oxytocin and Somatoform-Disorders

This article explicates a theory that oxytocin, a sexually dimorphic neurotransmitter and paracrine hormone, is a plausible mechanism linking early relational trauma with posttraumatic self disorders (e.g., dissociation, somatization, and interpersonal sensitivity), posttraumatic stress disorder, and pelvic visceral dysregulation disorders (e.g., irritable bowel syndrome, chronic pelvic pain, interstitial cystitis, and hyperemesis gravidarum). This posttraumatic oxytocin dysregulation disorders theory is consistent with the historical and contemporary literature. It integrates attention to psychological and physical comorbidities and could account for the increased incidence of these disorders among females. Specific propositions are explored in data from studies of traumatic stress and women's health.

Topics: Cystitis, Interstitial; Dissociative Disorders; Female; Humans; Hyperemesis Gravidarum; Interpersonal Relations; Irritable Bowel Syndrome; Models, Psychological; Models, Theoretical; Oxytocin; Pelvic Pain; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications; Psychophysiologic Disorders; Somatoform Disorders; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic

Synthetic oxytocin (synOT) is commonly used in labor management to induce and augment labor, and to prevent postpartum hemorrhage. However, its long-term consequences for maternal health and behavior are largely understudied. We examined the relationship between synOT and maternal oxytocin levels, breastfeeding, and maternal mental health at 2 months postpartum.. Women were recruited during pregnancy or within 48 hours of giving birth through obstetric practices and hospitals. A total of 386 women were visited in their homes at 2 months postpartum, where they completed questionnaires assessing breastfeeding, depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress, and somatization. Oxytocin levels were obtained from blood samples and synOT dosage information was gathered from hospital charts.. Intrapartum synOT dose was positively correlated with endogenous oxytocin levels at 2 months postpartum. Women who were exclusively breastfeeding at 2 months postpartum had received significantly less synOT compared with their nonexclusively breastfeeding counterparts. Higher synOT dose was associated with greater depressive, anxious, and somatization symptoms. SynOT dose was not associated with perinatal posttraumatic stress.. The widespread use of synOT in managed labor warrants caution, as the influence of synOT on a new mother's well-being is evident at 2 months postpartum.

Topics: Adult; Anxiety; Breast Feeding; Depression, Postpartum; Female; Humans; Labor, Induced; Labor, Obstetric; Mental Health; Oxytocics; Oxytocin; Postpartum Period; Pregnancy; Risk Factors; Somatoform Disorders; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic

The aim of this study was to investigate the association of oxytocin with trait and state psychological factors in type 2 diabetic patients.. OXT and psychological variables were analyzed from 86 controlled diabetic patients (glycosylated haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) < 7%) from 45 uncontrolled diabetic patients (HbA1c ≥ 7). Psychological characteristics were assessed with the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ), while state psychological characteristics were measured with the Symptom Checklist 90-R (SCL 90-R). Blood samples were taken for measuring oxytocin in both subgroups during the initial phase of the study. One year later, the uncontrolled diabetic patients were reevaluated with the use of the same psychometric instruments.. During the first evaluation of the uncontrolled diabetic patients, a statistically significant positive relationship between the levels of OXT and psychoticism in EPQ rating scale (P < 0.013) was observed. For controlled diabetic patients, a statistically significant negative relationship between oxytocin and somatization (P < 0.030), as well as obsessive-compulsive scores (P < 0.047) in SCL-90 rating scale, was observed. During the second assessment, the values of OXT decreased when the patients managed to control their metabolic profile.. The OXT is in association with psychoticism, somatization, and obsessionality may be implicated in T2DM.

Topics: Aged; Cross-Sectional Studies; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Down-Regulation; Female; Glycated Hemoglobin; Greece; Hospitals, University; Humans; Hyperglycemia; Male; Middle Aged; Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder; Outpatient Clinics, Hospital; Oxytocin; Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; Psychotic Disorders; Somatoform Disorders