Charles A. Henry

Insight in Psychosis: A Systematic Review of Treatment Interventions

Insight into illness is often impaired in psychosis and associated with poor prognosis, yet little is known about how to improve insight. After an examination of the conceptual background of insight, we review the limited empirical studies of this topic. Six studies of psychoeducation are mixed, though suggesting a possible benefit, especially with individualized interventions. In 2 studies of psychoanalytically oriented psychotherapy, and 1 of cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy, no beneficial effect on insight was notable. Two studies each of videotaped self-observation and antipsychotic medication reported improvement in insight. The possibility that atypical antipsychotics may be especially beneficial compared to traditional antipsychotics deserves further examination. We conclude that this literature suggests potentially useful options for clinicians, but further research is needed with better validated insight scales.

Psychopharmacological interventions in autism spectrum disorder.

Learning Objectives: After participating in this educational activity, the physician should be better able to1. Prescribe the appropriate psychotropic medication to treat symptoms of ASD.2. Identify the side effects of the psychotropic medications used to treat ASD.Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are characterized by core deficits in social communication and language, and restrictive and repetitive behaviors that cause significant functional impairment and distress for affected individuals and their caregivers. The increasing prevalence of ASD, most recently estimated as 1 in 88 children, presents an ever-increasing burden on families, schools, medical systems, and society at large. Individuals with ASD commonly present for treatment of associated emotional and behavioral disturbances that include anxiety, symptoms of ADHD, compulsions and other repetitive behaviors, mood lability, irritability, aggression, and sleep disturbance. Psychotropic medications are widely utilized in alleviating these symptoms, though rigorous clinical trials in ASD are lacking for most areas of impairment. Strong evidence from randomized, placebo-controlled trials supports the use of atypical antipsychotics, particularly risperidone and aripiprazole, for managing severe irritability and aggression in ASD. Serotonin reuptake inhibitors are commonly used to treat anxiety and compulsions, though reports of efficacy in the literature are mixed, and behavioral side effects in children are common. Minimal evidence supports the utility of anticonvulsants and traditional mood stabilizers in managing mood lability and aggression. Stimulant and nonstimulant ADHD medications can be effective for reducing hyperactivity, inattention, and impulsivity, though to a lesser degree than in ADHD populations without ASD and with greater risk of adverse effects. Psychopharmacological interventions in development for core symptoms of autism include those that target the glutamatergic and GABAergic neurotransmitter systems and the neuropeptide oxytocin. Further research is needed to establish evidence-based interventions in ASD populations.

Long-term outcome with divalproex in children and adolescents with bipolar disorder.

OBJECTIVE To assess the outcome and safety of divalproex treatment in children and adolescents with bipolar disorder. METHODS We conducted a chart review of children and adolescents who were treated with divalproex and who met Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition, criteria for bipolar disorder (dose 966 +/- 501 mg/day, level 79.4 +/- 23.1 micro g/mL, duration 1.4 +/- 1.5 years). Responders were defined as those showing moderate to marked response on the Clinical Global Impression-Improvement (CGI-I) scale. RESULTS Eight of 15 (53%) patients responded to divalproex treatment for mixed episode (n = 6), disruptive behavior (n = 4), pure mania (n = 3), or depression (n = 2). Six of 15 (40%) discontinued divalproex, most due to side effects (n = 5). The most common side effect was weight gain (4/15, 27%). CONCLUSION In children aged 4-18 years, divalproex treatment was related to improved outcome in the long-term treatment of bipolar disorder. One third of the patients discontinued treatment secondary to side effects, including a case of reversible liver enzyme elevation.

