Nutrition and Chronobiology as Key Components of Multidisciplinary Therapeutic Interventions for Fibromyalgia and Associated Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Narrative and Critical Review.

Fibromyalgia (FM) is often accompanied by chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). It is a poorly understood disorder that mainly affects women and leads to chronic pain, fatigue, and insomnia, among other symptoms, which decrease quality of life. Due to the inefficiency of current pharmacological treatments, increasing interest is being directed towards non-pharmacological multicomponent therapies. However, nutrition and chronobiology are often overlooked when developing multicomponent therapies. This narrative and critical review explore the relevance of nutritional and chronobiological strategies in the therapeutic management of FM and the often-associated CFS. Reviewed literature offers scientific evidence for the association of dietary habits, nutrient levels, body composition, gut microbiota imbalance, chronobiological alterations, and their interrelation with the development and severity of symptoms. This review highlights the key role of nutrition and chronobiology as relevant and indispensable components in a multidisciplinary approach to FM and CFS.

Physical Activity and Exercise Experience in Spanish and US Men with Fibromyalgia: A Qualitative Cross-Cultural Study.

Physical exercise is an indispensable element in the multidisciplinary treatment of fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS). The present study examined if men diagnosed with FMS engaged in any type of physical activity or exercise, the perceived effects from exercise, and who specifically recommended exercise. A qualitative cross-cultural study was performed in fibromyalgia clinical units in Spain and the United States. A total of 17 participants, 10 men from Spain and 7 men from the US, were included. In Spain, a focus group was completed in two parts, one month apart in 2018. In the US, five individual interviews and one joint interview with two men were completed in 2018. Three central themes appeared in the qualitative data: (1) Understanding what constitutes physical activity or exercise, (2) Facilitating or discouraging the performance of physical exercise, and (3) Effects of physical activity or exercise on psychological and social symptoms. The actual practice of exercise by patients with FMS is often perceived as leading to pain and fatigue, rather than a treatment facilitator. Physical activity and exercise can provide benefits, including relaxation, socialization, and increased muscle tone. However, minor opioids limit physical activity as they cause addiction, drowsiness, and decrease physical activity in Spanish men. Recommendations in a clinical setting should incorporate exercise as well as physical activity via daily life activities.

Nurses' Perceptions of Patient Fibromyalgia Illness Experiences after Performing Group-Based Problem-Solving Therapy: A Qualitative Research Study.

Fibromyalgia patients experience difficulties in their daily lives that are difficult to identify and recognize due to the stigma associated with the disease. Nurses can help identify them to establish biopsychosocial coping and treatment. The main aim of this study was to explore Spanish nurses' perceptions of the illness experiences of their fibromyalgia patients. Qualitative content analysis from the etic perspective was used. Eight nurses met in focus groups to report their perceptions of the illness experiences of FM patients after led group-based problem-solving therapy in fibromyalgia patients. Four themes emerged: (1) the presence of a "specific trigger" (stressful event) for FM symptoms; (2) fulfilling expected gender roles; (3) a lack of support from the family; (4) abuse. Nurses recognize the mind-body connection after the impact of stress on patients' bodies. The expected gender roles interfere with patients' recovery because they feel frustration and guilt about not being able to fulfil them. Managing emotions and improving communication in fibromyalgia is recommended. Clinicians might also consider issues such as abuse and the absence of social-family support for the comprehensive evaluation and effective management of fibromyalgia.

Effectiveness and health benefits of a nutritional, chronobiological and physical exercise primary care intervention in fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome: SYNCHRONIZE + mixed-methods study protocol.

