A psychological assessment (Symptom Checklist-90) was performed on 19 patients with chronic idiopathic urticaria. Compared to the control group, the urticaria patients had significantly higher scores on the scales of somatization, obsessive-compulsive, interpersonal sensitivity, depression, and anxiety. In general, the urticaria patients were quite anxious and experienced significant discomfort in interpersonal relationships. Based on the results of this study and other similar reports in the literature, it is suggested that adjunctive treatment of urticaria patients should focus primarily on stress management training aimed at relieving anxiety and group therapy which focuses on an exploration of interpersonal issues.
Psychological testing was conducted on 4 gynecologic patient groups, categorized as follows: (1) 20 patients with recurrent genital herpes, (2) 16 patients with primary genital herpes, (3) 18 patients with curable sexually transmitted diseases, and (4) 20 patients who served as normal controls with no history of sexually transmitted diseases. The recurrent genital herpes group experienced significantly greater sexual dissatisfaction than the other 3 groups. However, no psychological differences on measures of depression, anxiety, somatization, and social withdrawal were noted among the groups, with all groups achieving test scores well within a normal range of functioning. We conclude that the negative aspects of having genital herpes are limited primarily to the sexual realm. In addition, it is likely that the reports in the popular press regarding the devastating psychological effects of contracting genital herpes have been not only greatly exaggerated, but also unnecessarily alarming to the general public and to those individuals who are coping adequately with the disease.
A computer program for the Personality Inventory for Children is described which scores and produces a profile for the 4 validity and 12 clinical scales and for the 17 supplemental scales. Moreover, the program prints out the relevant demographic data on the child, as well as, lists any critical items endorsed by the informant which the clinician may wish to explore in a subsequent interview.
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