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)
Side effects: mental health service users’ experiences of the side effects of anti-psychotic medication
- Author:
- RETHINK
- Publisher:
- Rethink
- Publication year:
- 2006
- Pagination:
- 10p.
- Place of publication:
- London
This report based on the real-life experiences of mentally ill people taking medicines, highlights the need for three points of action – first, a recognition that side-effects are very important, their impacts are significant to individuals; secondly more choice over medicines and appropriate information sharing; thirdly more investment in the search for a third generation of medicines that are more effective in controlling symptoms and have even fewer and less severe side effects.
Perspectives on psychotropic medication treatment among young adults formerly served in public systems of care: a thematic and narrative analysis
- Authors:
- NARENDORF Sarah Carter, MUNSON Michelle R., FLOERSCH Jerry
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of the Society for Social Work and Research, 6(1), 2015, pp.121-143.
- Publisher:
- Society for Social Work and Research
This study examines the perspectives of psychotropic medications held by young adults with mood disorder diagnoses. The article presents an analysis of qualitative interviews with 52 young adults who had been involved with public systems of care during adolescence and had used psychotropic medications. The research involved a thematic analysis across cases, then a narrative analysis within selected cases. Two main themes emerged from the thematic analysis. First, young adults described the effects of the medications and how they thought the medications were working. They described the impact on their moods, thinking, bodies, and functioning, and the ways in which these effects related to their lives. Second, the process of taking medications emerged as an important aspect of the medication treatment experience, including the trial-and-error nature of treatment and interactions with psychiatrists. The narrative analysis within cases identified that some youth created a medication narrative composed of three elements: why medications were needed, what medications do, and participants' outlook on future medication use. These narratives are helpful in understanding prior patterns of service use and are instructive in framing young people's future intentions to use medications. Findings support the importance of eliciting the perspectives of young adults about their treatment and ensuring that services are designed and delivered in developmentally appropriate ways tailored to this group. (Edited publisher abstract)
Emerging adult identity following adolescent experiences with psychotropic medications: a retrospective study
- Authors:
- JORDAN Jessica, PATEL Niti, BENTLEY Kia J.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment, 27(7), 2017, pp.694-705.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
This study examines the perceptions of mental illness identity among a group of emerging adults based on their retrospective experiences with diagnoses and psychotropic medication use during their earlier formative adolescent years. A short questionnaire was administered via online social media platforms to volunteers between the ages of 19 and 30 and who self-identified as having taken psychotropic medication between the ages of 12 and 18 (N = 46). Correlation analysis revealed that several variables were associated with a stronger illness identity, including participant’s happiness with their medication experiences, the belief that medication made them more like their “true” selves, and the belief that their diagnosis was accurate. Content analysis of participant narratives suggested themes related to discontinuation and barriers to adherence. These results contribute to the growing knowledge base around lived experiences of psychiatric medication use and suggest further study on how to advance more informed and compassionate mental health care. (Publisher abstract)
Supporting briefing note: community mental health survey 2011
- Author:
- CARE QUALITY COMMISSION
- Publisher:
- Care Quality Commission
- Publication year:
- 2011
- Pagination:
- 19p.
- Place of publication:
- London
This briefing note provides key findings from the 2011 survey of people who use community mental health services. The survey comprises a sample of service users aged 16 and over who had been in contact with NHS mental health services in the 3 month period from July 2010 to September 2010 and who were receiving specialist care or treatment for a mental health condition. Over 17,000 service users from 65 mental health trusts in England responded to the survey, a response rate of 33%. This publication summarises the survey findings with regards to: health and social care workers; medications; talking therapies; care coordinators; care plans; care reviews; crisis care; and day to day living. Where comparisons are possible, it highlights notable changes from the 2010 survey and identifies areas where further improvement is required. Overall, service users rated the care they received from mental health services in the last 12 months as: excellent 29%, very good 30%, good 20%, fair 13%, poor 5% and very poor 4%. The ‘very poor’ category showed a small yet statistically significant decrease of less than 1% compared with 2010.
