Emotional dysfunction in schizophrenia spectrum psychosis: the role of illness perceptions.
BACKGROUND
Assessing illness perceptions has been useful in a range of medical disorders. This study of people with a recent relapse of their psychosis examines the relationship between illness perception, their emotional responses and their attitudes to medication.


METHODS
One hundred patients diagnosed with a non-affective psychotic disorder were assessed within 3 months of relapse. Measures included insight, self-reported illness perceptions, medication adherence, depression, self-esteem and anxiety.


RESULTS
Illness perceptions about psychosis explained 46, 36 and 34% of the variance in depression, anxiety and self-esteem respectively. However, self-reported medication adherence was more strongly associated with a measure of insight.


CONCLUSIONS
Negative illness perceptions in psychosis are clearly related to depression, anxiety and self-esteem. These in turn have been linked to symptom maintenance and recurrence. Clinical interventions that foster appraisals of recovery rather than of chronicity and severity may therefore improve emotional well-being in people with psychosis. It might be better to address adherence to medication through direct attempts at helping them understand their need for treatment.
Watson
P W B
PW
King's College London, Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, London, UK. P.Watson@iop.kcl.ac.uk
Garety
P A
PA
Weinman
J
J
Dunn
G
G
Bebbington
P E
PE
Fowler
D
D
Freeman
D
D
Kuipers
E
E
D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D001294:Attitude to Health; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D012008:Recurrence; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D012649:Self Concept; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents