The InterPsych Newsletter 2(5)

 


 

IPN 2(5) Section C: InterPsych Update 1/2


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VOLUME 2, ISSUE 5      THE INTERPSYCH NEWSLETTER      JUNE, 1995
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                 SECTION C: INTERPSYCH UPDATE (1/2)

                          *********
                          * INDEX *
                          *********

1.   ELECTRONIC FORUM UPDATE
     a.   affective-disorders
     b.   anxiety-depression-youth 
     c.   assessment-psychometrics
     d.   clinical-psychophysiology
     e.   computers-in-mental-health
     f.   current-issues-in-psych
     g.   forensic-psychology
     h.   geriatric-neuropsychiatry
     i.   helplessness-l
     j.   managed-behavioral-healthcare
     k.   mental-health-in-the-media
     l.   personality-disorders
     m.   psycho-analysis
     n.   substance-related-disorders
     o.   transcultural-psychology
2.   MAY'S FEATURED FORUM: TRAUMATOLOGY 
3.   FORUMS COMING SOON
     a.   Continuing-education
     b.   Group-psychotherapy
4.   RECENT IP MEMBER PUBLICATIONS
     a.   Donald Klein, M.D. (DonaldK737@aol.com)
     b.   Charles H. Stinson, M.D. (stinson@macsun.ucsf.edu
     c.   Michael C. Corballis, Ph.D. 
          (m.corballis@auckland.ac.nz)
     d.   Donald Klein, M.D. (DonaldK737@aol.com)
     e.   Donald Klein, M.D. (DonaldK737@aol.com)
     f.   Robert Galatzer-Levy, M.D. (gala@midway.uchicago.edu)
3.   THE BEST OF INTERPSYCH
     a.   Re: Trend Toward Significance
     b.   Feedback and thanks re: Consult
     c.   Re: how memories are implanted
     d.   Croatia - Zagreb
     e.   Re: Lunchmeat and Lists/Advertisers
     f.   SSRI's, weight gain and unsubscribe
          Point/counterpoint -- commentaries on John Leo's essay
          CAFFEINE MADE ME DO IT, submitted by Ken Pope]:   
     g.   Diagnoses and Caffeine
     h.   Diagnoses & Personal Responsibility

===============================================================
1.   ELECTRONIC FORUM UPDATE
===============================================================

A.   Affective-disorders
     -------------------
This list is just getting started, with new members continuing
to join.  Discussions thus far have involved the
differentiation of bipolar illness from ADHD, bright light
therapy for bipolar disorder, and pathophysiology of bipolar
illness.  Participation has been light, and attempts will be
made to increase this by posting more literature reviews and
queries about cases.
Contributor:  Steve Dubovsky

B.   Anxiety-depression-youth
     ------------------------
Activity within the anxiety-depression-youth forum has been
very slow.  Various efforts are in place to try to stimulate a
bit more interest, communication and activity. These include
invitations to specific individuals to submit brief papers or
items for discussion, submission of reference details for
relevant papers, chapters, or books, circulation of conference
paper abstracts given by members and so on. This has produced a
marginal increase in communications. The only recent theme that
has generated some interest has been the topic of arm
cutting/self injury amongst adolescents. Hopefully we will see
increased communications now that the system is fully operative
and the initial bugs have been sorted out.
Contributor:  Sue Spence (sues@psych.psy.uq.oz.au)

C.   Assessment-psychometrics
     ------------------------
Over the past several weeks, discussion has focused on the
structure of personality disorder ratings. The initial impetus
for the discussion was consideration of whether the structure
of personality disorder symptom ratings should be expected to
parallel the personality disorder clusters employed by the DSM-
IV. This led to a broader discussion of structure of
personality trait ratings.  In particular, ways in which
technical aspects of  factor analysis (e.g.  extraction and
rotation strategies) can obscure interpretation of structure
were debated.
Contributor:  David L. DiLalla, Ph.D. (ddilalla@siu.edu)

D.   Clinical-psychophysiology
     -------------------------
The forum and the concept behind this has been presented in the
annual meeting of the American Association for Applied
Psychophysiology and Biofeedback (March 1995).  Since that
meeting the subscription rate has tremendously increased and
the list has almost doubled its membership.  We encountered
some technical problems which made some people leave the list.
Hopefully these problems will be minimized in InterPsych new
place.  The forum is now very active and people exchange views
regarding the following issues:  Biofeedback equipment,
Teaching psychophysiology, Media coverage of the field,
Clinical Issues, and Personal issues.

