Each year, we meet with Forensic Psychologist (and former WSH intern) Dr. Danielle Smith and her husband, Asst. District Attorney Jarred Smith, Esq., to give our interns a look at how forensic testimony in court proceedings carry out. Jarred does not hold back on grilling our future docs but sometimes “Judge” Vaught throw her weight around as well. It’s a fun, interesting learning experience we are thankful to have offered to us and hope to continue.
Schizophrenia affects one in every one hundred persons with half of those affected likely to experience co-morbid substance use (as cited in Hunt et al., 2018). This use, in turn, exacerbates the overall symptomologic course of individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia and has been associated with an increased frequency of adverse consequences (Hunt et al., 2018).
In comparison to those who are singly diagnosed with schizophrenia alone, persons with co-morbid alcohol and/or illicit drug use are more likely to experience “hospitalization, homelessness, aggression, violence, incarceration, and suicidality” (as cited in Hunt et al., 2018, p. 234).
Specifically pertaining to an increased frequency of hospitalizations, Schmidt, Hesse, and Lykke (2011) found that patients who were dually diagnosed with schizophrenia and substance use disorder were psychiatrically hospitalized two times more frequently than individuals who were diagnosed with schizophrenia alone. Likewise, this group of patients were three times more likely to experience an outpatient episode, including emergency room visits. (Schmidt et al., 2011). However, the duration of their treatment was typically briefer (Schmidt et al., 2011).
References
Hunt, G. E., Large, M. M., Cleary, M., Xiong Lai, H. M., & Saunders, J. B. (2018). Prevalence of comorbid substance use in schizophrenia spectrum disorders in community and clinical settings, 1990-2017: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 191, 234-258. doi: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2018.07.011
Schmidt, L. M., Hesse, M., & Lykke, J. (2011). The impact of substance use disorders on the course of schizophrenia – A 15-year follow up study: Dual diagnosis over 15 years. Schizophrenia Research, 130, 1-3, 228-233. doi: 10.1016/j.schres.2011.04.011
Shirreka Mackay, LPC
Practicum Student, Western State Hospital
This time of year is one of the more enjoyable times for adults, but especially children. The darkest time of the year is also a time whereby a hero emerges. Lights on the Christmas tree are symbolic of the return of illumination. Beaming through the nighttime sky emerges Santa and his reindeer. Santa and the representation of a “all knowing” creature bringing gifts for good children is an innocent game played between children and parents. Some parents believe that exposing their children to Santa is harmful. As future psychologists, it’s important to note the distinctions on both sides of the “Santa” debate.
Some psychologists view the belief in Santa as a negative occurrence. Johnson (2012) argues that parents who promote Santa are guilty of lying unjustly to their children, damaging parental trust, and encouraging negative behavior (Johnson, 2012). Furthermore, Johnson states that engaging in the Santa fantasy risks even more damaging consequences such as diminishing the child’s spiritual beliefs or allowing the promulgation of magical thinking (Johnson, 2012). Other arguments include the belief that sometimes even the “good” children do not receive gifts due to financial hardships. This time of year can be extremely difficult for children in poverty and their parents whom feel shame and guilt if they are unable to provide material gifts for their families.
A counter argument for the promotion of Santa with children underscores the value that Santa plays in developing the imagination of young children (Waugaman, 2013). Waugaman also emphasizes the idea that parents are able to create magical memories for their children that ultimately represent a parents eternal love (Waugaman, 2013). Upon the age whereby, the child comes to the realization of Santa he graduates to a stage from being a receiver of gifts to more importantly a giver of gifts. The ultimate hope is that children when matured will one day share their unique gifts and talents with human kind.
Parenting is one of the most difficult aspects of life. Deciding as to whether to incorporate holiday traditions into Christmas family routines should be handled carefully. The complexity of the Santa debate will continue to go forward in the future. However, for all parents the challenge is to keep the spirit of Christmas alive for their children. Anyone can adopt the spirit of hope, peace, and goodwill to humankind. The epitome of the Christmas spirit does not require a white beard or sleigh full of reindeer. Instead, anyone with a big heart and twinkle in their eye can become Santa.
References
Johnson, D. K. (2012, December 12, 2012). Say Goodbye to the Santa Claus Lie. Psychology Today. Retrieved from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/plato-pop/201212/say-goodbye-the-santa-claus-lie
Waugaman, E. P. (2013). The Santa Question. Retrieved from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/whats-in-name/201312/the-santa-question
References
Johnson, D. K. (2012, December 12, 2012). Say Goodbye to the Santa Claus Lie. Psychology Today. Retrieved from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/plato-pop/201212/say-goodbye-the-santa-claus-lie
Waugaman, E. P. (2013). The Santa Question. Retrieved from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/whats-in-name/201312/the-santa-question
Chris Morrison, MA, M.Ed.
