| 1. |
- Alehagen, Siw, 1953-, et al.
(författare)
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Can women's cognitive appraisals be registered throughout childbirth?
- 2000
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Ingår i: Gynecologic and Obstetric Investigation. - : S. Karger AG. - 0378-7346 .- 1423-002X. ; 49:1, s. 31-35
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The aims of the present study were: (a) to examine whether it was possible to measure women’s cognitive appraisals hourly during the whole process of labor and delivery, and (b) to explore how the appraisals varied during labor. Measurements from 12 nulliparous women are presented. The findings indicate that it is possible to study psychological appraisals directly, in detail and continuously during the process of labor and delivery. The women’s cognitive appraisals varied throughout labor both per individual woman and between the participating women.
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| 2. |
- Alehagen, Siw, 1953-, et al.
(författare)
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Catecholamine and cortisol reaction to childbirth
- 2001
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Ingår i: International Journal of Behavioral Medicine. - 1070-5503 .- 1532-7558. ; 8:1, s. 50-65
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- One way to study the stressfulness of childbirth is to examine the output of stress hormones. In this study, urinary catecholamines and salivary cortisol from 50 primiparous women were collected for 1 day during gestational weeks 37 to 39, hourly during labor and delivery, and 2 hr and 2 days postpartum. All three stress hormones increased statistically significantly from pregnancy to labor. The increase in adrenaline and cortisol was more than 500%, and the increase in noradrenaline was about 50%. After labor, the output decreased but not statistically significantly below the levels during late pregnancy. Hormone levels during late pregnancy, during labor and delivery, and during the period postpartum mostly did not correlate systematically. However, noradrenaline and adrenaline, as well as adrenaline and cortisol, were positively correlated during labor. After administration of epidural analgesia, there was a moderate but significant decrease in noradrenaline and adrenaline, whereas cortisol did not change. In conclusion, the results of this study support the assumption that childbirth is a very stressful event and that the stress responses vary considerably among women. The substantial increase of adrenaline and cortisol compared with noradrenaline indicates that mental stress is more dominant than physical stress during labor.
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| 3. |
- Alehagen, Siw, 1953-, et al.
(författare)
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Fear during labor
- 2001
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Ingår i: Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica. - : Wiley. - 0001-6349 .- 1600-0412. ; 80:4, s. 315-320
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background. The aims of the present study were to compare primiparous and multiparous women’s experiences of fear of delivery during an early stage of active labor (cervix dilatation 3–5 centimeters) and to study whether fear of delivery, measured during the early stage of active labor, was a predictor of the amount of pain relief received during the remaining part of labor (cervix dilatation 5 cm – partus), of the duration of the remaining part of labor, and of the occurrence of instrumental vaginal delivery and emergency cesarean section.Method. Thirty-five primiparous and 39 multiparous women answered the Delivery Fear Scale (DFS) once during the early stage of labor and before they had received any pain relief.Results. Primiparous women reported higher levels of fear than multiparous women did. Fear during the first phase of labor predicted only the total amount of pain relief received during labor.Conclusion. The clinical implications of the study are that the delivery staff should consider women’s fear during labor and pay attention especially to primiparous women’s increased risk of higher levels of fear during an early stage of active labor, as compared with multiparous women’s. The challenge for staff of a delivery ward is to support the woman in labor in a way that decreases fear, which in turn might reduce the woman’s need of pain relief.
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| 4. |
- Alehagen, Siw, 1953-, et al.
(författare)
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Fear of childbirth before, during, and after childbirth
- 2006
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Ingår i: Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica. - : Wiley. - 0001-6349 .- 1600-0412. ; 85:1, s. 56-62
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background. Only scanty research exists about the relationship between women's expectations during pregnancy and their experiences as reported during the actual process of labor and afterwards. The aims of the present study were: 1. to investigate the associations between fear of childbirth during pregnancy and postpartum and fear and pain during early active labor (phase 1: cervix dilatation 3–5 cm), and 2. to explore possible differences regarding fear of childbirth during pregnancy and postpartum between women who did or did not receive epidural analgesia during labor.Methods. Fear of childbirth was measured in 47 nulliparous women during gestation weeks 37–39 by means of the Wijma Delivery Expectancy/Experience Questionnaire (W-DEQ version A). During early active labor we measured women's fear (Delivery Fear Scale) and their experiences of pain (a pain intensity scale). Finally, fear after childbirth (W-DEQ version B) was measured two hours, two days, and five weeks after delivery.Results. A positive correlation appeared between fear of childbirth during pregnancy, postpartum, and early active labor. There were no differences in fear of childbirth during late pregnancy between women who received epidural analgesia and those who did not. Postpartum fear was higher in the women who had received epidural analgesia.Conclusions. Pregnant women who fear childbirth are prone to report fear during the actual labor and postpartum. The administration of epidural analgesia is not a sufficient response to women's fear during the process of labor.
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| 5. |
- Alehagen, Siw, 1953-, et al.
