scholarly journals How Do People Experiencing Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders or Other Psychotic Disorders Use the Internet to Get Information on Their Mental Health? Literature Review and Recommendations

2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. e1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Murielle Villani ◽  
Viviane Kovess-Masfety
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Psychotic Disorders ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Internet Users ◽  
Schizophrenia Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Source Of Information

Background Studies show that the Internet has become an influential source of information for people experiencing serious psychiatric conditions such as schizophrenia spectrum disorders or other psychotic disorders, among which the rate of Internet users is growing, with rates ranging from 33.3% to 79.5% given the country. Between 20.5% and 56.4% of these Internet users seek mental health information. Objective Focusing on this population’s Web searches about their mental health, this paper examines what type of content they look for and what could be the benefits and disadvantages of this navigation. Methods We conducted a literature review through medical and psychological databases between 2000 and 2015 using the keywords “Internet,” “Web,” “virtual,” “health information,” “schizophrenia,” “psychosis,” “e-mental health,” “e-support,” and “telepsychiatry.” Results People experiencing schizophrenia spectrum disorders or other psychotic disorders wish to find on the Internet trustful, nonstigmatizing information about their disease, flexibility, security standards, and positive peer-to-peer exchanges. E-mental health also appears to be desired by a substantial proportion of them. In this field, the current developments towards intervention and early prevention in the areas of depression and bipolar and anxiety disorders become more and more operational for schizophrenia spectrum disorders and other psychotic disorders as well. The many benefits of the Internet as a source of information and support, such as empowerment, enhancement of self-esteem, relief from peer information, better social interactions, and more available care, seem to outbalance the difficulties. Conclusions In this paper, after discussing the challenges related to the various aspects of the emergence of the Internet into the life of people experiencing schizophrenia spectrum disorders or other psychotic disorders, we will suggest areas of future research and practical recommendations for this major transition.

Violent offending in schizophrenia spectrum disorders preceding and following diagnosis

2018 ◽  
Vol 52 (8) ◽  
pp. 782-792 ◽  
Author(s):  
Henning Hachtel ◽  
Cieran Harries ◽  
Stefan Luebbers ◽  
James RP Ogloff
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
Substance Use ◽  
Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Violent Offending ◽  
Schizophrenia Spectrum ◽  
History Of ◽  
Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Violent Victimisation ◽  
Violent Offences

Objective: People affected by schizophrenia spectrum disorders are at a higher risk of offending violently. This study aims to investigate risk factors in relation to the peri-diagnostic period and possible predictors of post-diagnostic violence of people diagnosed for the first time in the public mental health system. Methods: The study compared various risk factors for post-diagnostic violence in patients ( n = 1453) diagnosed with a schizophrenia spectrum disorder. Patients were grouped according to the occurrence of peri-diagnostic violence. Of the 246 violent offenders, 164 committed their first offence pre-diagnosis. Mental health and criminological variables were evaluated across the lifespan (median age at end of follow-up = 34.22 years, range = 17.02–55.80 years). Results: Gender, employment, non-violent offending, family incidents, violent and non-violent victimisation, substance use, personality disorder, number of in-patient admissions and history of non-compliance differed significantly across violent and non-violent subgroups (all p ⩽ 0.01 and at least small effect size). More frequent and longer inpatient admissions were found in the violent subgroups (all p ⩽ 0.01). For the whole sample, sex, number of violent offences, non-violent offences, violent victimisation, substance use and number of inpatient admissions predicted post-diagnostic violence (χ2 (6) = 188.13, p < 0.001). Among patients with a history of pre-diagnostic violence, a history of non-violent offending in the 18-month period pre-diagnosis was the strongest predictor of future violence (odds ratio = 3.08, 95% confidence interval [1.32, 7.21]). Conclusion: At triage, violence risk assessment should consider the presence of antisocial behaviour and violent victimisation, substance use, male gender and frequency of inpatient admissions. Common treatment targets for the prevention of post-diagnostic violence include criminality and victimisation. Treatment of positive symptoms should be of greater emphasis for individuals without a history of pre-diagnostic violence.

scholarly journals T196. THERAPEUTIC MANAGEMENT IN MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS AND SCHIZOPHRENIA SPECTRUM DISORDERS DUAL DIAGNOSIS

2020 ◽  
Vol 46 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S306-S306
Author(s):  
Octavian Vasiliu
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Dual Diagnosis ◽  
Atypical Antipsychotics ◽  
Psychotic Disorders ◽  
Complement Factor ◽  
Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Schizophrenia Spectrum ◽  
Baseline Values ◽  
Spectrum Disorders

