• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.46-55
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• 2017

Objectives : Outpatient treatment orders refer to a mandatory social program in which mentally ill persons are ordered by the court to participate in specified outpatient treatment programs. This study aimed to investigate the factors that affect outpatient treatment orders and adherence to outpatient treatment in mental health patients. Methods : A survey on outpatient treatment orders and adherence to outpatient treatment was conducted on 60 psychiatrists between October and November 2016. The questionnaire items were drafted based on a literature review, and they were then evaluated by 3 psychiatrists and 1 law school professor before being finalized. Answers from the respondents were analyzed using descriptive statistics, and the median, maximum, and minimum values of the effectiveness scores of outpatient treatment orders were calculated. Results : Among the 60 psychiatrists, 45(75.0%) were aware of outpatient treatment orders; however, only 2 out of the 45(4.0%) had actually used the program in the last 12 months. The subjective effectiveness was very low, with only 40 points out of 100. Furthermore, of the readmitted patients, 37.7% had received continued outpatient treatment, whereas 53.1% chose to quit the outpatient treatment programs, meaning that the number of dropouts was higher. Among the discharged patients, approximately two-thirds were receiving continued treatment. With regard to follow-up for dropouts, majority of the responses were either "Not taking any action"(n=27) or "Not following up"(n=15). Only two respondents answered "Contact the community mental health promotion center," meaning that this response was very rare. Meanwhile, when asked about efficient measures to be implemented for dropouts, a vast majority of the respondents(n=30) selected the answer "Work with the community mental health promotion center." Conclusions : The outpatient treatment orders currently being administered were found to be ineffective, and the associated adherence to outpatient treatment was also found to be extremely poor. Hence, the effectiveness of the therapeutic interventions could benefit from institutional as well as administrative improvements. Community mental health promotion centers are expected to have an important role in the future.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.52-58
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• 2008

Objectives : Antidepressants are prescribed by not only psychiatrists but also general practitioners. However, patients' negative attitude and stigma against antidepressants are major obstacles to prescribe antidepressants in nonpsychiatric outpatient departments. We, therefore, examined patients' attitude toward antidepressant in medical and surgical group outpatient in Korea. Methods : Short item questionnaire was applied to medical group and surgical group outpatients who consented to this survey in a Korean university hospital. 100 medical and 100 surgical outpatients were surveyed. The questionnaire contained sociodemographic information, previous recognition of antidepressant, and general attitude toward attidepressants. Results : Of the 212 recipients, exclusive of erroneous and missing ones, we analyzed 200 recipients. 1) We found negative attitude toward antidepressants among both medical and surgical outpatients. 2) Medical group outpatients are answered more' antidepressants cause physically ill. 3) The persons who didn't take previously antidepressants showed more negative attitudes. 4) The most reason why they refuse to take antidepressants is concerns of side effects of antidepressants. Conclusion : There are highly negative attitude toward antidepressants between medical and surgical group outpatients. Study findings suggest the need for an active education on antidepressants to nonpsychiatric outpatients to maximize their therapeutic effect and compliance.

• 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.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.244-254
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• 1999

Objectives: This study investigated the psychological characteristics of patients with functional dyspepsia. Methods: The subjects included ninety patients with functional dyspepsia and sixty four psychiatric out-patients. We administered Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory(MMPI) and Illness Behavior Questionnaire(IBQ). Results: There were no significant differences between the patients with functional dyspepsia and the psychiatric out-patients by MMPI. Two groups both showed a higher distribution in hypochondriasis, depression, hysteria subscales than in any other subscales. The patients with functional dyspepsia showed lower scores in disease conviction and affective disturbance subscales in IBQ than the psychiatric out-patients. The distribution of scores of the other IBQ subscales were similar between the patients with functional dyspepsia and the psychiatric out-patients. The patients with functional dyspepsia were divided into three groups for the Multivariate cluster analysis: normal, similar to psychiatric out-patient, and severe neurotic. The severe neurotic group showed higher scores in hypochondriasis, depression, hysteria, psychathenia, and schizophrenia subscales in MMPI and showed significant different scores in affective disturbance, disease conviction, psychological and somatic concerns, affective disturbance, denial, and irritability subscales in IBQ. Conclusion: If patients with functional dyspepsia show severe neurotic behavior, such as those in, they would need appropriate psychiatric intervention.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.149-158
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• 2003

Objectives: The authors studied the anxiety, depression and psychological characteristics of medical out-patients, which are diagnosed as peptic ulcer disorder and essential hypertension. We also examined the state of psychiatric consultation. Methods: The subjects were composed of 56 patients with peptic ulcer disorder, 44 patients with essential hypertension and 116 controls. STAI, BDI and SCL-90R was administered to all subjects. Chart review, telephone interview and Self report questionnaire of etiology and severity of illness, drug compliance and so forth were performed in disease groups. Results: Considerable depression was noticed in 39.3% among the patients with peptic ulcer disorder, 27.7% in hypertension and 12.1% in control group by BDI. State anxiety was noticed in 44.6% among the patients with peptic ulcer disorder, 54.5% in hypertension and 18.1% in control group by State anxiety. Trait anxiety was noticed in 42.9% among the patients with peptic ulcer disorder, 34.1% in hypertension and 25.8% in control group by Trait anxiety. The higher SOM, BDI, STAI, the lower drug compliance and rapport. Psychological problems are considered of the most important etiology in 48.2% of peptic ulcer group and 45.7% of hypertensive group. But psychiatric consultation is made only in 1.8% of peptic ulcer group and 2.3% of hypertensive group. Conclusions: Anxiety and depression are common phenomena in medical outpatients. In comparison with the normal control group, peptic ulcer group showed significantly higher trait anxiety and depression and hypertensive group higher state anxiety. These characteristics are related to the drug compliance and doctor-patient relationship. These results suggested the needs of active psychiatric consultation.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.252-255
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• 1999

