A study of 20 manic patients, with patient and matched control comparisons, showed a two fold increase in life events during the 4 month period before admission to hospital. Life events, independent of affective illness and having significant objective negative impact (i.e. traumatic) were significantly more common. These findings are considered in relation to social relationships, family history of affective illness and the use of psychotropic medication.

This article provides an overview of myeloproliferative neoplasms for nurses who do not specialise in haematology. Diagnosis, management and treatment of patients with these conditions is discussed, as well as long-term nursing implications.

In this study of 100 families of patients diagnosed with psychiatric disorders, the authors sought to discover what kinds of help families as educational consumers wanted, whether the desired help was received, and where they got (or hoped to get) help. One-half of the families wished they had received more assistance. Most wanted information from psychiatrists, and their level of education was an important factor in determining whether they actually saw psychiatrists. The families felt a need for professionally run information and support groups, but few actually received such help. Professionals did not satisfy the educational needs of families of patients suffering from psychiatric disorders.

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