• Anxiety and mood
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.3-9
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• 2013

Intolerance of uncertainty (IU) is defined as the tendency to react negatively on an emotional, cognitive, and behavioral level to uncertain situations and events. However, this definition is somewhat categorical and does not explain the phenomenology of IU. Intolerance of uncertainty scale (IUS), the standard measure of IU, was considered to have two factors : 'unacceptability and avoidance of uncertainty' and 'uncertainty leading to the inability to act'. IU may be a cognitive vulnerability factor for clinical worry and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). A number of moderators and mediators including cognitive avoidance, experiential avoidance and rumination influence the relationship between IU, worry, obsessive-compulsive symptoms, anxious and depressive symptoms. IU may be more strongly related to the symptoms of GAD than to symptoms of other anxiety disorders including obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and major depressive disorder. IU may serve as an important transdiagnostic feature across anxiety and depressive disorders. Incorporating IU-specific treatment components into therapeutic protocols may result in pervasive benefits, and not only for those with GAD or OCD, but for people with any anxiety disorder or with depression.

• Mood & Emotion
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.67-72
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• 2017

Objectives : Mindfulness meditation has recently become a major component in mainstream modern cognitive behavioral therapy. The purpose of this study was to examine effects of a mindfulness meditation program on positive resources of outpatients with depressive disorder and anxiety disorder. Methods : Participants were 55 psychiatric clinic outpatients. Participants received eight weekly sessions in a mindfulness meditation training program, that was approximately 90 minutes each. Measures included the Positive Resources Test (POREST), Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-16 (AAQ-16), Life Satisfaction Expectancy Scales (LSES), and Subjective Happiness Scale (SHS). Variables were measured at two time points : pre- and post-implementation (eight weeks later). Results : Paired t-test results of participants before and after the mindfulness meditation program revealed statistically significant improvement in positive resources (t=-5.847, p<.001), acceptance (t=-4.090, p<.001), life satisfaction expectancy (t=-3.892, p<.001), but not in subjective happiness. Conclusion : Results suggest mindfulness meditation may be effective to enhance positive resources, acceptance, and life satisfaction in outpatients with depressive disorder and anxiety disorder. Mindfulness meditation may be a factor in improving psychological well-being and positive psychological features in outpatients with depressive disorder and anxiety disorder.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.81-88
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• 2020

Objectives : This study aimed to compare autonomic nervous system (ANS) dysregulation and differential relationships with clinical severities between anxiety disorder, depressive disorder, and trauma·stressor related disorder using heart rate variability (HRV) parameters. Methods : We conducted a retrospective chart review of outpatients from 2017 to 2018 in Stress Clinic of National Center for Mental Health. Total 473 patients were included; 166 anxiety disorder; 184 depressive disorder ; 123 trauma·stressor related disorder. Parameters of 5-min analysis of HRV were compared in three groups. Additionally, we investigated the differential association of each parameters with Clinical Global Impression-Severity Scale (CGI-S) across each group. Results : No significant differences were found in all HRV parameters between the three groups. However, significant group interactions by CGI-S were found in standard deviation of all RR intervals (SDNN) and the square root of the mean squared differences of successive normal-to-normal intervals (RMSSD) (SDNN, p=0.017 ; RMSSD, p=0.034). A negative relationship between CGI-S and SDNN, RMSSD has been found in anxiety disorder and depressive disorder. However, a positive relationship between CGI-S and SDNN, RMSSD has been found in trauma·stressor related disorder. Conclusions : Despite of no significant differences of each HRV parameter, our findings suggested the differential associations of HRV parameters with clinical severity among anxiety disorder, depressive disorder and trauma·stressor related disorder. In trauma·stressor related disorder, the clinical severity and degree of ANS dysregulation may differ, so more aggressive treatment is suggested.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.317-327
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• 2022

Objectives: To examine clinical effects of Korean medical treatment on depressive disorder. Methods: Medical records of 102 patients diagnosed with depressive disorder who were treated with Korean medical treatment (herbal-medication, acupuncture, Korean psychotherapy) for at least 12 weeks and measured psychological scales (Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), and State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory (STAXI)) every 4 weeks were analyzed. Results: After 12 weeks of treatment, BDI-II, STAI-X-1/2, BAI, and STAXI-S/T all decreased statistically significantly. STAI-X-1 and BAI were significantly decreased throughout the treatment interval (comparisons every 4 weeks). The other four scales decreased significantly from 0 to 4 weeks and from 8 to 12 weeks. Conclusions: Treatment for depressive disorder with Korean Medicine was effective not only in improving overall symptoms of depressed patients, but also in improving accompanying anxiety, anger, and physical symptoms. In addition, since all scores were gradually decreased, continuous treatment would be important.

• Anxiety and mood
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.17-23
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• 2014

Objective : Panic disorders are frequently accompanied by major depressive disorder (MDD). There is insufficient information about which clinical factors in panic disorder are associated with comorbid MDD. The aim of this study is to identify clinical factors related with comorbid MDD in patients with panic disorder. Methods : Two experienced psychiatrists diagnosed panic disorder based on DSM-IV criteria. This diagnosis in the 275 subjects was confirmed again by Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI). Lifetime comorbid psychiatric diagnoses were examined by MINI. The Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD), Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA) and Panic Disorder Severity Scale (PDSS) were used to assess the severity of depressive, anxiety and panic symptoms. Results : The result of MINI showed that 95 patients (34%) with panic disorder satisfied the diagnosis of MDD. Multivariate logistic regression model showed that comorbid generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and the symptom of "fear of losing control or going crazy" were associated with MDD in patients with panic disorder. In female patients, the "chills or hot flushes" symptom was also associated with comorbid MDD. Conclusion : These results showed that coexisting GAD and certain symptoms of panic are associated with comorbid MDD.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.149-154
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• 2017

Objectives This study investigated associations between symptom severity and neurocognitive functions in patients with major depressive disorder using comprehensive neuropsychological tests. Methods Ten patients with low depression (LD) and 22 patients with high depression (HD) participated. Symptom severity was determined by both the Beck Depression Inventory and the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale. Additionally, anxiety was measured by the Korean version of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-KYZ). Ten subtests of the Korean-Wechsler Adult Intelligence scale (K-WAIS), Stroop test, the word/design fluency tests were administered to assess cognition. Results The LD and HD groups did not differ in any of cognitive measures but anxiety level. Namely, the HD group obtained significantly higher scores on the state (U = 29.50, p < 0.01) and trait (U = 28.50, p < 0.001) anxiety scales than the LD group. A significant interaction effect between trait anxiety and depression severity was observed on the picture arrangement subtest of the K-WAIS [F (1, 27) = 5.09, p < 0.05]. Conclusions Cognitive deficits observed in patients with major depressive disorder may be related to other factors rather than current symptom severity. Trait anxiety possibly moderates the effect of current symptom severity on social judgment in these patients.

• Anxiety and mood
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 2016

Objective : This study was performed to confirm the hypothesis that the more one applies positive thinking, the less severe the symptoms of stress and the better the therapeutic responsein panic disorder and major depressive disorders. Methods : The study included 50 subjects with confirmed diagnoses of panic disorder or major depressive disorders. Positive thinking was assessed using Positive thinking scale. Beck Depression Inventory was used as a subjective measure for depression, and to ensure an objective measure for depression and anxiety, the Hamilton Depression and Hamilton Anxiety rating scales were implemented. Results : The positive thinking scale measured at the initial visit had shown a strong negative correlation with objective depression. Although patients with a high level of positive thinking had shown a tendency to respond better to the treatment, as compared with those with a lower level, the differences were not statistically significant. Conclusion : Positive thinking is likely to ameliorate major depressive disorder, panic disorder-induced depression, and anxiety. Nevertheless, it was not possible to confirm the effects of positive thinking on the patients' treatment responses.

• Anxiety and mood
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.32-40
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• 2007

Objectives : To investigate the validity of an abbreviated self-rated Korean version of MINI (Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview) patient health survey which screening social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and major depressive disorder. Methods : 115 subjects completed MINI and MINI patient health survey. The validity of MINI patient health survey was assessed by whether the results from MINI patient health survey were compatible with the results from MINI or not. The Cohen's kappa value, specificity, sensitivity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value was calculated for this purpose. Results : The Kappa values of social anxiety disorder (0.60), panic disorder (0.49), generalized anxiety disorder (0.60) and major depressive disorder without other co-morbid disorder (0.59) were at least moderate in strength of agreement. Conclusion : The abbreviated self-rated Korean version of MINI patient health survey has the moderate to good validity in social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and major depressive disorder without other co-morbid disorders. Our result suggests that this instrument might be useful for screening above 4 disorders if it is used under careful supervision of experienced clinicians.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.38 no.5
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• pp.650-657
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• 2017

Objective: This study was performed to report the effect of traditional Korean medicine as a treatment for laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) combined with depressive and anxiety disorder. Methods: We treated this patient with traditional Korean medicine and measured symptom severity using the reflux symptom index (RSI), Beck depression inventory (BDI), and Beck anxiety inventory (BAI). Results: After 3 weeks of treatment, most symptoms had decreased. The RSI score dropped from 21 to 8, BDI from 27 to 14, and BAI from 29 to 15. Conclusions: Traditional Korean medicine may be effective as a treatment for LPR combined with depressive and anxiety disorder, and a correlation may exist between LPR and psychological factors. However, more rigorous studies are required to identify exactly what treatment is most efficient for relieving LPR combined with depressive and anxiety disorder and whether LPR and psychological factors are clearly correlated.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.112-119
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• 2008

Objectives : This study was conducted to examine whether there are qualitative differences in attention problem among children with various psychiatric disorders, including attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, and tic disorder using clinical ADHD diagnostic system (ADS) T-scores. Methods : The subjects were 794 outpatient children aged from 5 to 15 years, including 540 children with ADHD, 95 children with depressive disorder, 86 children with anxiety disorder, and 73 children with tic disorder. Clinical T-scores on the ADS were calculated using the mean and standard deviations of four ADS variables for the ADHD group. Results : All four groups had T-scores on the ADS in the abnormal range. However, when comparing the clinical T-scores, the children with depressive and anxiety disorders performed better than the children with ADHD. We also found that although the four groups seemed to be similar in terms of clinical T-scores for omission and commission errors, there were significant differences in clinical T-scores for reaction time and the standard deviation of response time (RT) between the ADHD and other groups. Conclusions : We concluded that inattention and impulsivity might not be specific only to ADHD and that the clinical T-scores of RT and standard deviation of RT on the ADS could be used to discriminate between ADHD and other clinical groups.