INTRODUCTION: Chronic pain, fatigue and insomnia are classic symptoms of fibromyalgia (FM) and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and seriously affect quality of life. Nutrition and chronobiology are often overlooked in multicomponent approach despite their potential. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a multidisciplinary group intervention based on nutrition, chronobiology, and physical exercise in the improvement of lifestyle and quality of life in FM and CFS. METHODS: Mixed-methods study based on a randomized clinical trial and qualitative analysis with a descriptive phenomenological approach. The study will be conducted in primary care in Catalonia. The control group will follow the usual clinical practice and the intervention group the usual practice plus the studied intervention (12 hours over 4 days). The intervention based on nutrition, chronobiology and physical exercise will be designed considering participants' opinions as collected in 4 focus groups. To evaluate effectiveness, EuroQol-5D, multidimensional fatigue inventory, VAS pain, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, erMEDAS-17, biological rhythms interview of assessment in neuropsychiatry, REGICOR-Short, FIQR and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale questionnaires will be collected at baseline, and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months post-intervention. Food intake, body composition, resistance and, strength will also be evaluated. The effect size will be calculated using Cohen d and logistic regression models will be used to quantify the impact of the intervention by adjusting for different variables. DISCUSSION: It expected that the intervention will improve the patients' quality of life, fatigue, pain and insomnia, as well as food and physical exercise habits, providing effectiveness evidence of a new therapy in addressing these syndromes in Primary Heath Care. Improvements in the quality of life will have a positive socioeconomic impact by reducing health expenditure on recurrent medical consultation, medication, complementary medical tests, etc and favor the maintenance of an active working life and productivity.

Fibromyalgia Syndrome Pain in Men and Women: A Scoping Review.

Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a chronic musculoskeletal disorder of unknown etiology that affects up to 5.0% of the world population. It has a high female predominance, between 80 and 96%. Due to the low number of diagnosed men, research work has focused mainly on women. The extensive body of literature on sex differences in pain in the general population suggests that men and women differ in their responses to pain, with greater sensitivity to pain and a higher risk of clinical pain commonly observed among women. This review aims to: (1) determine how pain is assessed or what types of questionnaires are used, (2) examine whether there are differences in pain characteristics between men and women with FMS and (3) describe how pain is conceptualized or manifested in patients at a qualitative level. In this study, the scoping review method of articles published in the last 5 years (2016-2022) was used. Ten articles were included. The most used questionnaires and scales to assess pain were the PVAS (Pain Visual Analogue Scale) and the FIQ (Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire). On the other hand, five categories were obtained: (1) qualities of pain, (2) uncertainty and chaos, (3) pain as an aggravating factor, (4) adaptation to the new reality and (5) the communication of pain. It has been observed that both subjective perception and widespread pain are higher in women. Men, on the other hand, have a worse impact of the pathology, more painful experiences and more catastrophic thoughts about pain. An updated knowledge of pain in FMS and whether it differs according to sex would be beneficial for clinicians to make an earlier diagnosis and treatment and, in turn, benefit patients suffering from this chronic disease.

Recomendaciones SER sobre el manejo de los pacientes con fibromialgia. Parte II: educación del paciente y formación de los profesionales / Recommendations by the Spanish Society of Rheumatology on the Management of Patients with Fibromyalgia. Part II

Objetivo: Evitar el deterioro de los pacientes con fibromialgia por actuaciones perjudiciales en la práctica clínica potencialmente evitables. Métodos: Un panel multidisciplinar de expertos identificó las áreas clave, analizó la evidencia científica y formuló las recomendaciones a partir de esta evidencia y de técnicas cualitativas de «evaluación formal» o «juicio razonado». Resultados: Se han elaborado 39 recomendaciones sobre diagnóstico, tratamientos no eficaces ni seguros, educación del paciente y formación del profesional. En esta parteII se reflejan las 12 recomendaciones, referidas a las dos últimas áreas. Conclusiones: Un buen conocimiento de la fibromialgia por el paciente mejora el afrontamiento y la aceptación de la enfermedad reduciendo la gravedad de algunas manifestaciones clínicas. Los profesionales sanitarios que tratan a los pacientes con fibromialgia deben tener una buena formación sobre esta enfermedad para mejorar los resultados del tratamiento y la relación con el paciente.(AU)

