Child and adolescent mental health multiaxial classification: A useful biopsychosocial framework for paediatrics?

In child and adolescent psychiatry, the multiaxial classification approach has been developed over some decades and remains very relevant as it encapsulates the biopsychosocial approach, an approach which is also central to paediatric practice. There is considerable overlap between developmental-behavioural paediatrics and child and adolescent mental health, including presenting clinical problems, diagnoses, multidisciplinary and holistic approach to assessment and management, and similar use of pharmacological agents and psychosocial interventions. Multiaxial classification can be of use to paediatricians in a variety of ways, both in clinical practice and for teaching purposes.

Pseudo-seizure, an Atypical Presentation of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in a Female: A Case Report.

Background: This paper describes pseudo-seizure as an atypical presentation of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in an adolescent female in the context of psychosocial difficulties. We present the case, which explains the clinical dilemma in such situations, along with selective literature review.

Case Presentation: An adolescent female, who is an academic high achiever, living with parents, presented with unresponsive spells which were initially treated with antiepileptics by the paediatrician without any significant improvement.

Multiaxial classification in child and adolescent mental health - a reaffirmation of benefit and practical applications.

Objective: Classification systems and their practical implications have become increasingly important in child and adolescent psychiatry. This paper presents the evolution and practical applications of a multiaxial classification system for children and adolescents presenting to mental health services. Included are some worked examples demonstrating both the complexity of many presentations and how broadening the use of the multiaxial system can help in identifying appropriate interventions.

Absconding from Public Mental Health Inpatient Units - Who Does it, and why?

Patients who abscond from acute inpatient psychiatric wards put themselves and others at risks of variable nature and severity. There is a limited understanding of what motivates them to do so. The research in this area is limited and predominantly outdated.

Profiling Absconders from Public and Private Inpatient Psychiatric Units: a Comparative Analysis.

Research related to absconding and its associated risks is limited in relation to inpatients from private psychiatric units. This study aimed to compare patients who abscond from public and private psychiatric inpatient settings. Demographic data was collated on the subjects (n = 214) who all had a history of absconding.

Management of stuttering using cognitive behavior therapy and mindfulness meditation.

Stuttering is a speech fluency disorder with varied etiological explanations. It is important to identify symptoms early so that adequate and timely intervention can be delivered with focus on management and recovery. Stuttering, besides affecting speech fluency, might have a number of negative psychosocial consequences for the sufferer that may lead to immense anxiety, besides other symptoms.

Psychosis in paratyphoid fever - a case report from Australia.

Objective: Neuropsychiatric presentation in paratyphoid fever is not a well-known entity. In countries such as Australia, where the prevalence of enteric fever is one of the lowest, this presentation seems to be unlikely.

Method: We present a case that demonstrates the importance of considering this possibility in Australian context in returned travellers.

Treatment for late-onset obsessive-compulsive disorder with parkinsonism.

Dysfunction of the basal ganglia and frontal subcortical structures occurs in both obsessive-compulsive disorder and parkinsonism. Treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder with parkinsonism is a therapeutic challenge, especially in old age as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors may aggravate motor symptoms and worsen clinical conditions. The authors present a series of patients with late onset obsessive-compulsive disorder demonstrating improvement in obsessive-compulsive disorder as well as parkinsonian signs.