scholarly journals Symptoms of traumatic encephalopathy syndrome are common in the United States general population

Author(s):  
Grant Iverson ◽  
Andrew J Gardner

Abstract There are no validated criteria for diagnosing chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or traumatic encephalopathy syndrome, in a living person. The purpose of this study is to examine symptom reporting resembling the research criteria for traumatic encephalopathy syndrome in men and women from the US general population. This is a retrospective analysis of publicly available data from a cross-sectional epidemiological study. The National Comorbidity Survey Replication was designed to examine the prevalence and correlates of mental disorders in the United States. The study included a nationally representative sample of 9,282 adults (4,139 men and 5,143 women). An in-person interview and survey were conducted in the homes of men and women from the general population. The study was conducted with participants residing in New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, Detroit, San Francisco, Washington DC, Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston, Boston, Nassau-Suffolk NY, St Louis, Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Minneapolis, and Atlanta. Symptoms from the research criteria for the diagnosis of traumatic encephalopathy syndrome were applied to men and women in the general population and in subgroups of people with health problems and mental health problems. A small percentage of the US general population met symptom criteria for traumatic encephalopathy syndrome (6.6-11.9%, depending upon the definition applied). People with chronic pain were much more likely to meet criteria (i.e., 14.8% to 30.5%), and two out of three people who have experienced suicidality in the past year met symptom criteria for traumatic encephalopathy syndrome (65.2-72.2%). The majority of women with a mood disorder and chronic pain met criteria (62.7%-89.8%). This is the largest study to date examining aspects of the research criteria for the diagnosis of traumatic encephalopathy syndrome in the general population, and the first study to examine these criteria in women. This study has important clinical and public health implications. The potential rate for misdiagnosing traumatic encephalopathy syndrome in adults who are experiencing chronic pain, idiopathic mental health problems, or both is high.


2009 ◽  
Vol 24 (S1) ◽  
pp. 1-1
Author(s):  
V. Kovess ◽  
R. de Graaf ◽  
J.M. Haro ◽  
R. Bruffaerts ◽  
F. Gilbert ◽  
...  

Objective:To complete missing information on the influence of spiritual and religious advisors as informal providers for mental health problems in Europe.Methods:Recourse to religious practice or belief when coping with mental health problems was evaluated using data from the ESEMED survey. This was a stratified, multistage, clustered-area probability sample survey of mental health carried out in six European countries which included 8796 subjects. Between countries differences in sociodemographic characteristics, religious affiliation, and prevalence of mental disorders and management of mental disorders were evaluated.Results:Religion appears to play a limited role in coping with mental health problems in Europe. Only 7.9% of individuals seeking help for such problems turned to a religious advisor. This proportion differed between countries from 13% in Italy, 12.5% in Germany, 10.5% in the Netherlands, 5.8% in France, 4.7% in Belgium to 4% in Spain. In addition, seeking help exclusively from religion was reported by only 1.3% of subjects. Practicing religion at least once a week and considering religion as important in daily life were predictors of using religion versus conventional health care only. Use of religion was not influenced by gender and age. Non-Christian respondents and individuals with alcohol disorders were more likely to use religion. In Spain, the use of religion is much lower than average.Conclusions:Unlike the situation in the United States, organised religion does not provide alternative informal mental health care in Europe. At best, it could be considered as an adjunct to conventional care.



2016 ◽  
Vol 35 ◽  
pp. 47-54 ◽  
Author(s):  
T Cadman ◽  
J. Findon ◽  
H. Eklund ◽  
H. Hayward ◽  
D. Howley ◽  
...  

