Brief report: Haloperidol treatment of trichotillomania in a boy with autism and mental retardation

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/44605/1/10803_2005_Article_BF02207333.pd

Depression in Persons with Autism: Implications for Research and Clinical Care

Although several studies have investigated the occurrence of medical and neurological conditions in persons with autism, relatively few reports have focused on the phenomenology and treatment of psychiatric disorders in this population. There is emerging evidence that depression is probably the most common psychiatric disorder that occurs in autistic persons. In this review, we examine the factors that influence the presence of depression in this population, such as the level of intelligence, age, gender, associated medical conditions, and the role of genetic factors and life events. We discuss the various forms of treatment available and highlight the need for early detection.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/44620/1/10803_2004_Article_374852.pd

Brief report: Violence in asperger syndrome, a critique

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/44604/1/10803_2005_Article_BF02207331.pd

Brief report: A comparison of the diagnostic criteria for Asperger syndrome

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/44608/1/10803_2005_Article_BF01046332.pd

Autistic symptoms following herpes encephalitis

Autism is a childhood onset neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by reciprocal social deficits, communication impairment, and rigid ritualistic interests, with the onset almost always before three years of age. Although the etiology of the disorder is strongly influenced by genes, environmental factors are also important. In this context, several reports have described its association with known medical conditions, including infections affecting the central nervous system. In this report, we describe an 11-year-old Asian youngster who developed the symptoms of autism following an episode of herpes encephalitis. In contrast to previous similar reports, imaging studies suggested a predominant involvement of the frontal lobes. At follow-up after three years, he continued to show the core deficits of autism. This case further supports the role of environmental factors, such as infections, in the etiology of autism, and suggests that in a minority of cases, autistic symptoms can develop in later childhood.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/42465/1/787-11-3-142_20110142.pd

Asperger syndrome and clumsiness

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/44610/1/10803_2005_Article_BF01046112.pd

Anxiety contributes to suicidality in depressed adolescents

Several studies have suggested a positive association between anxiety symptoms and suicidality in adults. However, relatively little is known about this topic in adolescents. To investigate this issue, we examined a group of adolescents admitted to our psychiatric inpatient unit. Fifty-six adolescents (mean age = 14.8±1.4; females = 34, males = 22; race = 95% Caucasians) participated in the study. Diagnoses were made using the DSM-III-R criteria and a diagnostic interview. Anxiety was found to significantly correlate with depression (r = .60; P = < .05) and suicidality (r = .72; P < .05). A multiple regression analysis revealed that anxiety and depression together accounted for more than half (55%) of the variance in suicidal ideation [F(2,46) = 28.4; P < .0001]. In addition, anxiety had an independent ability to predict suicidality (t = 5.01; P < .0001). Self-rated but not clinician-rated suicidality was positively correlated with both anxiety and depression. Clinical and research implications of these findings are discussed. Depression and Anxiety 11:134–138, 2000. © 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/35218/1/9_ftp.pd

Medication Noncompliance in Adolescents with Psychiatric Disorders

The purpose of the study was to estimate prevalence of medication non-compliance among adolescents, following discharge from hospital. A second purpose was to identify predictors of such noncompliance. Seventy-one adolescents, who had been prescribed a medication during psychiatric hospitalization, were interviewed by telephone, 6–8 months post-hospitalization. Medication noncompliance was defined as discontinuing medication without the recommendation of the treating physician. Twenty-four subjects (33.8%) were noncompliant with medication. Age, race, gender, SES, diagnosis, type and number of medications, severity of depression, and family living arrangement did not predict noncompliance. We concluded that noncompliance with psychotropic medications was relatively common and difficult to predict in adolescents who had been hospitalized to a psychiatric inpatient unit; the majority of them suffered from depression. Clinicians should be aware that medication noncompliance may be common and a relatively unpredictable phenomenon.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/43958/1/10578_2004_Article_413259.pd

LET’s CONNECT community mentorship program for youths with peer social problems: Preliminary findings from a randomized effectiveness trial

This study examined the effectiveness of LET’s CONNECT (LC), a community mentorship program for youths who report peer social problems, which is based on a positive youth development framework. Participants were 218 youths (66.5% girls), aged 12 to 15 years, who were recruited from an urban medical emergency department and screened positive for bullying victimization, bullying perpetration, and/or low social connectedness. Youths were randomized to LC (n = 106) or the control condition (n = 112). Six‐month outcomes were assessed with self‐report measures of youth social connectedness, community connectedness, thwarted belongingness, depression, self‐esteem, and suicidal ideation. LC was associated with a significant increase in only one of these outcomes, social connectedness (effect size = 0.4). It was associated consistently with trend‐level positive changes for thwarted belongingness (decreased), depression (decreased), community connectedness, and self‐esteem (effect sizes = 0.2). There was no effect on suicidal ideation (effect size = 0.0), and although not a primary outcome, eight youths in the LC condition and seven youths in the control condition engaged in suicidal behavior between baseline and follow‐up. Although LC effect sizes are consistent with those from previous studies of community mentorship, there were multiple challenges to LC implementation that affected dosage and intervention fidelity, and that may account for the lack of stronger positive effects.Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/145529/1/jcop21979.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/145529/2/jcop21979_am.pd

Psychotic versus nonpsychotic depression in hospitalized adolescents

One hundred fifty adolescent inpatients with major depression were systematically assessed for demographic and clinical differences between psychotic and nonpsychotic depression. Delusions and/or hallucinations were present in 10% of the subjects. The psychotic group had significantly more frequent and severe suicidal ideation. Posttraumatic stress disorder was also more frequent in the psychotic group. Depression and Anxiety 6:40–42, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/35214/1/6_ftp.pd