A Study on the Characteristics and Consultation Request Type of Inpatients Referred for Depressive Symptoms / 정신신체의학

Objectives@#：The purpose of this study is to investigate the characteristics of depressive patients who admitted to general hospital. We examined the clinical characteristics of patients who were referred to the Department of Psychiatry as depressive symptoms, according to the type of consultation request, and comparing ‘with re-consultation’ and ‘without re-consultation’ groups. @*Methods@#：We performed a retrospective chart review of 4,966 inpatients who were referred to the Department of Psychiatry from August 2005 to December 2011. @*Results@#：For about 6 years, among the inpatients referred for psychiatric consultation, a total of 647 patients were referred for depressive symptoms, accounting for 13.82% of the total consultations. The average age of depressive patients was 58.6 years, which was higher than the average of 56.4 years of overall patients. Among the depressive patients, 275 patients were included in ‘with re-consultation’ group and there was no statistically significant difference when comparing ‘with re-consultation’ group and ‘without re-consultation’ group. How-ever, there was a difference in the tendency of the two groups in the type of consultation request. ‘With re-consultation’ group was in the order of frequency of consultation type 3-2-1, whereas the ‘without re-consultation’ group was in the order of frequency of consultation type 2-3-1. @*Conclusions@#：The group of inpatients who were referred for depressive symptoms in general hospital showed the largest proportion of the group of patients referred to the Department of Psychiatry. ‘With re-consultation’ group had a higher rate of re-consultation due to the occurrence of new symptoms after hospitalization compared to ‘without re-consultation’ group. Therefore, doctors in each department and psychiatrists should pay attention to the depressive symptoms of inpatients and actively discuss treatment plans to improve the quality of medical services, identify risk factors, and make efforts to intervene early if necessary.

The Mediating Effect of Insomnia on the Relationship between Panic Symptoms and Depression in Patients with Panic Disorder

Background@#This study aimed to determine if sleep disturbances may mediate the relationship between panic symptoms and depression in patients with panic disorder (PD). @*Methods@#Electronic medical records were retrospectively reviewed for 110 consecutive patients with diagnosed PD in an outpatient clinic between October 2018 and December 2019. Measurements include the PD Severity Scale, Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) and Insomnia Severity Index (ISI). Statistical analyses were performed to assess any potential relationship between PD, insomnia and depression. @*Results@#Of the PD patients, 88 (80%) and 89 (80.9%) had comorbid depression (BDI-II ≥ 14) and insomnia (Korean version of the ISI ≥ 8), respectively. In a mediation model using insomnia as the mediating variable, the total effect of panic symptom severity on depression was significant (t = 7.23, P < 0.001). There were significant effects of panic symptoms on insomnia (t = 4.62,P < 0.001) and of insomnia on depression (t = 6.69, P < 0.001). The main effect of panic symptom severity on depression was also significant, after controlling for the effect of insomnia (t = 5.10, P < 0.001), suggesting partial mediation. @*Conclusion@#Both depressive symptoms and insomnia are common in patients with PD and depression was partially mediated by insomnia in these patients. These results suggest that an intervention for insomnia in patients with PD might help prevent the development of depression.

The Mediating Effect of Insomnia on the Relationship between Panic Symptoms and Depression in Patients with Panic Disorder

Background@#This study aimed to determine if sleep disturbances may mediate the relationship between panic symptoms and depression in patients with panic disorder (PD). @*Methods@#Electronic medical records were retrospectively reviewed for 110 consecutive patients with diagnosed PD in an outpatient clinic between October 2018 and December 2019. Measurements include the PD Severity Scale, Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) and Insomnia Severity Index (ISI). Statistical analyses were performed to assess any potential relationship between PD, insomnia and depression. @*Results@#Of the PD patients, 88 (80%) and 89 (80.9%) had comorbid depression (BDI-II ≥ 14) and insomnia (Korean version of the ISI ≥ 8), respectively. In a mediation model using insomnia as the mediating variable, the total effect of panic symptom severity on depression was significant (t = 7.23, P < 0.001). There were significant effects of panic symptoms on insomnia (t = 4.62,P < 0.001) and of insomnia on depression (t = 6.69, P < 0.001). The main effect of panic symptom severity on depression was also significant, after controlling for the effect of insomnia (t = 5.10, P < 0.001), suggesting partial mediation. @*Conclusion@#Both depressive symptoms and insomnia are common in patients with PD and depression was partially mediated by insomnia in these patients. These results suggest that an intervention for insomnia in patients with PD might help prevent the development of depression.

