New articles

Fitness to drive in psychiatric patients; a review of the literature and consequences for daily practice

M.M. de Wolf

background A question that often arises in daily practice is whether a psychiatric patient should be considered as still fit to drive.
aim To describe the Dutch regulations concerning psychiatric patients’ fitness to drive and to evaluate the scien...

The therapeutic value of physical exercise for people with schizophrenia

D. Vancampfort, J. Knapen, M. Probst, R. Van Winkel, J. Peuskens, K. Maurissen, H. Demunter, M. De Hert

background Only about 25% of people with schizophrenia follow the public health recommendations for a minimum of 150 minutes per week of moderate physical exercise. In their leisure time people diagnosed with schizophrenia take considerably less e...

Essay

Is it acceptable to use placebos in depression research?

Y. Meesters, M.J. Ruiter, W.A. Nolen

The use of placebos in an investigation into the efficacy of a new type of treatment for winter depression was not approved by a medical ethics committee because some test subjects receiving placebos might thereby be deprived of an effective treat...

Case report

Melancholia, psychomotor disturbance or depressed mood?

A. Dols, D. Rhebergen, P. Eikelenboom, M.L. Stek

Melancholia is a historical concept according to which the clinical condition is characterised by gloom, apprehension and psychomotor disturbance, vital symptoms and psychotic phenomena. The condition needs to be accurately diagnosed if treatment ...

Case report

Eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR) as a treatment for phantom limb pain

C.E. Flik, C. de Roos

A 68-year-old man, who had had phantom limb pain in his leg and foot for 27 years, was referred for emdr treatment. This case study shows that after 10 sessions of emdr the pain intensity had diminished from 10 to 1 (on a scale of 10). Further ses...

Abstract

Voorspellende waarde van familiale voorgeschiedenis voor ziekte-ernst bij depressie, angst, alcohol- en drugsafhankelijkheid

J. Vandenberghe, L. Van Oudenhove, S.E. Cuypers

K. Mellebeek, G. Pieters

Abstract

Toevoeging van mirtazapine vergroot antipsychotisch effect van typische antipsychotica

Reaction on ‘A psychodynamic approach to self-harm in patients with a borderline personality disorder’

Reaction on ‘Follow-up of the MTAstudy in children with ADHD: what do the data tell us, and what not?’

Reaction on ‘Antipsychotics and metabolic abnormalities in children and adolescents; a review of the literature and some recommendations’

How are the psychiatric genetics?

Conscience development: a review of theory and research

ISSUE 2010/7

6 juli 2010

W. Stapert

summary

background Recent findings in the neurosciences have rekindled interest in disorders of conscience development. Most of the publications on this subject refer to existing theories about conscience development. But the question is whether ...

Essay

Philosophy of science for psychiatric practice

ISSUE 2010/7

6 juli 2010

A.S.G. Ralston

summary

background The prevailing view is that psychiatry has its roots in two separate methodologies: the natural sciences and the social sciences. It is assumed that these are separate domains, each with its own way of knowing. Psychiatric and ps...

Short report

Does psychotherapy alter the brain? A non-reductionist neurophilosophical perspective

ISSUE 2010/7

6 juli 2010

summary

background Psychiatry and ‘philosophy of mind’ are both concerned with the study of the relationship between body/brain (‘physical’ domain) and mind (‘mental’ domain), but often there is little interaction between both disciplines. In conte...

Letter to the editor

Reaction on ‘Antipsychotics and metabolic abnormalities in children and adolescents a review of the literature and some recommendations’

Speaking about psychopathy

Lithium levels need to be monitored: discrepancies between guidelines and practice

L.M. van de Beek, M.A. Ouwens, P.L. de Vries, J.W. Hummelen

summary
background Since lithium can affect the thyroid gland and the kidneys, it is important to perform regular checks on levels of lithium, creatinine and thyroid-stimulating hormone (tsh).
aim To investigate whether psychiatrists and general pra...

New research

Personality disorders in older adults: A Delphi-study conducted among Dutch and Belgian experts concerning specific diagnostic and therapeutic aspects

S.P.J. van Alphen, N. Bolwerk, A.C. Videler, J.H.A. Tummers, R.J.J. van Royen, H.P.J. Barendse, K.A.P. Penders, C. Scheepers, R. Verheul

summary
background In psychiatry for older adults (> 60 years) personality disorders play an important part in diagnosis and treatment and in the advice given to health professionals and carers on how to deal with this age group. So far, however, r...

The neurobiology of antisocial behaviour

M.M. Loomans, J.H.M. Tulen, H.J.C. van Marle

summary
background Neuro-imaging is being used increasingly to provide explanations for antisocial behaviour.
aim To make a neurobiological contribution to the diagnosis of many types of antisocial behaviour.
method The literature was searched using ...

Apathy: from symptom to syndrome

R.L. Drijgers, P. Aalten, A.F.G Leentjens, F.R.J. Verhey

summary
background Apathy is a major behavioural problem in dementia and other neuropsychiatric diseases.
aim To provide an overview of the development of the concept of apathy and its importance for clinical practice.
method The article is based on ...

Commentary

Apathy

Life threatening symptoms of withdrawal of gamma-hydroxybutyrate

S.R.T. Veerman, H.N. Dijkstra, I. Liefting-Kluft

summary
Acute psychosis and extreme agitation brought about by gamma-hydroxybutyrate (ghb) withdrawal can be life-threatening. In order to prevent states of excitement accompanied by aggression and somatic complications it is advisable to intervene...

Case report

Olanzapine in the treatment of adolescents with anorexia nervosa

I.M. Hein, C. Huyser

summary
This article, which was triggered by a case study of a 15-year-old female patient, gives an overview of the literature on the use of olanzapine as an adjunctive treatment for anorexia nervosa in adolescents. On the basis of studies performe...

Abstract

Langdurig antipsychoticagebruik vermindert sterfte bij schizofrenie