Patient experience of lasting negative effects of psychological interventions for anxiety and depression in secondary mental health care services: a national cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Patients who undergo psychological treatment can report both negative and positive effects, but evidence of factors influencing the likelihood of negative effects is limited. AIMS: To identify aspects of the organisation and delivery of secondary care psychological treatment services that are associated with patient experiences of negative effects. METHOD: Cross-sectional survey of people with anxiety and depression who ended psychological treatment delivered by 50 NHS trusts in England. Respondents were asked about how their treatment was organised and delivered and whether they experienced lasting negative effects. RESULTS: Of 662 respondents, 90 (14.1%) reported experiencing lasting negative effects. People over the age of 65 were less likely than younger respondents to report negative effects. There was an association between reporting neutral or negative effects and not being referred at what respondents considered to be the right time (OR = 1.712, 95% CI = 1.078-2.726), not receiving the right number of sessions (OR = 3.105, 95% CI = 1.934-4.987), and not discussing progress with their therapist (OR 2.063, 95% CI = 1.290-3.301). CONCLUSIONS: One in seven patients who took part in this survey reported lasting negative effects from psychological treatment. Steps should be taken to prepare people for the potential for negative experiences of treatment, and progress reviewed during therapy in an effort to identify and prevent negative effects.

Impact of Substance Use Disorder on Quality of Inpatient Mental Health Services for People With Anxiety and Depression.

Objective: Substance use disorders are commonly comorbid with anxiety and depressive disorders and are associated with poor treatment outcomes. The mechanisms underlying this association remain unclear-one possibility is that patients with anxiety/depressive disorders and substance use disorders receive poorer treatment. Concerns have been raised about the quality of inpatient care received by patients with substance use disorders. The purspose of this research was to examine the quality of care received by inpatients with an anxiety or depressive disorder, comparing subgroups with or without a comorbid substance use disorder. Methods: This was a retrospective case-note review of 3,795 patients admitted to inpatient psychiatric wards in England. Data were gathered on all acute admissions with anxiety/depressive illness over a 6-month period, for a number of measures of quality of care derived from national standards. Association of coexisting substance use disorders with a variety of quality of care outcomes (relating to assessment, care planning, medication management, psychological therapies, discharge, crisis planning, and follow-up) was investigated using multivariable regression analyses. Results: In all, 543 (14.3%) patients in the study had a secondary diagnosis of a substance use disorder. Patients with substance use disorders were less likely to have had care plans that were developed jointly (i.e., with input from both patient and clinician; odds ratio [OR] = 0.76, 95% confidence interval [CI] [0.55, 0.93], p = .034) and less likely to have had their medication reviewed either during the admission (OR = 0.83, 95% CI [0.69, 0.94], p = .030) or at follow-up after discharge (OR = 0.58, 95% CI [0.39, 0.86], p = .007). Carers of patients with substance use disorders were less likely to have been provided with information about available support services (OR = 0.79, 95% CI [0.57, 0.98], p = .047). Patients with substance use disorders were less likely to have received adequate (at least 24 hours) notice in advance of their discharge (OR = 0.72, 95% CI [0.54, 0.96], p = .033), as were their carers (OR = 0.63, 95% CI [0.41, 0.85], p = .007). They were less likely to have a crisis plan in place at the point of discharge (OR = 0.85, 95% CI [0.74, 0.98], p = .044). There was also strong evidence that patients with substance use disorders were less likely to have been referred for psychological therapy (OR = 0.69, 95% CI [0.55, 0.87], p = .002). Conclusions: We found evidence of poorer quality of care for inpatients with anxiety and depressive disorders with comorbid substance use disorders, highlighting the need for more to be done to support these patients. Discrepancies in care quality may be contributed to the poor treatment outcomes experienced by patients with substance use disorders, and strategies to reduce this inequality are necessary to improve the well-being of this substantial patient group.

Development and Evaluation of a Cognitive Behavioural Intervention for Chronic Post-Stroke Insomnia.

