Alexithymia,temperament and character as predictors of psychopathology in patients with major depression

The study investigated the capacity of alexithymic personality features, in combination with temperament and character traits, age and gender, to predict psychopathological symptoms in patients with major depression. Consecutive patients (n = 339) were investigated using the Toronto Alexithymia Scale-20 (TAS-20), the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI), the Symptom Checklist-90-R (SCL-90-R), and the Hamilton Depression and Anxiety Rating Scales (HDRS, HARS). The amount of variance in SCL-90-R subscales and Hamilton scales predicted by TAS-20, TCI, age and gender was calculated by linear regression analyses. The ‘difficulties identifying feeling’ facet of alexithymia appeared to be a significant predictor of all dimensions of psychopathology. Among TCI scales harm avoidance was the strongest predictor for somatization, phobic anxiety, and anxiety (SCL-90-R, HARS); low self-directedness was the strongest predictor for obsessionality, depression (SCL-90-R, HDRS), interpersonal sensitivity and psychoticism; and low cooperativeness was the strongest predictor for hostility and paranoia. In conclusion, many psychopathological symptoms in major depression are associated with difficulties in the identification of emotions. Relative to alexithymia, Cloninger's psychobiological model of personality could predict psychopathological symptoms in a distinct and meaningful manner. The TAS-20 and the TCI are useful questionnaires for a better understanding of the relationship between psychopathology and personality in major depression.     

驻舰艇军人心理状况与人格特征的相关研究

目的:探讨驻舰艇军人心理健康状态及相关因素。方法:采用症状自评量表(SCL-90)、艾森克人格问卷(EPQ)评估海军某水面舰艇200名驻舰航行(长航)前后的心理健康状况。结果:长航前,除人际关系因子外,驻舰军人SCL-90总分及其他因子分均较男性军人常模显著低(P<0.01)。长航后SCL-90总分及各因子分均有所提高,其中总分、躯体化、焦虑、恐惧及精神病性因子分变化有统计学意义(P<0.05或P<0.01)。驻舰军人EPQ各分量表得分与男性常模比较差异均无显著性(P均>0.05)。SCL-90各因子分与EPQ精神质、神经质呈显著正相关(P<0.01),与掩饰性呈显著负相关(P<0.01);而人际关系、抑郁、恐惧因子分与内外向呈负相关(P<0.05或P<0.01)。结论:驻舰军人心理健康水平较好。人格特征与应激状态下心理健康水平关系密切。     

A preliminary study on potential association between psychopathological status and rhythmic masticatory muscle activity of young patients with sleep bruxism in Tianjin China

ObjectivesThe aim of this cross-sectional study was to assess the psychological status of patients with bruxism and to explore the potential relationship between psychological status and rhythmic masticatory muscle activity (RMMA), since the basic manifestation of sleep bruxism is RMMA.MethodsTwenty-five patients (nine males, 16 females, and mean age 27.84 ± 5.60) who self-reported having SB and 25 normal subjects were randomly recruited. Fifty subjects filled out the Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90) to assess their psychopathological status. SB was diagnosed by polysomnography (PSG), and RMMA was recorded based on the results of PSG.ResultsIn this study we detected 15.89 ± 4.23 RMMA episodes per hour in normal subjects, whereas 41.23 ± 16.78 RMMA episodes per hour were recorded in patients with SB, which was nearly three times of the former group with statistical significance (P = 0.001). Paired t-test revealed significant differences between SB patients and normal subjects in any of the SCL-90 subscales (P = 0.001). Regarding total psychopathological scores, 10 of the 25 SB patients endorsed scores higher than 160, and the positive rate was 40%. In addition, obsessive-compulsive behavior, interpersonal sensitivity, depression, anxiety, paranoid ideation and psychoticism were all statistically associated with RMMA (P < 0.05).ConclusionWithin the limitations of the study, we found that patients with sleep bruxism tend to have poor psychological status, and obsessive-compulsive behavior, interpersonal sensitivity, depression, anxiety, paranoid ideation and psychoticism are related to onset of SB.     