Objective: To prevent the deterioration of patients with fibromyalgia due to potentially avoidable harmful actions in clinical practice. Methods: A multidisciplinary panel of experts identified key areas, analysed the scientific evidence and formulated recommendations based on this evidence and qualitative techniques of «formal assessment» or «reasoned judgement». Results: Thirty-nine recommendations were made on diagnosis, ineffective and unsafe treatments, patient education and practitioner training. This partII shows the 12 recommendations, referring to the latter two areas. Conclusions: Good knowledge of fibromyalgia on the part of patients improves their coping and acceptance of the disease and reduces the severity of some clinical manifestations. Healthcare professionals treating patients with fibromyalgia should be well trained in this disease to improve treatment outcomes and patient relationships.(AU)

New Life Transition of Former Caregivers: Positive Mental Health Approach.

After the end of their time as a caregiver, former caregivers have needs and feelings that have been subject to little study to date. The aim of the study is to determine and analyse the feelings, perceptions and practices of former caregivers in the reconstruction of their daily lives. This is a qualitative study based on the Grounded Theory developed by Charmaz. The study involved 14 former caregivers who had cared for their relative for more than 2 years and who had stopped caring for them more than 2 years previously. Fourteen in-depth interviews were conducted and data were collected over 13 months between 2015 and 2017. Data were analysed using the Grounded Theory Method. In addition, this study was approved by the ethics committee of the Institut Universitari d'Investigació en Atenció Primària Jordi Gol. The former caregiver experiences a transition, which begins in the days before the death of their relative and may continue for more than 3 years. Three critical moments in the post-caring transition were found: (1) the post-caring emptiness; (2) the end of the period as a caregiver; and (3) the movement towards a new life. Family and professional support is needed during this transition. Former caregivers experience a transition in the rebuilding of their daily lives; furthermore, former caregivers may be a source of support for other caregivers, which is linked to positive mental health factors. Healthcare organisations need to acknowledge the emotional, psychosocial and psychological health of former caregivers.

The experiences of parents as caregivers of adolescents with mental illnesses, the impact of the crisis and the admission to a day hospital.

AIM: The aim of this study was to analyze the caregiving experience of parents whose adolescent children with a mental illness require admission to a day treatment hospital for mental health services. METHOD: The study used qualitative interpretative research methods. A total of 18 parents participated in the semi-structured interviews. Data were then transcribed and analyzed in accordance with established methods for the analysis of inductive thematic data. RESULTS: Seven themes were identified: questioning an unseen disease, abnormal behavior, a long road, truancy and loss of parental authority, internalized stigma on admission, regaining the meaning of life and an uncertain future. DISCUSSION: The experience of the parents was analyzed and various emotional, psychological and interpersonal barriers were found that influenced the help-seeking for the adolescent's treatment. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Nursing interventions should be based on detecting barriers and validating the experience of parents with mentally ill adolescents.

Recomendaciones SER sobre el manejo de los pacientes con fibromialgia. Parte I: diagnóstico y tratamiento / Recommendations by the Spanish Society of Rheumatology on Fibromyalgia. Part 1: Diagnosis and Treatment

Objetivo: Evitar el deterioro de los pacientes con fibromialgia por actuaciones perjudiciales en la práctica clínica potencialmente evitables. Métodos: Un panel multidisciplinar de expertos identificó las áreas claves, analizó la evidencia científica y formuló las recomendaciones a partir de esta evidencia y de técnicas cualitativas de «evaluación formal» o «juicio razonado». Resultados: Se han elaborado 39 recomendaciones sobre diagnóstico, tratamientos no eficaces ni seguros, educación del paciente y formación del profesional. En esta parte I se reflejan las 27 primeras, referidas a las 2 primeras áreas. Conclusiones: Establecer el diagnóstico mejora el afrontamiento del paciente y reduce los costes sanitarios. Se deben evitar AINE, opioides mayores y benzodiacepinas por los efectos adversos. No existe una evidencia sólida que justifique la asociación de fármacos. Tampoco existe una buena evidencia para recomendar ningún tipo de terapia complementaria. Las cirugías muestran más complicaciones y un grado de satisfacción menor por el paciente por lo que deben evitarse si la indicación no está claramente establecida.(AU)

