Search results for ‘Subject term:"mental health problems"’ Sort:
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Mary’s story
- Author:
- SCRAGG Terry
- Journal article citation:
- Social Care and Neurodisability, 2(1), 2011, pp.15-20.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Prion diseases are progressive conditions affecting the brain and nervous systems. They impair brain function resulting in memory and personality changes and adversely affect movement over time. This article describes the impact of a prion on a family where the original diagnosis took four years to make. It describes the onset and first symptoms in 2001/2, the progressive deterioration in 2002/4, the need for services in 2005, and the diagnosis and final year in 2005/6. The article highlights the impact of caring on ‘Mary’, the husband of ‘Robert’, the difficulty in the diagnosis, and the distress and personal difficulties faced in arranging services due to Roberts increasing resistance to support from outside the family. The author highlights the importance of early diagnosis and support from health and social services, showing the even when the prognosis is terminal, the knowledge gained is preferable to the distress that uncertainty causes the individual and their families. The author concludes that when families ask for support from social and health services, it is often an indication that their resources are deplete, and are in crisis.
Psychiatric disorder and unmet service needs among welfare clients in a representative payee program
- Authors:
- EVANS Jovier D., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Community Mental Health Journal, 40(6), December 2004, pp.539-548.
- Publisher:
- Springer
This study assessed psychiatric problems, needs for psychiatric and social services, and service utilization among clients of a public assistance programme. Sixty-five clients were assessed using a structured clinical interview to determine the presence of a psychiatric disorder (using the CIDI-A), extent of social service need, and health-related quality of life (RAND SF-36). Seventy-seven percent of the sample met criteria for at least one current or lifetime psychiatric disorder. Health-related quality of life was substantially below published norms. Most clients reported needing financial, housing, and vocational assistance. Many had contact with mental health services, but few were actually receiving psychiatric treatment. Although many clients were assessed as having serious psychiatric, physical, or social needs, very few were receiving appropriate services for these problems. Findings suggest problems or barriers to the provision of services that need to be investigated among this vulnerable community population.
Developing mental health services for people with learning disabilities in England
- Author:
- SIMPSON Neill
- Journal article citation:
- Tizard Learning Disability Review, 2(2), April 1997, pp.35-42.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Many people with learning disabilities experience mental health problems, and the outcome is likely to be better if they have a good mental health service. Opinions vary about what form of good mental health service for people with learning disabilities would take. Great changes have occurred in services, but research about the effect of these changes is sparse. This article explores the nature of mental health problems which require services and compares two models for providing a specialist mental health service for people with learning disabilities.
Autism spectrum disorders through the lifespan
- Author:
- TANTUM Digby
- Publisher:
- Jessica Kingsley
- Publication year:
- 2011
- Pagination:
- 576p.
- Place of publication:
- London
This wide-ranging textbook covers autistic spectrum disorders (ASD), from their aetiology to service provision, from the most disabling Kanner's syndrome to the most high-functioning Asperger syndrome, and from birth to old age. The author looks at recent research on the assessment, diagnosis, treatment, intervention and support of individuals with ASD, and examines their implications at various stages of life. Neurological, genetic, psychological, developmental, social, and emotional issues are covered, as well as information on the diagnosis and treatment of associated psychiatric and medical conditions, the overlap between the ASDs and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and the management of behavioural and forensic problems. No prior knowledge is assumed and the background to new methods of assessment, such as functional magnetic resonance imaging, standardised clinical and psychological assessment, and genetic testing, is explained. The book is designed to be a resource for paediatricians, psychiatrists, clinical and educational psychologists, specialist nurses, counsellors, psychotherapists, legal professionals and others working with individuals of all ages who are on the autism spectrum. It is also expected to be of interest to any carers and people with an ASD who want to update themselves on research into the causes and treatment of the disorder.
Rural practitioners' experiences in dementia diagnosis and treatment
- Author:
- TEEL C. S.
