Our objective was to establish a mechanism for monitoring indicators of the state of health of in... more Our objective was to establish a mechanism for monitoring indicators of the state of health of inner London's mental illness services. Data were collected for a census week around 15 June 1994. Local data collection was coordinated by consultant pyschiatrists working in inner London services. Twelve services participated with a combined catchment population of 2.6 m. They included ten London services which were among the 17 most socially deprived areas of England. Main indicators were admission bed occupancy levels (including an estimate of the total requirement), proportion of patients detained under the Mental Health Act, number of assaults committed by inpatients, number of emergency assessments and CPN caseloads. The mean true bed occupancy (which reflects the number of patients who were receiving, or required, in-patient care on census day) was 130%. To meet all need for acute psychiatric care, including for patients who should have been admitted and those discharged premat...
SynopsisSeventeen patients with anorexia nervosa were examined by computed tomography (CT) and ps... more SynopsisSeventeen patients with anorexia nervosa were examined by computed tomography (CT) and psychometry and compared with ten normal control subjects. The patients were found to have enlarged external cerebrospinal fluid spaces compared to controls. No differences were found in ventricular size and X-ray absorption density measurements between patients and controls. The patients performed abnormally on the symbol digit test, the scores of which displayed a significant negative correlation with the CT scan changes.
condition associated with high levels of disability and mortality. It has a neurobiological basis... more condition associated with high levels of disability and mortality. It has a neurobiological basis and is associated with functional and structural brain abnormalities. Sources of data: The data discussed have been obtained mainly from meta-
Antidepressant drugs have been available since the late 1950s. A large number of such drugs have ... more Antidepressant drugs have been available since the late 1950s. A large number of such drugs have been developed over the years. Unraveling their mechanism of action paved the way to the development of the earlier hypotheses of depression such as the monoamine theory and beta-receptor downregulation hypothesis. This led to yet more antidepressant drugs being produced, all of which worked via the noradrenergic and serotonergic systems. They increased monoamine neurotransmitter system activity usually by blocking the presynaptic reuptake mechanism, binding the monoamine oxidase intraneuronally or targeting specific receptors on the postsynaptic membrane.
This article reviews the literature to bring together aspects of culture and its impact on ways o... more This article reviews the literature to bring together aspects of culture and its impact on ways of working in mental health in primary care. It describes a case from primary care that demonstrates the complexity of developing cross-culturalformulations. It argues that if comprehensive and effective management of cross-cultural patients is to take place in general practice, primary care clinicians should take into account the cultural experience of the patient they are managing, including their social situation. Such patients often present with multiple somatic complaints. In order to provide holistic care it recommends the use of a tetra-axial diagnostic classification and culturally sensitive questioning through professional interpreters as necessary.
The development of the first effective antidepressants in the late 1950s marked a turning point i... more The development of the first effective antidepressants in the late 1950s marked a turning point in the treatment of depressive illness. In 1957 the monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) iproniazid was discovered by chance, while searching for new antituberculous drugs. One year later the tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) imipramine was introduced, having been developed originally as an antipsychotic. A number of other drugs were subsequently added to these two groups of antidepressants, which dominated the field for the next three decades.
An open letter to the President DearDrBirley The Royal College of Psychiatrists' Autumn Quar... more An open letter to the President DearDrBirley The Royal College of Psychiatrists' Autumn Quar terly Meeting includes Psychiatry in the Private Sec tor, a session which seems out of place in a scientific meeting. This is not simply a question of the merits or other wise of private ...
The current Law for Psychiatric Care in the Republic of Cyprus was enacted in 1997 with amendment... more The current Law for Psychiatric Care in the Republic of Cyprus was enacted in 1997 with amendments made in 2003 and 2007. The mental health law makes provision for the development and function of Psychiatric Centres for the care of the mentally ill. In contrast to the old Mental Health Law there is a major shift from a custodial approach to community care. Compulsory admissions under the Act, which require a Court Order, are made to a designated secure psychiatric in-patient unit. The protection of patients' human rights is at the core of the Act.The Mental Health Commission, a Supervisory Committee and designated body for the Protection of the Rights of the Mentally Ill, assists in the correct implementation of the Mental Health Law. The Commission has a primarily advisory role but it is actively involved in monitoring the implementation of the Mental Health Law.