A preliminary home page for the list has been established at
Tel-Aviv University at the address:

http://freud.tau.ac.il/~biosee

When the InterPsych facility is ready, this WWW site will
probably be more active and updated.
Contributor:  Dr. Arnon Rolnick

E.   Computers-in-mental-health
     --------------------------
Computers-in-mental-health is a closed list that
was only set up five months ago. Its
growth has been hampered by several glitches, such as the
moderators being automatically deleted from the list for a
while! Numbers are now in excess of 60 members and growth
continues at a steady rate. We have had postings on software
for alcohol intake monitoring, hand-held computers, office
management software, psychological test programs, and
educational resources.  One member has used the group to try
out a new educational program.  The group continues to keep up
to date with new mental health resources on the net.
Postings are light--6 messages a day. We hope the forum
will act as a brainstorming/problem solving pool for people
wrestling with software/programming packages.
Contributors: Martin & Carl

F.   Current-issues-in-psych
     -----------------------
After a period of relative dormancy on the list, traffic has
picked up and there has been lively discussion of applications
of internet-technology to psychotherapy. There also has been
some interesting discussion on the ethical, legal  and
practical ramifications of using computers to write clinical
case notes.
Contributor:  David L. DiLalla, Ph.D. (ddilalla@siu.edu)

G.   Forensic-psychology
     -------------------
A variety of subject threads have been entertained within the
last few weeks...these include testamentary capacity,
malpractice of experts, sexual offender recidivism, Pornography
and violence managed care/ethical practice/in SO recidivism
pornography, Standard of Care, Custody Determination, Custody
Determination, psychiatrist liability, Postdocs. in Forensic
Psychology, as well as others.

In the last two weeks in particular there have been numerous
subscribes while only a few unsubscribes.  Why this rush, I do
not know.  Each new subscriber is sent a welcome message asking
for interests and inviting participation in a warm manner.
Most responses have been of a very positive nature.  Recently
we have been considering making the list  into a data base as
well as discussion group, relative to standard of care for
psychiatry or forensic psychiatry.  However, this is a complex
matter which will likely not be addressed any time soon if
ever.  In general the list has been vital but not enough so.  I
aspire to getting a lot more going, having members take
responsibility for certain threads of discussion and improving
the list as a genuine resource for those interested in
psychiatry and the law.
Contributor:  Ronald Shlensky, M.D., J.D. (3004rs@rain.org)

H.   Geriatric-neuropsychiatry
     -------------------------
The geriatric neuropsychiatry forum has been very active in
recent weeks and a few people have said they can't keep up with
the volume of mail.  One subject of intense debate has been how
to treat agitation and repetitive vocalizations in dementia
patients.  Numerous pharmacological and
environmental/behavioral interventions and their relative
merits were discussed, as was the capacity for learning in this
patient population.
Contributor:  Mike Usman, M.D.

I.   Helplessness-l
     --------------
The Helplessness Forum has varied in activity from lively to
lulled in the last few months.  Things have gotten quiet
recently--perhaps because of the academic year's end.  Recent
discussions have included comparisons of explanatory style to
self-esteem; explanatory style to dispositional optimism; and
angry/hostile attributions.  As of late May, 1995, we have
around 440 members.
Contributor:  David Fresco (fresco@cattell.psych.upenn.edu)

J.   Managed-behavioral-healthcare
     -----------------------------
Managed-behavioral-healthcare may be reviled in some quarters,
but here on the InterPsych the debate is lively, among
advocates and opponents of managed-behavioral-healthcare.
Traffic has increased from all quarters, up to over twenty
messages per day. Recent topics have included the ongoing
debate about ethics in a managed environment, fees charged by
managed care companies for credentialling, education of
graduate students and course curricula. New members include
representatives from the insurance industry, health care
consultants, public sector employees, and graduate students.
The list has over three hundred subscribers, currently.
Contributor:  Greg Alter

K.   Mental-health-in-the-media
     --------------------------
Things have been rather slow on Mental-health-in-the-media. I
was overseas for a while, so couldn't get access to the net to
encourage discussion.

In the next short while, I'll be posting to the forum some
issues to discuss:  ethics and the role of the mental health
expert when it comes to journalists interviewing victims of
trauma; and with the Melbourne International film festival
starting next week, a look at psychologists and the like who
have made films, such as one which will be shown looking at
girl rock groups!

Light weight at this early stage, but interesting enough to get
things moving!
Contributor:  Les Posen (lposen@budapest.ozonline.com.au)

L.   Personality-Disorders
     ---------------------
The PD SIG has been very quiet since its inception. I suspect
part of the problem has been the few members we've had until
recently. I'm hoping that the recent increase in membership
will increase involvement and activity.  Dr. Millon continues
to be very interested in its progress.
Contributor:  Thomas E. Will

M.   Psycho-analysis
     ---------------
The psycho-analysis list continues to actively draw comments
from people with widely varied viewpoints. A nice feature of
the list is that psychoanalysts and people interested in
psychoanalysis from different perspectives seem actually to be
talking to one another in a meaningful way. Thus we have
Freudian talking with Jungians talking with Adlerians. Some
recent topics have been how new ideas get introduced into
psychoanalysis, topics in the history of psychoanalysis, the
status of the concept of "will" in psychoanalysis and the place
of institutions in the development of psychoanalysis.
Contributor:  Robert M. Galatzer-Levy M.D

N.   Substance-related-disorders
     ---------------------------
Substance-related-disorders was formed to facilitate discussion
among health professionals and students about all facets of
mood altering substances and their use, abuse, and addiction.
We have had a slow start, as technical difficulties made
subscribing/unsubscribing and even posting to the list
difficult. These now are rectified. Recently there has been an
active thread of discussion about use of opiates in chronic
pain. We have had guidelines as to appropriate use posted, and
members have posted on addiction and withdrawal. For the time
being, as forum leader, I will post a topic a week to try get
the members of the list using it and starting to feel like a
community.
Contributor:  Peter Mezciems, MD, CCFP, ASAM cert.

