Psychiatric Services

doi: N/Apmid: N/A

Lehmann, L; McCormick, RA; McCracken, L

doi: N/Apmid: 8829790

A total of 167 Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers responded to a survey that sought information on suicidal behavior during a one- year period among patients in inpatient or outpatient treatment. Of 248 completed suicides during the period, about 60 percent occurred among patients in outpatient mental health treatment. The incidence of anxiety disorder diagnoses (17.7 percent), particularly posttraumatic stress disorder, among patients who completed suicide was much higher than that reported for persons who completed suicide in the general population. Many patients with psychiatric diagnoses who completed suicide had comorbid

MF Hogan

doi: N/Apmid: N/A

Marianne DiTommaso

doi: N/Apmid: N/A

Weiden, P; Rapkin, B; Zygmunt, A; Mott, T; Goldman, D; Frances, A

doi: N/Apmid: 8829787

OBJECTIVE: This preliminary study assessed the effects on outpatient medication compliance of converting inpatients with schizophrenia from oral to depot neuroleptic medication. METHODS: Subjects consisted of 93 neuroleptic-responsive inpatients with schizophrenia from three New York City hospitals who were part of a one-year prospective longitudinal study of medication compliance. Forty patients were converted to depot neuroleptic medication while hospitalized; the other 53 remained on oral medication. Symptoms, side effects, and medication compliance of the two groups were compared at one, six, and 12 months postdischarge. RESULTS: Inpatients converted to depot medication had significantly better compliance at one month postdischarge. Differences in demographic characteristics, symptoms, hospital site, and baseline attitudes toward medication did not account for this finding. The initial positive effect on compliance waned, and no significant between- group differences in compliance were found at six and 12 months postdischarge. CONCLUSIONS: Conversion to depot medication before hospital discharge may facilitate medication compliance during transition to outpatient treatment, but other

ER Brooks

doi: N/Apmid: N/A

doi: N/Apmid: N/A

doi: N/Apmid: N/A

Cohen, K; Edstrom, K; Smith-Papke, L

doi: N/Apmid: 8829793

The attendance of 112 patients referred to an outpatient psychiatric rehabilitation program was retrospectively examined, and characteristics of dropouts were compared with those of patients who remained in treatment during the first eight weeks. Discriminant function analysis revealed that a combination of three variables correctly predicted 81 percent of the dropout group. The variables were a hostile, labile, or bizarre affect; a diagnosis of personality disorder; and impaired orientation. Patients with these characteristics require a thorough assessment of specific needs and deficits and ongoing evaluation of treatment approaches such as adaptations of psychosocial rehabilitation, dialectical behavior therapy, and assertive

BJ Gordon and DJ Milke

doi: N/Apmid: N/A