Objective: To prevent the impairment of fibromyalgia patients due to harmful actions in daily clinical practice that are potentially avoidable. Methods: A multidisciplinary team identified the main areas of interest and carried out an analysis of scientific evidence and established recommendations based on the evidence and “formal evaluation” or “reasoned judgment” qualitative analysis techniques. Results: A total of 39 recommendations address diagnosis, unsafe or ineffective treatment interventions and patient and healthcare workers’ education. This part I shows the first 27 recommendations on the first 2 areas. Conclusions: Establishing a diagnosis improves the patient's coping with the disease and reduces healthcare costs. NSAIDs, strong opioids and benzodiazepines should be avoided due to side effects. There is no good evidence to justify the association of several drugs. There is also no good evidence to recommend any complementary medicine. Surgeries show a greater number of complications and a lower degree of patient satisfaction and therefore should be avoided if the surgical indication is not clearly established.(AU)

Symptomatology of Fibromyalgia Syndrome in Men: A Mixed-Method Pilot Study.

Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is characterized by generalized chronic musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, and sleep disturbance, as well as cognitive, somatic, and other symptoms. Most people affected by FMS are women, and studies analyzing this condition in men are scarce. In this study, we discuss the physical and psychological symptoms of FMS in men, analyze the possible side effects of pharmacological therapies, and explore the impact of the illness comparing these results between the different classification groups according to sociodemographic variables (marital status, level of education, employment situation and number of people living at home). We used a sequential exploratory mixed method (MM). Qualitative information was obtained from two focus groups (n = 10). Structured questionnaires were administered to 23 men affected by FMS. The mean age of the participants was 51.7 years (SD = 9.64). The most common drugs used were antidepressants and anxiolytics (86.9%), followed by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (82.6%) and opioids (60.9%). Current level of pain was high (8.2; SD = 1.1), while perceived health and satisfaction with pharmacological treatments were low (4.6; SD = 2.6 and 3.5; SD = 3.2, respectively). The impact of FMS measured using the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ) was very high at 88.7 (SD = 8.2). Six categories related with symptoms and side effects of the medication were observed in the qualitative data: (1) main physical symptoms, (2) mood disorders, (3) insomnia and non-restorative sleep, (4) cognitive disturbance, (5) hypersensitivity, and (6) symptoms secondary to opioids. Pain and fatigue were the symptoms most often mentioned by the participants (70% and 80%, respectively). Other important symptoms were anxiety, depression, and memory and sleep disorders. The consumption of opioids causes further unwanted symptoms such as drowsiness and dependence, which makes it difficult for patients to perform basic everyday activities. We believe it is vitally important to continue investigating this symptomatology in order to improve diagnosis and treatment for these patients.

Multidisciplinary rehabilitation treatments for patients with fibromyalgia: a systematic review.

INTRODUCTION: Fibromyalgia (FM) is a pathology that causes physical, psychological, and social problems. For this reason, it requires treatment that involves all of these elements. The main of study is to examine multidisciplinary rehabilitation treatment (MRT) in fibromyalgia and to identify healthcare approaches developing effective MRT tools for the treatment of FM. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: In this systematic review, we searched the following databases: CINAHL, PubMed, Scopus, Cuidatge, Cuiden, ENFISPO, IBEC and IME. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: Of 356 articles found we selected 13 to analyze and summarize. We created 4 different categories: 1) multidisciplinary rehabilitation treatment focusing on health education and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT); 2) multidisciplinary rehabilitation treatment that includes dietetics; 3) multidisciplinary rehabilitation treatment adapted to the patients' characteristics; 4) multidisciplinary rehabilitation treatment based on physical exercise. CONCLUSIONS: This review identifies the most effective treatments that may be usefully applied in many different rehabilitation contexts. These include all treatments that incorporated an education (ED) program to patients and an exercise program complete with aerobic exercise (AE), stretching (SE), relaxation (RE), strengthening (TE), endurance (EN), and which includes the entire body and biofeedback. Furthermore, many approaches also include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for self-management such as occupational therapy, moderation, acceptance, commitment, motivation to change and forgiveness.