BACKGROUND: Cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBTI) has been successfully applied to those with chronic illness. However, despite the high prevalence of post-stroke insomnia, the applicability of CBTI for this population has not been substantially researched or routinely used in clinical practice. AIMS: The present study developed a 'CBTI+' protocol for those with post-stroke insomnia and tested its efficacy. The protocol also incorporated additional management strategies that considered the consequences of stroke. METHOD: A single-case experimental design was used with five community-dwelling individuals with post-stroke insomnia. Daily sleep diaries were collected over 11 weeks, including a 2-week baseline, 7-week intervention and 2-week follow-up. The Insomnia Severity Index, Dysfunctional Attitudes and Beliefs About Sleep Scale, Epworth Sleepiness Scale, Fatigue Severity Scale and Stroke Impact Scale were administered pre- and post-treatment, as well as at 2-week follow-up. RESULTS: At post-treatment, three participants no longer met diagnostic criteria for insomnia and all participants showed improvements on two or more sleep parameters, including sleep duration and sleep onset latency. Three participants showed a reduction in daytime sleepiness, increased quality of life and reduction in unhelpful beliefs about sleep. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides initial evidence that CBTI+ is a feasible and acceptable intervention for post-stroke insomnia. Furthermore, it indicates that sleep difficulties in community-dwelling stroke populations are at least partly maintained by unhelpful beliefs and behaviours. The development and delivery of the CBTI+ protocol has important clinical implications for managing post-stroke insomnia and highlights directions for future research.

Patient experience of negative effects of psychological treatment: results of a national survey†.

BACKGROUND: To make informed choices, patients need information about negative as well as positive effects of treatments. There is little information about negative effects of psychological interventions. AIMS: To determine the prevalence of and risk factors for perceived negative effects of psychological treatment for common mental disorders. METHOD: Cross-sectional survey of people receiving psychological treatment from 184 services in England and Wales. Respondents were asked whether they had experienced lasting bad effects from the treatment they received. RESULTS: Of 14 587 respondents, 763 (5.2%) reported experiencing lasting bad effects. People aged over 65 were less likely to report such effects and sexual and ethnic minorities were more likely to report them. People who were unsure what type of therapy they received were more likely to report negative effects (odds ratio (OR) = 1.51, 95% CI 1.22-1.87), and those that stated that they were given enough information about therapy before it started were less likely to report them (OR = 0.65, 95% CI 0.54-0.79). CONCLUSIONS: One in 20 people responding to this survey reported lasting bad effects from psychological treatment. Clinicians should discuss the potential for both the positive and negative effects of therapy before it starts.

Patient preference in psychological treatment and associations with self-reported outcome: national cross-sectional survey in England and Wales.

BACKGROUND: Providers of psychological therapies are encouraged to offer patients choice about their treatment, but there is very little information about what preferences people have or the impact that meeting these has on treatment outcomes. METHOD: Cross-sectional survey of people receiving psychological treatment from 184 NHS services in England and Wales. 14,587 respondents were asked about treatment preferences and the extent to which these were met by their service. They were also asked to rate the extent to which therapy helped them cope with their difficulties. RESULTS: Most patients (12,549-86.0 %, 95 % CI: 85.5-86.6) expressed a preference for at least one aspect of their treatment. Of these, 4,600 (36.7 %, 95 % CI: 35.8-37.5) had at least one preference that was not met. While most patients reported that their preference for appointment times, venue and type of treatment were met, only 1,769 (40.5 %) of the 4,253 that had a preference for gender had it met. People who expressed a preference that was not met reported poorer outcomes than those with a preference that was met (Odds Ratios: appointment times = 0.29, venue = 0.32, treatment type = 0.16, therapist gender = 0.32, language in which treatment was delivered = 0.40). CONCLUSIONS: Most patients who took part in this survey had preferences about their treatment. People who reported preferences that were not met were less likely to state that treatment had helped them with their problems. Routinely assessing and meeting patient preferences may improve the outcomes of psychological treatment.