O.   Transcultural-Psychology
     ------------------------
The volume of mail on transcultural-psychology (TP) has
been stable to steadily increasing within managable limits.
Members come and go -- the forum consists of presently well
over 400 members with a core group of ca. 200 long-time
subscribers.

Owing to cultural sensitivity (?), the atmosphere on TP
is a friendly, courteous, and supportive one. I am very
thankful that the TP membership has been resilient and
tolerant regarding technical glitches, which either arose from
Netcom or, alas, quite often from misdirected unsubscribe
commands.

We also witness discussion threads that carry on for unusually
long time periods, f.i.on cultural differences of non-verbal
behavior/silence. Recent topics were, among others, resources
for and discussion of teaching and practicing cross-cultural
counseling/psychotherapy and questions of ethnic identity.
Also, the forum has acted as a good but further improvable
vehicle for up-to-date announcements (position openings/funds,
resources on the Internet, conferences/meetings).

TP is currently enlisting a growing Board of Advisors (BoA) to
ensure that the forum will further prosper and develop, given
the diversity of members and topics discussed. Present and
future TP members interested in joining the BoA are welcome to
submit a statement of interest.
Contributor:  Sunkyo Kwon (fu03c2dj@fub46.zedat.fu-berlin.de)

===============================================================
2.   JUNE'S FEATURED FORUM: TRAUMATOLOGY 
===============================================================

The Traumatic-Stress Forum is changing to the Traumatology
Forum July 1.  The Forum is now the founding sponsor of
Operation Healing, which started from the mutual concerns of
Forum members.  OH started at 10:02 am (Tallahassee time) April
26, exactly one week after the bombing. InterPsych is also a
founding sponsor and has done a great deal to help in the very
early days, especially. The Mission of Operation Healing: "To
provide any and all assistance to the State of Oklahoma that
results in reaching the pre-bombing status quo or better within
one year of the bombing. This includes but is not limited to
managing the outside offers of assistance so that such offers
do not unduly burden those whey are trying to assist.  This
will be the first of many future operations that will be
organized under the banner of the Green Cross.

Operation Healing is the efforts of an ad hoc group of seasoned
professionals who are collaborating on an American need met by
the world.  Operation Healing applies the philosophy of
volunteerism, grass roots cooperation among Americans joined
with colleagues internationally to help our fellow human beings
cope with being hurt by fellow Americans.

Services provided in Operation Healing will include, but are
not limited to the following:

1. General Consultation
2. Specific Confutation
3. Corporate Services
4. Government Agency Services
5. Publications About Coping with Bombing-related Disasters
6. Publications About Operation Healing and the Green Cross

Those interested in joining us in the "virtual volunteers'
tent" will learn the latest information on the Operation and
will have an opportunity to help out (even if you never leave
your computer).

If you want to subscribe to the Traumatology Assistance Network
(the Oklahoma City initiative called Operation Healing) send
mail to listproc@mailer.fsu.edu with the following request:

subscribe TRAUMA-TOLOGY Your Name
end

The computer program will pick up your e-mail address from your
message.
To unsubscribe, send mail to listproc@mailer.fsu.edu with the
following request:

unsubscribe TRAUMA-TOLOGY Your Name
end

When you succeed you will receive a message that includes an
involvement questionnaire to identify your credentials and what
you wish to do to help in the recovery effort.

The Forum also "published" its first issue of TRAUMATOLOGY. The
traffic is quite heavy over extraordinarily important issues.
Contributor:  Charles Figley (cfigley@garnet.acns.fsu.edu)

===============================================================
3.   FORUMS COMING SOON
===============================================================

A.   Continuing-Education
     --------------------
Once activated, the Continuing-Education forum will have three
purposes:
1.  To distribute announcements of upcoming continuing
education programs for mental health professionals.
2.  To enable InterPsych members to make their continuing
education needs known.
3.  To encourage discussion about curricular and administrative
matters among continuing education providers.
Contributor: Gilbert Levin (glevin@netaxis.com)

B.   Group Psychotherapy
     -------------------
Group Psychotherapy is a new InterPsych electronic forum.  The
subjects discussed in the forum will be research in group
psychotherapy, working with special populations in groups,
processes and stages in the group work, different models for
group psychotherapy, the leader and co-leading in the group, or
any other issues in this field.  Professionals could exchange
ideas, publish essays, consult colleagues, describe their
professional experience, talk about researches in progress or
inform others about important congresses all over the world.
Contributor:  Arnon Rolnick (biosee@freud.tau.ac.il)