Psychoeducation in Psychiatric Disorder
Psychoeducation in Psychiatric Disorder
Psychoeducation in Psychiatric Disorder
SEMINAR
Contents:
Presenter: Discussant:
Introduction Brief Introduction
Definition of Psychoeducation Psychoeducation: Why it is so important & recent trends
Etymology of Psychoeducation as a method of psychotherapeutic Psychoeducation: limited to psychiatry or applicable to
treatment physical disorders too
Therapeutic Factors of Psychoeducation Transcultural aspects of psychoeducation
Models of Psychoeducation Status of Psychoeducation in India
Application of Psychoeducation in different mental disorders: Limitations of psychoeducation
Schizophrenia Psychoeducation to special sections:
Affective disorders Parents of children & Adolescent with Psychiatric
Anxiety disorders Disorders
Personality disorders Caregivers of females with psychiatric disorders
Substance addiction Summary, conclusion & future direction
Organic disorder
Conclusion
INTRODUCTION:
Psychoeducation is an educative method based on clinical findings for providing information and training
to families with psychiatrically ill persons to work together with mental health professionals as part of an
overall clinical treatment plan for their ill family members. Psychoeducation has been shown to improve
patient outcomes for persons with schizophrenia and other major mental illnesses and behavioural
disorders. Imminent goals of psychoeducation are to prevent patients with severe mental illnesses from
having frequent relapsing episodes of illness, ensuring medicine as well as treatment adherence, and to
promote their re-entry into their home communities, with particular regard for their social and
occupational functioning. To achieve these goals, psychoeducation programmes seek to provide families
with the information they need about mental illness and the coping skills that will help them to deal with
their loved one's psychiatric disorder. In a nutshell Psychoeducation’s goal is to offer education and
therapeutic strategies to improve the quality of life for the family while decreasing the possibility of
relapse for the patient (Solomon, 1996). It also has been described as a “systematic didactic-
psychotherapeutic intervention, designed to inform patients and their relatives about the disorder and to
promote coping” (Lincoln et al., 2007). By strengthening the coping skills, communication and problem
solving abilities of the family, the well-being and adaptability of the individual and family members are
expected to improve.
Definition of Psychoeducation:
A. Psychoeducation can be defined as ‘systematic, structured, didactic information on the illness
and its treatment, and includes integrating emotional aspects in order to enable patients – as well
as family members – to cope with the illness’ (Bäuml & Pitschel-Walz, 2008).
B. The working group of ‘‘Psychoeducation of patients with schizophrenia’’ gave the following
definition of psychoeducation: “The term psychoeducation comprises systemic, didactic
psychotherapeutic interventions, which are adequate for informing patients and their relatives
about the illness and its treatment, facilitating both an understanding and personally responsible
handling of the illness and supporting those afflicted in coping with the disorder” (Bäuml &
Pitschel-Walz, 2003).
C. Psychoeducation is the “process of teaching clients with mental illness and their family members
about the nature of the illness, including its aetiology, progression, consequences, prognosis,
treatment and alternatives” (Barker, 2003).
Models of psychoeducation:
There are several different models of psychoeducation. These models include strategic elements while
applying interventions like: development of single- and multiple-family groups; mixed groups that
include family members and patients; groups of varying duration ranging from nine months to more than
five years; and groups that focus on patients and families at different phases in the illness. The various
psychoeducational models can be categorised into four approaches (Zipple & Spanial, 1997). Most
models used the component from more than one approach but usually they have specific focus.
Information model: the emphasis of this model is to provide families the knowledge about
psychiatric illness and its management. The aim of this approach is to improve the families’
awareness about the illness and contribution to the management of the patient.
The skill training model: this model is directed at systematically developing specific behaviours
so that family members can enhance their capability to assist the ill relatives and manage the
illness more effectively.
The supportive model: it is an approach which generally utilizes support groups designed to
engage the families of patient in sharing their feelings and experiences. Here the main goal is to
enhance and improve the emotional capacities of the families to cope with the burden of caring
for their ill relatives.
