Treatment Of Serious Mental Illness Research Articles

"So Many Other Things Improve" with Transdiagnostic Treatment for Sleep and Circadian Problems: Interviews with Community Providers on Treating Clients with Serious Mental Illness.

Community mental health centers (CMHCs) offer invaluable, publicly-funded treatment for serious mental illness (SMI). Unfortunately, evidence-based psychological treatments are often not delivered at CMHCs, in part due to implementation barriers, such as limited time, high caseloads, and complex clinical presentations. Transdiagnostic treatments may help address these barriers, because they allow providers to treat symptoms across multiple disorders concurrently. However, little research has investigated CMHC providers' experiences of delivering transdiagnostic treatments "on the ground," particularly for adults with SMI. Thus, the aim of the present study was to assess CMHC providers' perspectives on delivering a transdiagnostic treatment - the Transdiagnostic Intervention for Sleep and Circadian Dysfunction (TranS-C) - to adults diagnosed with SMI. In the context of a larger parent trial, providers were randomized to deliver a standard version of TranS-C (Standard TranS-C) or a version adapted to the CMHC context (Adapted TranS-C). Twenty-five providers from the parent trial participated in a semi-structured interview (n = 10 Standard TranS-C; n = 15 from Adapted TranS-C). Responses were deductively and inductively coded to identify themes related to Proctor's taxonomy of implementation outcomes. Four novel "transdiagnostic take homes" were identified: (1) transdiagnostic targets, such as sleep, can be perceived as motivating and appropriate when treating SMI, (2) strategies to bolster client motivation/adherence and address a wider range of symptom severity may improve transdiagnostic treatments, (3) balancing feasibility with offering in-depth resources is an important challenge for transdiagnostic treatment development, and (4) adapting transdiagnostic treatments to the CMHC context may improve provider perceptions of implementation outcomes.

Exploring the Relationship between Food Insecurity, Chronic Health Conditions, and Serious Mental Illness in the United States: Implications for Social Work.

Food insecurity (FI) is a modifiable social determinant of health that impacts approximately 10 percent of the U.S. population. FI has been linked to poorer health outcomes and higher healthcare costs. Given the prevalence of chronic health conditions in the United States, including serious mental illness (SMI), the current study aims to better understand the relationship between FI and chronic conditions, including SMI, in a nationally representative sample. Authors analyzed data from the 2016 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey household component and food security supplement. Findings indicate the prevalence of FI among those with diabetes, lung disease, stroke, and SMI is higher than among the general population, with the prevalence for those with SMI being particularly high (43 percent of the sample). Logistic regression models indicate strong, statistically significant relationships between FI and chronic conditions, including SMI, as well as FI and two or more chronic illnesses, even when controlling for sociodemographic and health factors. There are likely bidirectional relationships between FI and chronic conditions. Findings have implications for social workers, in relation to prevention and treatment of SMI and FI through direct care, advocacy, and integrated services in health, mental health, and social services.

The Influence of Culture on the Cause, Diagnosis and Treatment of Serious Mental Illness (Ufufunyana): Perspectives of Traditional Health Practitioners in the Harry Gwala District, KwaZulu-Natal

Cultural beliefs influence the perceived cause, methods of diagnosis and treatment of mental illnesses. A qualitative study was conducted among traditional health practitioners (THPs) in the Harry Gwala District Municipality to further explore this influence. Purposive sampling assisted in the recruitment of 31 participants (9 males and 22 females). The four key themes this study investigated in relation to mental illness included its causes, methods of diagnosis, common symptoms observed and treatment approaches used by THPs, and the system of patient management. Culturally, mental illness was reported to be caused by witchcraft and an ancestral calling in this study. Mental illness was predominantly diagnosed by spiritual intervention which included divination through consultation with the ancestors, familial background, burning of incense which can also be part of communicating with the ancestors and through examining the patient. The common symptoms included aggression, hallucination and unresponsiveness. Prevalent modes of treatment included the use of a medicinal concoction and performing cultural rituals where ancestors and other spirits were assumed influential. The duration of the treatment process was dependent on guidance from the ancestors. Most causal aspects of mental illness from diagnosis to treatment seemed to be influenced by cultural beliefs and ancestors.

