OBJECTIVETo strengthen differentiation of somatoform disorders and probe into regular rules of TCM syndrome differentiation treatment.

METHODSClinical data of 93 cases of somatoform disorders were collected from clinic departments of TCM acupuncture and moxibustion in general hospitals, and were divided into somatoform disorders group (n=41), depression group (n=30) and neurosis group (n=22) according to diagnostic criteria of CCMD-III. Zung's self-evaluating anxiety scale (SAS), and self-evaluating depression scale (SDS) were used for quantitative evaluation and comparison of severities of emotional disorders, and TCM syndrome type differentiation was carried out.

RESULTSSomatoform disorders were most marked by pain, abnormal sensation of the skin mainly on the head, four limbs, etc. in TCM acupuncture and moxibustion clinic department, and the severities of anxiety and depression in the somatoform disorders group are lower than those in other two groups, and stagnation of the liver-qi is main TCM syndrome.

CONCLUSIONStrengthening differentiation of somatoform disorders, treatment based on the liver and exerting advantages of TCM in diagnosis and treatment may increase clinical therapeutic effects on somatoform disorders in TCM acupuncture and moxibustion treatment.

Acupuncture Therapy ; Ambulatory Care ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Moxibustion ; Somatoform Disorders ; diagnosis ; etiology ; therapy

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