Search

Background: There are differences across ethno-cultural groups in the degree of somatization among patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). Studies showed that the attribution style of somatic symptoms is an important predictor of health outcome in depressed patients. Aims: The aims of this study were to investigate associations of psychologizing, normalizing and somatizing attribution styles as measured by the Symptom Interpretation Questionnaire (SIQ) in Turkish patients with MDD. Methods: Ninety patients who were diagnosed with a major depressive episode using a semi-structured interview were administered the SIQ to assess attribution styles, each of which was regressed on age, gender, educational level, depressive symptom severity, tendency for somatosensory amplification, current somatic symptoms and alexithymia. Results: Scores on somatizing, psychologizing and normalizing attribution subscales of the SIQ were strongly correlated with each other. Somatosensory amplification and alexithymia were independent correlates of somatizing attributions. Higher levels of psychologizing and normalizing attributions were both related to more severe symptoms of depression and to somatosensory amplification. Conclusions: These results suggested that patients with higher levels of depressive symptoms were more likely to engage in a greater diversity of attribution styles as measured by the SIQ in our sample. Independent correlates of somatic symptom attribution in patients with MDD were found to be different from Western countries, suggestive of disparate cultural characteristics and help-seeking pathways and behaviour in Turkey. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To overview and evaluate the main findings, methodological shortcomings, and time trends of the recent psychiatric epidemiology studies in Turkey, as well as to provide areas prone for development in forthcoming research. Method: PubMed and Turkish Psychiatry Index were screened to identify relevant studies. Any epidemiological study from 2000 to 2012 with a general population or unique sub-population sample was included. Papers and results were classified as depression, anxiety, psychotic, dissociative, conversion, personality, alcohol and substance abuse, and trauma-related disorders, and common geriatric disorders. Results: There are various epidemiological studies on various psychiatric disorders in Turkey. However, there are main shortcomings and trends in research that subsequently stagnate current psychiatric epidemiological research. First, epidemiological studies were mainly conducted for academic purposes, not for addressing epidemiological issues or issues of health policy. Second, studies mainly focused on particular fields and institutions, which led to non-systematic accumulation of epidemiological results. Third, although Turkey is a natural laboratory of social conflicts and disasters, there were few studies with a focus on probable outcomes. Fourth, high-quality epidemiological studies with disseminating results tended to decrease, even in common mental disorders such as depression. Fifth, there were very few epidemiological studies using contemporary designs such as follow-up, genetic, or biomarker data in the general-population. Conclusion: Although psychiatric epidemiological studies of the last decade provide a suitable ground for future challenges, current trends in this research area has tended to stagnate, despite the potential for unique contributions. Forthcoming studies and researchers may notice novel methodological developments in epidemiology, with a growing attention on rapid urbanization, natural disasters, social conflicts, and migration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This present study aimed to assess levels of burnout, to investigate the extent to which personal characteristics and coping behaviors are related to burnout, and to establish the predictors of burnout among physicians in a semiurban and rural area. A sample of 139 physicians was assessed using the Maslach Burnout Inventory, Eysenck Personality Questionnaire, Toronto Alexithymia Scale, and Ways of Coping Inventory. The level of burnout was found to be moderately higher than those reported among urban physicians. A forward stepwise multiple regression analysis indicated that neuroticism, occupation (specialist vs general practitioner), helpless, self-confident, and social support seeking approaches were predictors of burnout. The results showed that burnout was negatively related with problem-focused copping strategies, and positively with emotion-focused coping strategies. Fostering problem-focused coping strategies in physicians might be useful in the reduction of burnout. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The massive use of riot control agents also known as "pepper gas" on people during the Gezi protests attracted so much reaction. Although various physical sequels including death evoked by the exposure to pepper gas have been shown before, the psychological effects are unclear. This present review aimed to discuss the psychological effects of exposure to pepper gas and the psychiatric consequences of the Gezi protests on both individual and community level. The long term effects of exposure to pepper gas on human health are still unknown. The use of pepper gas should be prohibited until its long term effects are clearly shown by scientific studies which are designed carefully. It is important to keep in mind that physical sequels caused by exposure to pepper gas could recover in time. However, psychological sequels might need more time and effort to get better. