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Seeman MV. Grappling with Issues of Motherhood for Women with Schizophrenia. Healthcare (Basel) 2023; 11:2882. [PMID: 37958026 PMCID: PMC10650198 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare11212882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Revised: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite the fact that most persons with schizophrenia find steady employment difficult to sustain, many women with this diagnosis embrace and fulfill the most difficult task of all-motherhood. The aim of this paper is to specify the challenges of motherhood in this population and review the treatment strategies needed to keep mothers and children safe, protecting health and fostering growth. The review addresses concerns that had been brought to the author's earlier attention during her clinical involvement with an outpatient clinic for women with psychosis. It is, thus, a non-systematic, narrative review of topic areas subjectively assessed as essential to "good enough" mothering in the context of schizophrenia. Questions explored are the stigma against motherhood in this population, mothers' painful choices, issues of contraception, abortion, child custody, foster care and kin placement of children, the effects of antipsychotics, specific perinatal delusional syndromes, and, finally, the availability of parental support. This review is intended for clinicians. Recommendations are that care providers work collaboratively with mothers, take note of their strengths as well as their failings, offer a wide array of family services, monitor households closely for safety and for treatment adherence, appreciating the many challenges women with schizophrenia face daily.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary V Seeman
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A1, Canada
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Seeman MV. Schizophrenia in Women: Clinical Considerations. Psychiatr Clin North Am 2023; 46:475-486. [PMID: 37500245 DOI: 10.1016/j.psc.2023.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
Men and women, for biologic and sociocultural reasons, differ in the nature of their risks for schizophrenia and also in their care needs. Women with schizophrenia have several reproduction-associated risks and care needs that require special clinical consideration. They also have several specific risks related to antipsychotics and gender-associated needs not necessarily related to biology. These require clinicians' diagnostic acumen, treatment skills, cultural sensitivity, and advocacy know-how. Although this does not pertain to everyone, awareness on the part of clinicians is essential. This article addresses the current evidence for difference.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary V Seeman
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5P3L6, Canada.
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Yu H, Qi X, Fang Y, Wang K, Zhang D, Chen Q, Liu D, Ren X. Factors associated with increased risk of lurasidone-induced somnolence: Two case-control studies based on one bioequivalence trial in healthy volunteers. Heliyon 2023; 9:e17905. [PMID: 37539152 PMCID: PMC10395280 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e17905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Revised: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Somnolence is a common adverse effect of antipsychotic drugs used to treat psychotic disorders. It causes problems in many areas of life, such as gainful employment, driving, childcare, and social interactions. Somnolence is a major problem for a relatively new antipsychotic drug, lurasidone, whose dose-effect relationship remains unclear. Based on data from a bioequivalence study of two 40 mg lurasidone hydrochloride tablets, we designed two case-control studies to explore the correlation between somnolence and exposure to lurasidone and determine the factors associated with lurasidone-induced somnolence. In the first case-control study, lurasidone was administered to healthy volunteers; 30 experienced somnolence (as pre-defined) but 29 did not. Moreover, plasma concentration at 1 h was significantly associated with somnolence (OR = 1.124; p = 0.001). In the second case-control study, 48 volunteers administered lurasidone were classified into somnolence and no-somnolence groups based on different time-related criteria. We observed a positive association between plasma concentration at 0.75 h and somnolence (OR = 1.024; p = 0.002). Receiver operating characteristic analysis revealed that a plasma lurasidone concentration >21.65 ng/mL 1 h after administration strongly predicted somnolence. Our findings in healthy volunteers need to be further validated in patients in clinical settings to determine the optimal dose and duration of lurasidone administration.
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Review of Male and Female Care Needs in Schizophrenia: A New Specialized Clinical Unit for Women. WOMEN 2023. [DOI: 10.3390/women3010009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Women with schizophrenia require health interventions that differ, in many ways, from those of men. The aim of this paper is to review male and female care needs and describe a newly established care unit for the treatment of women with schizophrenia. After reviewing the literature on the differentiated needs of men and women with schizophrenia, we describe the new unit’s assessment, intervention, and evaluation measures. The program consists of (1) individual/group patient/family therapy, (2) therapeutic drug monitoring and adherence checks, (3) perinatal mental health, (4) medical liaison, (5) suicide prevention/intervention, (6) social services with special focus on parenting, domestic abuse, and sexual exploitation, (7) home-based services, (8) peer support, (9) occupational therapies (physical activity and leisure programs), and (10) psychoeducation for both patients and families. Still in the planning stage are quality evaluation of diagnostic assessment, personalized care, drug optimization, health screening (reproductive health, metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular health, cancer, menopausal status), and patient and family satisfaction with services provided. Woman-specific care represents an important resource that promises to deliver state-of-the-art treatment to women and, ideally, prevent mental illness in their offspring.
