The relationship between adulthood traumatic experiences and psychotic symptoms in female patients with schizophrenia.

BACKGROUND: Previously, research aiming to investigate the effects of interpersonal traumatic experiences on psychotic symptoms mainly focused on adverse experiences in childhood. As mentioned above, patients with schizophrenia, particularly women, are at high risk for physical and sexual abuse in adulthood. In this study we aimed to investigate the effects of adulthood trauma in a sample of patients with schizophrenia who did not report childhood trauma. METHODS: Seventy female patients with schizophrenia participated in the study. Assessment included Traumatic Experiences Checklist, Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale and Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia. RESULTS: The rates of traumatic events were as follows: physical abuse (81.4%), emotional abuse (78.6%), emotional neglect (55.7%), sexual harassment (28.6%), and sexual abuse (24.3%). Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale hallucinations, blunted affect, emotional withdrawal hostility, anxiety and affective lability item scores were significantly higher for patients who reported a history of sexual harassment. Patients who were exposed to sexual assault as adults had significantly higher scores in the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale, anxiety, anger and difficulty in delaying gratification items. CONCLUSION: We concluded that traumatic life events and exposure to violence were common among female patients with schizophrenia and sexual trauma in adulthood was associated with particular clinical symptoms.

Reliability and Validity of Turkish Version of Sexual Coercion in Intimate Relationships Scale.

Introduction: In this study, we aimed to investigate the validity and reliability of the Sexual Coercion in Intimate Relationships Scale in the Turkish population. Methods: 353 women aged 18-65 were included in the study. In addition to the 34 questions in the original scale, 8 questions from other scales in the literature were added, which were not included in the scale. Sociodemographic Data Form, World Health Organisation Women's Violence Against Partner Questionnaire, The Severity of Violence Against Women Scale, Sexual Experiences Survey-Short Form Victimization, and Relationship Stability Scale were also applied to the participants. Results: 3 items were removed due to low factor load values in the analyzes performed with the Varimax rotation method. The values obtained as a result of exploratory factor analysis made over 39 items were 21.718%, 24.424%, and 12.901%, respectively. This explained 53.88% of the total variance. The value of the scale was determined in high-level reliability (Cronbach's alpha:0.96). Subdomains were similar to the original survey. Its correlation with other scales showed a significant and strong relationship. Conclusion: In our study, the necessary analyzes for the quality of the measurement tool were applied and this scale is found psychometrically reliable and valid. This scale can evaluate all partner sexual violence, such as subtle and physical force types and their frequency.

[Prevalence of Depression and Anxiety Disorders and Their Relationship with Sexual Functions in Women Diagnosed with Lifelong Vaginismus]. / Yasam Boyu Vajinismus Tanisi Konulan Kadinlarda Depresyon ve Anksiyete Bozukluklarinin Yayginligi ve Cinsel Islevlerle Iliskisi.

OBJECTIVE: In patients with vaginismus, the Lack of knowledge on rates of depression and anxiety disorders is noteworthy. The aim of the present study was to investigate the prevalance of anxiety disorders and major depression and to examine the relationship of these  omorbidities with sexual functions in women diagnosed with lifelong vaginismus.  METHOD: One hundred and fourty-four women who were diagnosed with vaginismus were recruited for the study. Depression and anxiety disorders section of the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I Disorders (SCID-I) and Golombok-Rust Inventory of Sexual Satisfaction (GRISS) were administered to the participants.  RESULTS: At least one comorbid anxiety disorder and/or depression was found in 79.86 % of the cases. The most common comorbid disorder was specific phobia (63.9%). This was followed by major depression (35.4%), social anxiety disorder (13%), panic disorder (10%), obsessive compulsive disorder (5%) and generalized anxiety disorder (2%). On GRISS, mean avoidance score was higher in patients with comorbid depression and non-communication score was higher in patients with comorbid panic disorder when compared to patients with no comorbidity.  CONCLUSION: The prevalence of depression and anxiety disorders, especially spesific phobia, was higher in patients with vaginismus than the general population. Both high comorbidity of these psychiatric disorders and disruption of functions in all domains of sexuality emphasize the importance of holistic approach in evaluation of these patients.

Clomipramine trial for treatment-resistant persistent genital arousal disorder: a case series.

INTRODUCTION: Treatment of persistent genital arousal disorder (PGAD), as a chronic and disabling condition, implicates substantial compelling complexities. METHODS: In this case series, seven women diagnosed with PGAD who were referred to the Sexual Dysfunction Unit of Psychotherapy Outpatient Clinic of Bakirkoy Research and Training Hospital for Psychiatry, Neurology, and Neurosurgery, Istanbul, Turkey between 2006 and 2009 were included. All patients were previously resistant to other antidepressants, antipsychotics and antiepileptics. The additional details of PGAD onset, frequency, type and duration of arousal, previous pharmacological interventions, and maximum and maintenance doses of clomipramine were recorded. RESULTS: All patients achieved a substantial symptomatic improvement with clomipramine within the follow-up period of 2-9 years. DISCUSSION: Based on our study results, we recommend clomipramine in combination with psychotherapy as the treatment of choice in PGAD and to be used before any invasive procedure such as electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) or surgery.

The relationship between working status and symptoms, quality of life and self-esteem in patients with schizophrenia in Turkey.

BACKGROUND: Schizophrenia is a severe mental disorder with substantial socioeconomic burden associated with poorer psychosocial functioning during the course of illness. In schizophrenia patients, multiple factors play a role in occupational functioning. AIM: It was aimed to investigate the relationship between different working conditions and quality of life and self-esteem on patients with schizophrenia in Turkey. METHODS: A total of 100 patients diagnosed as schizophrenic were divided into three groups: competitive working, supported working and unemployed. RESULTS: The groups did not differ significantly with regard to psychotic symptoms, self-esteem and illness history. Working was associated with higher scores on quality of life subscales especially in supported working group, whereas unemployed patients had more depressive symptoms and autonomic drug side effects. CONCLUSION: Structured working programs which may improve social life of patients with schizophrenia in many aspects is warranted in Turkey.