• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.178-190
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• 2006

Objectives : We investigated the relationship of the alcohol withdrawal symptoms with genetic polymorphism among alcohol dependence patients. Method : The measuring instruments used in this study were the Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment for Alcohol(CIWA-Ar). We analyzed DRD2 TaqI A polymorphism, dopamine transporter(DAT 1) polymorphism, and catechol-O-methyltransferase(COMT) polymorphism in 108 male alcoholics and 76 healthy controls. Results : The major findings was as follows. No significant differences for genotype distribution or allele frequency were revealed comparing controls and alcoholic patients. DRD2 Taq I : The subscale score of auditory hallucination among CIWA-Ar scale in homozygote was significantly higher than in heterozygote(OR=1.34). The total score of CIWA-Ar scale in heterozygote was significantly higher than in homozygote. DAT1 : In the subject without DAT-9 gene allele, it was significantly higher of the subscale score of sweating, anxiety among CIWA-Ar scale than in the subject with DAT-9 gene allele. And The total score of CIWA-Ar scale in the subject without DAT-9 gene allele was significantly higher than in the subject with DAT-9 gene allele. COMT : The total score of CIWA-Ar scale in heterozygote was significantly higher than in homozygote. Conclusion : Our results suggest the relationship between specific genetic factors and the withdrawal symptoms of alcohol dependent patients. As the candidate gene of the severity of alcohol withdrawal syndrome, DRD2 Taq1 gene was recommended.

• Korean Journal of Social Welfare
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• v.55
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• pp.341-364
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• 2003

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between adolesccents' cybersexual addiction and psychosocial traits. In addition, the relationship between cybersexual addiction and mental health were examined. For the study, 1,742 students attending middle schools and high schools were surveyed. According to the results of study, first, 1.3% of the adolescents reported the severe degree of cybersexual addiction, 2.3% of them had the moderate degree of addiction, 4.2% of them showed the minor degree. The result indicated that 7.8% of entire adolescents had cybersexual addiction. Second, middle school students showed the highest rate of cybersexual addiction and the students attending general high schools reported the lowest rate. Third, the following groups were likely to have the higher levels of cybersexual addiction; students who were males, had low self-control and less emotional support from the family and friends, and whose parents had marital problems. Fourth, the cybersexually addicted adolescents had experienced more psychological symptoms than general internet users had. Fifth, there was the positive relationship between cybersexual addition and psychological symptoms among adolescents. In particular, cybersexual addiction had the most serious effect on phobic anxiety. Finally, T-score measuring the degree of psychopathological symptoms had the positive relationship with the level of cybersexual addiction among adolescents. Moreover, adolescents who had clinical psychopathology and T-score over 70 showed the various rates from 10.9% to 45.2% in the 9 domains of symptoms.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.185-196
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• 2009

Objectives : This case report presents a 7-year-old female patient diagnosed with conversion disorder improved by application of oriental medical psychotherapy, the Giungoroen. Her chief complaint was dysesthesia of anal. Methods : Through interview and several psychological testing such as HTP test, DAF test, JTCI 7-11, we assessed her psychological state and seek for the psychological reason induced her physical symptom, dysesthesia of anal. After assessment we concluded her main psychological problem was loss of love relationship with her parents. So we decided to use supportive psychological therapy and behavioral therapy-like changing upbringing attitudes of her parents, for example- with Herbal medicine treatment. Results : After 2-month of therapeutic period, chief physical symptom of patient-dysesthesia of anal-was reduced to 20% compared with first visit day. Conclusions : The Giungoroen corresponds to supportive psychotherapy and behavioral therapy. And this oriental medical psychotherapy is fairly effective on the treatment of conversion disorder in childhood.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.67-76
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• 2019