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González-Rodríguez A, Monreal JA, V Seeman M. Factors Influencing Adherence to Antipsychotic Medications in Women with Delusional Disorder: A Narrative Review. Curr Pharm Des 2022; 28:1282-1293. [PMID: 35272589 DOI: 10.2174/1381612828666220310151625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 01/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Adherence to medication regimens is of great importance in psychiatry because drugs sometimes need to be taken for long durations in order to maintain health and function. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to review influences on adherence to antipsychotic medications, the treatment of choice for the delusional disorder (DD), and to focus on adherence in women with DD. METHODS This is a non-systematic narrative review of papers published since 2000 using PubMed and Google Scholar, focusing on women with DD and medication adherence. RESULTS Several factors have been identified as exerting influence on adherence in women with persistent delusional symptoms who are treated with antipsychotics. Personality features, intensity of delusion, perception of adverse effects, and cognitive impairment are patient factors. Clinical time spent with the patient, clarity of communication, and regular drug monitoring are responsibilities of the health provider. Factors that neither patient nor clinician can control are the social determinants of health, such as poverty, easy access to healthcare, and cultural variables. CONCLUSION There has been little investigation of factors that influence adherence in the target population, e.g., women with DD. Preliminary results of this literature search indicate that solutions from outside the field of DD may apply to this population. Overall, a solid therapeutic alliance appears to be the best hedge against nonadherence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandre González-Rodríguez
- Department of Mental Health, Mutua Terrassa University Hospital, University of Barcelona, Terrassa, Barcelona, Spain
| | - José A Monreal
- Department of Mental Health, Mutua Terrassa University Hospital, University of Barcelona, Institut de Neurociències, UAB, CIBERSAM, Terrassa, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mary V Seeman
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
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Park K, Gang M. Nurses' Assessment of Sedation of Patients With Mental Illness: Scale Development and Validation. J Psychosoc Nurs Ment Health Serv 2020; 58:22-31. [PMID: 32976605 DOI: 10.3928/02793695-20200918-01] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2020] [Accepted: 06/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The current study aimed to determine the reliability and validity of a tool for evaluating the sedation of patients with mental illness. A literature review and focus group interviews were used to develop the initial questionnaire. The scale was tested on a sample of 412 representative patients and analyzed using exploratory factor analysis, concurrent validity, and internal consistency. The final scale comprised 14 items across four factors related to sedation of patients with mental illness: arousal, affect, cognitive status, and physical performance. The scale has high sensitivity and specificity and can discriminate among levels of sedation for patients with mental illness. [Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 58(12), 22-31.].
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Abstract
A first step towards personalized medicine is to consider whether, for some disorders, the safest and most effective treatment of women needs to differ from standard guideline recommendations developed on the basis of clinical trials conducted, for the most part, in men. A second step is to consider how women’s reproductive stages—pre-pubertal years, menstrual phases, pregnancy trimesters, lactation and postpartum periods, menopausal and postmenopausal/aging status—affect the optimal choice of treatment. This review focuses on these two steps in the treatment of psychosis, specifically schizophrenia. It discusses genetics, precursors and symptoms of schizophrenia, reproductive and associated ethical issues, antipsychotic drug response and adverse effects, substance abuse, victimization and perpetration of violence, and issues of immigration and of co-morbidity. The conclusions, while often based on clinical experience and theoretical considerations rather than strictly on the evidence of randomized controlled trials, are that clinical recommendations need to consider clinical and role differences that exist between men and women and make appropriate correction for age and reproductive status.
