• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.51-60
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• 1999

This study was designed to evaluate anxiety & depression symptoms and pressure pain threshold in patients with posttraumatic stress disorder(n=23) and to find out the relationship between the affective symptoms and the pressure pain threshold scores. And this was compared with healthy control subjects(n=18). The scores of pressure pain threshold were checked with algometer. The results were as follows : PTSD patients showed higher scores of anxiety & depression symptoms than that of the control group. In contrast with our hypothesis, pressure pain threshold in PTSD patients presented statistically significant higher scores than that of the control group. These results may be derived from following factors. First, chronic depression has influenced the pain perception of patients with PTSD rather than anxiety symptoms, second, abnormal state of the opiate system in PTSD patients, third, the sick role of the PTSD patients, fourth, the socio-environmental factor of the PTSD patients. In conclusion, affective symptoms, especially depression, were related to the chronic pain in patients with PTSD, however, the causality of elevated pressure pain threshold was uncertain in this study. To understand more clearly the relation between affective symptoms and chronic pain, it will be necessary to control the other specific factors.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.102-110
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• 2021

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to investigate the characteristics of the perception of the somatic symptoms and the cognitive emotion regulation strategies in patients with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Methods : A total of 48 patients meeting DSM-5 criteria for PTSD and 48 normal controls were recruited for participation in this study. We evaluated subjects using Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS), Somato-Sensory Amplification Scale (SSAS), Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAM-A) and Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (CERQ). We analyzed data using an independent t-test and Pearson's correlation analysis. Results : In terms of SSAS, PTSD patients presented higher average SSAS scores than normal controls but the result is not statistically significant. In PTSD patients, the severity of PTSD is significantly correlated with CERQ-rumination and CERQ-catastrophizing. The SSAS scores of PTSD patients show the significant positive correlation with PTSD hyperarousal symptoms, CERQ-catastrophizing and CERQ-blaming others. Conclusions : These results reveal that patients with PTSD have maladaptive cognitive emotion regulation strategies such as rumination and catastrophizing. Somato-sensory amplification seems to be related with PTSD hyperarousal, CERQ-catastrophizing and CERQ-blaming others. Therefore, reducing somato-sensory amplification, rumination and catastrophizing can be helpful to reduce PTSD symptoms and somatic symptoms in PTSD patients.

• 한국노년학
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.293-308
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• 2017

This study aims to examine Life Managers for Elderly People Living Alone (LMEPLAs) in Seoul regarding their traumatic experience and the status of their posttraumatic stress disorder and also how they are coping with it in order to find out ways to improve it. As a study method, we investigated LMEPLAs in Seoul through a self-administered survey regarding whether they had faced any traumatic experience, types of their traumatic experience, diagnosis on posttraumatic stress, and the status of their coping with traumatic experience. According to the study results, 186 respondents (37.57%) have been found to indicate either partial or complete posttraumatic stress symptoms, but the status of their coping with it is very poor. The followings are the results of our discussion. First, it is needed to find out life managers suffering from posttraumatic stress disorder and build up a system to manage them consistently. Second, it is necessary to vitalize education about traumatic experience and posttraumatic stress management. Third, it is urgently needed to build up a system to support life managers who have faced any traumatic experience or been diagnosed to have posttraumatic stress disorder. Fourth, it is demanded to cultivate and arrange experts equipped with specialized knowledge and technique. Fifth, it is needed for them to build a network with medical institutes to receive a prompt diagnosis and specialized treatment.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.36-43
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• 2003

