Individual differences in the effects of spontaneous mimicry on emotional contagion

Two experiments explored the role of mimicry and self-perception processes in emotional contagion. In Study 1, 46 subjects watched two brief film clips depicting an episode of startled fear. In a separate procedure, subjects adopted facial expressions of emotion, and reported whether the expressions had caused them to feel corresponding emotions. Those who reported feeling the emotions were identified as more responsive to self-produced cues for feeling. Subjects who visibly moved to mimic the behavior of the actor were significantly more likely to be those who were more responsive to self-produced cues. In Study 2, 57 subjects watched three film clips depicting happy people. During clips when they inhibited the movements of their faces, subjects reported less happiness than during clips when they moved naturally and were able to mimic, or when they exaggerated their movements. This effect occurred only among subjects who, in a separate procedure, had been identified as more responsive to self-produced cues.The authors would like to thank Paul Ekman, Jerry Ginzburg, and an anonymous reviewer for very helpful suggestions for ways to improve the paper.     

Therapieresistente Depression – eine differenzialdiagnostische Herausforderung

Background

Diagnosis and treatment of major depression is part of daily routine in psychiatric practice. We therefore rely on the latest ICD-10 and the described symptoms. However, is this decision always obvious, and which differential diagnostic considerations should be made, especially for patients with treatment-resistant depression or in elderly patients?

Method

A clinical case report is described, taking into consideration the results of a literature search and national and international guidelines.

Results

Major depression is usually part of daily routine in the psychiatric hospital. It is one of the most common diagnoses; the estimated lifetime prevalence of unipolar major depression is 12?% and continues to increase. But what should be done, if symptoms continue to deteriorate, despite guideline-based treatment? The following case report shows that in this situation further diagnostic procedures are needed and necessary. An 80-year-old man is transferred to a psychiatric ward because of depressive symptoms. Despite adequate treatment, the psychiatric state deteriorates. Finally, the diagnosis of normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) is made with the direct consequence of further treatment options. Especially the possible overlap of symptoms for depression, dementia, and NPH are shown, thus, making the differential diagnosis challenging.

Conclusion

In 80?% of cases, NPH remains unrecognized and untreated. Similarities in the symptoms lead to the difficulty of distinguishing NPH from other neurodegenerative disorders and, as in this case report, also from major depression. In case of NPH, early diagnosis and treatment are important because if the disease is too advanced, clinical improvement is unlikely. Therefore, in cases of treatment-resistant major depression it is advisable to perform additional diagnostic tests and to consult with interdisciplinary neurology and neuroradiology teams.     

Nichtspezifische,funktionelle und somatoforme Körperbeschwerden

In the S3 guidelines on non-specific, functional and somatoform bodily complaints, a broad group of medical and psychological societies as well as patient representatives have for the first time achieved an evidence-based consensus on terminology and care of these patients. This paper summarizes the main background information and recommendations for psychotherapists. For mild courses treatment by the general practitioner with establishment of a biopsychosocial explanatory model and physical as well as social activation is usually sufficient. More severe courses call for cooperative, coordinated management, including regular appointments with the general practitioner, graded activation and psychotherapy, especially cognitive behavioral, in addition to psychodynamic interpersonal or hypnotherapeutic imaginative psychotherapy. In particularly severe courses multimodal and if necessary day clinic or inpatient treatment is needed. Additionally the patient guidelines for affected people and their relatives are presented.     

„Schicksalsklüfte“

The present paper deals with the derivation of the fate concept and its application in psychotherapeutic theory and practice. Conclusions for an extension of the practical therapeutic view on existential themes, such as meaning, freedom, loneliness and death are drawn and effects on the therapeutic relationship are presented.