Are suicidal young people reached by online-counselling? Evaluation of the target group outreach of [U25] online suicide prevention Abstract. Objective: "[U25] Germany" is an online-counselling platform designed to help adolescents and young adults suffering from suicidal ideation or emotional crisis. The online approach and anonymous counselling by peers (young voluntary workers) instead of professionals were initiated to lower the threshold for those seeking help. This study examines characteristics of people seeking help from [U25] and estimates the outreach of the program. Method: Data from n = 1062 counselling protocols dating from 2017 were obtained. In addition, we conducted n = 13 problem-focused interviews with peer counsellors. Results: Our data indicate a good target group outreach concerning age, suicidality, and psychological burden of the clients. However, young men seek counselling by [U25] less frequently than young women. Additionally, preliminary data indicate that young people with lower educational background consult [U25] less often. Conclusions: [U25] offers a promising approach to helping young people suffering from suicidal ideation or a personal crisis. New approaches should be developed and evaluated to better reach young men and persons with a lower education background.
Counseling , Internet , Peer Group , Suicide Prevention , Suicide/psychology , Adolescent , Female , Germany , Humans , Male , Suicidal Ideation , Young Adult
Manic disorders and bipolar psychoses have long been underdiagnosed in child and adolescent psychiatry. Scientific research has been rare as well. In particular in adolescence and young adulthood bipolar disorders are not easy to diagnose. Therefore these disorders should be included in differential diagnosis as research from the U. S. shows that there is a significant number of these treatable patients. Being untreated sufficiently major setback in social development and quality of life occur, as severe as in schizophrenia. Adequate medication and psychotherapy in the early phases of these chronic disorders ameliorate the overall prognosis. Special attention should be drawn to hypomanic phases and phenomena as rapid cycling.
Antimanic Agents/therapeutic use , Bipolar Disorder/diagnosis , Adolescent , Adult , Anticonvulsants/adverse effects , Anticonvulsants/therapeutic use , Antipsychotic Agents/adverse effects , Antipsychotic Agents/therapeutic use , Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity/diagnosis , Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity/drug therapy , Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity/epidemiology , Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity/psychology , Bipolar Disorder/drug therapy , Bipolar Disorder/epidemiology , Bipolar Disorder/psychology , Brain/drug effects , Brain/pathology , Child , Clinical Trials as Topic , Comorbidity , Cross-Sectional Studies , Diagnosis, Differential , Drug Therapy, Combination , Female , Humans , Lithium Carbonate/adverse effects , Lithium Carbonate/therapeutic use , Male
BACKGROUND: General practitioners (GPs) have an important role in the care of patients with chronic schizophrenia and of those in the early phases of this disorder. AIMS: To obtain information about the number of patients in the early and chronic stages of schizophrenia seen in general practice; the needs and attitudes of GPs, their diagnostic knowledge concerning early phases of schizophrenia and their knowledge and practice concerning treatment of patients with first-episode and multi-episode schizophrenia. METHOD: A postal survey was conducted among randomly selected GPs in Switzerland. RESULTS: A total of 1089 GPs responded to the survey. Early psychosis had a low prevalence in general practice, and GPs expressed a wish for specialised, low-threshold referral services. Diagnostic and treatment knowledge showed inconsistencies. Most GPs said they would treat first-episode schizophrenia with antipsychotics, but only a third recommended maintenance treatment after a first episode of schizophrenia that would conform with international recommendations. CONCLUSIONS: Easily accessible, low-threshold referral services are pivotal in supporting GPs in the management and treatment of emerging schizophrenia in primary healthcare patients.
Community Mental Health Services/standards , Physicians, Family/psychology , Schizophrenia/therapy , Antipsychotic Agents/administration & dosage , Attitude of Health Personnel , Chronic Disease , Clinical Competence , Drug Administration Schedule , Family Practice/standards , Female , Health Care Surveys , Health Services Research , Humans , Male , Physician-Patient Relations , Physicians, Family/standards , Recurrence , Schizophrenia/diagnosis , Surveys and Questionnaires , Switzerland
OBJECTIVE: Male identical twins with gender identity disorder (GID) in childhood and anorexia nervosa (AN) are presented. Etiologic aspects and the relationship among gender identity, sexual orientation, body dissatisfaction, and AN are discussed. METHOD: Case reports and a review of the literature are reported. RESULTS: In childhood, both twins showed an atypical gender behavior. Whereas one of the twins later developed a transsexual gender identity and asked for sex reassignment, the other developed a male identity but his appearance and clothing are effeminate. According to their biologic sex, they are concordant in regard to their homosexual orientation. In adolescence, both developed AN. Monozygotism was proved by DNA analysis. DISCUSSION: GID in childhood could be at least partly hereditary, whereas the development of the later phenotype of the gender identification is more determined by environmental factors. GID might be a risk factor for the development of AN.
Anorexia Nervosa/psychology , Gender Identity , Transsexualism/psychology , Twins, Monozygotic/psychology , Body Mass Index , Female , Humans , Male , Risk Factors
When the demand for inpatient treatment in acute psychiatric crisis of adolescents rises, it is not always recommended to admit a patient to the hospital. The limited number of hospital beds forces medical professionals to use their resources cautiously. This leads to the need to activate the intrapersonal and intrafamilial resources. The motivation for change emerging out of a crisis is to be used for clarification of the indication of inpatient treatment and of the order of treatment, a patient (and/or his legal representative) gives to the hospital representatives. A clarification of the aims of a hospitalisation prior to the admission to the ward rises the efficacy of the invested time.
Child Behavior Disorders/therapy , Crisis Intervention , Patient Admission , Adolescent , Ambulatory Care , Child , Child Behavior Disorders/diagnosis , Child Behavior Disorders/psychology , Combined Modality Therapy , Family Therapy , Female , Health Care Rationing , Humans , Male , Motivation , Needs Assessment , Patient Care Team , Suicide/psychology , Suicide Prevention
