Tobacco craving and withdrawal symptoms in psychiatric patients during a motivational enhancement intervention based on a 26-hour smoking abstinence period.

Introduction: In psychiatric patients, tobacco withdrawal symptoms are frequently seen as a barrier to smoking cessation; however, further studies are warranted in this specific population.

Methods: Patients receiving in- or out-patient mental health care participated in a motivational enhancement program including a 26-hour tobacco abstinence experience with professional support and optional nicotine replacement therapy. The study included 174 subjects, of whom 159 were evaluated 1 week before and at the end of the 26-hour abstinence period.

Racing thoughts revisited: A key dimension of activation in bipolar disorder.

Background: Racing and crowded thoughts are frequently reported respectively in manic and mixed episodes of bipolar disorder (BD). However, questionnaires assessing this symptom are lacking. Here we aimed to investigate racing thoughts across different mood episodes of BD through a self-report questionnaire that we developed, the 34-item Racing and Crowded Thoughts Questionnaire (RCTQ).

Measuring racing thoughts in healthy individuals: The Racing and Crowded Thoughts Questionnaire (RCTQ).

Racing thoughts refer to an acceleration and overproduction of thoughts, which have been associated with manic and mixed episodes. Phenomenology distinguishes 'crowded' from 'racing' thoughts, associated with mixed depression and mania, respectively. Recent data suggest racing thoughts might also be present in healthy individuals with sub-affective traits and symptoms.

Subjective experience of thought overactivation in mood disorders: beyond racing and crowded thoughts.

Background: Racing thoughts, crowded thoughts and flight of ideas are frequent symptoms in mood disorders, but the underlying subjective experience of overactivation of thought processes remains poorly documented.

Methods: Qualitative analysis of audiotaped interviews explored subjective experience of thought overactivation in patients with mood disorders (sample 1, n = 45). Quantitative analysis considered the properties of a newly developed rating scale in sample 1, in an additional sample of patients with mood disorders (sample 2, n = 37) and in healthy subjects (sample 3, n = 38).

Staff representations and tobacco-related practices in a psychiatric hospital with an indoor smoking ban.

The present study describes representations about smoking and practices related to patient smoking among staff of a large public psychiatric hospital. A survey was performed using a specially designed questionnaire. The return rate was 72.

Variations in smoking after admission to psychiatric inpatient units and impact of a partial smoking ban on smoking and on smoking-related perceptions.

Background: Smoke-related problems are particularly frequent in psychiatry, with additional concerns about iatrogenic effects on smoking in inpatient settings.

Aims: To study the impact of a partial smoking ban on psychiatric patients and staff members.

Methods: Using a pre- and post-intervention design, comparison of smoke-related characteristics and perceptions permitted changes after the introduction of smoking restrictions in 2002 to be studied.

Variations in smoking during hospitalization in psychiatric in-patient units and smoking prevalence in patients and health-care staff.

Background: Smoking and exposure to smoke are important concerns, especially in psychiatric in-patient services.

Aims: Our aims were to study variations in smoking after hospitalization for psychiatric in-patients, and to evaluate smoking-related concerns and prevalence for both patients and health-care staff.

Methods: A similar survey was mailed to staff members and proposed individually to all recently admitted patients; participation rates were 39% and 79% respectively.