青年缺血性卒中心理状态

目的 评估青年缺血性卒中后心理状态.方法 入选2008年3月~2011年3月期间两院90例青年缺血性卒中患者,男58例,女32例,年龄21~45岁.使用中国版SCL-90评估心理状态,测量值与常模比较.结果 和常模比较,青年缺血性卒中测量值在抑郁,焦虑,躯体化症状,恐惧,厌恶和精神症状方面差别有统计学意义(P<0.01),而在强迫、敌意和妄想方面的差异无统计学意义(P>0.05).抑郁/焦虑的发生率是43.33%,其中女性占75%,男性占25% (P<0.01).受教育程度差异无统计学意义(P> 0.05).医保患者抑郁/焦虑发生率是29.2%,低于自费患者的发生率(66.7%,P< 0.05).脑损伤部位与抑郁/焦虑发生率有关,双重大脑半球缺血者的发生率是75% (P< 0.05).结论 青年缺血性卒中伴有抑郁、焦虑、躯体化症状、人际关系敏感、恐惧和精神症状,但是强迫、敌意和妄想与常模没有明显的差异.性别、医疗费用和缺血部位影响抑郁/焦虑的发生率.     

Specific psychiatric manifestations among preclinical Huntington disease mutation carriers

BACKGROUND: Despite the need for significant clinical intervention owing to the psychiatric manifestations of Huntington disease (HD), there has been a paucity of studies specifically designed to evaluate these symptoms prior to disease diagnosis. OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether the Symptom Checklist 90-Revised (SCL-90-R) and the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale can be used to detect psychiatric manifestations among preclinical mutation carriers with absent or minimal motor signs of HD. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Individuals at risk for or recently diagnosed with HD were recruited and then evaluated at Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis. All of the subjects completed a uniform clinical evaluation that included the Unified Huntington's Disease Rating Scale-99, molecular testing to determine HD mutation status, the SCL-90-R, and the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale. The sample was divided into 4 study groups: 171 individuals in the nonmutation carrier group; 29 with minimal, if any, motor signs of HD in the preclinical mutation carrier group 1; 20 with motor abnormalities suggestive of HD in the preclinical mutation carrier group 2; and 34 in the manifest HD group. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Scores on the SCL-90-R and Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale were compared. RESULTS: Five SCL-90-R symptom dimensions (obsessive-compulsive, interpersonal sensitivity, anxiety, paranoid ideation, and psychoticism) demonstrated a significant group effect (P < or = .04). The preclinical mutation carrier group 2 and the manifest HD group scored significantly higher on all 5 dimensions as compared with the nonmutation carrier group. The preclinical mutation carrier group 2 scored significantly higher than the nonmutation carrier group for 3 of the SCL-90-R symptom dimensions (anxiety, paranoid ideation, and psychoticism). A significant group effect was found on the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (P = .04). The frequency of depressive symptoms was significantly higher in the manifest HD group and the preclinical mutation carrier group 2 as compared with the nonmutation carrier group. CONCLUSION: This study identified specific psychiatric symptom dimensions that differentiate nonmutation carriers from individuals in the early preclinical stages of HD who are either symptom free or have minor nonspecific motor abnormalities.     

Neuropsychological and psychiatric profiles in acute encephalitis in adults

Acute encephalitis is an inflammation of brain tissue that can result from activity in the central nervous system (CNS) of a number of viruses. Although the neurological and psychiatric effects of encephalitis in the acute phase of the illness are well-known (Caroff, Mann, Gliatto, Sullivan, & Campbell, 2001), larger scale studies of the pattern of neuropsychological and psychiatric impairment following recovery from the acute inflammatory phase are less apparent. This paper reports the results of neuropsychological testing with a range of standardised cognitive measures in a case series of long-term post-acute participants. Psychiatric abnormality is examined using the SCL-90-R self-report scale of distress (Derogatis, 1983). We also examined the role of emerging insight in the aetiology of depression in this population. Two clusters of cognitive dysfunction were observed, one group of primarily herpes simplex cases showing a severe generalised deficit across a number of cognitive domains and a second cluster showing a variety of more isolated disorders of executive function. Abnormally high levels of distress were reported by participants, with depression, obsessive-compulsive symptoms, interpersonal sensitivity and phobic anxiety most significantly increased. Depression was found to be least severe in those with most accurate insight into their problems. Examining the correlations between cognitive and psychiatric test results demonstrates a relationship between depression and interpersonal anxiety and specific cognitive measures. Obsessive-compulsive behaviour and phobic anxiety, however, appear to exist independently of the assessed cognitive deficits.     

