• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.22-27
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• 1998

Thirteen female patients of somatization disorder, undifferentiated somatoform disorder and somatoform disorder, NOS, diagnosed by DSM-IV were studied for their pain threshold and serum testosterone and the results were compared with the respective data of 20 control females. The results are as follows : 1) The pain threshold as measured by Variable Weight Pressure Algometer was significantly lower in the patient group(153.8${\pm}$39.5 gm/$0.05mm^2$) as compared to the control group(197.5${\pm}$66.7 gm/$0.05mm^2$)(p<0.05). 2) There was no significant difference of serum testosterone between the patient(0.175${\pm}$0.081 ng/ml) and the control(0.174${\pm}$0.108 ng/ml) groups. 3) A significant positive correlation was noted between the pain threshold and serum testosterone in the patient group(r=0.632, p<0.05, two tailed, Pearson's correlation test), but not in the normal control group(r= -0.405). From these results, it was suggested that the role of testosterone in endogenous pain control system might be more important in somatoform disorders than normals.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.102-130
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• 2022

Objectives: The persistence and unpredictability of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and new measures to prevent direct medical intervention (e.g., social distancing and quarantine) have induced various psychological symptoms and disorders that require self-treatment approaches and integrative treatment interventions. To address these issues, the Korean Medicine Mental Health (KMMH) center developed a field manual by reviewing previous literature and preexisting manuals. Methods: The working group of the KMMH center conducted a keyword search in PubMed in June 2021 using "COVID-19" and "SARS-CoV-2". Review articles were examined using the following filters: "review," "systematic review," and "meta-analysis." We conducted a narrative review of the retrieved articles and extracted content relevant to previous manuals. We then created a treatment algorithm and recommendations by referring to the results of the review. Results: During the initial assessment, subjective symptom severity was measured using a numerical rating scale, and patients were classified as low- or moderate-high risk. Moderate-high-risk patients should be classified as having either a psychiatric emergency or significant psychiatric condition. The developed manual presents appropriate psychological support for each group based on the following dominant symptoms: tension, anxiety-dominant, anger-dominant, depression-dominant, and somatization. Conclusions: We identified the characteristics of mental health problems during the COVID-19 pandemic and developed a clinical mental health support manual in the field of Korean medicine. When symptoms meet the diagnostic criteria for a mental disorder, doctors of Korean medicine can treat the patients according to the manual for the corresponding disorder.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.196-202
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• 2022

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to quantitatively assess the degree of Graves' Disease affecting mental health through the results of multiphasic military personality inventory (MPI) in 19-year-old men. Methods : We collected and analyzed the results of the MPI for 592 healthy subjects and 148 Graves' disease patients among the 19-year-old men who visited the Military Manpower Administration from February 2008 to January 2010. Results : Among demographic characteristics, both Graves' disease and control group are 19-year-old men. Educational level, socioeconomic status, parental relationship, and BMI were not statistically different between the two groups (χ²=0.089, p=0.766; χ²=5.090, p=0.278; χ²=5.988, p=0.112 ; t=-0.635, p=0.526). In the MPI, among validity scales, the score of the faking-good subscale was significantly lower in the Graves' group (t=3.507, p<0.001), but in the faking-bad and infrequency subscales scores were not significantly different between two groups (t=-1.700, p=0.090; t=-0.519, p=0.604). Among the neurosis scale, anxiety, depression, somatization, and personality disorder subscale scores were all significantly higher in Graves' disease group (t=-3.323, p<0.001; t=-4.210, p<0.001; t=-6.202, p<0.001; t=-2.872, p<0.01). Among the psychopath scale, each score of schizophrenia and paranoia subscales were not statistically different between the two groups (t=-0.158, p=0.874; t=-0.846, p=0.398). Conclusions : According to MPI result, we can confirm that Graves' disease patients in 19-year-old-men may appear features such as anxiety, depression, somatization and personality tendency (introversion or impulsivity) than the control group.

• Korean Journal of Culture and Social Issue
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.187-217
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• 2022

