Sickle Cell Anemia Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Sickle Cell Anemia, including details on genetics, causes, symptoms.

Hematologic problems in psychosomatic medicine.

Becker M, Axelrod DJ, Oyesanmi O, Markov DD, Kunkel EJ

Department of Psychiatry, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.

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.

Published 16 October 2007 in Psychiatr Clin North Am, 30(4): 739-59.
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