Comparative psychopathology of women with bulimia nervosa and obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Twenty women with bulimia nervosa (BN) and 20 women with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) were compared on responses to the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI), Symptom Checklist-90-Revised (SCL-90-R), and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Multivariate analyses showed no significant differences between bulimic and OCD women on the MMPI, although a greater number of bulimic women showed significant elevations on several of the clinical scales. Analyses of SCL-90-R profiles indicated higher scores on somatization, interpersonal sensitivity, and psychoticism in the BN sample. Bulimic women did not differ significantly from OCD women on either obsessive-compulsive measures or other measures of anxiety. Similarities and differences in symptom profiles between these two groups are discussed, as well as their implications for alternative treatment approaches for BN.     

Somatic distress as a distinct psychological dimension

Background: Somatoform disorders such as neurasthenia and chronic fatigue are characterized by a combination of prolonged fatigue and disabling neuropsychological and neuromuscular symptoms. However, the debate concerning the theoretical underpinnings of somatic disorders resembles the perennial dispute over the taxonomy of anxiety and depression. The objective of this study is to analyse the dimensional structure of items measuring anxiety, depression, phobic anxiety, somatic distress, and insomnia. It is anticipated that somatic distress should emerge as empirically distinct from measures of anxiety and depression, thereby lending support to proponents of the construct as independent of both anxiety and depression symptomatology. Methods: A 33-item self-report symptom inventory derived from the SCL-90 and DSSI/sAD scales was used to measure recently experienced psychiatric distress in the form of depression, anxiety, phobic anxiety, somatic distress, and insomnia. SCL and DSSI/sAD items were measured on a four-point distress scale from 1 `not-at-all' to 4 `unbearably'. The inventory was administered to a community-based sample of 3468 Australian twins between the ages of 18 and 28. Results: Factor analysis using Polychoric correlations and a Promax rotation criterion produced four factors: depression, phobic anxiety, somatic distress, and sleep disturbance. Conclusion: Results from the current factor analysis, together with the documented prevalence of somatic disorders, including evidence regarding the genetic and biological independence of somatic symptomatology, lend support to the argument that somatic symptoms, although correlated, are independent of anxiety and depression. Accepted: 25 May 1999     

Comorbid attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in adult psychiatric outpatients with depressive or anxiety disorders

Background. There are very few studies reporting on the prevalence and the contribution of not previously diagnosed ADHD in the clinical picture of other psychiatric disorders. The aim of our study is to determine the prevalence and clinical correlates of comorbid attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adult psychiatric outpatients with depressive or anxiety disorders. Methods. During a 6-month period, 114 outpatients with depressive or anxiety disorders were evaluated for ADHD diagnosis. Assessment included interviews with both patient and relatives/friends and the use of a daily diary. Moreover, the patients completed the self-report scales Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Spielberger's Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and the Symptom Checklist-90-R Rating Scale (SCL-90-R). Results. A total of 22 out of 114 patients (19.3%) received an ADHD diagnosis for the first time in their life. Comorbid ADHD compared to non ADHD patients scored significantly higher (p < 0.05) for depression (BDI), state and trait anxiety (STAI) and in the following SCL-90-R factors: Positive Symptoms Distressing Index, Positive Symptoms Index, Somatization, Obsessive Compulsive, Depression, Anxiety, and Hostility. Conclusions. ADHD might go unrecognized among psychiatric outpatients. Patients with depressive or anxiety disorder reporting more severe symptomatology should be carefully screened for possible comorbid adult ADHD.     