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the difference of cognitve function among patients with posttraumatic stress disorder according to severity of symptoms. Methods: The subjects were 90 psychiatric inpatients and outpatients with posttraumatic stress disorer(by DSM-IV criteria) after traffic accident. The severity of symptoms was assessed by MMPI subscales; depression, psychasthenia, schizophrenia. The impairment of cognitive function was assessed by Korean Wechsler Intelligence Scale(K-WAIS). Based on scores of the MMPI subscales, the patients were divided into high group(above 70 percentile) and low group(below 30 percentile). We estimated the difference of the K-WAIS score and subtest score in the low group and high group of the MMPI subscales by indedpendent t-test. Results: The scores of high group is significantly higher in the subtests of information, vocabulary, similarity, picture completion, and picture arrangement than the low group for psychasthenia subscale of MMPI. And the score of high group is significantly higher in full scale I.Q., verbal I.Q., performance I.Q., verbal subscales except digit span and simiarity, and performance subscales than low group for schiozphrenia subscale of MMPI. Conclusion: It was found cognitive function was more impaired in the group of PTSD with severe symptom compared to the group of PTSD with mild symptoms. We suggest that psychiatrist should consider various cognitive approaches as well as pharmacotherapy in the management of PTSD.

• Anxiety and mood
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.14-20
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• 2009

Objective : The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between plasma serotonin concentration and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in chronic PTSD patients who have been taking medication. Methods : Plasma serotonin level of 14 PTSD patients and a control group of 28 Vietnam War veterans was measured by HPLC (high performance liquid chromatography). The Combat Exposure Scale (CES), Mississippi Scale for Combat-Related Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (M-PTSD), Clinician Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS), Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD), and Hamiltion Anxiety Scale (HAS) were used to evaluate PTSD symptom severity. Results : Serotonin level was significantly higher in the PTSD group than in the control group (p=0.036, p=0.006, respectively). M-PTSD (p<0.001), CAPS (p<0.001), HRSD (p<0.001), and HAS (p<0.001) scale scores were significantly higher in the PTSD group than in the control group; however, the CES score failed to show a significant improvement (p=0.964). There were no significant differences between plasma serotonin and PTSD symptoms. Conclusion : In chronic PTSD patients who have been taking medications, we can not predict treatment effect and symptom severity by measuring only plasma serotonin levels. PTSD is a complicated disorder which may likely be related to a variety of neurotransmitter systems. Therefore, further research which investigate relationships with norepinephrine, dopamine, and other neurotransmitters as well as serotonin is needed to improve the treatment of PTSD.

• Anxiety and mood
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.147-153
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• 2013

Objective : Despite the chronic nature and high social costs, individuals with anxiety disorders seldom seek treatment. Thus, education for public awareness and screening for the illness is tremendously important for mental health professionals. This study summaries and presents the results from Anxiety Disorder Screening Program during the Mental Health Exposition held in Seoul in April, 2013. Methods : We analyzed the data from 116 participants who agreed and completed the screening questionnaires during their visits to two-day Anxiety Disorder Screening Program prepared by the Korean Academy of Anxiety Disorder. The questionnaire comprised of modified Mobility inventory for agoraphobia, Contents of worries, Penn State Worry Questionnaire, Life Events Checklist, and Abbreviated Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist. Results : Participants demonstrated high rates of anxiety symptoms and possible anxiety disorders. Experience of panic attack was reported by 45%, lifetime and 16% in the past month by respondents. Phobia was reported by 46%. Participants had an average of 3.3 pathological worries and among those, social or interpersonal content was most common (46%). At least one lifetime traumatic event was reported by 64%. By the cut-off scores in the literature, 46% had possible generalized anxiety disorder and 58% possible posttraumatic stress disorder. Conclusion : Our results suggested that many visitors to Anxiety Disorder Screening Program were in fact treatment seeking after experiencing some forms of anxiety symptoms. Further efforts for delivery of medical information and increasing public awareness for anxiety disorders are needed.

• Anxiety and mood
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.121-127
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• 2013

Objective : Several studies have reported the association between posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and hypertension (HTN). The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of PTSD symptoms on blood pressure. Methods : Korean veterans of the Vietnam War with (n=62) or without PTSD (n=87) participated in this study. The clinician administered PTSD scale (CAPS) and alcohol use disorder identification test (AUDIT) were applied. Blood pressure, pulse rate, risk factors of HTN and demographic data of the subjects were collected. Effects of potential explanatory variables on HTN were analyzed with logistic regression. Results : Diastolic blood pressure was significantly higher in PTSD group (p=0.015). However, PTSD subjects showed significantly lower pulse rate than non-PTSD subjects (p=0.004). Logistic regression analysis showed that avoidance symptom might be a predictor for hypertension (OR=1.065, p=0.030). Conclusion : These results suggest that PTSD, especially avoidance symptom, might be a risk factor on HTN in the elderly with PTSD. Further studies are needed to evaluate the change of blood pressure according to the clinical improvement of PTSD.

