• Anxiety and mood
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.1-12
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• 2019

Thought-action fusion (TAF) is a tendency to blindly assume causal relations between their thoughts and external reality. On the other hand, cognitive fusion (CF) is a tendency to take internal experiences, such as thoughts and feeling, literally rather than view them as random events. However, these two terms are often confusedly used and, in fact, have conceptual overlaps. Therefore, this study aimed to identify their distinctive features through a comprehensive review of the definition, origin, measurements and clinical implications especially on the understanding of obsessive-compulsive symptoms. The cognitive-behavioral concept of TAF is confined to erroneous and maladaptive beliefs about the connection between thoughts and behaviors. The CF is a broader construct that entails taking thoughts and feelings as facts and engaging or struggling with them such that the quality of life is lowered. They also have different theoretical backgrounds, developing processes and therapeutic approaches. From the perspective of the obsessive-compulsive disorder, both concepts have been studied as mid-structures for this illness. Recently, the effectiveness of psychological therapies related to these concepts such as defusion therapy has been tested. However, it is yet still in its infancy. In the future, complementary advances between the two concepts with studies on biological substrates is needed.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.90-96
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• 2020

Background: Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that is the second most common disorder after Alzheimer's disease. PD includes both "motor" and "non-motor" symptoms, one of which is pain. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical characteristics of pain in patients with PD. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 250 patients diagnosed with PD, 70% of which had mild to moderate PD (stages 2/3 of Hoehn and Yahr scale). The average age was 67.4 years, and the average duration since PD diagnosis was 7.1 years. Relevant data collected from PD patients were obtained from their personal medical history. Results: The prevalence of pain was found to be high (82%), with most patients (79.2%) relating their pain to PD. Disease duration was correlated with the frequency of intense pain (R: 0.393; P < 0.05). PD pain is most frequently perceived as an electrical current (64%), and two pain varieties were most prevalent (2.60 ± 0.63). Our findings confirm links between pain, its evolution over time, its multi-modal character, the wide variety of symptoms of PD, and the female sex. Conclusions: Our results demonstrated that the pain felt by PD patients is mainly felt as an electrical current, which contrasts with other studies where the pain is described as burning and itching. Our classification is innovative because it is based on anatomy, whereas those of other authors were based on syndromes.

• Korean Security Journal
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• no.8
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• pp.309-336
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• 2004

Approximately equivalent to character disorder or character neuroses or behavioral reaction. For a discussion of the term as used currently, in the 1968 revision of psychiatric nomenclature(DSM-II). In DSM-I(1952 nomenclature), this term referred to those cases in which the personality, in its struggle for adjustment to internal and external stresses, utilized primarily a pattern of action or behavior rather than symptoms in the mental, somatic or emotional spheres. There is minimal subjective anxiety and little or no sense of distress. As thus defined, there are three main groups of personality disorder, personality pattern disturbance, personality trait disturbance and sociopathic, personality disturbance. Morton Prince asks whether a subconscious process can perform the same function as are ordinarily performed by conscious intelligence that is to say memory, perception, reasoning, imagination, volition, affectivity, etc? He cites clinical material at great length, concluding that the quality of the functions performed they frequently exhibit, that which is characteristic of intelligence.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.158-164
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• 2009

Trichotillomania is a neuropsychiatric disorder characterized by repetitive pulling out of one's hair. We present a trichotillomania case study illustrating the effectiveness of habit reversal training, which has recently been found, in western countries, to be a very effective cognitive behavioral treatment. The refractory patient in our study had previously received 1 year of drug treatment and psychiatric consultation for the disorder. We administered 10 habit reversal training sessions, which was followed by an obvious improvement in the patient's trichotillomania symptoms. Our observations indicate that habit reversal training might be effective in the treatment of trichotillomania.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.53-58
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• 2013

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is characterized by persistent deficits in social communication and restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior and interest. Sleep problems are not uncommon in children with autism spectrum disorders. Symptoms of insomnia are the most frequent sleep problems in individuals with ASD. Sleep problems can cause significant difficulties in the daily life of children with ASD and their families. Genetic factor, deregulations of melatonin synthesis, extraneous environmental stimuli and psychiatric and medical conditions may cause sleep problems. The first line treatment of sleep problems in ASD includes managements for potential contributing factors and parent education about sleep hygiene care for child and behavioral therapy. Supplementation with melatonin may be effective before considering other medications, such as risperidone, clonidine, and mirtazapine.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.103-115
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• 1999

