By Dr Gerhard Grobler, Head: Department of Psychiatry, University of Pretoria and President of the SA Society for Psychiatrists The violence and injury ‘epidemic’ in SA has resulted in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), among other long-term psychosocial consequences. Development of PTSD It is often said that children learn from their parents. Taking operant learning theory into account, [...]
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ADHD in adolescents: Gender and comorbidities
By Dr Dora Wynchank, Psychiatrist in private practice, Parkview Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is considered the most common psychiatric disorder experienced during childhood. However, approximately 80% of children with ADHD continue to have symptoms as adolescents and 30%-70% experience symptoms as adults. In the first article on ADHD in adolescence, I examined controversies around age of onset [...]
Women’s mental health: more support needed
By Dr Rykie Liebenberg Much is written in the field of mental health about women’s health. There is an international conference on Women’s Mental Health this month. We know that depression is twice as commonly diagnosed in women in their reproductive years, as in men. This is evident in our everyday practice and hospital admissions. As [...]
Depression or bipolar – what’s the difference?
By Dr Thea van der Merwe, Psychiatrist in private practice, Akeso Clinic, Parktown Mood disorders are of the most difficult medical conditions to understand. Is the patient really ill or is it normal mood swings? Everybody talks about depression and bipolar mood disorder (BMD) but what is the difference and does the patient need therapy or medication, [...]
Defining the presentation of adult ADHD
By Dr Dora Wynchank, Psychiatrist in private practice, Parkview As it has been recognised for decades in children, ADHD presents with a combination of three symptom clusters: inattention, impulsivity and hyperactivity. By the time patients reach adulthood, these symptom clusters have mutated. The presentation of the disorder is quite different in adults. Barkley (1997) has identified four [...]
Are ADHD stimulants safe to use in sport?
Dr Dora Wynchank As we covered in the last article in this series, there are several physiological complications of the use of stimulants in professional athletes. This article will explore these complications in further detail and make reference to the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine (AMSSM) position statement, which explores many of these issues.1 A [...]
Electroconvulsive Therapy: Magic or Hollywood Horror?
Dr Rykie Liebenberg Jack Nicholson was subjected to electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest, and this is the image in the public mind that symbolises ECT. There is also an organisation that advertises in the media, offering to help ‘victims’ that have been harmed by this treatment. Yet, it is one [...]
‘Burnout’ in Professionals and Patients
Dr Ian Westmore Many GPs, and indeed psychiatrists and psychologists, would have seen patients who present with complaints that they are experiencing ‘burnout’. Truth be told, a significant proportion of the professionals treating these patients would have recognised these symptoms in themselves too. So what precisely is ‘burnout’? It is not a recognised disorder in [...]
Implications of Revisions in Classification of Autism Spectrum Disorders
Dr Franco Colin Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are a group of developmental disabilities in which patients have delayed development in skills associated with socialisation, communication, and overall behaviour. The broader term of ASD includes: • Pervasive developmental disorder – not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS) – patients with PDD-NOS will meet some, but not all, of the [...]
Warning Signs of Peripartum Depression
Dr Rykie Liebenberg We know from epidemiologic surveys from all over the world that the lifetime prevalence of mood disorders is substantially higher among adult women than among men. The ratio is 2:1 and is maintained across all ethnic groups. This higher incidence is most pronounced during the childbearing years. It has been said that [...]
