Current psychiatry reports
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In this article, the authors review current concepts in fibromyalgia. Findings regarding diagnosis, prevalence, comorbidities, and potential pathophysiologic links are discussed. Although fibromyalgia continues to be a complex disorder, there are specific criteria one must meet. ⋯ Additionally, the close relationship between fibromyalgia and other chronic disorders should alert the physician to explore for comorbid illness. The relationship between fibromyalgia and irritable bowel syndrome, migraine headaches, and obesity are addressed. The roles of the hypothalamic-pituitary-axis, potential effects of neurotransmitters, and gender-specific hormones all substantiate this diagnosis and provide clues to causality, as well as venues for future treatment.
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Curr Psychiatry Rep · Jul 2003
ReviewAcute and transient psychotic disorders: comparison with schizophrenia.
Concept and nosologic status of acute and transient psychotic disorders, as they appear in the tenth edition of the International Classification of Disease, have seen review from the standpoint of validation and delineation from schizophrenia and affective disorders. Current research, particularly on the epidemiology, course, and outcome, and family genetic studies indicate that these disorders are common among women in developing countries, as well as among lower socioeconomic status and rural subjects. These patients have greater frequency of exposure to stress before childbirth, a family history of acute and transient psychotic disorder (and not of schizophrenia), and a course and outcome that is different from that of schizophrenia. The findings so far support the argument that acute and transient psychotic disorders are different from schizophrenia.
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Curr Psychiatry Rep · Jul 2003
Comparative StudySchizoaffective disorder: clinical aspects, differential diagnosis, and treatment.
Schizoaffective disorders are a clinical reality and their concept has a long history, but there are still problems regarding their diagnostic definition and nosologic categorization. The present definitions of the International Classification of Disease and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders are not sufficient enough to define schizoaffective disorders, especially because of deficits on the longitudinal axis. Schizoaffective disorders occupy a position between schizophrenia and pure mood disorders, especially regarding prognosis and premorbid and sociodemographic variables. ⋯ Suicidal symptomatology is extremely frequent in patients with schizodepressive episodes. The most severe type of schizoaffective disorders is the schizoaffective mixed type. Schizoaffective patients with mixed episodes retire more frequently and at younger ages than other patients with bipolar disorder.