The World Organization of Family Doctors (WONCA) published the Culturally Sensitive Depression Gu... more The World Organization of Family Doctors (WONCA) published the Culturally Sensitive Depression Guideline in 2004. This guideline recognises the difficulties faced by family physicians in the recognition and management of depression in patients from diverse cultural backgrounds. It explores the metaphor used by patients from different ethnic backgrounds when describing psychological distress. It recognises the importance of a longitudinal approach to history taking in general practice, recommends the use of interpreters to aid communication and proposes 'look, listen and test' as a schema for mental health assessment in primary care.
This article reviews the literature to bring together aspects of culture and its impact on ways o... more This article reviews the literature to bring together aspects of culture and its impact on ways of working in mental health in primary care. It describes a case from primary care that demonstrates the complexity of developing cross-cultural formulations. It argues that if comprehensive and effective management of cross-cultural patients is to take place in general practice, primary care clinicians should take into account the cultural experience of the patient they are managing, including their social situation. Such patients often present with multiple somatic complaints. In order to provide holistic care it recommends the use of a tetra-axial diagnostic classification and culturally sensitive questioning through professional interpreters as necessary.
Conference proceedings : ... Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society. IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society. Annual Conference, 2014
Lithium medication is the gold standard of treatment in Bipolar Disorder patients, preventing and... more Lithium medication is the gold standard of treatment in Bipolar Disorder patients, preventing and reducing mood swings and suicidality. However, despite its effectiveness, it is a potentially hazardous drug requiring regular monitoring of blood levels to ensure toxic levels are not reached. This paper describes the first steps towards developing a new portable device that can be used by Bipolar Disorder patients to facilitate the analysis of lithium blood levels at home. Solutions of lithium carbonate have been optically fingerprinted using a high-end spectrophotometer. Preliminary measurements indicate that while the visible to near infrared region of the absorption spectra fall heavily within the water band, measurements in the Ultraviolet region show a strong distinction between different lithium concentrations. The optical spectra of Lithium in the 220 nm to 230 nm region demonstrated the ability to differentiate between concentrations representing those found in patients.
Our objective was to establish a mechanism for monitoring indicators of the state of health of in... more Our objective was to establish a mechanism for monitoring indicators of the state of health of inner London's mental illness services. Data were collected for a census week around 15 June 1994. Local data collection was coordinated by consultant pyschiatrists working in inner London services. Twelve services participated with a combined catchment population of 2.6 m. They included ten London services which were among the 17 most socially deprived areas of England. Main indicators were admission bed occupancy levels (including an estimate of the total requirement), proportion of patients detained under the Mental Health Act, number of assaults committed by inpatients, number of emergency assessments and CPN caseloads. The mean true bed occupancy (which reflects the number of patients who were receiving, or required, in-patient care on census day) was 130%. To meet all need for acute psychiatric care, including for patients who should have been admitted and those discharged premat...
SynopsisSeventeen patients with anorexia nervosa were examined by computed tomography (CT) and ps... more SynopsisSeventeen patients with anorexia nervosa were examined by computed tomography (CT) and psychometry and compared with ten normal control subjects. The patients were found to have enlarged external cerebrospinal fluid spaces compared to controls. No differences were found in ventricular size and X-ray absorption density measurements between patients and controls. The patients performed abnormally on the symbol digit test, the scores of which displayed a significant negative correlation with the CT scan changes.
condition associated with high levels of disability and mortality. It has a neurobiological basis... more condition associated with high levels of disability and mortality. It has a neurobiological basis and is associated with functional and structural brain abnormalities. Sources of data: The data discussed have been obtained mainly from meta-
Antidepressant drugs have been available since the late 1950s. A large number of such drugs have ... more Antidepressant drugs have been available since the late 1950s. A large number of such drugs have been developed over the years. Unraveling their mechanism of action paved the way to the development of the earlier hypotheses of depression such as the monoamine theory and beta-receptor downregulation hypothesis. This led to yet more antidepressant drugs being produced, all of which worked via the noradrenergic and serotonergic systems. They increased monoamine neurotransmitter system activity usually by blocking the presynaptic reuptake mechanism, binding the monoamine oxidase intraneuronally or targeting specific receptors on the postsynaptic membrane.