Numbers of patients who have chronic pain seem to be increasing even in the psychiatric practice. One report in Korea showed more than 40% of psychiatric patients who visited out-patient clinic were suffered from chronic pain and one third of those patients were needed treatment for the on-going pain. For evaluating and treating those patients the charateristics of illness behavior should be understood. Abnormal Illness behavior was found as one of the most influential factors which led symptoms complicated and chronified. This symposium was planned to illustrate how to manage the patients whose pain are associated with arthropathy and connective tissue diseases, neuropathic pain and headache more effectively and efficiently. So, It is hoped to get fruitful knowledges for the management of chronic pain in the scope of consultation-liaison psychiatry.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.8-19
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• 2020

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to examine whether the MMPI-2-RF serves as a useful tool to differentiate between the subtypes of high risk of suicide among psychiatric outpatients. Methods : Patients were recruited from the department of psychiatry of university hospital. Participants were diagnosed using DSM-5 criteria by board certified psychiatrists. Their medical records were reviewed retrospectively. And participants were put into 4 groups (Suicide ideation, Suicide attempt, Non-suicidal self-injury, and general psychiatric diagnosis as a control group). For statistical comparison, the MANCOVA with gender as a covariate was used. Results : The results indicated that as previous research with non-clinical sample suggested, psychiatric outpatients with high suicide risk also have significantly higher Emotional/Internalizing Dysfunction, Helplessness/Hopelessness, Suicidal/Death Ideation, Demoralization, Cognitive complaints, Cynicism, Dysfunctional negative thoughts than general psychiatric patients group. But group differences within the high suicide risk patients have not been observed. However, suicide attempt group and NSSI group has higher Behavioral/Externalizing Dysfunction, RC4, AGG than general psychiatric patients group. But there was no difference between suicidal idea group and general psychiatric patients group. Conclusions : There was no group difference observed between all three subtypes, which mean the MMPI2-RF may not be the useful diagnostic tool to navigate high suicide risk subtypes. Even though there was no difference observed in the suicide ideation group, suicide attempt group and NSSI group have higher aggression and externalization. So those indexes could serve as a useful marker to investigate riskiness of suicide related symptoms.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.66-73
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• 2011

Objectives:The present study investigates the status of inpatient psychiatric consultations at a general hospital in order to find factors that contribute to treatment compliance related to psychiatric consultations. Methods:The subjects were 333 patients who were hospitalized at Korea University Medical Center Ansan Hospital from 1 September 2009 to 31 July 2010.The patients were referred for psychiatric consultation during hospitalization. This study investigates demographic data, request department, referral causes, requestor, psychiatric history and diagnosis, andpsychiatric treatment compliance. Treatment compliance was defined as whether or not the patient had accepted psychiatric treatment during hospitalization or outpatient department(OPD) follow-up. This study ascertains the factors that have impact on compliance, by taking binary logistic regression with compliance and other variables. Results:Among the patients that were offered psychiatric treatment during hospitalization(N=310), treatment compliance was 82.9%. Among the patients that were offered OPD treatment(N=111), compliance was 55.8%. Elderly group(>65 years) showed better compliance to treatment during hospitalization than the younger patient group(OR=4.838, p=0.004). Patients with secondary psychiatric disorders showed better OPD follow-up compliance than patients with secondary psychiatric disorders(OR=8.520, p=.008). Conclusion:Elderly patients showed better compliance for psychiatric treatment during hospitalization. However they commonly have disorders such as delirium and mood disorders that have impact on the patient's physical state, hence further active measures should be carried out. Patients referred due to primary psychiatric disorders showed poor OPD compliance. Therefore clinicians have to suggest multidisciplinary interventions that will improve treatment compliance of such patients.

• The Korean Society of Law and Medicine
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.23-80
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• 2018

Since the 1960s, the United States' (U.S.) deinstitutionalization policy has reinstated people with mental illness into communities. Unfortunately, when untreated, some people with psychiatric disorders become homeless, and some commit serious crimes during a psychological crisis. Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT), also known as Kendra's Law in New York and Laura's Law in California, provides treatment, services and support to people with mental illness in the community. AOT has repeatedly been found effective and is recognized as an evidence-based practice. The response to the mental health crisis (crisis intervention) in the U.S. has also been successful in preventing worsening mental illness and related criminality and other issues. This paper provides an opportunity to create a platform from which to learn how to successfully apply the AOT and crisis intervention of the U.S. to South Korea within the cultural and societal context when establishing social services for people with mental illness in South Korea's communities.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.93-103
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• 2014

Objectives : The aim of study was to examine the prevalence of night eating syndrome(NES) and its correlates in schizophrenic outpatients. Methods : The 14 items of self-reported night eating questionnaire(NEQ) was administered to 201 schizophrenic patients in psychiatric outpatient clinic. We examined demographic and clinical characteristics, body mass index(BMI), subjective measures of mood, sleep, binge eating, and 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 eaters in schizophrenic outpatients was 10.4%(21 of 201). Comparisons between NES group and non-NES group revealed no significant differences in sociodemographic characteristics, clinical status and BMI. Compared to non-NES, patients with NES reported significantly greater depressed mood and sleep disturbance, more binge eating pattern, and decreased weight-related quality of life. While 'morning anorexia' and 'delayed morning meal'(2 of 5 NES core components in NEQ) were not differed between groups, 'nocturnal ingestions', 'evening hyperphagia', and 'mood/sleep' were more impaired in NES group. Conclusions : These findings are the first to describe the prevalence and its correlates of night eaters in schizophrenic outpatients. These results suggest that NES has negative mental health implications, although it was not associated with obesity. Further study to generalize these results is required.