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Depression is the most common psychiatric disorder among patients with dementia. The aim of this study was to investigate the validity and reliability of the Turkish version of Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia. The scale was developed specifically to assess signs and symptoms of major depression in dementia on the basis of two semi-structured interviews; an interview with an informant and an interview with the patient. Method: The study was carried out with 45 (43%) demented patients attending to the psychiatry outpatient unit of a university hospital and 60 (57%) demented patients from four different nursing homes in Istanbul. All participants were fulfilling the DSM-IV criteria for dementia. Besides the Turkish version of Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia, Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV (SCID-I), Mini Mental State Examination, Geriatric Depression Scale, Global Deterioration Scale and sociodemographic data form developed by the researchers were applied to all participants. The validity study was based on comparisons between total score of the scale and diagnosis established by using SCID-I. Results: A high test-retest reliability (r: 0.88) and internal consistency (α: 0.79) were found. The total score and items of the scale were discriminated demented patients with depression from demented patients without depression except for item 15. Conclusion: The Turkish version of Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia is a reliable and valid instrument in investigating depression in dementia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of permanent ostomy on body image, sexual functioning, self-esteem, and marital adjustment. Method: SCID-I outpatient forms were administered to 52 subsequent patients that underwent permanent colostomy or ileostomy operations, and 40 of them that did not fit any of the diagnostic criteria for psychiatric disorders were then administered a sociodemographic data questionnaire, and the Body Image Scale, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, Dyadic Adjustment Scale, and Golombok Rust Sexual Functions scale. The control group consisted of 20 age- and gender-matched healthy volunteers. Results: Body Image, Rosenberg Self-Esteem, and Dyadic Adjustment Scale scores were higher in permanent ostomy patients compared to controls, indicating more ostomy-related disturbance. Sexual functions were found to be impaired as well, except impotence and rapid ejaculation parameters. Complaints of anorgasmia were more frequent among female colostomy patients. Body image, and the touch, communication, and frequency parameters of sexual functioning were less disturbed in male patients than in females. Female patients with a psychiatric history experienced vaginismus problems more frequently. Patients with a history early childhood separation from parents had lower self-esteem scores and more frequently avoided sexual activity. Following ostomy surgery, the frequency of male impotence decreased over time. Conclusion: Permanent ostomy causes impairment in perceived body image, dyadic adjustment, and sexual functioning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Turk Psikiyatri Dergisi is the property of Turk Psikiyatri Dergisi and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Abstract: Objective: A 44-year-old male patient presented with agitation, auditory hallucinations, and delusions of persecution was diagnosed as having neurosyphilis. Methods: He was treated with penicillin G 24 million units/day, risperidone 6 mg/day, and memantine 20 mg/day with partial response to psychotic symptoms and significant extrapyramidal symptoms. Results: On his follow-up, after 5 months, his cognitive status and serological tests remained the same, and his cell count was increased. A second therapy of penicillin was administered without any clinical improvement. On his second hospitalization for severe psychotic agitation after approximately 1 year, quetiapine 1200 mg/day was introduced and the psychiatric state improved immediately without significant side effect. Conclusions: Quetiapine, which has a low potential for producing extrapyramidal side effects, should be considered in the treatment of psychotic symptoms of neurosyphilis. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objectives: The aim of this study is to compare depression and anxiety levels between elderly who stay at nursing home and live with their relatives. Method: Fifty five nursing home residents and 62 elderly living with their relatives who were presented to the psychiatry department of a state hospital between January 2008 and January 2009 were participated in this study. Medical and socio-demographic form, Standardized Mini-Mental State Examination, Geriatric Depression Scale, Hamilton Depression Rating Scale and Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale were administered to the participants who were included to the study and obtained written informed consent. Results: The nursing home residents were found to be more likely to be male and less educated, having more depression and anxiety symptoms and especially higher somatic anxiety compared to the elderly living with their relatives, and having an experience of negative life events during the last three months was more common in elderly living with their relatives. We could not found any significant difference between the scores of the Geriatric Depression Scale, Hamilton Depression Rating Scale and Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale of two group's scores by means of marital status, presence of chronic physical disorders and medical insurance, experience of negative life events during last three months. Conclusion: The relationship of somatic symptoms with anxiety of elderly who stay at nursing homes need to be known and nursing home workers have to recognize this situation in order to refer these elderly to mental health professionals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The Compulsory Health Service (CHS) for physicians has been in place since 2005. