The effect of paroxetine on Taijinkyofusho: a report of three cases.
Taijinkyofusho is a culture-related syndrome conceptualized in Japan. While previous studies suggest its psychopathological similarities to social phobia and obsessive-compulsive disorder, introspection regarding shame and low self-esteem is particularly linked to Japanese culture. We present three cases of Taijinkyofusho: Cases 1 and 2 show neurotic features while Case 3 shows delusional thoughts. Paroxetine was used for treatment but was productive in only the first two cases. Phobic and obsessive thought patterns were altered in Cases 1 and 2, suggesting that the significant core symptoms were responding to the treatment. In the future, large-scale pharmacological studies will be necessary to investigate treatment outcomes Taijinkyofusho. Such studies would contribute to providing information for effective treatment as well as for examining relationships between Taijinkyofusho and related disorders.
Department of Psychiatry, National Defense Medical College, 3-2, Namiki, Tokorozawa City, Saitama, 359-8513, Japan. sa0513@me.ndmc.ac.jp
Nobuhisa
N
Kobayashi
Sachi
S
Kurauchi
Takehito
T
Sawamura
Jun
J
Shigemura
Shin-Ya
SY
Sano
Soichiro
S
Nomura
D000328:Adult; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D003469:Culture; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D007564:Japan; D008297:Male; D008519:Medicine, Traditional; D008875:Middle Aged; D017374:Paroxetine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010698:Phobic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology; D012649:Self Concept; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012752:Shame; D012938:Social Perception
D017374:Paroxetine; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors