Search results for ‘Subject term:"mental health problems"’ Sort:
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A critique of the diagnostic construct schizophrenia
- Author:
- WONG Stephen E.
- Journal article citation:
- Research on Social Work Practice, 24(1), 2014, pp.132-141.
- Publisher:
- Sage
This article examines problems in the clinical utility of the diagnosis of schizophrenia including reliance on questionable data, arbitrary criteria and categorization, inadequate precision for assessment and treatment evaluation, and omission of information on causal current and historical environmental factors. Some alternatives to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition (DSM-5) are briefly considered including continuous recording of individual client’s specific problems and goals, and functional assessments and functional analyses. The article discusses how biomedical assumptions implicit in the DSM-5 diverts mental health workers’ attention from social adversity factors contributing to the development of psychotic behavior and available psychosocial interventions for this disorder, thereby perpetuating biomedical dominance of mental health services. (Publisher abstract)
Understanding psychosis and schizophrenia
- Editor:
- COOKE Anne
- Publisher:
- British Psychological Society
- Publication year:
- 2014
- Pagination:
- 175
- Place of publication:
- Leicester
An overview of the current state of knowledge about why some people hear voices, experience paranoia or have other experiences seen as psychosis or sometimes thought of as schizophrenia. The report also describes what can help, concluding that psychosis can be understood and treated in the same way as other psychological problems such as anxiety or shyness. It suggests that hearing voices or feeling paranoid are common experiences which can often be a reaction to trauma, abuse or deprivation. Calling them symptoms of mental illness, psychosis or schizophrenia is only one way of thinking about them, with advantages and disadvantages. There is no clear dividing line between ‘psychosis’ and other thoughts, feelings and beliefs, and while some people find it useful to think of themselves as having an illness others prefer to think of their problems as, for example, an aspect of their personality which sometimes gets them into trouble but which they would not want to be without. Psychological therapies – talking treatments such as Cognitive Behaviour Therapy – are very helpful for many people, although most people are currently unable to access it. Many people find that ‘antipsychotic’ medication helps to make the experiences less frequent, intense or distressing. However, there is no evidence that it corrects an underlying biological abnormality and recent evidence also suggests that it carries significant risks, particularly if taken long term. The report calls for services to change radically, and for increasing investment in prevention by taking measures to reduce abuse, deprivation and inequality. (Edited publisher abstract)
A systematic review of the association between attributional bias/interpersonal style, and violence in schizophrenia/psychosis
- Authors:
- HARRIS Stephanie T., OAKLEY Clare, PICCHIONI Marco M.
- Journal article citation:
- Aggression and Violent Behavior, 19(3), 2014, pp.235-241.
- Publisher:
- Elsevier
Despite the widely recognised link between schizophrenia and violence, the illness-specific factors underlying that association remain unclear. A body of work has implicated deficits in social cognition, consistently seen in schizophrenia, that may mediate the risk of violence. Two specific areas of interest are attributional bias and interpersonal style. The authors conducted a systematic literature search using EMBASE, Scopus, Ovid Medline, PsycINFO and Science Direct databases with search terms relating to attributional bias, interpersonal style and violence/aggression in schizophrenia. Eleven studies were identified, six related specifically to attributional bias and five to interpersonal style. Results suggest an association between hostile and externalising attribution biases, and violence in schizophrenia. Furthermore, hostile, dominant, and coercive interpersonal styles are also frequently associated with violence in schizophrenia. An interaction between cognitive impairments and underlying personality traits, as well as other co-morbid or illness factors, is proposed to likely underpin associations with violence in schizophrenia. Conclusions are limited by methodological constraints. The field would benefit from consistent definitions of violence, and a more systematic approach to cognitive assessment. Furthermore, studies with more homogeneous samples; and longitudinal designs are warranted in order to gain a better understanding of causation with regard to illness factors specific to schizophrenia. (Edited publisher abstract)
Development of telehealth dialogues for monitoring suicidal patients with schizophrenia: consumer feedback
- Authors:
- KASCKOW J., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Community Mental Health Journal, 50(3), 2014, pp.339-342.
- Publisher:
- Springer
Suicide is a health concern among individuals with schizophrenia. A telehealth system for monitoring suicidal patients with schizophrenia was developed using the Health Buddy©. The existing dialogues were improved using an expert panel; the new dialogues were tested in 10 consumers with schizophrenia and a history of suicidal behaviour. Using qualitative editing, several themes emerged: (1) Certain topics elicited strong emotional responses; (2) There were concerns with confidentiality; (3) Some content was too vague and (4) There were problems with vocabulary and wording. The process yielded information for improving the intervention and demonstrated that the approach is feasible in this population. (Edited publisher abstract)
Challenges and coping strategies of children with parents affected by schizophrenia: results from an in-depth interview study
- Authors:
- KAHL Yvonne, JUNGBAUER Johannes
- Journal article citation:
- Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal, 31(2), 2014, pp.181-196.
- Publisher:
- Springer
This article presents results from an in-depth interview study investigating challenges and coping strategies of children with parents affected by schizophrenia. Thirty-four qualitative interviews of children were conducted and evaluated by content analysis. The interviewees spoke of a wide range of challenges that they must deal with daily. A variety of available coping strategies, social and personal resources were identified in the study. The results show that there is a need for professional support, especially on a low-threshold basis, that helps affected children to develop appropriate and diverse forms of coping. (Publisher abstract)
“It’s good for me”: physical activity in older adults with schizophrenia
- Authors:
- LEUTWYLER Heather, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Community Mental Health Journal, 50(1), 2014, pp.75-80.