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of the CHS on physicians and the factors associated with burnout., Method: The sample group consisted of all physicians working within the province of Muş in this cross-sectional, descriptive, epidemiological study. All participants were assessed using the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), the Beck Depression Inventory, the Job Satisfaction Scale (JSS), the Satisfaction with Life Scale, the Professional Quality of Life Scale (ProQOL) and the General Health Questiannaire-12, along with a detailed sociodemographic and professional data form., Results: A total of 139 physicians participated in this study, and 100 of them (71%) were fulfilling the CHS. Physicians who fulfilled the CHS were found to have lower levels of job satisfaction and professional quality of life. They also had higher levels of depression, general psychiatric symptoms, and psychological stress. The relationships between the level of burnout in physicians fulfilling the CHS and the scores from the scales used in the study were statistically significant except those between MBI-Personal Accomplishment, JSS, and ProQOL-Compassion Fatigue subscales. The extent of depressive symptoms and the daily number of patients were predictors of all three subscales of burnout. Job satisfaction was a predictor of both emotional exhaustion and depersonalization, while life satisfaction was a predictor of emotional exhaustion, and gender was a predictor of personal accomplishment., Conclusion: The level of burnout among physicians who had fulfilled the CHS was high. The factors and predictors associated with burnout were discussed.

Background: This study is concerned with relationships between childhood trauma history, dissociative experiences, and the clinical phenomenology of chronic schizophrenia., Sampling and Methods: Seventy patients with a schizophrenic disorder were evaluated using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV, Dissociative Experiences Scale, Dissociative Disorders Interview Schedule, Positive and Negative Symptoms Scales, and Childhood Trauma Questionnaire., Results: Childhood trauma scores were correlated with dissociation scale scores and dissociative symptom clusters, but not with core symptoms of the schizophrenic disorder. Cluster analysis identified a subgroup of patients with high dissociation and childhood trauma history. The dissociative subgroup was characterized by higher numbers of general psychiatric comorbidities, secondary features of dissociative identity disorder, Schneiderian symptoms, somatic complaints, and extrasensory perceptions. A significant majority of the dissociative subgroup fit the diagnostic criteria of DSM-IV borderline personality disorder concurrently. Among childhood trauma types, only physical abuse and physical neglect predicted dissociation., Conclusions: A trauma-related dissociative subtype of schizophrenia is supported. Childhood trauma is related to concurrent dissociation among patients with schizophrenic disorder. A duality model based on the interaction of 2 qualitatively distinct psychopathologies and a dimensional approach are proposed as possible explanations for the complex relationship between these 2 psychopathologies and childhood trauma., (Copyright 2009 S. Karger AG, Basel.)

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of permanent ostomy on body image, sexual functioning, self-esteem, and marital adjustment., Method: SCID-I outpatient forms were administered to 52 subsequent patients that underwent permanent colostomy or ileostomy operations, and 40 of them that did not fit any of the diagnostic criteria for psychiatric disorders were then administered a sociodemographic data questionnaire, and the Body Image Scale, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, Dyadic Adjustment Scale, and Golombok Rust Sexual Functions scale. The control group consisted of 20 age- and gender-matched healthy volunteers., Results: Body Image, Rosenberg Self-Esteem, and Dyadic Adjustment Scale scores were higher in permanent ostomy patients compared to controls, indicating more ostomy-related disturbance. Sexual functions were found to be impaired as well, except impotence and rapid ejaculation parameters. Complaints of anorgasmia were more frequent among female colostomy patients. Body image, and the touch, communication, and frequency parameters of sexual functioning were less disturbed in male patients than in females. Female patients with a psychiatric history experienced vaginismus problems more frequently. Patients with a history early childhood separation from parents had lower self-esteem scores and more frequently avoided sexual activity. Following ostomy surgery, the frequency of male impotence decreased over time., Conclusion: Permanent ostomy causes impairment in perceived body image, dyadic adjustment, and sexual functioning.