Family perceptions and experiences of living with patients with fibromyalgia syndrome.

PURPOSE: To explore the perception of the illness and the experience of the illness for relatives of fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This qualitative interpretative study adopted a grounded theory research methodology with a purposive sample. We conducted a focus group with 11 family members of FMS patients. There were six men and five women, five were spouses and six were children (four husbands and one wife, and five daughters and one son). RESULTS: Three categories of family perceptions of FMS emerged: (1) manifestations of FMS; (2) FMS is regarded as a psychological problem; (3) FMS interferes with traditional gender roles. Three categories of family members' experience of living with FMS patients were identified: (1) emotional concerns and exhaustion; (2) overprotective family members; and (3) escape coping. CONCLUSIONS: Family members feel emotionally burdened, can be overprotective and over-involved and find it difficult to set limits ultimately succumbing to a vicious cycle of caregiving and emotional exhaustion from which they find it difficult to escape. As the perceptions and experiences of family members of FMS patients are not commonly studied, the present findings offer new insights for families and elucidate important points of intervention.Implications for rehabilitationBecause family members tend to dismiss fibromyalgia as a psychological problem for which ignoring or distracting the patient is the best approach to coping, rehabilitation programs should give family members education and training to develop the ability to better understand fibromyalgia and reduce stereotypes about the condition.Rehabilitation programs should work to identify and manage marital and family systems dysfunction that may be interfering with fibromyalgia patients' adjustment and quality of life.Family members often engage in maladaptive escape coping to manage the demands of living with patients with fibromyalgia, and rehabilitation professionals should be ready to engage and refer to allied specialists to assist family members in finding alternatives for more effective coping approaches that improve patient and family mental health and social relations.Rehabilitation programs for fibromyalgia patients should use a gender perspective and emphasize patient and spouse equality in activities of daily living as many patients and family members feel uncomfortable about not fulfilling traditional gender roles.

Recommendations by the Spanish Society of Rheumatology on Fibromyalgia. Part 1: Diagnosis and treatment.

OBJECTIVE: To prevent the impairment of fibromyalgia patients due to harmful actions in daily clinical practice that are potentially avoidable. METHODS: A multidisciplinary team identified the main areas of interest and carried out an analysis of scientific evidence and established recommendations based on the evidence and "formal evaluation" or "reasoned judgment" qualitative analysis techniques. RESULTS: A total of 39 recommendations address diagnosis, unsafe or ineffective treatment interventions and patient and healthcare workers' education. This part I shows the first 27 recommendations on the first 2 areas. CONCLUSIONS: Establishing a diagnosis improves the patient's coping with the disease and reduces healthcare costs. NSAIDs, strong opioids and benzodiazepines should be avoided due to side effects. There is no good evidence to justify the association of several drugs. There is also no good evidence to recommend any complementary medicine. Surgeries show a greater number of complications and a lower degree of patient satisfaction and therefore should be avoided if the surgical indication is not clearly established.

Recommendations by the Spanish Society of Rheumatology on the management of patients with fibromyalgia. Part II.

OBJECTIVE: To prevent the deterioration of patients with fibromyalgia due to potentially avoidable harmful actions in clinical practice. METHODS: A multidisciplinary panel of experts identified key areas, analysed the scientific evidence and formulated recommendations based on this evidence and qualitative techniques of "formal assessment" or "reasoned judgement". RESULTS: Thirty-nine recommendations were made on diagnosis, ineffective and unsafe treatments, patient education and practitioner training. This part II shows the 12 recommendations, referring to the latter two areas. CONCLUSIONS: Good knowledge of fibromyalgia on the part of patients improves their coping and acceptance of the disease and reduces the severity of some clinical manifestations. Healthcare professionals treating patients with fibromyalgia should be well trained in this disease to improve treatment outcomes and patient relationships.

