OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to get basic data to develop plan and strategy of com-munity mental health in Pohang city by identifying attitudes toward mentally ill in Pohang community. METHODS: The subjects of this study are the 491 persons aged between 20 and 59 who live in Pohang. Methods of selection for the subjects based on multistage stratified cluster sampling, i.e. by sex, by age, by place of residence("Up", "Myeon", "Dong"), and by ratio to total populations. Tool of the study is Community Attitudes to the Mentally Ill Inventory(CAMI). RESULTS: 1) The residents of Pohang community showed positive attitude in 'Benevolence' and 'Community mental health ideology' subscale and negative attitude in 'Authoritarianism' and 'Social restric-tiveness' subscale. Therefore community mental health project in Pohang city will be established and activated easily. 2) Aged group had more authoritative, social restrictive and less community mental health oriented attitude. 3) The lower educated group had more authoritative, social restrictive and less benevolent, community mental health oriented attitude. 4) The unmarried group had less authoritative, less social restrictive attitude. 5) The home-owners had more authoritative, more social restrictive attitude. 6) The opinion leaders had more authoritative and less community mental health oriented attitude. 7) The respondents whose family had used mental health services had less benevolent attitude. The respondents who themselves had used mental health services had more authoritative, less benevolent and community mental health oriented attitude. CONCLUSIONS: Therefore, it will be necessary to give public information and education for those who have negative attitude groups of aged, low educated, home-owners, opinion leaders and respondents who themselves or whose family had used mental health services. If resource could be made of persons of positive attitude groups of younger aged, highly educated and unmarried, community mental health project will be more efficient.
Surveys and Questionnaires ; Education ; Gyeongsangbuk-do* ; Humans ; Mental Health ; Mental Health Services ; Mentally Ill Persons* ; Single Person

In order to survey the reality of anxiety and depression among the Koreans residing in china, a study was conducted between January and March of 1991, on the residents of Yun-Kil city, with subjects of 472 Koreans and 479 Chinese. The evaluation was based on the questionnaires, named Combined self-rating anxiety depression scale (CADS), distributed among the subjects. ANOVA and t-test were applied for data processing. The results were as follows: There was not significant difference in the mean of total scores between the two groups. The scores of Koreans were 29.70±7.03, while those of Chinese were 29.45±9.01. The score of the CADS above 50 (clinically significant level) was seen in 12 (2.54%) Koreans and 21 (4.38%) Chinese. The anxiety-depression scores relating to the items of indigestion and decreased appetite, sleep disturbance, apprehension, decreased libido were relatively high among the Koreans. The items appeared low in scores among the Koreans were faintness, fear, suicidal rumination, hopelessness, paresthesias. The highs among the Chinese were facial flushing, anxiousness, dissatisfaction, suicidal rumination. The items appeared low among the Chinese were fear, faintness, paresthesias, weight loss, suicidal rumination. In the compatison of evaluation by items between the two groups, the items placing the Koreans significantly higher over the Chinese are indigestion & decreased appetite, sleep disturbance, apprehension, decreased libldo. The Chinese marked significantly higher in facial flushing, anxiousness, dissastisfaction, suicidal rumination. Those in the case of female (p<0.01 respectively), less than twenty years old (p<0.01 respectively), dissatisfied with family relationship (p<0.01 respectively), with past history of psychiatric hospitalization (Koreans p<0.01, Chinese p<0.05), pessimistic toward future, present, past self image (p<0.01 respectively) had significantly higher scores in both groups. In religion, neither group showed significant difference. In religion, neither group showed significant difference. In marital status, the Koreans showed a higher degree of divorce and separation and the Chinese in singleness (p<0.01 respectively). The Korean were higher in illiteracy and the Chinese had more college education (p<0.01 respectively). In place of growth, The Koreans showed not much difference in the areas while more Chinese grew up un large cities (p<0.01). More Koreans lived in the dormitory while the Chinese were engaged more in self-cooking (p<0.01 respectively), In pocket money per mouth, more Koreans were less than 1 dollar while the Chinese were between 7 and 10 dollars (p<0.01 respectively). There were no significant difference between two groups about religion.
Anxiety* ; Appetite ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; China* ; Depression* ; Divorce ; Dyspepsia ; Education ; Ethnopsychology ; Family Relations ; Female ; Flushing ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Libido ; Literacy ; Marital Status ; Mouth ; Paresthesia ; United Nations ; Weight Loss