The Potential Role of the Ketogenic Diet in Serious Mental Illness: Current Evidence, Safety, and Practical Advice.

The ketogenic diet (KD) is a high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet that mimics the physiological state of fasting. The potential therapeutic effects in many chronic conditions have led to the gaining popularity of the KD. The KD has been demonstrated to alleviate inflammation and oxidative stress, modulate the gut microbiota community, and improve metabolic health markers. The modification of these factors has been a potential therapeutic target in serious mental illness (SMI): bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, and schizophrenia. The number of clinical trials assessing the effect of the KD on SMI is still limited. Preliminary research, predominantly case studies, suggests potential therapeutic effects, including weight gain reduction, improved carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, decrease in disease-related symptoms, increased energy and quality of life, and, in some cases, changes in pharmacotherapy (reduction in number or dosage of medication). However, these findings necessitate further investigation through larger-scale clinical trials. Initiation of the KD should occur in a hospital setting and with strict care of a physician and dietitian due to potential side effects of the diet and the possibility of exacerbating adverse effects of pharmacotherapy. An increasing number of ongoing studies examining the KD's effect on mental disorders highlights its potential role in the adjunctive treatment of SMI.

Relational continuity may give better clinical outcomes in patients with serious mental illness – a systematic review

BackgroundContinuity of care is considered important for results of treatment of serious mental illness (SMI). Yet, evidence of associations between relational continuity and different medical and social outcomes is sparse. Research approaches differ considerably regarding how to best assess continuity as well as which outcome to study. It has hitherto been difficult to evaluate the importance of relational continuity of care. The aim of this systematic review was to investigate treatment outcomes, including effects on resource use and costs associated with receiving higher relational continuity of care for patients with SMI.MethodsEleven databases were searched between January 2000 and February 2021 for studies investigating associations between some measure of relational continuity and health outcomes and costs. All eligible studies were assessed for study relevance and risk of bias by at least two independent reviewers. Only studies with acceptable risk of bias were included. Due to study heterogeneity the synthesis was made narratively, without meta-analysis. The certainty of the summarized result was assessed using GRADE. Study registration number in PROSPERO: CRD42020196518.ResultsWe identified 8 916 unique references and included 17 studies comprising around 300 000 patients in the review. The results were described with regard to seven outcomes. The results indicated that higher relational continuity of care for patients with serious mental illness may prevent premature deaths and suicide, may lower the number of emergency department (ED) visits and may contribute to a better quality of life compared to patients receiving lower levels of relational continuity of care. The certainty of the evidence was assessed as low or very low for all outcomes. The certainty of results for the outcomes hospitalization, costs, symptoms and functioning, and adherence to drug treatment was very low with the result that no reliable conclusions could be drawn in these areas.ConclusionsThe results of this systematic review indicate that having higher relational continuity of care may have beneficial effects for patients with severe mental illness, and no results have indicated the opposite relationship. There is a need for better studies using clear and distinctive measures of exposure for relational continuity of care.

Antipsychotic-induced weight gain and metabolic effects show diurnal dependence and are reversible with time restricted feeding

Antipsychotic drugs (AP) are highly efficacious treatments for psychiatric disorders but are associated with significant metabolic side-effects. The circadian clock maintains metabolic homeostasis by sustaining daily rhythms in feeding, fasting and hormone regulation but how circadian rhythms interact with AP and its associated metabolic side-effects is not well-known. We hypothesized that time of AP dosing impacts the development of metabolic side-effects. Weight gain and metabolic side-effects were compared in C57Bl/6 mice and humans dosed with APs in either the morning or evening. In mice, AP dosing at the start of the light cycle/rest period (AM) resulted in significant increase in food intake and weight gain compared with equivalent dose before the onset of darkness/active period (PM). Time of AP dosing also impacted circadian gene expression, metabolic hormones and inflammatory pathways and their diurnal expression patterns. We also conducted a retrospective examination of weight and metabolic outcomes in patients who received risperidone (RIS) for the treatment of serious mental illness and observed a significant association between time of dosing and severity of RIS-induced metabolic side-effects. Time restricted feeding (TRF) has been shown in both mouse and some human studies to be an effective therapeutic intervention against obesity and metabolic disease. We demonstrate, for the first time, that TRF is an effective intervention to reduce AP-induced metabolic side effects in mice. These studies identify highly effective and translatable interventions with potential to mitigate AP-induced metabolic side effects.