Comprehensive model: it is also called combination approach because it consists of information,
skill training and supportive model. In the initial phase of this approach members are given
lectures about the illness. They are to take part in multi-family support group. In the final phase
they have to participate particularly as a member of individual sessions with a mental health
professional. (Left et al., 1992)
Family psychoeducation programs have been studied extensively and refined by a number of
researchers, including Ian R.H. Falloon, Gerald Hogarty, William McFarlane, and Lisa Dixon. William
McFarlane proposed a model of psychoeducation namely ‘Multiple Family Group Therapy’ (MFGT) with
the aims of engaging families in the rehabilitation and after care programmes of severe psychiatric illness
like schizophrenia. This model acknowledges the essentially chronic nature of this disease and seeks to
engage families in the rehabilitation process by creating a long-term working partnership with them and
providing them with the information needed to understand schizophrenia. This model seeks to assist the
patient and family in accommodating the disease while developing social support systems for the
reduction of confusing, anxiety, and exhaustion in the patient's family, while they learn adaptive
strategies. William McFarlane delivered following assumptions of this model:
a) Schizophrenia and schizo-affective disorders have strong biological correlates which point to the
brain in the illness. This involvement can best be understood as a deficit in the attention-arousal
mechanisms of the brain, yielding a condition whereby stimuli are idiosyncratically handled.
b) Ordinary life events, and certainly extraordinary ones, can produce stress which overwhelms the
patient's ability to respond in a directed and adaptive manner to a wide variety of stimuli,
precipitating a psychotic episode.
c) Schizophrenia is a chronic disease which is characterized by recurring episodes which each may
last up to two years (including both positive and negative symptom phases).
d) Families do not cause schizophrenia although they may inadvertently exacerbate the condition in
their efforts to respond to it.
e) The preferred response to the presence of schizophrenia is usually not deductible from "common
sense" and may be in opposition to standard treatments for other mental disorders.
f) Anti-psychotic and other psychotropic medications are generally of use in controlling symptoms
although they are usually not sufficient in themselves to bring about complete rehabilitation.
g) The use of street drugs or alcohol tends to exacerbate symptoms of schizophrenia.
h) Clinicians who are warm, collegial, and non-blaming of families have the best chance of helping
them learn new ways of responding to this illness.
Integrated Approach for the People with Dual Diagnosis (Psychosis & Substance Addiction):
In case of persons with severe mental disorders such as schizophrenia and co-occurring substance
use disorders treatment, aftercare and rehabilitation would become much more difficult to the clinicians
and these people usually receive treatments for their two disorders from two different sets of clinicians in
parallel treatment systems. But separate treatment from two different sets of professional stream could not
provide the desired result in these people. So integrated treatment models in which the same clinicians or
teams of clinicians provide substance abuse treatment and mental health treatment can be initiated for the
treatment and rehabilitation of these people. This integrated model includes approaches like
pharmacotherapy, appropriate group and individual psychotherapy, family psychoeducation programme,
case management and assertive community treatment. This form of treatment i.e., integrated treatments
simultaneously address two or more chronic disorders. Conceptually, interventions for patients with
severe mental disorders such as schizophrenia and interventions for patients with substance use disorders
share common ground: both hold the philosophy that treatment of chronic illness requires a long-term
approach in which stabilization, education, and self-management are central. In integrated treatments for
patients with dual disorders, mental health treatments and substance abuse treatments are clubbed
together and served by the same clinician, or team of clinicians, in the same program in order to providing
the patient consistent explanation of illness and a coherent prescription for treatment rather than a
contradictory set of messages from different providers. Integrated treatment aims to reduce conflicts
between providers, to eliminate the patient's burden of attending two programs and hearing potentially
conflicting messages, and to remove financial and other barriers to access and retention (Drake et al.,
1998).
Table-2: Some Studies examining the efficacy of psychoeducation in Dementia & Alzheimer’s
Diseases:
Authors &
Study Method & Samples Result
Year
Coon et al Examined the short-term impact 169 Female caregivers aged ≥50 years The primary outcomes examined were anger
(2003) psychoeducational small group who were caring dementia patients or hostile mood, depressed mood, frequency
interventions with distressed female were selected. of use of positive & negative coping
caregivers, & it also examines the role They were randomly assigned to one strategies, & perceived caregiving self-
of specific moderator & mediator of three treatment interventions: anger efficacy.
variables on caregiver outcomes. management, depression management, Participants in both anger management &
or a wait-list control group. Duration depression management groups had
of interventions was 3- to 4-months. significant reductions in their levels of anger
or hostility & depression in comparison to
participants in the wait-list control group.
Self-efficacy also increased in both anger
management & depression management
groups.
Judge et al This research aims to give an in-depth Authors used a strength-based Content & process of the intervention were
(2010) description of a dyadic intervention approach, caregiving dyads received viewed as highly acceptable & feasible by
for individuals with dementia and skills training across 5 key areas: (a) both participants & intervention specialists.
their family caregivers. education regarding dementia &
memory loss, (b) effective
communication, (c) managing
memory loss, (d) staying active, (e)
recognizing emotions & behaviours.
Caregiving dyads were randomly
assigned to participate in the
intervention.