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 8(5), September 2004, pp.422-429.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
When diagnosis of dementia occurs earlier in the disease process, more time is available for treatment aimed at maintaining patient function and delaying decline, and for family education about the disease and its management. Primary care providers often, however, face challenges in making timely diagnoses. Nineteen practitioners in mostly rural areas of a mid-western state were interviewed about their experiences in diagnosis and treatment, to develop a more comprehensive understanding of barriers encountered by providers in non-metropolitan areas. Participants estimated that the time from symptom onset to diagnosis ranged from several months to one year, largely dependant upon family recognition. Limitations in access to consultants and limited or non-existent community support and education resources were major impediments to diagnosis and treatment, respectively. Like their colleagues in more urban communities, denial among family members, or families who were absent or uncooperative, created additional challenges for providers in making and communicating diagnoses and in supporting home-based or institutional care. Conversely, supportive and motivated families played a central role in positive patient care experiences. Participants agreed that support and education services were important for family caregivers, but generally had few resources to offer families, which constrained their ability to provide optimal care. Identifying challenges faced by rural practitioners is essential to planning appropriate interventions for consultative support and educational outreach.
Guide to mental health for families and carers of people with intellectual disabilities
- Authors:
- HOLT Geraldine, et al
- Publisher:
- Jessica Kingsley
- Publication year:
- 2004
- Pagination:
- 240p.,bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- London
This guide outlines a range of signs and symptoms of mental health problems that can affect people with intellectual disabilities. The guide explains why mental health problems develop, and advises on what can be done to help people with intellectual disabilities and carers themselves. With chapters on specific disabilities such as autism and epilepsy, the authors cover topics such as: treatment and interventions for mental health problems; getting the best services and understanding policy around mental health and intellectual disabilities; legal issues, for example, what it means to ‘give consent’ ; and carers’ needs and support for carers.
Influence of social workers' characteristics on the perception of mental disorder in youths
- Authors:
- POTTICK Kathleen J., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Social Service Review, 77(3), September 2003, pp.431-454.
- Publisher:
- University of Chicago Press
Modern versions of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual are meant to reduce biases in judgment. This vignette-based study of 250 student respondents in master of social work programs assesses the influence of their social characteristics on judgments of mental disorder among youths. Most respondents appropriately use contextual information to judge mental disorder. Minorities and women are less likely than nonminorities and men to judge that disorder is present, suggesting that they may be more sensitive than others to the consequences of labeling youths as having mental disorders. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual training removes differences between racial and ethnic groups.
Consultant responsibilities in child and adolescent mental health services teams: a systems dilemma
- Author:
- REDER Peter
- Journal article citation:
- Psychiatric Bulletin, 27(2), February 2003, pp.68-70.
- Publisher:
- Royal College of Psychiatrists
A number of relevant professional bodies were invited to state their views on the responsibilities of consultant child psychiatrists within multi-disciplinary teams in order to ascertain whether there was any consensus on the issue. Little consensus or clarity emerged, save for agreement on child psychiatrists' expertise with medical matters. Only medical organisations believed in a notion of the consultant holding ultimate responsibility, although definition of this remained elusive. Consultants may need to seek clarity about their clinical and legal responsibilities from their employing Trust. However, there are many other dimensions to responsibility which have relevance for the training of child psychiatrists
Diagnostic difficulties
- Author:
- SALE Anabel Unity
- Journal article citation:
- Community Care, 5.12.02, 2002, pp.28-29.
- Publisher:
- Reed Business Information
A new study has revealed that the disproportionately high number of young people with learning difficulties who also develop mental health problems are not having their illness diagnosed. These problems often go unnoticed and untreated by the very services designed to help this client group.
Psychiatry of learning disability: a future with mental health?
- Authors:
- ALEXANDER R., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Psychiatric Bulletin, 26(8), August 2002, pp.299-301.
- Publisher:
- Royal College of Psychiatrists
This article reports on a survey of consultants in the psychiatry of learning disability in four English regions. Their views on their core roles, job satisfaction and the the roles of management and restructuring were elicited.