Thesis (M.S.)--University of Michigan, 1988.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1974. / Typescript. Vita. eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references.

Thèse (M.Sc.) -- Université Laval, 1997. / Bibliogr.: f. 89-99. Publ. aussi en version électronique.

Thesis--Universidade Estadual de Campinas, 1979.

Th.--Méd.--Nancy 1, 1984. N°: 157.

Th.--Méd.--Reims, 1981. N°: 33.

Thesis (M.S.)--Boston University / Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy (MSBP) is a term given to a situation which presents criteria for both Pediatric Condition Falsification (PCF) and factitious disorder by proxy (FDP). According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-IV text revision (DSM-IV-TR), in child abuse cases where FDP is a result of PCF, then the nomenclature, MSBP, can be used interchangeably to describe such an event. Currently, in a situation that is diagnosed as Factitious Disorder by Proxy, the perpetrator of such an event is diagnosed as having Factitious Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (FD-NOS). An obvious issue stemming from this is the confusion over what should be diagnosed and remedied, i.e., the situation, the perpetrator, and/or the victim. Due to the convoluted and often controversial definition of such an event, as well as the criteria for diagnosis, it is proposed here that a new definition be adopted to explain this form of child abuse. With this novel definition, the symptoms of this psychological disorder of the perpetrator are observed in the victim. Under this new definition, the psychiatric term "Factitious Disorder by Proxy" would be used as a mental diagnosis of the caregiver, wherein the symptoms manifest in that of the victim. Additionally, an addendum to the type of symptoms exhibited in the child is proposed to include that of the exacerbation of symptoms in children with valid pre-existing conditions. An extensive literature review was performed to support the proposal for changing the criteria and diagnosis of FDP in the DSM. The implications of this change would greatly benefit not only the psychiatric, medical, and legal realm, but the forensic community as well.

It is widely believed that sleep and mood are interrelated and that prolongation of sleep may have beneficial effects on subsequent mood and general well-being. In the present investigation, it is hypothesised that excess sleep is in fact, detrimental to mood and is associated with a 'Wornout Syndrome', characterised by feelings of fatigue and lethargy, that can persist for up to 5 hours. The studies to be presented here compare the differential effects of Sleep Extension and Sleep Restriction on mood in healthy adults. The experimental design required subjects to undergo one night of Sleep Extension [+2h] and, following an interval of one-week, one night of Sleep Reduction [-2h]. The conditions were counterbalanced. Subjective assessments were conducted hourly on mood states and sleepiness using an adapted Profile of Mood States Questionnaire and the Stanford Sleepiness Scale. Actometers were worn throughout the experimental days and nights. In the first study of 10 subjects results indicated that four subjects were adversely affected by oversleep. Study 2 investigated the effects of sleep duration on mood in 20 healthy adults. Personality factors were assessed using Cattell's 16PF Questionnaire. Subjects maintaining regular sleep schedules reported negative effects of oversleep on subsequent mood. Results indicated that certain personality types were predisposed to the 'Wornout Syndrome' following Sleep Extension. In Study 3, thirty-four subjects were selected on the basis of personality type. It was hypothesised that Introverts, Morning types, Emotionally Tenderminded and Low Impulsives would report symptoms characteristic of the 'Wornout Syndrome' following one night of Sleep Extension. This was confirmed by reports of increased fatigue, diminished vigor, and increased confusion following Sleep Extension. Oversleeping produced greater detrimental effects on mood than a comparable reduction in sleep duration. There are many similarities in symptomatology between the 'Wornout Syndrome' and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), specifically, intense fatigue and impaired concentration. Interestingly, chronically fatigued patients often complain of sleep disturbance, and spend much of their time resting in bed. It was hypothesised that the 'Wornout Syndrome' may be a confounding factor in the symptomatology of CFS. As a clinical dimension, twelve subjects were investigated polysomnographically [six were CFS patients]. Findings indicated that CFS patients acquired sleep of longer duration than controls. In addition to excess nocturnal sleep, CFS patients were taking daytime naps. EEG data indicated that these individuals obtained twice the normal amount of slow wave sleep. CFS sufferers may be better advised to regulate their sleep habits and reduce their total sleep time to avoid the confounding effects of the 'Wornout Syndrome'.

In this study, nineteen cases of suspected or clinically diagnosed Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS) were tested for molecular deletions by in situ hybridization with two DNA probes, IR4-3R and GABRB3. Both probes are specific for sequences within the chromosome region 15q11-13, with IR4-3R located within the putative PWS region and GABRB3 in the distal area associated with Angelman Syndrome.

The premenstrual syndrome (PMS) continues to be an enigma for many: those women who report PMS, for professionals who attempt to treat premenstrual symptoms, and for researchers attempting to identify PMS and to compare treatments. The present study investigated the responses from 86 subjects between the ages 30-45 for their perceptions of daily stress and coping styles by PMS level. Three levels of PMS were formulated by subject responses to the questionnaire (a) PMS for scores within the criteria, (b) Non-PMS for scores lower than the criteria, and (c) Psy-Non-PMS for certain scores higher than the criteria with a psychological, or neurotic, profile. Hassle intensity (daily stress) and coping style, whether problem-focused (P) or emotion-focused (E), were assessed by questionnaire. In addition, help seeking behavior, i.e., whether a woman sought help from a doctor in the past twelve months, was examined but did not significantly relate to level of PMS, hassle intensity, or coping style. Psy-Non-PMS women reported perceiving significantly more hassles and significantly greater use of four of the E coping styles, Detachment, Focusing on the Positive, Self-blame, and Keep to Self, than the Non-PMS women. PMS women endorsed perception of significantly more hassles and significantly greater use of two of the E coping styles, Detachment and Keep to Self, than the Non-PMS women. These E coping styles are consonant with detached, avoidant, escapist, and self-deriding coping mechanisms, typical of depressed and anxious persons. There was some difficulty in differentiating the PMS group from the Psy-Non-PMS group. Only one coping style, Focusing on the Positive, was endorsed by the Psy-Non-PMS group significantly more than the PMS group. Further statistical analysis of the data could determine psychological/behavioral PMS subtypes as distinct from physiological PMS subtypes, providing more clearly defined PMS groups. Future research involving a carefully controlled study for determining PMS levels and utilizing psychotherapy as well as specified medications for treatment of PMS is indicated.