Effects of a Group Psychoeducation Program on Self-Stigma, Empowerment and Perceived Discrimination of Persons with Schizophrenia.

Background: Self-stigma adversely affects recovery from schizophrenia. Analyses of self stigma reduction programs discovered that few studies have investigated the impact of education about the illness on self-stigma reduction. The objective of this study was to determine whether psychoeducation based on the principles of recovery and empowerment using therapeutic group factors assists in reduction of self-stigma, increased empowerment and reduced perception of discrimination in patients with schizophrenia.

Psychiatric aspects of normal and pathological lying.

The paper outlines the difference between the so-called normal (common) lying and pathological lying. Pathological lying is an intriguing topic, still lacking any strong professional consensus, clear etiology, treatment options and prognoses. The paper explores some possible psychological mechanisms of pathological lying, reviews biological factors in pathological lying, and considers forensic significance of normal and pathological lying.

The impact of a rehabilitation day centre program for persons suffering from schizophrenia on quality of life, social functioning and self-esteem.

Background: Presently few studies demonstrate improved outcomes in patients with schizophrenia treated in day rehabilitation centres. One reason is the absence of an evidence based protocol for rehabilitation in such centres. Hence further research is required to assess whether such a protocol will improve psychosocial outcomes.

Can we prevent blood dyscrasia (leucopenia, thrombocytopenia) and epileptic seizures induced by clozapine.

Clozapine is associated with various haematological adverse effects, including leukopenia, neutropenia, agarnulocytosis, leukocytosis, anaemia, eosinophilia, thrombocytopenia and thrombocythaemia. Recognition and treatment of clozapine-related seizures also will become increasingly important as clozapine use grows in the 1990s. The decision to stop clozapine as a result of haematological adverse effects or seizures is a frustrating one for the clinician, and frequently disastrous for the patient.

Case management - a pillar of community psychiatry.

This review is describing different models of case management, showing their similarities and differences with regards to the way they operate. Good relationship between patient and case manager, application of the biopsychosocial model, availability of psychosocial treatment methods and rehabilitation programs, and individual treatment plan are all important factors in case management's success. Large number of studies supports the application of case management in practice as effective treatment method in treating people with severe mental disorder, particularly those, who are less co-operative.

Psychiatric comorbidity in forensic psychiatry.

For the past several years a numerous studies in the field of forensic psychiatry confirmed a close relationship between violent offenders and comorbid substance abuse. The comorbid substance abuse in violent offenders was usually unrecognized and misdiagnosed. Furthermore, comorbidity in forensic psychiatry describes the co-occurrence of two or more conditions or psychiatric disorder known in the literature as dual diagnosis and defined by World Health Organization (WHO).

[Have we forgotten neurological diseases with psychological symptoms? Case study: Huntington's chorea].

Huntington's cohrea is neurodegenerative disorder with high incidence of different psychiatric symptomathology including mood symptoms, dementia and psychotic symptoms. Very often psychic symptoms come before the typical motor symptoms. This paper demonstrates difficulties in diagnostic process for Huntington's chorea in the case when psychiatric symptoms come before the motor symptoms.

Implementation of first Croatian Law on Protection of Persons with Mental Disorders.

The aim of this article was to examine Croatian psychiatric practice regarding involuntary hospitalization, after the Law on Protection of Persons with Mental Disorders became effective, on January 1, 1998. Data on the practice of involuntary hospitalizations of patients with mental disorders in Vrapce Psychiatric Hospital were collected from the medical records, for the years 1998 and 1999. Data regarding involuntary hospitalizations from other Croatian hospitals and departments were obtained from heads of psychiatric hospitals and departments for the first five months of 1998.

[The Club of Croatian War Veterans treated for PTSD as a form of psychosocial rehabilitation].

For the period after the war patients with complex disorders are specific. Their increased need for psychiatric protection stimulates people to organize additional, outpatient activities in the mental health area. The authors present their experiences of working in the Club of Croatian War veterans treated for PTSD (the PTSD Club) and the positive therapeutic effect of systematic work upon the principles of sociotherapeutic community, systematic family approach, and self-help.

Forensic importance of jealousy.

The aim of the investigation is to define as clearly as possible specific forensic psychiatric characteristics of persons who committed homicide and or attempted due to jealousy (the nature and severity of psychopathology, the level of responsibility, danger for the community, intensity and nature of aggression, the victimologic dimension, the relation of alcohol and jealousy). A retrospective method based on forensic psychiatric expertises in the period 1975-1999 was used. They encompassed 200 examinees that committed murder or attempted it.

Social phobia.

Social anxiety disorder (social phobia) is an irrational fear of being observed and judged by other people in various social settings. The individual is afraid that he or she will act in a way that will be humiliating or embarrassing. It is often a chronic, disabling condition that is characterized by a phobic avoidance of most social situations.