Maintaining remission of depression with repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation during pregnancy: a case report.

It is important to explore potential safe treatment options for the ongoing treatment of women's depression during pregnancy. One promising treatment is repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS). We report on the case of a woman who became pregnant while receiving regular maintenance rTMS combined with pharmacotherapy treatment for major depressive episode.

Marital satisfaction among older couples: the role of satisfaction with social networks and psychological well-being.

Marital satisfaction is important for health and well-being, although determinants of satisfaction among older couples are unclear. Much of the marital literature has focused on the role of the spouse, in isolation from satisfaction with broader social relationships. We conducted separate semi-structured interviews with both members of n = 40 couples (mean age 76 years) to measure satisfaction with particular types of social networks (confidant, friend, children, other relatives) as well as levels of physical and psychological well-being.

Do people with schizophrenia lack emotional intelligence?

Social cognition is a domain of cognitive function that includes the ability to understand and manage social interactions. Emotional intelligence (EI) has been identified as a component of social cognition and is defined as the ability to identify, use, understand, and manage emotions. Neurocognitive impairments are known to be associated with poorer social function in people with schizophrenia, but less is known about the relationships between EI, neurocognition, and social function.

Evaluating health literacy in people with mental illness using the Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adults.

Background: Health literacy is understudied in the mentally ill population, yet it is clear that a high level of health literacy is essential for successful management of illnesses such as schizophrenia and depression. To investigate health literacy in people with mental illness living in urban Australia, and to evaluate the relationships between medication adherence and health literacy.

Method: Thirty people with schizophrenia and 30 with major depression were assessed with Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adults (TOFHLA).

A report on the introduction of ultrabrief pulse width ECT in a private psychiatric hospital.

We report on 6 months of data since the introduction of ultrabrief pulse width electroconvulsive therapy (UB ECT) at a private psychiatric hospital in Adelaide. Results suggest that psychiatrists welcomed the availability of UB ECT, with an increase in prescription of ECT. About a quarter of UB ECT patients changed to standard pulse width (SPW) ECT, but those who did respond to UB ECT had an equivalent response to those who had SPW ECT.

Improving medical student attitudes towards people with schizophrenia.

Objective: To develop and evaluate an intervention for final year medical students to reduce stigma against people with schizophrenia.

Method: A total of 87 students participated in a 3-h workshop that included both a contact component (a DVD of a young man with schizophrenia) and an experience of simulated auditory hallucinations. Attitudes to schizophrenia were evaluated using the Attitudes to Mental Illness Questionnaire (AMIQ), completed at the beginning and end of the workshop.

Bed accessibility in a private psychiatric hospital.

Objective: Access to beds is a major problem in many psychiatric services and increased waiting times can lead to adverse health outcomes. While there has been a considerable amount of research evaluating bed management systems in public psychiatric services, the private sector has received little attention. This project aimed to determine the time to admission for patients referred to an acute private psychiatric hospital, and to identify factors contributing to time intervals between referral and admission.

How effective is a hospital at home service for people with acute mental illness?

Objective: Hospital at home (HAH) services have been developed to replace traditional inpatient care but there is little recent published data about their efficacy. This study evaluates HAH treatment for people with an acute episode of psychiatric illness who would otherwise have been admitted to hospital.

Method: The staffing and operation of the service is described, along with admission criteria.

A practical guide to setting up a repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) service.

Objective: This paper outlines the process of developing a transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) service in a private hospital setting, to provide a model for similar services elsewhere in Australia and New Zealand.

Methods: The practical issues involved in setting up the service, including funding, staffing, equipment, treatment protocols and associated research, are described.

Results: The service has been widely accepted by psychiatrists and patients.