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Rasmussen AR, Zandersen M, Nordgaard J, Sandsten KE, Parnas J. Pseudoneurotic symptoms in the schizophrenia spectrum: An empirical study. Schizophr Res 2022; 250:164-171. [PMID: 36423441 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2022.11.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Revised: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nonpsychotic symptoms (depression, anxiety, obsessions etc.) are frequent in schizophrenia-spectrum disorders. Twentieth century foundational psychopathological literature claimed that certain nonpsychotic symptoms (here termed pseudoneurotic symptoms) are relatively closely linked with the schizophrenia-spectrum, despite descriptive overlap with symptoms of other diagnoses. In this study, we investigated the association of pseudoneurotic and other nonpsychotic symptoms with the schizophrenia-spectrum as well as a hypothesis about an association of pseudoneurotic symptoms with disorder of basic self. METHODS The sample (N = 226) comprised patients with non-affective psychosis (N = 119), schizotypal personality disorder (N = 51) and other mental illness (N = 56), who were examined with a comprehensive assessment of lifetime psychopathology. Informed by the literature, we constructed scales targeting pseudoneurotic symptoms and other, more general, nonpsychotic symptoms. RESULTS Pseudoneurotic symptoms aggregated significantly in schizophrenia-spectrum disorders with an Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.84 (SE 0.03) for classifying patients with schizophrenia-spectrum disorders versus other mental illness. Patients with non-affective psychosis scored slightly, but significantly, higher on the scale targeting general nonpsychotic symptomatology than the other groups. In multiple regression analysis, pseudoneurotic symptoms were predicted by general nonpsychotic symptoms, disorders of basic self, and negative symptoms but not positive symptoms. CONCLUSION The study supports that certain neurotic-like symptoms with specific descriptive features (pseudoneurotic symptoms) are associated with schizophrenia-spectrum disorders. It suggests that pseudoneurotic symptoms are linked with temporally stable schizophrenia psychopathology (disorder of basic self and negative symptoms).
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Rosén Rasmussen
- Mental Health Center Amager, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark; Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Maja Zandersen
- Mental Health Center Glostrup, Broendbyoestervej, University of Copenhagen, Broendby, Denmark; Center for Subjectivity Research, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Julie Nordgaard
- Mental Health Center Amager, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark; Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Karl Erik Sandsten
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Josef Parnas
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark; Center for Subjectivity Research, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Lindhardt L, Nilsson LS, Munk-Jørgensen P, Mortensen OS, Simonsen E, Nordgaard J. Unrecognized schizophrenia spectrum and other mental disorders in youth disconnected from education and work-life. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:1015616. [PMID: 36386963 PMCID: PMC9645021 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.1015616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 09/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Schizophrenia spectrum disorders typically emerge during adolescence or early adulthood. Often the symptomatology is vague initially, while a marked functional decline and social withdrawal can be seen. A group of young people with such social and functional impairments is the so-called "Not in Education, Employment or Training" (NEET), i.e., a youth population that is socially disconnected from education and work-life. Despite the NEET group's disconnection from important parts of social life and a rising concern of an intersection with mental health problems, a psychopathological perspective on the problems experienced by this group remains underexplored. AIM To examine a NEET sample for psychopathology and if relevant allocate psychiatric diagnoses. METHODS We performed an interview study comprising 40 participants from youth job-counseling services. All underwent a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation. Inclusion criteria were 18-29 years of age and a welfare benefit history of minimum 6 months. RESULTS Diagnostic criteria of any mental disorder were fulfilled by 95% of the sample; half of whom were diagnosed with a schizophrenia spectrum disorder. The participants with schizophrenia spectrum disorders had lower global functioning, were more often in contact with the mental health services and had higher PANSS and Examination of Anomalous Self-Experiences (EASE) scores compared to those with non-schizophrenia spectrum disorders. The participants fulfilling the criteria for schizophrenia spectrum disorders had lower EASE and PANSS scores than usually reported in the literature, suggesting more "symptom-poor" presentations. CONCLUSION Psychiatric illness and particularly schizophrenia spectrum disorders affecting social interaction and the ability to take part in educational and work-life were grossly overrepresented in the NEET sample. Our findings suggest that pronounced social disconnection in youth in and of itself should lead to suspect the presence of a severe mental disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Line Lindhardt
