Selma Doğan

The distribution of symptoms of attention- deficit/hyperactivity disorder and oppositional defiant disorder in school age children in Turkey

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) in school age children in Sivas province centre and to examine the distribution of symptoms according to subtypes.MethodThe study population was made up of 1425 children between the ages of 6 and 15 from eight primary schools selected by random sampling method in Sivas province centre. All students were given a questionnaire prepared according to DSMIV criteria that was completed by their parents or teachers. This form includes 18 symptoms of ADHD and eight symptoms of ODD. Student’s t-test and variance analysis were used for statistical evaluation.ResultsA prevalence of 8.1% was found for ADHD in our study. According to subtypes, 32.2% of these were “inattentive”, 40% were “hyperactive” and 27.8% were combined type. A prevalence of 11.5% was found for ODD. The boy/girl ratio was > 1 for both ADHD and ODD, and 52.2% of those with ADHD were established as having ODD at the same time.ConclusionsThe prevalence of ADHD and ODD in primary school children was not considered to be small. Studies concerning the distribution of symptoms in different societies, cultures, and viewpoints and identification of children with this type of problem are beneficial for early diagnosis and prophylactic treatment.

Psychosocial approaches in outpatients with schizophrenia.

The objective of this study was to determine how psychosocial approaches to people with schizophrenia, in addition to treatment with psychotropic drugs, affect the course of the illness and family interactions. The project included people who were diagnosed with schizophrenia and hospitalized at least once. Twenty-three people completed the study. Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS), WHO Quality of Life (WHOQOL-BREF-TR), Family Assessment Device (FAD), Specific Level of Functioning Scale (SLFS) and Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) were applied both at the beginning and at the end of the study. Two study teams visited the participants six times in their homes once per two weeks. At the end of the third month, improvements in social interactions and in family relationships were observed. According to the average score at baseline, BPRS average score was found to be significantly lower (p < 0.02); WHOQOL-BREF, SLFS and MSPSS average scores were found to be significantly higher (respectively p < 0.02, p < 0.0001, p < 0.05). The results of this study show that psychosocial approaches are beneficial especially in social skills and family relationships.

Distribution of Symptoms of Conduct Disorder and Antisocial Personality Disorder in Turkey

Background: A variety of conduct disorder (CD) symptoms are seen together as a symptom cluster. Among CD symptoms there are serious and stubborn antisocial behaviors: lying, swindling, running away from home/school, destructiveness, arson, kidnapping women, sexual abuse, and armed robbery. The objective of this study was to discover the relationship between CD and antisocial personality disorder (APD) and the distribution of the symptoms of these disorders. Sampling and Methods: The research sample consisted of 994 individuals between the ages of 18 and 65 years in Sivas province. Subjects were given the Diagnostic Interview Schedule-III-R (DIS-III-R) APD subscale. Results: The lifetime prevalence for CD and APD was found to be 21.03 and 3.02%, respectively. In both disorders the percentage of men was higher than for women. The comorbidity of both disorders was found to be 14.35%. The most frequently seen CD symptom in normal society is ‘lying’, but in those with CD ‘initiates a fight several times’ is the most frequently seen symptom. In those with APD the most frequently seen symptom is ‘truant from school several times’. Conclusions: Identifying risk factors in children could be an important step in preventing the progression of CD and APD.