Comparison of access, outcomes and experiences of older adults and working age adults in psychological therapy.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the access, experiences and outcomes of older adults receiving psychological therapies in comparison with adults of working age METHODS: Primary and secondary care providers of psychological therapy services participated in the National Audit of Psychological Therapies. The main standards of access, experience and outcomes were measured by retrospective case records audits of people who completed therapy and a service user questionnaire. Outcomes were measured pre-treatment and post-treatment on the PHQ-9 and GAD-7. RESULTS: A total of 220 services across 97 organisations took part, 137 (62%) in primary care. Service user questionnaires were received from 14 425 (20%) respondents. A total of 122 740 records were audited, of whom 7794 (6.4%) were older adults. They were under represented as 13% of the sample would have been expected to be over 65 years according to age adjusted psychiatric morbidity figures. People over 75 years had the third expected referral rate. Significantly, more older adults than working age adults completed therapy (59.6% vs 48.6%) and were assessed as having 'recovered' post-treatment (58.5% vs 45.5%). Older adults were more satisfied with waiting times and numbers of sessions, but there were no differences in self-reported experience of therapy. CONCLUSION: Although older adults are less likely to gain access to psychological therapies, they appear to have better outcomes than working age adults. Further work is needed to improve access for older people.

Anxiety, depression, and fall-related psychological concerns in community-dwelling older people.

OBJECTIVES: Establish the association between affect and fall-related psychological concerns (fear of falling, fall-related self-efficacy, balance confidence, and outcome expectancy). METHODS: A total of 205 community-dwelling older people (mean age 81, SD 7.5 years) completed the Geriatric Depression Scale-15, Geriatric Anxiety Inventory, Modified Survey of Activities and Fear of Falling, Falls-Efficacy Scale- International, Activity-Specific Balance Confidence Scale, and the Consequences of Falling Scale. RESULTS: Hierarchical regression models showed that anxiety was independently associated with all fall-related psychological concerns; depression was only associated with falls efficacy. Associations between fall-related psychological concerns and age, gender, accommodation,medications, self-rated physical health, falls history, mobility, and sensory aids are also discussed. CONCLUSION: This is the first study that investigates the association between affect and the four fall-related psychological concerns. Anxiety was a significant factor associated with all four, whereas depression was only associated with activity avoidance. Implications for healthcare providers are discussed.

The feasibility and acceptability of a cognitive-behavioural self-help intervention for adolescents with obsessive-compulsive disorder.

BACKGROUND: Breaking Free from OCD is a cognitive behavioural self-help book for young people with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). The book is written for 11-16 year olds as a first step intervention for reducing mild to moderate symptoms of OCD. AIMS: This report describes a preliminary evaluation of the feasibility and acceptability of the book as a self-help intervention. METHOD: Using a case-series design, eight 11-16 year olds with OCD were monitored for symptom stability 3 weeks prior to receiving Breaking Free from OCD for use over an 8-week period. Weekly telephone calls were received to complete the CY-BOCS for symptom severity and to monitor adherence to the intervention. The CHOCI and SDQ were sent to participants and their parents pre-, mid- and post-intervention. RESULTS: There was a significant reduction in CY-BOCS symptom severity over the course of the intervention; however, there were no statistically significant changes on the self-report measures. The intervention was well received by the majority of young people who took part. CONCLUSIONS: Breaking Free from OCD may help young people with OCD and is an acceptable low intensity intervention. This evaluation is the first step in developing low intensity approaches for child OCD.

Impact of co-morbid personality disorder on quality of inpatient mental health services for people with anxiety and depression.