Innovations in Care Delivery for Patients With Serious Mental Illness Among Accountable Care Organizations.

This study examined whether and how organizations participating in accountable care organization (ACO) contracts integrate primary care and treatment for patients with serious mental illness. This study used responses to the 2017–2018 National Survey of ACOs (55% response rate) to measure ACO-reported use of three integrated care strategies: care manager to address physical health treatment coordination or nonmedical needs (e.g., job support and housing), patient registries to track physical health conditions, and primary care clinician colocated in a specialty mental health setting. Logistic regression was used to determine associations between ACO characteristics and strategy use. Of 399 respondents who answered questions on integration, 303 (76%) reported using at least one integrated care strategy in at least one location. Use of care managers (defined by the respondent) was most common (N=281, 70%), followed by use of a patient registry (N=146, 37%) and colocation of a primary care clinician in a specialty mental health setting (N=118, 30%). Respondents reporting that their largest Medicaid contract or largest commercial contract included quality measures specific to serious mental illness (e.g., antipsychotic adherence) were more likely to use each integrated care delivery strategy. Self-reported use of three collaborative care strategies (care management, patient registry, or mental health consulting clinician) for treatment of depression or anxiety was associated with use of integrated primary care and treatment for serious mental illness. In a national survey of ACOs, few respondents reported using either patient registries or primary care colocation to integrate primary care and treatment for serious mental illness.

Leveraging Digital Medicine to Support Providers and Their Patients in Managing Serious Mental Illness.

Recent national statistics show that an estimated 11.2 million American adults live with serious, chronic forms of mental illness. The burden of mental illness is considerable for these individuals, their families, and communities. Effective medical treatment for serious mental illness (SMI) requires a patient-centered approach that engages patients in shared decision-making and supports the therapeutic alliance. Information regarding medication-taking behavior is essential for making treatment decisions, particularly in the instance of suboptimal therapeutic response. However, the evidence suggests that the probability of nonconformity with prescribed medication is elevated for individuals with SMI and that clinicians often overestimate their patients' adherence to medication-taking behaviors. In patients with SMI, unidentified problems with adherence may lead to unnecessary changes in treatment regimen and increased rates of hospitalization. Although various approaches have been used to assess medication ingestion with greater accuracy, none are without limitation. The growing field of digital medicine has introduced tools that engage patients for clinical purposes, gather and organize clinical data, and help measure care quality. Physician surveys show an appreciable increase in physician adoption of digital clinical tools, and studies suggest that a significant population of patients with SMI own and are comfortable using digital devices and tools. Digital tools designed to help people with SMI have the potential to transform the support and care available to people with mental health disorders, bridging a technology gap in mental health services.

Multi-Site Evaluation of Immunoassays for Antipsychotic Drug Measurement in Clinical Samples.

Atypical antipsychotic drugs are frequently used in the treatment of serious mental illness (SMI), specifically schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Adherence to these prescribed drug regimens is a challenge to successful treatment with these drugs. For some of the more common drugs in this class, novel turbidimetric immunoassays have been developed for therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) to aid in the management of patients prescribed these drugs. Immunoassays for aripiprazole, clozapine, olanzapine, paliperidone, quetiapine, and risperidone were set up at 2 centers: Johns Hopkins Hospital (JHH) on the Roche Cobas® c501, and the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (HUP) on the Beckman AU480. Assay imprecision, limit of quantification (LOQ), functional sensitivity, linearity, and recovery were assessed. Remnant clinical samples were obtained from a reference laboratory (ARUP), and immunoassay results were compared with those obtained by LC-MS/MS. Imprecision at both sites for all analytes and concentrations tested was <10%. The manufacturer's LOQ was confirmed for each assay, and the functional sensitivity for each assay was found to be lower than the LOQ. All assays were found to be linear over the measuring range, with recoveries ranging from 91% to 123%. For method comparison, Deming regression slopes were found to be between 0.84 to 1.28. The immunoassays evaluated here are suitable for quantifying drug concentrations to be used in TDM for all 6 drugs. Commercialization of these assays will enable increased access for TDM in psychiatric patient management.

Cost Offsets of Treatment for Serious Mental Illness and Substance Use Disorder.

