctor Faustus". Hans Castorp's regression and self-fragmentation within the decadent-morbid atmosphere of the sanatorium lead to his storming into the battles of the First World War as a last and existential crisis; it is here where finally the individual and national fate are merging. Hans Castorp becomes the paradigma of the German pre-war bourgeoisie and its crisis-prone development.

Germany↗
PubMed1994

Sudden infant and child death as a cultural phenomenon: a Tlaxcalan case study.

THE Sudden Death of infants and young children (SICD) constitutes a recurring problem in all societies. In contemporary industrialized societies, many factors known to cause these deaths have been clarified and controlled. Yet, as an outcome of such things as unrecognized disease, accidents, so-called crib death, and parental neglect or abuse, the prevalence of SICD remains relatively stable even in contemporary Western societies (Adams et al. 1990; Campbell 1989; Kyle et al. 1990). The pathophysiology of these human tragedies has received much attention. However, the social, cultural, and psychiatric implications have been relatively neglected. In large part this is because in our secular culture these deaths are explained naturalistically; namely, as the result of disease, biological anomalies, or physiological failures, the meaning of which is not attributed to human or other worldly intervention. A result of this is that such deaths are usually deprived of a framework of meaning that has spiritual and existential connection to everyday affairs. An impersonal, natural way of explaining SICD often deprives the mourner of a meaningful cultural rationale that can facilitate emotional release and spiritual significance.

Attitude to Death↗
PubMed1994

[Adult apprenticeship using the Knowles model].

In her doctoral studies in adult learning, the author perceived that the application of Knowles' theory to the learning abilities of sick and healthy adults allowed a better understanding than most other theories. In this model, adults develop their knowledge, sense of control, and coping skills as they apply to situations of daily living. The reason for this is that adults' learning patterns are oriented towards their specific life skills. In fact, individuals have a desire to learn what is useful and necessary for their progress. In a learning situation, the adults' self-concept and acquired experiences are taken into account. The adult becomes the centre of the learning process. Knowles teaches educators such as nurses to particularly look at the learning needs of adults with existential problems. He insists that these needs be acknowledged and satisfied in the "here and now," with emphasis on learning rather than teaching. Knowles theory is based on four assumptions relating to the adult learner. These assumptions are concerned with self-concept, acquired experience, learning ability and benefits achieved by the immediate application of learning. The six elements that constitute the thinker's concept are explained in detail. They include: the need to know; the learner's self-concept; the role of previous experience, the willingness to learn; the motivation to learn; and a teaching orientation. Knowles differentiates between the learning patterns of adults and youths. Helping adults to learn and helping youths to learn are presented as a continuum that takes into account the holistic attributes of adults at any moment in their learning pattern.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Seeing in the dark: limited vision in the aged as a prototypical "environmentally relevant" loss in competence].

In the conceptual part of this article, the existential dimension of experiencing a dramatic visual loss in late life is highlighted. Three theoretical avenues are proposed to approach age-related vision loss: 1) a stress and burden perspective; 2) a coping perspective, 3) an environmental psychology perspective. The empirical study is based on 84 elderly subjects suffering from vision loss (42 visually impaired, 42 blind), a comparison group of 42 subjects with mobility impairments, and a control group of 42 healthy subjects (particularly not impaired in vision or mobility). In all impaired groups, the impairment appeared after the age of 55 years; identification of subjects was based on medical expertise. Mean age varies between groups from 75 to 78 years with 30 females and 12 males in each group. Data based on person (e.g., ADL-functioning, subjective well-being, depressivity) as well as person-environment-transaction measures (e.g., microecology within the house, action range outside the house) were collected. Results revealed a reduced ADL-competence, lower subjective well-being, higher depressivity, and a shrinkage of action range in subjects suffering from visual loss. However, there was also a need for a differential perspective: For example, depending on person variables (living alone/not alone, degree of visual loss, coping style, coexisting illnesses), a different "resilience" against environmental pressure was observed. These findings point to the importance of a "differential" environmental gerontology.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Is it already '5 past 12'?--Development of a scale for "ecological hopelessness"].

The article reports results from a second follow-up survey (N = 541) on existential anxieties with a sample from the Federal Republic of Germany in 1992 who had first been questionned in 1985 when their ages were between 8 and 20 years. The report focuses on data gathered with a new scale on 'ecological hopelessness'. The new scale is comprised of 10 items and shows high reliability. The results reveal that every third youth in the sample articulates ecological hopelessness. Analyses of variance show that there is a strong gender difference: Girls/women express more hopelessness than boys/men, correlations and regression analyses show a negative relation between hopelessness and mental health and a positive relation between hopelessness and attempted coping. It is probable that hopelessness will expand if environmental destruction becomes more intensive. Thus, psychology as a part of humanities is obliged to not only point to the dangerous consequences of hopeless per se, but also to engage in the prevention of ecological hopelessness.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

[Body image and the experience of illness--experience of women with breast cancer].

UNLABELLED: This phenomenological study aimed at problematizing the living body as experienced by American women who suffered from breast cancer and underwent chemotherapy. Forty-eight interviews were collected from 18 women over a period of six months for another study. A secondary analysis was performed. It centered on the following three questions: 1. How do bodily changes impact on the women's embodied self-understanding? 2. How does bodily subjection to medical treatments illuminate professional and self's relationships to the body? and 3. What kind of knowledge about the body and the illness do the women express? RESULTS: 1. Central in the patients' accounts were experiences of "I cannot" (any more) or "I can" (again). 2. Illness and bodily subjection to medical interventions influenced the women's relationship with their body. Five different patterns of "I"-body-relationships are described. They varied between "I"-body-oneness and "I"-body distance. 3. The women expressed varying levels of knowledge as they talked about bodily experiences and the illness. Vernacular concepts, medical concepts and complex medical knowledge were expressed. The paper emphasizes the existential importance of "I can" or "I cannot" experiences.

Body Image↗