scholarly journals A case for psychosocial interventions to prevent mental illness

2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (05) ◽  
pp. 333-334
Author(s):  
Tom K. J. Craig
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Psychosocial Interventions ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Early Years ◽  
Mental Illnesses ◽  
The Other ◽  
Targeted Intervention ◽  
Psychosocial Conditions ◽  
The Many

SUMMARYThe development of effective preventions for psychosis is hindered by conceptual challenges underlying diagnosis and the fact that few of the many biological risk factors identified to date are sufficiently well understood to form the basis of a targeted intervention. On the other hand, a great deal is known of the psychosocial conditions that increase the lifetime risk of most mental illnesses: surely enough to justify better resourcing of interventions focused on antenatal care and the emotional well-being of children from the early years through adolescence, where as much as a half of all mental ill health has its roots.DECLARATION OF INTERESTNone.

scholarly journals Time for a shift in focus in schizophrenia: From narrow phenotypes to broad endophenotypes

2005 ◽  
Vol 187 (3) ◽  
pp. 203-205 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark Weiser ◽  
Jim van Os ◽  
Michael Davidson
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Genetic Factors ◽  
The Other ◽  
Social Impairment ◽  
Response To Treatment ◽  
Social Impairments ◽  
Biological Explanation ◽  
Biological Substrate ◽  
The One

SummaryMany manifestations of mental illness, risk factors, course and even response to treatment are shared by several diagnostic groups. For example, cognitive and social impairments are present to some degree in most DSM and ICD diagnostic groups. The idea that diagnostic boundaries of mental illness, including schizophrenia, have to be redefined is reinforced by recent findings indicating that on the one hand multiple genetic factors, each exerting a small effect, come together to manifest as schizophrenia, and on the other hand, depending on interaction with the environment, the same genetic variations can present as diverse clinical phenotypes. Rather than attempting to find a unitary biological explanation for a DSM construct of schizophrenia, it would be reasonable to deconstruct it into the most basic manifestations, some of which are common with other DSM constructs, such as cognitive or social impairment, and then investigate the biological substrate of these manifestations.

Chronic Mental Illnesses and Homelessness

2017 ◽  
pp. 1-20
Author(s):  
Prerna Kukreti ◽  
Prerna Khanna ◽  
Amit Khanna
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
General Population ◽  
National Level ◽  
Economic Problem ◽  
Mental Illnesses ◽  
Homeless Population ◽  
Accurate Data ◽  
The West ◽  
Design Models

Homelessness is a complex socio-economic problem complicated by individual attributes and risk factors. The burning issue of homelessness has been a subject of concern in the modern day world often stretching the existing administrative system to innovate and design models for managing the same. With the changing definitions of homelessness, the estimates have also varied across cultures and countries. Because of the inherent difficulty in studying homelessness, accurate estimates of the number of homeless are lacking. Most studies in the West report that approximately 288 per 10,000 people are homeless. With the accurate data on homelessness lacking, the estimates of mental illness amongst homeless is even more obscure. The prevalence of mental illness amongst homeless is higher than that compared to the general population. Researchers have theorized various stressors related to homelessness as precipitating factors of mental illness. There is dearth of literature on mental illness in homeless population which is representative of the homeless population at a national level.

Use of Social Networking Sites by People with Health Issues

2017 ◽  
pp. 40-60
Author(s):  
Tatsuya Imai
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Social Networking ◽  
Social Networking Sites ◽  
Perceived Social Support ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Physical Illness ◽  
Mental Illnesses ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
The Impact

Previous studies have found that the use of social networking sites (SNSs) is associated with the user's positive outcomes such as perceived social support and psychological well-being (Ellison, Steinfield, & Lampe, 2007; Nabi, Prestin, & So, 2012). To seek those positive influences, those with health issues such as physical illness or mental illness actively use SNSs (e.g., Shpigelman & Gill, 2014a; Gowen, Deschaine, Gruttadara, & Markey, 2012). The first aim of this chapter is to describe previous studies on the use of SNSs by those with health issues such as mental illnesses, HIV/AIDS, cancer, intellectual disabilities, and diabetes. The second aim is to propose a new direction of research on the use of SNSs by those with health issues: the impact of stigma on communication on SNSs.

Biotechnology – opportunities for Europe

2004 ◽  
Vol 31 ◽  
pp. 135-139
Author(s):  
C. Warkup
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Food Production ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Human Medicine ◽  
Early Years ◽  
The Other ◽  
Human Stem Cells ◽  
The World ◽  
Impartial Observer ◽  
The Many

The title of this paper, as proposed by the meeting organisers, implies that Europe is different when it comes to biotechnology. In the early years of the 21st Century, even an impartial observer would agree that Europe differs from most of the rest of the world in its attitudes to at least one biotechnology – Genetically Modified (GM) crops. On the other hand, parts of Europe are seen as relatively enthusiastic about applications of biotechnology in human medicine. Take for instance, the UK's stance on research with human stem cells. Do these differences reflect permanent differences or merely a more cautious approach in Europe to the adoption of biotechnology in food production? Does this matter to pig producers?This paper seeks to give a broad and shallow overview of the opportunities for developments in biotechnology to impact on pig production. It will consider which of the many potential new technologies, if they were available now, might be acceptable in Europe and what might be the consequences of failure to access technologies that others exploit.

