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A good decade for Psychology research

This guest blog comes from Niall Turner, who works with Detect in Dublin. 

Schizophrenia has been described as “youth’s greatest disabler” by the World Health Organisation.  And although this attitude is waning, many people are still reluctant to talk about having a diagnosis of schizophrenia for fear of being stigmatised.  But the future may be brighter.  

One example of change is an anti-stigma campaign in the US www.bringchangetomind.org with personalities like Glenn Close and Ron Howard.

Another is in the most recent issue of Nature, where a great article discusses how this could be the decade for revolutionising our understanding of psychiatric conditions.  According to the author: “Early detection and a clearer understanding of environmental factors may allow prevention of psychiatric disorders. [...] The stigma of psychiatric disorders is misplaced, their burdens on society are significantly greater than more publicized diseases in developed and developing nations alike, and biomedical science is poised to make significant strides.”

Earlier detection of psychosis is already a partial reality in Ireland through the DETECTservice, but it does not cover the entire country.  

Research shows that the majority of people in the region that DETECT covers now receive effective help within 1 month of symptoms developing, and early detection means that symptoms have not advanced as much as when treatment is received late.  

Early detection works but can it be implemented elsewhere in the country?  This may indeed be a bright decade for psychiatric and psychological research, but new, proven approaches often face difficulty in being implemented, so we may need public pressure to get this prioritised. 

To find more out about the DETECT service, located in Blackrock, Co. Dublin, visit www.detect.ie.  Detect also publishes a psychosis factsheet, with general information on definitions, symptoms and treatment.

• 20 Jan 2010 12:19 PM |
• Posted by: Niall in Guest bloggers

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