Nature Of Illness Research Articles

Stigma and Discrimination of family care giver's (FCG) – A Barrier in mental illness: Scoping Review

Mental disorders are considered as invisible disorders as they are overlooked by patients, caregivers, health professionals, and policymakers yet cause significant health burdens. People with mental illness are subjected to high levels of stigma and discrimination because of widely held misconceptions about the causes and nature of mental illness. varies from 43% to 83%. Stigma and discrimination can occur in one or the other form. The co-occurrence of five components of stigma includes labelling, stereotyping, separation, status loss, and discrimination”. Literature identifies different types of mental health-related stigma, including self-stigma, public stigma, professional stigma, and institutional stigma. Stigma in mental illness is a serious social problem that has a multitude of consequences on the individual concerned and his or her family. This paper throws light on the extent, problems associated, consequence and strategies to overcome stigma and burden among family caregivers so that the family members consider mental illness as disease which requires treatment.

Wonder, delusions and meaning.

Strands of thought in the philosophy of mind offer another way of looking at the nature of mental illness and how it arises from intense emotional states. Analysing the phenomenon of wonder is suggested as a novel approach to explaining delusions and variations in insight.

The Utilization of Cultural Movements to Overcome Stigma in Narrative of Postnatal Depression.

Background: Despite affecting 15% of new mothers, experience of postnatal depression has often been hidden by stigma, cultural beliefs, and lack of medical understanding. We examined the barriers to women sharing their experience and gaining help, using their own words to illuminate the experiences of stigma and injustice. This study examines the narratives of women across the twentieth century, explores cultural movements that framed and contextualized their experiences, and marks how women became more empowered to speak of maternal distress.Methods: Narrative literature was identified via searches of literature catalogs. Narrative accounts provided a lens through which to analyze cultural understandings of postnatal depression according to historical method. Contemporary medical and sociological literature discussing postnatal depression was used to contextualize the social climate within which these narratives were written. This work combines historical analysis with philosophical framework to develop insight into patient experiences of mental ill-health and associated stigma.Results: This research identified three core cultural movements providing women with a framework in which to discuss their experiences of postnatal depression: the labor movement in the early twentieth century, the second-wave feminism movement in the mid-twentieth century (ca. 1960–1980), and the so-called “Prozac revolution” emerging at the end of the twentieth century. These movements provided distinct culturally acceptable etiologies around which women were able to frame their experience of postnatal depression. This provided women with space in which to share and process their experiences and aided them in overcoming contemporary stigma against mental illness by challenging disparaging stereotypes of the depressed mother.Conclusions: Despite the stigmatizing nature of mental illness, women have demonstrated resilience and ingenuity by utilizing acceptable cultural movements to reframe their experiences of postnatal depression, challenging traditional perceptions of motherhood and effectively earned recognition of their sufferings. During this period, concordance between patient perceptions of postnatal depression and clinical understandings of the condition has been variable. Highlighting the detriment to therapeutic relationship when discordance is present, the narrators have demonstrated the need to destigmatize illness and facilitate cooperation between physician and patient and remind clinicians of the importance of placing patient experience at the center of care.

Social Disconnection in Late Life Mental Illness – Commentary From the National Institute of Mental Health

Social Disconnection in Late Life Mental Illness – Commentary From the National Institute of Mental Health

Upper secondary students’ perceptions of the effects of expanded student services on their mental health literacy

ABSTRACT This case study explores students’ perceptions of the effects of expanded student services on their mental health literacy (MHL). The data is derived from a pilot project that provides additional resources for health care professionals and social workers in an upper secondary school (students aged 16–19) to better enable them to enhance the mental health literacy of the students. MHL comprises students’ knowledge about the antecedents of and risk factors for mental health problems, the nature of mental illness, the lgocation of resources and the promotion of positive mental health. The majority of students (>70%) reported improved MHL as a result of their participation in the pilot project. They found it easier to contact health professionals and to speak openly about mental health issues, and they also reported increased knowledge about mental health due to the project. Still, in comparison to the female students the male students found it easier to talk about mental health with teachers, school counsellors and school nurses. Implications of the study will be discussed.