The authors examined whether timely treatment for serious mental illness and substance use disorder reduces overall health care costs in a 3-year period. Claims data from the IBM MarketScan Research Databases (2010-2017) were analyzed. The population studied included 2,997 Medicaid enrollees and 35,805 commercial insurance enrollees ages 18-64 years with an index event for a serious mental illness and 2,315 Medicaid enrollees and 28,419 commercial insurance enrollees with an index event for a substance use disorder. Health care costs in the 3 years after an index event were calculated for enrollees who received care that met a minimum threshold for treatment and for those who did not receive such care. The Toolkit for Weighting and Analysis of Nonequivalent Groups was used to control for statistically significant differences in pretreatment characteristics between the groups. All health care spending for enrollees who were engaged in behavioral health treatment for substance use disorder or a serious mental illness increased from year 0 to year 1 but decreased faster than the spending of enrollees who were not engaged in treatment, with larger trends for those engaged in substance use disorder treatment. Expenses for inpatient and emergency department care decreased over the 3 follow-up years; however, spending on outpatient services was significantly higher in all 3 follow-up years for those engaged in treatment. Health care delivery and payment models that improve access to behavioral health treatment may reduce emergency department, inpatient, and overall health care costs for particular subpopulations.

No involuntary treatment of mental illness in Australian and New Zealand prisons

ABSTRACT Reflecting worldwide trends, as the prison population in Australia and New Zealand has risen over the past decade, the number of inpatient beds available for the involuntary treatment of mentally ill prisoners transferred from correctional custody has not increased commensurately. In this context, there have been calls to allow involuntary treatment of serious mental illness in prisons. This narrative review considers the extent of unmet psychiatric need within prisons in Australia and New Zealand and considers whether there is any evidence base for involuntary treatment of serious mental illness in prisons. The review concludes that the involuntary treatment of serious mental illness in custodial settings is likely to compromise clinical care, carries a significant risk of serious harms, encourages inappropriate management of prisoners and breaches human rights conventions. The authors found no evidence of improved clinical outcomes or any other benefits directly or indirectly linked to involuntary treatment of serious mental illness in correctional settings. Finally, the review describes the Prison Mental Health Service in the Australian jurisdiction of Queensland and suggests that this represents a ‘best practice’ model for the management of mentally ill prisoners.

Telehealth Conversion of Serious Mental Illness Recovery Services During the COVID-19 Crisis.

Telehealth Conversion of Serious Mental Illness Recovery Services During the COVID-19 Crisis.

A social history of serious mental illness.

Despite medical, technological, and humanitarian advances, the criminalization of those with serious mental illness continues. This is not an isolated phenomenon. The benefits of treatment reform and innovation are difficult to maintain or sometimes outright harmful. Across time and geography, the care of those with serious mental illness tends towards maltreatment, be it criminalization or other forms of harm. We present a social history of serious mental illness, along with the idea that the treatment of serious mental illness is a Sisyphean task-perpetually pushing a boulder up a hill, only for it to roll down and start again. The history is provided as a basis for deeper reflection of treatment, and treatment reform, of those with serious mental illnesses.

Treatment of Serious Mental Illness in Medical and Mental Health Settings.

This study investigated service use by individuals with serious and nonserious mental illness receiving mental health care in medical and mental health settings. Claims data from the New York State Medicaid Data Warehouse were examined for 8,988 patients who received at least one mental health service at an urban academic medical center during 2017 at a mental health setting, a medical setting, or both. Most patients (59%) received all of their mental health care in medical settings and from unaffiliated providers, including a large portion (16%) with serious mental illness. Despite the availability of integrated care in the medical setting and use of unaffiliated mental health providers, rates of mental health inpatient admissions were high among all patients in this setting (including those with serious and with nonserious mental illness), considerably higher than for patients treated in a mental health clinic within the system. Rates of medical and substance abuse inpatient admissions were also much higher for patients treated in the medical setting and by unaffiliated providers, compared with those treated in the system's mental health clinics. Findings suggest that when mental health services are available in medical and mental health settings within the same system, either patients with more severe physical illnesses are more likely to receive their mental health care in medical settings and from unaffiliated providers and thus have more hospitalizations of all types or affiliated mental health settings more effectively address clinical needs and thus reduce hospitalizations.

