PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to examine the relation between anger management style and organ system- related somatic symptoms in depressive disorder and somatoform disorder patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The subjects included 73 patients with depressive disorders and 47 with somatoform disorders. Anger management styles were assessed by the Anger Expression Scale, while the severity of organ system-related somatic symptoms was evaluated using the Somatic Stress Response Scale (SSRS). The severity of depression and hostility was assessed by the Symptom Checklist-90-Revised (SCL-90-R) depression and hostility subscales. RESULTS: The results of multiple regression analyses showed that, in depressive disorder patients, the level of anger expression was significantly associated with the severity of somatic symptoms related to neuromuscular, cardiorespiratory and gastrointestinal systems. However, in these patients, the level of anger suppression was not significantly associated with the severity of somatic symptoms related to any specific organ systems. In patients with somatoform disorders, there was no significant association between the level of anger suppression or anger expression and the severity of the somatic symptoms related to any specific organ systems. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that, in depressive disorder patients, anger expression is likely to be predominantly involved in the neuromuscular, cardiorespiratory and gastrointestinal organ systems. However, in each of depressive disorder and somatoform disorder patients, anger suppression is not likely to be associated with any specific organ systems.
Adult ; Anger/*physiology ; Depressive Disorder/*complications/pathology/*psychology ; Disease ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Sociology ; Somatoform Disorders/*complications/pathology/*psychology

The objective of this study was to develop the Somatic Stress Response Scale (SSRS), and then to use the scale in clinical practice. A preliminary survey was conducted using 109 healthy adults to obtain somatic stress responses. Then, 215 healthy subjects completed a preliminary questionnaire. A comparison was made regarding the somatic stress responses among 191 patients (71 with anxiety disorders, 73 with depressive disorders and 47 with somatoform disorders) and 215 healthy subjects. Factor analysis of the SSRS yielded five subscales: the cardiorespiratory response, somatic sensitivity, gastrointestinal response, general somatic response and genitourinary response subscales. The test-retest reliability for the five subscales and the total score was significantly high, ranging from .86 to .94. The Cronbach's yen afor the five subscales ranged from .72 to .92, and was .95 for the total score. By correlating the five subscales and the total score of the SSRS with the somatization subscale scores of the Symptom Checklist-90-Revised (SCL-90-R), convergent validity was calculated. The correlations were all at significant levels. Each of the disorder groups was significantly higher in scores of the cardiorespiratory response, gastrointestinal response, general somatic response and genitourinary response subscale, and in the total SSRS score than the healthy group. Only the depressive disorder group scored significantly higher on the somatic sensitivity subscale than the healthy group, and they also scored significantly higher on the genitourinary response subscale than the anxiety disorder group did. These results suggest that the SSRS is highly reliable and valid, and that it can be effectively utilized as a measure for research of the somatic symptoms related to stress. It also implies that somatic sensitivity and genitourinary responses are associated with depressive disorders.
Stress, Psychological/*diagnosis ; Somatoform Disorders/*psychology ; *Psychiatric Status Rating Scales ; Middle Aged ; Male ; Humans ; Female ; Depressive Disorder/*psychology ; Demography ; Anxiety Disorders/*psychology ; Aged ; Adult

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to research how elder abuse affected the abuse results (self-esteem, depression, somatization) through coping strategies. METHOD: A convenient sample consisted of 499 subjects from 65 to 85 years old. Data was collected using structured questionnaires from July to August, 2002. The SPSS WIN 10.0 version was used for data analysis. RESULTS: The pathway of elder abuse affecting elder's self-esteem was researched by passive coping, emotional abuse, financial abuse, and physical abuse as the variables that directly affected self-esteem. The pathway of elder abuse affecting elder's depression was researched by passive coping, aggressive coping, verbal abuse, and neglect as the variable that directly affected depression. The pathway of elder abuse affecting somatization was researched by neglect, emotional abuse, and aggressive coping as the variables that directly affected somatization. CONCLUSION: We should develop a systematized intervention program so that elders can learn positive coping in their abuse circumstance.
*Adaptation, Psychological ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Depression/etiology ; Elder Abuse/*psychology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Self Concept ; Somatoform Disorders/etiology

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the relationship between the psychological impediment of the patients with somatization disorder (SD) and domestic violence, and to enhance peoples recognition of this kind of patients' harmful action to others so as to attach more importance to the patients and to the improvement of mental health service of the community.

METHODSQuestionnaire scoring was conducted among the wives of the SD group and the control group concerning domestic violence. It was also conducted in the SD group, the control group and the wives of the two groups concerning defense mechanism.