Directing O'Neill: Mourning Becomes Electra, Long Day's Journey Into Night, Desire Under the Elms, Days Without End

Directing O'Neill: <i>Mourning Becomes Electra, Long Day's Journey Into Night, Desire Under the Elms, Days Without End</i>

Attitudes toward mental illness, mentally ill persons, and help-seeking among the Saudi public and sociodemographic correlates.

BackgroundIt has been reported that the majority of individuals with mental illnesses (MIs) do not seek help. Few studies have focused on correlates of a positive attitude toward professional help-seeking for MI. This study aimed to determine levels of knowledge, perception, and attitudes toward MI, determine attitudes toward mental health help-seeking, and identify sociodemographic predictors of correct knowledge and favorable attitudes among the Saudi public.MethodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted on 650 Saudi adults aged >18 years who attended the Saudi Jenadriyah annual cultural and heritage festival during February 2016. The previously validated Attitudes to Mental Illness Questionnaire was used. Attitude to professional help-seeking was also assessed, using a tool retrieved from the World Mental Health Composite International Diagnostic Interview part II. Multiple regression analyses were applied, and statistical significance considered at P<0.05.ResultsThe majority of the Saudi public reported lack of knowledge about the nature of MI (87.5%, percentage mean score [PMS] 45.02±19.98), negative perception (59%, PMS 59.76±9.16), negative attitudes to MI (66.5%, PMS 65.86±7.77), and negative attitudes to professional help-seeking (54.5%, PMS 62.45±8.54). Marital status was a predictor of knowledge (t=−3.12, P=0.002), attitudes to MI (t=2.93, P=0.003), and attitudes to help-seeking (t=2.20, P=0.03). Attitudes to help-seeking were also predicted by sex (t=−2.72, P=0.007), employment (t=3.05, P=0.002), and monthly income (t=2.79, P=0.005). Perceptions toward the mentally ill were not predicted by these socioeconomic characteristics (P>0.05).ConclusionThe Saudi public reported lack of knowledge of MI and stigmatizing attitudes toward people with MI in relation to treatment, work, marriage, and recovery and toward professional help-seeking. Sociodemographic characteristics predicted correct knowledge and favorable attitudes, while Saudi culture was the likely factor behind negative judgments about mentally ill persons. Efforts to challenge this negative publicity and stigma through antistigma campaigns and public education through schools and media are recommended.

Ethical Issues of Psychiatric Nursing in Japan: A Literature Review

Aim: The aim of this paper is to examine the latest research and literature related to psychiatric nursing in Japan in orderto shed light on the ethical challenges that the field currently faces. Methods: A literature search was conducted using the keywords psychiatric nursing and nursing ethics within the searchsystem of the Japan Medical Abstracts Society. We examined recent literature (2013–2018) as well as research articles onexcited literature. Result: We examined 24 of literatures related to ethics in psychiatric nursing. These studies showed that psychiatricnurses perceive their ethical dilemmas to be “an inability to respect the patient’s wishes,” “restricting the movement ofpatients,” “conflict between patients and their families,” “interaction with patients,” and “insufficient communicationbetween treatment providers.” Discussion: Problems that psychiatric nurses in Japan perceived as ethical dilemmas arise from the nature of mental illnesses and are ethical quandaries that every country must deal with. One of the reasons psychiatric nurses in Japan feel that restricting the movement of patients creates an ethical dilemma has to do with the country’s former yet longstanding practice of committing mentally disabled individuals to psychiatric facilities. Some of Japan’s cultural aspects that influence ethical issues in psychiatric treatment are its family system and its methods of human interaction. Conclusion: It is essential that psychiatric nurses understand their own culture and maintain an ethical view as members of the nursing profession.