Burden in Tunisian Family Caregivers of Older Patients with Schizophrenia Spectrum and Bipolar Disorders; Associations with Depression, Anxiety, Stress, and Quality of Life

ABSTRACT Background There are very little data on the burden among caregivers of older adults with severe mental diseases. We aimed to assess the perceived burden among caregivers of family members with schizophrenia spectrum and bipolar disorders. Method A cross-sectional study was carried out with 52 older patients with schizophrenia spectrum and bipolar disorders and their family caregivers. Caregivers were assessed with the medical outcome survey short form (SF-36), the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI) and the Depression Anxiety and Stress scales (DASS-21). Results Caregivers’ mental quality of life was impaired with an average mental score of 59.05. For a threshold value of 17, the level of perceived burden was considered as high for 42.3% of caregivers. After controlling for demographic variables (age and gender) and patients’ health-related variables (level of dependency, comorbidities, age onset of illness, number of hospitalizations and duration of clinical remission), caregivers’ levels of depression, stress, and SF-36 physical component significantly contributed to their perceived burden. Conclusions Certain modifiable risk factors play an inescapable role in increasing the level of burden among caregivers of older patients with serious mental illnesses. Clinical Implications Improving the quality of life and psychological well-being of family caregivers should be considered an integral part of treatment for serious mental illness in older adult patients.

Serious Games, Gamification, and Serious Mental Illness: A Scoping Review.

The use of serious games and gamification to promote learning has a long history. More recently, serious games and gamification have been used in clinical settings to promote treatment and recovery. Yet there is little evidence to support their use with populations that experience serious mental illness. A scoping review was used to answer the following research question, What is the current state of knowledge about how games and gamification are used to promote treatment of serious mental illness? Scoping reviews clarify, define, and develop conceptual boundaries within a topic area. Twenty studies were identified and reviewed by using thematic content analysis. A range of game types, formats, and technology were assessed. Six themes emerged from analysis. Serious games and the use of gamification to promote treatment have potential to engage persons with serious mental illness in game content and promote treatment outcomes. Game design that supported clear instruction, a coherent narrative, a smooth interface between mechanics and play, and service user involvement early in the process of game design were important for the successful promotion of engagement and learning. Games reviewed offered the opportunity for problem solving, collaboration, and goal-oriented activity that supported the delivery of therapeutic outcomes. The use of serious games and gamification to promote treatment of serious mental illness had high levels of feasibility and acceptability among both users and providers. The potential treatment value of games, however, is dependent on key features related to the games' design, operation, and rationale.

Recovery and Personhood in the Diagnostic Formulation and Treatment of Serious Mental Illness: A Commentary

The present article is a commentary on Pavlo and colleagues’ alternative person centered and recovery oriented diagnostic framework. Three strengths of the framework are identified, including the incorporation of an individual’s environment into the diagnostic formulation, an emphasis on individual strengths and the belief that they exist regardless of illness severity, and a resulting avoidance of stigmatization related to diagnostic labeling. Three potential areas of challenge and clarification are also identified, including how this approach is linked to outcome, how it is created through dialogue, and with what it is systematically concerned. Discussion of these challenges and suggestions for potential resolution are provided.

McCance-Katz Leads Effort to Focus SAMHSA on Serious Mental Illness

McCance-Katz Leads Effort to Focus SAMHSA on Serious Mental Illness

Risperidone versus other antipsychotics for people with severe mental illness and co-occurring substance misuse.

Risperidone versus other antipsychotics for people with severe mental illness and co-occurring substance misuse.

Clinical Social Work with a Child Experiencing Early Onset Schizophrenia in Haiti

Background: Early onset schizophrenia is a rare condition characterized by psychotic symptoms in children and youth under the age of 18. Diagnosis and treatment of this disorder can be complicated by cultural and socioeconomic factors. Methods: The case of an 11-year-old girl living in urban Haiti who developed a set of unusual symptoms indicative of psychosis, notably auditory command hallucinations, visual hallucinations, and disorganized behavior, is presented in this paper. Results and Conclusions: The history and development of the client’s treatment plan as well as the various interventions used are outlined. Cultural, social and economic issues relative to assessment and treatment of serious mental illness in Haiti are also discussed.