RESULTSThe average score on demestic violence of the SD group was significantly higher than that of the normal control. Immature and intermediate defenses were more usual in the SD group than in the normal control (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONPsychological impediment of SD patients is an important cause of domestic violence.

Adult ; Age Factors ; Aged ; Defense Mechanisms ; Domestic Violence ; Educational Status ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Somatoform Disorders ; psychology

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to identify the essential symptoms for diagnosing Hwabyung. METHODS: We assessed 221 patients with depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, somatoform disorders, adjustment disorder, and so-called Hwabyung, using a structured diagnostic interview schedule that included the Korean version of SCID-I and the preliminary diagnostic criteria for Hwabyung. To select essential symptoms for diagnosing Hwabyung, we performed statistical analyses including factor analysis and logistic regression RESULTS: Statistical analysis revealed that sensations of heat, an epigastric mass, and something pushing up in the chest ; feelings of unfair treatment ; anger ; respiratory stuffiness ; palpitations; headaches ; sighing ;"haan" ; depressive mood ; frightening easily ; dry mouth; and many thoughts were the essential symptoms for a diagnosis of Hwabyung. CONCLUSION: Based on these results, we suggest a research diagnostic criteria for Hwabyung.
Adjustment Disorders ; Anger ; Anxiety Disorders ; Appointments and Schedules ; Depressive Disorder ; Discrimination (Psychology) ; Headache ; Hot Temperature ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Sensation ; Somatoform Disorders ; Thorax

We searched databases and used various online resources to identify and systematically review all articles on occupational psychiatric disorders among Korean workers published in English and Korean before 2009. Three kinds of occupational psychiatric disorders were studied: disorders related to job stress and mental illness, psychiatric symptoms emerging in victims of industrial injuries, and occupational psychiatric disorders compensated by Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance (IACI). Korea does not maintain official statistical records for occupational psychiatric disorders, but several studies have estimated the number of occupational psychiatric disorders using the Korea Workers' Compensation and Welfare Service (COMWEL, formerly KLWC) database. The major compensated occupational psychiatric disorders in Korea were "personality and behavioral disorders due to brain disease, damage, and dysfunction", "other mental disorders due to brain damage and dysfunction and to physical diseases", "reactions to severe stress and adjustment disorders", and "depressive episodes". The most common work-related psychiatric disorders, excluding accidents, were "neurotic, stress-related, and somatoform disorders" followed by "mood disorders".
Accidents, Occupational/*psychology ; Brain Damage, Chronic/epidemiology ; Depression/epidemiology ; Humans ; Mood Disorders/epidemiology ; Neurotic Disorders/epidemiology ; Occupational Diseases/*epidemiology/psychology ; Republic of Korea/epidemiology ; Somatoform Disorders/epidemiology ; Stress, Psychological/*epidemiology/psychology ; Workers' Compensation/*economics

PURPOSE: This one group experimentation was designed to develop a program for relieving 'Hwa-Byung'(HB) symptoms and examine its effects on HB symptoms, pain threshold emotions like anger, anxiety and depression. METHOD: The program consisted of three components the change of the cognitive thoughts, the formation of a supportive network, and induction of mind-body relaxation. Sixteen middle-aged women with HB were divided into three groups for group dynamics according to the time of the recruitment. Data was collected for nine months at three time points, before, immediately after, and one month later of its application. RESULT: There were statistically significant differences in the severity level of state anger, state anxiety, depression, and HB symptoms according to the time interval. The means of state anger and state anxiety were reduced after the intervention, but it was slightly increased one month later. The means of depression and HB symptoms were continuously reduced after the intervention and one month later. CONCLUSION: This was the first management program for HB women in Korea. A future study must be done with the research design formethodological strength revision of the program.
Adult ; Anger ; Anxiety ; Cognitive Therapy ; Depression/therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Mental Disorders/complications/*therapy ; Middle Aged ; Relaxation Therapy ; Social Support ; Somatoform Disorders/psychology/*therapy