Depp et al To provide the rationale of advantages Systematic review of studies on According to authors’ two major strengths of
(2003) of psychoeducational programs versus support groups & psychoeducation psychoeducational interventions are their
support groups for caregivers of programmes for the caregivers of emphasis on training caregivers in a variety of
people with dementia. dementia patients. cognitive & behavioural skills for coping with
caregiving, & their adaptability to caregivers
from diverse backgrounds.
Hepburn et Development & field testing of a Program development started with a All selected caregivers reported increased
al (2003) specially designed psychoeducational prototype of a 12-hr course with the skill, knowledge, & confidence.
programme namely “Savvy Caregiver targets of helping family caregivers to
Program”. know what the caregiving role is &
what knowledge, skills, & attitudes
needed to carry out that role, &
alerting them to self-care issues.
Akkerman To see the effectiveness of Brief To assess CBT's effectiveness, 38 Short term CBT has got immense potential to
& Ostwald Group Cognitive Behavioural anxious Alzheimer’s Disease affected act as an aid to raise awareness level as well
DISCUSSION
Brief Introduction:
Psychoeducation is an adjunctive approach which has the immense potentialities to reduce the relapse as
well as rehospitalization rates and mental health costs in relapsing psychiatric disorders. Psychoeducation
is understood as systematic, structured, didactic information on the illness and its treatment options and
psychoeducation aims to enable patients as well as family members—to cope with the illness. Modern
treatment protocols cite psychoeducation as an indispensible part of psychiatric treatment.
Psychoeducation for patients with severe and relapsing mental disorder improves the understanding of
mental illness, increases the quality of life, and can reduce relapse rates. Family psychoeducation as well
has become a strongly supported evidence-based practice in the treatment of chronic and relapsing mental
disorders. Psychoeducation in families of patients with such disorders can reduce the relapse rates of
these patients, positively influence the course of the patient’s illness, and help the families and patients to
better cope with the mental illness (Rummel-Kluge et al., 2006).
B. Women-
In women psychoeducational models were tried by few researchers, like Zanarini & Frankenburg (2008)
where they did a randomized trial of psychoeducation for women with borderline personality disorder.
The main objective of this study was to determine whether being taught the latest information concerning
borderline personality disorder (BPD) leads to a decline in core BPD symptoms and an improvement in
psychosocial functioning. Fifty-five late adolescent women participated in a rigorous diagnostic
assessment and 50 met DIB-R and DSM-IV criteria for BPD. All 50 were informed that they met criteria
for BPD. Then 30 were randomized to a psychoeducation workshop that took place within a week of
diagnostic disclosure. The other 20 were assigned to a waitlist and participated in the workshop at the end
of this 12-week study. Authors commented that informing patients about BPD immediately after
diagnostic disclosure could be helpful to reduce the severity of two of the core elements of borderline
psychopathology-e.g., general impulsivity and unstable relationships. Broto et al (2008) examined the
effectiveness of psychoeducation among the females with early-stage cervical and endometrial cancer.
Because cervical and endometrial cancer has been associated with significant sexual difficulties (Female
Sexual Arousal Difficulty or FSAD) in at least half of women following hysterectomy. Authors applied
three session psychoeducational intervention (PED) targeting FSAD in 22 women with early-stage
gynecologic cancer. The PED consisted of three, 1-h sessions that combined elements of cognitive and
behavioral therapy with education and mindfulness training. Results shown that there was a significant
positive effect of the PED on sexual desire, arousal, orgasm, satisfaction, sexual distress, depression, and
overall well-being, and a trend towards significantly improved physiological genital arousal and perceived
genital arousal. Sherman et al (In press: abstract taken from Science Directory) conducted a study on 249
patients early stage breast cancer to examine the physical, emotional, and social adjustment of them as
well as to compare the impact of psychoeducation (which was done by videotapes) and telephone
counseling, or psychoeducation plus telephone counseling as interventions that address the specific needs
of women during the diagnostic, postsurgery, adjuvant therapy, and ongoing recovery phases of breast
cancer. These authors found that psychoeducation by videotapes and telephone counseling were equally
effective in decreasing the side effect distress and side effect severity and increased psychological well-
being during the adjuvant therapy phase. Cousineau et al (2008) had tested the effectiveness of a brief
online education and support programme for female infertility patients. For this these females very often
do have psychological morbidities in the forms of depression and anxiety. These authors tried an online
format of psychoeducation over 190 female patients who were recruited from three US fertility centres.
They found that such online patient education intervention can have beneficial effects in several
psychological domains and may be a cost effective resource for these females.