Predictors of Psychiatric Outpatient Adherence after an Emergency Room Visit for a Suicide Attempt

Objective@#This study aimed to investigate the potential correlation between baseline characteristics of individuals visiting an emergency room for a suicide attempt and subsequent psychiatric outpatient treatment adherence. @*Methods@#Medical records of 525 subjects, who visited an emergency room at a university-affiliated hospital for a suicide attempt between January 2017 and December 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. Potential associations between baseline characteristics and psychiatric outpatient visitation were statistically analyzed. @*Results@#107 out of 525 individuals (20.4%) who attempted suicide visited an outpatient clinic after the initial emergency room visit. Several factors (e.g., sober during suicide attempt, college degree, practicing religion, psychiatric treatment history) were significantly related to better psychiatric outpatient follow-up. @*Conclusion@#Several demographic and clinical factors predicted outpatient adherence following a suicide attempt. Therefore, additional attention should be given to suicide attempters who are at the risk of non-adherence by practitioners in the emergency room.

Mature Defense Mechanisms Affect Successful Adjustment in Young Adulthood-Adjustment to Military Service in South Korea

OBJECTIVE: A defense mechanism is an automatic psychological process necessary for successful adaptation. It reflects adaptive capacity. The purpose of this study is to explore the relationship between the adaptation ability of individuals who face mandatory military service and the pattern of defense mechanisms. METHODS: The subjects were 69 men (21.4±2.2 years) who expressed psychological difficulties in three military service situations. Control group was 36 men (24.0±1.4 years) who had successfully completed military service. We examined psychiatric history, the pattern of defense mechanisms, and depression and anxiety levels. Defense mechanisms were compared between two groups. RESULTS: The maladjusted group used immature defenses more frequently than the control group did. There were no differences in the defense patterns according to diagnosis. The control group used more identification and rationalization, classified as immature defenses. The temporarily maladjusted group used more somatization, regression, and avoidance. CONCLUSION: Using mature defense mechanisms helped young adults to adapt to a particular situation. The maturity of the defense is more valuable than the psychiatric diagnosis. Some immature defenses are also helpful to adapt. We cautiously assume that some defenses can be protective or risk factors in adapting to stressful situations by young adults.

Burnout and mental health of physicians

The World Health Organization has included burnout in the 11th revision of the International Classification of Diseases as an occupational phenomenon that involves “factors influencing health status or contact with health services.” Burnout is a syndrome conceptualized as resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed. It manifests as exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced job satisfaction. In the United States, more than 50% of physicians have reported burnout, and their suicide rate is more than twice as high as that of the general population. Burnout in physicians is linked with increased irritability, depression, and medical errors in practice, and decreased job satisfaction, work efficacy, and concentration. Most physicians have pointed to administrative burdens outside of clinical practice as the major cause of burnout. To prevent physician burnout, regular evaluations of stress and self-awareness of one's burnout status are essential. Each physician should make proactive lifestyle changes to reduce job-related stress, such as regular exercise, seeking help, ensuring enough rest, and fostering good interpersonal relationships. Awareness and prevention of burnout are important not only for physicians' mental health, but also for patients' care.

Analysis of State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Patients Diagnosed with Insomnia in an Outpatient Department / 수면정신생리