OBJECTIVES: Anxiety and depression are known to be associated with hypertension, and blood pressure can vary spontaneously throughout the day. The aim of this study was to evaluate anxiety, depression and 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure (24-h ambulatory BP) in employees at their worksite. METHODS: A total of 107 volunteers among 136 employees at a hotel in Gyeongju, Korea were enrolled in this study between December 2009 and March 2010. The Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) were used to assess anxiety and depression, respectively. Blood pressure was measured using a 24-h ambulatory BP monitoring system. RESULTS: No significant differences in either BAI or BDI scores were found when hypertensive individuals were compared to normotensive individuals. The frequency of diastolic non-dipper was significantly higher in individuals with depressive symptoms compared to those without (p<0.05). Depression was significantly associated with diastolic non-dipper (OR: 6.85, 95% CI: 1.50-30.01). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study indicate that depression should be considered when deciding upon blood pressure control regimens, and appropriate additive psychotherapy may be beneficial in the treatment of hypertensive patients.
Anxiety ; Blood Pressure ; Depression ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Korea ; Psychotherapy

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 CERQrumination and CERQ-catastrophizing. The SSAS scores of PTSD patients show the significant positive correla-tion 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 amplifica-tion, rumination and catastrophizing can be helpful to reduce PTSD symptoms and somatic symptoms in PTSD patients.

Objectives: ：The purpose of this study was to identify suicide risk factors among elderly residents in Gyeongsangbuk-do and to reveal the relationships between them. In addition, the differences in suicide risk factors were analyzed between the cognitively impaired group and the cognitively normal group. Methods: ：We investigated 20,127 elderly over 65 years of age, from January 2019 to December 2019. Participants were asked to complete a questionnaire survey. Cognitive function, depression, anxiety, sleep disturbance, and suicidal ideation data were assessed using a Korean version of the Mini-Mental Status Examination for Dementia Screening (MMSE-DS), Short Geriatric Depression Scale for Korean version (S-GDS), Geriatric Anxiety Inventory (GAI), Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS), and Scale for Suicidal Ideation (SSI). Data were analyzed using the chi-squared test and logistic regression analysis to examine suicide risk factors and the relationships between them. Furthermore, differences in suicide risk factors according to cognitive function were examined. Results: ：Age, cognitive function, depression, anxiety, and sleep disturbance were identified as suicide risk factors among elderly residents in Gyeongsangbuk-do. Depression was the factor that increased risk of suicide the most, followed by anxiety, impaired cognitive function, sleep disturbance, and 65-74 years of age. In addition, depression increased risk of suicide by 1.86 times in the cognitively impaired group. Conclusions ：Among elderly residents in Gyeongsangbuk-do, depression was the factor that contributed the highest risk for suicide. More active prevention and treatment measures for depressive symptoms should be implemented in the cognitively impaired group.

