1
|
McLoughlin C, Hoeritzauer I, Cabreira V, Aybek S, Adams C, Alty J, Ball HA, Baker J, Bullock K, Burness C, Dworetzky BA, Finkelstein S, Garcin B, Gelauff J, Goldstein LH, Jordbru A, Huys ACM, Laffan A, Lidstone SC, Linden SC, Ludwig L, Maggio J, Morgante F, Mallam E, Nicholson C, O'Neal M, O'Sullivan S, Pareés I, Petrochilos P, Pick S, Phillips W, Roelofs K, Newby R, Stanton B, Gray C, Joyce EM, Tijssen MA, Chalder T, McCormick M, Gardiner P, Bègue I, Tuttle MC, Williams I, McRae S, Voon V, McWhirter L. Functional neurological disorder is a feminist issue. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2023; 94:855-862. [PMID: 36977553 PMCID: PMC10511956 DOI: 10.1136/jnnp-2022-330192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2022] [Accepted: 02/26/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023]
Abstract
Functional neurological disorder (FND) is a common and disabling disorder, often misunderstood by clinicians. Although viewed sceptically by some, FND is a diagnosis that can be made accurately, based on positive clinical signs, with clinical features that have remained stable for over 100 years. Despite some progress in the last decade, people with FND continue to suffer subtle and overt forms of discrimination by clinicians, researchers and the public. There is abundant evidence that disorders perceived as primarily affecting women are neglected in healthcare and medical research, and the course of FND mirrors this neglect. We outline the reasons why FND is a feminist issue, incorporating historical and contemporary clinical, research and social perspectives. We call for parity for FND in medical education, research and clinical service development so that people affected by FND can receive the care they need.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Caoimhe McLoughlin
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Ingrid Hoeritzauer
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Verónica Cabreira
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Neurology Department, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de São João, Porto, Portugal
| | - Selma Aybek
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Hopitaux Universitaires de Geneve, Geneva, Switzerland
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Inselspital Universitatsspital Bern Universitatsklinik fur Neurologie, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Caitlin Adams
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jane Alty
- College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
- Neurology, Royal Hobart Hospital, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Harriet A Ball
- Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol Faculty of Health Sciences, Bristol, UK
- Neurology, North Bristol NHS Trust, Westbury on Trym, UK
| | - Janet Baker
- Randwick Specialist Centre, Private Practice, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
- College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Kim Bullock
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | | | - Barbara A Dworetzky
- Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Sara Finkelstein
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - Jeannette Gelauff
- Department of Neurology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Laura H Goldstein
- Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Anika Jordbru
- Faculty of Humanities, Sport and Educational Science, University of South-Eastern Norway, Kongsberg, Norway
| | - Anne-Catherine Ml Huys
- Department of Neurology, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK
| | - Aoife Laffan
- Neurology, St. James's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Sarah C Lidstone
- University Health Network and the University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Stefanie Caroline Linden
- Department of Health, Ethics and Society, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Lea Ludwig
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Julie Maggio
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Physical Therapy and Functional Neurological Disorder Unit and Research Program, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Francesca Morgante
- Neurosciences Research Centre, Molecular and Clinical Sciences Research Institute, St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Elizabeth Mallam
- The Rosa Burden Centre, Southmead Hospital, North Bristol NHS Trust, Bristol, UK
| | - Clare Nicholson
- Therapy Services, National Hospital for Neurology & Neurosurgery, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Mary O'Neal
- Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - Isabel Pareés
- Movement Disorders Program, Neurology Deparment Hospital Ruber Internacional, Madrid, Spain
- Movement Disorders Unit, Neurology Department, Hospital Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Susannah Pick
- Section of Cognitive Neuropsychiatry, King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, London, UK
| | - Wendy Phillips
- Department of Neurology, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK
| | - Karin Roelofs
- Donders Institute for Brain Cognition and Behaviour: Donders Centre for Cognitive Neuroimaging, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Rachel Newby
- Neurology, Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield, UK
| | | | - Cordelia Gray
- Neurology Psychotherapy Service, Sheffield Teaching Hospital, Academic Neurology Unit, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Eileen M Joyce
- Neuropsychiatry, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Marina Aj Tijssen
- Expertise Center Movement Disorders Groningen, University Medical Centre Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Trudie Chalder
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, Kings College London, London, UK
| | - Maxanne McCormick
- Physician assistant/patient with FND, FNDRecovery.com, -, Monument CO, USA
| | - Paula Gardiner
- Psychological Therapy in Primary Care, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