Prevalence and correlates of psychiatric symptoms in north korean defectors

Objective

The aim of the present study is to assess the prevalence of psychiatric symptoms and associated factors in North Korean Defectors (NKDs).

Methods

One hundred forty-four NKDs (male: 20; female: 124; average age: 40.4±11.7 yrs.) completed the Symptom Checklist-90-Revised (SCL-90-R) and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale (CES-D). A stepwise logistic regression analysis was conducted to evaluate factors associated with the psychiatric symptoms of the participants.

Results

NKDs mainly reported somatization (42.4%) and depressive symptoms (38.9%). Female NKDs showed higher prevalence of somatization (p=0.001), anxiety (p=0.020), hostility (p=0.026) and psychoticism (p=0.022) than males. The presence of physical illness was strongly related to most psychiatric symptoms on the SCL-90-R including somatization (p<0.001), obsessive-compulsive symptoms (p=0.020), interpersonal sensitivity (p=0.031), depression (p<0.001), anxiety (p<0.001), hostility (p=0.011), paranoid ideation (p=0.015) and psychoticism (p<0.001). Younger age, unemployment, lower income, and longer duration of defection were found to be the risk factors of psychiatric symptoms. In regard to mental health service utilization, we found that most (83.3%) of the participants had not received any form of psychiatric help.

Conclusion

Somatization and depression were the most prevalent psychiatric symptoms in NKDs. Our results suggest that psychiatric symptoms accompany certain sociodemographic and clinical characteristics that are associated with susceptibility to acculturation stressors. An understanding of these factors will be helpful providing appropriate mental health services to NKDs.     

The relationship between psychiatric symptoms and glycemic status in a Chinese population

With the exception of depression and anxiety, there has been no study designed to evaluate the association between other psychiatric symptoms and Type 2 diabetes. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between different psychiatric symptoms and diabetes as well as pre-diabetes (Pre-DM) in a Chinese population. Totally, 9561 participants without a history of diabetes, depression, psychosis, use of hypnotics, and abnormal thyroid function were enrolled. Psychiatric symptoms were measured by Brief Symptoms Rating Scale questionnaire, which consists of three global indices [General Severity Index (GSI), Total Number of Positive Symptoms (PST), and Positive Symptom Distress Index (PSDI)] and ten subscales, including somatization, obsession, interpersonal sensitivity, depression, anxiety, hostility, phobia, paranoid ideation, psychoticism and additional symptoms. Different glycemic statuses included normal glucose tolerance (NGT), Pre-DM, and newly-diagnosed diabetes (NDD) group. GSI, somatization, hostility, phobia, psychoticism, and additional symptoms were the factors positively associated with NDD as well as pre-DM in an age-adjusted model. After adjustments for age, gender, body mass index, educational level, hypertension, plasma triglycerides and creatinine, smoking, alcohol use, regular exercise, marital status, and family history of diabetes mellitus, the following psychiatric symptoms were independently related to both NDD and pre-DM: GSI, PST, somatization, obsession, interpersonal sensitivity, depression, anxiety, hostility, phobia, psychoticism, and additional symptoms. In addition to depression and anxiety, global indices of psychiatric symptoms and other subscales, including somatization, obsession, interpersonal sensitivity, hostility, phobia, psychoticism and additional symptoms, may have an impact on both diabetes and Pre-DM.     

Mental health and social participation skills of wheelchair basketball players: A controlled study

The aim of this study was to assess differences in psychological well-being, symptomatic psychological disorders and social participation, between competitive wheelchair basketball participants and those non-participants. Forty-six wheelchair participants, 24 Basketball players (aged 35.60 ± 7.56) and 22 non-players (aged 36.20 ± 6.23), completed three validated self-report questionnaires: Participation Scale (PS), Psychological Well-Being Scale [PWBS] and Symptom Checklist 90 R [SCL-90-R]. ANOVA showed significant overall differences between the two groups. The social restriction score, evaluated by PS, was significantly higher in the non-basketball participants (p = 0.00001) than the basketball participants. The PWB Scale showed significant differences in all 6 dimensions: positive relations with others, environmental mastery, personal growth, purpose in life and self-acceptance (p < 0.01), and autonomy (p < 0.05), with better scores in the basketball participants. The SCL-90-R scores were significantly lower for the basketball group in the following 6 symptomatic dimensions: depression, phobic anxiety, and sleep disorder (p < 0.01), somatization, interpersonal sensitivity and psychoticism (with p < 0.05). It was concluded that competitive wheelchair basketball participants showed better psychological well-being and social skills than those non-participants.     

