Schizophrenia

Evidence has suggested that risk for schizophrenia is likely to occur in non-psychotic first-degree relatives of patients with schizophrenia. On the other hand, schizotypal personality disorder is genetically related to schizophrenia. The aim of this study was to compare schizotypal traits (i.e., positive schizotypy, negative schizotypy, cognitive disorganization, and impulsive nonconformity) among patients with schizophrenia and their non-psychotic first-degree relatives as well as normal controls. Thirty-four patients with schizophrenia and 50 of their non-psychotic first-degree relatives as well as 34 normal controls were included in this study. The data were collected by the Oxford-Liverpool Inventory of Feelings and Experiences, short version (sO-LIFE). The results showed that the three groups were significantly different from each other regarding mean scores of schizotypal traits. Patients with schizophrenia and their non-psychotic first-degree relatives exceeded normal controls on schizotypal traits. Patients with schizophrenia had higher scores on total schizotypal traits, positive schizotypy, cognitive disorganization, and impulsive nonconformity than their non-psychotic first-degree relatives. The findings revealed that hereditary factors had an important role in the development of schizophrenia spectrum disorders, and it is explainable by the stress-vulnerability model.

Poetry therapy, a form of creative art therapy, utilizes poetry and other stimulating forms of literature to achieve therapeutic goals and promote personal growth. Research has shown the effectiveness of positive and negative symptom control and treatment in schizophrenia, highlighting the need for non-pharmacological interventions. Poetry therapy has emerged as one such intervention in this domain. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of group poetry therapy on positive and negative symptoms in patients with schizophrenia. This experimental study employed a pretest-posttest design with a control group. The statistical population of the study were hospitalized patients in treatment and rehabilitation centers in Ardabil city. Using cluster random sampling, 22 participants were selected and randomly assigned to the experimental and control groups. The experimental group received eleven sessions of group poetry therapy, while the control group did not receive any intervention. Data were collected using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and analyzed through one-way analysis of covariance. The results indicated that, after accounting for the pretest effect, the mean of posttest scores of the experimental group participants were lower than those of the control group in positive and negative symptoms (P<0.05), confirming the effectiveness of group poetry therapy intervention. This study demonstrated that group poetry therapy is an effective non-pharmacological treatment for individuals with chronic schizophrenia and can be implemented by clinical professionals in treatment centers.  

This study aimed to explore the emotional and cognitive effects of long-term antipsychotic medication use. By understanding these impacts, the study seeks to provide a comprehensive view of the lived experiences of individuals who have been on antipsychotic medications for extended periods, highlighting both the benefits and the potential challenges. A qualitative research design was employed using a phenomenological approach to capture in-depth personal experiences. A purposive sampling method recruited 26 participants who had been on antipsychotic medications for at least five years. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, which were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using thematic analysis to identify common themes and patterns in the participants' experiences. The study achieved theoretical saturation, ensuring that no new themes emerged from the data. The analysis revealed four main themes: emotional impact, cognitive effects, daily functioning, and social interaction. Participants reported significant emotional blunting, including reduced pleasure and emotional responsiveness, alongside cognitive impairments such as memory deficits and diminished attention span. Challenges in daily functioning, such as difficulties in managing routine activities and occupational tasks, were prominent. Social interactions were also affected, with participants experiencing reduced social engagement, dependency on support networks, and stigma related to medication use. These findings are consistent with previous studies, underscoring the profound impact of long-term antipsychotic use on various aspects of life. Long-term use of antipsychotic medications, while essential for managing severe psychiatric conditions, is associated with significant emotional and cognitive side effects that impact patients' quality of life. Healthcare providers should be aware of these effects and engage in regular assessments and open communication with patients to address and mitigate these challenges. Personalized treatment approaches, psychoeducation, and support groups can enhance patients' well-being and treatment adherence.