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Seattle University Collaborative Projects - International Academy of ...

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Mª da Glória da Silva, Conceição Hospital Group, Porto Alegre, Brazil(mariadagloria@ghc.com.br)Fátima Al-Alam, Conceição Hospital Group, Porto Alegre, Brazil (adolescentes@ghc.com.br)]Mental disorders in children and adolescents are prevalent, ranging from 10 to 20% <strong>of</strong> thepopulation, and 15 to 25% <strong>of</strong> these present behavioral problems resembling a significantpsychopathology with functional impairment. From a case report <strong>of</strong> a teenager, the authorspropose a modeling approach for treatment and management <strong>of</strong> adolescents with severepsychiatric illness. The adolescent, female, age 13, had internal bleeding and a tracheotomy scar.She related that it was due to a car accident in which her mother died, two years previously, andthat her father, an alcoholic abuser, left her with a prostitute when she was 7 years old. When shearrived at the hospital she said she was homeless. With no birth certificate, she was unaware <strong>of</strong>her real name and had no schooling. The adolescent presented with several episodes <strong>of</strong> vaginaland anal bleeding, and hematemesis associated with shock. Multiple transfusions <strong>of</strong> bloodproducts and central venous punctures were done. Imaging and laboratory tests were normal. Thepatient was caught manipulating the catheter and syringe with blood and admitted that she hadsimulated bleeding. The team was also surprised by manipulation <strong>of</strong> the patient's attitudes, whichwith severe emotional commitment built an entire fictional life story and caused commotion inthe team, disrupting service. A multidisciplinary intervention was essential in reorganizing thecourse <strong>of</strong> treatment. Studies show that early intervention may have a significant impact onmorbidity and mortality in adolescence, improving the prognosis for the individual and forsociety as well.Partial Criminal Responsibility in Brazilian Law: Its Foundations andImplicationsPaulo Blank, Forensic Psychiatric Institute “Maurício Cardoso”, Porto Alegre, Brazil(blankp@terra.com.br)Some episodic or accidental issues may occur during a criminal law procedure requiring aforensic psychiatric evaluation in order to elucidate whether the defendant suffers <strong>of</strong> somemental condition that modifies his or her criminal liability. The Brazilian Criminal Process Codestates in Article 149 that when there is doubt about the mental integrity <strong>of</strong> the defendant thejudge should order a medical-forensic examination. This procedure requires the existence <strong>of</strong>strong evidence <strong>of</strong> mental disturbance compromising the defendant’s capacities to comprehendthe illegal act committed, and to behave according to this comprehension. The evaluation maydiagnose mental conditions that modify criminal liability by undermining the defendant’scomprehension <strong>of</strong> his or her illegal action, and consequent behaviour, without completelyabolishing the criminal liability. This condition is specified at the Brazilian Criminal Code underthe term “semi-liability”, enabling the court to reduce the sentence by one or two-thirds, or todetermine treatment under security measure. Traditionally, mental disorders that fit defendants as“semi-liable” are personality disorders, drug addiction, and intellectual disabilities. Discussionwill include extensions and consequences <strong>of</strong> diagnosing these mental disorders, sometimes101

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