The specificity of the use of bibliotherapy as an element of psychiatric rehabilitation in a group of patients suffering from schizophrenia.

Purpose: This article emphasizes the characteristics of the application of bibliotherapy in psychiatric rehabilitation of people suffering from chronic schizophrenia. The role of the bibliotherapist and methodology for conducting bibliotherapy for people with chronic schizophrenia are also described. Views: The characteristic symptoms are connected to a patient's perception of the surrounding reality differing from the norm. This may be due to the symptoms of schizophrenia and its course, in which psychoticism can become a regulative part of a patient's personality. The academic definition of bibliotherapy proposed by Ewa Tomasik says that "bibliotherapy is an intentional activity that uses books or non-printed materials to fulfil rehabilitative, re-socializing, prophylactic and developmental aims for people from varying social backgrounds, in different age and with diverse needs". This article focuses on and discusses the structure and course of bibliotherapy sessions embedded in individual and group rehabilitation process. An additional goal is to explain bibliotherapy as an element of the entire system of rehabilitation and therapeutic interactions which has a therapeutic effect for this system, not only in terms of individual classes. Attention is paid to the narrative nature of bibliotherapy, in combination with behavioral-cognitive, humanistic and psychodynamic interactions. Conclusions: Bibliotherapy can help people suffering from chronic schizophrenia to organize their self-narrative and narratives about other people, to make them real and to organize their statements, so that the content and manner of thinking can be regulated.

Positive psychotherapy for psychosis - a new approach in the rehabilitation of patients suffering from schizophrenia. / Pozytywna Psychoterapia Psychoz ­ nowe podejscie w rehabilitacji pacjentów cierpiacych na schizofrenie.

This paper describes the positive psychotherapy for psychosis (PPP) - a new approach for psychiatric rehabilitation for patients with chronic schizophrenia. Unlike some traditional methods of psychotherapy, PPP focuses on positives rather than on problems. PPPwas shown in the context of other therapeutic approaches used in psychiatric rehabilitation and a mechanism of changes in the functioning and thinking of patients using this approach was described. PPP strengthens the patients'resources, including positive emotions, positive features of character, sense of life, positive relationships, and internal motivation. PPPdoes not suggest that other approaches are inappropriate and it is not intended to replace well-established treatments. A program of 13 PPP sessions adapted for patients with schizophrenia was also described. PPP sessions were divided into 3 thematic groups and according to the degree of difficulty: "the easiest" (savoring, positive things - sessions 1-4), "medium" (strong character traits, recognition of strengths in oneself, perceiving strengths in other people, positive communication - sessions 5-7) and "the most difficult" (bad vs. good memories, gratitude, forgiveness, hope, optimism and posttraumatic growth - sessions 8-13). The PPP has been introduced in the Day Care Department of Psychiatric Rehabilitation of the Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology in Warsaw. After 13 weeks, the initial observations were collected. They indicated that PPP can be successfully used in psychiatric rehabilitation.

Impaired social cognition processes in Asperger syndrome and anorexia nervosa. In search for endophenotypes of social cognition. / Zaburzenia procesów spolecznego poznania w zespole Aspergera i jadlowstrecie psychicznym. W poszukiwaniu endofenotypów spolecznego poznania.

A growing number of publications indicates presence of significant deficits in social cognition in patients with anorexia nervosa (AN). These deficits appear to be comparable in qualitative and quantitative dimension with impairment of the same functions among people with Asperger syndrome (AS). The aim of this study is to identify subject areas in the field of impairment of social cognition processes among people with Asperger syndrome and anorexia nervosa taking into consideration the potential contribution of genetic pathways of oxytocin and vasopressin in the pathogenesis of these diseases. In the first part of the paper a systematic analysis of studies aimed at the evaluation of the processes of social cognition among patients with AN and AS has been carried out. The results of a significant number of studies confirm the presence of deficits in social cognition in AN and AS. In addition, among patients with AN and AS there exists a similar structure and distribution of the brain functions in regions responsible for social cognition. The second part of the paper describes the role of the oxytocin-vasopressin system (OT-AVP) in the processes of social cognition in AN and AS. Its genetic basis and the possible importance of single nucleotide polymorphisms within the genes: OXT, AVP, CD38, OXTR, AVPR1A and LNPEP have also been presented.

