This study examined the characteristics of people who have preference for complementary medicine and also the psychosocial factors that are related to the selection of complementary medicine. Two-hunred subjects recruited from the community were included in this study. Demographic variables, medical service characteristics, health locus of control, social support, coping style, and personality charateritics such as self-esteem, neuroticism, and hypochondriasis were measured. It turned out that nearly 80% of the subjects had already experienced at least one alternative therapy in the past. However, past expeiece was not significant in predicting future complementary medicine usage. People who were older in age, had more information about complementary medicine, used active-behavioural coping styles, and had internal locus of control were more likely to use complementary medicine in the future. Recommenations for furthur research is indicated.
Complementary Therapies* ; Hypochondriasis ; Internal-External Control ; Psychology

OBJECTIVES: This subjects 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 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(group 1), similar to psychiatric out-patient(group 2), and severe neurotic(group 3). 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(group 3), they would need appropriate psychiatric intervention.
Denial (Psychology) ; Depression ; Dyspepsia* ; Humans ; Hypochondriasis ; Hysteria ; Illness Behavior ; MMPI ; Outpatients ; Psychology* ; Schizophrenia

BACKGROUND: Trigeminal neuralgia and atypical facial pain are representative disease entities of chronic facial pain. Most patients of these disaeses could be accompanied with psychological, emotional problems as their pain become chronic. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether different types of chronic facial pain lead to alteration in personality disorder or they are associated with particular characteristics of personality disorders using Minnesota multiphasic personality inventory (MMPI). METHODS: 40 patients of trigeminal neuralgia and 21 patients of atypical facial pain who had responded MMPI were enrolled in this study. Two groups were compared for age, sex, pain intensity (Visual analogue scale, VAS), duration of pain, MMPI scores and psychological impression from MMPI results. RESULTS: Pain intensity and chronicity were more severe and longer in trigeminal neuralgia group than atypical facial pain. However, some MMPI profiles such as hypochondriasis and hysteria were significantly elevated in atypical facial pain. Pain intensity and duration did not correlate with MMPI profiles in each group. Meaningful psychological impression from MMPI results which were interpreted by one psychologist were shown in 13 patients of trigeminal neuralgia (32.5%) and 14 patients of atypical facial pain (66.7%). Especially, psychosomatic disorder was most frequently found in atypical facial pain patients (47.6%). CONCLUSIONS: Atypical facial pain have more psychologic and emotional problems than trigeminal neuralgia, regardless of pain intensity and chronicity. Therefore, psychologic evaluation and treatment should be considered in atypical facial pain.
Chronic Pain ; Facial Pain* ; Humans ; Hypochondriasis ; Hysteria ; Minnesota* ; MMPI* ; Personality Disorders ; Psychology ; Psychophysiologic Disorders ; Trigeminal Neuralgia*

PURPOSE: The penile augmentation operation is becoming popular in Korea, but there is not enough data about psychologic aspects of Korean male's thoughts about their penile size. We investigated the flaccid and stretched penile sizes of young Korean males and their penile size complex or pride. We performed Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) test. This study may be used for better patient consultation in penile augumentation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After explanation and agreement to the purpose and methods of this study, 123 Korean male in early 20's who visit our institution were studied. We measured their pre-pubic bone fat pad depth, flaccid penile length, flaccid mid-shaft circumferences and stretched length under warm and comfortable private environment. Because the stretched penile length closely correlated with the erect length, we did not measure the erect length. Then they were asked to answer questions of MMPI and other questions including, 'how do you think about your penile size?'. We used the student t-test to analyze our data statistically. RESULTS: In 123 subjects, mean flaccid length, flaccid circumference, stretched length and fat pad depth were 6.9 0.8cm, 8.5+/-1.1cm, 9.6+/-0.8cm and 1.1+/-0.4cm respectively (Table 1). In 123 subjects, the distribution of the answer about penile size was 1 (0.8%) 'very small', 29 (23.6%) 'small', 86 (69.9%) 'normal', 6 (4.9%) 'large', and 1 (0.8%) 'very large'. Compared to the subjects who thought their penis was normal, the subjects who thought their penile size was small, showed high hypochondriasis and psychasthenia scale and the subjects who thought their penile size was large, showed high hysteria scale in MMPI test. Subjects who underestimated their penile size, showed high depression, psychasthenia scale in MMPI test CONCLUSIONS: In consultation of the patient who want penile augmentation, urologist should consider psychologic tendency of the patients about their penile size.
Adipose Tissue ; Depression ; Humans ; Hypochondriasis ; Hysteria ; Korea* ; Male ; MMPI ; Penis ; Psychology ; Self Concept*

