Ψυχάγειν Καβάλα Ψυχοθεραπεία

The Effects of Medication in the Levels of Functioning in Psychotic Patients in the Psychiatric Hospital of Attica (DAFNI). Poster presentation at the XIII Congress of Psychiatry, Cairo, 10-15/09/2005, Egypt.

It is widely accepted that psychotic disorders affect seriously the quality of life. The levels of functioning of psychiatric patients is one of the diagnostic criteria used in DSM-IV, and to a certain extent determine the medication followed.

The present study aimed to identify the level of functioning observed in chronic psychiatric patients in the psychiatric hospital in Athens (“DAFNI”). Participants were 549 individuals aged 18-85 years (mean age 45 years) (N men N women). Although a psychiatric hospital does not provide the same opportunities as community settings, every attempt was made to focus on behaviors that could also be observed in more natural settings. A questionnaire was constructed which consisted of 55 questions regarding the methods of treatment as well as individuals’ functioning in areas such as self-care, interpersonal relations and spare time. Results demonstrated that all patients received medication. However, their levels of functioning are markedly below the levels achieved by normal individuals in all the parameters examined. Moreover, women demonstrated significantly lower levels of functioning compared to men. Results are discussed in terms of the effectiveness of medication in the level of functioning and it is suggested that psychotherapy would be more helpful in that direction.