For hospice palliative care that provides comprehensive and general care, it is necessary to use assessment tools to objectively list issues and detail care plans. The initial assessment is a process of establishing an overall direction of care by identifying the patient's symptoms, social and spiritual issues and palliative care needs on the admission day or within one day of admission. This process is also used to identify the patients' and families' awareness of the illness, prognosis, treatment options and if the Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) has been drafted. Consisting of 13 simple questions regarding the physical, mental, social, and spiritual domains, the Needs at the End-of-Life Screening Tool (NEST) is recommended as an initial assessment tool. Using specific assessment tools, a care plan is established for the issues identified in the initial assessment within three days of admission. A multidisciplinary assessment tool can be helpful in the physical domain. The psychosocial domain evaluates psychological distress, anxiety and depression. The social domain examines an ability to make decisions, understanding of the socioeconomic circumstance, family relationship, and death preparedness. A spiritual evaluation is also important, for which the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Spiritual WellBeing Scale (FACIT-Sp) or the Spiritual Health Inventory (SHI) can be used. The use of an assessment tool could not only contribute to pain mitigation a better quality of life for patients, but also provide systematic training for a multidisciplinary team; And the process itself could be a stepping stone for the better care provision.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.204-211
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• 2017

Objectives In this study, we identified the symptoms of insomnia, anxiety, and depressed mood in newly diagnosed women breast and thyroid cancer patients. Methods The subjects of this study were 1794 women patients who visited the Ewha Womans University Cancer Center for Women. They included 1119 newly diagnosed primary breast cancer patients and 675 newly diagnosed primary thyroid cancer patients. The patients completed the National Cancer Center Psychological Symptom Inventory (NCC-PSI) during their first follow-up visit after surgery, before starting chemotherapy or radiotherapy. The NCC-PSI is composed of the modified distress thermometer (MDT) and the modified impact thermometer (MIT) for insomnia, anxiety, and depressed mood. Results Anxiety severity was found to be greater in breast cancer patients than in thyroid cancer patients. Significant levels of anxiety, depressed mood and insomnia were present in 28, 24.5, and 20.7% in all the subjects, respectively. Moreover, anxiety symptoms, depressed mood and insomnia interfered with the daily lives of 20, 18.4, and 14.2% of all the subjects, respectively. Dealing with anxiety (18.8%) was found to need the most help, followed by dealing with insomnia (8.9%) and depressed mood (8.7%). Conclusions A significant level of distress was found in about 40% of the total subjects. Nearly 30% of newly diagnosed breast cancer patients reported significant anxiety symptoms and interferences with daily living caused by anxiety, which most commonly needed special care. Early assessment and management of psychological distress, especially anxiety, in breast and thyroid cancer treatment are very important to establish integrated cancer care.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.179-182
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• 2010

Cervical spondylomyelopathy (CSM) is rarely identified in small-breed dogs. Two neutered female Pekingese dogs (less than 5 kg of body weight) with primary complaints of neck pain and paretic gait were presented. These cases were diagnosed as CSM secondary to vertebral instability through cervical survey radiography, myelography, computed tomography (CT) and CT-myelography. The combinatory treatments of ventral slot decompression, cancellous bone graft and external coaptation were performed. Clinical condition of both dogs remarkably improved and no complications or recurrence occurred following the surgical procedures. In small-breed dogs with CSM, the combination of decompression through ventral slot and stabilization through bone fusion is an effective treatment.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.194-203
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• 2008

Objectives : This study was aimed at evaluating the relationship between somatic symptoms, depression, anxiety and cognitive function in the patients with Mild Traumatic Brain Injury(MTBI). Methods : Thirty seven patients with MTBI were selected from those patients who had visited the Department of Neuropsychiatry of Wonkwang University Hospital from 2003 to 2007. To assess and quantify the somatic symptoms, depression and anxiety, Personality Assessment Inventory(PAI) was used. Assessment of cognitive function was carried out by using Korean Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale(K-WAIS), Rey-Kim Memory Test, and Kims Executive Function Test. The effects of somatic symptoms, depression, and anxiety on the cognitive function were evaluated by Pearson correlation test. Results : Somatic symptoms, depression, and anxiety, all showed inverse correlation to cognitive function. Specifically, 1) an increase in somatic symptoms was associated with a decrease in attention, verbal short term memory, verbal recall and recognition, and visual memory. 2) An increase in anxiety was associated with a decrease in verbal recall and recognition. 3) An increase in depression was associated with a decrease in cognitive function that requires high attention and verbal memory. Conclusion : The patients with MTBI displayed diverse symptoms ranging from cognitive impairment to somatic symptoms, depression, and anxiety. Somatic and emotional symptoms were correlated with cognitive function(especially executive function). Importantly, this study raises the possibility of treating the cognitive impairment associated with MTBI by treating somatic symptoms, depression, and anxiety.