- enhance-cbt.com therapist, NeuroSpecialist Physiotherapist, Stirling, UK
| | - Indrit Bègue
- Department of Psychiatry, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneve, Switzerland
| | - Margaret C Tuttle
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Functional Neurological Disorder Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Isobel Williams
- Neuropsychology, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, NHS Lothian, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Sarah McRae
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, NHS Lothian, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Valerie Voon
- Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Institute of Science and Technology for Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Laura McWhirter
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Fekih-Romdhane F, Obeid S, Chidiac G, Dabbous M, Malaeb D, Hallit R, Hallit S. Measuring public attitudes towards people living with chronic diseases in Arabic-speaking populations: adaptation and development of the Social Stigma Scale of Chronic Diseases (SSS-CD). BMC Public Health 2023; 23:1375. [PMID: 37464332 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-16315-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A large proportion of the population in Arab countries suffer from chronic diseases. According to the statistics by the Global Health Estimates, chronic illnesses contribute by 71% to total deaths in the Arab region. While chronic illnesses have been demonstrated to carry high levels of social stigma, it is only recently that little research attention has been given to this topic in the Arab world. It is well-established that the social stigma construct is culturally-dependent. Therefore, the lack of an Arabic measure highlighted the urgent need for developing a culturally adapted and valid instrument to assess social stigma toward people living with chronic diseases. In this study, we aimed to examine the psychometric properties of the Arabic translation, adaptation and development of "the Social Stigma Scale of Chronic Diseases" (SSS-CD). METHOD Fifteen items derived from the literature and assessing social stigma towards chronic diseases have been administered to 570 Arabic-speaking adults from the Lebanese general population (aged 24.59 ± 6.75years; 68.6% women). Items were translated into Arabic using a forward-backward translation method. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) using a principal-axis EFA on the first split-half subsample, followed by a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) tested on the model extracted from the EFA on the second split-half subsample, were conducted to examine the construct validity of the SSS-CD. Fit indices were deemed adequate if the normed model chi-square (χ²/df) ≤ 3, the Steiger-Lind root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) ≤ 0.08, the Tucker-Lewis Index (TLI) and the comparative fit index (CFI) ≥ 0.90. RESULTS Findings revealed that the 10-item SSS-CD has a unidimensional factor structure, with the following fit indices: χ2/df = 92.95/34 = 2.73, RMSEA = 0.077 (90% CI 0.059, 0.096), SRMR = 0.062, CFI = 0.939, TLI = 0.919. A good internal consistency was demonstrated by a McDonald's omega value of 0.73 for the total score. Findings also supported invariance across gender, with men exhibiting higher levels of social stigma attached to chronic diseases than women. All three dimensions of stigmatization (social, psychological and evolutionary stigmatization) were positively correlated with SSS-CD scores (Social self-interest [r = .40; p < .001], Evolutionary self-interest [r = .37; p < .001], Psychological self-interest [r = .42; p < .001]), demonstrating relatively strong convergent validity. CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that the SSS-CD has robust psychometric qualities. We thus preliminarily suggest that the scale is valid, reliable and suitable for use among Arabic-speaking people from the general population to measure public attitudes towards people living with chronic diseases. Providing this psychometrically sound measure will hopefully enable to foster research in this area in order to draw a clear overview of the prevalence and characteristics of social stigma attached to chronic diseases in Arabic-speaking communities. However, given that this was the first study to examine the psychometric properties of the SSS-CD, the present findings and conclusions should be considered tentative pending future cross-national validation studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Feten Fekih-Romdhane
- The Tunisian Center of Early Intervention in Psychosis, Department of Psychiatry "Ibn Omrane", Razi hospital, Manouba, 2010, Tunisia
- Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, Tunis El Manar University, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Sahar Obeid
- Social and Education Sciences Department, School of Arts and Sciences, Lebanese American University, Jbeil, Lebanon
| | - Georgio Chidiac
- School of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Holy Spirit University of Kaslik, P.O. Box 446, Jounieh, Lebanon
- Department of Dermatology, University Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France
| | - Mariam Dabbous
- School of Pharmacy, Lebanese International University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Diana Malaeb
- School of Pharmacy, Lebanese International University, Beirut, Lebanon
- College of Pharmacy, Gulf Medical University, Ajman, United Arab Emirates
| | - Rabih Hallit
- School of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Holy Spirit University of Kaslik, P.O. Box 446, Jounieh, Lebanon
- Department of Infectious Disease, Bellevue Medical Center, Mansourieh, Lebanon
- Department of Infectious Disease, Notre Dame des Secours University Hospital Center, Street 93, Byblos, Postal Code 3, Lebanon
| | - Souheil Hallit
- School of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Holy Spirit University of Kaslik, P.O. Box 446, Jounieh, Lebanon.
