Suchergebnisse

Schizophrenie – kaum ein anderer psychiatrischer Krankheitsbegriff wurde in der zweiten Hälfte des 20. Jahrhunderts so intensiv und kritisch diskutiert. Auch innerhalb der Psychiatrie herrschte alles andere als Einigkeit über den Begriff, die Ursachen und Behandlungsmethoden. Von den ersten Berichten psychotherapeutischer Behandlungen bis hin zu den Erfahrungsschilderungen von Betroffenen rekonstruiert Sandra Schmitt, wie sich die Vorstellungen von Schizophrenie nach 1945 veränderten, welche Rolle die Psychoanalyse dabei spielte und wie die Psychiatrie darüber in eine Krise geriet und sich durch methodische Verwissenschaftlichungen wieder stabilisierte. Die Studie beschreibt die Zirkulation von Wissen und die Etablierung neuer Deutungen des Schizophreniekonzeptes und liefert so einen Beitrag zur Wissens- und Kulturgeschichte der Psychiatrie in Ost- und Westdeutschland

Background. The COVID-19 pandemic and governmental lockdown measures disproportionally impact older adults. This study presents the results from a psychiatric helpline for older adults in Mannheim, Germany, during the lockdown, set up to provide information and psychosocial support. We aim to elucidate the needs of older adults, their reported changes, and the psychological impact during the initial stages of the health crisis. Methods: A total of 55 older adults called the psychiatric helpline between April and June 2020. Information on demographics, medical and psychiatric history. as well as changes in daily life due to the pandemic was collected anonymously. Mental health status was assessed using the 7-Item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD-7) and the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A). Results: Most callers were women, older adults (M = 74.69 years), single, and retired. In total, 69% of callers reported new or an increase in psychiatric symptoms, with anxiety and depressive symptoms being the most common ones. Age was significantly negatively correlated to higher levels of anxiety and depression symptoms. Individuals with a previous diagnosis of a psychiatric disease reported significantly higher levels of depressive and anxiety symptoms than those without a diagnosis. Conclusion: In older adults, the perceived psychological impact of the COVID-19 crisis appears to ameliorate with age. Individuals with a history of psychiatric disease are most vulnerable to negative mental health outcomes. Rapid response in the form of a geriatric helpline is a useful initiative to support the psychosocial needs of older adults during a health crisis.