• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.95-99
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• 2004

Objectives: Although many studies on seasonal variations in mood and behavior have been carried out in foreign countries, no such study has previously been undertaken in Korea. The goal of this study was to estimate the frequency of seasonal variations in mood and behavior among Korean medical students. Methods: 297 medical students from Korea University College of Medicine participated in this study. The subjects were surveyed with a Korean translation of the Seasonal Pattern Assessment Questionnaire (SPAQ), and their responses were evaluated for seasonal patterns of mood and behavioral change, including seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and subsyndromal seasonal affective disorder (S-SAD), derived from the case-finding criteria of Kasper et al. Results: The mean global seasonality score was 6.6 (SD=3.6). 83.5% (N=248) of the subjects reported some changes in behavior and mood associated with the seasons. Only 3.7% (N=11) reported no behavioral changes across the seasons. Total prevalence rates were 15.2% for SAD, and 2.7% for S-SAD. The estimated frequencies were 3.0% for summer SAD, 2.7% for summer S-SAD, 11.4% for winter SAD, and 5.8% for winter S-SAD. The prevalence rates for winter SAD or S-SAD were higher than the prevalence rates for summer SAD or S-SAD. Conclusion: These results suggest that seasonal variations in mood and behavior are common among Koreans. The higher prevalence rate of winter SAD or S-SAD than summer SAD or S-SAD is consistent with most western studies and stands in contrasts to studies in other Asian countries, such as Japan and China.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.111-116
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• 2005

Objectives: Although many reports have been written on seasonal variations in mood and behavior in foreign countries, few reports have dealt with Korean adolescents, except medical students. The goal of this study was to estimate the frequency of seasonal variations in mood and behavior among Korean high school students. Methods: A total of 656 high school students living in southeastern Seoul participated in this study. The subjects were investigated with the Korean translated version of the Seasonal Pattern Assessment Questionnaire (SPAQ), and their responses were evaluated for seasonal patterns in mood and behavior change according to Kasper's criteria to make SAD (seasonal affective disorder) or SSAD (subclinical seasonal affective disorder) diagnosis. Results: A total of 565 subjects completed the questionnaire and the responses (M：F=324：241) were collected and used for analysis. The mean age was 16.73 (SD=0.65) years, and mean global seasonality score 5.88 (SD=4.72). Of the respondents, 413 (73.1%) reported problems related with seasonal changes. Total prevalence rates were 13.6% for SAD, 10.8% for S-SAD. The estimated frequencies were 5.1% for summer SAD, 3.2% for summer S-SAD, 0.5% for winter SAD and 1.1% for winter S-SAD. The prevalence rate of summer SAD or S-SAD was higher than winter SAD or S-SAD. Conclusion: The subjects showed a higher prevalence rate of summer type than winter type in SAD or S-SAD. These results were similar to those of other studies carried out in East Asian countries. However, the unpleasant feelings resulting from high temperature and humidity in summer rather than depression may have influenced the results. Therefore, it is necessary to make new SAD criteria of the SPAQ suitable for East Asian countries.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.26-35
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• 2015

Objectives:The purpose of this study was to evaluate reliability and validity of the Korean version of the Postconcussional Syndrome Questionnaire(KPCSQ) which was originally developed in 1992 by Lees-Haley. Methods:Patients with traumatic brain injury were recruited from April 2009 to December 2011 from the Korean University Ansan Hospital. We selected patients that met the ICD-10 diagnostic criteria of postconcussional syndrome and organic mental disorder including organic mood disorder, organic emotionally labile disorder, organic anxiety disorder and organic personality disorder. The KPCSQ, Trait and State Anxiety Inventory(STAI-I, II), and Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale(CESD) were administered to all subjects. Factor analysis of the items were performed and test-retest correlation were evaluated. Internal consistency of the KPCSQ and its subscales was assessed with Cronbach's alpha. External validity of the KPCSQ were examined by correlation coefficient with the STAI-I, II, and CESD. Results:The Cronbach's alpha coefficient of the total PCSQ was 0.956. The test-retest reliability coefficient was 0.845. The PCSQ showed significant correlation with STAI-I, II and CESD. The factor analysis of the PCSQ yielded 4 factors model. Factor 1 represented 'affective and cognitive symptoms', factor 2 represented 'somatic symptoms', factor 3 represented 'infrequent symptoms' and factor 4 represented 'exaggeration or inattentive response'. There was no significant difference between the PCS group and the organic mental disorder group in the score on each measure. The scores on KPCSQ and its subscales in the subjects that had scored 5 or more in 'exaggeration or inattentive response' are significantly higher than those in the subjects had scored 4 in 'exaggeration or inattentive response'. Conclusions:This study suggests that the Korean version of PCSQ is a valid and reliable tool for assessing psychiatric symptomatology of patients with traumatic brain injury. Further investigations with greater numbers of subjects are necessary to assess the clinical usefulness of the KPCSQ.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.112-120
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• 2014