(författare)
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Fear, pain and stress hormones during childbirth
- 2005
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Ingår i: Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics and Gynaecology. - : Informa UK Limited. - 0167-482X .- 1743-8942. ; 26:3, s. 153-165
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Aims. To investigate the course of fear, pain and stress hormones during labor, and the associations between fear, pain, stress hormones and duration of labor in nulliparous women with and without epidural analgesia (EDA).Method. One day during gestation weeks 37–39, urinary and salivary samples were collected to measure catecholamines and cortisol. Hourly during labor, the participants answered the Delivery Fear Scale and a pain intensity scale, and urinary and salivary samples were collected to measure stress hormones.Results. The course of fear, pain and stress hormones differed throughout labor in women with and without EDA. Pain and cortisol increased throughout labor in women without EDA. Women who received EDA had more fear, but not more pain, before the administration of the EDA than women who did not receive EDA. Pain, fear and catecholamines decreased when women received EDA, but fear and pain increased again later in labor. Fear and pain correlated, as well as levels of fear in the different phases of labor. During phase one of labor epinephrine and duration of the phase were negatively correlated.Conclusion. The course of fear, pain and concentrations of stress hormones differed, highly influenced by the administration of EDA. Fear and pain correlated more pronounced than stress hormones and fear, pain and duration of labor.
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| 6. |
- Alehagen, Siw, et al.
(författare)
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Fear, pain and stress hormones during labor and delivery
- 2005
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Ingår i: Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics and Gynaecology. - : Informa UK Limited. - 0167-482X .- 1743-8942. ; 26:3, s. 153-165
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Aims: To investigate the course of fear, pain and stress hormones during labor, and the associations between fear, pain, stress hormones and duration of labor in nulliparous women with and without epidural analgesia (EDA).Method: One day during gestation weeks 37-39, urinary and salivary samples were collected to measure catecholamines and cortisol. Hourly during labor, the participants answered the Delivery Fear Scale and a pain intensity scale, and urinary and salivary samples were collected to measure stress hormones.Results: The course of fear, pain and stress hormones differed throughout labor in women with and without EDA. Pain and cortisol increased throughout labor in women without EDA. Women who received EDA had more fear, but not more pain, before the administration of the EDA than women who did not receive EDA. Pain, fear and catecholamines decreased when women received EDA, but fear and pain increased again later in labor. Fear and pain correlated, as well as levels of fear in the different phases of labor. During phase one of labor epinephrine and duration of the phase were negatively correlated.Conclusion: The course of fear, pain and concentrations of stress hormones differed, highly influenced by the administration of EDA. Fear and pain correlated more pronounced than stress hormones and fear, pain and duration of labor.
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| 7. |
- Alehagen, Siw, et al.
(författare)
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Pre- and postpartum fear of childbirth and fear and pain during labor
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Annan publikation (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Aims: The aims of the present study were 1) to investigate the associations between fear of childbirth during pregnancy and postpartum and fear and pain during labor (phase 1: cervix dilatation 3-5 cm), and 2) to explore possible differences regarding fear of childbirth during pregnancy and postpartum between women who did or did not receive epidural analgesia (EDA) during labor.Method. During gestation weeks 37-39, in 47 nulliparous women fear of childbirth was measured by means of the Wijma Delivery Expectancy/Experience Questionnaire (W-DEQ) version A. Early during labor (labor phase I = cervix dilatation 3-5cm) the women's fear (Delivery Fear Scale) and their experiences of pain (a pain intensity scale) were measured hourly. Finally, fear after childbirth (W-DEQ version B) was measured two hours, two days, and five weeks after delivery.Results. Fear of childbirth during pregnancy and in the three postpartum measures was positively related to fear during labor, phase I. Pain during phase 1 of labor was neither associated with fear of childbirth measured during late pregnancy, nor with postpartum fear. There were no differences in fear of childbirth during late pregnancy between those women who received EDA and those who did not. Postpartum fear was higher in those women who had received EDA.Conclusion. Late pregnant women who fear childbirth are prone to have a fearful delivery, as reported during the actual labor and postpartum.