The Impact of Mental Factor as an Indicator of the Population State of Health

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. S89-S90
Author(s):  
A. Vasileva ◽  
N. Neznanov
Keyword(s):  
Common Knowledge ◽  
Life Quality ◽  
Interdisciplinary Approach ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Modern Medicine ◽  
Mental Illnesses ◽  
The Other ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
State Of Health ◽  
The Impact

In the framework of biopsychosocial model of health and pathology that is nowadays widely recognized in the different fields of modern medicine the mind, building the core of personality and the brain as the central regulatory organ play an essential role in the interdisciplinary approach to somatic illnesses. It is a common knowledge that comorbid anxiety and depression disorders can influence the course of various somatic illnesses and worsen their prognosis. We also have evidence-based studies that depression for example is an independent risk factor of heart infarct onset. On the other hand, we observe the somatization of clinical picture of mental disorders, the increase of atypical forms manifesting through pain or other somatic syndromes that leads to the increase of mental illnesses in the primary care. The research of common pathways of mental and somatic pathology should be the subject of further interdisciplinary research programs. The other issue is the patient's compliance that plays in important role in the success of every kind of treatment. Personality traits and status of mental health can influence ones attitude to illness as well as motivation to therapy. We cannot assess the population state of health without taking into consideration the evaluation of mental status as well as such definitions like subjective well being, life quality and stigmatization.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

A well-being programme in severe mental illness. reducing risk for physical ill-health: A post-programme service evaluation at 2 years

2007 ◽  
Vol 22 (7) ◽  
pp. 413-418 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shubulade Smith ◽  
David Yeomans ◽  
Chris J.P. Bushe ◽  
Cecilia Eriksson ◽  
Tom Harrison ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Cardiovascular Risk ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Severe Mental Illness ◽  
Cardiovascular Risk Factors ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Service Evaluation ◽  
Support Programme

AbstractintroductionCardiovascular disease is more prevalent in patients with severe mental illness (SMI) than in the general population.MethodSeven geographically diverse centres were assigned a nurse to monitor the physical health of SMI patients in secondary care over a 2-year period in the “Well-being Support Programme” (WSP). A physical health screen was performed and patients were given individual weight and lifestyle advice including smoking cessation to reduce cardiovascular risk.ResultsNine hundred and sixty-six outpatients with SMI >2 years were enrolled. The completion rate at 2 years was 80%. Significant improvements were observed in levels of physical activity (p < 0.0001), smoking (p < 0.05) and diet (p < 0.0001). There were no changes in mean BMI although 42% lost weight over 2 years. Self-esteem improved significantly. Low self-esteem decreased from 43% at baseline to 15% at 2 years (p < 0.0001). At the end of the programme significant cardiovascular risk factors remained, 46% of subjects smoked, 26% had hypertension and 81% had BMI >25.ConclusionPhysical health problems are common in SMI subjects. Many patients completed 2 years follow up suggesting that this format of programme is an acceptable option for SMI patients. Cardiovascular risk factors were significantly improved. interventions such as the Well-being Support Programme should be made widely available to people with SMI.

scholarly journals Deep transcriptome sequencing of subgenual anterior cingulate cortex reveals disorder-specific expression changes in major psychiatric disorders

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nirmala Akula ◽  
Stefano Marenco ◽  
Kory Johnson ◽  
Ningping Feng ◽  
Joanna Cross ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Anterior Cingulate Cortex ◽  
Genetic Risk ◽  
Cingulate Cortex ◽  
Genetic Risk Factors ◽  
Mental Illnesses ◽  
Anterior Cingulate ◽  
Subgenual Anterior Cingulate Cortex ◽  
Common Genetic Variants

ABSTRACTHow do differences in onset, symptoms, and treatment response arise between various mental illnesses despite substantial overlap of genetic risk factors? To address this question, we carried out deep RNA sequencing of human postmortem subgenual anterior cingulate cortex, a key component of limbic circuits linked to mental illness. Samples were obtained from 200 individuals diagnosed with bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or major depression, and controls. Differential expression analysis in cases versus controls detected modest differences that were similar across disorders, although transcript-level differences were more pronounced. Case-case comparisons revealed greater expression differences between disorders, including many genes and transcripts that were expressed in opposite directions in each diagnostic group, compared to controls. Relative transcript abundances were associated with common genetic variants that accounted for disproportionate fractions of diagnosis-specific heritability. Inherited genetic risk factors shape the brain transcriptome and contribute to diagnostic differences between broad classes of mental illness.

scholarly journals Cues for different diagnostic patterns of interpersonal violence in a psychiatric sample: an observational study

