Anxiety Disorders: Green B

Eisenman D, Weine S, Green B, de Jong J, Rayburn N, Ventevogel P, Keller A, Agani F. · RAND, Santa Monica, California and David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, USA. · J Trauma Stress. · Pubmed #16568460 No free full text.

Abstract: Mental health care for trauma-exposed populations in conflict-affected developing countries often is provided by primary healthcare providers (PHPs), including doctors, nurses, and lay health workers. The Task Force on International Trauma Training, through an initiative sponsored by the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies and the RAND Corporation, has developed evidence- and consensus-based guidelines for the mental health training of PHPs in conflict-affected developing countries. This article presents the Guidelines, which provide a conceptual framework and specific principles for improving the quality of mental health training for PHPs working with trauma-exposed populations.

Green B. · North Cheshire Hospitals NHS Trust, Halton, Cheshire, UK. · Curr Med Res Opin. · Pubmed #12661775 No free full text.

Abstract: This review of paroxetine is based on Medline and PsycLit searches and a manual search of the available research literature. It aims to cover the pharmacology of this frequently prescribed SSRI antidepressant in terms of its indications, efficacy and adverse effects. Overall, paroxetine is a well-tolerated and safe first-line SSRI antidepressant with anxiolytic qualities. It has been found useful in depression, anxiety and other conditions such as obsessive compulsive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder. The antidepressant has some advantages over earlier tricyclic medication in terms of a lack of cardiovascular side-effects and relative safety in overdose. Cessation of use, however, is associated with withdrawal or discontinuation symptoms and patients should be counselled as to how these might be avoided. A 3- or 4-week graded withdrawal regimen, perhaps with concomitant fluoxetine to cover serotonergic discontinuation symptoms, may be advisable.

Green B. · Cheadle Royal Hospital, University of Liverpool. · Practitioner. · Pubmed #15214268 No free full text.

This publication has no abstract.

Green B. · University of Liverpool Department of Psychiatry, and Cheadle Royal Hospital, 100 Wilmslow Road, Cheadle, Cheshire SK8 3DG, UK. · Curr Med Res Opin. · Pubmed #14741078 No free full text.

Abstract: Prevalence rates for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in police officers may be six or more times the prevalence rates for the community. Once established, is PTSD in police officers more severe than PTSD in civilians? This small study looks at the symptom frequencies in established cases of PTSD in 31 police officers and 72 civilians and compares the two. No significant differences were found, although there was a tendency for higher use of alcohol and to try not to think about the trauma. Police officers had more experiences of reliving the trauma or acting as if the trauma were recurring but, again, not to a significant degree.

Green B. · Department of Psychiatry, University of Liverpool and Royal Liverpool University Hospital, UK. · Curr Med Res Opin. · Pubmed #12803734 No free full text.

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To investigate the symptom frequencies of a relatively large sample of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) sufferers and compare male and female symptom profiles. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: A total of 103 consecutive attendees at a clinic for PTSD were examined using a checklist of DSM-IV PTSD characteristics. The presence and absence of all symptoms was evaluated in a research interview. Some additional symptoms were also routinely asked about, such as mood lability, substance use, sex drive or libido. Symptom profiles of male and female sufferers of PTSD were compared using the chi-squared statistical test. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Structured interview using checklist of DSM-IV PTSD characteristics. RESULTS: Certain symptoms were present in more than 30% of sufferers. Symptom frequencies for anxiety, insomnia, distressing and recurrent dreams, flashback imagery and intrusive thoughts, irritability, poor concentration, avoidance behaviour and detachment all reached frequencies above 70%. Some symptoms (such as inability to recall parts of the trauma and restricted affect) occurred in no more than 35% of sufferers. CONCLUSIONS: Men are significantly more likely than women to suffer with irritability (p < 0.05) and to use alcohol to excess (p < 0.05). Symptoms tend to follow an acute stress reaction, occur early and persist for many months. A case is made for restricting the diagnosis to the most prevalent symptoms and for including some often overlooked symptoms in the diagnostic guidelines, namely low mood, mood lability, and impaired libido.