The aim of this study is to examine the psychometric properties of the Korean version of the Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for DSM-5(PCL-5). For this purpose, online surveys were conducted for two times with a one year interval using the data from 1,077 Korean adults at time 1, and 563 Korean adults at time 2. First, from the result of the confirmatory factor analysis, comparing the model fit of the 1, 4, 6, and 7-factor model, the 4, 6, and 7-factor model showed a acceptable fit, and the best fit was seen in the order of the 7, 6, 4-factor model. Second, the internal consistency, omega coefficient, construct validity, average variance extracted, and test-retest reliability results were all satisfactory.. Third, a correlation analysis with the K-PC-PTSD-5 and the sub-factors of BSI-18 was conducted to check the validity of the Korean Version of PCL-5. As a result, a positive correlation was seen with both K-PC-PTSD-5 and BSI-18. Fourth, a hierarchical multiple regression was performed to examine whether the Korean Version of PCL-5 predicts future PTSD, depression, anxiety, and somatization. As a result, the Korean Version of PCL-5 measured at time 1 significantly predicted PTSD, depression, anxiety, and somatization symptoms at time 2. Fifth, by analyzing the ROC curve, the discriminant power of PCL-5 for screening PTSD symptom groups was confirmed, and the best cut-off score was suggested. As a result of the longitudinal validation of Korean version of PCL-5, it was found that this scale is a reliable and valid measure for Korean adults. By looking into the predictive validity of the scale, it was found that the Korean version of PCL-5 can predict not only PTSD symptoms but also PTSD-related symptoms such as depression, anxiety, and somatization. Also, this study differs from previous validation studies measuring PTSD symptoms in that it suggested a cut-off score to help differentiate PTSD symptom groups.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.201-211
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• 2000

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to determine the validity and reliablity of the Korean version of the Global Assessment of Recent Stress(GARS) Scale developed for assessing the severity of current perceived stressors, and then to use the scale in clinical practice. Methods : The questionnaire was completed by 215 healthy subjects. A comparison was made regarding the perception of stressors among 242 patients(71 with anxiety disorder, 73 with depressive disorder, 47 with somatoform disorder, and 51 with psychosomatic disorder) and 215 healthy subjects. Factor analysis was done using oblique rotation after maximum-likelihood factor analysis. Results : Factor analysis yielded 1 subscale. Reliability was computed by administering the GARS Scale to 69 healthy subjects during a 2-week interval. Test-retest reliability for 8 items and the total score was significantly high, ranging between 0.85-.95. Internal consistency was significant(Cronbach's a for 7 items : .86). Convergent validity was computed by correlating the 8 items and the total score with the total score of the stress response inventory(SRI), the perceived stress questionnaire(PSQ), and the somatization, anxiety, depression, hostility subscales and general indices of the symptom checklist-90-revised(SCL-90-R). The correlations were all at significant levels. Discriminant validity was computed by comparing the 8 item scores of the patient and control groups. Significant differences were found in area relevant to sickness or illness and the overill global area. The patients with anxiety disorder were significantly higher in area relevant to sickness or illness than the healthy group, whereas the patients with depressive disorder was significantly higher in the overall global score than healthy group. The depressive disorder group was the highest in overall global score of the GARS scale among 4 patient groups, and showed a significant higher scores in interpersonal relationship and overall global area than the psychosomatic disorder group. Conclusions : These results indicate that the Korean version of the GARS scale is highly reliable and valid, and that it can be utilized as an effective measure of perceived stressors for research in stress-related fields. It is suggested that depressive disorder patients are more likely to perceive recent stressors than psychosomatic disorder patients.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.203-212
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• 1999

Objectives : "Alexithymia" mean literally "no word for mood(or emotion)". It is not only a marked constriction in emotional functioning but a deficit in their cognitive processing. We designed this study to investigate the level of alexithymia, psychopathology and personality factors of patients with somatoform disorder and with diabetes mellitus. Methods : The subjects were consisted of patients with somatoform disorder(N=20), patients with diabetes mellitus(N=20), and normal control(N=20). The level of alexithymia, psychopathology and personality factors were assessed by the Toronto Alexithymia Scale(TAS), the Symptom Checklist 90-Revision(SCL 90-R), and the Sixteen Personality Factor Questionnaire(16-PF). And we compared demographic characteristics, psychopathology and personality factors among three groups, and assessed the relationship between alexithymia and psychopathology, and between alexithymia and personality factors. Results : The results were as follows. 1) Patients with somatoform disorder showed significantly higher TAS scores compared to patients with diabetes mellitus and the normal control group. 2) Patients With somatoform disorder showed significantly higher scores of somatization, anxiety scales than patients with diabetes mellitus and the normal control group, and showed significantly higher scores of obsessive-compulsive, depression, phobic anxiety, psychoticism scales than the normal control group by the SCL-90-R. 3) The normal control group showed high intelligence scores only as compared to patients with somatoform disorder by the 16-PF. 4) A significant relationship was found between TAS scores and psychopathology in patients with somatoform disorder. 5) All three groups did not shown any correlation between TAS and 16-PF. Conclusion : Patients with somatoform disorder showed higher TAS scores and more multiple psychopathology than patients with diabetes mellitus and the normal controls. A significant relationship was found between TAS scores and psychopathology in patients with somatoform disorder. We suggest that the therapeutic approach to patients with somatoform disorder to express emotions and manage psychopathology, and that the treatment methods of patients with diabetes mellitus aims to improve firstly physical conditions are more helpful.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.63-68
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• 2007