AbstractBackgroundADHD in childhood is associated with development of negative psychosocial and behavioural outcomes in adults. Yet, relatively little is known about which childhood and adulthood factors are predictive of these outcomes and could be targets for effective interventions. To date follow-up studies have largely used clinical samples from the United States with children ascertained at baseline using broad criteria for ADHD including all clinical subtypes or the use of DSM III criteria.AimsTo identify child and adult predictors of comorbid and psychosocial comorbid outcomes in ADHD in a UK sample of children with DSM-IV combined type ADHD.MethodOne hundred and eighteen adolescents and young adults diagnosed with DSM-IV combined type ADHD in childhood were followed for an average of 6 years. Comorbid mental health problems, drug and alcohol use and police contact were compared for those with persistent ADHD, sub-threshold ADHD and population norms taken from the Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Study 2007. Predictors included ADHD symptomology and gender.ResultsPersistent ADHD was associated with greater levels of anger, fatigue, sleep problems and anxiety compared to sub-threshold ADHD. Comorbid mental health problems were predicted by current symptoms of hyperactivity-impulsivity, but not by childhood ADHD severity. Both persistent and sub-threshold ADHD was associated with higher levels of drug use and police contact compared to population norms.ConclusionsYoung adults with a childhood diagnosis of ADHD showed increased rates of comorbid mental health problems, which were predicted by current levels of ADHD symptoms. This suggests the importance of the continuing treatment of ADHD throughout the transitional years and into adulthood. Drug use and police contact were more common in ADHD but were not predicted by ADHD severity in this sample.



BJPsych Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (S1) ◽  
pp. S256-S256
Author(s):  
Nalin Hettiarachchi ◽  
Praveen Kumar ◽  
vikramraj balasundaram

AimsTo assess the level of understanding and difficulties encountered when obtaining sexual health details of their patients among mental health clinicians.BackgroundPeople with mental health problems, especially those treated with psychiatric medication experience greater rates of sexual difficulties than those in the general population. Mental health practitioners need to examine personal beliefs and attitudes about sexuality among people with mental health problems. Providing information about sexuality and sexual practice benefits and enhances the quality of life of people with mental health problems. Therefore taking a sexual history should be an integral part of psychiatric assessment.MethodAn online survey consisted of 17 questions to cover 3 areas of objectives mentioned above was created using Survey Monkey. A link to the survey was emailed to all the clinicians who perform psychiatric assessments. Response collection and data analysis was performed by the trust IT team.ResultTotal of 54 clinicians participated in the survey representing nurses, junior, middle grade doctors and consultants. Almost all stated that mental health patients have capacity to make appropriate decisions about their sexual behaviour patterns. 43% thought people with mental health problems don't have similar patterns of sexual behaviour compared to people without mental health problems. 11% stated that people with mental health problems do not experience greater rates of sexual difficulties than those in the general population. Nearly a third did not believe that telling patients about potential sexual side effects may lead to poor compliance. Nearly 70% stated taking a sexual history should be an integral part of psychiatric assessment. 44% reported lack of knowledge and skills when talking about sexual health and 33% avoided asking about sexual health due to lack of knowledge. Half of the clinicians avoided asking about sexual health due to the fear of embarrassing or causing distress to patients while 16% avoided asking about sexual health due to self-embarrassment. 65% talk about sexual health issues only if patients brought them up.During last 3 clinical encounters majority never asked about sexual difficulties, high risk behaviour and drug side-effects related to sexual difficulties. A significant proportion of clinicians never asked about contraception from their female clients.ConclusionSurvey revealed majority of mental health clinicians lack understanding and skills about sexual health issues highlighting the importance of raising awareness among clinicians about sexual health issues.





2018 ◽  
Vol 45 (8) ◽  
pp. 1121-1135 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicholas W. Bakken ◽  
Christy A. Visher

Men and women exiting the correctional system represent a population at high risk for mental health problems, and the body of research on the mental health needs of former prisoners is growing. These mental health problems pose challenges for individuals at every stage of the criminal justice process, from arrest to incarceration to reentry and reintegration. This article examines the mental health status and gender differences among a sample of 352 men and women leaving confinement and the role that mental health problems played in shaping their reentry outcomes using data collected between 2002 and 2005. In the year after leaving prison, men and women with mental health problems reported worse health indicators and less satisfactory social factors, such as employment, housing, and family support. The article concludes with a discussion of recommendations for improved policy and practice for assisting former prisoners with mental health problems during reintegration.



