One of the assumptions made when mental problems are defined as a medical problem is that certain problems, certain diagnoses, are chronic. Nevertheless, a substantial number of follow-up studies have shown that the course of development in patients with these diagnoses is neither uniform nor chronic. The aim of this dissertation is to summarise the state of the art in the knowledge about recovery from severe mental disorders and to examine in depth which factors people who have recovered regard as having helped them in their recovery, and in which ways. These two aims have resulted in two separate but complementary presentations of results. The review of the state of the art, which focuses on the diagnosis schizophrenia, shows that some two-thirds of the patients who received this diagnosis have recovered, either totally or socially. The variation in the percentage of persons who have recovered is explained in the study by such factors as fluctuations in national and local unemployment rates, in definitions of the diagnoses and in access to psychiatric care. On the other hand, the introduction of various treatment interventions seems to have had no noticeable effect on the recovery rate, although it has affected the relapse frequency. There is still a long way to go towards understanding the recovery process and how it can be facilitated. The interview study with persons who have been treated for severe mental disorders and recovered show the patients themselves to be a crucial factor in their own recovery. Throughout the whole course of the disorder, they struggle to find ways to manage both their symptoms and the factors that cause them. What appears to others as symptoms might instead be theperson’s unsuccessful attempts to manage existential problems. Entering into and maintaining relationships with other people is another crucial factor in recovery work. Professionals from a variety of backgrounds as well as family members and other laypersons can contribute to recovery, first and foremost in that they represent continuity between diverse facets of the person’s life; they engage with the person in his/her full complexity, not as someone reduced to a diagnosis and a given patient role, nor by denying the fact of the person’s suffering. Still another factor in recovery work is material conditions which impact on the person’s possibility to regain an identity as a full member of the community. Lastly, the descriptions that the respondents give of their recovery practice have certain constructed meanings in common. These meanings can be categorised as medical, therapeutic, spiritual and interactional. In many of the life stories collected in this study, several of these categories of meaning appear in unison, co-existing in one and the same life story. There is a recurrent theme running through these practice stories of recovery: that people in their everyday lives are not reducible to their problems, but at the same time these problems must not be denied. That people have both weaknesses and strengths, sometimes existing within the same spheres of life and occurring simultaneously; but that in relationships with other people they are given scope to manage and live with these contradictions is of central importance for recovery practice.

<p>Uppsatsen syftar till att ge en allmän beskrivning av den grupp som kommer till rättspsykiatrisk undersökning samt att utreda gruppens förändring över en period på sju år. Variabler som behandlas är kön, invandrarbakgrund, diagnos, brott och påföljd. Uppsatsen som är en kvantitativ studie, kan ses som ett inlägg i debatten kring den allvarligt psykiskt störda brottslingen.</p><p>Uppsatsen är en retrospektiv registerstudie utifrån ett medicinskt kriminologisk perspektiv. Materialet består av 4466 stycken rättspsykiatriska undersökningar mellan åren 1998 och 2004 och inhämtades från Rättsmedicinalverkets centrala arkiv. I resultatet framkommer att personlighetsstörningar i allt mindre utsträckning anses utgöra en allvarlig psykisk störning. Samtidigt blir de allt mindre frekventa som diagnoser inom gruppen. Psykossjukdomar är de diagnoser som i högst utsträckning anses utgöra en allvarlig psykisk störning. Kvinnor bedöms i en klart högre utsträckning än män lida av en allvarlig psykisk störning. Det förekommer ingen skillnad mellan svenskar och invandrare i bedömningen av allvarlig psykisk störning. Dock diagnostiseras invandrare oftare med psykosdiagnoser samt skattas att fungera sämre enligt GAF-skalan. Våldsbrottens andel bland de undersökta har ökat. Dock utgörs det främst av en ökning i hot och misshandel och kan inte påvisas vara relaterat till en ökning i dödligt våld.</p>

Uppsatsen syftar till att ge en allmän beskrivning av den grupp som kommer till rättspsykiatrisk undersökning samt att utreda gruppens förändring över en period på sju år. Variabler som behandlas är kön, invandrarbakgrund, diagnos, brott och påföljd. Uppsatsen som är en kvantitativ studie, kan ses som ett inlägg i debatten kring den allvarligt psykiskt störda brottslingen. Uppsatsen är en retrospektiv registerstudie utifrån ett medicinskt kriminologisk perspektiv. Materialet består av 4466 stycken rättspsykiatriska undersökningar mellan åren 1998 och 2004 och inhämtades från Rättsmedicinalverkets centrala arkiv. I resultatet framkommer att personlighetsstörningar i allt mindre utsträckning anses utgöra en allvarlig psykisk störning. Samtidigt blir de allt mindre frekventa som diagnoser inom gruppen. Psykossjukdomar är de diagnoser som i högst utsträckning anses utgöra en allvarlig psykisk störning. Kvinnor bedöms i en klart högre utsträckning än män lida av en allvarlig psykisk störning. Det förekommer ingen skillnad mellan svenskar och invandrare i bedömningen av allvarlig psykisk störning. Dock diagnostiseras invandrare oftare med psykosdiagnoser samt skattas att fungera sämre enligt GAF-skalan. Våldsbrottens andel bland de undersökta har ökat. Dock utgörs det främst av en ökning i hot och misshandel och kan inte påvisas vara relaterat till en ökning i dödligt våld.

