Patients' views of involuntary hospital admission after 1 and 3 months: prospective study in 11 European countries

This is an author-produced electronic version of an article accepted for publication in the British Journal of Psychiatry. The definitive publisher-authenticated version is available online at http://bjp.rcpsych.or

Archaeoacoustic analysis of Cybele’s temple, Imperial Roman Palace of Felix Romuliana, Serbia. An interpretation using a method complementary to archaeology.

Archaeoacoustic and physical phenomena research at ancient sites has developed beyond the initial stage. Our research group uses a practical standard (SBSA) complementing the field of archaeology. Studying archaeoacoustics and natural phenomena over the last four years, has enables us to offer an explanation as to some of the enigmas of ancient archaeological sites that were not possible to explain with other methods. Following our experience, we applied the same method to look at an interesting question about the orientation of Cybele’s Temple situated within the Imperial Roman Palace Felix Romuliana, South-East Serbia. This temple and its fixtures are the only place within the palace that is not oriented along the east-west axis of the complex as was the Roman tradition (Decumanus). Historians also made reference to mysterious rituals, so we used archaeoacoustical methods to better understand why this ought be. We found that the temple’s orientation followed the direction of some infrasound and low frequency vibrations most likely originating from an underground flow of water. These frequencies would have increased the effect of rituals by enhancing the psyche of the participants due to the influence of these low vibrations on human brain waves. This suggests the builders of this temple had some sort of knowledge of this effect

Gender differences in coerced patients with schizophrenia

European Commission (Quality of life and Management of Living Resources Programme, contract number QLG4-CT- 2002-01036), Czech Ministry of Education research grant MSM002160849, and research grants PRVOUK–P26/LF1/4 and PRVOUK–P03/LF1/

Prevalence of suicidal behaviour in vilnius accor¬ding to age and gender

Although the high and only slowly decreasing level of suicide rates in Lithuania is well known, little data has been gathered about the prevalence and character of suicide intents and attempts. However such knowledge is imperative when seeking to implement efficient measures of prevention and treatment for patients intending or attempting to commit a suicide. In this paper, one year`s data on suicidal behavior, patients` characteristics and the location of follow-up treatment gathered by the emergency medical service in the municipality of Vilnius was analised with respect to age and gender. In 2007 Emergency medical service was called 815 times (146.8 per 100 000 inhabitants) because of suicidal behaviour in general, of which 734 (132.2 per 100 000 inhabitants) cases where due to suicidal intent or attempt and 81 (14.6 per 100 000 inhabitants) due to completed suicide. A detailed analysis of suicidal behaviour according to suicide form, gender and age is presented. Based on these findings the possible extend of prevention services required is discussed. Conclusions: 1. Suicidal behaviour of males and females in Vilnius is similar. 2. Highest prevalence of suicidal behaviour was found to be amongst young citizens: 19 to 34 year old males and 10-18 year old females. 3. Forms of suicidal behaviour in Vilnius differ significantly depending on age: suicide intents and attempts prevail amongst younger citizens while suicidal behaviour becomes more dangerous and lethal at a higher age. 4. Male gender is an important factor connected to higher lethality of suicidal behaviour. 5. Of all resources set aside for suicide prevention 10.3% should be allocated to services for children and teenagers, 81.5% to adult facilities and 8.2% to services for the elderly

Medical and social aspects of suicide in Lithuania in the first half of the XXTH century

