Avolition in a patient with hypogonadism
Publication year
2009Number of pages
5 p.
Source
The European Journal of Psychiatry, 22, 4, (2009), pp. 195-199ISSN
Publication type
Article / Letter to editor

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Organization
SW OZ BSI KLP
Journal title
The European Journal of Psychiatry
Volume
vol. 22
Issue
iss. 4
Languages used
English (eng)
Page start
p. 195
Page end
p. 199
Subject
Experimental Psychopathology and TreatmentAbstract
Background and Objectives: Testosterone deficiency has been implicated in the etiology of depression although there is an ongoing debate on the nature of this association. There is a paucity of data about the psychological impact of hypogonadism in genetic disorders associated with testosterone deficiency.
Methods: A 57-year-old male is described who was referred for treatment resistant depression. His history showed infertility and lowered testosterone. A selective literature review is given to clarify the patient's clinical condition.
Results: Cytogenetic analysis demonstrated a Robertsonian translocation between chromosomes 13 and 14 that accounted for his infertility. The psychopathological picture did not meet the criteria for a major depressive disorder but was characterized by symptoms of apathy or avolition. These symptoms were most probably aggravated by previous long lasting treatment with antidepressants.
Conclusions: Testosterone deficiency may be related to motivational deficits that should not be misunderstood for depressive illness. Apathy is probably an underestimated side effect of antidepressants.
This item appears in the following Collection(s)
- Academic publications [202786]
- Electronic publications [100870]
- Faculty of Social Sciences [27100]
- Open Access publications [69586]
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