A clinimetric analysis of the Hopkins Symptom Checklist (SCL-90-R) in general population studies (Denmark,Norway, and Italy)

Background: Although the Symptom Checklist (SCL-90-R) is one of the most widely used self-reported scales covering several psychopathological states, the scalability of the SCL-90-R has been found to be very problematic. Aims: We have performed a clinimetric analysis of the SCL-90-R, taking both its factor structure and scalability (i.e. total scale score a sufficient statistic) into account. Methods: The applicability of the SCL-90-R has been found acceptable in general population studies from Denmark, Norway and Italy. These studies were examined with principal component analysis (PCA) to identify the factor structure. The scalability of the traditional SCL-90-R subscales (i.e. somatization, hostility, and interpersonal sensitivity) as well as the affective subscales (i.e. depression and anxiety and ADHD), were tested by Mokken’s item response theory model. Results: Across the three general population studies the traditional scaled SCL-90-R factor including 83 items was identified by PCA. The Mokken analysis accepted the scalability of both the general factor and the clinical SCL-90-R subscales under examination. Conclusion: The traditional, scaled, general 83 item SCL-90-R scale is a valid measure of general psychopathology. The SCL-90-R subscales of somatization, hostility, and interpersonal sensitivity as well as the affective subscales of depression, anxiety, and ADHD were all accepted by the Mokken test for scalability, i.e. their total scores are sufficient statistics.     

The Relationship between Alexithymia and General Symptoms of Patients with Depressive Disorders

Objective

Depression has been associated with alexithymic features. However, few studies have investigated the differences in the general symptoms of patients with depressive disorders according to the presence of alexithymia. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between alexithymia and symptoms experienced by patients with clinically diagnosed depressive disorders.

Methods

A chart review of patients who were evaluated using the Korean version of the 20-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) and Symptom Checklist 90-Revised (SCL-90-R) at the same time between the years 2003 and 2007 was conducted. A total of 104 patients with depressive disorders were included and divided into two groups: alexithymia (n=52) and non-alexithymia (n=52). A direct comparison between the two groups was carried out. Regression analysis was also carried out for the TAS-20 total and subset scores in order to model the relationship between alexithymia and symptoms.

Results

The presence of alexithymia was confirmed in 50% of the patients with depressive disorders, and the symptoms of depressive patients with alexithymia were more severe than those of their non-alexithymic counterparts on all 9 symptom domains of the SCL-90-R. Furthermore, regression analysis revealed that the presence of alexithymia was positively associated with depression, phobic anxiety, and psychoticism but inversely associated with anxiety.

Conclusion

These results suggest that the clinical features of depression are partially dependent on the presence of alexithymia. Alexithymic patients with depressive disorders are likely to show more severe depressive, psychotic, and phobic symptoms. In other words, clinicians should suspect the presence of alexithymic tendencies if these symptoms coexist in patients with depressive disorders and address their difficulties in effective communication.     

The use of a symptom "self-report" inventory to evaluate the acceptability and efficacy of a walking program for patients suffering with chronic fatigue syndrome

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this research was to evaluate the effectiveness of the modality of walking as a management strategy for patients suffering with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). METHODS: Six males and fourteen females with medically diagnosed CFS (CDC, 1994), completed a 12-week walking program. Prior to starting the program subjects underwent an incremental walking exercise test to predetermine their walking intensity. The SCL-90-R symptom "self-report" questionnaire was administered prior to, and at the completion of, the walking program. RESULTS: At the completion of the 12 weeks of walking, changes in four of the nine SCL-90-R dimensions were significant (somatisation, paranoid ideation, phobic anxiety, and psychoticism). Also significant were the changes in the combination indices, the Global Indices of Distress (GID) and the Positive Symptom Total (PST). CONCLUSION: This group of CFS subjects, by way of "self-report", indicated the possibility of an exercise-induced decrease in psychological stress. The walking intervention may have evoked positive changes in their well-being and, furthermore, provided no evidence of any exacerbation in their symptoms.     

