불쾌기분장애에 관한 임상적 고찰

A Clinical Observation of Dysthymic Disorder

The author attempted to investigate the clinical characteristics of 122 patients who were diagnosed as the dysthymic disorder at the Neuropsychiatric Department of Korea University Hospital during the period from June, 1980 to June, 1982, by a retrospective review of their medical records. The results were summarized as follows; 1. As to age distribution,the highest frequency was seen in the fourth decade in both sexes. The mean age of male and female patients were 35. 0 and 31. 8 years, respectively. The incidence in female was 2. 6 times higher than that of male. 2. Male patients had higher academic achievement than female patients. 3. Socioeconomically, middle class was dominant in both sexes. 4. 32. 4% of male patients and 12. 5% of female patients had family history in which neuroses were observed most commonly in both sexes. 5. As to the premorbid personality, 52. 95% of male patients and 42. 0% of female patients had the obsessive-compulsive personality, and hysterical personality was observed more frequently in female than male. 6. Chronic psychosocial stressor as a major precipitating factor was identified in both sexes. Am ong the chronic psychosocial stressor, occupational problem was most common in male and financial and family problem in female. There was a tendency of increasing frequency of the chronic psychosocial stressor and physical illness with aging. 7. Among clinical subtypes, masked depression was seen most frequently in both sexes. 8. In the clinical course, intermittent form was found most frequently in both sexes. 9. Among the psychiatric symptoms, depressed mood, loss of interest or enjoyment of pleasurable activities, and low energy level or chronic tiredness were observed in the order of frequency. As to the somatic symptoms, insomnia, anorexia and indigestion were observed frequently in the order of frequency.