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

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

Analgesia ; methods ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Disease Susceptibility ; diagnosis ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; methods ; Migraine Disorders ; complications ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Somatoform Disorders ; complications ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Syndrome

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