This article reviews the literature to bring together aspects of culture and its impact on ways o... more This article reviews the literature to bring together aspects of culture and its impact on ways of working in mental health in primary care. It describes a case from primary care that demonstrates the complexity of developing cross-culturalformulations. It argues that if comprehensive and effective management of cross-cultural patients is to take place in general practice, primary care clinicians should take into account the cultural experience of the patient they are managing, including their social situation. Such patients often present with multiple somatic complaints. In order to provide holistic care it recommends the use of a tetra-axial diagnostic classification and culturally sensitive questioning through professional interpreters as necessary.
The development of the first effective antidepressants in the late 1950s marked a turning point i... more The development of the first effective antidepressants in the late 1950s marked a turning point in the treatment of depressive illness. In 1957 the monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) iproniazid was discovered by chance, while searching for new antituberculous drugs. One year later the tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) imipramine was introduced, having been developed originally as an antipsychotic. A number of other drugs were subsequently added to these two groups of antidepressants, which dominated the field for the next three decades.
An open letter to the President DearDrBirley The Royal College of Psychiatrists' Autumn Quar... more An open letter to the President DearDrBirley The Royal College of Psychiatrists' Autumn Quar terly Meeting includes Psychiatry in the Private Sec tor, a session which seems out of place in a scientific meeting. This is not simply a question of the merits or other wise of private ...
The current Law for Psychiatric Care in the Republic of Cyprus was enacted in 1997 with amendment... more The current Law for Psychiatric Care in the Republic of Cyprus was enacted in 1997 with amendments made in 2003 and 2007. The mental health law makes provision for the development and function of Psychiatric Centres for the care of the mentally ill. In contrast to the old Mental Health Law there is a major shift from a custodial approach to community care. Compulsory admissions under the Act, which require a Court Order, are made to a designated secure psychiatric in-patient unit. The protection of patients' human rights is at the core of the Act.The Mental Health Commission, a Supervisory Committee and designated body for the Protection of the Rights of the Mentally Ill, assists in the correct implementation of the Mental Health Law. The Commission has a primarily advisory role but it is actively involved in monitoring the implementation of the Mental Health Law.
The World Organization of Family Doctors (WONCA) published the Culturally Sensitive Depression Gu... more The World Organization of Family Doctors (WONCA) published the Culturally Sensitive Depression Guideline in 2004. This guideline recognises the difficulties faced by family physicians in the recognition and management of depression in patients from diverse cultural backgrounds. It explores the metaphor used by patients from different ethnic backgrounds when describing psychological distress. It recognises the importance of a longitudinal approach to history taking in general practice, recommends the use of interpreters to aid communication and proposes 'look, listen and test' as a schema for mental health assessment in primary care.
This article reviews the literature to bring together aspects of culture and its impact on ways o... more This article reviews the literature to bring together aspects of culture and its impact on ways of working in mental health in primary care. It describes a case from primary care that demonstrates the complexity of developing cross-cultural formulations. It argues that if comprehensive and effective management of cross-cultural patients is to take place in general practice, primary care clinicians should take into account the cultural experience of the patient they are managing, including their social situation. Such patients often present with multiple somatic complaints. In order to provide holistic care it recommends the use of a tetra-axial diagnostic classification and culturally sensitive questioning through professional interpreters as necessary.
Conference proceedings : ... Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society. IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society. Annual Conference, 2014
Lithium medication is the gold standard of treatment in Bipolar Disorder patients, preventing and... more Lithium medication is the gold standard of treatment in Bipolar Disorder patients, preventing and reducing mood swings and suicidality. However, despite its effectiveness, it is a potentially hazardous drug requiring regular monitoring of blood levels to ensure toxic levels are not reached. This paper describes the first steps towards developing a new portable device that can be used by Bipolar Disorder patients to facilitate the analysis of lithium blood levels at home. Solutions of lithium carbonate have been optically fingerprinted using a high-end spectrophotometer. Preliminary measurements indicate that while the visible to near infrared region of the absorption spectra fall heavily within the water band, measurements in the Ultraviolet region show a strong distinction between different lithium concentrations. The optical spectra of Lithium in the 220 nm to 230 nm region demonstrated the ability to differentiate between concentrations representing those found in patients.
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Papers by Eleni Palazidou