All you need to know? Scottish survey of people’s experience of psychiatric drugs
- Authors:
- BRADSTREET Simon, NORRIS Richard
- Publisher:
- Scottish Association for Mental Health
- Publication year:
- 2004
- Pagination:
- 100p.
- Place of publication:
- Glasgow
Results into a survey of psychiatric drug treatment are presented. The report is based on users’ own views of the drugs and the whole process of being given treatment from a survey that involved a large number of people with a wide variety of experiences and illnesses. Findings and conclusions are presented.
Taking psychiatric medication: listening to our clients
- Authors:
- DAVIS-BERMAN Jennifer, PESTELLO Frances G.
- Journal article citation:
- Social Work in Mental Health, 4(1), 2005, pp.17-31.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
This exploratory research reports on interviews of 32 social work students and practitioners in the United States who were currently taking psychiatric medication. A variety of common themes emerged as the stories of the process of taking medication unfolded. Age of respondent, the medical appointment, self-imposed stigma, and sexual dysfunction were all identified as salient variables. This article discusses these themes and presents clinical implications for social work practice. The authors stress the significance of psychological, emotional, and social factors in understanding the process of taking psychiatric medication. (Copies of this article are available from: Haworth Document Delivery Centre, Haworth Press Inc., 10 Alice Street, Binghamton, NY 13904-1580).
All you need to know?
- Author:
- BRADSTREET Simon
- Journal article citation:
- Mental Health Today, May 2004, pp.27-30.
- Publisher:
- Pavilion
- Place of publication:
- Hove
Reports findings from the first ever Scotland-wide systematic study of what mental health service users themselves really think about all aspects of psychiatric drugs and their prescribing. It was conducted by the Scottish mental health charity the Scottish Association for Mental Health (SAMH), with funding from the Community Fund.
National summary of the results for the 2013 community mental health survey
- Author:
- CARE QUALITY COMMISSION
- Publisher:
- Care Quality Commission
- Publication year:
- 2013
- Pagination:
- 21
- Place of publication:
- London
This national summary provides key findings from the 2013 survey of people who use community mental health services, and highlights statistically significant differences between 2012 (the last time the survey was carried out) and 2013. The 2013 survey involved 58 NHS trusts in England (including combined mental health and social care trusts, Foundation Trusts and community healthcare social enterprises that provide mental health services). Responses were received from more than 13,000 service users, a national response rate of 29%. Service users aged 18 and over were eligible for the survey if they were receiving specialist care or treatment for a mental health condition and had been seen by the trust between 1 July 2012 and 30 September 2012. The survey finds that the care people receive in the community needs to improve. Of particular concern is people’s lack of involvement in their care plans or having their views taken into account when deciding which medication to take. (Edited publisher abstract)
Psychiatric drugs: key issues and service user perspectives
- Author:
- READ Jim
- Publisher:
- Palgrave Macmillan
- Publication year:
- 2009
- Pagination:
- 192p., bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- Basingstoke
This book examines the consequences of long-term psychiatric drug use from the perspectives of people who have taken them. It begins with an overview of the place of drug treatments in mental health services, introducing the drugs most commonly used in psychiatry and looking at current guidance, how current practice diverges from these guidelines, and criticisms of the guidelines. Drawing on surveys from the UK it looks at key issues from the perspective of people who have taken psychiatric drugs, including effects on people's lives, issues about psychiatric drugs for people in black and minority ethnic communities, and the stages of coming off or attempting to come off psychiatric drugs. It examines the Coping with Coming Off (CWCO) research project and its findings about people’s reasons for trying to come off drugs and their experience, including factors influencing success, what support people received, and tension between doctors and patients about whether they should stay on their medication. Finally, it draws conclusions and makes suggestions for improving practice.