OBJECTIVES@#Insomnia patients who visited the psychiatric outpatient of a university department, were divided into those patients with insomnia alone and those with depression or anxiety disorder, along with insomnia. The study analyzed their demographic characteristics and the differences in State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) results among the patient groups.@*METHODS@#Patients who visited the psychiatric department in Konkuk University hospital from 1 January 2006 to 31 December 2018. If they were diagnosed with insomnia disorder based on DSM IV-TR and had undergone STAI, their electronic records were retrospectively analyzed. Based on the records, the patients were classified into those with insomnia disorder only, those with insomnia and anxiety disorder, and those with insomnia and depressive disorder. This study analyzed the demographic characteristics and STAI results of each group, and compared the differences among those groups.@*RESULTS@#During the period, 99 of 329 insomnia disorder patients who had performed STAI were diagnosed with depressive concurrent disorder and 61 with concurrent anxiety disorder. There was no difference in demographic characteristics of age and sex ratio among the three patient groups, and all had greater than 70% proportions of patients aged from 50s to 70s (71.8%, 77.1%, and 73.8% respectively). The average scores of STAI-I were 51.85 ± 10.15 for the patients with anxiety disorders and 54.18 ± 10.32 for those with depressive disorders, both of which were higher than the score of the patients with insomnia alone (44.55 ± 8.89). However, the score difference was not statically significant between the anxiety and depression groups. Similarly, in the STAI-II comparison, the averages of patients with anxiety or depressive disorders along with insomnia were 49.98 ± 8.31 and 53.19 ± 10.13 respectively, which were higher than that of the insomnia only group (42.71 ± 8.84), but there was no significant difference between the anxiety and depressive disorder groups.@*CONCLUSION@#Although there were no differences in demographic data between the patients with insomnia only and those with accompanying depressive or anxiety disorder, the STAI-I and II scores were lower in the insomnia only group. In the future, it is necessary to consider other demographic characteristics including comorbidities and to conduct similar analyses with a larger sample.

Burnout and mental health of physicians

The World Health Organization has included burnout in the 11th revision of the International Classification of Diseases as an occupational phenomenon that involves “factors influencing health status or contact with health services.” Burnout is a syndrome conceptualized as resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed. It manifests as exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced job satisfaction. In the United States, more than 50% of physicians have reported burnout, and their suicide rate is more than twice as high as that of the general population. Burnout in physicians is linked with increased irritability, depression, and medical errors in practice, and decreased job satisfaction, work efficacy, and concentration. Most physicians have pointed to administrative burdens outside of clinical practice as the major cause of burnout. To prevent physician burnout, regular evaluations of stress and self-awareness of one's burnout status are essential. Each physician should make proactive lifestyle changes to reduce job-related stress, such as regular exercise, seeking help, ensuring enough rest, and fostering good interpersonal relationships. Awareness and prevention of burnout are important not only for physicians' mental health, but also for patients' care.

Reversed Hand Movement during Sleep in Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea

OBJECTIVE: Previous findings suggest that hand movement laterality is reversed during sleep. The present study aimed to verify this phenomenon and evaluate whether the extent of reversal is correlated with the severity of sleep apnea. METHODS: A total of 184 participants (mean age: 44.5±13.0 years; 81.5% males) wore actigraphs on both hands during sleep, and nocturnal polysomnography was simultaneously performed. RESULTS: Actigraphic indices of hand movement were significantly higher for the left hand than those for the right hand (p < 0.001), including total activity score, mean activity score, mean score in active periods and fragmentation index. Additionally, calculated differences between the fragmentation index for the left versus right hands were significantly correlated with the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI, r=0.149, p=0.032). The AHI was not significantly correlated with differences in hand movement between both hands movement assessed by total activity score (r=0.004, p=0.957), mean activity score (r=0.011, p=0.876), mean score in active periods (r=-0.080, p=0.255). CONCLUSION: More severe symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea was associated with larger degree of hand movement reversal at night. This result support the theory that homeostatic deactivation occurs in the dominant hemisphere during sleep.

The Characteristics and Types of Psychiatric Consultation for Insomnia Symptom in Hospitalized Patients / 수면정신생리

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to explore insomniac demographic characteristics and the type of consultation provided to hospitalized patients asked to the Department of Psychiatry for insomnia and to compare patient insomnia characteristics by consultation type. METHODS: We performed a retrospective chart review of 4,966 patients who were hospitalized from August 1, 2005 to December 31, 2011 that received consultation in the Department of Psychiatry. Among them, 236 patients were referred for insomnia. We compared the differences in demographic characteristics and types of consultation between the insomnia patient group and other patient group. We also compared the difference between demographic characteristics and type of consultation by dividing total subjects into ‘with reconsultation’ and ‘without reconsultation’ groups. RESULTS: Our results came from the analysis of 9,689 consecutive consultation requests. There were 4,966 patients that participated in the study over 6 years and 6 months. The overall consultation rate was 3.3% of all admissions and insomnia patients comprised 4.8% of those. The ratio of re-consultation for insomnia was 27.5%. There was no significant difference in mean age between the insomnia ‘with reconsultation group’ and the insomnia ‘without reconsultation group’, but the ‘with reconsultation’ group had significantly more male patients and medical patients than the ‘without re-consultation’ group. For insomnia patients, consultation types were in the order of Mending request (51.3%), Paralle request (36.6%), Complementary request (9.0%) and this composition differed from that of total admission patients. CONCLUSION: Hospitalized patients referred for insomnia showed a higher proportion of male patients, lower rates of re-consultation compared with other patients, and most of these were for secondary insomnia. Each doctor should be aware of the possibility of inpatient insomnia, conduct positive assessments and referrals as necessary, and psychiatrists who might be asked for consultation need to prepare an active intervention with initial diagnosis and treatment, as well as recommendations for the timing of reconsultation.