This study aims to examine the effect of methylphenidate, which is the most extensively prescribed medicine treating children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), on the children's neuropsychiatric functions by comparing the symptomatic differences before and after its medication. MEHTODS: The subjects of this study were 48 children who corresponded to the diagnostic criteria for ADHD of DSM-IV, did not have any problem in vision or hearing, did not have neurologic disorder such as epilepsy and brain damage, and did not have other long term medication. To evaluate the effects of behavioral response and medication, after stopping medication over a week we handed out questionnaires to the parents and conducted CPT to the subjects. A dose of 0.3-0.7 mg/kg (bid or tid) was medicated at 8AM and 1PM everyday. After 4 weeks of medication, the same tests were conducted. RESULTS: Average age of the subjects was 8.88+/-1.55. There were 44 boys (91.7%) and 4 girls (8.3%). Mean intelligence was 96.60+/-18.12 and mental processing was 102.90+/-16.51. On ADDES-HV, after medication attention, impulsivity and hyperactivity were significantly improved (p<0.05). On AcTeRS, after medication attention, impulsivity and social skill were significantly improved (p<0.05). On CAPs, after medication inattention and hyperactivity were significantly improved (p<0.05). On SNAP, after medication inattention impulsivity and hyperactivity were significantly improved (p<0.05). On the academic performance rating scale, after medication total score, learning ability, impulse control and social withdrawal were significantly improved (p<0.05). On performing CPT, after medication commissions error, hit reaction time standard error, variability of standard error and attentiveness were significantly improved (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: With these results, we recognized methy-lphenidate is more effective in children's impulsivity and hyperactivity than attention, contrary to the clinical observation.
Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity* ; Brain ; Child* ; Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders ; Epilepsy ; Female ; Hand ; Hearing ; Humans ; Impulsive Behavior ; Intelligence ; Learning ; Methylphenidate* ; Nervous System Diseases ; Parents ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Reaction Time

OBJECTICES AND METHODS: The purpose of this study was to examine availabilities of stop-signal task as a screening test for ADHD and as a research tool. Stop-signal task was applied to 40 ADHD patients and 18 normal children. Followings are the results of this study. RESULTS: There were significant differences between ADHD group and control group in ZRFT, mean delay x block and primary-RT of stop-signal task performance(p<0.05). There was no significant difference in results of continuous performance test. SSRT of stop-signal task had significant correlation with hit reaction time of continuous performance test, and primary-RT and primary-SD with attentiveness and hit reaction time of continuous performance test. There was no significant correlation between scores of ADDES-HV and stop-signal task performance. In change of primary-SD according to intelligence, primary-SD decreased as intelligence increased but made plateau after IQ 110, and in change of SSRT according to age, SSRT decreased as intelligence increased but made plateau after 10 year-old. In discriminant ability, mean delay x block and primary-RT showed highest discriminant ability (each 75%). In addition P-inhibit showed 63.89%, SSRT showed 58%, ZRFT showed 67%, and primary-SD showed 58% in discriminant ability. There was no significant difference in stop-signal task performance between ADHD with hyperactivity and ADHD without hyperactivity. CONCLUSION: In this point of view, stop-signal task was proved to be a useful research tool for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder as well as useful screening test tool.
Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity* ; Child* ; Executive Function ; Humans ; Intelligence ; Mass Screening ; Reaction Time ; Task Performance and Analysis

OBJECTIVES: Research into emotional or behavioral stress typically focuses upon the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. It is well established that the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical axis is subject to inhibitory control by opioids in a variety of animal species including pigs. Exposure to acute stress induces the upregulation of opioid receptors and the release of endogenous peptides which mediate the stress-induced analgesia. There is some literature substantiating that repeated stress can lead to changes in opioidergic neurotransmission. However, the changes are highly variable. This study was designed to observe the modulatory effect of repeated immobilization stress on opioidergic neurotransmission. METHODS: Male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 150-200g were forced to suffer immobilization stress for 2 hours on each of 14 successive days. Then we examined the maximum binding capacity and affinity of each opioid subtypes(mu, delta, kappa). RESULTS: Repeated immobilization stress increased the binding of [3H]DPDPE on the delta-subtype opioid receptor in the striatum and hypothalamus. Saturation experiments followed by scatchard analyses of the results showed an increase in the density of delta-subtype opioid receptors, but the affinity of the delta-subtype opioid receptor remained unchanged. Repeated immobilization stress reduced enkephalin activity of striatum and hypothalamus. CONCLUSIONS: From these results, it could be concluded that repeated immobilization stress up-regulated the delta-subtype opioid receptors and reduced the activity of enkephalin, an endogenous ligand for the delta-subtype opioid receptor.
Analgesia ; Analgesics, Opioid ; Animals ; Axis, Cervical Vertebra ; Enkephalins ; Humans ; Hypothalamus ; Immobilization ; Male ; Peptides ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, Opioid ; Swine ; Synaptic Transmission* ; Up-Regulation