Author(s):  
Elizabeth M. Moore ◽  
Theresa H. Cheng ◽  
Roya Ijadi-Maghsoodi ◽  
Lillian Gelberg

An estimated 100 million people globally suffer from absolute homelessness. The estimated number of people who are homeless in the United States at any given point in time is about 550,000. Mortality and disease severity of people who are homeless far exceed those of the general population because of extreme poverty, delays in seeking medical care, nonadherence to therapy, substance use disorders, and psychological impairment. Many of their health problems, such as infections due to crowded living conditions in shelters, hypothermia from exposure to extreme cold, and malnutrition due to limited access to food and cooking facilities are a direct result of homelessness. This chapter addresses in detail infectious diseases, substance abuse, obesity, mental health problems, and causes of death in this population. It also addresses access to and use of healthcare services. It addresses the roots of and underlying issues related to these problems. Finally, it addresses what needs to be done.



2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  

Abstract The world's population is aging rapidly. Globally, the population of older people will nearly double in the next 30 years, from 12% to 22%. Unfortunately, many elderly people are often vulnerable to the development of mental health problems. Besides the development of mental disorders (such as depression) or neurological disorders (such as cognitive impairment), they often experience several health ailments and loss of functionality, which negatively impacts their mental health and wellbeing. The WHO points out that mental health problems among this group of people are under-identified by healthcare professionals and by older people and their relatives themselves, and that stigma surrounding these conditions makes people often reluctant to seek help. Therefore, more scientific research and debate is needed on mental health of older persons, especially from a public health perspective. By bringing together researchers on this domain from different countries and background, this workshop aims to contribute to the scientific insight in this topic and finally to the improvement of the mental health and wellbeing of this growing group of people. In this workshop, research findings on the prevalence of (undetected) mental health problems and the impact of organizational, social and physical conditions on these problems, among older persons, both institutionalized and not, will be presented and discussed by five researchers from different European countries. Dr. Sunwoo Lee (Czech Republic) will talk about the demographic, psychosocial, and health-related risk factors for suicidal ideation among older adults in 12 European countries. Dr. Patricia De Vriendt (Belgium) will give a presentation on the unnoticed mild cognitive problems in nursing homes in Flanders. Dr. Henriette van der Roest (the Netherlands) will show the relationship between organizational adaptions in Dutch nursing homes and cognitive improvement and quality of life among older persons with dementia. Dr. Jutta Lindert (Germany) will focus on the impact of social stress and strain on the episodic memory and executive functioning of the “Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) cohort. And finally Dr. Mauro Carta (Italy) will illustrate the positive effect of moderate physical activity on cognitive functioning and general wellbeing of older people. Key messages Mental health problems among the growing group of older people are prevalent and of different kind. More scientific insight is needed on the prevalence and determinants of these problems, in order to provide timely and adequate support and prevention.



2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (6) ◽  
pp. 742-755 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael F. Orr ◽  
Andrew H. Rogers ◽  
Justin M. Shepherd ◽  
Julia D. Buckner ◽  
Joseph W. Ditre ◽  
...  




2014 ◽  
Vol 204 (5) ◽  
pp. 361-367 ◽  
Author(s):  
Grete Dyb ◽  
Tine K. Jensen ◽  
Egil Nygaard ◽  
Øivind Ekeberg ◽  
Trond H. Diseths ◽  
...  

BackgroundAlthough youths in many countries have been exposed to terrorism, few studies have examined early risk and protective factors for the subsequent development of mental health problems.AimsTo investigate the levels of post-traumatic stress in survivors of the 2011 massacre on Ut⊘ya Island compared with the general population in Norway, and to identify predictive factors.MethodFour hundred and ninety survivors were invited to participate. Structured face-to-face interviews were performed 4–5 months after the attack.ResultsThere were 325 study participants (response rate 66%). Survivors had been highly exposed to danger and loss. Post-traumatic stress levels were more than six times higher in survivors than in the general population. Predictors were female gender, minority ethnic status, high level of trauma exposure, pain, the loss of someone close and social support.ConclusionsSurvivor characteristics that can be assessed in the early aftermath of a terrorist attack strongly predict the subsequent mental health problems of exposed youths. The highly elevated symptoms observed were largely attributable to the traumatic experience and reflect the mental health costs of the terrorist attack.



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