- Research Department, Psychiatric Hospital of the Cross, Jal Eddib, Lebanon.
- Applied Science Research Center, Applied Science Private University, Amman, Jordan.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
O'Keeffe S, Chowdhury I, Sinanaj A, Ewang I, Blain C, Teodoro T, Edwards M, Yogarajah M. A Service Evaluation of the Experiences of Patients With Functional Neurological Disorders Within the NHS. Front Neurol 2021; 12:656466. [PMID: 34135848 PMCID: PMC8200476 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2021.656466] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous research into Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) has shown that there are significant barriers in providing patient-centred care. However, there has been no specific research into whether patient experiences of care for FND meet the current standards of care. This study aimed to investigate the types of problems experienced by FND patients, and whether these differed to patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). FND (n = 40) and MS patients (n = 37) were recruited from NHS tertiary neurology clinics and completed questionnaires on their experiences of health care services. Significant differences in experiences of care between the two patient groups were found, with FND patients reporting significantly more problems in their diagnosis and treatment (p = 0.003), patient-centred care (p < 0.001), relationships with healthcare professionals (p < 0.001), and in accessing community care (p = 0.001). Limitations include a small sample size, specificity to a single centre, and cross-sectional design. The results suggest that current care for FND patients is not meeting expected standards for long-term neurological conditions, highlighting the need for structured care pathways and patient-centred care.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shauna O'Keeffe
- Atkinson Morley Regional Neuroscience Centre, St. George's University Hospitals National Health Service Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ibrahim Chowdhury
- Neuroscience Research Centre, Institute of Molecular and Clinical Sciences, St. George's University of London, Cranmer Terrace, London, United Kingdom
| | - Anila Sinanaj
- Atkinson Morley Regional Neuroscience Centre, St. George's University Hospitals National Health Service Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Iberedem Ewang
- Atkinson Morley Regional Neuroscience Centre, St. George's University Hospitals National Health Service Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Camilla Blain
- Atkinson Morley Regional Neuroscience Centre, St. George's University Hospitals National Health Service Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Tiago Teodoro
- Atkinson Morley Regional Neuroscience Centre, St. George's University Hospitals National Health Service Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Mark Edwards
- Atkinson Morley Regional Neuroscience Centre, St. George's University Hospitals National Health Service Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom.,Neuroscience Research Centre, Institute of Molecular and Clinical Sciences, St. George's University of London, Cranmer Terrace, London, United Kingdom
| | - Mahinda Yogarajah
- Atkinson Morley Regional Neuroscience Centre, St. George's University Hospitals National Health Service Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom.,Neuroscience Research Centre, Institute of Molecular and Clinical Sciences, St. George's University of London, Cranmer Terrace, London, United Kingdom.,National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, London, United Kingdom.,Department of Experimental and Clinical Epilepsy, University College London Institute of Neurology, London, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Barnett C, Mitchell C, Tyson S. The management of patients with functional stroke: speech and language therapists’ views and experiences. Disabil Rehabil 2021; 44:3547-3558. [DOI: 10.1080/09638288.2020.1867910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Barnett
- University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK
| | - Claire Mitchell
- Division of Human Communication, Development & Hearing, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Sarah Tyson
- Division of Nursing, Midwifery & Social Work, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Tolchin B, Baslet G, Martino S, Suzuki J, Blumenfeld H, Hirsch LJ, Altalib H, Dworetzky BA. Motivational Interviewing Techniques to Improve Psychotherapy Adherence and Outcomes for Patients With Psychogenic Nonepileptic Seizures. J Neuropsychiatry Clin Neurosci 2020; 32:125-131. [PMID: 31466516 DOI: 10.1176/appi.neuropsych.19020045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES) are a highly disabling disorder frequently encountered by neurologists, psychiatrists, and emergency medicine physicians. There is accumulating evidence for the efficacy of psychological therapies, yet the majority of patients do not complete treatment. A range of health care system-based, clinician-based, and patient-based barriers to treatment exists, including stigma, poor clinician-patient communication, and patient ambivalence about the diagnosis and treatment of PNES. These barriers frequently lead to treatment nonadherence. Motivational interviewing (MI) is a patient-centered counseling style targeting ambivalence about behavior change, which has been shown to be effective in improving psychotherapy adherence and outcomes among patients with PNES. The authors review MI processes and techniques that may be useful to health care providers helping patients with PNES and other functional neurological disorders to engage in psychotherapy. The authors examine common challenges arising during MI for patients with PNES, including somatic symptoms distracting from clinician-patient communication, ambivalence about making concrete plans for treatment, and psychiatric comorbidities. Strategies for overcoming these obstacles are reviewed, including the use of complex reflections to enhance patient engagement; the use of an ask-tell-ask format and specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-limited (SMART) goals to facilitate treatment planning; and close collaboration between the neurology and psychotherapy teams.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Tolchin