Objectives : The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical characteristics of night eating syndrome(NES) in bipolar disorder outpatients. Methods : The 14 items of self-reported night eating questionnaire(NEQ) was administered to 84 bipolar patients in psychiatric outpatient clinic. We examined demographic and clinical characteristics, body mass index(BMI), subjective measures of mood, sleep, binge eating & weight-related quality of life using Beck's Depression Inventory (BDI), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index(PSQI), Binge Eating Scale(BES) and Korean version of Obesity-Related Quality of Life Scale(KOQoL), respectively. Results : The prevalence of night eating syndrome in bipolar outpatients was 14.3%(12 of 84). Comparisons between NES group and non-NES group revealed no significant differences in demographic characteristics, BMI and clinical status except economic status and comorbid medical illnesses. However, compared to non-NES, patients with NES was more likely to have binge eating pattern and poorer weight-related quality of life. Conclusions : This study is to be the first to describe the clinical correlates of night eaters in bipolar outpatients. Although there were few significant correlates of NES in bipolar outpatients, relatively high prevalence of NES suggest that clinicians should be aware to assess the patients with bipolar disorder on NES, regardless of obesity status of patients.

• 대한상한금궤의학회지
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.89-96
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• 2014

Objective : This case report evaluated the effect of Soseungki-tang(小承氣湯) on mood disorder. Methods : A patient of mood disorder was treated with Soseungki-tang(小承氣湯) in accordance with Shanghanlun(傷寒論) six meridian patterns diagnostic system. Results : After a series of Soseungki-tang treatment, the symptoms of mood disorder patient improved. Conclusions : According to Shanghanlun(傷寒論) six meridian patterns diagnostic system, this case study shows that Soseungki-tang is effective on mood disorder. However further clinical studies in depth are needed.

• Korean Journal of Social Welfare
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• v.39
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• pp.238-265
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• 1999

The purpose of this study was to examine the degree of depression in housewives and to analyze the effects of psychosocial factors on the depression. Especially the focus was on the differences in the degree of depression and the influencing factors on depression between those in early adulthood and those in middle adulthood The subjects consisted of 130 early adulthood housewives and 142 middled adulthood housewives. They asked to complete several self-report measures that were used to assess the variables of interest. The result indicated that the depression in housewives were serious enough to arouse social workers' attention. The average housewives were suffered from mild depression, and 17.1% of the housewives were in need of professional treatment. There was no significant difference in the degree of depression between the early adulthood housewives and the middle adulthood housewives. There were, however, differences in the factors which explain and predict the depression between these two groups. The results of step-wise multiple regression analysis indicated that the factors which predict the depression for the early adulthood housewives were self-esteem, conflict with the spouse, experience of painful events, age, and conflict with the children. On the other hand, the factors which predict the depression for the middle adulthood housewives were self-esteem, conflict with the spouse, job, and income. Implications of the findings for social work interventions were discussed.

• Journal of the Korean Society of School Health
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.169-181
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• 2009

