Profile of a sample of subjects admitted to an acute care psychiatric facility with manic symptoms.
A prospective survey was conducted on 155 consecutive subjects with manic symptoms admitted to an inpatient psychiatric facility to identify possible reasons for rehospitalization. Approximately one third were previously hospitalized at the same facility within the past month. Over half (57%) of the sample were admitted because of aggressive episodes. On admission, 80 percent were receiving carbamazepine or lithium for a mood disorder, and 52.3 percent were receiving multiple medications, of which antipsychotics accounted for over half. Forty-four percent of the sample had comorbid substance use on admission, with marijuana and stimulants accounting for the majority of illicit drug use. Medication noncompliance in 64 percent, and identifiable psychosocial stressors in 55 percent, were also likely contributors to rehospitalization. The data highlights specific treatment issues in the care of patients with a manic component to their illness, and suggests the need for individualized discharge planning with careful followup and continual patient education to assist in the transition from inpatient to society.
Marken
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PA
University of Missouri-Kansas City 64108.
Stanislav
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SW
Lacombe
S
S
Pierce
C
C
Hornstra
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R
Sommi
R W
RW
D000208:Acute Disease; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000523:psychology*; D006778:Hospitals, Psychiatric; D006801:Humans