OBJECTS: The aim of this study was to find out the differences in co-morbidity of DSM-III-R diagnosis and in symptom patters between Hwabyung and non-Hwabyung groups. METHODS: The DSM-III-R diagnosis and somatic symptoms related with Hwabyung were studied in 287 patients with depressive, anxiety and somatization disorders: patients were divided into two groups, Hwabyung and non-Hwabyung groups according to the opinions of themselves and their neighbors. Diagnostic criteria was DSM-III-R and instruments for collecting data were Korean version of DIS-III, which included culturally related 21 additional items in somatization disorder. RESULTS: Hwabyung was more prevalent in women and in older ages. Hwabyung group had higher categorized scores of somatization disorder, panic disorder and major depression than non-Hwabyung group. Odds ratio showed that somatization disorder, dysthymia and panic disorder had highest possibility to co-exist with Hwabyung. Somatic symptoms which proved to be characteristics in Hwabyung were headache, blurred vision, palpitation, lump in throat, stomach rumble, chest tightness and stifling, pushing-up in the chest, urinary frequency, facial flushing, frequent sighing, heaviness in the head, shaking in head and pain on eyeballs. factor analysis with somatic symptoms yielded 4 factors. Discrimination analysis with scores of flour factors and categorized scores of DSM-III-R diagnosis showed that somatization factor II (pushing-up in the chest, heaviness in the head, and chest tightness and stifling), major depression and generalized anxiety were most highly related variables with Hwabyung which discriminate Hwabyung from non-Hwabyuag in 73.5% accuracy. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that Hwabyung is an atypical psychiatric syndrome combined with characteristic somatization symptoms, depression and anxiety.
Anxiety ; Depression ; Diagnosis* ; Discrimination (Psychology) ; Female ; Flour ; Flushing ; Head ; Headache ; Humans ; Odds Ratio ; Panic Disorder ; Pharynx ; Prothrombin ; Somatoform Disorders ; Stomach ; Thorax

OBJECTIVETo compare the efficacy of Chinese medicine and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI), fluoxetine, on somatic disorder (SD) and to explore the advantage of Chinese medicine.

METHODSPatients with SD screened with Hamilton depression scale (HAMD) were randomly assigned to the fluoxetine group treated with fluoxetine 20 mg once per day administered after breakfast, and the Chinese medicine group with combination of Xiaoyao Decoction (XD) and Wendan Decoction (WD) one dose a day given before supper everyday, the treatment for both groups was lasted for 8 weeks. Clinical general impression (CGI) and symptom checklist 90 (SCL-90) were applied to evaluate the changes in symptoms before and after treatment, and a self-made rating scale was used to evaluate the adverse reaction.

RESULTSCGI score changed significantly in both groups after treatment, showed the average 2-week reduction rate of more than 30% and the average 8-week reduction rate of more than 70%, without significant difference shown between the two groups (P > 0.05). SCL-90 scoring showed the average score of somatic factor was significantly lower in the Chinese medicine group than in the fluoxetine group (P < 0.05) with few adverse reaction, while no significant difference was found in the respective scores of other factors between the two groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONChinese medicine shows noticeable superiority in treating SD, it has the effect similar to that of new antidepressants.

Adult ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy ; Somatoform Disorders ; drug therapy ; psychology ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To estimate the prevalence and evaluate the associated psychological factors of functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) in males in their twenties who are currently enrolled in military service. METHODS: A total of 1,073 men in the Korean army were asked to complete questionnaires based on the Rome III criteria and Symptom Checklist-90-revised (SCL-90R). The prevalence of FGIDs was estimated, and the associated psychological factors were evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 967 men participated. The total prevalence of FGIDs was 18.5% (age-adjusted prevalence, 18.1%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 15.3% to 20.8%). The total SCL-90R scores were higher in men with FGIDs than men without FGIDs (24 [interquartile range, 13 to 44] vs 13 [5 to 28], p<0.001) and higher in men with overlapping syndromes than in those with single FGIDs (31 [18 to 57] vs 14 [5.75 to 29], p<0.001). Somatization (odds ratio [OR], 1.141; 95% CI, 1.09 to 1.20; p<0.001), obsessive-compulsive behaviors (OR, 1.084; 95% CI, 1.03 to 1.14; p=0.002) and depression (OR, 0.943; 95% CI, 0.90 to 0.99; p=0.020) were identified as independent predictive factors for FGIDs. CONCLUSIONS: FGIDs are common among men in their twenties who are fulfilling their military duty. Somatization and obsessive-compulsive features from the tense atmosphere are associated with the development or progression of FGIDs. Patients who exhibit overlapping syndromes require greater attention given their more severe psychopathology.
Depression/complications ; Gastrointestinal Diseases/*epidemiology/psychology ; Humans ; Male ; Military Personnel/psychology/*statistics & numerical data ; Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder/complications ; Prevalence ; Psychopathology ; Republic of Korea/epidemiology ; Somatoform Disorders/complications ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Young Adult