Purpose: Mood disorders such as depression and bipolar disorder are a major mental health problem in college students. We investigate the prevalence of depression and bipolar disorder and the relevance of risk factors for these mood disorders among one college freshmen. Methods: The subjects were 2,865 college students who entered one university located in Seoul and Ansung in 2009. We used BDI (Beck Depression Inventory) for depression assessment and K-MDQ (Mood Disorder Questionnaire) for bipolar disorder assessment. Demographic and socioeconomic factors were measured by questionnaire. Height, weight, blood pressure, total cholesterol, complete blood cell count, and liver function test data were obtained by physical examination for freshmen. Chi-square test and multiple logistic regression were performed to analyze the possible risk factors for depression and bipolar disorder. Results: With different BDI cutoff value, 16 and 21, the prevalence of depression was 8.7% (male: 7.6%, female: 10.1%) and 2.4% (male: 2.5%, female: 2.3%), separately. 'Low economic status', 'urban birth place', and 'low grade at entrance' were significantly associated with depression. Using the original cutoff criterion, defined as clustering of 7 or more symptoms that caused moderate or severe problems, the prevalence of bipolar disorder was 1.3% (male: 1.4%, female: 1.1%). The risk factor of bipolar disorder was academic fields (art fields). Conclusion: Depression and bipolar disorder are common disease in college freshmen. Therefore, Campus-based mental health service program is needed to help with prevention of and early intervention of these mood disorders.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.349-358
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• 2023

Objectives: We used the 2019 Korea Health Panel Annual Data to analyze factors related to visits to Korean medicine (KM) outpatient clinics among patients with mood disorders in Korea. Methods: Individuals aged 19 years or older, with depressive or bipolar disorders, and with a record of using Western medicine (WM) and/or the KM medical service were included. The 266 subjects were classified into the WM group or the integrative medicine (IM) group. The Andersen healthcare utilization model was used to analyze factors that potentially influenced the subjects' healthcare utilization. Binomial logistic regression analysis was used to analyze factors influencing the use of IM medical services. Results: Among the subjects, 75.56% (n=201) were in the WM group, and 24.44% (n=65) were in the IM group. Statistically significant differences were observed in residential areas, total annual income, the presence of disability, and the level of pain/discomfort between the two groups. Regression analysis found that residential areas and pain/discomfort were factors related to the use of IM services. Specifically, reporting "a lot" of pain/discomfort compared to "no" pain/discomfort showed a significant positive relationship with the use of IM (odds ratio=4.57, 95% confidence interval=1.79 to 11.70). Conclusions: This study was the first to analyze the status of KM medical service use and related factors among patients with mood disorders in Korea. The finding that the presence of pain/discomfort was positively correlated with the use of KM services is potentially related to medically unexplained physical symptoms or somatization phenomena.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.156-161
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• 2001

We reported two cases of amantadine treatment in traumatic brain injury patients and reviewed the literature of amantadine treatment of those patients. Problems with short-term memory, attention, planning, problem solving, impulsivity, disinhibition, poor motivation, and other behavioral and cognitive deficit could occur following traumatic brain injury or other types of acquired brain injury. This report described results of amantadine using in two patients with this type of symptom profile. Patients received neuropsychiatric examination as well as BPRS and Barthel index. These patients were improved, respectively from 57 point to 82 point(case 1), from 85 to 94(case 2) in Barthel index, and from 66 point to 35 point(case 1), from 55 to 32 point(case 2) in BPRS. These two patients did not reveal any other adverse effect. The rationale for using amantadine were discussed.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.59-66
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• 2001

Objectives: This study examined the effect of mood and personality characteristics on psychophysiological responses measured by a biofeedback system in a normal population. Methods: Fifty healthy volunteers without any history of medical or psychiatric illnesses participated in this study. We measured the Spielberger trait anxiety inventory, Beck depression inventory, and Eysenck personality questionnaires in these subjects. Using the J & J biofeedback system, we also measured skin temperature, electrodermal response, forearm and frontal electromyography (EMG)s in 3 experimental conditions of baseline, stress, and recovery phases. Results: Trait anxiety did not show any significant correlation with psychophysiological responses except stress response in forearm EMG levels(r=0.282, p<0.05). Depressed mood was negatively correlated with forearm EMG levels in baseline (r=-0.299, p<0.05) and recovery phases(r=-0.314, p<0.05). Subjects with relatively high levels of depressed mood showed different stress and recovery responses in frontal EMG levels compared with those with relatively low levels of depressed mood (F=4.26, p<0.05). Extroverted subjects showed higher levels of forearm EMG than introverted ones in stress phase. Conclusion: Mood and personality characteristics in healthy subjects are closely related with psychophysiological responses measured by a biofeedback system. We suggest that mood and personality characteristics should be considered as important variables in analyzing abnormal psychophysiological responses in some psychiatric patients.