Objectives : A large of studies have found an association between premenstrual syndrome and affective disorder, in particular, depression. Some studies have reported that women with depressive disorders may experience menstrual cycle-associated changes in the severity of their symptoms. This study was designed to compare the characteristics of premenstrual changes between control group and affective patient group, and to assess possible risk factors for premenstrual changes in patients. Methods : Eighty normal controls and eighty outpatients given maintenance therapy with fixed dose for at least more than four weeks were asked to complete questionnaires on menstrual history, obstetric-gynecological history, and functional impairment. In addition, to compare the characteristics of premenstrual changes, 16 items based on DSM-IV criteria A for premenstrual dysphoric disorder were rated on the following scale : 0(no change), 1(mild), 2(moderate), 3(severe). Moderate or severe change in each item was considered as premenstrual change and the subjects who reported more than one premenstrual change were defined as premenstrual change group. Results : The results were as follows : 1) The percentage of premenstrual change group was 32.6% in patient group and 50% in control group. 2) Frequently reported premenstrual changes were as follows in control group : breast tenderness; anger ; affective liability ; lethargy, easy fatigability, or marked lack of energy ; abdominal pain or discomfort. In patients, the mood or behavioral changes were frequently reported. The changes were as follows : lethargy, easy fatigability, or marked lack of energy ; change in appetite; affective liability ; sense of difficulty in concentrating : hypersomnia or insomnia. 3) In the premenstrual change group, the patients with only mood or behavioral changes were significantly more than those with only physical changes or both changes. 4) The severity of functional impairment was significantly correlated with the frequency of mood or behavioral changes in patients. 5) There were no significant differences in menstrual characteristics between patients with premenstrual changes and patients without them except the severity of dysmenorrhea. And the severity of dysmenorrhea was correlated with the frequency of premenstrual change. Conclusion : The proportion of patients with affective disorder, who reported moderate-to-severe premenstrual changes, experiencing mood or behavioral changes larger than those experiencing physical changes during premenstrual period. It is possible that some patients with affective disorder, who reported premenstrual mood or behavioral changes, suffer from coexisting premenstrual syndrome with affective disorder or premenstrual exacerbation of affective disorder. Since the more premenstrual changes, the severer functional impairment, the patients reporting mood or behavioral disturbance in premenstrual period should be carefully evaluated, and appropriate therapeutic stategies might be considered.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.108-117
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• 2023

Objectives : Somatic symptom disorder (SSD) is characterized by the manifestation of a variety of physical symptoms, but little is known about differences in autonomic nervous system activity according to symptom severity, especially within patient groups. In this study, we examined differences in heart rate variability (HRV) across symptom severity in a group of SSD patients to analyze a representative marker of autonomic nervous system changes by symptoms severity. Methods : Medical records were retrospectively reviewed for patients who were diagnosed with SSD based on DSM-5 from September 18, 2020 to October 29, 2021. We applied inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) methods to generate more homogeneous comparisons in HRV parameters by correcting for selection biases due to sociodemographic and clinical characteristic differences between groups. Results : There were statistically significant correlations between the somatic symptom severity and LF (nu), HF (nu), LF/HF, as well as SD1/SD2 and Alpha1/Alpha2. After IPTW estimation, the mild to moderate group was corrected to 27 (53.0%) and the severe group to 24 (47.0%), and homogeneity was achieved as the differences in demographic and clinical characteristics were not significant. The analysis of inverse probability weighted regression adjustment model showed that the severe group was associated with significantly lower RMSSD (β=-0.70, p=0.003) and pNN20 (β=-1.04, p=0.019) in the time domain and higher LF (nu) (β=0.29, p<0.001), lower HF (nu) (β=-0.29, p<0.001), higher LF/HF (β=1.41, p=0.001), and in the nonlinear domain, significant differences were tested for SampEn15 (β=-0.35, p=0.014), SD1/SD2 (β=-0.68, p<0.001), and Alpha1/Alpha2 (ß=0.43, p=0.001). Conclusions : These results suggest that differences in HRV parameters by SSD severity were showed in the time, frequency and nonlinear domains, specific parameters demonstrating significantly higher sympathetic nerve activity and reduced ability of the parasympathetic nervous system in SSD patients with severe symptoms.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.92-100
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• 1997

