Depression remains a major public health challenge, particularly when it becomes treatment-resistant. The development and recovery of depression involve complex interactions among biopsychosocial factors. While the treatment of depression is comprehensive, treatment-resistant depression (TRD) often leans heavily on biological interventions. This review advocates for an integrated approach combining pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy, introducing psychodynamic psychopharmacology as a promising alternative. This strategy aims to enhance treatment outcomes by addressing treatment resistance-related psychodynamic factors and fostering a therapeutic alliance. Notably, the framework categorizing treatment resistance into two types and outlining specific management principles holds practical applicability. Investigating this integrated approach may not only deepen our understanding of TRD but also broaden therapeutic options for clinicians.

Objectives: Breast cancer surgery can significantly impact psychological well-being due to changes in body image and concerns about femininity. This study aimed to explore psychological differences between patients who underwent breast reconstruction after surgery and those who did not, identifying subgroups in need of psychological support. Methods: The study included 194 patients who had breast cancer resection at Kyungpook National University Hospital and its Breast Cancer Center from July 2010 to December 2012. Psychological assessments were conducted within a week post-surgery using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES), and Body Image Scale (BIS). We applied analysis of covariance to adjust for age and performed K-means cluster analysis. Results: The non-reconstruction group (n=126) exhibited significantly higher HADS scores (14.92±6.65 vs. 11.82±5.92, p=0.002), anxiety (7.37±3.64 vs. 5.94±3.24, p=0.008), and depression (7.46±3.56 vs. 5.91±3.44, p=0.007), along with lower self-esteem (27.07±4.83 vs. 28.98±4.25, p=0.016) compared to the reconstruction group (n=68). Cluster analysis identified two subgroups within the non-reconstruction group: one (Cluster 3, n=35, 27.8%) with high BIS scores, anxiety, and low self-esteem, and another (Cluster 4, n=65, 51.6%) with better psychological health. Importantly, BIS emerged as a significant factor for differentiating subgroups solely within the non-reconstruction group. Conclusions Patients who did not undergo breast reconstruction surgery generally demonstrated negative psychological outcomes. However, the cluster analysis revealed two distinctly different subgroups within this population. Approximately one-quarter (27.8%, n=35) displayed high levels of anxiety and depression, low self-esteem, and severe body image concerns, while about half (51.6%, n=65) maintained good psychological health. This underscores the need to identify patients requiring special clinical attention, even within the same treatment group. Body image assessment may be a valuable evaluation tool specifically for patients who did not undergo breast reconstruction surgery.

Good’s syndrome is a rare cause of combined B- and T-cell immunodeficiency in adults with a history of thymectomy. The patients with Good’s syndrome are susceptible to encapsulated bacterial infections and opportunistic viral/fungal infections. We report a 63-year-old female patient who was diagnosed with cerebral toxoplasmosis in the middle of monthly immunoglobulin treatment for Good’s syndrome. She was referred owing to progressive dizziness for one week without any neurologic deficits. Although routine laboratory tests and toxoplasma serology exams were within the normal range, brain image studies suggested cerebral toxoplasmosis, which was confirmed by pathology of brain lesions. She was treated with pyrimethamine and sulfadiazine as well as with systemic corticosteroids, and improved without sequelae. Later, her medication was switched to trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole as a second-line treatment due to sulfadiazine-related neuropathy.

Objectives: During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the prevalence of anxiety and depression in the general population was higher than before the pandemic. Identifying subjects at high risk for mental disorders may be necessary for effective mental health intervention. This study examines the prevalence of anxiety, depression, and anger and the related factors in the general population living in Daegu City one year after the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: This study collected data on sociodemographic variables, the need for mental health intervention, Generalized Anxiety Disorder Assessment, Patient Health Questionnaire-9, and State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory state anger from 1,000 subjects. This study performed independent samples t-test, one-way ANOVA, post hoc analysis, chi-square tests, and binary logistic regression analyses to examine the relationship between sociodemographic variables including the need for mental health intervention and depression, anxiety, and anger. Results: The prevalence rates of depression, anxiety, and anger were 22.4%, 31.3%, and 42.3%. The need for mental health intervention was associated with the prevalence of depression, anxiety, and anger (p<0.001). Additionally, the risk of depression, anxiety, and anger was higher in the group with the need for mental health intervention compared to those without the need (odds ratio [95% confidence interval]; anxiety, 3.270 [2.337–4.575], p<0.001; depression, 4.475 [3.284– 6.097], p<0.001; anger, 4.225 [3.121-5.718], p<0.001). Conclusions One year after the COVID-19 pandemic, the prevalence of anxiety, depression, and anger in the general population of Daegu City was high. The subject’s perceived need for mental health intervention is associated with the prevalence of anxiety, depression, and anger and helps identify subjects requiring additional mental health intervention.

