1
|
Nolan CJ, Roepke TA, Perreault ML. Beyond the Binary: Gender Inclusivity in Schizophrenia Research. Biol Psychiatry 2023; 94:543-549. [PMID: 37003472 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2023.03.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023]
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a severe neuropsychiatric disorder with significant differences in the incidence and symptomology between cisgender men and women. In recent years, considerably more attention has been on the inclusion of sex and gender in schizophrenia research. However, the majority of this research has failed to consider gender outside of the socially constructed binary of men and women. As a result, little is known about schizophrenia in transgender and gender-nonconforming populations. In this review, we present evidence showing that transgender and gender-nonconforming individuals have elevated risk of developing schizophrenia, and we discuss minority stress theory and other potential factors that may contribute to this risk. The need for inclusion of transgender and gender-nonconforming communities in schizophrenia research is emphasized, alongside a discussion on considerations and challenges associated with this type of research. Finally, we offer specific strategies to make research on schizophrenia, and research on other neuropsychiatric disorders, more inclusive of those populations that do not fall within the socially constructed gender binary. If we are to succeed in the development of more personalized therapeutic approaches for all, a better understanding of the variability of the human brain is needed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Caitlin J Nolan
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Troy A Roepke
- Department of Animal Sciences, School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey
| | - Melissa L Perreault
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Kemp AJ, Zhang M, Wang Y, Leontieva LV, Sperry SD. Psychosis With Religious Delusions in a Reportedly Intersex Transgender Person. Cureus 2023; 15:e38192. [PMID: 37252535 PMCID: PMC10223858 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.38192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023] Open
Abstract
There is limited research on mental illness in intersex and transgender individuals. This case report describes psychosis in a self-identified intersex transgender individual with a past psychiatric history of schizoaffective disorder. The patient and collateral information reported colpocleisis as a newborn, was assigned and raised as a male, then transitioned to a female. When the patient discussed her experiences as a transgender person, she would become significantly more psychotic with disorganized speech and grandiose Christian delusions. A psychological assessment including a projective test was completed to better understand the patient's psychotic symptoms along with her views of self, others, and the world. This case explores how the psychotic process interacts with gender dysphoria in a predominantly cisnormative, Christian society, with discussions of psychological defenses and psychodynamic theory.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Allyson J Kemp
- Psychiatry, State University of New York Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, USA
| | - Mengpin Zhang
- Psychology, State University of New York Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, USA
| | - You Wang
- Psychiatry, State University of New York Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, USA
| | - Luba V Leontieva
- Psychiatry, State University of New York Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, USA
| | - Susan D Sperry
- Psychology, State University of New York Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Alan BE, Okumuş HG. Suicidal and Homicidal Thoughts as Psychotic Symptoms in an Adolescent: A Case Report. TURK PSIKIYATRI DERGISI = TURKISH JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY 2023; 34:215-220. [PMID: 37724647 PMCID: PMC10645014 DOI: 10.5080/u27015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 09/21/2023]
Abstract
The first episode of psychotic disorders often occurs in adolescence. Depressive symptoms are the most common symptoms in the prodromal period and the symptoms in this period are not specific to psychosis. Adolescence is a risky period in terms of suicidal behaviors. The risk of self-harm is further increased in the prodromal period and in the psychotic episode. Homicides in psychosis constitute a small part of all homicidal cases and homicidal thoughts have been associated with command hallucinations and delusions. In this article, an adolescent girl with psychosis who had intense homicidal and suicidal thoughts and self-harming behaviors will be presented, and homicidal thoughts in psychosis will be discussed. The symptoms of the case decreased with risperidone, and she started to socialize with the support of her teacher, who visited her house for lectures. The medical, legal, and social aspects of suicides and homicides in psychosis are discussed. Keywords: Adolescent, psychosis, homicidal, suicidal.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Hande Günal Okumuş
- Resident, Hacettepe University. Faculty of Medicine, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Diseases, Ankara, Turkey
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Chivilgina O, Elger BS, Jotterand F. Digital Technologies for Schizophrenia Management: A Descriptive Review. SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING ETHICS 2021; 27:25. [PMID: 33835287 PMCID: PMC8035115 DOI: 10.1007/s11948-021-00302-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2020] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
While the implementation of digital technology in psychiatry appears promising, there is an urgent need to address the implications of the absence of ethical design in the early development of such technologies. Some authors have noted the gap between technology development and ethical analysis and have called for an upstream examination of the ethical issues raised by digital technologies. In this paper, we address this suggestion, particularly in relation to digital healthcare technologies for patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders. The introduction of digital technologies in psychiatry offers a broad spectrum of diagnostic and treatment options tailored to the health needs and goals of patients' care. These technologies include wearable devices, smartphone applications for high-immersive virtual realities, smart homes, telepsychiatry and messaging systems for patients in rural areas. The availability of these technologies could increase access to mental health services and improve the diagnostics of mental disorders. In this descriptive review, we systematize ethical concerns about digital technologies for mental health with a particular focus on individuals suffering from schizophrenia. There are many unsolved dilemmas and conflicts of interest in the implementation of these technologies, such as (1) the lack of evidence on efficacy and impact on self-perception; (2) the lack of clear standards for the safety of their daily implementation; (3) unclear roles of technology and a shift in the responsibilities of all parties; (4) no guarantee of data confidentiality; and (5) the lack of a user-centered design that meets the particular needs of patients with schizophrenia. mHealth can improve care in psychiatry and make mental healthcare services more efficient and personalized while destigmatizing mental health disorders. To ensure that these technologies will benefit people with mental health disorders, we need to heighten sensitivity to ethical issues among mental healthcare specialists, health policy makers, software developers, patients themselves and their proxies. Additionally, we need to develop frameworks for furthering sustainable development in the digital technologies industry and for the responsible usage of such technologies for patients with schizophrenia in the clinical setting. We suggest that digital technology in psychiatry, particularly for schizophrenia and other serious mental health disorders, should be integrated into treatment with professional supervision rather than as a self-treatment tool.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Olga Chivilgina