Recommendations by the Spanish Society of Rheumatology on the Management of Patients with Fibromyalgia. Part II. / Recomendaciones SER sobre el manejo de los pacientes con fibromialgia. Parte II.

OBJECTIVE: To prevent the deterioration of patients with fibromyalgia due to potentially avoidable harmful actions in clinical practice. METHODS: A multidisciplinary panel of experts identified key areas, analysed the scientific evidence and formulated recommendations based on this evidence and qualitative techniques of «formal assessment¼ or «reasoned judgement¼. RESULTS: Thirty-nine recommendations were made on diagnosis, ineffective and unsafe treatments, patient education and practitioner training. This partII shows the 12 recommendations, referring to the latter two areas. CONCLUSIONS: Good knowledge of fibromyalgia on the part of patients improves their coping and acceptance of the disease and reduces the severity of some clinical manifestations. Healthcare professionals treating patients with fibromyalgia should be well trained in this disease to improve treatment outcomes and patient relationships.

Recommendations by the Spanish Society of Rheumatology on Fibromyalgia. Part 1: Diagnosis and Treatment. / Recomendaciones SER sobre el manejo de los pacientes con fibromialgia. Parte I: diagnóstico y tratamiento.

OBJECTIVE: To prevent the impairment of fibromyalgia patients due to harmful actions in daily clinical practice that are potentially avoidable. METHODS: A multidisciplinary team identified the main areas of interest and carried out an analysis of scientific evidence and established recommendations based on the evidence and "formal evaluation" or "reasoned judgment" qualitative analysis techniques. RESULTS: A total of 39 recommendations address diagnosis, unsafe or ineffective treatment interventions and patient and healthcare workers' education. This part I shows the first 27 recommendations on the first 2 areas. CONCLUSIONS: Establishing a diagnosis improves the patient's coping with the disease and reduces healthcare costs. NSAIDs, strong opioids and benzodiazepines should be avoided due to side effects. There is no good evidence to justify the association of several drugs. There is also no good evidence to recommend any complementary medicine. Surgeries show a greater number of complications and a lower degree of patient satisfaction and therefore should be avoided if the surgical indication is not clearly established.

Risk factors for teen suicide and bullying: An international integrative review.

AIM: This study aimed to analyse risk and protective factors for teen suicide and bullying. BACKGROUND: Research shows that high percentages of bully-victims report suicidal thinking or suicide attempts. DESIGN: This was an international integrative review. DATA SOURCES: Five databases including CINAHL, Scopus, PubMed, Google Scholar and Cuiden were searched between January 2010 and December 2020. REVIEW METHODS: Review methods included problem identification; search, evaluation and analysis of literature; and presentation of results. RESULTS: Eighteen studies were included. We grouped the selected articles into seven thematic categories. The most significant risk factors were being male, having a previous personal and/or family suicide attempt, mental health problems, substance abuse, previous physical and/or sexual abuse, low socio-economic level, belonging to a single-parent family, underachievement, family dysfunction and violent environment. The most common protective factors for both suicide and bullying were being female, having good mental health, belonging to a two-parent family, safe school environment, good family relationships and having an involved teacher. CONCLUSION: Suicide resulting from bullying is a social and public health problem, so nurse practitioners and paediatric primary care nurses have a responsibility to educate teachers and parents in order to promote early detection and the development of more effective prevention and action plans.