Neuropsychiatric Symptoms and Increased Risks of Progression from Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment to Alzheimer's Dementia

OBJECTIVES: Neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) are common in dementia and in mild cognitive impairment (MCI). They might be a predictor of progression to dementia. This study aimed to investigate the effects of NPS on the natural course in MCI. METHODS: 306 community-dwelling Korean elderly with MCI from local dementia center were assessed for NPS using Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI). Subjects were assessed again after more than a year from baseline. 52 subjects (17.0%) were progressed to dementia. We compared baseline NPI scores between stable and deteriorated groups. RESULTS: Subjects progressing to dementia had a significantly higher prevalence of NPS (45.3% vs. 65.4%) than subjects who remained stable. Delusion (2.8% vs. 9.6%), agitation/aggression (14.6% vs. 26.9%), depression (21.7% vs. 40.4%) and disinhibition (4.3% vs. 19.2%) were more common in deteriorated group. After adjustment for other variables, on logistic regression analysis, only disinhibition at baseline was shown to be a risk factor for progression to dementia (OR=4.88, 95% CI=1.37-17.36, p=0.01, R²=302). CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that NPS in MCI may be a predictor of progression to dementia. NPS may be a useful item including delusion, agitation/aggression, depression, and disinhibition. To study course and nature of NPS may lead to better understanding of Alzheimer's disease.

Characteristics of Patients with Dementia and the Demands of Caregivers: Inpatients of Public Long-term Care Hospital versus Outpatients of General Hospitals

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to clarify the characteristics of patients with dementia using long-term care hospitals and the demands of their caregivers. It will provide a perspective for establishing the specialized dementia hospital and appropriate dementia services in the future. METHODS: The survey was performed to the caregivers of the dementia inpatients of 71 public long-term care hospitals and outpatients from local hospitals. We distributed the questionnaires to 3,600 caregivers. Of these, 1,572 returned and then included in the analysis. RESULTS: High number of both inpatients (85.7%) and outpatients (61.5%) were diagnosed with dementia in psychiatric or neurologic department. Time laps from onset of symptoms thought as dementia to actual diagnosis was about a year. Caregivers of dementia inpatients wanted mostly dementia related welfare and care products (85.5%), physical and exercise program (84.0%), specialized dementia ward (83.1%), behavioral management (82.1%), and cognitive rehabilitation (80.5%). CONCLUSION: It is important to provide adequate management to both the patients with dementia and the caregivers. Thus, specialized institutional arrangements and medical service improvement supported by government is needed to reduce the psychological and financial burden of caregivers. We hope these results will be used to establish the principals and standards of specialized dementia hospital.

The Relationship between Type D Personality and Suicidality in Low-Income, Middle-Aged Adults

OBJECTIVE: Low-income adults are considered to be a group at high risk for suicide. We sought to examine the effect of type D personality and other socio-demographic factors on suicidality in low-income, middle-aged Koreans. METHODS: In total, 306 low-income, middle-aged Koreans [age: 49.16+/-5.24 (40-59) years, 156 males, 150 females] were enrolled from the Korean National Basic Livelihood Security System. Socio-demographic data, including employment status, income, health, marital status, and educational attainment, were gathered. Beck's 19-item Scale for Suicidal Ideation (SSI) was applied to evaluate suicidality, and the DS14 was used to assess type D personality. RESULTS: Unemployment (p<0.01) and absence of spouse (p=0.03) predicted higher SSI scores independent of other socioeconomic factors. All type D personality scores [i.e., negative affectivity (NA), social inhibition (SI), and total score] predicted higher SSI scores independent of all socioeconomic factors (all, p<0.001). Subjects with type D personality had higher SSI scores (p<0.001), and the association between suicidality and socio-demographic factors (employment or physical health) could be found only in subjects without type D personality. CONCLUSION: Type D personality was a risk factor for suicide in low-income Koreans, independently from socio-economic factors. In addition, the socio-demographic factors were less prominently associated with suicidality in those with type D personality.