- The Department of Neurology, Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Conn. (Tolchin, Blumenfeld, Hirsch, Altalib); Neurology Service, Epilepsy Center of Excellence, Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Conn. (Tolchin, Altalib); the Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston (Tolchin, Dworetzky); the Department of Psychiatry, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston (Baslet, Suzuki); the Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Conn. (Martino); and Psychology Service, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Conn. (Martino)
| | - Gaston Baslet
- The Department of Neurology, Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Conn. (Tolchin, Blumenfeld, Hirsch, Altalib); Neurology Service, Epilepsy Center of Excellence, Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Conn. (Tolchin, Altalib); the Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston (Tolchin, Dworetzky); the Department of Psychiatry, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston (Baslet, Suzuki); the Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Conn. (Martino); and Psychology Service, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Conn. (Martino)
| | - Steve Martino
- The Department of Neurology, Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Conn. (Tolchin, Blumenfeld, Hirsch, Altalib); Neurology Service, Epilepsy Center of Excellence, Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Conn. (Tolchin, Altalib); the Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston (Tolchin, Dworetzky); the Department of Psychiatry, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston (Baslet, Suzuki); the Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Conn. (Martino); and Psychology Service, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Conn. (Martino)
| | - Joji Suzuki
- The Department of Neurology, Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Conn. (Tolchin, Blumenfeld, Hirsch, Altalib); Neurology Service, Epilepsy Center of Excellence, Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Conn. (Tolchin, Altalib); the Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston (Tolchin, Dworetzky); the Department of Psychiatry, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston (Baslet, Suzuki); the Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Conn. (Martino); and Psychology Service, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Conn. (Martino)
| | - Hal Blumenfeld
- The Department of Neurology, Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Conn. (Tolchin, Blumenfeld, Hirsch, Altalib); Neurology Service, Epilepsy Center of Excellence, Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Conn. (Tolchin, Altalib); the Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston (Tolchin, Dworetzky); the Department of Psychiatry, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston (Baslet, Suzuki); the Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Conn. (Martino); and Psychology Service, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Conn. (Martino)
| | - Lawrence J Hirsch
- The Department of Neurology, Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Conn. (Tolchin, Blumenfeld, Hirsch, Altalib); Neurology Service, Epilepsy Center of Excellence, Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Conn. (Tolchin, Altalib); the Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston (Tolchin, Dworetzky); the Department of Psychiatry, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston (Baslet, Suzuki); the Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Conn. (Martino); and Psychology Service, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Conn. (Martino)
| | - Hamada Altalib
- The Department of Neurology, Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Conn. (Tolchin, Blumenfeld, Hirsch, Altalib); Neurology Service, Epilepsy Center of Excellence, Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Conn. (Tolchin, Altalib); the Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston (Tolchin, Dworetzky); the Department of Psychiatry, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston (Baslet, Suzuki); the Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Conn. (Martino); and Psychology Service, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Conn. (Martino)
| | - Barbara A Dworetzky
- The Department of Neurology, Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Conn. (Tolchin, Blumenfeld, Hirsch, Altalib); Neurology Service, Epilepsy Center of Excellence, Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Conn. (Tolchin, Altalib); the Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston (Tolchin, Dworetzky); the Department of Psychiatry, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston (Baslet, Suzuki); the Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Conn. (Martino); and Psychology Service, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Conn. (Martino)