- Early Psychosis Intervention Center, Mental Health Services East, Psychiatry Region Zealand, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Lars Siersbæk Nilsson
- Mental Health Center Amager, Mental Health Services Capital Region of Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Ole Steen Mortensen
- Department of Occupational and Social Medicine, Holbæk Hospital, Holbæk, Denmark.,Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Erik Simonsen
- Mental Health Services East, Copenhagen University Hospital, Psychiatry Region Zealand, Roskilde, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Julie Nordgaard
- Mental Health Center Amager, Mental Health Services Capital Region of Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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3
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Hastrup LH, Jennum P, Ibsen R, Kjellberg J, Simonsen E. Costs of schizotypal disorder: A matched-controlled nationwide register-based study of patients and spouses. Acta Psychiatr Scand 2021; 144:60-71. [PMID: 33650099 DOI: 10.1111/acps.13292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2020] [Revised: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 02/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Information on societal cost of patients with schizotypal disorder is limited. The aim was to investigate the societal costs of schizotypal disorder before and after initial diagnosis including both patients and their spouses. METHODS A register-based cohort study of 762 patients with incident schizotypal disorder (ICD-10; F21) including their spouses and 3048 matched controls, during 2002 to 2016. Total healthcare costs, home care costs, and costs of lost productivity of patients and spouses were included in the analysis. RESULTS Total costs amounted €47,215 per year for patients with schizotypal disorder, which was fifteen times higher than the matched controls. Of these, 41% were healthcare and home care costs and 59% were costs of lost productivity. Healthcare costs and costs of lost productivity were increased during five years before initial diagnosis of schizotypal disorder. Total costs of spouses to patients were €21,384 compared with € 2519 among spouses of controls. 75% of the total costs of spouses to patients were related to lost productivity. The total costs were higher than the costs of borderline personality disorder, but on the same level as the costs of schizophrenia identified in earlier comparable studies. CONCLUSIONS The total societal costs of patients with schizotypal disorder drawn from national registers differed substantially from the controls representing the general population. As evidence-based recommendations for diagnoses and treatment of patients with schizotypal disorder do not exist, future research should focus on developing effective treatment for this group of patients to reduce cost of illness.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Poul Jennum
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Danish Center for Sleep Medicine, Neurophysiology Clinic, University of Copenhagen, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Jakob Kjellberg
- VIVE - The Danish Center for Social Science Research, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Erik Simonsen
- Psychiatric Research Unit, Psychiatry Region Zealand, Slagelse, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Abstract
Little is known about which factors actually motivate individuals with psychosis to seek help or how psychosis may complicate the help-seeking process. The aim of this article is to examine the steps of this process and how psychopathological experiences might affect and interfere with it. In this qualitative study we interviewed nine patients with a first episode of psychosis. The interviews were transcribed and analysed according to the principles of thematic analysis using inductive as well as deductive methods. The crucial step in help-seeking behaviour seemed to be for the patients to identify the kind of problem they were facing. None of them clearly recognized their psychotic or otherwise anomalous experiences as symptoms of a mental disorder, and most of them did not seriously question the reality status of these experiences. For most of the patients it was an untenable social situation that caused them to seek help. When they did seek help the majority did not initially contact the psychiatric services. It seems paradoxical to expect patients who experience symptoms of psychosis for the first time to be able to unambiguously identify them as being exactly that and accordingly seek out psychiatric help, as diminished insight into illness is an inherent feature of psychosis. However, the phenomenon of 'double bookkeeping' seemed to provide an opening for seeking help from psychiatry in spite of compromised insight. This observation should be included in everyday clinical work and in future information campaigns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie Nordgaard
- Mental Health Centre Amager, Gammel Kongevej 33, Copenhagen, Denmark. .,Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 9, Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | | | - Karina Gulstad
- Early Psychosis Intervention Centre, Psychiatry Region Zealand, Smedegade 16, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Marlene Buch-Pedersen
- Early Psychosis Intervention Centre, Psychiatry Region Zealand, Smedegade 16, Roskilde, Denmark
