Psychiatric assessment of mood instability: qualitative study of patient experience.
BACKGROUND: Mood instability is a common reason for psychiatric referral. Very little is known about how patients with unstable mood experience assessment and diagnosis. AIMS: To investigate the experiences of assessment and diagnosis among patients with mood instability and to suggest improvements...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Journal article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Royal College of Psychiatrists
2014
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| _version_ | 1797079542515367936 |
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| author | Bilderbeck, A Saunders, K Price, J Goodwin, G |
| author_facet | Bilderbeck, A Saunders, K Price, J Goodwin, G |
| author_sort | Bilderbeck, A |
| collection | OXFORD |
| description | BACKGROUND: Mood instability is a common reason for psychiatric referral. Very little is known about how patients with unstable mood experience assessment and diagnosis. AIMS: To investigate the experiences of assessment and diagnosis among patients with mood instability and to suggest improvements to this process. METHOD: Qualitative study, gathering data through individual interviews with 28 people experiencing mood instability and receiving a psychiatric assessment in secondary care. RESULTS: Participants described the importance of receiving an explanation for their symptoms; the value of a good interpersonal relationship with their clinician(s); being listened to and acknowledged; and being involved in and informed about clinical decisions. These needs were not, however, consistently met. Receiving a psychiatric diagnosis, including a diagnosis of bipolar disorder or borderline personality disorder, evoked both positive and negative responses among participants, relating to stigma, personal understanding and responsibility, prognosis and treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with mood instability seek explanation for their symptoms and difficulties, empathetic care and consistent support as much as cure. Clinicians may incorrectly assume what patients' attitudes towards diagnosis are, a mismatch which may hamper the development of a strong therapeutic relationship. Clear, patient-centred communication, which acknowledges the patient's experience, may result in greater patient engagement and satisfaction. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-07T00:47:25Z |
| format | Journal article |
| id | oxford-uuid:852d2ea9-46ee-4b2f-854c-9a410d6e66aa |
| institution | University of Oxford |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-07T00:47:25Z |
| publishDate | 2014 |
| publisher | Royal College of Psychiatrists |
| record_format | dspace |
| spelling | oxford-uuid:852d2ea9-46ee-4b2f-854c-9a410d6e66aa2022-03-26T21:55:38ZPsychiatric assessment of mood instability: qualitative study of patient experience.Journal articlehttp://purl.org/coar/resource_type/c_dcae04bcuuid:852d2ea9-46ee-4b2f-854c-9a410d6e66aaEnglishSymplectic Elements at OxfordRoyal College of Psychiatrists2014Bilderbeck, ASaunders, KPrice, JGoodwin, GBACKGROUND: Mood instability is a common reason for psychiatric referral. Very little is known about how patients with unstable mood experience assessment and diagnosis. AIMS: To investigate the experiences of assessment and diagnosis among patients with mood instability and to suggest improvements to this process. METHOD: Qualitative study, gathering data through individual interviews with 28 people experiencing mood instability and receiving a psychiatric assessment in secondary care. RESULTS: Participants described the importance of receiving an explanation for their symptoms; the value of a good interpersonal relationship with their clinician(s); being listened to and acknowledged; and being involved in and informed about clinical decisions. These needs were not, however, consistently met. Receiving a psychiatric diagnosis, including a diagnosis of bipolar disorder or borderline personality disorder, evoked both positive and negative responses among participants, relating to stigma, personal understanding and responsibility, prognosis and treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with mood instability seek explanation for their symptoms and difficulties, empathetic care and consistent support as much as cure. Clinicians may incorrectly assume what patients' attitudes towards diagnosis are, a mismatch which may hamper the development of a strong therapeutic relationship. Clear, patient-centred communication, which acknowledges the patient's experience, may result in greater patient engagement and satisfaction. |
| spellingShingle | Bilderbeck, A Saunders, K Price, J Goodwin, G Psychiatric assessment of mood instability: qualitative study of patient experience. |
| title | Psychiatric assessment of mood instability: qualitative study of patient experience. |
| title_full | Psychiatric assessment of mood instability: qualitative study of patient experience. |
| title_fullStr | Psychiatric assessment of mood instability: qualitative study of patient experience. |
| title_full_unstemmed | Psychiatric assessment of mood instability: qualitative study of patient experience. |
| title_short | Psychiatric assessment of mood instability: qualitative study of patient experience. |
| title_sort | psychiatric assessment of mood instability qualitative study of patient experience |
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