INTRODUCTION: Concerns have been raised about the quality of inpatient care received by patients with a diagnosis of personality disorder. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to examine the quality of care received by inpatients with an anxiety or depressive disorder, comparing subgroups with or without a co-morbid personality disorder. METHOD: We used a retrospective case-note review of 3 795 patients admitted to inpatient psychiatric wards in England, utilizing data from the National Clinical Audit of Anxiety and Depression. Data were gathered on all acute admissions with an anxiety or depressive disorder over a 6-month period, for a number of measures reflecting quality of care derived from national standards. Association of coexisting personality disorder with quality of care was investigated using multivariable regression analyses. RESULTS: Four hundred sixteen (11.0%) of the patients had a co-co-morbid diagnosis of personality disorder. Patients with personality disorder were less likely to have been asked about prior responses to treatment in their initial assessment (odds ratio (OR) = 0.67, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.50 to 0.89, p = 0.007). They were less likely to receive adequate notice in advance of their discharge (OR = 0.87, 95% CI 0.65 to 0.98, p = 0.046). They were more likely to be prescribed medication at the point of discharge (OR = 1.52, 95% CI 1.02 to 2.09, p = 0.012) and less likely to have been provided with information about the medicines they were taking (OR = 0.86, 95% CI 0.69 to 0.94, p = 0.048). In addition, the carers of patients with co-morbid personality disorder were less likely to have been provided with information about available support services (OR = 0.73, 95% CI 0.51 to 0.93, p = 0.045). CONCLUSION: We found evidence of poorer quality of care for patients with co-morbid personality disorder who were admitted to psychiatric hospital for treatment of anxiety or depressive disorders, highlighting the need for improved clinical care in this patient group.

Variation in clinical care associated with weekend admission and discharge in psychiatric in-patient units: retrospective case-note review.

BACKGROUND: Questions have been raised regarding differences in the standards of care that patients receive when they are admitted to or discharged from in-patient units at weekends. AIMS: To compare the quality of care received by patients with anxiety and depressive disorders who were admitted to or discharged from psychiatric hospital at weekends with those admitted or discharged during the 'working week'. METHOD: Retrospective case-note review of 3795 admissions to in-patient psychiatric wards in England. Quality of care received by people with depressive or anxiety disorders was compared using multivariable regression analyses. RESULTS: In total, 795 (20.9%) patients were admitted at weekends and 157 (4.8%) were discharged at weekends. There were minimal differences in quality of care between those admitted at weekends and those admitted during the week. Patients discharged at weekends were less likely to be given sufficient notification (48 h) in advance of being discharged (OR = 0.55, 95% CI 0.39-0.78), to have a crisis plan in place (OR = 0.65, 95% CI 0.46-0.92) or to be given medication to take home (OR = 0.45, 95% CI 0.30-0.66). They were also less likely to have been assessed using a validated outcome measure (OR = 0.70, 95% CI 0.50-0.97). CONCLUSIONS: There is no evidence of a 'weekend effect' for patients admitted to psychiatric hospital at weekends, but the quality of care offered to those who were discharged at weekends was relatively poor, highlighting the need for improvement in this area.

Rumination and negative symptoms in schizophrenia.

Rumination is thought to be an important maintaining factor in depression. Depressive symptomatology is also a prominent feature in schizophrenia. However, little is known about the relationship between rumination and symptoms, such as depression and negative symptoms, in schizophrenia. The present study examined associations between rumination and symptoms in a group of 37 stable medicated patients with schizophrenia. All participants were clinically assessed on their symptoms and completed self-reported measures of depression and rumination. The findings showed that negative symptoms, especially emotional withdrawal and stereotyped thinking, but not depressive symptomatology, were associated with rumination in the present sample of patients with schizophrenia. If the findings are replicated, interventions that reduce rumination and rigid thinking might be helpful to reduce some negative symptoms of psychosis.

Health beliefs and communication in the travel clinic consultation as predictors of adherence to malaria chemoprophylaxis.

OBJECTIVES: The objectives were, first, to determine whether adherence to malaria prophylaxis could be predicted by (i) health beliefs specified by the Health Belief Model and the Theory of Planned Behaviour, and (ii) communication during the consultation in a travel clinic; and secondly, to examine the impact of the consultation in changing travellers' health beliefs. DESIGN: A prospective study using regression analysis. METHODS: The participants were 130 consecutive travellers attending a travel medicine clinic. Health beliefs were measured pre- and post-consultation. The consultations were coded from audiotape using the Roter Interaction Analysis System and a content analysis method recording discussion about malaria and prophylaxis. Adherence was assessed by a follow-up telephone interview. RESULTS: Perceived susceptibility to malaria, perceived benefits of medication and intentions to adhere increased significantly as a result of the consultation, and the perceived permanent nature of side effects reduced significantly. At follow-up (N = 107), 62% reported full adherence, 25% partial adherence and 12% poor/no adherence. A multinomial logistic regression analysis revealed that perceived benefits of medication, length of stay, health professional discussion about adherence and travellers' questions and statements independently predicted reported adherence. CONCLUSIONS: Health beliefs and communication significantly predicted adherence in this setting. The findings also suggested qualitative differences between travellers who adhered fully, partially or poorly. Although the clinic consultation had a positive impact, emphasizing benefits of medication and resolving potential barriers to adherence could improve adherence in the population.

