What is psychoeducation?

WHAT IS PSYCHOEDUCATION ?

B ) WHAT ARE THE COMPONENTS OF PSYCHOEDUCATION ?

C ) ITS APPLICATIONS IN MANAGEMENT OF PSYCHIATRIC DISORDERS ?

A 4 INTRODUCTION

1 The concept of psychoeducation was first noted in the medical literature, in an article by John E. Donley “Psychotherapy and re-education” in The Journal of Abnormal Psychology, published in 1911.

2 It wasn’t until 30 years later that the first use of the word psychoeducation appeared in the medical literature in title of the book The psychoeducational clinic by Brian E. Tomlinson. New York, NY, US: MacMillan Co. This book was published in 1941.

3 In French, the first instance of the term psychoéducation is in the thesis “La stabilité du comportement” published in 1962.

4 The popularization and development of the term psychoeducation into its current form is widely attributed to the American researcher C.M. Anderson in 1980 in the context of the treatment of schizophrenia

A ) Her research concentrated on educating relatives concerning the symptoms and the process of the schizophrenia.

B ) Also, her research focused on the stabilization of social authority and on the improvement in handling of the family members among themselves.

C ) Finally, C.M. Anderson’s research included more effective stress management techniques.

5 Psychoeducation in behavior therapy has its origin in the patient’s relearning of emotional and social skills.

6 In the last few years increasingly systematic group programs have been developed, in order to make the knowledge more understandable to patients and their families

A ) DEFINITION

1 Psychoeducation is an evidence-based therapeutic intervention for patients and their loved ones that provides information and support to better understand and cope with illness.

2 Psychoeducation is most often associated with serious mental illness, including dementia, schizophrenia, clinical depression, anxiety disorders, psychotic illnesses, eating disorders, and personality disorders, although the term has also been used for programs that address physical illnesses, such as cancer.

3 Psychoeducation offered to patients and family members teaches problem-solving and communication skills and provides education and resources in an empathetic and supportive environment.

4 Results from more than 30 studies indicate psychoeducation improves family well-being, lower rates of relapse and improves recovery.

B ) COMPONENTS OF PSYCHOEDUCATION

There are four components in psychoeducation, which may vary in their concentration depending upon the condition being addressed - vv imp

A ) treatment of the condition

B ) management of the condition, especially those that are chronic and intractable

C ) compliance with the medical and psychological regimen

and

D ) prevention of progression, exacerbation, or relapse.

C ) APPLICATIONS IN MANAGEMENT OF PSYCHIATRIC DISORDERS / USES / IMPLICATIONS

INTRODUCTION

A ) IT FOCUSES ON STRESS MANAGEMENT THROUGH APPLICATIONS OF -

1 relaxation training: teaching techniques for relaxation, for example, relaxing major muscle groups, in a way that decreases anxiety

2 breathing retraining: teaching techniques of slow, abdominal breathing to avoid hyperventilation and the unpleasant physical sensations that accompany it

3 positive thinking and self-talk: positive statements (e.g. ‘I did it before and I can do it again’) are written on cards and rehearsed so that they can be used to replace the negative thoughts that often occur during stressful experiences

4 assertiveness training: teaching the person how to express wishes, opinions and emotions appropriately and without alienating others

5 thought stopping: teaching the person distraction techniques to overcome distressing thoughts by inwardly shouting ‘stop’.

B ) SUPPORTIVE THERAPY AND COUNSELLING

C ) HYPNOTHERAPY -

1 - Hypnotherapy involves giving the patient instructions (e.g. ‘focus on your right arm and on the sensation that it is getting lighter and lighter’) to induce a state of highly focused attention, a reduced awareness of peripheral stimuli and a heightened responsiveness to social cues (suggestibility).

2 The goal is to enhance control over trauma-related emotional distress and hyperarousal symptoms and to facilitate the recollection of details of the traumatic event.

3 It is often considered as an adjunct to psychodynamic, cognitive–behavioural or other therapies rather than as a therapy per se

D ) KNOWLEDGE BASED IMPROVEMENT - IMPARTING RIGHT INFORMATION AND EDUCATION

E ) IMPROVES ADHERENCE TO PHARMACOLOGICAL INTERVENTION

F ) IMPROVES COMMUNICATIONS SKILLS

G ) PROMOTES SELF AWARENESS

USES

1 In PTSD ( POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER )

2 SCHIZOPHRENIA

3 SCHIZOAFFECTIVE DISORDERS

4 ANXIETY

5 DEPRESSION

6 BIPOLAR DISORDER

7 EATING DISORDERS - MORE FOR BULLIMIA THAN ANOREXIA

8 PERSONALITY DISORDERS

SIDE EFFECTS

1 Often acutely sick patients suffer from substantial thinking, concentration and attention disturbances, at the beginning of their illness and care should be taken not to overwhelm the patient with too much information.

2 The detailed knowledge of the condition, prognosis therapy possibilities and the disease process, can make the patient and/or family member stressed.

3 Therefore, one should draw an exact picture of the risks regarding the psychological condition of the patient.

4 It should be considered how much the patient already understands, and how much knowledge the patient can take up and process in their current condition.

5 The ability to concentrate should be considered as well as the maximum level of emotional stress that the patient can take.

6 In the context of a psychoeducational program a selection of aspects and/or therapy possibilities can be considered and discussed with the patient.

7 However, the professional should also make a complete representation of the possibilities of treatment, and attention should be paid to not make excessive demands of the patient, that is, giving too much information at once ( vv imp ) - GO SLOW