The physical health of young people experiencing first-episode psychosis: Mental health consumers’ experiences

© 2018 Australian College of Mental Health Nurses Inc. Young people experiencing first-episode psychosis taking antipsychotic medications often develop comorbidities such as obesity and cardiometabolic abnormalities at an earlier age than young people in the general population. Therefore, it is impo...

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Main Authors: Chee, G., Wynaden, Dianne, Heslop, Karen
Format: Journal Article
Published: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Asia 2018
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/72265
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author Chee, G.
Wynaden, Dianne
Heslop, Karen
author_facet Chee, G.
Wynaden, Dianne
Heslop, Karen
author_sort Chee, G.
building Curtin Institutional Repository
collection Online Access
description © 2018 Australian College of Mental Health Nurses Inc. Young people experiencing first-episode psychosis taking antipsychotic medications often develop comorbidities such as obesity and cardiometabolic abnormalities at an earlier age than young people in the general population. Therefore, it is important to explore the healthcare needs and experiences of this group of consumers. This paper reports research conducted to obtain an informed understanding of young people's health literacy, physical healthcare needs, and interest and knowledge about their physical health. Grounded theory methodology was used to guide the research. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 24 young consumers aged between 18 and 35 years who were case managed by one metropolitan community mental health service. The results describe the journey of young people from the time of diagnosis, to when they developed an awareness of the need to improve their physical health and the impact of physical health issues on their overall health and well-being. Six categories emerged from the data: (i) initial responses when diagnosed with first-episode psychosis; (ii) focus of care on treating first-episode psychosis; (iii) lack of education on antipsychotic medications; (iv) adverse effects from taking antipsychotic medication; (v) increased awareness of the need for good physical health; and 6) importance of social support in the community. The findings highlight the importance for health professionals improving young people's health literacy and addressing physical health and well-being as part of first-episode psychosis programmes. Young people require improved health education on the importance of maintaining healthy lifestyle in relation to their overall health and well-being.
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spelling curtin-20.500.11937-722652018-12-13T09:31:55Z The physical health of young people experiencing first-episode psychosis: Mental health consumers’ experiences Chee, G. Wynaden, Dianne Heslop, Karen © 2018 Australian College of Mental Health Nurses Inc. Young people experiencing first-episode psychosis taking antipsychotic medications often develop comorbidities such as obesity and cardiometabolic abnormalities at an earlier age than young people in the general population. Therefore, it is important to explore the healthcare needs and experiences of this group of consumers. This paper reports research conducted to obtain an informed understanding of young people's health literacy, physical healthcare needs, and interest and knowledge about their physical health. Grounded theory methodology was used to guide the research. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 24 young consumers aged between 18 and 35 years who were case managed by one metropolitan community mental health service. The results describe the journey of young people from the time of diagnosis, to when they developed an awareness of the need to improve their physical health and the impact of physical health issues on their overall health and well-being. Six categories emerged from the data: (i) initial responses when diagnosed with first-episode psychosis; (ii) focus of care on treating first-episode psychosis; (iii) lack of education on antipsychotic medications; (iv) adverse effects from taking antipsychotic medication; (v) increased awareness of the need for good physical health; and 6) importance of social support in the community. The findings highlight the importance for health professionals improving young people's health literacy and addressing physical health and well-being as part of first-episode psychosis programmes. Young people require improved health education on the importance of maintaining healthy lifestyle in relation to their overall health and well-being. 2018 Journal Article http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/72265 10.1111/inm.12538 Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Asia restricted
spellingShingle Chee, G.
Wynaden, Dianne
Heslop, Karen
The physical health of young people experiencing first-episode psychosis: Mental health consumers’ experiences
title The physical health of young people experiencing first-episode psychosis: Mental health consumers’ experiences
title_full The physical health of young people experiencing first-episode psychosis: Mental health consumers’ experiences
title_fullStr The physical health of young people experiencing first-episode psychosis: Mental health consumers’ experiences
title_full_unstemmed The physical health of young people experiencing first-episode psychosis: Mental health consumers’ experiences
title_short The physical health of young people experiencing first-episode psychosis: Mental health consumers’ experiences
title_sort physical health of young people experiencing first-episode psychosis: mental health consumers’ experiences
url http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/72265