WKPIC Doctoral Intern
The holiday season represents a celebratory time for most Americans, and celebrations occur with friends and family alike. It can be a joyous time for many, but an emotionally challenging time for others. During this time many chose to engage in social drinking as part of the holiday festivities. It’s important to keep in mind that drinking even in a social setting comes with a social responsibility to understand the repercussions of one’s behavior and the risks associated with drinking.
The Centers for Disease Control conducted a study of the harmful impact of alcohol from 2006-2010 across the United States. That same study found that 1,356 Kentuckians suffered from alcohol-attributable related deaths (“Alcohol and Your Health,” 2018). Binge drinking in the State of Kentucky is at an all-time high. Kentucky ranks third in the nation with the number of heavy drinking episodes by people who reported being binge drinkers. (Estep, 2018) These statistics offer a sobering viewpoint to a widespread issue in the region. It’s also important to be mindful of the proclivity to indulge in drinking during the holiday for even the most moderate drinkers.
Examining a study conducted (2005) by Peterson, Morey, and Higgins allows one to gain the perspective of how social context leads to alcohol consumption (Peterson, Morey, & Higgins, 2005). This study included 60 drinkers who were assessed by the NEO-FFI. The 20 highest and ten lowest drinkers were oversampled 2:1 to ensure a moderate distribution of social drinking behavior. (Peterson et al., 2005, p. 26)
The results of this study indicated that individuals who drink socially tend to drink as much as their peers, especially if they are agreeable, sociable, positive, and open people (Peterson et al., 2005, p. 27) Thus, people who tend to pay attention to their social setting and peers, drink more either unconsciously or consciously in order to accommodate that milieu. Less open and agreeable people tend to ignore their social environment and go their own way. This study makes it apparent that social context plays an enormous role in the regulation of drinking behavior among non-alcoholic social drinkers.
The danger of overindulgence during the holidays whether it be eating, spending, drinking, is a real possibility for all of us. The reality is that some behaviors even if deemed ok by societal standards can still leave us vulnerable to chaos. Alcohol is one widely accepted societal practice that can impact every one of us in a negative light if given the opportunity. During this holiday season, it’s important to understand that even “social” drinkers can fall victim to the dangers of alcohol. Thus, if an individual chose to drink, he must do so at his peril. Solid planning and good insight are critical to understanding one’s vulnerability to minimize one’s susceptibility to drinking in excess.
References
CDC Fact Sheets – Alcohol Use and Your Health. (2018). Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/fact-sheets/alcohol-use.htm
Estep, B. (2018, March 18, 2018). 652 drinks a year. Kentucky binge drinking rate among highest in the nation, . Lexington Herald-Leader. Retrieved from https://www.kentucky.com/news/state/article205769849.html
Peterson, J. B., Morey, J., & Higgins, D. M. (2005). You Drink, I Drink Alcohol Consumption, Social Context, and Personality. Individual Differences Research, 3, 23-35. Retrieved from https://www.academia.edu/20722305/You_drink_I_drink_alcohol_consumption_social_context_and_personality
Chris Morrison, MA, M.Ed.
WKPIC Doctoral Intern
Folic Acid deficiency is considered to play a role in patients with Schizophrenia. Serum or plasma concentration of folic acid is substantially lower in individuals with Schizophrenia than in the general population (Cao et al., 2016).
Mutations in key enzymes that regulate folic acid levels have been demonstrated as a moderator between folic acid levels and severity of negative symptoms in individuals with Schizophrenia (Nishi et al., 2014).
A systemic review of meta analyses revealed substantial improvements in negative symptoms in individuals with schizophrenia who were given folic acid supplementation (Sakuma et al., 2018).
References
Cao B., Wang D.F., Xu M.Y., Liu Y.Q., Yan L.L., Wang J.Y., Lu Q.B. (2016) Lower folate levels in schizophrenia: a meta-analysis. Psychiatry Res 245:1–7
Nishi A., Numata S., Tajima A., Kinoshita M., Kikuchi K., Shimodera S., Tomotake M., Ohi K., Hashimoto R., Imoto I., Takeda M., Ohmori T. (2014) Meta-analyses of blood homocysteine levels for gender and genetic association studies of the MTHFR C677T polymorphism in schizophrenia. Schizophrenia Bulletin 40:1154–1163
Sakuma, K., Matsunaga, S., Nomura, I., Okuya, M., Kishi, T., & Iwata, N. (2018). Folic acid/methylfolate for the treatment of psychopathology in schizophrenia: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Psychopharmacology, 235(8), 2303-2314. doi:10.1007/s00213-018-4926-4
Blake Palmer,
WKPIC Intern