Insight development in schizophrenia: the construction of dangerousness in relapse.
Mental health professionals believe that lack of insight is a major problem in schizophrenia because it significantly interferes with adherence to medical treatment. Yet few researchers have attempted to ask people with schizophrenia for their views on how insight develops and impacts on their quality of life. We explored these questions in interviews and focus groups with 19 Canadian people who had been diagnosed with schizophrenia and identified as having good insight, and with New Zealand and Canadian treatment providers. We found that participants developed insight in three stages, which we labeled the period of chaos, the dynamic period, and the period of wisdom. Crises led participants to realize that their safety and their relationships with loved ones would continue to be dangerously imperiled unless they made sustained efforts to maintain wellness. We propose the Theory of Dangerousness to explain how participants developed and maintained their motivation to remain well.
1Private Practice, Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada.
Wendy Gale
WG
Nordick
Kate
K
van Heugten
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001364:Awareness; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology; D003617:Dangerous Behavior; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000523:psychology; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D012269:Ribosomal Proteins; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D012803:Sick Role; D055815:Young Adult
D012269:Ribosomal Proteins; C087267:ribosome releasing factor
grounded theory; mental health and illness; motivation; recovery; risk, perceptions; schizophrenia