Fibromyalgia Pain and Fatigue Symptoms in Spanish and U.S. Men.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS) is a chronic centralized pain disorder characterized by widespread pain and fatigue. Of those affected by FMS, the majority are women, and minimal research exists involving men. The purpose of this paper is to describe the pain and fatigue experiences of men with FMS from two Western countries, Spain and the United States, in order to support more accurate and earlier recognition and diagnosis in men. DESIGN AND METHODS: We used individual and focus group interviews with qualitative and quantitative assessments. SETTINGS AND PARTICIPANTS/SUBJECTS: Ten men in Spain and seven men in the United States provided information about their symptoms, psychosocial and health-seeking behaviors, and gender experiences with FMS. RESULTS: Men articulated types, trends, and triggers of pain and fatigue that enrich an understanding of their symptoms. For example, men report more localized pain than generalized pain. Employment status and activities, among other contextual factors, impacted men's pain and fatigue experiences. CONCLUSIONS: Men experience distinct facets of pain and fatigue compared with women, with notable similarities and differences across the Spanish and U.S. SAMPLES: Cross-cultural comparisons highlight contextual factors that may inspire future inquiries about determinants of men's experiences with FMS. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: The present study could be useful for anyone treating men suffering from FMS, especially care providers in nursing, medical, and psychology fields. These initial findings may prompt a closer examination of recommendations for assessment and diagnostic criteria used internationally for patients with FMS with better recognition of men's experience.

Experiencia de los adolescentes al ingreso en un hospital de dia de salud mental: descubriendo el estigma internalizado / Adolescent's experiences of the admission to a day hospital program: discovering the internalized stigma

INTRODUCCIÓN: El impacto de la crisis en la enfermedad y la admisión a un hospital de día son acontecimientos de excepcional trascendencia para los adolescentes. Hasta la fecha, la literatura ha prestado poca atención a las experiencias de los adolescentes en esta transición múltiple. OBJETIVO: El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar la experiencia de los adolescentes con una enfermedad mental que requieren de un ingreso en un hospital de día de salud mental. MÉTODO: El estudio utilizó métodos de investigación cualitativos. Un total de 13 adolescentes participó en las entrevistas semiestructuradas. Los datos se transcribieron y analizaron de acuerdo con los métodos establecidos para el análisis de datos temáticos inductivos. RESULTADOS: Se identificaron cinco temas: la lucha contra uno mismo, una montaña que me va aplastando, la presión de la Educación Secundaria Obligatoria, inscrito en una institución psiquiátrica y ser como los otros. DISCUSIÓN: El análisis de los textos de los adolescentes nos reveló un fuerte estigma internalizado, barreras emocionales, psicológicas e interpersonales que se acumularon en forma de experiencias negativas que influyeron y aumentaron su sufrimiento. CONCLUSIONES: Los esfuerzos para reducir el estigma hacia los niños y adolescentes con diagnósticos de enfermedad mental obtienen la capacidad de acumular beneficios a largo plazo. Las intervenciones de enfermería de salud mental en adolescentes deben basarse en la detección de las barreras y la validación de la experiencia de los adolescentes

INTRODUCTION: The crucial moments for adolescents with mental illness are the impact of the crisis and the admission to a day hospital program. Till the date the literature has paid little attention to the experiences of parents in this multiple transition. AIM: The aim of this study was to analyse the experience of adolescents with a mental illness who require admission to a day hospital. METHOD: The study used qualitative research methods. A total of 13 adolescents participated in the semistructured interviews. Data was then transcribed and analysed in accordance with established methods for the analysis of inductive thematic data. RESULTS: Five themes were identified: the fight against oneself, a mountain that is crushing me, the pressure of Compulsory Secondary Education, enrolment in a psychiatric institution and I want to be like the others. DISCUSSION: The analysis of the texts of the adolescents revealed a strong internalized stigma along with emotional, psychological and interpersonal barriers that accumulated in the form of negative experiences, these influenced and increased their suffering. CONCLUSIONS: Efforts to reduce stigma towards children and adolescents with mental illness diagnoses facilitate the accumulation of long-term benefits. Adolescent mental health nursing interventions should be based on detecting barriers and validating the experience of adolescents