Zwischen ethischer Neutralität und Dehumanisierung

AbstractIt is an undoubted fact that neuroscientific models of explanation play a crucial role in the realms of science and public life. Besides some noteworthy theoretical problems (unserious experimental set-ups, mis- or overinterpretation, illegitimate analogies, etc.) there are also practical problems concerning the neuroscientific explanation monopoly. To bring those problems to light, it is reasonable to concentrate on a specific and currently prominent version of modelling – namely that undertaken by so-called biological psychiatry. In this article, it will be shown that the controversy concerning biological psychiatry is often guided by several misunderstandings and wrong-headed accusations. The article starts by giving a minimal definition of biological psychiatry which can be used as a common ground for further argumentation. It differentiates three subprojects of biological psychiatry and examines their risks and potentials in more detail. In sum, the article argues for a nuanced attitude towards biological psychiatry: If we are concerned with diagnostic practices and biological underpinnings of mental illnesses we are well-informed by the methods of biological psychiatry. However, if we want to know something about the nature of mental illnesses, we should imagine other projects which are theoretically much better equipped to answer ontological questions.

Experiences of Patients with Mental Illness' Interactions with Medical Students: A Systematic Review.

Mental health is a key area for learning within undergraduate medical education. Given the nature of mental illness, interactions may have the potential to uniquely affect patients. This study set out to systematically review studies reporting experiences and perceptions of patients with mental illness' clinical interactions with medical students. This includes which factors encourage patients to interact with medical students and if patients perceive negative and positive effects from these interactions. Studies reporting patient experiences of involvement in undergraduate medicine were included. A standardised search of online databases was carried out independently by 2 authors and consensus reached on the inclusion of studies. Data extraction and quality assessment were also completed independently, after which a content analysis of interventions was conducted and key themes extracted. Studies were included from peer-reviewed journals, in any language. Eight studies from 5 countries were included, totaling 1088 patients. Most patients regarded interacting with medical students as a positive experience. Patients described feeling comfortable with medical students, and the majority believed it is important for students to 'see real patients'. Patients described benefits to them as enjoyment, being involved in student education, and developing an illness narrative. Results suggest that most patients with mental illness want to interact with medical students, and this should be encouraged during student placements. Further research, however, is required to understand in more depth what else can be done to improve the comfort and willingness for patients to interact with students, including barriers to this.

Mental illness in Bwindi, Uganda: Understanding stakeholder perceptions of benefits and barriers to developing a community-based mental health programme.

BackgroundMental illness has been increasingly recognised as a source of morbidity in low- and middle-income countries and significant treatment gaps exist worldwide. Studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of task sharing through community-based treatment models for addressing international mental health issues.AimThis paper aims to evaluate the perceptions of a wide range of mental health stakeholders in a Ugandan community regarding the benefits and barriers to developing a community-based mental health programme.SettingBwindi Community Hospital (BCH) in south-west Uganda provides services through a team of community health workers to people in the Kanungu District.MethodsThematic analysis of 13 semi-structured interviews and 6 focus group discussions involving 54 community members and 13 mental health stakeholders within the BCH catchment area.ResultsStakeholders perceived benefits to a community-based compared to a hospital-based programme, including improved patient care, lower costs to patients and improved community understanding of mental illness. They also cited barriers including cost, insufficient workforce and a lack of community readiness.ConclusionsStakeholders express interest in developing community-based mental health programmes, as they feel that it will address mental health needs in the community and improve community awareness of mental illness. However, they also report that cost is a significant barrier to programme development that will have to be addressed prior to being able to successfully establish such programming. Additionally, many community members expressed unique sociocultural beliefs regarding the nature of mental illness and those suffering from a psychiatric disease.

Different communication strategies for disclosing a diagnosis of schizophrenia and related disorders.