- Publisher:
- Springer
Physical activity (PA) interventions to improve the physical function of older adults with schizophrenia are necessary but not available. Older adults with schizophrenia may have unique barriers and facilitators to PA. The purpose of this study was to describe the perceptions of older adults with schizophrenia about barriers and facilitators to engage in physical activities that promote physical function. The authors conducted qualitative interviews with 16 older adults with schizophrenia. Data were collected and analysed with grounded theory methodology. Participants expressed interest in becoming more physically active for a variety of perceived benefits including psychiatric symptom management and maintenance of basic function. Key barriers and facilitators to PA emerged in five broad categories: Mental Health, No longer a spring chicken, Pride and Sense of Well-being, Comfort and Safety, and Belonging. Interventions in this population should address negative attitudes towards aging and promote routine physical activities that enhance well-being and companionship. (Publisher abstract)
Assessment and treatment of physical health problems among people with schizophrenia: national cross-sectional study
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Psychiatry, 205(6), 2014, pp.473-477.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
Background: In the UK and other high-income countries, life expectancy in people with schizophrenia is 20% lower than in the general population. Aims: To examine the quality of assessment and treatment of physical health problems in people with schizophrenia. Method: Retrospective audit of records of people with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder aged ≥18. We collected data on nine key aspects of physical health for 5091 patients and combined these with a cross-sectional patient survey. Results: Body mass index was recorded in 2599 (51.1%) patients during the previous 12 months and 1102 (21.6%) had evidence of assessment of all nine key measures. Among those with high blood sugar, there was recorded evidence of 53.5% receiving an appropriate intervention. Among those with dyslipidaemia, this was 19.9%. Despite this, most patients reported that they were satisfied with the physical healthcare they received. Conclusions: Assessment and treatment of common physical health problems in people with schizophrenia falls well below acceptable standards. Cooperation and communication between primary and secondary care services needs to improve if premature mortality in this group is to be reduced. (Publisher abstract)
Daily task performance and information processing among people with schizophrenia and healthy controls: a comparative study
- Author:
- AUBIN Ginette
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 77(9), 2014, pp.466-474(9).
- Publisher:
- Sage
Introduction: Many individuals with schizophrenia have information processing difficulties. This study investigated the use of information processing skills during the performance of a daily task by participants with schizophrenia and compared it to that of participants without a psychiatric diagnosis. Studies comparing similar groups found differences in the number and types of errors. However, there is limited knowledge about the related problematic information processing skills. This information could help to better pinpoint the needs of this group of clients. Method: Participants were paired based on age and gender. Information processing skills were assessed with the Perceive, Recall, Plan, and Perform system of task analysis. Generalised linear mixed models were used to compare both groups. Results: Individuals with schizophrenia made more accuracy errors and had more difficulties when attending and gathering information and when planning was required during the task. They were also more cognitively impaired than the comparison group. Conclusion: The large number of accuracy errors may result from specific skills deficits that impact on other processing skills or from a general vulnerability affecting most processing skills. In future studies, the influence of employment and of the social environment of housing on task performance should be investigated. (Edited publisher abstract)
+20 report
- Author:
- RETHINK MENTAL ILLNESS
- Publisher:
- Rethink Mental Illness
- Publication year:
- 2014
- Pagination:
- 18
- Place of publication:
- London
Features case studies of people who have lost a loved one with schizophrenia, because they did not get the support they needed. The report shows that people with schizophrenia are at risk of dying on average 20 years younger than the current British life expectancy of 81, mainly because of preventable physical illnesses. These stories highlight the many factors that put people with schizophrenia at risk – including the impact of antipsychotic medication, lifestyle factors, poor health monitoring by the NHS, and the dismissive attitude of some health professionals towards people with severe mental illness. The document also sets out five things that need to change to help people with schizophrenia have the same life expectancy as the general population. These include: ensuring the mental health, physical healthcare and social care are properly integrated, screening and tailored help for common problems such as weight gain, increased access to stop smoking services and physical activities for people with mental illness; ensuring that they receive proper physical health checks by GPs, and ensuring that staff in specialist mental health services are trained to provide for the physical health needs of people with mental illnesses. (Edited publisher abstract)
Research Watch: talking therapy for anxiety and social difficulties may improve social inclusion after diagnosis with schizophrenia
- Author:
- HOLTTUM Sue
- Journal article citation:
- Mental Health and Social Inclusion, 18(1), 2014, pp.7-12.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to summarize two 2013 papers on psychological therapies for people with a diagnosis of schizophrenia. Design/methodology/approach: The first paper is a report of a small study of cognitive behaviour therapy for anxiety in people with a diagnosis of schizophrenia attending an early intervention service. The second paper is a review of several studies looking at therapies to help people understand what others are feeling and thinking, and so cope better in social situations. Findings: Out of 11 people referred to the anxiety group, seven stayed until the end. Their self-rated anxiety and depression decreased significantly. The review of therapies for social situations suggests that there is a need for more than just training in understanding other people. It is probably necessary to offer a package of therapy that involves role-play and practising skills in actual situations, and possibly involving friends or family members. Originality/value: These papers report on therapies that have only recently begun to be considered for people with a diagnosis of schizophrenia. It seems much more attention needs to be paid to helping people with anxiety when they have this diagnosis, and also to helping people cope in social situations so that they can participate in important social activities and work. (Publisher abstract)