Introduction: As the popularity of ultramarathon participation increases, there still exists a lack of understanding of the unique psychological characteristics of ultramarathon runners. The current study sought to investigate some of the psychological and behavioral factors that are involved in ultramarathon running. Methods: We obtained information from participants of the Bear Chase Trail Race via…
Background: The prevalence and features of travel associated neuropsychiatric problems (NPP) and their relation to previous psychological consultations, antimalarials and recreational drug use have not been adequately studied. Methods: A two-phase postal and telephone survey has been conducted among 2,500 young travelers to tropical countries. We measured the rate and duration of NPP, characterized their…
Abstract: Extreme sports, defined as sporting or adventure activities involving a highdegree of risk, have boomed since the 1990s. These types of sports attract men and women who can experience a life-affirming transcendence or “flow” as they participate in dangerous activities. Extreme sports also may attract people with a genetic predisposition for risk, risk-seeking personality…
Objective: Studies on the neurologic effects of high-altitude travel have focused on psychometric and cognitive testing and the long-term effects of hypoxia on memory and cognition. Few authors have discussed overt clinical psychiatric illness during high-altitude travel, and those few have focused on patients with preexisting psychiatric diagnoses. We describe a series of patients with…
Objective/Introduction: Secondary pharmacological interventions have shown promise at reducing the development of posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms (PTSS) in preclinical studies. The present study examined the preliminary efficacy of a 10-day low-dose (20 mg bid) course of hydrocortisone at preventing PTSS in traumatic injury victims. Methods: Sixty-four traumatic injury patients (34% female) were randomly assigned in…
Ethan M. Meisel, MD • Brent Morgan, MD • Michael Schwartz, MD, MPH • Ziad Kazzi, MD • Huseyin Cetin, MD • Aynur Sahin, MD, PhD Abstract: Ingestion of Amanita muscaria mushrooms results in transient central nervous system excitation and depression mediated by its components, ibotenic acid and muscimol. The mushroom is distributed worldwide and…
Background: Psychologically stressful events can be particularly challenging in the wilderness or extreme environments due to a lack of immediate medical or psychological support. Telemedicine consultations may provide a means to supply medical providers in austere environments with expertise when confronted with these situations. Methods: In this study, we detail a case of psychological care…
Abstract: The motivations of people who are drawn to the remaining frontiers of the world range from the adventurously realistic to the patently psychotic, with infinite graduates in between. This paper is concerned with a clinical syndrome presented by persons who appear to have fled into the arid wilderness in an attempt to solve their…