Tyrimo tikslas. Nustatyti savižudybinio elgesio paplitimo ir prevencijos ypatumus XX amžiaus pirmoje pusėje. Tyrimo metodai ir objektas. Taikytas analitinis tyrinėjimų metodas remiantis mokslinių darbų paieška, kritine straipsnių analize ir pateiktos interpretacijos. Pagrindinis tyrimo objektas buvo moksliniai straipsniai, paskelbti Lietuvos mokslo leidiniuose XX a. pirmoje pusėje. Tyrimo rezultatai ir išvados. Atlikus temos apie savižudybes paiešką Lietuvos mokslo žurnaluose buvo rastos 9 publikacijos: du straipsniai apie originalius mokslinius savižudybių tyrimus, du straipsniai apie atliktą praktinį darbą, keturi apžvalginiai ir informaciniai straipsniai, viename pateiktas teorinis savižudybių rizikos faktoriaus aptarimas. Straipsnius apie savižudybę skelbė įvairių profesijų mokslininkai: keturi psichiatrai, du patologoanatomai ir teismo medikai, po vieną straipsnį vidaus ligų gydytojas, chirurgas ir teisininkas. Nusižudymų skaičius Lietuvoje XX amžiaus pirmoje pusėje buvo vienas mažiausių Europoje, pvz., 1929 m.: Lietuvoje – 9 /100 000 gyv., Austrijoje – 39,9, Vokietijoje – 33,2, Vengrijoje – 29,0, Šveicarijoje – 26,1, Japonijoje – 24,5, Prancūzijoje – 24,5, Danijoje – 24,5, Didžiojoje Britanijoje – 17,6, Švedija – 15,0, Italijoje – 9,5. Populiariausias savižudybės metodas buvo nusinuodijimas – 41,0% (daugiausia actu), pasikardavo – 19,6%. Taigi mechaniškos savižudybės priemonės buvo mažiau populiarios. Tarp mėginančių nusižudyti tris kartus daugiau buvo moterų. Daugiausia mėgino žudytis 20–29 metų amžiaus – 56%. Vienas iš siūlomų prevencijos būdų buvo toks: actas turi būti pardavinėjamas ūkio reikalams ne koncentruoto pavidalo, bet skiedinys, ne stipresnis kaip 30%; kitas – sustiprinti jaunimo charakterį gyvenimo kovai, t. y. svarbus mokyklos ir bažnyčios vaidmuo; trečias – kiekviename mieste įsteigti savižudybių prevencijos biurus ir kt. Pateikta įvairi informacija apie epidemiologinius, klinikinius, visuomeninius, prevencinius ypatumus, būdingus to meto ne tik Lietuvai, bet ir visai Europai. Galima patikimai teigti, kad Lietuvoje savižudybinis elgesys buvo mažiau paplitęs negu daugelyje pasaulio šalių. Žemas savižudybių rodiklis rodo, kad lietuviai neturėtų būti genetiškai nulemta savižudybiniam elgesiui tauta. Raktažodžiai: savižudybės, paplitimas, klinika, prevencija, Lietuva, XX a. pirmoji pusė.Main Aim: characterize the epidemiology and prevention measures of suicidal behaviour in Lithuania in the first half of the XX century. Methods and Object. Using an analytical method, this investigation focused on the search for scientific publications relating to suicide, the critical analysis of these publications and subsequent interpretation of the main findings. The main objects of interest were research articles published in Lithuanian scientific journals in the first half of the XX century. Results and Conclusions. As a result of extensive search, nine articles related to the suicide theme were located in Lithuanian scientific journals from the first half of the 20th century: two articles on original scientific suicide research, two articles on practical work, four review and informative articles and one providing theoretical discussion of suicide risk factor. The authors of these articles were scientists of various professions: four psychiatrists, two pathologoanatomists and forensic experts, one doctor of internal medicine, a surgeon and a lawyer. The suicide rate in Lithuania in the first half of the XX century was one of the lowest in Europe, e.g., in 1929: Lithuania - 9/100 000 inhabitants, Austria - 39.9, Germany - 33.2, Hungary - 29.0, Switzerland - 26.1, France - 24.5, Denmark - 24.5, Great Britain - 17.6, Sweden - 15.0, Italy - 9.5. The most popular methods of suicide were poisoning, mostly by acetic acid, (41.0%) and hanging (19.6%), i.e. mechanical means of suicide were less popular. In that period, women were 3 times more represented amongst those attempting suicide and most suicide attempts (56%) were made by persons in the age range 20-29. One of methods of prevention was the restriction of sale of industrial use concentrated acetic acid, allowing only the sale of vinegar solution (no more than 30%). Other of methods - strengthening the character of young people and emphasising the role of schools and churches in playing an important role and establishing suicide prevention offices in every city. The paper presents extensive information about the epidemiological, clinical, social and preventive aspects that were typical not only in Lithuania, but also in Europe at that time. This analysis of scientific publications show that Lithuania was less prone to suicidal behaviour than many other European countries almost one hundred years ago and thus Lithuania cannot be considered a country with a genetic predisposition to suicide, furthermore revealing that the current high rates of observed suicidal behaviour are a phenomina that have developed since that time. Key words: suicide, epidemiology, clinical manifestations, prevention, Lithuania, the first half of the XX century

How to improve clinical practice on forced medication in psychiatric practice: Suggestions from the EUNOMIA European multicentre study

Background: The decision to adopt forced medication in psychiatric care is particularly relevant from a clinical and ethical viewpoint. The European Commission has funded the EUNOMIA study in order to develop European recommendations for good clinical practice on coercive measures, including forced medication. Methods: The recommendations on forced medication have been developed in 11 countries with the involvement of national clinical leaders, key-professionals and stakeholders’ representatives. The national recommendations have been subsequently summarized into a European shared document. Results: Several cross-national differences exist in the use of forced medication. These differences are mainly due to legal and policy making aspects, rather than to clinical situations. In fact, countries agreed that forced medication can be allowed only if the following criteria are present: 1) a therapeutic intervention is urgently needed; 2) the voluntary intake of medications is consistently rejected; 3) the patient is not aware of his/her condition. Patients’ dignity, privacy and safety shall be preserved at all times. Conclusion: The results of our study show the need of developing guidelines on the use of forced medication in psychiatric practice, that should be considered as the last resort and only when other therapeutic option have failed

Baseline characteristics of participating patients, severity of symptoms and hospitalisation status at one month and three month follow up.

<p>Other than where mean (SD) is stated, figures are n (%).</p

Recruitment and follow-up rates in involuntary and voluntary patients.

<p>Recruitment and follow-up rates in involuntary and voluntary patients.</p