1,721,387 research outputs found
Psychiatry in transition: towards a reconceptualization of mental health and mental health disorders
No full textNegative symptoms in schizophrenia: evolution of their conceptualisation and relationships with real-life functioning
No full textC.10.02 Conceptualisation and treatment of schizophrenia negative symptoms: Can we do better?
No full textConceptual aspects of mental health in its intersection with human rights and development
No full textIntroductionImproving mental health of people is an important goal of the present millennium. Community-based services programs for prevention of mental disorders and promotion of mental health have been implemented in several countries. However, the proportion of people suffering from mental disorders is significantly and persistently high, and psychosocial distress due to migration, natural disasters, and terrorism; in general, feeling of insecurity is unlikely to improve current figures.AimsTo highlight the interrelatedness of mental health, development and human rights, in particular in women and girls.MethodsThe presentation will consider conceptual aspects of mental health in its intersection with human rights and development, with particular reference to women and girls.ResultsCurrent definitions of mental health might be misleading and convey the false expectation that mental health coincides with happiness and productivity. An alternative conceptual framework will be presented, in which mental health is a dynamic state of internal equilibrium that enables individuals to use their abilities in harmony with universal values of society. Different factors concur to the dynamic equilibrium, and will be discussed in their intersection with human rights and development, with particular reference to the most frequent violations of human rights (e.g. trafficking, domestic abuse, sexual violence) that contribute to increase the risk of mental disorders in women and girls.ConclusionMental health is rooted in personal development and social context in which the person lives. Strategies aimed to address mental health in women and girls will need to consider gender, country and socio-cultural specificities.Disclosure of interestHonoraria or Advisory board/consulting fees from the following companies: Lundbeck, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Hoffman-La Roche, Angelini-Acraf, Otsuka, Pierre Fabre and Gedeon-Richter.</jats:sec
Promoting schizophrenia research in Europe: the contribution of the European Group for Research in Schizophrenia
No full textNegative symptoms of schizophrenia: Trying to answer unanswered research questions
No full textMy research has focused on unmet needs in caring for people with schizophrenia. In particular, I focused on negative symptoms, a complex psychopathological dimension of the disorder, with a significant impact on the disease outcome, and not effectively addressed by existing treatments. In the present commentary, I summarize the trajectory of my research activity. I start with the description of my initial attempts to define the role of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex in the pathogenesis of broadly defined negative symptoms. Then, I report on the evidence that led me to realize that no progress in research on schizophrenia negative symptoms could occur without considering the heterogeneity and complexity of the construct. Finally, I illustrate my attempts to succeed in this direction and the most pressing unsolved issues in this research field
Controversial issues in current definitions of mental health
No full textThe concept of mental health is still widely discussed among philosophers and scientists. The emphasis on positive emotions and functional aspects of the World Health Organization definition has sometimes been called into question. This paper will focus on recently proposed mental health definitions, and in particular on mental health normative criteria involved in each of them. The criteria are divided in two broad categories: biomedical and cultural criteria. Strengths and weaknesses of each definition are illustrated in order to highlight research needs likely to support further progress
We are not ready to abandon the current schizophrenia construct, but should be prepared to do so
No full textThe current schizophrenia construct as delineated in the latest editions of the DSM and the ICD has some strengths, but also many weaknesses. It improved the reliability of the diagnosis, made communication among clinicians, users and families less ambiguous, is useful for education and training, and for reimbursement and insurance purposes. However, many serious weaknesses should be considered. The term “Schizophrenia” does not recognize the heterogeneity of the disorder and might nourish the belief that schizophrenia represents a unitary disease. In addition, there is no agreement on the existence and nature of a “core aspect” of the disorder. Stable dimensions, in particular negative symptoms and cognitive impairment, which are key determinants of functioning, are not de facto regarded as core aspects. Finally, the construct is associated to the notion of a poor outcome, to a high level of stigma and has acquired a derogatory connotation. We are not ready but should be prepared to abandon the current schizophrenia construct. Clinicians and researchers should be encouraged to complement the ICD/DSM diagnosis with an in-depth characterization of the individual clinical picture, along with other variables, such as family history, comorbidities, vulnerability factors and personal trajectory. The “Primary Psychoses” construct, together with improved cross-sectional and longitudinal phenotypes from representative population and patient cohorts, and the availability of artificial intelligence methods, could lead to a new and more precise taxonomy of psychotic disorders, and increase the probability of identifying meaningful biomarkers to improve prevention, diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment for people suffering from psychotic disorders
- …