Onychotillomania, named by Alkiewicz, is a rare psychocutaneous disorder of the nails, and various psychological factors predispose the development of this condition. There has been no report of onychotillomania in Korea. We herein report two cases of onychotillomania seen in the nail clinic of our outpatient department. The first case was a 72 year old woman, who presented with a varying degree of dystrophic change to the first, second and third toenails on her right foot. She had a history of a depressive disorder and hypochondriasis. The second case was a 70 year old woman, who presented with complete destruction of the big toenail on her right foot, plus the 3rd and 4th fingernails of her right hand.
Aged ; Depressive Disorder ; Female ; Foot ; Hand ; Humans ; Hypochondriasis ; Korea ; Nails ; Outpatients ; Psychology

OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to analyze the psychological factors which influence myofascial pain syndrome and to evaluate whether the electromyographic study on the myofascial trigger point in shipyard workers satisfied the diagnostic criteria of myofascial pain syndrome. METHOD: We studied 61 patients who were employed in the shipbuilding industry and diagnosed myofascial pain syndrome. We investigated them using the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) and the visual analogue scale (VAS) and also obtained spontaneous electrical activity (SEA) by electromyographic study on myofascial trigger point. RESULTS: Mean VAS of subjects was 5.88. On the MMPI profile, the patients scored highest in psychopathic deviate, and then in hypochondriasis, depression and hysteria, in that order. The correlation of the VAS with results of electromyographic study and with the MMPI were not significant. In the electromyographic study, 19 patients out of 61 (31%) showed initial positive deflection on spontaneous electrical activities. CONCLUSION: This study suggested that considering the psychosocial aspect of myofascial pain syndrome, as well as organic aspects in hard manual labor such as shipyard work might be useful for treatment.
Depression ; Humans ; Hypochondriasis ; Hysteria ; MMPI ; Myofascial Pain Syndromes* ; Psychology ; Trigger Points

OBJECTIVEThe present study was designed to investigate the influence of viral myocarditis on mental behavior of the children.

METHODSMentality and behavior of the 178 children suffering from viral myocarditis were examined with Achenbach Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) edited by Gong Yao-xian in 1986 and 104 sex, age, education and achievement-matched children with pneumonia or upper respiratory infection were enrolled as controls.

RESULTSThe mentality and behavior of the children with viral myocarditis were distinctly abnormal. The abnormal rates of boys and girls suffering from acute and deferment viral myocarditis were evidently higher than those of control children (P < 0.01). The behavioral abnormalities of boys were hypochondria, social difficulties, unwell of body and attack. Whereas, the girls presented hypochondria, unwell of body, social flinch and disobeyed discipline, which was significantly different from the control children. The total and hypochondria cursory mark of the second check result of deferment boys were evidently higher than those of the first check (P < 0.05). The total cursory mark of the second check result of deferment girls was higher than that of the first check (P < 0.05) and evidently higher than that of the acute second check result (P < 0.01). The abnormal rates of mentality and behavior correlated positively with the age of children and they were associated with the severity of the illness.

CONCLUSIONViral myocarditis evidently affected the mentality and behavior of children, which should be paid great attention to.

Acute Disease ; Adolescent ; Adolescent Behavior ; psychology ; Case-Control Studies ; Child ; Child Behavior ; psychology ; Child Behavior Disorders ; etiology ; psychology ; Female ; Humans ; Hypochondriasis ; etiology ; psychology ; Juvenile Delinquency ; psychology ; Male ; Myocarditis ; psychology ; virology ; Neuropsychological Tests ; Severity of Illness Index ; Social Behavior ; Virus Diseases ; psychology

