ABSTRACT
A total of 130 patients with the climacteric syndrome associated with mental disorders were examined by psychiatrists. Two groups of patients were distinguished. In Group 1 specific climacteric disorders ('flushes', excessive sweating, etc.) were the major components, whereas mental disorders (asthenic, phobic, hysterical, depressive) were just concomitant. In Group 2 the climacteric syndrome resulted in development of various mental diseases, mostly neuroses, depressions of various origins, superworship ideas. Recommendations on psychotropic therapy of these disorders were developed and contraindications against the use of hormonal therapy formulated.
Subject(s)
Climacteric/psychology , Adult , Climacteric/drug effects , Depression/diagnosis , Depression/drug therapy , Depression/psychology , Drug Therapy, Combination , Estradiol Congeners/therapeutic use , Female , Humans , Hysteria/diagnosis , Hysteria/drug therapy , Hysteria/psychology , Menopause/drug effects , Menopause/psychology , Middle Aged , Neurotic Disorders/diagnosis , Neurotic Disorders/drug therapy , Neurotic Disorders/psychology , Psychopathology , Psychotropic Drugs/therapeutic use , SyndromeABSTRACT
Examinations of 19 patients aged 49 to 55, suffering from climacteric disorders of sympathoadrenal nature, have revealed during 42 hot flushes an activation of the sympathoadrenal section of the autonomic nervous system (increased arterial pressure, heart and respiration rates, and skin galvanic reflex), as well as activation of peripheral vasodilatation, elevated skin temperature, and increased concentrations of LH, ACTH, thyrotropic hormone (TTH), cortisol, aldosterone, and testosterone. These data suggest that the trigger mechanism of a hot flush in the patients with the climacteric syndrome represents modified (due to changes in the external or internal conditions) activity of the LH releasing factor-secreting neuron structures and of the central temperature-sensitive neurons. Activation of the sympathoadrenal section of the autonomic nervous system and of the hypothalamo-hypophyseo-adrenocortical system is explained by their important role in the adaptive reactions of the body. Increase of the TTH level results from increased activity of the thyrotropin releasing factor, contributing to the central mechanisms of thermoregulation.