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Jones A, O'Connell N, David AS, Chalder T. Functional Stroke Symptoms: A Narrative Review and Conceptual Model. J Neuropsychiatry Clin Neurosci 2020; 32:14-23. [PMID: 31726918 DOI: 10.1176/appi.neuropsych.19030075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Stroke services have been reconfigured in recent years to facilitate early intervention. Throughout stroke settings, some patients present with functional symptoms that cannot be attributed to a structural cause. Emphasis on fast diagnosis and treatment means that a proportion of patients entering the care pathway present with functional symptoms that mimic stroke or have functional symptoms in addition to vascular stroke. There is limited understanding of mechanisms underlying functional stroke symptoms, how the treatment of such patients should be managed, and no referral pathway or treatment. Predisposing factors vary between individuals, and symptoms are heterogeneous: onset can be acute or insidious, and duration can be short-lived or chronic in the context of new or recurrent illness cognitions and behaviors. This article proposes a conceptual model of functional symptoms identified in stroke services and some hypotheses based on a narrative review of the functional neurological disorder literature. Predisposing factors may include illness experiences, stressors, and chronic autonomic nervous system arousal. Following the onset of distressing symptoms, perpetuating factors may include implicit cognitive processes, classical and operant conditioning, illness beliefs, and behavioral responses, which could form the basis of treatment targets. The proposed model will inform the development of theory-based interventions as well as a functional stroke care pathway.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Abbeygail Jones
- The Department of Psychological Medicine, King's College London (Jones, Chalder); the Institute of Population Health, Trinity College Dublin (O'Connell); and the Institute of Mental Health, University College London (David)
| | - Nicola O'Connell
- The Department of Psychological Medicine, King's College London (Jones, Chalder); the Institute of Population Health, Trinity College Dublin (O'Connell); and the Institute of Mental Health, University College London (David)
| | - Anthony S David
- The Department of Psychological Medicine, King's College London (Jones, Chalder); the Institute of Population Health, Trinity College Dublin (O'Connell); and the Institute of Mental Health, University College London (David)
| | - Trudie Chalder
- The Department of Psychological Medicine, King's College London (Jones, Chalder); the Institute of Population Health, Trinity College Dublin (O'Connell); and the Institute of Mental Health, University College London (David)
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Barnett C, Davis R, Mitchell C, Tyson S. The vicious cycle of functional neurological disorders: a synthesis of healthcare professionals’ views on working with patients with functional neurological disorder. Disabil Rehabil 2020; 44:1802-1811. [DOI: 10.1080/09638288.2020.1822935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Barnett
- University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK
| | | | - Claire Mitchell
- Division of Human Communication, Development & Hearing, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Sarah Tyson
- Division of Nursing, Midwifery & Social Work, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Stone J, Callaghan H, Robinson EJ, Carson A, Reuber M, Chalder T, Perdue I, Goldstein LH. Predicting first attendance at psychiatry appointments in patients with dissociative seizures. Seizure 2020; 74:93-98. [PMID: 31869756 DOI: 10.1016/j.seizure.2019.11.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2019] [Revised: 10/25/2019] [Accepted: 11/27/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022] Open
|
9
|
Lian OS, Robson C. "It´s incredible how much I´ve had to fight." Negotiating medical uncertainty in clinical encounters. Int J Qual Stud Health Well-being 2018; 12:1392219. [PMID: 29063801 PMCID: PMC5654014 DOI: 10.1080/17482631.2017.1392219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose: Clinical encounters related to medically unexplained physical symptoms (MUPS) are associated with high levels of conflict between patients and doctors. Collaborative difficulties are fused by the medical uncertainty that dominates these consultations. The main aim of this study is to explore the interactional dynamics of clinical encounters riddled by medical uncertainty, as experienced by people living with long-term medically unexplained fatigue in Norway. Method: A qualitative thematic analysis of written texts from 256 study participants. Results: We found that patients experience being met with disbelief, inappropriate psychological explanations, marginalisation of experiences, disrespectful treatment, lack of physical examination and damaging health advice. The main source of their discontent is not the lack of biomedical knowledge, but doctors who fail to communicate acknowledgement of patients’ experiences, knowledge and autonomy. War metaphors are emblematic of how participants describe their medical encounters. The overarching storyline depicts experiences of being caught in a power struggle with doctors and health systems, fused by a lack of common conceptual ground. Conclusion: When physical symptoms cannot be detected, explained and managed by biomedical knowledge and technology, good doctor-patient partnerships are crucial. Without clearly acknowledging patients’ perspectives and capabilities in clinical practice, such partnerships cannot be achieved.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Olaug S Lian
- a Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of health sciences , University of Tromsø - The Arctic University of Norway , Tromsø , Norway
| | - Catherine Robson
- a Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of health sciences , University of Tromsø - The Arctic University of Norway , Tromsø , Norway
| |
Collapse
|