• Journal of Korean Medical Science
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• v.33 no.45
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• pp.284.1-284.12
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• 2018

Background: Posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) in patients with psychological trauma lead to poor health-related quality of life. Understanding of the relationships among PTSS, anxiety, depression, and illness intrusiveness will guide the development of efficient approaches to enhance subjective well-being in patients with psychological trauma. This study investigated whether anxiety and depression mediate the relationship between PTSS and illness intrusiveness in the hope of providing more comprehensive and effective trauma treatment. Methods: Psychiatric outpatients who visited the trauma clinic of a university hospital (n = 260) participated in this study. Assessments were conducted for PTSS, anxiety, depression, and illness intrusiveness. Structural equation modeling and path analysis were performed to analyze the mediating effects of anxiety and depression on the relationship between PTSS and illness intrusiveness. Results: PTSS had both direct and indirect exacerbating effects on illness intrusiveness. Anxiety exhibited the largest direct exacerbating effect on illness intrusiveness. The indirect effects of PTSS on illness intrusiveness through anxiety alone and through a depression-to-anxiety pathway were significant, but the indirect effect through depression alone was not. Conclusion: The findings demonstrate that anxiety, both independently and as part of an interrelated pathway with depression, partially mediates the relationship between PTSS and illness intrusiveness. Appropriate interventions and a comprehensive approach to alleviate anxiety and depression could mitigate the negative effects of PTSS on illness intrusiveness in patients with psychological trauma.

• Anxiety and mood
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.59-66
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• 2021

Objective : The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship among the degree of symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and social support, stress coping strategies, and self-esteem in patients with PTSD. Methods : A total of 48 patients meeting DSM-5 criteria for PTSD and 48 normal controls were recruited for participation in this study. We evaluated subjects using the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS), Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAM-A), Hamilton Depression Scale (HAM-D), Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES), Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) and The Ways of Stress Coping Questionnaire (SCQ). We analyzed data using an independent t-test and Pearson's correlation analysis. Results : In PTSD patients, total CAPS scores showed a significant positive correlation with HAM-A and HAM-D scores and a significant negative correlation with MSPSS scores. RSES scores showed a significant positive correlation with MSPSS and SCQ scores. MSPSS scores showed a significant negative correlation with PTSD avoidance and numbing and HAM-D scores. SCQ scores showed a significant negative correlation with PTSD avoidance and numbing. Conclusion : These results revealed that the better the stress coping strategies and social support, the lower the degree of symptoms in patients with PTSD. In addition, it was found that the higher the social support and self-esteem, the lower the degree of depression and anxiety. Therefore, in the treatment process, it seems important to identify and correct the self-esteem, social support system, and stress coping strategies of patients with PTSD.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.53-57
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• 2011

We reported a unique case of posttraumatic giant infratentorial extradural intradiploic epidermoid cyst. A 54-year-old male, with a previous history of an open scalp injury and underlying linear skull fracture in the left occipital region in childhood, presented with a painful subcutaneous swelling, which had been developed gradually in the same region and moderate headache, nausea, vomiting and cerebellar ataxia. The duration of symptoms on admission was 3 months. Imaging studies revealed occipital bone destruction and giant extradural intradiploic lesion. The preoperative diagnosis was giant infratentorial extradural intradiploic epidermoid cyst. Surgery achieved total removal of the lesion, which was histologically confirmed and the postoperative course was uneventful. To our knowledge, this is the first case of giant infratentorial extradural intradiploic epidermoid cyst with a traumatic etiology described in the literature.