The fall rate in geriatric psychiatric patients is higher than in adult patients with other diseases. Although the incidence of deaths and severe injuries from falls has decreased over the past several decades, falls remain an issue requiring clinical attention, considering the impact of falls on patients’ performance of daily living and the burden of fall-related injury.The author reviewed studies published over the past ten years to learn about falls in geriatric psychiatric patients. Many studies showed that physical functions such as gait, balance ability, and muscle strength were important fall risk factors in geriatric psychiatric patients. Clinicians should comprehensively evaluate fall risk through screening using an appropriate measure for psychiatric patients, physical function examination, and medication review. Fall prevention can be achieved effectively through environmental interventions considering the characteristics of psychiatric treatment settings and individual interventions focusing on the patient’s modifiable factors.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine whether attachment insecurity, stigma, and certain demographic and medical factors predict depression and anxiety in people living with HIV (PLWH). Methods: Participants were 147 PLWH who visited the outpatient infection clinic in Kyungpook National University Hospital (KNUH; Daegu, South Korea) between June 2020 and January 2021. We measured HIV-related stigma, attachment anxiety and avoidance, depressive symptoms, and anxiety symptoms. Results: Logistic regression analysis showed that unemployment, longer time receiving antiretroviral therapy, higher attachment avoidance, and higher attachment anxiety were significant predictors of depression. Results also showed that longer time receiving antiretroviral therapy, higher attachment anxiety, and concern with public attitudes were significant predictors of anxiety. Conclusion In addition to education to reduce public stigma, interventions to reduce PLWH’s self-stigma should continue. We suggest attachment-based psychotherapy as an effective intervention to improve PLWH’s mental health.

Purpose: To investigate the clinical features of non-affected fellow eyes in patients with unilateral facial port-wine stain (PWS) and ipsilateral secondary glaucoma. Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of the medical records of 35 patients with unilateral facial PWS glaucoma and those of controls (35 subjects without both facial PWS and glaucoma) between September 1996 and May 2020. We noted patients’ age at the glaucoma diagnosis (for unilateral facial PWS glaucoma patients) or at the initial examination (for controls), cup-to-disc ratio (CDR), and intraocular pressure (IOP). We compared the clinical features between the glaucoma-free eyes in patients with unilateral facial PWS glaucoma and the controls. Results: The mean age at the glaucoma diagnosis for unilateral facial PWS glaucoma patients was 0.56 ± 0.99 years (range, 0.08-4). The mean IOP of the glaucoma-free eyes was 16.68 ± 5.73 mmHg (range, 9-22.9), and the mean CDR was 0.37 ± 0.14 (range, 0.15-0.80) at glaucoma diagnosis. The mean IOP of the glaucoma-free eyes was 14.14 ± 6.29 mmHg (range, 8.1-26.7), and the mean CDR was 0.37 ± 0.12 (range, 0.26-0.82) at final examination. When comparing glaucoma-free eyes of the unilateral facial PWS glaucoma patients with the control group (mean age, 11.2 ± 7.4 years), the mean CDR was significantly greater (0.37 ± 0.12 vs. 0.30 ± 0.08; p = 0.014) but there was no significant difference in the mean IOP (14.14 ± 6.29 mmHg vs. 14.57 ± 2.49 mmHg; p = 0.712). Conclusions The glaucoma-free eyes of unilateral facial PWS glaucoma patients showed greater CDR compared to the non-facial PWS and non-glaucoma controls. Additional longitudinal studies are needed to investigate the clinical course of those eyes, whether the risk of developing glaucoma is increased.

