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Psychiatric disorders in patients with blepharospasm - a reactive pattern?
T Wenzel1, P Schnider, H Griengl
1Department of Psychiatry, Division of Social Psychiatry, University Hospital for Psychiatry, Währinger Gürtel 18-10, A-1090, Vienna, Austria. 100410.2766@compuserve.com
Journal of Psychosomatic Research
|October 18, 2000
Summary
Blepharospasm patients frequently experience psychiatric disorders, with depressive disorders, phobias, and obsessive-compulsive disorder being most common. This highlights the significant mental health impact of blepharospasm.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Psychiatry
- Clinical Psychology
Background:
- Blepharospasm is a focal dystonia affecting eyelid muscles.
- The psychological impact of chronic neurological conditions like blepharospasm is significant.
- Previous research has not consistently identified high rates of specific psychiatric comorbidities in blepharospasm patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the lifetime prevalence of all major psychiatric disorders in individuals with blepharospasm.
- To investigate the association between blepharospasm and psychiatric conditions.
- To understand the mental health burden in blepharospasm patients.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 31 consecutive blepharospasm patients were evaluated.
- Psychiatric diagnoses were established using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM Disorders (SCID).
- Functional impairment was assessed using the General Assessment of Functioning Scale (GAF).
Main Results:
- 71% of patients received a current or lifetime psychiatric diagnosis.
- Depressive disorders were most prevalent (major depression, dysthymia, recurrent major depression).
- Simple phobia (22.5%) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (9.6%) were also common. Mean GAF score was 63.1%.
Conclusions:
- A majority of blepharospasm patients meet criteria for at least one psychiatric disorder over their lifetime.
- No single specific psychiatric disorder or pattern was consistently identified.
- Blepharospasm appears to have a considerable negative impact on patients' overall quality of life and mental well-being.