Iranian Journal of Psychiatry and Clinical Psychology
Year:2003 | Volume:8 | Issue:4 (32)|Papers Count:13

Objectives: This study was designed to investigate the possibility of dopaminergic involvement in obsessive-compulsive patients (OCD). Method: This double-blind study compared the efficacy of fluoxetine-haloperidol with that of fluoxetine-placebo in two groups, each comprised of 12 subjects. These subjects with obsessive-compulsive disorders were selected on the basis of DSM-IV diagnostic criteria; they were assessed by a demographic questionnaire and Yale-Brown Scale for evaluating obsessive-compulsive disorders. Findings: The results showed that the response to treatment in haloperidol-fluoxetine group was somewhat better than the fluoxetine-placebo group from the first week of the study. The difference was significant at the third visit (end of fourth week). Results: In addition to serotonin neurotransmitter system, dopaminergic system may play a role in pathophysiology of obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Objectives: To reduce risks and still take advantage of the benefits of the medication, the purpose of this study was to investigate the possible application of longer intervals between injections of fluphenazine deconoate intramuscularly in treatment of schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorders. Method: In this double blind study, fifty patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorders were randomly assigned to two groups of 25 patients. The first group received 25mg of fluphenazine decanoate every 2 weeks; the second group was treated every 6 weeks. The two groups were then evaluated by CGI, Quality of Life Scale, Level of Functioning Scale, BPRS, and Maryland Psychiatric Research Center Involuntary Movement Scale. Research data were analyzed by Chi-square and one-way analysis variance. Findings: The findings did not support a clear difference in relapse symptoms and side effects. Results: The use of injections of fluphenazine every 6 weeks instead of every 2 weeks in-creases the rate of patient compliance with treatment and also remarkably decreases side effects of antipsychotic drugs without increasing relapse symptoms.

Objectives: The purpose of present study was to review the literature for advantages and shortcomings of ultra rapid detoxification. This method often is performed with naloxone and naltrexone with symptoms of withdrawal controlled under general anesthesia or deep sleep. Method: More than 70 full text articles were studied; they were looked up in Medline, from 1985 to 2002, using the key words, naltrexone, naloxone, ultra rapid detoxification, and treatment under general anesthesia. In the compilation of the present article, 42 related articles were used. Results: Adequate number of articles does not exist to merit an accurate judgment and an ultimate conclusion. Most evaluations lacked basic research standards such as having a control group or random sampling method; they only addressed various methods, dangers, and short-term results of the method. Other studies are recommended where they may compare methods, compare the treatment group with placebo, and possess comparable groups under-going treatments with comparable follow up times. Until new results are arrived, chronic and difficult users should be treated with alternative methods and patients with high motivation and short length of drug history may undergo treatment with naltrexone as discussed in the article.

Objectives: The present study was an epidemiological assessment of mental disorders among 15 years or older residents of urbanized areas of the town of Natanz. Method: This was a cross sectional and retrospective study. By using existing files in the mental health network, 650 families randomly and systemically were selected and their members’ gender was identified as the subjects of the study. Data were gathered in two stages; at first, randomly one person from each family, 650 were selected to be assessed by General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28). In the second stage, 62 man and 107 women whose GHQ scores were above the cut off point were further evaluated by clinical interviews on the basis of DSM-IV criteria. Findings: This study showed that the epidemiological rate of mental disorders is 17.2% for men and 31.3% for women. Significant correlations were obtained between subjects’ mental disorder with their age, sex, level of education, marital status, employment status, and family history of illness. The most prevalent disorders were dysthymia (5.8%), generalized anxiety (5.3%), and depression (3.3%). Results: Deficiency in affection, financial insufficiency, and prior history of mental illness in the family increase the likelihood of mental disorders particularly the mild ones. This study showed that the prevalence of mental disorders in the examined town (24.2%) was above the findings of other studies.

Objectives: The main objective of the present study was to evaluate the psychiatric disorders among athletes who abuse anabolic steroids. Method: In this cross-sectional descriptive study, 59 Kermanian athletes were randomly selected and assigned to three separate groups. They were assessed by SCL-90-R and compared with one another. Group one was composed of athletes with no prior history of anabolic steroids abuse; group two comprised athletes with current abuse of this substance, and group 3 included athletes who had abused the substance in the past but not currently. Findings: The point prevalence of all psychiatric disorders assessed for the three study groups were 60.97%, 78.48%, and 43.35% respectively. The scores of all scales except for phobic anxiety, paranoid ideation, and psychosis scales were higher among group two than the other groups. Results: Unauthorized usage of anabolic steroids as a method of doping can be harmful with possible unpleasant psychological consequences ensued.