Objective: The purpose of this study is to identify personality types that can influence breast cancer screening (BCS) compliance among Korean women with breast cancer using a mixed-method approach. Methods: The participants consisted of 93 women who underwent surgery for breast cancer between July 2010 and March 2012. The demographic and medical characteristics of the participants were evaluated through structured interviews. To identify personality types, in-depth interviews were performed and the transcribed interviews were evaluated using interpretive phenomenological analysis. The participants were categorized into two groups (compliance and non-compliance) based on compliance with the Korean Breast Cancer Society recommendations for BCS. Results: Five personality types were identified through phenomenological analysis. There were significant differences in the chi-square test results for the BCS compliance and non-compliance groups according to age (p=0.048), cancer stage (p<0.001), and personality types (p=0.018). Logistic regression showed that the odds ratio for compliance with BCS was 9.35 (p=0.01) for individuals with a cautious-organized personality type, 9.38 (p=0.02) for those with a cautious-dependent personality, and 10.58 (p=0.04) for those with a sensitive-downcast personality compared to those with a cautious personality type. Conclusion Participants with cautious-organized, cautious-dependent, and sensitive-downcast personality types were less likely to follow the BCS recommendations than those with a cautious personality type. This study provides a basis for the future development of an effective questionnaire to investigate the personality types of individuals with breast cancer in order to predict compliance with BCS.

Objectives: ：The aim of this study was to investigate the lifetime prevalence of psychotic experiences (PEs) and the association of PEs with a range of psychiatric disorders in the Korean general population. Methods: ：Multi-stage cluster sampling was adopted in this study. Interviews were conducted face-to-face with 18-year-old and older people living in the community from June to November 2016. Korean version of Composite International Diagnostic Interview (K-CIDI) was applied to assess the prevalence of psychiatric disorders. Psychotic experiences were assessed with 21 items (15 items for hallucinations and 6 items for delusions) in the CIDI psychosis module. Results: ：Mean lifetime prevalence (standard error) of ever having a PEs was 3.3% (0.3) with 2.2% (0.2) of hallucinatory experiences and 1.7% (0.2) of delusional experiences. The lifetime prevalence of PEs was higher in young people and in persons with unemployment or part-time-job. PEs were associated with an increase in the lifetime prevalence of anxiety disorders [Adjusted odd ratio (AOR)=6.3 ; p<0.001], mood disorders (AOR=4.9 ; p<0.001), alcohol use disorders (AOR=2.4 ; p<0.001), and nicotine use disorders (AOR=2.4 ; p<0.001) after controlling for sociodemographic variables. Conclusion ：PEs are related to various non-psychotic disorders as well as psychotic disorders. Clinicians should pay more attention to the mental health of individuals with PEs.

Objectives: ：Hyperactive delirium is a state of acute mental confusion including aggressive and impulsive behavior and it is burdensome for the family and caregivers of terminal cancer patients. Therefore, predicting the symptoms of hyperactive delirium can provide benefits to care terminal cancer patients. In this study, several risk factors were evaluated during hospitalization for predicting delirious symptom in terminal cancer patients. Methods: ：Patients who died of cancer in a palliative care unit from January 2011 to September 2012 were investigated by retrospective chart review. Clinical and laboratory data were collected to identify the factors associated with hyperactive delirium. Univariate and multivariate analysis by logistic regression were applied. Additional survival analysis was conducted to measure the onset of delirium symptoms after pneumonia. Results: ：During hospitalization, 49 of 201 patients showed the symptoms of hyperactive delirium (24.4%). Developing a delirious symptom was associated with male (OR=3.36, p=0.002), bone metastasis (OR=3.70, p=0.002), pneumonia during hospitalization (OR=3.17, p=0.02) and depressive mood (OR=2.53, p80.011). In additional survival analysis, half of patients developed symptoms of delirium within 3 days after pneumonia. Conclusion ：Our results suggest that male, bone metastasis, depressive mood, and pneumonia are risk factors that can affect hyperactive delirium in terminally ill cancer patients. In addition, many patients with pneumonia abruptly developed the symptoms of hyperactive delirium within 3 days. Our finding may provide clues for predicting hyperactive delirium, and it can be helpful to manage delirium symptoms.