Effectiveness of a meditation-based stress management program as an adjunct to pharmacotherapy in patients with anxiety disorder

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to examine the effectiveness of a meditation-based stress management program in patients with anxiety disorder. METHODS: Patients with anxiety disorder were randomly assigned to an 8-week clinical trial of either a meditation-based stress management program or an anxiety disorder education program. The Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A), the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D), the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), the Beck Depression Inventory, and the Symptom Checklist--90-Revised (SCL-90-R) were used to measure outcome at 0, 2, 4, and 8 weeks of the program. RESULTS: Compared to the education group, the meditation-based stress management group showed significant improvement in scores on all anxiety scales (HAM-A, P=.00; STAI state, P=.00; STAI trait, P=.00; anxiety subscale of SCL-90-R, P=.00) and in the SCL-90-R hostility subscale (P=.01). Findings on depression measures were inconsistent, with no significant improvement shown by subjects in the meditation-based stress management group compared to those in the education group. The meditation-based stress management group did not show significant improvement in somatization, obsessive-compulsive symptoms, and interpersonal sensitivity scores, or in the SCL-90-R phobic anxiety subscale compared to the education group. CONCLUSIONS: A meditation-based stress management program can be effective in relieving anxiety symptoms in patients with anxiety disorder. However, well-designed, randomized, and controlled trials are needed to scientifically prove the worth of this intervention prior to treatment.     

Impact of binge eating disorder in the psychopathological profile of obese women

Objective

Our objective was to evaluate the psychopathological profile of obese women with binge eating disorder (BED) using the Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90).

Methods

Two hundred twelve obese women who seek for weight loss treatment were sequentially selected to participate in the study. Binge eating disorder was diagnosed using the Structured Clinical Interview for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition. Binge eating disorder severity was assessed using Binge Eating Scale. Depressive symptoms were assessed using Beck Depression Inventory. The psychopathological profile was assessed using the SCL-90.

Results

Binge eating disorder was diagnosed in 54 patients (26.6%). Obese patients with BED presented significant higher scores in all domains of SCL-90 (P < .05 for all) in comparison with obese patients without BED. A significant relationship was found among Binge Eating Scale, Beck Depression Inventory, and all domains of the SCL-90 (P < .05 for all). After linear regression, obsessivity-compulsivity (P = .03), interpersonal sensitivity (P = .0064), paranoid ideas (P = .03), and psychoticism (P = .01) were independently related to the severity of BED.

Conclusion

Obese women with BED presented a more severe psychopathological profile than obese controls. Among all, obsessivity-compulsivity, interpersonal sensitivity, paranoid ideas, and psychoticism seem to be strongly linked to BED severity.     