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| 8. |
- Brohede, Sabina
(författare)
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Body Dysmorphic Disorder : Capturing a prevalent but under-recognized disorder
- 2017
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- BackgroundIndividuals with body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) are highly distressed due to defects they perceive in their physical appearance that are not noticeable to others. The condition often leads to impaired functioning in relationships, socialization, and intimacy and a decreased ability to function in work, school, or other daily activities. Although BDD seems to be relatively prevalent, it is under-recognized by people in general and by health care professionals. Individuals with BDD are secretive about their symptoms, and they usually do not recognize that they are suffering from a psychiatric disorder. Instead, in an attempt to relieve their symptoms by correcting their perceived defects, they commonly seek dermatological treatment or cosmetic surgery. However, such interventions usually do not result in any decrease in BDD symptom severity, but can rather aggravate the symptoms. Therefore, it is crucial that health care professionals recognize BDD in order to offer adequate care. Prior to the studies conducted for this thesis, there were no known data regarding the prevalence of BDD in Sweden.Main aims(i) To translate a screening questionnaire for BDD (the Body Dysmorphic Disorder Questionnaire, BDDQ) into Swedish and validate the questionnaire in a community sample. (ii) To estimate the prevalence of BDD in the general population of Swedish women and in female dermatology patients. (iii) To explore BDD patients’ experiences of living with the disorder, including their experiences of the health care system.MethodsThe BDDQ was validated using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV (SCID) as the gold standard for diagnosing BDD (Study I). The validated BDDQ was used to estimate the prevalence of BDD in a randomly selected population-based sample of Swedish women (n=2 885) (Study II) and in a consecutive sample of female dermatology patients (n=425) (Study III). In Studies II and III, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale was used to assess symptoms of depression and anxiety. In Study III, quality of life was evaluated by the Dermatology Life Quality Index. BDD patients’ lived experiences were explored using a qualitative research design (Study IV). Fifteen individuals with BDD were interviewed, and the interviews were analysed using Interpretive Description.ResultsThe Swedish translation of the BDDQ displayed a sensitivity of 94%, a specidicity of 90% and a (positive) likelihood ratio of 9.4. The prevalence of women screening positive for BDD was 2.1% (95% CI 1.7–2.7) in the population-based sample of women and 4.9% (95% CI 3.2–7.4) in the dermatology patients’ sample. The positive predictive value of the BDDQ (71%) gave an estimated BDD prevalence of 1.5% (95% CI 1.1–2.0) in the female Swedish population. Women screening positive for BDD had signidicantly more symptoms of anxiety and depression compared to those screening negative for BDD in both samples. In the dermatology patients, quality of life was severely impaired in patients with positive BDD screening. The overarching concept found in Study IV was that patients with BDD felt imprisoned and were struggling to become free and to no longer feel abnormal. The participants had encountered difdiculties in accessing health care and had disappointing experiences of the health care system.ConclusionThe findings of this thesis indicate that BDD is a relatively common disorder in the Swedish female population, and that it is more prevalent in dermatology patients. BDD patients struggle to be free from a feeling of imprisonment, and in this struggle they encounter difficulties in accessing health care. Therefore, it is important to increase awareness and recognition of BDD among health care professionals to ensure that patients with BDD receive the appropriate care.
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| 9. |
- Brohede, Sabina, et al.
(författare)
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Body dysmorphic disorder in female Swedish dermatology patients
- 2017
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Ingår i: International Journal of Dermatology. - : WILEY. - 0011-9059 .- 1365-4632. ; 56:12, s. 1387-1394
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BackgroundIndividuals with body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) are highly distressed and impaired owing to perceived defects in their physical appearance that are not noticeable to others. They are frequently concerned about their skin and often present to dermatologists rather than psychiatrists. However, BDD patients attending dermatology clinics may be at risk of not receiving an appropriate assessment and beneficial treatment. The aims of this study were to estimate the BDD prevalence rate among Swedish female dermatology patients and to assess the psychological condition of BDD patients compared to that of other dermatology patients. MethodsThe occurrence of BDD was estimated using the Body Dysmorphic Disorder Questionnaire (BDDQ), a validated self-report measure for BDD. Symptoms of depression and anxiety were measured by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and quality of life was assessed using the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI). ResultsThe prevalence rate of BDD among female Swedish dermatology patients was 4.9% (95% CI 3.2-7.4). Anxiety (HADS A11) was 4-fold more commonly reported by patients with positive BDD screening (48% vs. 11%), and depression (HADS D11) was over 10-fold more common in patients with positive BDD screening (19% vs. 1.8%) (Pamp;lt;0.001). The median DLQI score was 18 in the BDD group, compared to a score of 4 in the non-BDD group (Pamp;lt;0.001). ConclusionsOur results indicate that BDD is fairly common among female Swedish dermatology patients (4.9%) and that BDD patients have high levels of depression and anxiety and severely impaired quality of life.
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| 10. |
- Brohede, Sabina, et al.
(författare)
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'I will be at death's door and realize that I've wasted maybe half of my life on one body part' : the experience of living with body dysmorphic disorder
- 2016
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Ingår i: International journal of psychiatry in clinical practice (Print). - : Taylor & Francis. - 1365-1501 .- 1471-1788. ; 20:3, s. 191-198
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objectives: The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of patients living with body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), including their experiences with the health care system.Methods: Fifteen individuals with BDD were interviewed, and interpretive description was used to analyse the interviews.Results: The following six themes were identified: being absorbed in time-consuming procedures, facing tension between one's own ideal and the perceived reality, becoming the disorder, being restricted in life, attempting to reduce one's problems and striving to receive care. The overarching concept derived from the themes was feeling imprisoned - struggling to become free and to no longer feel abnormal.Conclusions: Ideas of imprisonment and abnormality compose the entire experience of living with this disorder. Although the participants suffered greatly from their BDD, these patients encountered difficulties in accessing health care and had disappointing experiences during their encounters with the health care system. Therefore, it is important to increase awareness and knowledge of BDD among health care professionals to ensure that patients with BDD receive the appropriate care.
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