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Lindhardt L, Lindhardt M, Haahr UH, Hastrup LH, Simonsen E, Nordgaard J. Help-Seekers in an Early Detection of Psychosis Service: The Non-cases. Front Psychiatry 2021; 12:778785. [PMID: 34955925 PMCID: PMC8702832 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.778785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 11/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose: Enhancing early help-seeking is important for early intervention in psychosis. However, knowledge is limited about those help-seekers who are not initially found to have psychotic symptoms when assessed in services aiming at psychosis detection and, thus, deemed ineligible for early intervention of psychosis programs. We aimed to examine clinical diagnostic and socioeconomic pathways of help-seekers accessing an early detection of psychosis service with referral-free access. Specific focus was on the help-seekers initially assessed not to have psychotic symptoms, considered the non-cases, and to examine potential differences and similarities between non-cases and cases (i.e., those initially assessed to have psychotic symptoms). Methods: We followed 450 help-seekers assessed by a free-of-referral early detection of psychosis team in national registers for up to 4 years. We examined clinical diagnoses and status of not in education, employment, or training (NEET) before and after contact with the team. Results: Of the non-cases, 46% were referred to mental health services by the early detection of psychosis team for evaluation of other mental disorders, and 15% of these were subsequently diagnosed with a non-affective psychotic disorder during follow-up of 12-52 months. Prior to current help-seeking, 39% (n = 174) of the help-seekers had had contact with other mental health services. Nearly a quarter of help-seekers were NEETs at the time of assessment; the number increased during follow-up, both for cases and non-cases. Of the cases, 58% were subsequently clinically diagnosed by mental health services. Those seeking help who had no previous contact with mental health services were more frequently diagnosed with a non-affective psychotic disorder during follow-up (p = 0.05). Conclusion: Referral-free services to promote early detection of psychosis seem a valuable add-on to established pathways, allowing early intervention in psychosis. Our results point to an unmet mental health service need among non-cases; overall, in our sample, independent of case status, social functioning was markedly affected. Our results have implications for future focus in early detection of psychosis. Offering intervention to non-cases within the service has the potential to be cost effective, e.g., if a timely and targeted intervention reduces repeated contacts in other mental health services and social services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Line Lindhardt
- Early Psychosis Intervention Centre, Mental Health Services East, Psychiatry Region Zealand, Roskilde, Denmark.,Department of Occupational and Social Medicine, Holbæk Hospital, Holbæk, Denmark
| | - Morten Lindhardt
- Department of Internal Medicine, Holbæk Hospital, Holbæk, Denmark
| | - Ulrik Helt Haahr
- Psychiatric Research Unit, Psychiatry Region Zealand, Slagelse, Denmark
| | - Lene Halling Hastrup
- Psychiatric Research Unit, Psychiatry Region Zealand, Slagelse, Denmark.,Danish Centre for Health Economics, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Erik Simonsen
- Psychiatric Research Unit, Psychiatry Region Zealand, Slagelse, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Julie Nordgaard
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Mental Health Centre Amager, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Zandersen M, Parnas J. Exploring schizophrenia spectrum psychopathology in borderline personality disorder. Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2020; 270:969-978. [PMID: 31289925 PMCID: PMC7599140 DOI: 10.1007/s00406-019-01039-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2019] [Accepted: 07/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
We have previously argued that the current borderline personality disorder (BPD) diagnosis is over-inclusive and clinically and conceptually impossible to distinguish from the schizophrenia spectrum disorders. This study involves 30 patients clinically diagnosed with BPD as their main diagnosis by three BPD dedicated outpatient treatment facilities in Denmark. The patients underwent a careful and time-consuming psychiatric evaluation involving several senior level clinical psychiatrists and researchers and a comprehensive battery of psychopathological scales. The study found that the vast majority of patients (67% in DSM-5 and 77% in ICD-10) in fact met the criteria for a schizophrenia spectrum disorder, i.e., schizophrenia (20%) or schizotypal (personality) disorder (SPD). The schizophrenia spectrum group scored significantly higher on the level of disorders of core self as measured by the Examination of Anomalous Self-Experiences Scale (EASE). The BPD criterion of "identity disturbance" was significantly correlated with the mean total score of EASE. These findings are discussed in the light of changes from prototypical to polythetic diagnostic systems. We argue that the original prototypes/gestalts informing the creation of BPD and SPD have gone into oblivion during the evolution of polythetic criteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maja Zandersen
- Mental Health Centre Glostrup, University Hospital of Copenhagen, Broendbyoestervej 160, 2605, Broendby, Denmark.