BACKGROUND: Compared to Europe and America neurotic chest pain patients seems to be much more prevalent in Korea. This study was designed to depict various neurotic symptoms of patients with inorganic chest pain. METHOD: In the course of one year(from March, 1997 to March, 1998), 70 subjects were selected among the people who visited the outpatient clinic of department of family medicine with symptom of chest pain. The control group was selected from a healthy population which matched nearly the same number as the chest pain group. Patients were tested by EKG, treadmill, chest X-ray, 2D-UCG and requested to answer SCL-MPD questionnaire. Statistical analysis by means of SPCC/PC+ and for significance using non-parametric Mann-Whitney U test was done. RESULTS: The chest pain group scored significantly higher than the control group in obsessive and compulsive, anger-hostility, depression, anxiety, and somatization scale. male chest pain group scored higher in somatization, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive, hypochondriasis, and depression scale. The female chest pain group scored higher in depression scale. CONCLUSION: Many inorganic chest pain patients complain through various neurotic symptoms. When approaching chest pain patients we should consider the possibility of a psychosocial cause.
Ambulatory Care Facilities ; Americas ; Anxiety ; Chest Pain* ; Depression ; Electrocardiography ; Europe ; Female ; Humans ; Hypochondriasis ; Korea ; Male ; Psychology* ; Thorax* ; Surveys and Questionnaires

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: A cardiologist's evaluation of psychiatric symptoms in patients with chest pain is rare. This study aimed to determine the psychiatric characteristics of patients with and without coronary artery disease (CAD) and explore their relationship with the intensity of chest pain. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Out of 139 consecutive patients referred to the cardiology outpatient department, 31 with atypical chest pain (heartburn, acid regurgitation, dyspnea, and palpitation) were excluded and 108 were enrolled for the present study. The enrolled patients underwent complete numerical rating scale of chest pain and the symptom checklist for minor psychiatric disorders at the time of first outpatient visit. The non-CAD group consisted of patients with a normal stress test, coronary computed tomography angiogram, or coronary angiogram, and the CAD group included those with an abnormal coronary angiogram. RESULTS: Nineteen patients (17.6%) were diagnosed with CAD. No differences in the psychiatric characteristics were observed between the groups. "Feeling tense", "self-reproach", and "trouble falling asleep" were more frequently observed in the non-CAD (p=0.007; p=0.046; p=0.044) group. In a multiple linear regression analysis with a stepwise selection, somatization without chest pain in the non-CAD group and hypochondriasis in the CAD group were linearly associated with the intensity of chest pain (β=0.108, R2=0.092, p=0.004; β= -0.525, R2=0.290, p=0.010). CONCLUSION: No differences in psychiatric characteristics were observed between the groups. The intensity of chest pain was linearly associated with somatization without chest pain in the non-CAD group and inversely linearly associated with hypochondriasis in the CAD group.
Cardiology ; Checklist ; Chest Pain* ; Coronary Artery Disease ; Coronary Disease ; Dyspnea ; Exercise Test ; Humans ; Hypochondriasis ; Linear Models ; Outpatients* ; Psychology ; Thorax*

OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to compare characteristics of parents of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) children in relationship to treatment compliance. METHODS: A total of 271 school-aged children diagnosed with ADHD were devided into two groups by treatment duration; early dropout group (n=117, treatments discontinued within three months) and continuous treatment groups (n=154, treatments continued for more than three months). Scores on the Korean Personality Inventory for Children (KPI-C), Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI), Korean Parenting Sense of Competence (K-PSOC), Korean Parenting Stress Index-Short Form (K-PSI-SF), and Parental Acceptance Rejection Questionnaire (PARQ) were compared between two groups. RESULTS: According to the results of the KPI-C, parents of the early dropout group showed a higher tendency to regard their children's symptoms as 'somatization' and 'delinquency', compared with those of continuous treatment groups (49.9 vs. 46.3 and 60.9 vs. 58.2, p=0.048 and 0.046, respectively). Parents in the early dropout group showed higher scores on hypochondriasis and psychasthenia subscales in MMPI (54.7 vs. 52.1 and 51.5 vs. 48.5, p=0.024, and 0.017, respectively). The results of the K-PSOC showed that parents in the early dropout group perceived a lower sense of parenting competence (27.3 vs. 58.6, p=0.047). CONCLUSION: Our findings suggested that characteristics of the parents and their perspectives regarding children's symptoms could be possible factors associated with treatment compliance in ADHD. Further researches on this issue may provide opportunities to improve treatment compliance for children with ADHD.
Child ; Compliance ; Humans ; Hypochondriasis ; Mental Competency ; MMPI ; Parenting ; Parents ; Patient Dropouts ; Personality Inventory ; Pilot Projects ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Rejection (Psychology)