eCite Digital Repository
Responding to challenges for people with psychotic illness: Updated evidence from the survey of high impact psychosis
Citation
Morgan, VA and Waterreus, A and Carr, V and Castle, D and Cohen, M and Harvey, C and Galletly, C and Mackinnon, A and McGorry, P and McGrath, JJ and Neil, AL and Saw, S and Badcock, JC and Foley, DL and Waghorn, G and Coker, S and Jablensky, A, Responding to challenges for people with psychotic illness: Updated evidence from the survey of high impact psychosis, Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 51, (2) pp. 124-140. ISSN 0004-8674 (2017) [Refereed Article]
Copyright Statement
Copyright 2016 The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists 2
DOI: doi:10.1177/0004867416679738
Abstract
METHODS: Survey of High Impact Psychosis collected nationally representative data on 1825 people with psychotic illness. Over 60 papers have been published covering key challenges reported by participants: financial problems, loneliness and social isolation, unemployment, poor physical health, uncontrolled symptoms of mental illness, and lack of stable, suitable housing. Findings are summarised under the rubric of participant-ranked top challenges.
RESULTS: The main income source for the majority (85%) of participants was a government benefit. Only one-third was employed, and the most appropriate employment services for this group were under-utilised. High rates of loneliness and social isolation impacted mental and physical health. The rate of cardiometabolic disease was well above the general population rate, and associated risk factors were present from a very young age. Childhood abuse (30.6%), adult violent victimisation (16.4%) and alcohol and substance abuse/dependence (lifetime rates of 50.5% and 54.5%, respectively) complicated the clinical profile. Treatment with medication was suboptimal, with physical health conditions undertreated, a high rate of psychotropic polypharmacy and underutilisation of clozapine in chronic persistent psychotic illness. Only 38.6% received evidence-based psychosocial therapies. In the previous year, 27.4% had changed housing and 12.8% had been homeless, on average for 155 days.
CONCLUSION: Money, social engagement and employment are the most important challenges for people with psychotic illness, as well as good physical and mental health. An integrated approach to recovery is needed to optimise service delivery and augment evidence-based clinical practice with measures to improve physical health and social circumstances. Meeting these challenges has the potential to reduce costs to government and society, as well as promote recovery.
Item Details
Item Type: | Refereed Article |
---|---|
Keywords: | employment, social isolation, physical health, victimisation, schizophrenia |
Research Division: | Health Sciences |
Research Group: | Health services and systems |
Research Field: | Mental health services |
Objective Division: | Health |
Objective Group: | Public health (excl. specific population health) |
Objective Field: | Mental health |
UTAS Author: | Neil, AL (Associate Professor Amanda Neil) |
ID Code: | 113731 |
Year Published: | 2017 (online first 2016) |
Web of Science® Times Cited: | 62 |
Deposited By: | Menzies Institute for Medical Research |
Deposited On: | 2017-01-17 |
Last Modified: | 2022-06-17 |
Downloads: | 0 |
Repository Staff Only: item control page