Comparison of Antidepressants Tolerability in Cancer Patients Referred for Psychiatric Consultation / 정신신체의학

OBJECTIVES: Many patients diagnosed with cancer suffer from various psychiatric symptoms such as depression, anxiety and insomnia as well as cancer itself. Patients with cancer are more vulnerable to possible adverse events of psychotropic medications. Although antidepressants are widely used among cancer patients, there is little information about tolerability of antidepressants. This study was conducted to compare tolerability of antidepressants in cancer patients referred for psychiatric consultation. METHODS: The participants were cancer patients who had been referred to psychiatrist for their psychiatric symptoms. We retrospectively analyzed the data of patients diagnosed with cancer from 9 general hospitals in Korea. The discontinuation rate for a 6 months period after treatment initiation for three antidepressants(Escitalopram, Mirtazapine, Paroxetine) were compared. RESULTS: Antidepressants were prescribed for 96.3% of subjects and Escitalopram 150(47.2%), Mirtazapine 92 (28.9%) and Paroxetine 76(23.9%) were prescribed frequently in order There were no significant differences in discontinuation rates among the three antidepressants during the 6 month period after initiation of pharmacotherapy. But there was a difference in discontinuation rates between inpatients versus outpatients(p<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: In a naturalistic setting for the antidepressant treatment for cancer patients, it seems that there are no differences in discontinuation rates among these three antidepressants. It is therefore essential that such interactions are carefully considered when treating patients of antidepressants who already have cancer.

The Effect of Aging and Severity of Sleep Apnea on Heart Rate Variability Indices in Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to analyze how much heart rate variability (HRV) indices discriminatively respond to age and severity of sleep apnea in the obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). METHODS: 176 male OSAS patients were classified into four groups according to their age and apnea-hypopnea index (AHI). The HRV indices were compared via analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). In particular, the partial correlation method was performed to identify the most statistically significant HRV indices in the time and frequency domains. Stepwise multiple linear regressions were further executed to examine the effects of age, AHI, body mass index (BMI), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and sleep parameters on the significant HRV indices. RESULTS: The partial correlation analysis yielded the NN50 count (defined as the number of adjacent R-wave to R-wave intervals differing by more than 50 ms) and low frequency/high frequency (LF/HF) ratio to be two most statistically significant HRV indices in both time and frequency domains. The two indices showed significant differences between the groups. The NN50 count was affected by age (p<0.001) and DBP (p=0.039), while the LF/HF ratio was affected by AHI (p<0.001), the amount of Stage 2 sleep (p=0.005), and age (p=0.021) in the order named in the regression analysis. CONCLUSION: The NN50 count more sensitively responded to age than to AHI, suggesting that the index is mainly associated with an age-related parasympathetic system. On the contrary, the LF/HF ratio responded to AHI more sensitively than to age, suggesting that it is mainly associated with a sympathetic tone likely reflecting the severity of sleep apnea.

Clinical Characteristics and Use of Antidepressants among Cancer Patients Referred for Psychiatric Consultation : A Korean Multicenter Survey / 신경정신의학

OBJECTIVES: Antidepressants are frequently used for treatment of psychological distress among cancer patients. The aim of this study is to investigate the characteristics of psychiatric consultations and antidepressant use for cancer patients. METHODS: Participants in the study included cancer patients who had been referred for psychiatric consultation. A total of 488 patients were recruited from nine general hospitals in Korea. Questionnaires based on medical records, including antidepressants prescribed, were investigated by psychiatrists. RESULTS: The most common psychiatric diagnosis of subjects was depressive disorders (72.4%), followed by anxiety disorders (13.0%), and adjustment disorders (7.3%). Antidepressants were prescribed for 96.3% of subjects and escitalopram, mirtazapine, and paroxetine were prescribed frequently, in order. Anxiolytics and hypnotics were used for 58.2% of the subjects, for which lorazepam and alprozolam were preferred. During the study period, 226 (46.8%) subjects discontinued treatment and the most common cause was improvement of symptoms (123, 54.4%). CONCLUSION: Our results showed a tendency of prescription of antidepressants and anxiolytics and common psychiatric problems in Korean cancer patients. We suppose that these data would be helpful to clinicians who manage psychiatric symptoms of cancer patients.