Psychopharmacological interventions in autism spectrum disorder

ABSTRACT Introduction: Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) commonly present for treatment of emotional and behavioral disturbances associated with ASD’s “core” symptoms. Psychotropic medications are widely utilized in alleviating associated emotional and behavioral symptoms. Areas covered: Emotional and behavioral disturbances associated with ASD include irritability/severely disruptive behavior, which comprises the heaviest symptom burden; hyperactivity and other Attention-Deficit-Hyperactivity-Disorder (ADHD)-type symptoms; repetitive/stereotyped behaviors; and social withdrawal. Existing evidence for medications for each of these symptom clusters will be examined in this review. Expert opinion: Psychopharmacological treatment of core and associated symptoms in ASD is challenging, in large part because of the heterogeneity in the presentation of ASD. Furthermore, children and adolescents with ASD are more vulnerable to the side effects of psychopharmacological intervention than their age-matched, typically developing counterparts. Currently, risperidone and aripiprazole are the only medications that have been (relatively) reliably shown to help treat certain symptom clusters associated with ASD, namely severely disruptive behavior and hyperactivity. Recent studies have begun to look at medications with mechanisms that are novel in the treatment of ASD and that may address underlying pathophysiology and/or core symptoms such as glutamate-modulating agents. Overall, randomized, placebo-controlled studies of medications for the treatment of ASD are scarce.

Retrial of Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors in Children with Pervasive Developmental Disorders: A Retrospective Chart Review

BACKGROUND Youths with pervasive developmental disorders (PDDs) often have symptoms that fail to respond to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) treatment. These children may be given a subsequent trial of another SSRI. This study reports on the outcome of PDD youths who received a second SSRI trial after an initial treatment failure. METHODS Clinic charts were reviewed for 22 outpatient youths with a DSM-IV diagnosis of a PDD who were treated with an SSRI after an initial failure with a previous SSRI. Response for the second SSRI trial was determined using the Clinical Global Impressions-Improvement Scale (CGI-I). Treatment indications, symptom severity, demographic data, and side effects were recorded. RESULTS For the second SSRI trial, 31.8% of the subjects were rated as much improved on the CGI-I scale and determined to be responders, with 68.2% of the subjects demonstrating activation side effects. 90% of subjects demonstrated activation side effects when data from both SSRI trials were combined. There were no statistically significant associations between outcome of the second SSRI trial and clinical/demographic variables. CONCLUSIONS A second trial of an SSRI after an initial SSRI treatment failure was often unsuccessful in children and adolescents with PDDs. Activation side effects were common. Because alternative treatments in this population are limited, a second trial of an SSRI may still be considered. The study was limited by its retrospective design and by its small sample size.

Aggression, containment, and treatment enactments in the psychodynamics of limit setting.

Limit setting has an important role in psychotherapeutic treatment. Despite this, the psychodynamics of limit setting have been a largely neglected topic in the literature. This article will present a theoretical discussion on the psychodynamics of limit setting particularly as it relates to the parent-child and the therapist-patient relationship. The central roles of aggression and impulse containment will be reviewed along with an overview of the relationship between limit setting and projective identification. Potential enactments that occur during the treatment of limit testing patients will be examined. Case material of the treatment of a child with a disruptive behavior disorder will be used to elaborate the discussion.

Low Rates of Depressed Mood and Depression Diagnoses in a Clinic Review of Children and Adolescents with Autistic Disorder

OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of depression diagnoses and related clinical data in an outpatient sample of youth with autistic disorder. METHODS Records of 123 psychiatrically referred children and adolescents with a Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th ed., Text Revision (DSM-IV-TR) diagnosis of autistic disorder were examined. Mood disorder diagnoses and chief complaints along with family mood disorder history were the primary variables analyzed. RESULTS Four subjects (3%) presented with depressed mood. Irritability complaints were frequent (n=78, 63%). Six subjects (5%) received a mood disorder diagnosis; all with mood disorder, not otherwise specified. No subjects received a depressive disorder diagnosis. Family history of mood disorders was common. CONCLUSIONS Findings raise questions about the appropriate characterization and potential misdiagnoses of depression in youth with autistic disorder.

Pop Vampires, Freud, and Primary Masochism

Vampires are often portrayed as seductive. It is difficult to separate this association from the sadistic nature of the figure--a connection that is dependent upon a potential masochism within the victim. Post-Freudian contributions on sadism, masochism, and sexuality have emphasized the role of traumatic factors in influencing the development of sadomasochistic urges. However, the popularity of the vampire figure evidences a role for Freuds notion of an inherent primary masochism. This erotic impulse is primitive in nature and seemingly nonoedipal. Vampire dramatizations are a convenient location for the playing out of these repressed tensions.