Objectives: The study was conducted to screen cases suspected of mental disorders among pregnant women referred to health services centers and private midwifery clinics in the town of Shahr-e-Babak.Method: Data were collected by SCL-90-R performed on 400 pregnant women and then analyzed and interpreted through descriptive statistical, t-test, Mann Whiteny, one way analysis of variance and Kruskal Wallis. Findings: The point prevalence in total was demonstrated at 32%. The highest and the lowest rates of prevalence respectively were interpersonal (44.3%) and psychosis (10.3%). Mean comparison of dimensions of SCL-90-R indicated a significant difference at least in one dimension with the following variables: gestational age, ranking in pregnancy, occupation, number of children, unplanned pregnancy, infertility history, importance of fetal sex for woman or her husband, husbands education and employment, worried about beauty, lack of familial support, unavailability for health care services, stressful events and high risk pregnancy factors. Results: The prevalence of mental disorders in pregnant women is higher than the general population.

Objectives: This research examined the factors related to marital satisfaction. Method: 127 volunteers filling for divorce and 1670 married individuals from normal population with no prior history of divorce were studied by Marital Satisfaction Questionnaire which comprises four scales, attractiveness, rapport, attitude, and investment. Findings: The study showed that in the divorce group the years of marriage and education, mean age at the time of marriage, and the number of children was less than the other group. In a multivariate analysis, the most significant relationship factors related to marital satisfaction included investment, attitude, and rapport. Results: Marital satisfaction was greater among those who were older and had higher level of education at the time of marriage. Marital satisfaction is greater among couples who have mutual respect for each other and possess both communication skills and more rapport. Attractiveness alone is less effectual on marital satisfaction than investment, positive attitude, and rapport.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to assess job satisfaction and mental health among employees of Hazrat-e Rasoul Hospital Complex. Method: The research sample included 300 hospital nursing and administrative employees (252female and 48 male) who completed Job Satisfaction and General Health Questionnaires. Research data were analyzed by descriptive statistic methods and correlation coefficient. Findings: This study showed that on the whole 61% of employees were satisfied and 39% were unsatisfied with their jobs. The rate of job satisfaction in nurses was significantly lower than the administrative employees. In both groups, the greatest aspects of job satisfaction were expressed in relation to higher ranking workers and the nature of the work; the least satisfactory dimensions of the job were salary, fringe benefits, and possible awards and bonuses. A negative correlation was obtained between job satisfactions with the level of education. There was not a significant correlation between job satisfaction with age, sex, marital status, and history of employment. The total score of General Health Questionnaire for 53.3% of the sample was out of the normal range and also negatively correlated with the level of job satisfaction. In addition, the lowest level of mental health and job satisfaction was seen in nurses who worked in CCU, ICU, surgery rooms, and internal medicine wards. Results: There is a correlation between low level of job satisfaction and increasing mental disorders.

Objectives: This study investigated the correlation between attachment styles and interpersonal problems. Method: 120 (60 women and 60 men) under-graduate students residing in Theran University dormitory were randomly selected as the subjects of the study. Subjects were to complete Adult Attachment Inventory (AAI) and Inventory of Interpersonal Problems (IIP). One way analysis of variance and Tukey test were used for this study. Finding: The results showed that subjects with secure attachment styles exhibited less interpersonal problems than subjects with insecure attachment style. Subjects with avoidant attachment style exhibited less interpersonal problems than subjects with ambivalent attachment style. Results: The findings point to secure attachment as a primary need and its cross-generation transition.

Objectives: The present study was designed to determine the sources of inspiration and the variables related to the level of hope among cancer patients in Omid Hospital, city of Mash-had in 1999. Method: This analytic-descriptive assessment was carried out on 100 cancer patients from chemotherapy and radiotherapy wards as well as the clinic of Omid Hospital who were willing and able to take part in the study. The match-pairs method was utilized to sample two groups, one currently under treatment and the other already having completed a full treatment course. The data were collected by a demographic questionnaire, the Herth Hope Index, semi-structured interview, and an open-ended question. The data was analyzed by descriptive and inferential statistics. Findings: Patients considered God, family, interaction and communication with the physicians and nurses, lack of physical ailments, and material supplies as the sources of in-spiration. The finding also indicated that variables such as completion of a full treatment course, social support, and religious beliefs have significant effects on the level of hope. Results: Reinforcing religious beliefs, social support, financial security, as well as signifying the significance of hope for the patients, and promoting communication and appropriate interac-tion of the physicians and nurses with the patients could enhance the level of hope among cancer patients.