中国发作性运动诱发性运动障碍患者社会心理学调查研究

研究背景发作性运动诱发性运动障碍是一组由突然动作诱发的非随意性运动障碍性疾病,表现为反复发作的短暂性肌张力障碍或舞蹈样动作。本研究旨在调查中国发作性运动诱发性运动障碍患者社会心理学特点,并探讨发作性运动诱发性运动障碍及其相关影响因素之间的关系。方法采用自行设计的发作性运动诱发性运动障碍调查问卷对188例发作性运动诱发性运动障碍患者进行调查,包括症状自测量表(SCL-90)和世界卫生组织生活质量量表(WHOQoL-100)两部分,分别评价精神心理症状和生活质量,Pearson相关分析和偏相关分析以及多重回归分析评价发作性运动诱发性运动障碍生活质量及其相关影响因素之间的关系。结果 188例患者最终回收有效问卷120份,与中国人群常模数据相比,发作性运动诱发性运动障碍患者SCL-90量表中文版之躯体化(P=0.000)、强迫症状(P=0.000)、人际关系敏感(P=0.000)、抑郁症状(P=0.000)、焦虑症状(P=0.000)、敌对(P=0.000)、恐怖(P=0.000)、偏执(P=0.000)和精神病性症状(P=0.000)以及总症状指数均增加,WHOQoL-100量表中文版之总体生活质量(P=0.000)和生理(P=0.000)、心理(P=0.000)、独立性(P=0.000)、社会关系(P=0.000)评分均降低。Pearson相关分析和偏相关分析显示,发作类型之复杂型发作性运动诱发性运动障碍和自愈倾向与发作性运动诱发性运动障碍生活质量呈正相关(P=0.016,0.000),躯体化、强迫症状、人际关系敏感、抑郁症状、焦虑症状、敌对、恐怖、偏执、精神病性症状等精神心理症状与发作性运动诱发性运动障碍生活质量呈负相关(均P=0.000)。多重回归分析显示,自愈倾向(P=0.024)和抑郁症状(P=0.000)与发作性运动诱发性运动障碍生活质量显著相关,其影响程度依次为自愈倾向(R~2=0.423)和抑郁症状(R~2=0.398)。结论发作性运动诱发性运动障碍患者普遍存在精神心理负担,且在生理、心理、独立性和社会关系方面生活质量较差。临床医师应对发作性运动诱发性运动障碍患者可能存在的精神心理症状进行及时评价和必要心理干预,尤其应注意抑郁症状评分较高且无自愈倾向的患者。     

Conversion and somatization disorders; dissociative symptoms and other characteristics

OBJECTIVE: There is a difference in classification of conversion disorder in ICD-10 and DSM-IV. Conversion disorder is included in dissociative disorders in ICD-10. In view of this, we aimed to clarify this discrepancy in the classification of this diagnosis. METHODS: We assessed 87 patients with conversion disorder and 71 patients with somatization disorder for sociodemographic characteristics, suicide ideation, psychiatric symptoms and dissociative symptoms using the Patient Information Form, the Dissociative Experience Scale (DES), the Symptom Check List (SCL-90-R) and the Suicide Ideation Scale. RESULTS: The number of the high school graduates, singles and students with conversion disorders was higher than the number of patients with the same characteristics who have somatization disorder. In conversion disorder, the SCL-90-R total score and the score in paranoid ideation, psychoticism subgroups were higher than the scores in somatization disorders. There were no statistical differences in suicide ideation and the total score of dissociative symptoms between the two disorders. The number of patients whose total DES score of 30 and above was higher in conversion disorders. DISCUSSION: As a result of this present study, we concluded that to enlighten the concepts of conversion, further somatization and dissociation studies are necessary.     

Characteristics and Psychiatric Symptoms of Internet Gaming Disorder among Adults Using Self-Reported DSM-5 Criteria

ObjectiveThe Section III of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) proposed nine diagnostic criteria and five cut-point criteria for Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD). We aimed to examine the efficacy of such criteria.MethodsAdults (n=3041, men: 1824, women: 1217) who engaged in internet gaming within last 6 months completed a self-report online survey using the suggested wordings of the criteria in DSM-5. Major characteristics, gaming behavior, and psychiatric symptoms of IGD were analyzed using ANOVA, chi-square, and correlation analyses.ResultsThe sociodemographic variables were not statistically significant between the healthy controls and the risk group. Among the participants, 419 (13.8%) were identified and labeled as the IGD risk group. The IGD risk group scored significantly higher on all motivation subscales (p<0.001). The IGD risk group showed significantly higher scores than healthy controls in all nine psychiatric symptom dimensions, i.e., somatization, obsession-compulsion, interpersonal sensitivity, depression, anxiety, hostility, phobic anxiety, paranoid ideation, and psychoticism (p<0.001).ConclusionThe IGD risk group showed differential psychopathological manifestations according to DSM-5 IGD diagnostic criteria. Further studies are needed to evaluate the reliability and validity of the specific criteria, especially for developing screening instruments.