Objective：The objective of this study is to examine the clinical characteristics and behavioral comorbidity of patients with Tourette’s disorder. Method：Subjects consisted of 157 patients with Tourette’ disorder diagnosed by DSM-IIIR, who were examined and diagnosed from Jan. 1988 to May 1994 at the Tourette’s Clinic of Yonsei University Medical Center. Characteristics and behavioral comorbidity of Patients were assessed by a semi-structured interview schedule. Behavioral problems like hyperactivity, obsession-compulsion, self destructiveness, enuresis, sleep problem were assessed by global clinical impression. Results：The mean age of patients was 14.49(${\pm}7.99$) years. Patients consisted of 138 males (87.9%) and 19 females(12.1%). The sex ratio was 7：1, showing a male preponderance. The number of right-handers was 133(84.7%), and the number of non-right handers was 24(15.3%). Mean age of onset was 8.85(${\pm}4.56$) years, ranging from 2-to-16 years. More than half of the patients had their age of onset at 6-10 years. Bimodal peak in age of onset was observed；the first peak was around 6 and the second peak was around 10 years. There was no sex difference in bimodal age of onset. The most common initial symptom was eye blinking. More than 55% of patients reported eye blinking as their first symptom. The second common initial symptom was head turning and the third was vocal tic. The most common symptoms that patients reported on their first visit since onset were eye blinking(82.2%), head turning or nodding(57.9%), shoulder shrugging(52.7%) and forearm movement(32.6%). Of 157 cases, 101(64.3%) patients showed downward progression of symptoms, and 25(15.9%) showed upward progression of symptoms. Nineteen fathers(12%) of patients had a past history of obsessive-compulsive disorder(OCD). Seventeen fathers(10.6%) had a history of tic disorder. SSevenmothers(4.5%) had OCD, 4 mothers (2.5%) had tic disorder. One hundred and eighteen patients(75.1%) had comorbid hyperactivity, 95 patients(60.5%) had obsession, 55 patiens(35.0%) had self destructiveness, 46 patients(29.3%) had impulsivity, and 35 patients(22.3%) had enuresis. Age of onset had a significant positive correlation with age, duration, and the global severity of obsession；and a negative correlation with the severity of hyperactivity. Hyperactivity had a significant positive correlation with impulsivity, obsession-compulsion, enuresis, and self destructiveness. Obsession-compulsion had a significant positive correlation with hyperactivity, sleep problems, and self destructiveness. Conclusion：These data suggest that clinical characteristcs and behavioral comorbidity of patients with Tourette’ disorder in this study are similar to previous research findings in Korea and other contries. The younger the age of onset was, the more severe hyperactivity was, and the less severe obsession-compulsion was. And severity of hyperactivity had a positive correlation with the severity of obsession-compulsion, impulsivity, enuresis, and self destructiveness.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.172-180
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• 2000

Objectives : We investigated the characteristics of perceived stress response and relationship between some variables of gastrointestinal symptoms(esp., dyspepsia) and subscales of perceived stress response inventory(PSRI) in patients with upper gastointestinal disorder when they perceived stress. Methods : 84 patients with upper gastrointestinal disorder(gastritis, gastric ulcer, duodenal ulcer etc.) and 94 normal controls completed the PSRI developed by Korean psychiatrists. The patient group performed the questionnaire including some variables of gastrointestinal symptoms. Results : Internal consistency was statistically significant in all subscales of PSRI. The patient group was significantly higher at total score of PSRI, general somatic symptom subscale score, specific somatic symptom score than control group. As the result of stepwise regression analysis for relationship between some variables of gastrointestinal symptoms ans subscales of PSRI, specific somatic symptom subsclae closely related with illness duration, past illness history and severity of symptom, and the lowered cognitive function & general negative thinking subscale related with the existence of emotional distress. Conclusion : Patients with upper gastrointestinal disorder showed stronger perceived stress response than control group and they experiences somatic symptoms related to autonomic nervous system and/or gastrointestinal symtoms rather than emotional, cognitive, behavioral symtoms when they perceived stress. They also responded to stress as they expeirenced specific somatic symtom when they had long illness duration, past illness history, and high severity of symptom and the existence of emotional distress could develop lowered congnitive function and general negative thinking.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.3-11
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• 2017

Objectives : The aim of this study was to draw attention toward so called 'behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia(bvFTD) phenocopy syndrome', which is difficult to discriminate with the primary psychiatric disorders, showing poor response to conventional therapeutic drugs, leading to higher risk to misdiagnoses and legal problems. Furthermore, the author insisted that our interest and study on them must be continued. Methods : English articles published during 2000 thru 2016 had been searched by internet with the combination of words such as 'frontotemporal', 'phenocopy' and 'behavioral', and reviewed. Besides, two clinical vignettes were described. Results : Precise diagnosis is important because patients' behavioral symptoms can influence on their families and community. However, disease-modifying treatment for bvFTD are not developed until now, and recent therapeutic drugs are only good for specific symptoms, while deterioration progresses in spite of proper psychiatric management. The possible bvFTD patients are not progressed into probable bvFTD clinically, showing no decline of cogntive and social function, no decrease of activity function, longer survival time, and normal neuroimaging for several years. Conclusions : Rather than expected, there are much more patients having clinical symptoms, course and diagnostic findings including neuroimaging, which are atypical to classical frontotemporal dementia and primary psychiatric disorders. If our knowledge and discriminating ability is improved, discovery rate of that cases will be increased. However, the identity of these atypical features are not clarified until now, it must be further actively investigated.