Hematologic problems in psychosomatic medicine

• Published in: The Psychiatric clinics of North America Vol. 30; no. 4; p. 739
• Main Authors: Becker, Madeleine, Axelrod, David J, Oyesanmi, Olu, Markov, Dimitri D, Kunkel, Elisabeth J Shakin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.12.2007
• Subjects: Anemia, Sickle Cell - diagnosis; Anemia, Sickle Cell - epidemiology; Anemia, Sickle Cell - therapy; Central Nervous System Diseases - diagnosis; Central Nervous System Diseases - epidemiology; Central Nervous System Diseases - therapy; Comorbidity; Diagnosis, Differential; Folic Acid Deficiency - diagnosis; Folic Acid Deficiency - epidemiology; Folic Acid Deficiency - therapy; Humans; Mood Disorders - diagnosis; Mood Disorders - epidemiology; Mood Disorders - therapy; Pain - diagnosis; Pain - epidemiology; Pain Management; Psychophysiologic Disorders - diagnosis; Psychophysiologic Disorders - epidemiology; Vitamin B 12 Deficiency - diagnosis; Vitamin B 12 Deficiency - epidemiology; Vitamin B 12 Deficiency - therapy
• ISSN: 1558-3147
• DOI: 10.1016/j.psc.2007.07.006

Vitamin B12 deficiency is associated with problems in cognition, mood, psychosis, and less commonly, anxiety. Folate deficiency primarily is associated with problems in mood. Patients who have sickle cell disease, a disease of chronic pain, experience difficulties with depression, anxiety, stigma, and are at risk for substance abuse and dependence. Patients with hemophilia have benefited from advances in treatment; however, their morbidity and mortality were compounded in those who received blood products contaminated with HIV, or hepatitis B and C. Psychiatrists who practice psychosomatic medicine should expect to encounter patients with the above problems, as they are frequently seen in medical settings. Finally, most of the commonly used psychotropic medications have uncommon but potentially important hematologic side effects or may interact with the anticoagulants used in medically ill patients.