- Institute of Biomedical Ethics, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Bernice S Elger
- Institute of Biomedical Ethics, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Unit of Health Law & Humanitarian Medicine At the Institute for Legal Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Fabrice Jotterand
- Institute of Biomedical Ethics, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Center for Bioethics and Medical Humanities, Institute for Health and Equity, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, USA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Sugimura K, Iwasa Y, Kobayashi R, Honda T, Hashimoto J, Kashihara S, Zhu J, Yamamoto K, Kawahara T, Anno M, Nakagawa R, Hatano K, Nakao T. Association between long-range temporal correlations in intrinsic EEG activity and subjective sense of identity. Sci Rep 2021; 11:422. [PMID: 33431948 PMCID: PMC7801398 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-79444-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The long-range temporal correlation (LRTC) in resting-state intrinsic brain activity is known to be associated with temporal behavioral patterns, including decision making based on internal criteria such as self-knowledge. However, the association between the neuronal LRTC and the subjective sense of identity remains to be explored; in other words, whether our subjective sense of consistent self across time relates to the temporal consistency of neural activity. The present study examined the relationship between the LRTC of resting-state scalp electroencephalography (EEG) and a subjective sense of identity measured by the Erikson Psychosocial Stage Inventory (EPSI). Consistent with our prediction based on previous studies of neuronal-behavioral relationships, the frontocentral alpha LRTC correlated negatively with identity confusion. Moreover, from the descriptive analyses, centroparietal beta LRTC showed negative correlations with identity confusion, and frontal theta LRTC showed positive relationships with identity synthesis. These results suggest that more temporal consistency (reversely, less random noise) in intrinsic brain activity is associated with less confused and better-synthesized identity. Our data provide further evidence that the LRTC of intrinsic brain activity might serve as a noise suppression mechanism at the psychological level.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kazumi Sugimura
- grid.257022.00000 0000 8711 3200Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Hiroshima University, 1-1-1, Kagamiyama, Higashi-Hiroshima, Hiroshima, 739-8524 Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Iwasa
- grid.257022.00000 0000 8711 3200Graduate School of Education, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Ryota Kobayashi
- grid.257022.00000 0000 8711 3200Graduate School of Education, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Tatsuru Honda
- grid.257022.00000 0000 8711 3200Graduate School of Education, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Junya Hashimoto
- grid.257022.00000 0000 8711 3200Graduate School of Education, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Shiho Kashihara
- grid.257022.00000 0000 8711 3200Graduate School of Education, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Jianhong Zhu
- grid.257022.00000 0000 8711 3200Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Hiroshima University, 1-1-1, Kagamiyama, Higashi-Hiroshima, Hiroshima, 739-8524 Japan
| | - Kazuki Yamamoto
- grid.257022.00000 0000 8711 3200Graduate School of Education, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Tsuyoshi Kawahara
- grid.257022.00000 0000 8711 3200Graduate School of Education, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Mayo Anno
- grid.257022.00000 0000 8711 3200Faculty of Education, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Risa Nakagawa
- grid.257022.00000 0000 8711 3200Graduate School of Education, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Kai Hatano
- grid.261455.10000 0001 0676 0594Faculty of Liberal Arts and Science, Osaka Prefecture University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Takashi Nakao
- grid.257022.00000 0000 8711 3200Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Hiroshima University, 1-1-1, Kagamiyama, Higashi-Hiroshima, Hiroshima, 739-8524 Japan
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Sucher J, Quenstedt SR, Parnes MF, Brown AD. Pain centrality mediates pain self-efficacy and symptom severity among individuals reporting chronic pain. J Clin Psychol 2020; 76:2222-2231. [PMID: 32567702 DOI: 10.1002/jclp.23012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2019] [Revised: 05/27/2020] [Accepted: 06/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Chronic pain is consistently associated with the presence of mental health disorders. Although previous research has shown relations between low levels of self-efficacy with chronic pain severity as well as comorbid mental health symptoms, the link between self-efficacy and mental health symptoms in chronic pain is not well understood. This study examined whether pain centrality, the extent to which pain is viewed as central to self-identity, may underlie these associations. Individuals with a diagnosis of chronic pain (N = 89) recruited through MTurkcompleted self-report measures including demographics, self-efficacy, pain centrality, pain severity, depression, and anxiety. Pain severity was associated with higher levels of pain centrality, depression, anxiety, and lower levels of self-efficacy. Path analysis demonstrated pain centrality significantly mediated the relationship between self-efficacy and pain severity, depression, and anxiety. Future studies would benefit from testing whether modifying pain centrality beliefs shift perceptions of control as well as pain and psychological outcomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jillian Sucher
- Department of Psychology, The New School for Social Research, New York, New York, USA
| | - Stella R Quenstedt
- Department of Psychology, The New School for Social Research, New York, New York, USA
| | - McKenna F Parnes
- Department of Psychology, Suffolk University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Adam D Brown
- Department of Psychology, The New School for Social Research, New York, New York, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| |
Collapse
|