Delivering the diagnosis of a serious illness is an important skill in most fields of medicine, including mental health. Research has found that communication skills can impact on a person's recall and understanding of the diagnosis, treatment options and prognosis. People may feel confused and perplexed when information about their illness is not communicated properly. Sharing information about diagnosis of a serious mental illness is particularly challenging. The nature of mental illness is often difficult to explain since there may be no clear aetiology, and the treatment options and prognosis may vary enormously. In addition, newly diagnosed psychiatric patients, who are actively ill, often may not accept their diagnosis due to lack of insight or stigma attached to the condition. There are several interventions that aim to help clinicians to communicate life changing medical diagnoses to people; however, little is known specifically for delivering a diagnosis of schizophrenia. To evaluate evidence from randomised controlled trials (RCTs) for the efficacy of different communication strategies used by clinicians to inform people about the diagnosis and outcome of schizophrenia compared with treatment as usual and to compare efficacy between different communication strategies. On 22 June 2015 and 29 June 2016, we searched the Cochrane Schizophrenia Group's Study-Based Register of Trials. We also searched sources of grey literature (e.g., dissertations, theses, clinical reports, evaluations published on websites, clinical guidelines and reports from regulatory agencies). We planned to include all relevant RCTs that included adults with schizophrenia or related disorders, including schizophreniform disorder, schizoaffective disorder and delusional disorder. The trials would have investigated the effects of communication strategy or strategies that helped clinicians deliver information specifically about a diagnosis of schizophrenia (which can also include communication regarding the treatment options available and prognosis). Review authors independently examined all reports from the searches for any relevant studies. We planned to extract data independently. For binary outcomes, we would have calculated risk ratio (RR) and its 95% confidence interval (CI), on an intention-to-treat basis. For continuous data, we would have estimated the mean difference (MD) between groups and its 95% CI. We would have employed a random-effects model for analyses. We planned to assess risk of bias for included studies. We created a 'Summary of findings' table using GRADE. The searches identified 44 records which appeared to be relevant to the aims of the review. We obtained full reports for seven potential studies; however, after close inspection none of these studies met the inclusion criteria. Good communication of diagnosis can affect treatment planning, compliance and patient outcomes, especially in the case of conditions such as schizophrenia, which has the potential to cause serious life disruption for both people with schizophrenia and their carers. Currently, there is no evidence based on findings from RCTs assessing the effects of communication strategies for disclosing the diagnosis of schizophrenia and related disorders. Research is required.

Human Rights That Influence The Mentally Ill Patient In South African Medical Law: A Discussion of Sections 9; 27; 30 and 31 of the Constitution

The personalised nature of mental illness obscures from general view the intolerable burden of private and public distress that people with serious mental illness carry. Invariably the mentally ill person encounters rejection and humiliation that are in some way tantamount to a "second illness." The combination either disrupts or puts beyond reach the usual personal and social life stages of marriage, family life, raising children, sexual relationships, the choice of treatment, affordable housing, transportation, education and gainful employment. As a result of their lack of financial and social support and their experience of rejection from society, persons with mental illness tend to neglect themselves and their diet, and frequently delay seeking treatment. Against this background, this contribution critically focuses on the human rights that influence the mentally ill patient in South African medical law. Specific attention is paid to the relevance and meaning of sections 9 (the equality clause), 27 (access to health care services), 30 and 31 (language, culture and religion) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996.

Atomic psychiatry? An essay.

This article aims to address the need to rethink the classification of mental illness and to draw attention to the current use of quantum biology and its likely future use in understanding the nature of mental illness. It is desirable to separate out neuroscience and clinical research and to become better acquainted with the concepts of quantum mechanical/quantum biological theory and its contribution to medicine.

Spirituality meanings reported by Southeast Brazilian nursing staff at the psychiatric ward of a university general hospital: A clinical-qualitative study

IntroductionDespites nursing holistic trends for caring, in psychiatric wards of general hospitals the spiritual dimension remains controversy. Evidence shows spirituality rule in recovering and also alerts about complications associated to mental disorders and spirituality.AimTo describe spirituality meanings attributed by a psychiatric nursing team and discuss how they apply them on professional cares.MethodClinical-qualitative design is a particularization of generic qualitative strategies brought from humanities to approach symbolic research questions in clinical settings. A semi-directed interview with open-ended question, in-depth, was carried out with a team of 22 nursing professionals in the psychiatric ward of a general hospital in Southeast Brazil. Data analysis was driven under the Ricoeur understanding of Freudian symbolic meaning, which affirm that a statement revels multiple meanings overwritten.ResultsSpirituality is developed from several sources of restlessness and living together. The function of spirituality is to help fulfill social roles, keep internal balance and to maintain sacred practice attitudes towards life that brings symbolic salvation: help or redemption to hard life times. Nature of mental illness remains as spiritual stigma and a suspicion contradictorily to spiritual approach caring to patients in inpatients services, which is described, as inappropriate or confusable.ConclusionsEven spirituality meanings are covered by symbolism, which expresses human attitudes to help in life crises they are surrounded by contradictions that situate this dimension in the limit of reason, which approximates carriers and patients causing weirdness. Nursing staff still needs training to deliver holistic care, and spiritual counseling to gain clarity in this issue.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Stigma versus Mental Health Literacy

