Widening the concept of insight in the treatment of schizophrenic disorder
Year: 2010
Type: article
Abstract: In the difficult and complex task to describe and thoroughly define the concept of “insight” within the framework of schizophrenia, definitions and interpretations stemming from this concept are being analyzed: the term “insight” was introduced in psychiatric terminology to describe the degree of awareness of one’s illness, correlated with the compliance to a treatment, and, therefore, to better quality of life for the patient. Even though data confirming the important role of insight in leading to a better course and outcome of the illness is substantial, data from literature showing a high correlation between insight and development of post-psychotic depression as well as insight and \nrisk of suicide in schizophrenia need to be taken into consideration. \nMoreover, the fact that a moderate psychological well-being may be reached also by patients with low insight cannot be excluded. \nThe authors, when studying the different illness courses linked with insight while trying to keep a clinical and therapeutic perspective, consider the possibility to broaden the scope of complexity of the condition by introducing a “bi-personal insight” of the patient and the therapist, as well as a “family insight”. The main goal of the treatment, in this case, becomes the development of a new therapeutic relation, more functional in easing the discomfort of the person, at the meeting point of the patient’s insight vis-à-vis his/her illness, the therapist’s insight connected to the objectives of the treatment and the family’s insight vis-à-vis the patient’s condition. \nThe authors, in order to show how a broader perspective of the insight phenomenon may lead to a real improvement of the prognosis, describe a part of clinical history, thus showing how the topic of insight in psychosis is both concrete and important in contemporary research.
Language: Italian
Subfield: Psychiatry and Mental health
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W2145791537