Objectives : The purpose of this study was designed to estimate the effects of Oriental medical treatment on posttraumatic stress disorder patient due to a series of traffic accidents by using SCL-90-R. Methods : We studied 20 patients who were admitted to Daegu Haany University Oriental Hospital from October2006 to May 2007. Results : 4 symptoms of SCL-90-R, somatization, obsessive-compulsive, depression and anxiety were significantly different when comparing after-treatment with before-treatment. But, 5 symptoms of SCL-90-R, interpersonal sensitivity, hostility, phobic anxiety, paranoid ideation and psychoticism showed no difference between after-treatment with, before-treatment measurements. The total impact or SCL-90-R was significant comparing after-treatment with before-treatment measurements. Conclusions : We concluded that there was a significant effectof Oriental medical treatment on posttraumatic stress disorder patients caused by a seriesof traffic accident. However, the findings of this study need to be confirmed in more patients with further studies.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.97-105
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• 1992

Present study investigated the relationship between children's psychiatric disorders and their mothers' psychological problems. Ninety-one psychiatric outpatients from a children's hospital were classified into three diagnostic groups - internalizing symptom group(n=35), externalizing symptom group(n=35), and developmental disorder group(n=21) - based on their psychiatric problems. A normal control group was formed by matching on the age and education of mothers. Mothers' MMPI profiles which were classified into five types - normal, depression, anxiety disorder, somatization disorder, and personality disorder - were examined in relation with children's diagnoses. The profiles of the mothers in the normal control group were mostly normal, while depressive profiles were dominant among those of the clinical groups regardless of the children's diagnoses. Therefore, the data implied association between children's psychiatric problems and their mothers' psychological problems. A possibility of negative reciprocal interactions between children and their mothers was discussed. It was also suggested that further research need to examine the specific effects of children's psychiatric problems on the psychological adjustment of their mothers, as well as the effects of parental psychiatric problems on the adjustment of their offsprings.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.28-42
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• 2016

Objectives : The author tried to find out reasons why and how hysteria(and conversion disorder) patient numbers, which were so prevalent even a few decades ago, have decreased and the phenotype of symptoms have changed. Methods : The number of visiting patients diagnosed with conversion disorder and their phenotype of symptoms were investigated through chart reviews in a psychiatric department of a University hospital for the last 12 years. Additionally, the characteristics of conversion disorder patients visiting the emergency room for last 2 years were also reviewed. Those results were compared with previous research results even if it seemed to be an indirect comparisons. The research relied on Briquet P. and Charcot JM's established factors of the vicissitudes of hysteria(and conversion disorder) which has been the framework for more than one hundred and fifty years since hysteria has been investigated. Results : The author found decreased numbers and changes of the phenotype of the hysteria patients(and conversion disorder) over the last several decades. The decreased numbers and changes of the symptoms of those seemed to be partly due to several issues. These issues include the development of the diagnostic techniques to identify organic causes of hysteria, repeated changes to the symptom descriptions and diagnostic classification, changes of the brain nervous functions in response to negative emotions, and the influence of human evolution. Conclusions : The author proposed that the evolutionary brain discord reaction theory explains the causes of disappearance of and changes to symptoms of hysteria(conversion disorder). Most patients with hysteria(conversion disorder) have been diagnosed in the neurological department. For providing more appropriate treatment and minimizing physical disabilities to those patients, psychiatrists should have a major role in cooperating not only with primary care physicians but with neurologists. The term 'hysteria' which had been used long ago should be revived and used as a term to describe diseases such as somatic symptom disorder, functional neurological symptoms, somatization, and somatoform disorders, all of which represent almost the same vague concept as hysteria.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.176-184
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• 1997

Abnormal illness behavior in patients with somatoform disorders were known formed by their traditional disease concepts and somatization-prone socio-cultural factors. The authors evaluated the characteristics of abnormal illness behavior in patients with somatoform disorders(who had somatization) by using abnormal illness behavior questionnaire. Methods : 29 somatoform disorders(SD) and 57 disease controls were compared by clinical characteristics, severity of pain, state anxiety(by Spielberger's State & Trait Anxiety Inventory), depression(by Beck's Depression Inventory) and level of psychosocial stess(by DSM-III-R). The illness behavior was measured by illness Behavior Questionnaire(IBQ). Results SD group had longer period of somatic symptoms with less severity in pain. The degree of anxiety and depression were higher in SB compared with controls. However, the degree of psychosocial stress was almost same between both groups. In IBQ, SD showed higher scores in general hypochondriasis, disease conviction, and affective disturbance subscales compared to control group. Conclusion: High disease conviction and hypochondriacal nature revealed by IBQ seemed to be a role in making somatization by way of somatic focusing and hypervigilance. And those tended to lead patients visit hospital frequently and report various somatic complaints. Evaluating abnormal illness behavior in somatoform disorders would be not only helpful in understanding the natures of somatoform disorders but also useful differentiating SD with other psychiatric conditions.