Denton C. Buchanan

A proposed neurophysiological basis of alexithymia.

The possibility that alexithymia respresents a symptom of subtle brain dysfunction is discussed. Several lines of research have shown that emotional thought, behavior and, in particular, the use of affect-laden speech are influenced by impaired function of the right hemisphere or a disconnection between the two hemispheres. A patient with agenesis of the corpus callosum is presented demonstrating severe alexithymia.

The Gift of Life: A Review of the Psychological Aspects of Kidney Transplantation

The literature on psychological reactions to renal transplantation in adult donors and recipients is reviewed. Although the psychiatric complications of kidney transplantation appear to be fewer than in renal dialysis, the operation represents a threat to the donor, recipient and extended family. Donors, despite altruistic motivations for offering their kidney, often harbor resentment toward the recipient and commonly experience depression in the early postoperative period. Recipients often unrealistically expect the homograft to be a panacea for their emotional stresses. Anxiety and depression are common reactions when a physical complication, particularly rejection, does occur. It has been proposed that psychological acceptance is related to a patients psychological acceptance of the organ.

Alexia without agraphia: An experimental case study

Abstract A 51-year-old right-handed male experienced reading difficulty and an upper right visual field cut after a head injury. The patients letter naming was impaired and word naming was painstakingly slow. Words were decoded in a letter by letter sequence and performance varied directly with word length. Apart from his reading difficulties the patient was linguistically competent. He was sensitive to manipulations of word frequency and orthographic regularity. He wrote spontaneously and could identify the written counterpart to a spoken word with relative ease. Computerized axial tomography revealed damage to the posterior temporal-parietal region of the left hemisphere.

Effects of unpredictability of shock on incidence of gastric lesions and heart rate in immobilized rats

Abstract Degree of gastric ulceration and heart rate were assessed over a 19 hr immobilization period during which groups of rats received either (I) CS presentations, (II) CS presentations 50% of which were paired with a US, (III) CS presentations all of which were paired with the US, (IV) 50% CS-US pairings with the number of US presentations equal to Group III or (V) unrelated presentations of the CS and US. The unpredictable condition of Group V resulted in significantly greater ulceration than seen in Group I with the other groups falling between these extremes. While Groups II, III, and IV showed reliable and equivalent bradycardic responses to the CS, the pre-CS heart rate measure failed to discriminate among groups.

Group therapy for kidney transplant patients.

A short-term, open membership group therapy program for kidney transplant patients and their families is described. The content and process of this group is related to the ten curative factors described by Yalom for psychiatric patients. The primary benefits for the patients seemed to be the opportunity to observe others cope with similar problems and to learn of the adaptive strategies used by others. The patients were able to offer advice to others, to overcome their tendency toward seclusion and in general, experience a feeling of hope for the future. The family members gained more from a sense of group cohesiveness than did the patients. Both family and patients utilized the meetings to ventilate their anger and frustrations associated with chronic illness and to learn more about transplantation. A more realistic expectation of the future was provided. The group did not seem long enough to measurably improve the interpersonal relations between patients and their families nor did the group members comment upon maladaptive behaviors exhibited between family members within the meetings.

Group therapy for chronic physically ill patients.

Abstract Some of the emotional stresses and coping styles most often seen in patients with chronic physical illness are reviewed, and a two-phase group therapy program designed to suit their needs is described. The program consists of several initial didactic or educational group meetings, followed by meetings that stress insight-oriented psychotherapy.

Jaw-wiring for obesity

Fourteen of nineteen-self referred obese women were treated for weight reduction by jaw-wiring. Most were immature, passive-dependent or passive-aggressive personalities. Only one-third of the group completed the study, which was six months in length. All lost weight initially, but about two-thirds later regained some weight. At first all responded with enthusiasm, but later most felt discouraged and found jaw-wiring difficult to accept. Only two patients derived significant benefit. There were no dental complications. Jaw-wiring appears to be a safe but ineffective means of controlling weight, especially if applied to patients with poor motivation and immature personalities.

A restrainer for rat immobilization

Abstract A versitile rat restrainer is described which is easy to use and relatively easy to construct.

Psychological Adaptation to Hemodialysis

After studying patients’ adaptation to chronic hemodialysis in the late 1960s, Abrami described a series of stages through which a dialysand passed. When entering dialysis the patient was at death’s door and much too numb to care about his future. Apathy was the general attitude in this initial stage. A period of euphoria followed when the patient realized he had “returned from the dead” and was joyous over his fresh start. After a few weeks of dialysis, a state of anxiety developed as the patient became more and more aware of the life-maintaining equipment and procedures. The final stage described by Abram was the struggle for normalcy the patient undertook in coping with his illness.

Effects of infantile handling on heart rate conditioning and response suppression

Male and female Holtzman rat pups were either handled or left undisturbed during Days 2–5 after birth. When tested at about 55 days of age, there were no differences in heart rate during classical conditioning attributable to the handling treatment. Handling did, however, increase lick suppression during CER extinction.