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It is estimated that 15 to 30 percent of individuals with bipolar illness have an episode of depression or mania before the age of 20 years. For this study, bipolar I illness was defined using the criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, third edition (DSM-III); these criteria include the presence of manic disorder without psychosis. Thirty-seven adolescents with bipolar I illness were evaluated after their symptoms had been stabilized with lithium, the drug of choice in treating this disease. After the patients were released from the hospital, they were monitored every four to six weeks for 18 months. The frequency of depressive and manic relapses was observed in the subjects during this follow-up period. Of the total group, 24 patients (65 percent) continued lithium maintenance therapy throughout the follow-up period without interruption, and 13 patients (35 percent) discontinued their therapy against medical advise. There were no significant differences between these two groups with regard to sex, age, or medical history. More than half (57 percent) of the total group relapsed during follow-up, but the relapse rate among those who discontinued lithium was three times that of compliant patients. Twelve out of the 13 noncompliant patients relapsed, while only nine out of the 24 patients who continued to take their medication relapsed. Some of the clinical and theoretical implications of these findings are discussed. The relapse rate in these adolescents was similar to that which has been observed in comparable adult groups. In general, patients who experience early relapse run a higher risk of subsequent relapse. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

While it is known that some individuals with anorexia nervosa are characterized by compulsive overeating (bulimia), only recently have workers suggested that bulimia may be associated with distinctive personality and etiological processes. This investigation sought to evaluate the validity of distinguishing anorectics with bulimia from anorectics who maintain a continuous pattern of fasting (restricters) by examining a) the personality characteristics of the parents and b) the nature and prevalence of psychiatric morbidity in first- and second-degree relatives of 35 bulimic and 35 restricter anorectics. Based on empirical data indicating that bulimics are significantly more labile, impulsive, and susceptible to mood disturbance than their restricter counterparts, it was hypothesized that personality trait disturbances in parents and higher familial prevalence of affective and impulse disorders would distinguish this group. This was confirmed. Multivariate analyses of variance revealed fathers of bulimics scored higher than fathers of restricters on Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory scales measuring impulsivity, low tolerance for frustration, dissatisfaction with familial relations, and excitability, whereas mothers of bulimics scored higher than mothers of restricters on depression, hostility, and dissatisfaction with familial relations. A multiple regression analysis showed that maternal depression and paternal impulse disturbance and depression were predictive of greater severity of bulimia in the subjects. Analysis of psychiatric interview data indicated that affective disorder was significantly more prevalent in first- and second-degree relatives of bulimics, and that the prevalence exceeded the expected rate of illness in the general population; similarly, rates of familial alcoholism and drug use disorders were significantly higher in the bulimic group. Results are discussed in terms of biological and psychological processes underlining the pathogenesis of the bulimia symptom pattern in the anorexia nervosa syndrome.

The article presents information on the forthcoming Sacred Dance Guild's Golden Jubilee celebration. In 2008, the guild will celebrate 50 years of promoting dance as a means of spiritual growth, connection to the divine, and integration of mind, body and spirit. It will be held in Connecticut College in New London, Connecticut.

The article relates the experience of the author on chairing and hosting the 2000 Sacred Dance Guild Festival. Recollections on past festivals were mentioned. The first Festival outside of the U.S. was held in Ottawa, Ontario. A Visioning team was formed to organize events and choreograph sacred dances in the 2000 Festival. Reflections of members of the organizing team are presented.

In this article, the author discusses the link between butterflies and festivals. She states those people who have attended Sacred Dance Guild Festival 2010 of Massachusetts would certainly depict the association of the two. She further states that concept of beautiful butterfly emerged from the collective contributions of many things such as a butterfly card, signed by participants, and sent to Phyllis.

The article offers information on the Simply Soaring, a Sacred Dance Festival held in 2010 and mentions about Festival Planning Team who made small changes in the schedule to ensure that attendees of the festival would not feel overwhelmed with events.

The article reports on the 50th anniversary celebration of the Sacred Dance Guild in the U.S. It states that 250 people have joined exploring the theme "Moving Mysteries" in the celebration of Dance as a Sacred Art and in celebration of the integral role of the Guild as an umbrella organization for all who view dance as an expression of the sacred and as a spiritual practice. It also discusses the Festival 2008 as part of its celebration.

The article discusses various reports published within the issue including one on the article that depicts In Depth inspirations and another on the history of the Sacred Dance Guild Summer Festivals.