| | - Josef Parnas
- Mental Health Centre Glostrup, University Hospital of Copenhagen, Broendbyoestervej 160, 2605, Broendby, Denmark
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Center for Subjectivity Research, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Hastrup LH, Simonsen E, Ibsen R, Kjellberg J, Jennum P. Societal Costs of Schizophrenia in Denmark: A Nationwide Matched Controlled Study of Patients and Spouses Before and After Initial Diagnosis. Schizophr Bull 2020; 46:68-77. [PMID: 31188445 PMCID: PMC6942163 DOI: 10.1093/schbul/sbz041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Information on welfare cost of patients with schizophrenia and spouses is limited. AIM The main aim of this study to investigate factual societal mean annual costs per individual during 5 years before and after the initial diagnosis of schizophrenia. METHOD A register-based cohort study of 12 227 patients with incident schizophrenia (International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision F20-F20.99) with spouses and 48 907 matched controls in Denmark during 2002-2016. RESULTS The total annual costs of health care and lost productivity were Euro 43 561 higher for patients with schizophrenia and health care costs and costs of lost productivity were increased during 5 years before the initial diagnosis. The total annual direct health care and indirect costs of lost productivity were Euro 21 888 higher for spouses to patients with schizophrenia than spouses of individuals with no diagnosis of schizophrenia. Also before initial diagnosis, health care costs and lost productivity were increased among spouses of patients with schizophrenia. CONCLUSION Patients with schizophrenia differed from the general population with respect to all included costs. The study documented a significant burden on spouses. The excess health care costs of schizophrenia are further increased by psychiatric and somatic comorbidity, and the societal costs are 4-10 times higher than chronic neurological disorders such as epilepsy and multiple sclerosis. Early onset of schizophrenia implies that patients are affected before finishing school and before entrance to labor market. Cost savings could be achieved by investments in preventive interventions reaching young people's needs; in initiatives to reduce hospital admissions caused by medication side effects, substance misuse, and lifestyle factors; and in occupational training.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Erik Simonsen
- Psychiatric Research Unit, Psychiatry Region Zealand, Slagelse, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | | | - Poul Jennum
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Danish Center for Sleep Medicine, Neurophysiology Clinic, University of Copenhagen, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
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8
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Rasmussen AR, Nordgaard J, Parnas J. Schizophrenia-spectrum psychopathology in obsessive-compulsive disorder: an empirical study. Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2020; 270:993-1002. [PMID: 31129700 PMCID: PMC7599137 DOI: 10.1007/s00406-019-01022-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2019] [Accepted: 05/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
The differential diagnosis of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and schizophrenia-spectrum disorders can be difficult. In the current diagnostic criteria, basic concepts such as obsession and delusion overlap. This study examined lifetime schizophrenia-spectrum psychopathology, including subtle schizotypal symptomatology and subjective anomalies such as self-disorders, in a sample diagnosed with OCD in a specialized setting. The study also examined the differential diagnostic potential of the classic psychopathological notions of true obsession ('with resistance') and pseudo-obsession. The study involved 42 outpatients diagnosed with OCD at two clinics specialized in the treatment of OCD. The patients underwent semi-structured, narrative interviews assessing a comprehensive battery of psychopathological instruments. The final lifetime research-diagnosis was based on a consensus between a senior clinical psychiatrist and an experienced research clinician. The study found that 29% of the patients fulfilled criteria of schizophrenia or another non-affective psychosis as main, lifetime DSM-5 research-diagnosis. Another 33% received a research-diagnosis of schizotypal personality disorder, 10% a research-diagnosis of major depression and 29% a main research-diagnosis of OCD. Self-disorders aggregated in the schizophrenia-spectrum groups. True obsessions had a specificity of 93% and a sensitivity of 58% for a main diagnosis of OCD. In conclusion, a high proportion of clinically diagnosed OCD patients fulfilled diagnostic criteria of a schizophrenia-spectrum disorder. The conspicuous obsessive-compulsive symptomatology may have resulted in a disregard of psychotic symptoms and other psychopathology. Furthermore, the differentiation of obsessions from related psychopathological phenomena is insufficient and a conceptual and empirical effort in this domain is required in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Rosén Rasmussen
- Mental Health Center Glostrup, University of Copenhagen, Broendbyostervej 160, 2605, Broendby, Denmark.