Background: The Swedish penal code has viewed self-induced temporary insanity, caused by intoxication, depending on which Sociology of Punishment is currently active. Starting from a lenient view of drug-induced insanity in the Middle Ages towards a harsher penal climate today.  Aims: This thesis aims to investigate how the Courts of Appeals views self-induced temporary insanity. Specifically, the investigation highlights how the courts navigate between the conflicting rationalities governing criminal intent on the one hand and drug abuse on the other. Results: A thematic analysis using NVivo showed that the Court of Appeals verdicts are inconsistent regarding sentencing when addiction is involved. The results also show a lack of knowledge about addiction as an illness within the Court of Appeals and that the courts sentence substance abusers much harder than others with temporary insanity. The thesis concludes that the Rule of Law is at risk when inconsistent verdicts are commonplace.

El objetivo principal de esta tesis es evaluar la efectividad de un programa de gestión de casos frente a un programa de atención estándar en personas con esquizofrenia. El objetivo principal se operacionalizó en tres objetivos consecutivos. Del objetivo preliminar surge el Estudio 1 que revisa la literatura sobre la gestión de casos. La gestión de casos ha experimentado importantes cambios y los modelos tradicionales están en desuso. Los resultados de las revisiones metanalíticas sobre la eficacia de la gestión de casos son heterogéneos. Las características de los pacientes y la fidelidad al programa podrían estar asociadas a los efectos de la gestión de casos. Se sugiere el desarrollo de estrategias de gestión de casos que ofrezcan diferentes grados de intensidad según las necesidades del paciente. Del objetivo intermedio surgen los estudios 2, 3 y 4. Estos estudios se han centrado en la validación, en población con esquizofrenia, de la World Health Organization Quality of Life Brief Version, la Disability Assessment Schedule Short Form y la DUKE-UNC Functional Social Support Questionnaire. Las tres escalas muestran puntuaciones fiables y válidas, y son instrumentos útiles para la valoración psicosocial de esta población. Del objetivo específico se derivan los estudios 5 y 6. El estudio 5 incide en el conocimiento de las necesidades de los pacientes con esquizofrenia asignados a un programa de gestión de casos. Se hace una propuesta de criterios y de variables a considerar cuando se incluya a un paciente en dicho programa así como de reconfiguración del mismo. El estudio 6 analiza la efectividad de un programa de gestión de casos frente a un programa de atención estándar. El grupo de pacientes en gestión de casos muestra peor funcionamiento y mayor uso de servicios que el grupo en programa estándar en la evaluación inicial. Al seguimiento, ambos grupos mejoran y el grupo en gestión de casos alcanza niveles similares a los del grupo en atención estándar en la mayoría de variables. Esta tesis profundiza en el conocimiento de dos modalidades de tratamiento comunitario del Servicio Catalán de Salud. Ambas son efectivas y podrían ofrecerse consecutivamente según necesidades del paciente. / The psychiatric deinstitutionalization leaded to an increase of community resources for persons with Severe Mental Illness (SMI). These resources include the so-called case management programs that aim to organize, coordinate and integrate the resources available for patient care through continuous contact with one or more key workers. The Mental Health Strategy of the Spanish National Health System (2007) recommends case management programs for the coordination, access and use of mental health resources. However, these programs are not implemented throughout and there are differences between Autonomous Communities. In Catalonia, these programs are available at Adult Mental Health Mental Health Care Centres of the State Mental Health Network of the Catalan Health Service. Specifically, the Severe Mental Illness Specific Care Program, known as PAE-TMS, covers the health care for most patients with SMI so it is particularly important to assess its effectiveness. This PhD thesis addresses this issue and its main objective is to assess the effectiveness of the PAE-TMS versus a standard treatment program (STP) in persons with schizophrenia. This objective was operationalized in three consecutive objectives: 1) preliminary objective: literature review of case management; 2) intermediate objective: validation of assessment instruments in persons with schizophrenia, and 3) specific objective: to improve knowledge of the needs of patients with schizophrenia included in the PAE-TMS and analyze its effectiveness. Each goal is associated with one or more studies. The preliminary objective leads to study 1. It reviews the literature regarding the origins, principles, tasks, models and effects of case management programs. This study shows that case management has undergone major changes over time and that the traditional models seem not to be in use, as evidenced by the most recent models. The results of meta-analytic reviews of the effectiveness of case management programs are diverse. Recent studies suggest that some variables, such as patient characteristics and fidelity to the program, may be associated with the effectiveness of case management. It is suggested, therefore, the development of case management strategies that may offer different degrees of intensity depending on patients’ needs. The intermediate goal leads to studies 2, 3 and 4. These studies are psychometric and have focused on the validation in persons with schizophrenia of the following instruments: the World Health Organization Quality of Life Brief Version, the Disability Assessment Schedule Short Form and the DUKE-UNC Functional Social Support Questionnaire. The three instruments showed good psychometric properties. Their scores are reliable and valid and, therefore, are useful and appropriate for the assessment of quality of life, disability and social support in persons with schizophrenia. The specific goal leads to studies 5 and 6. The study 5 provides a better understanding of the needs of patients with schizophrenia assigned to the PAE-TMS or the STP. We suggest criteria and variables that may be considered when assigning a patient to the PAE-TMS. Considering these variables, we suggest a reconfiguration of the program by means of the addition of evidence-based elements. The study 6 assesses the effectiveness of the PAE-TMS versus the STP. At baseline, the group of patients in the PAE-TMS showed a profile characterized by worse clinical and psychosocial functioning and greater use of services than patients in the STP. At one year follow-up, both groups improved and the group in the PAE-TMS achieved a similar level to that in the STP group in most outcomes. This PhD thesis provides a deeper insight into two modalities of care that target the care of most of persons with SMI in the Catalan Health Service. The PAE-TMS and the STP are effective and could be offered consecutively according to patients’ needs.