Abstract Background Multiple sclerosis has been suggested as a potential vulnerability factor for schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders, and there is a hypothesis about a common etiology in a subgroup of schizophrenia and multiple sclerosis [1]. Immune-related single-nucleotide polymorphisms have been associated with schizophrenia and genetic pleiotropy between schizophrenia and multiple sclerosis has been reported, but not between bipolar disorder and multiple sclerosis (at the level of major histocompatibility complex) [2]. As new data about the involvement of genetically-determined immune factors in the susceptibility to schizophrenia appear (e.g., variants of complement factor 4 possibly linked to synaptic pruning during brain development) [3] the interest for finding therapeutic targets within the immune system for psychotic disorders is also increasing. Methods Three patients diagnosed with both schizophrenia spectrum disorders (schizophrenia n=2, or schizoaffective disorder, depressive type n=1), female, mean age 43.7, with a history of psychotic disorder for at least one year, were monitored during 6 months using Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF), Clinical Global Impressions – Severity (CGI-S), Columbia-Suicide Scale for Schizophrenia (CSSRS), Calgary Depression Scale (CDS), Multiple Sclerosis Severity Scale (MSSS), and the Extrapyramidal Symptom Rating Scale (ESRS). None of these patients presented other organic or psychiatric co-morbidity, and they were on active treatment for their multiple sclerosis throughout the 6-month duration of psychiatric evaluation. All patients were initiated on a new antipsychotic, because of the lack of efficacy of the previous agents, or due to their lack of therapeutic adherence. A patient was initiated on olanzapine 15 mg/day, while the other two received risperidone 4 mg/day. The antipsychotic doses were flexible during the 6 months of the treatment, with olanzapine between 10 and 20 mg daily, and risperidone between 3–6 mg daily. The initial PANSS mean score was 92.2, with a GAF of 35.3 and a CGI-S of 5.1. Results All patients reached the week 24 visit of their evaluation, and the overall tolerablity of the antipsychotic treatment was good. All patients had lower PANSS scores at week 24 (the mean decrease was -25.6 points compared to baseline), higher GAF scores (+27.7 points), and lower CGI-S (-2.5 points). CSSRS did not change significantly during the 6 months, the score remained at minimum value, and the CDS scores also remained constantly under 3. ESRS recorded transient increments, but at week 12 they were not significantly increased reported at the baseline values, and no corrective medication was recommended throughout the 6 months for extrapyramidal symptoms. MSSS mean score did not change significantly at week 12 compared to its baseline values. Discussion Atypical antipsychotics are efficient and well tolerated in patients with schizophrenia and multiple sclerosis dual diagnosis. The positive effects of atypical antipsychotics maintained during the 6 months of monitoring and they had no significant impact over the multiple sclerosis symptoms. References

scholarly journals CLINICAL AND SOCIAL FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH VIOLENT BEHAVIOR IN PERSONS WITH SCHIZOPHRENIA SPECTRUM DISORDERS

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 775-780
Author(s):  
Nana Zavradashvili MD ◽  
◽  
Otar Toidze MD , PhD ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
Violent Behavior ◽  
Living Environment ◽  
Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Schizophrenia Spectrum ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Violent Acts ◽  
Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Persons With Schizophrenia

Study of the relationship between mental disorder and violent behavior is critical both from a public health perspective and for the proper planning and development of mental health services.However, the complex contribution of clinical, historical and environmental risk factors for violence in persons with schizophrenia remains unclear. The aim of the study was to identify clinical and social risk factors for violence in patients with schizophrenia and schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSD) using a case-control design. Cases were defined as patients with SSD who had committed at least one act of offence in the past (94 patients wereenrolled from forensic psychiatricward). Controls were genderand age matched patients with SSD who had never committed violent acts (106 patients from general psychiatric services).A standard set of instruments was used to assess patients exposure to a variety of risk factors. Data were collected through patient interviews and medical records.Study results showed, that increased risk of violence was associated with severity of positive psychotic symptoms, diagnosis of delusional disorder, irregular or no contacts with mental health services. Significant risk factors for serious violent acts were associated with comorbid alcohol misuse, impulsivity,persecutory delusions,decreased emotional responseand unsatisfactory living environment. Study confirmed that the interaction of social andclinicalfactorswith treatment related factors played an important role as determinants of violence. These factors should be the focus of treatment and management of patients with SSD to prevent violent behavior.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document