The impact of injection anxiety on education of travelers about common travel risks.

BACKGROUND: Despite many travelers receiving at least one vaccination during the pre-travel consultation, little is known about travelers' fear of injections and the impact this may have on educating travelers about health risks associated with their trip. This study aimed to investigate: (1) the prevalence of injection anxiety in travelers attending a pre-travel consultation, (2) whether anxiety due to anticipating a vaccination adversely affects recall of information and advice, and (3) whether clinicians can recognize travelers' anxiety, and how they respond to anxious travelers. METHODS: Consecutive adult travelers (N = 105) attending one of two inner-city travel clinics completed self-report measures of state anxiety, injection anxiety, and symptoms of needle phobia immediately before and after their pre-travel consultation. Clinicians were also asked to rate travelers' anxiety and report any anxiety management strategies. Standardized information was presented during the consultation and recall of information and advice was assessed immediately post-consultation. Delayed recall (24 hours) was assessed for a subsample (20%) of participants. RESULTS: More than one third of travelers reported feeling nervous or afraid when having an injection (39%). Travelers' state anxiety was related to their psychological and physiological reactions to needles, and reduced significantly post-consultation. Recall of information and advice varied, with failure of recall ranging from 2 to 70% across 15 items, and delayed recall being significantly lower. No relationship was found between recall and anxiety. Clinician-rated anxiety moderately correlated with travelers' self-reported anxiety. CONCLUSIONS: A significant proportion of travelers experienced injection anxiety when attending the pre-travel consultation, with some travelers reporting symptoms consistent with criteria for Blood Injection Injury phobia. There were important gaps in recall of information and advice about common travel risks. Although no relationship was found between recall and anxiety, this may have been due to the sample and setting.

The experiences of security industry contractors working in Iraq: an interpretative phenomenological analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the occupational experiences of private security contractors working in a war zone and how it impacts on their mental health. METHODS: Semistructured interviews were conducted with seven contractors employed by a large UK-based private security company. Interpretative phenomenological analysis was used to analyze the interview transcripts. Participants also completed the 12-item General Health Questionnaire and the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist. RESULTS: Four overarching themes emerged: the appeal of the job; vulnerability; keep going; and seeking help for stress in the workplace. No clinically significant levels of distress were reported. CONCLUSIONS: Contractors are frequently exposed to stressors known to increase risk of psychiatric difficulty in military personnel. A number of potential protective factors were identified. Only a minority of participants were open to seeking help for mental health difficulties.

Travel clinic communication and non-adherence to malaria chemoprophylaxis.

Many travellers fail to take malaria chemoprophylaxis, despite receiving pre-travel advice. This study examined whether non-adherence could be predicted from verbal communication in the pre-travel consultation, and whether non-adherence was related to the quality of clinician-traveller communication. The consultations of one hundred and thirty consecutive travellers at a UK travel clinic were audiotaped and a follow-up telephone interview was used to assess adherence to malaria chemoprophylaxis. Experienced travel clinic staff were asked to predict adherence and rate the quality of communication from eighteen transcripts of consultations (nine good and nine poor adherence). Clinic staff predicted adherence to malaria chemoprophylaxis significantly better than chance. Poor adherence was related to poor quality communication. Clinic staff provided criteria for good quality clinician-traveller communication. It is concluded that predictors of non-adherence can be identified during the pre-travel consultation. Clinic staff could employ specific communication strategies to improve the effectiveness of consultations.