Search results for ‘Subject term:"mental health problems"’ Sort:
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Controversies in psychiatry and DSM-5: the relevance for social work
- Authors:
- LITTRELL Jill, LACASSE Jeffrey R.
- Journal article citation:
- Families in Society, 93(4), October 2012, pp.265-269.
- Publisher:
- The Alliance for Children and Families
In this essay, the authors address recent controversies surrounding the forthcoming 5th edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), the first major revision of the DSM since 1994. The essay reports that mental health professionals across a wide range of professions in the US have signed a petition to the DSM-5 Task Force asking for reconsideration of its intention to loosen and expand criteria for a variety of diagnoses, and notes that critiques of psychiatric medications are increasingly disseminated in the media. It suggests that these issues have particular relevance for children in foster care, who receive diagnoses and medication at high rates. It also discusses diagnoses and the relationship between academic psychiatry and the pharmaceutical industry in the US. The authors argue that it is important that social work practitioners are informed about these issues, and consider implications and potential action strategies for social workers.
Youth at entry to residential treatment: understanding psychotropic medication use
- Authors:
- GRIFFITH Annette K., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Children and Youth Services Review, 34(10), October 2012, pp.2028-2035.
- Publisher:
- Elsevier
Youth involved in residential treatment often enter care with high levels of complex mental health and behavioural needs. Many of these youth also have active prescriptions for psychotropic medications. The aim of this study was to gain a better understanding of psychotropic medication use for youth at their time of entry to residential treatment. Archival data from youth admission files were obtained for 1,010 youth aged 9-19 years consecutively admitted to a large, Midwestern residential group care programme. The findings showed that the majority of the youth presented with clinical levels of problem behaviours. A total of 407 youth (40.3%) had active prescriptions for psychotropic medications at the time of admission. While many of these youth had prescriptions for only 1 psychotropic medication, 200 of them (49.1%) had prescriptions for 2 or more psychotropic medications. Several clinical and non-clinical factors were identified that were predictive of psychotropic medication use. Findings and implications are discussed in detail.
Understanding the use of psychotropic medications in the child welfare system: causes, consequences, and proposed solutions
- Authors:
- ALAVI Zakia, CALLEJA Nancy G.
- Journal article citation:
- Child Welfare Journal, 91(2), 2012, pp.77-94.
- Publisher:
- Child Welfare League of America
The use of psychotropic medications in children in the US has increased over the past 2 decades, and research has shown significantly greater usage among child welfare-involved children. In this article the authors explore factors that may contribute to this higher incidence of psychotropic medication usage and discuss unintended negative consequences for foster children and the public health system. The section on contributing factors covers biological vulnerability of foster children, psychosocial factors, fragmented assessment practices, the role of the foster parent, health insurance reimbursement, reactive rather than prevention-based practice, the role of pharmaceutical companies, and community mental health and child welfare. The discussion about consequences considers the health of the child, impact on mental health systems and professionals, and economics. The authors make proposals for addressing the issue of psychotropic medication use in foster children, including approaching it as a multisystem problem and instituting guidelines for a prevention-based biopsychosocial medical and mental health assessment of all children in the child welfare system.
Altering perceptions
- Author:
- SHRUBBS Richard
- Journal article citation:
- Mental Health Today, March 2012, pp.8-9.
- Publisher:
- Pavilion
- Place of publication:
- Hove
In the 1950s and 60s, a raft of research was carried out into psychedelic drugs, such as lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), psilocybin (a compound found in magic mushrooms), MDMA (ecstasy) and mescaline, which alter cognition and perception, and their potential benefit to people with mental health problems. But at the same time as this research was being carried out, recreational use of psychedelic drugs led to the political view of these drugs being dangerous. As a result, the US banned all uses of psychedelics in 1968, even for research. However, after decades of being seen purely as illegal, the potential for psychedelic drugs to be used as a treatment for mental health problems is being considered once again. A number of studies are taking place that are once again investigating whether psychedelic drugs could have a therapeutic benefit if administered properly. Initial research has shown that MDMA has positive effects on post-traumatic stress disorder and that psilocybins may be able to treat personality disorders. In addition, the fear that psychedelics cause schizophrenia appears to be largely unfounded.
Dosed up...let down?
- Author:
- FERNANDEZ Ana Olea
- Journal article citation:
- Professional Social Work, September 2012, pp.18-20.
- Publisher:
- British Association of Social Workers
The author, a frontline social worker, looks at the need for social workers to advocate on behalf of looked-after children in instances where their psychiatric diagnosis, the medications prescribed, may be inappropriate and just a way of overlooking underlying problems. The dangers of misinterpreting the effects of childhood trauma as specific disorders which require anti-psychotic drugs are discussed.
Substance abuse and co-occurring psychiatric disorders in older adults: a clinical case and review of the relevant literature
- Authors:
- SALMON Joanna Marie, FORESTER Brent
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Dual Diagnosis, 8(1), January 2012, pp.74-84.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Substance misuse is predicted to become an increasing problem in the older adult population in the United States. This article uses a brief clinical case study to illustrate the issues and to introduce a review of the literature related to substance use and psychiatric illness in older adults. The review looks at prevalence of substance use disorders, psychiatric illness and co-occurrence in older adults, drug interactions and sensitivity and tolerance to alcohol and drugs, neurobiological consequences and cognitive impairment, including alcoholism, depression and brain changes, identification and assessment, and treatment of co-occurring disorders in older people. The article notes the unique challenges relating to treatment of older adults with co-occurring disorders. The authors suggest that further research into the older adult population with substance use disorders and co-occurring illness is required.
Mental health needs in adolescents with intellectual disabilities: cross-sectional survey of a service sample
- Authors:
- HASSIOTIS A., TURK J.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 25(3), May 2012, pp.252-261.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Despite mental health needs and service use being relatively high across the lifespan of those with intellectual disability, relatively little is known about these needs during adolescence. This study investigated the prevalence and predictors of mental health needs and service use in adolescents (n=75) with intellectual disabilities in one area of Southern England. Individual assessments were carried out, the main outcome of which was the presence of mental health needs measured by the Developmental Behaviour Checklist. Prevalence of mental health needs increased from 51% as reported by parents to 67% as judged by clinical interviews. Having a need was associated with low adaptive functioning, diagnosis of autism and family history of mental illness. High scores on parent reports of participant mental ill-health showed negative correlations with adaptive functioning scores. Most individuals were in receipt of social and health care. Half of the participants had sought help for mental health problems. Almost half of those receiving medication were on psychiatric medication. It is concluded that adolescents with intellectual disabilities may have considerable mental health problems that are functionally impairing but often unidentified and hence untreated. The authors believe that identification of those at risk and comprehensive needs assessment are essential to maximise potential and quality of life and to reduce further deficits and social exclusion.
Autism in adults: diagnosis and management
- Author:
- NATIONAL COLLABORATING CENTRE FOR MENTAL HEALTH
- Publisher:
- National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence
- Publication year:
- 2012
- Place of publication:
- London
Clinical guideline which provides best practice advice on the care of adults with autism. The guidance covers the following key areas: general principles of care; identification and assessment; and interventions for autism, challenging behaviour, coexisting mental disorders. Assessment and interventions for families, partners and carers and organisation and delivery of care are also covered. Recommendations for future research include the need for more evidence on the clinical and cost effectiveness of: self-help for anxiety and depression, cognitive behavioural therapy for anxiety disorders and pharmacological treatments for depression in adults with autism. The full guideline, 'Autism: the NICE guideline on recognition, referral, diagnosis and management of adults on the autism spectrum' contains details of the methods and evidence used to develop the guideline.
Autism: recognition, referral, diagnosis and management of adults on the autism spectrum
- Author:
- NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR CLINICAL EXCELLENCE
- Publisher:
- National Institute for Clinical Excellence
- Publication year:
- 2012
- Pagination:
- 57p.
- Place of publication:
- Manchester
This NICE Guideline offers best practice advice on the care of adults with autism. It covers the care provided by primary, community, secondary, tertiary and other health and social care professionals who have direct contact with, and make decisions concerning the care of, adults with autism. The term autism is used generically to cover all autism spectrum conditions. With an emphasis on person-centred care, the guidance covers: identification and assessment; correct interventions and monitoring their use, interventions for challenging behaviour, managing coexisting mental disorders, assessment and interventions for families, partners and carers; and the organisation and delivery of care. Research recommendations are also discussed.