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy and predictors of response to aripiprazole treatment in acute schizophrenic patients. We investigated whether baseline agitation level influences the treatment response, and examined the effects of oral aripiprazole in acute patients with schizophrenia experiencing either higher or lower levels of agitation. METHODS: In this 8-week non-comparative clinical trial, 19 patients with a DSM-IV diagnosis of acute schizophrenia were enrolled. They were divided into groups experiencing higher or lower agitation at baseline. PANSS scores, CGI scores, GAF scores, and PANSS-EC score were used for efficacy assessments. RESULTS: 63.2% of patients completed the study. The average dosage of aripiprazole was 26.2+/-4.8 mg. Treatment with aripiprazole resulted in significant improvement from baseline in all efficacy measures. In both the higher and lower groups, aripiprazole treatment produced significantly lower PANSS total and PANSS-EC scores, compare with baseline. Moreover, these significant improvements were sustained throughout a 8-week period. A shorter duration of the present episode is associated with a better clinical response. Extrapyramidal symptoms were observed in 36.8% of patients; however, the side effects did not influence the treatment response. CONCLUSION: High doses of aripiprazole significantly improved acute symptoms of schizophrenia irrespective to baseline agitation level, without any significant adverse event. These results suggest that aripiprazole is an effective and safe treatment option for patients with acute schizophrenia who manifest agitation symptoms.
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders ; Dihydroergotamine ; Humans ; Piperazines ; Quinolones ; Schizophrenia ; Aripiprazole

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the risk factors affecting suicidal ideation in community dwelling elderly individuals and to predict suicidal ideation through assessment tools.METHODS: We investigated 2,343 elderly individuals, aged 65 years or older, from February 2018 to December 2018. The participants were asked to complete sociodemographic questionnaires, including the Mini-Mental Status Examination for Dementia Screening(MMSE-DS), Short Geriatric Depression Scale(SGDS-K), Geriatric Anxiety Inventory(GAI), Athens Insomnia Scale(AIS), and Scales for Suicidal Ideation(SSI). We performed the Chi-squared test and logistic regression analysis for these data, to examine the relationship between suicidal ideation and the participants' risk factors. Moreover, we performed Receiver Operating Characteristics(ROC) curve analysis, to predict suicidal ideation through the assessment tools.RESULTS: The prevalence of suicidal ideation was 6.0%. Binary logistic regression revealed that cognitive impairment (OR=1.729, CI : 1.029–2.904), depression(OR=3.479, CI : 2.177–5.560), anxiety(OR=3.822, CI : 2.454–5.951), and sleeping disorders(OR=1.661, CI : 1.132–2.438) were independently associated with suicidal ideation. The cutoffs to predict suicidal ideation, obtained using ROC analysis were ≤21[area under the curve(AUC) : 0.582] for the MMSE-DS, >6(AUC : 0.822) for SGDS, >3(AUC : 0.817) for GAI, and >8(AUC : 0.718) for AIS.CONCLUSION: The incidence of suicidal ideation in the community dwelling elderly was quite high and was particularly related with depression and anxiety. These results could contribute to prevention and management of suicide among community dwelling elderly individuals.
Aged ; Anxiety ; Cognition Disorders ; Dementia ; Depression ; Humans ; Incidence ; Independent Living ; Logistic Models ; Prevalence ; Risk Assessment ; Risk Factors ; ROC Curve ; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders ; Suicidal Ideation ; Suicide ; Weights and Measures