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dalila Talevi ◽  
Alberto Collazzoni ◽  
Alessandro Rossi ◽  
Paolo Stratta ◽  
Monica Mazza ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Mood Disorder ◽  
Personality Disorders ◽  
Interpersonal Violence ◽  
Mental Illnesses ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
People With Mental Illness ◽  
Violent Behaviors ◽  
Increased Risk

Abstract Background. Interpersonal violence has increased as a health concern especially in the psychiatry practice over the last decades; nevertheless, most patients with stable mental illness do not present an increased risk of violence and a mental disorder is not a necessary or sufficient cause of violent behaviors. People with mental illness endorse more often a number of risk factors for violence that could confound this association, such as young age and male gender. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of age, gender, and diagnosis on reported levels of interpersonal violence in a sample of people with severe mental illnesses. Methods. The sample was composed of 160 inpatients: 73 with psychosis, 53 with mood disorder and 34 with personality disorder. All patients enrolled in the study were assessed for experiences of victimization and perpetration of interpersonal violence using the Karolinska Interpersonal Violence Scale interview. Demographic variables were also collected. Results. Violence negatively correlated with age. Compared to males, females were exposed to higher degree of violence (for both victimizations in childhood and adulthood), whereas males were more involved in the perpetration of violence (only for perpetration in childhood). Among diagnoses, personality disorders are associated with higher levels of interpersonal violence. An interaction effect of gender and diagnosis was also observed for expression of violence in adulthood. Distinct patterns of interpersonal violence did emerge for the diagnostic entities with mood disorder showing a victimization pattern, personality disorders a perpetration pattern and psychoses a less defined pattern. Conclusions. The main finding is that psychoses, mood disorders and personality disorders have different patterns of violent experiences when combined with age and gender. This study offers a step towards a better understanding of the extent to which gender and age could affect violent behaviors. Moreover, study findings may increase the comprehension of the reason why some mental disorders, compared to others, are more associated with the risk of victimization or perpetration of violence. These patterns could have pathophysiological or pathoplastic meaning addressing clinical and diagnostic trajectories interacting with other intervening risk factors.

The impact of inequality on mental illness: thematic analysis on clinical notes

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristina Brenisin ◽  
Elizabeth Akinwande ◽  
Aile Trumm ◽  
Kieran Breen
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Qualitative Approach ◽  
Living Environment ◽  
Early Years ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Clinical Notes ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The concept of inequality can be described as not being treated equally to everyone else in society. While previous studies have explored the concept of inequality and its impact on mental illness, these have been primarily quantitative. The details of experiences and potential impacts of inequalities by patients prior to admission into secure care have not been investigated comprehensively using a qualitative approach, which will identify individualised factors that may contribute to the development of mental ill-health. This study aims to explore whether those with multiple disadvantages are at greater risk of developing mental illness. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative study of patients’ clinical notes upon admission to a secure in-patient facility was conducted using a thematic analytical approach to investigate the key inequalities reported by patients with mental health problems. The topic of inequality was examined by assessing the clinical notes of 21 patients who were under treatment at the time of the study. Findings The majority of patients experienced multiple inequalities which impacted negatively on their mental health status. Three main themes that were identified were – a disrupted living environment, disturbed childhood and the importance of support. The thematic analysis has shown that the majority of the patients were exposed to numerous societal disadvantages in association with challenging life events in their early years and these have impacted significantly on their subsequent well-being. Practical implications When assessing the background to mental illness, it is important to gain a deep understanding of many inequalities that patients have faced prior to them developing their condition and, in particular, how these have combined to initiate the clinical manifestation. The study highlights the importance of raising awareness of how being treated unfairly, whether based on protected or non-protected characteristics, can contribute towards people becoming disadvantaged in society and ultimately making them more vulnerable to the development of mental health difficulties. Results of the study may inform the future use of inequalities as an integral component in the development of trauma-informed care. Originality/value This is the first study, to the authors’ knowledge, to consider intersectionality and admission to mental health units by adopting qualitative approach, specifically by reviewing patients’ clinical notes.

Epilogue

2020 ◽  
pp. 228-234
Author(s):  
Shilpi Rajpal
Keyword(s):  
Mental Illness ◽  
Medical Treatment ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The Other ◽  
Religious Practices ◽  
World Views ◽  
Other Hand

The emergence of professionalized psychiatry created a milieu where a plethora of healing practices and beliefs were regarded as primitive and superstitious charlatanism. More recently, psychiatrists and psychologists have come to accept the significance of healing cultures to the local members of communities who had little or no access to Western medical treatment. It has been proven that faith, socio-religious practices, and healing are often essential for recovery and well-being of those suffering from mental illness. On the other hand, many psychiatric practices including that of lobotomy and ECT have become redundant. The book has attempted to bring together rather disjointed world views of ‘scientific’ and religious, institutionalised and non-institutionalised, and colonial and nationalistic ideas on curing madness.

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