Le trouble de l’usage de cannabis (TLUC) est une problématique complexe particulièrement lorsqu’il est comorbide à un trouble mental sévère (TMS). D’une part, aucune pharmacothérapie n’a été approuvée pour son traitement et d’une autre part, les psychothérapies existantes offrent au mieux une efficacité faible et non maintenue dans le temps. L’émergence de la réalité virtuelle (RV) en psychiatrie pourrait augmenter l’efficacité considérant le potentiel qu’elle a démontré pour une variété de conditions psychiatriques. Actuellement, aucune intervention ayant incorporé la RV visant le traitement du TLUC n’a fait l'objet de recherche. L’intervention Avatar pour le TLUC se veut une approche innovante utilisant la RV en tant qu’outil thérapeutique afin de faire des apprentissages et les pratiquer au moment où les cravings et les émotions sont d’intensité similaire à celle de leur quotidien. Cette intervention comprenant huit séances utilise des techniques provenant de thérapie recommandée (ex., thérapie cognitivo-comportementale, entrevue motivationnelle). Durant les périodes d’immersion, les participants ont interagi avec un avatar représentant une personne significative en lien avec leur consommation dont le thérapeute joue le rôle. Cet essai clinique pilote a visé l’évaluation de l’efficacité ainsi que la faisabilité et l’acceptabilité à court terme chez 19 participants ayant un double diagnostic de TMS et TLUC. Les résultats ont montré une réduction significative modérée de la quantité de cannabis consommée (d=0,545; p=0,017), laquelle a été confirmée par quantification du THC-COOH dans les urines. Une tendance a été observée pour la fréquence de l’usage (d=0,313; p=0,052). Concernant la sévérité du TLUC et la motivation aux changements, une petite (d=0,474; p=0,046) et modérée (d=0,523; p=0,046) taille d’effet ont été obtenues respectivement. Aucun effet significatif n’a été observé pour la qualité de vie et les symptômes psychiatriques sont restés stables. Les résultats à moyen et long terme seront évalués lorsque les participants auront terminé les suivis à 3, 6 et 12 mois. Un essai randomisé contrôlé à simple insu comparant l’intervention Avatar pour TLUC à une intervention classique en toxicomanie est en cours. / Cannabis use disorder (CUD) is a complex issue, particularly when it is comorbid with a severe mental disorder (SMD). On one hand, no pharmacotherapy has been approved for its treatment. On the other hand, existing psychotherapies offer, at best, low efficacy that is not sustained over time. The emergence of virtual reality (VR) in psychiatry could increase efficacy, given the potential it has demonstrated for a variety of psychiatric conditions. To date, no intervention incorporating VR for the treatment of CUD has been developed. The Avatar intervention for CUD is an innovative approach using VR as a therapeutic tool to learn and practice in real-time when cravings and emotions are of similar intensity to their everyday lives. This eight-session intervention uses techniques from commonly used therapeutic approaches (e.g., cognitive-behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing). During immersive sessions, participants interacted with an avatar played by the therapist, representing a significant person intrinsically linked with their consumption. This pilot clinical trial was designed to assess efficacy at short-term, feasibility, and acceptability in 19 participants with a dual diagnosis of SMD and CUD. Results showed a significant moderate reduction in the amount of cannabis consumed (d=0.545, p=0.017), which was confirmed by the quantification of THC-COOH in urine. Regarding the severity of TLUC and motivation to change, a small (d=0.474; p=0.046) and moderate (d=0.523; p=0.046) effect size were obtained, respectively. No significant effect was obtained for quality of life, and psychiatric symptoms remained stable. Once participants have completed the 3-, 6- and 12-month follow-ups, medium- and long-term results will also be assessed. A single-blind randomized controlled trial is currently underway to compare the Avatar intervention for CUD with a conventional addiction intervention.