The Correlation between Severity of Sleep Apnea, Sleep and Mood Related Scales, and Activity During Sleep in Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome Patients / 수면정신생리

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to analyze the association between the severity of sleep apnea, sleep and mood related scales, and activity during sleep in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) patients. METHODS: One hundred seventy six drug-free male patients confirmed as OSAS (average age=43+/-11 years) were selected through nocturnal polysomnography (NPSG). OSAS was diagnosed with apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) >5, mean AHI was 39.6+/-26.0. Sleep related scales were Stanford Sleepiness Scale (SSS), Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Morningness-Eveningness Scale (MES). Mood related scales were Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) I, II and Profile of Mood States (POMS). NPSG was performed overnight with both wrist actigraphy (WATG). Parameters produced from WATG were total activity score, mean activity score and fragmentation index. We analyzed the correlation between each scale, AHI scored from NPSG and activity score analyzed from WATG. RESULTS: ESS showed significant positive correlation with PSQI, BDI, BAI and STAI I, II, respectively (p<0.01). SSS showed significant positive correlation with PSQI and BAI (p<0.05, p<0.01). BAI showed significant positive correlation with total activity score, mean activity score and fragmentation index (p<0.05, p<0.01, p<0.05). Total activity score showed significant positive correlation with ESS and BAI, respectively (p<0.05). Fragmentation index showed significant positive correlation with ESS, PSQI and BAI (p<0.05, p<0.01, p<0.05). AHI, indicator of sleep apnea is showed no significant correlation with each sleep and mood related scale. CONCLUSION: The degree of daytime sleepiness tends to be associated with night sleep satisfaction, depression and anxiety, and the activity during sleep rather than the severity of sleep apnea.

Characteristics of Cognitive Faculties in Elderly Depressive Patientscomplaining of Memory Decline and Patients with Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment

OBJECTIVES: Elderly depression is often misdiagnosed as a dementing illness such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). Moreover, depressive symptoms often are presented in the early phase of AD. It is difficult to distinguish the difference between mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and depression. The purpose of this study is to explore neuropsychological characteristics of patients with amnestic MCI (aMCI) and depression. We hypothesized that there would be the difference in the cognitive function of those groups and this made clearer the nature of a depression and aMCI. METHODS: A community dwelling older people aged over 60 years were enrolled for the study. We compared 24 patients with aMCI, 23 with depression complaining subjective memory decline, and 26 normal elderly. Demographic and neuropsychological data were gathered and assessed by trained psychologist. RESULTS: Patients with aMCI and depression had significant differences separately from normal controls in particular cognitive function. Patients with aMCI showed more cognitive declines in learning than normal older people. Patients with depression had less performance in attention and executive function than normal controls. CONCLUSION: To understand the clinical difference and underlying pathophysiology of aMCI and depression, the precise criteria of aMCI gathering more homogeneous group of depression in severity and onset time will be needed.

Onset of Manic Episode during Chemotherapy with 5-Fluorouracil

The authors report a case of 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) induced manic episode in an elderly female without any previous psychiatric history. The patient presented manic symptoms after 4th cycle of 5-FU chemotherapy after surgery of rectal cancer. After cessation of chemotherapy and administration of olanzapine and divalproex sodium, symptoms were subsided within 10 days.

Psychoanalytic Understanding of Empathy / 신경정신의학

The authors reviewed the histories of the use of the term empathy, the different meanings of empathy, the origins of empathetic abilities, the referents for empathy, the paradoxical attitude of empathy, the therapeutic effect of empathy and the inadequate uses of empathy by referring to the recent psychoanalytic articles. We wanted to provide the psychoanalytic understanding of empathy for analytic psychotherapists. The important points for the psychoanalytic understandings of empathy were as follows:First, empathy is not a goal, but a method in the therapeutic process. Second, the empathetic attitude can be started at the beginning of treatment, yet it takes time for empathy to function in the treatment. Third, when providing empathy, a therapist needs both a subjective sense of sympathy for a patient and objective observation of the interaction between them during the treatment sessions. Fourth, a therapist needs to decrease his/her own narcissistic and omnipotent aspects and to use structured receptivity when providing empathy. Fifth, the process of empathy can be thought to be the result of the interaction between the patient and the therapist. Sixth, it may be more useful for a therapist to understand a patient through empathy rather than to provide a cure for a patient through empathy.