| | - Julie Nordgaard
- grid.5254.60000 0001 0674 042XMental Health Center Amager, University of Copenhagen, Gl. Kongevej 33, 1610 Copenhagen V, Denmark
| | - Josef Parnas
- grid.5254.60000 0001 0674 042XMental Health Center Glostrup, University of Copenhagen, Broendbyostervej 160, 2605 Broendby, Denmark ,grid.5254.60000 0001 0674 042XCenter for Subjectivity Research, University of Copenhagen, Karen Blixens Plads 8, 2300 Copenhagen S, Denmark
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Can schizophrenia be predicted on the basis of a symptom? A psychopathological appraisal of early detection research in schizophrenia. Encephale 2019; 44:S21-S23. [PMID: 30935482 DOI: 10.1016/s0013-7006(19)30074-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Predictive prospective studies of schizophrenia date back to the late 1950s. At the turn of the Millennium, an Australian research group initiated programs of early detection of schizophrenia and early therapeutic intervention. The theoretical foundations of early schizophrenia detection usually remain unaddressed. In this paper, we focus on the issue of prediction of future schizophrenia in the general population on the basis of a symptomatic picture. Several notions used in this research program such as disease, symptom, and clinical staging derive from a medical model, which in our view is not entirely adequate for grasping the nature of schizophrenia. Schizophrenia is a spectrum of disorders with a shared core Gestalt comprising dis-order of selfhood and intersubjectivity. This core Gestalt has manifold manifestations, often predominantly in the existential or experiential domain. It is not feasible to apply medical concepts to this symptomatically poorly demarcated spectrum for which we do not know robust biological validators. Moreover, there is increasing evidence that the current DSM and ICD criteria of schizophrenia distort the original concept of schizophrenia and are formulated on a very high severity level. This often results in incorrect diagnoses of young help-seeking patients. In sum, it seems more appropriate to detect psychosis among already help-seeking patients than to implement detection programs in the general population. We discuss a reorientation of psychiatry towards more refined psychopathological knowledge and assessment that are needed in order to optimize the treatment of young help-seeking patients.
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Hastrup LH, Haahr UH, Nordgaard J, Simonsen E. The effect of implementation of an early detection team: A nationwide register-based study of characteristics and help-seeking behavior in first-episode schizophrenia in Denmark. Schizophr Res 2018; 201:337-342. [PMID: 29706446 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2018.04.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2017] [Revised: 03/12/2018] [Accepted: 04/19/2018] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In an effort to make people with signs of psychosis seek help as early as possible, Region Zealand launched in 2012 an early detection team project as the first and only in Denmark. The project consisted of a combination of easy access and an information campaign targeting the public. This nation-wide study examined characteristics and help-seeking behavior of patients with first-episode schizophrenia (FES) in the early detection region in comparison with other Danish regions. METHOD Data from the Danish National Schizophrenia register on all Danish patients diagnosed with first-episode schizophrenia during 2012 to 2015 were linked to demographic and health care data drawn from official national registers. Binary logistic regression analyses examined the difference between the early detection region and other regions controlling for demographic characteristics and utilization of mental health care services and contacts to general practitioner (GP). RESULTS Patients in the early detection region were younger (OR = 0.51; CI: 0.42-0.62; p < 0.000) than in regions without early detection teams. Furthermore, they were more likely to be of Danish origin, and less likely to have contact with mental health services and GPs prior to FES. CONCLUSION The study suggests that implementing an early detection team in combination with an information campaign contributed to detecting patients with first-episode schizophrenia earlier than in regions without the early detection team. The study gives an indication of different pathways among patients in the early detection region.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ulrik Helt Haahr
- Psychiatric Research Unit, Region Zealand, Denmark; Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Julie Nordgaard
- Early Psychosis Intervention Center, Psychiatry East Region Zealand, Denmark
| | - Erik Simonsen
- Psychiatric Research Unit, Region Zealand, Denmark; Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
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