title: Narrative evolution and assimilation of problematic experiences in a case of pharmacotherapy for schizophrenia.
abstract: This case study applied the assimilation model to examine the changing narrative of an outpatient with schizophrenia and symptoms of depression across a successful pharmacotherapy. The assimilation model describes how clients assimilate painful, problematic experiences. Therapeutic progress is understood to reflect increasing assimilation, measured by the Assimilation of Problematic Experiences Scale (APES). The authors used a 15-min semistructured interview (Problematic Experiences Questionnaire) to elicit narrative descriptions of the patient's problems and coping across five interviews throughout his 12-week treatment. They describe how the patient's narrative and APES ratings of his main problems by two clinicians changed in concert through treatment, explain these developments using assimilation concepts, and interpret the results in relation to assimilation and insight in schizophrenia.
authors.affiliation: National Center for Organization Development, Veterans Health Administration, Cincinnati, OH 45249, USA. Katerine.Osatuke@va.gov
authors.forename: Katerine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Osatuke
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Reid
authors.forename: William B
authors.initials: WB
authors.lastname: Stiles
authors.forename: John W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Kasckow
authors.forename: Sidney
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zisook
authors.forename: Somaia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mohamed
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001364:Awareness; D015283:Citalopram / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003674:Defense Mechanisms; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D033262:Narration; D011340:Problem Solving; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology
chemical_list: D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D015283:Citalopram