Search results for ‘Subject term:"mental health problems"’ Sort:
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Physical health and mental illness: listening to the voice of carers
- Authors:
- HAPPELL Brenda, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Mental Health, 26(2), 2017, pp.134-141.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- London
Background: Shortened life expectancy of people with mental illness is now widely known and the focus of research and policy activity. To date, research has primarily reflected perspectives of health professionals with limited attention to the views and opinions of those most closely affected. The voice of carers is particularly minimal, despite policy stipulating carer participation is required for mental health services. Aim: To present views and opinions of carers regarding physical health of the people they care for. Methods: Qualitative exploratory. Two focus groups and one individual interview were conducted with 13 people identifying as carers of a person with mental illness. Research was conducted in the Australian Capital Territory. Data analysis was based on the thematic framework of Braun and Clarke. Results: Two main themes were interaction between physical and mental health; and, carers’ own physical and mental health. Participants described the impact of mental illness and its treatments on physical health, including their own. Conclusions: Carers are acknowledged as crucial for the delivery of high quality mental health services. Therefore they have an important role to play in addressing the poor physical health of people with mental illness. Hearing their views and opinions is essential. (Publisher abstract)
Mental health assessments
- Author:
- HOWE Gwen
- Publisher:
- Jessica Kingsley
- Publication year:
- 1999
- Pagination:
- 152p.,bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- London
Focuses on the problems that can arise at times of crises when people with mental health problems are too ill to understand that they need help and become totally dependent on the system to protect them. Uses case studies drawn from real life, selected by suffers and carers, who have gone on to analyse them and discuss where things can go wrong. Includes chapters on: an introduction to mental health assessments; slipping out of the system; a 'least restrictive' practice; the role of medication in acute psychosis; slipping into the wrong system; carers and a need for caring; and reluctance to use the law.
Findings from an online survey of family carer experience of the management of challenging behaviour in people with intellectual disabilities, with a focus on the use of psychotropic medication
- Authors:
- SHEEHAN Rory, et al
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 46(2), 2018, pp.82-91.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Background: There is relatively little published data that report the experiences and views of family carers of people with intellectual disabilities who display challenging behaviour who are prescribed psychotropic medication. Materials and methods: An online structured questionnaire was created by the Challenging Behaviour Foundation, a UK charity, and family carers of people with intellectual disability. Questions concerned the management of challenging behaviour and asked family carers about their experiences and views on the use of psychotropic medication. Responses were gathered between August and October 2016. Results are summarised using descriptive and inferential statistics and descriptive analysis of free‐text comments. Findings: Ninety‐nine family carers completed the survey. Family carers reported gaps in the holistic and proactive management of challenging behaviour. Whilst some felt involved in decisions around psychotropic medication prescribing, others described feeling marginalised and lacking information and influence. The decision to prescribe psychotropic medication evoked complex emotions in family carers and medication use was associated with mixed outcomes in those prescribed. Family carers identified areas of good practice and those areas where they believe improvements are needed. Conclusions: Psychotropic medication should be only one option in a multimodal approach to challenging behaviour, but this may not always be reflected in current practice. Greater effort needs to be made to ensure that services are equipped to provide optimum care and to embed shared decision‐making into routine practice. (Edited publisher abstract)
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.
Correlates of stress in carers
- Authors:
- WOOFF David, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Mental Health, 12(1), February 2003, pp.29-40.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- London
Mental health services are required to take account of the needs of carers, yet little is known about how services affect carers. This paper explores the relationship between the user's mental health problems, the services received and the impact of caring on carers. Sixty-four carers were interviewed, measuring their experiences of care-giving, carer stress and the service user's level of impairment. A robust, composite measure of user severity was derived. Carers were sometimes better judges than care co-ordinators of user impairment. Their experience reflected the independently rated severity of service users' problems. When carers were aware of care plans, they felt less negative about caring. Even in above-average mental health services, carers lacked information about: care plans, medication and complaints procedures. This evidence can be used in allocating resources such respite care, family therapy and CBT to carers. These findings have implications for how mental health services might improve their provision for carers, for instance, involvement in care planning may help carers to cope.
Dilemmas in community mental health practice: choice or control
- Authors:
- PERKINS Rachel, REPPER Julie
- Publisher:
- Radcliffe Medical Press
- Publication year:
- 1998
- Pagination:
- 157p.,bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- Abingdon
Examines the power and demands of the various groups involved in the provision and use of community mental health services, and considers different practice options and their values and goals. Discusses who should receive services, the prioritisation of severe mental illness, the rights of users and the nature of compliance, the involvement of users, the provision of practical home care, professional roles, the role of families and carers, and measuring outcomes.
Older people at home: practical issues
- Editors:
- MULLEY Graham, PENN Neil, BURNS Eileen
- Publisher:
- BMJ Books
- Publication year:
- 1998
- Pagination:
- 148p.,illus.,bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- London
Practical text focusing on everyday situations that GPs have identified as being particularly problematic when dealing with older patients. Follows a problem based approach with special emphasis on the needs of older people living at home. Includes chapters on: loneliness; elder abuse; some legal aspects of mental incapacity; what an old age psychiatrist does; rehabilitation and older people; aids to compliance with medication; public transport; money problems and financial help; care homes; housing; carers; community health services; and community care provided by the public and independent sectors.