Iranian Journal of Psychiatry and Clinical Psychology
Year:2000 | Volume:6 | Issue:2 (22)|Papers Count:6

Objectives: The present study focused on the frequency of Delusional Disorder (DD) in the patients hospitalized in a psychiatric ward in the west part of Iran (Kermanshah). Method: In this retrospective and descriptive research, 601 hospitalized patients files (1992 to 1996) at Farabi Hospital were inspected. The frequency of the patients with DD, their demographic information, co-morbid somatic complaints with DD, types of delusion, perceptual disturbances, mood state, state of insight and course of illness were studied. Results: Fifty-nine cases (8.9%) were found with the diagnosis of DD. The prevalence of DD was more common among men than women, while the available literature shows the reverse pattern. Conclusion: The results of the present study showed that the characteristics of the DD are somewhat similar to the earlier reports, but the gender and mood state showed noticeable differences

Objectives: The Present study was designed to investigate differences between paranoid and non-paranoid diagnosed patients in their soft neurological signs (SNS). The relationship between SNS and medication used for psychiatric treatment of the disorder was also noted. Method: Forty patients with diagnosis of schizophrenia (20 males and 20 females) and 15 subjects without any psychiatric disorder were asked to participate in the study. There were equal numbers of patients with diagnosis of paranoid and other subtypes of schizophrenia (non-paranoid). The patients were interviewed and examined for SNS individually. The dosage of medications used by the subjects were computed in terms of chlorpromazine equivalent and entered into the analysis. Results: patients in contrast to controls (P<0.05) and non paranoid in contrast to paranoid group (P<0.001) showed higher rate of SNS. The rate of SNS was significantly higher in patients with negative symptoms in contrast to those with positive symptoms (P<0.01). Only the total rate of SNS showed significant correlation with positive symptoms (P<0.05). There was no significant correlation between SNS and forms of thought disorder and dosage of psychiatric medication intake by the patients. Conclusion: SNSs are primary signs in schizophrenia and are more prevalent among non-paranoid patients than patients with diagnosis of paranoid disorder. The SNSs seem not to be affected by medication and are significantly correlated with negative symptoms of schizophrenia than thought disorder form.

Objectives: The present study was designed to investigate the prevalence of psychiatric disorder in over 15 years old residents of Kermanshah, capital of a western province of Iran. Method: Five hundred and one males and females (270 females and 231 males) throughout random-cluster sampling were investigated by using Self Rating Questionnaire (SRQ) and Symptom Check List-90-Revised (SCL-90-R). Results: The findings revealed that 25.2% of the sample suffered from a psychiatric disorder, anxiety disorder (16.6%) and personality disorders (8.6%) were the most common. The prevalence of psychiatric disorders were more common among females (widows and divorced), the elderly, the jobless, illiterates, housewives, families with fewer members and those with family history of a psychiatric disorder. Conclusion: Beyond the above findings, SRQ proved to have proper capacity for screening purpose. The test-retest analysis and internal consistency of the questionnaire were satisfactory in these respects.

Objectives: Body image is defined as image and feelings of an individual about size, form and parts of his or her body. The present study aimed to investigate the body image disturbance in a group of patients. Method: The present descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted with a group of patients with diagnosis of schizophrenia (12 females and 15 males) and a group of subjects without any psychiatric disorder (15 females and 15 males). The two groups were matched for age, years of formal education, marital status, job and physical illness. Chi-Square analysis was used for statistical evaluation. Furthermore, Goodenough scoring system was utilized for estimating IQ, and McHover method was used for psychological assessment. Results: The results showed that the patient group drew persons with a number of errors in contrast to the control group (omission of parts, placing the parts in inappropriate positions and size, deformation of shapes of parts, etc.). Furthermore, patients and the control group were different in their scores for IQ in the Goodenough scoring system. Conclusion: The findings suggested that schizophrenic patients my have impaired body concept.

Objectives: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) along with Learning Disorder (LD) is one of the most important child and adolescent psychiatric disorder. They are most often seen comorbidly in patients. Our study seeks to examine the relationship between ADHD and LD in our sample. Method: Thirty boys suffering from ADHD, as diagnosed by certified child and adolescent psychiatrists using the DSM-IV criteria, were compared with a control group of 30 healthy subjects matched for age as well as socioeconomic characteristics. Relevant items from Conners Rating Scale (Parent form) were used to assess learning disorders in the subjects. Research data were analyzed using statistical descriptive methods and t-test. Results: findings showed that 13 (43.3%) patients with ADHD and 3 (9.96%) of normal controls suffered from LD. The difference between these two groups were statistically significant.

Objectives: The present study was carried out to evaluate the predictive value of parental quality of life on abusive behavior with children. Method: This study investigated the life quality of the parents of 38 abused boys detected in the second grade of secondary schools of selected areas of Tehran. The results were compared with students matched for age and area of residency, without recent suffering of child abuse. Results: The findings revealed a lower quality of life of the parents of abused subjects at significant level in contrast to the control group. Comparison of the profiles of the two groups revealed lower physical health, individuation, marital discourse, parent-child relationship, job satisfaction, artistic-creative behavior and leisure time activity in the parents of abused children. Stepwise regression analysis revealed that the scores of marital discourse and artistic-creative behavior scales can successfully predict the variations of abusive scores. The mentioned scales showed significant effect on abusive scores in multivariate analysis. Conclusion: The quality of parents marital discourse and artistic-creative behavior have the greatest predictive value for parents abusive behavior.