Background: A sound mental health is the key component of health and the absence of mental health could create a great deal of burden to the functioning of a nation. As well the attitudes of the public towards mental health issues are important factors in fighting the stigma with mental disorders&#x0D; Aim: To investigate the Saudi people level of mental health literacy and attitudes regarding mental disorders and those affected people.&#x0D; Participants and Methods: A descriptive cross sectional survey was used and a convenient sample of 255 subjects from general Saudi population attending to general public collections area, such as, shopping malls, universities, and restaurants in Jeddah city. The tool consisted of sociodemographic data sheet and self-administered checklist developed by Kumar et al., 2012 for assessing the attitude and awareness level of public towards mental disorders.&#x0D; Results: A total of 255 people were interviewed. Most of the respondents 66.3% were females and the majority of the studied population have little awareness and had negative attitude toward the nature of mental illness as well 72.2% indicted that Evil Spirit causing mental illness. Negative attitude responses were ranging from 47 -57% regarding stigmatization, after effect and treatment.&#x0D; Conclusion and recommendations: the findings concluded that there was a decreased level of mental health literacy among studied population as well as negative attitudes and stigmatization of mental illness. Therefore, more work needs to be done to educate the public about the psychobiological underpinnings of psychiatric disorders and the value of effective treatments.

Technology in Mental Health: Creating New Knowledge and Inventing the Future of Services.

The mental health services now in place are intrinsically linked with the technology that has been at our disposal for decades of research and practice. Advancements in Web, mobile, sensor, and informatics technology can do more than serve as tools to enhance existing models of care. Novel technologies can help us better understand the very nature of mental illness and revise our fundamental assumptions about the structure, boundaries, and modalities of mental health treatment. Recognizing the unprecedented opportunities new technology offers to improve the outcomes of people with mental illness, Psychiatric Services announces a new column on technology and mental health.

‘Everyone knew everyone’s business’: Being a parent with housing issues in rural areas

This research explored the intersection between participants’ parenting role and housing difficulties, in rural communities. Thirteen parents were recruited from drug and alcohol and mental health agencies in rural Australia. Transcripts were analysed using content analysis, along with inter-rater reliability. The quandary of gaining access to their children while living in inadequate housing was indicated. Participants also described the ‘spiral’ nature of problems, highlighting the interrelated nature of mental illness, substance use, housing difficulties and losing access to children. The impacts of housing problems on parenting roles and children were described as well as those supports considered to be useful in obtaining appropriate housing. Living in rural areas where ‘everyone knew everyone’ made it difficult for some to obtain housing. The need to address housing, parenting, mental illness and substance abuse as interrelated, rather than as singular issues is highlighted.

Recovery and Quality of Life in Mental Illness

Quality of life (QOL) is an emerging area of research for mental illnesses mirroring the recent surge of interest in patient reported outcome measures across a range of chronic illnesses in medicine. Given the nature of mental illnesses and the broad overarching concept of quality of life there are several issues related to the definition of the concept itself. There are unique challenges in measuring QOL for mental illnesses and the role of cultural factors also cannot be ignored. Psychiatric rehabilitation consists of a variety of interventions that target functional outcomes rather than control of symptoms alone. The recovery based approach of psychosocial rehabilitation in many ways is geared to individualizing care and ultimately improving quality of life.

“A Geography of Disparate Spirits”: Pathology as Oppression in “A Woman is Talking to Death” and “Mental”

This article foregrounds Judy Grahn's commitment to social justice and chiefly considers her nine-part poems: “A Woman is Talking to Death” and “Mental.” These poems illuminate the socially constructed nature of mental illness and challenge readers to consider how and why the characters within them are deemed mentally ill. Little, if any, scholarship has been devoted to using Grahn's poetry, and particularly “Mental,” as a framework for analyzing the pathologization of people, especially women, relative to the system of mental health. Her work remains relevant to critical conversations that illuminate contemporary issues of oppression that still haunt us today.