[Sense of coherence and ways of coping in the relationship with brother or sister in healthy siblings of mentally ill persons]. / Poczucie koherencji i sposoby radzenia sobie ze stresem w relacji z bratem lub siostra u zdrowego rodzenstwa osób chorych psychicznie.

AIM: The aim of the present study was to investigate sense of coherence in healthy siblings of persons suffering from schizophrenia as well as their ways of coping in the relationship with ill brother or sister. METHODS: 40 healthy brothers and sisters of persons with ICD- 10 diagnosis of F20 to F29 participated in the present study. Orientation to Life Scale (SOC- 29) was used to assess sense of coherence and Ways of Coping with Stress questionnaire (SRSS) was used to examine stress coping strategies. RESULTS: Mean global score of siblings of persons with schizophrenia was 111 points. Subjects used coping strategies focused on problem significantly more often than those focused on emotions. CONCLUSIONS: Therapeutic work with healthy siblings should focus on strengthening sense of personal competence, development of personal resources and different ways of coping with stress, investigation of emotions that healthy siblings experience in the relationship with ill brother or sister as well as supporting the process of accepting changes in the relationship with the ill sibling.

[Sociodemographic and clinical profile of patients with dual diagnosis living in Warsaw district Mokotow in comparison with participants in other European countries--results of the international, multicentre research project ISADORA]. / Profil spoleczno-demograficzny i kliniczny pacjentów z podwójna diagnoza mieszkajacych w warszawskiej dzielnicy mokotów na tle badanych w innych miastach europejskich--wyniki wieloosrodkowego, miedzynarodowego programu badawczego ISADORA.

AIM: The aim of the present study was to compare socio-demographic and clinical profile of the inpatients with dual diagnosis in Warsaw with the profile of inpatients treated in other European centres. METHOD: 50 patients consecutively admitted in Warsaw were included in the study; total number of patients recruited from 7 European centers was 352. Recruitment was conducted in general inpatient psychiatric departments and specialized dual diagnosis inpatient wards. Data was collected during single interview with the use of M.I.N.I and EuropAsi questionnaires. RESULTS: Both in Warsaw and overall study population males constituted almost 2/3 of the group. Patients in Warsaw were more frequently living with relatives or other close persons as well as remained in intimate relationships in comparison to patients from other study sites. Depression was the most common diagnosis in Warsaw and it was significantly more often found it this center than in Tampere. Moreover, patients in the Warsaw group were significantly less frequently diagnosed with cannabis use disorder and more frequently - with tranquillizers use disorder. CONCLUSIONS: The differences among sites regarding socio- demographic and clinical profiles of dual diagnosis patients were due to both socio-cultural factors (e.g. psychoactive substances accessibility) and the research methodology.

[Sense of coherence and coping styles among parents of adult children with schizophrenia]. / Poczucie koherencji i style radzenia sobie ze stresem wsród rodziców doroslych dzieci z rozpoznaniem schizofrenii.

AIM: The aim of the research was an answer to the question if sense of coherence correlates with coping styles among parents looking after adult children with schizophrenia. METHODS: 50 parents (38 mothers and 12 fathers) at age 46-84 (mean: 60) were examined. SOC-29 and CISS questionnaires were used to diagnose traits of sense of coherence and coping styles. RESULTS: Coping style focused on problems was the most frequent one in the examined group. Sense of coherence and coping styles correlate among those in the investigated group. CONCLUSIONS: There is a correlation between sense of coherence and coping styles in the group of parents with adult children with schizophrenia. There is also a view of a statistical carer who is the mother aged about 60 years looking after the son aged 35 years diagnosed with schizophrenia.

[Sexual disorders in schizophrenia--overview of research literature]. / Zaburzenia seksualne w schizofrenii--przeglad badan.

There are relatively few systematic investigations concerning sexual disorders in schizophrenia. In the paper, the most important set of symptoms of sexual disorders in schizophrenia, such as weaker libido, erection and ejaculation disturbances in men, and lubrication and orgasm disturbances in women are described. The lacking of satisfactory partner and sexual relationships is emphasized in the article. In the case of women, the most significant are the problems related to the period of pregnancy, childbirth and care giving. The overview of research literature is focused on differences between females and males in relation to sexual disorders determinants as well as clinical, mental and social effects in the course of schizophrenia.