• Anxiety and mood
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.33-38
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• 2006

Objectives : Since prostitution is multitraumatic phenomena, it is known that most women in prostitution have symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other mental illness. In Korea, new anti-prostitution law launched in the year of 2004 imposes protecting prostituted victims at government-supported shelter. The objective of this study was to compare the mental symptoms, especially PTSD features of women who escaped from prostitution with those of control subjects. Methods : We assessed 113 ex-prostituted women who live in shelter for 8 months on the average and 65 normal control subjects. Demographic data, questionnaire for sleep, physical illness, smoking, alcohol and drug use, Stress Response Inventory, Davidson Trauma Scale (DTS), Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) were used. Results : Ex-prostituted women had significantly higher scores of DTS, IES-R, stress related responses, sleep problems, smoking problems, and alcohol problems than control group. Age and duration of sex trade of the subjects were significantly correlated with the severity or frequency of PTSD symptoms. The degree of smoking, alcohol drinking and sleep problems were also significantly correlated with the PTSD symptoms. Conclusion : These results suggested mental symptoms did not disappear even after women escaped from prostitution.

• Anxiety and mood
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.119-125
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• 2011

Objectives : The three symptom clusters of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are reexperience, avoidance, and hyperarousal. Alcohol use disorders frequently co-occur with PTSD, and possible functional correlations are suspected. Scholarly evaluation of the differences between the symptoms of PTSD and those of alcohol problems may be useful in understanding the pathophysiology of the comorbidity. Methods : We recruited Vietnam veterans with PTSD (n=97) and without PTSD (n=132). The alcohol use disorder identification test (AUDIT), and clinician-administered PTSD scale (CAPS) were administered to participants. The PTSD group was divided into two categories: those with PTSD only (n=57) and those with concurrent alcohol-related problems (n=40). Results : The PTSD group showed higher AUDIT scores compared to the control group. In the PTSD group, participants with alcohol problems had a severer symptoms of recurrent dream and sleep disturbance symptoms compared to the PTSD only group. No significant differences were found in the three major symptom clusters of PTSD. Conclusion : These findings support the proposed existence of a functional correlation between PTSD and alcohol use disorder. Clinicians should carefully evaluate and treat comorbid alcohol use disorder in patients with PTSD.

• Anxiety and mood
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.141-147
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• 2017

Objective : This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between comorbid obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and quality of life in stable patients with schizophrenia. Methods : We interviewed 162 symptom-stable inpatients who have been on a constant dose of antipsychotics for at least 3 months prior and diagnosed as chronic schizophrenia. Subsequently, patients were classified according to the existence of OCD as evaluated using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-IV (DSM-IV). Further, all clinical and demographic data were collected and evaluated. To investigate potential interrelationships, the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS), Korea-Positive and Negative Symptom Scale (K-PANSS), Korean Modification of the Scale to Measure Subjective Well-Being under Neuroleptic Treatment (KmSWN) and Korean Version Quality of Life Scale (K-QOLS) were performed. Independent t-test and Chi-square test were used to compare groups and regression analysis was done to assess the relationship between the Y-BOCS and quality of life. Results : Schizophrenia patients with OCD showed significantly earlier onset of schizophrenia, more severe psychiatric symptoms and lower quality of life, compared to those without comorbid OCD. OCD might be associated with lower quality of life in schizophrenia. Conclusion : Schizophrenia patients with OCD showed lower quality of life than those without OCD. In the treatment for schizophrenia, evaluation of OCD might be needed to improve their quality of life and social function.