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Seeman MV. Men and women respond differently to antipsychotic drugs. Neuropharmacology 2020; 163:107631. [PMID: 31077728 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2019.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2018] [Revised: 04/19/2019] [Accepted: 05/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Because women are often perceived as having better outcomes than men in psychotic illnesses such as schizophrenia - women are less often in hospital, have a lower suicide rate, are less often involved with the law, enjoy better relationships with family and friends - the question arises as to whether or not this apparent advantage is attributable to a gender difference in antipsychotic response. OBJECTIVE The aim of this paper is to critically review the quantitative and qualitative literature on gender difference in antipsychotic response sourced mainly from medical databases of the last ten years. FINDINGS There are theoretical reasons why women's effective doses of antipsychotics might need to be lower than guidelines recommend for men, especially as regards olanzapine and clozapine, but, because there are so many variables that impinge on antipsychotic response, it is difficult to provide definitive guidance. What is evident is that some antipsychotic side effects, weight gain for instance, are more worrisome for women than for men. It is also evident that, after menopause, women need an increase in their antipsychotic dose; other reproductive stages in women's lives require special prescribing considerations as well. CONCLUSION There is a science, and an art, to prescribing antipsychotics, which needs to take gender into account. This article is part of the issue entitled 'Special Issue on Antipsychotics'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary V Seeman
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, 260 Heath St. West, Toronto, Ontario, M5P 3L6, Canada.
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González-Rodríguez A, Seeman MV. The association between hormones and antipsychotic use: a focus on postpartum and menopausal women. Ther Adv Psychopharmacol 2019; 9:2045125319859973. [PMID: 31321026 PMCID: PMC6610461 DOI: 10.1177/2045125319859973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2018] [Accepted: 04/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
During the postpartum and menopausal periods of women's lives, there is a well-established and significant drop of circulating estrogens. This may be the reason why both these periods are associated with an increased risk for onset or exacerbation of psychiatric disorders. Whether symptoms are mainly affective or mainly psychotic, these disorders are frequently treated with antipsychotic medications, which calls for an examination of the relationship between hormone replacement and antipsychotic agents at these time periods. The aim of this narrative review is to summarize what is known about the association of hormones and antipsychotics in the postnatal period and at menopause. In the review, we focus on estrogen and oxytocin hormones and include, for the most part, only papers published within the last 10 years. Both estradiol and oxytocin have at various times been implicated in the etiology of postpartum disorders, and estrogens, sometimes combined with progesterone, have been tested as potential treatments for these conditions. The role of estradiol as an adjunct to antipsychotics in the prevention of postpartum relapses is currently controversial. With respect to oxytocin, studies are lacking. Psychosis in menopausal and postmenopausal women has been successfully treated with estrogens and selective estrogen-receptor modulators, mainly raloxifene, in addition to antipsychotics. Some symptoms appear to respond better than others. No oxytocin study has specifically targeted postmenopausal women. Because of feedback mechanisms, there is a theoretical danger of therapy with exogenous hormones interfering with endogenous secretion and disturbing the balance among inter-related hormones. When used with antipsychotics, hormones may also affect the metabolism and, hence, the brain level of specific antipsychotics. This makes treatment with antipsychotics plus hormones complicated. Dose, timing and route of intervention may all prove critical to efficacy. While much remains unknown, this literature review indicates that, within standard dose ranges, the combination of hormones and antipsychotics for postnatal and menopausal women suffering severe mental distress can be beneficial, and is safe.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mary V. Seeman
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto,
260 Heath Street West, Suite 605, Toronto, Ontario M5P 3L6, Canada
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Seeman MV. Women who suffer from schizophrenia: Critical issues. World J Psychiatry 2018; 8:125-136. [PMID: 30425943 PMCID: PMC6230925 DOI: 10.5498/wjp.v8.i5.125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2018] [Revised: 08/24/2018] [Accepted: 10/11/2018] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Many brain diseases, including schizophrenia, affect men and women unequally - either more or less frequently, or at different times in the life cycle, or to varied degrees of severity. With updates from recent findings, this paper reviews the work of my research group over the last 40 years and underscores issues that remain critical to the optimal care of women with schizophrenia, issues that overlap with, but are not identical to, the cares and concerns of men with the same diagnosis. Clinicians need to be alert not only to the overarching needs of diagnostic groups, but also to the often unique needs of women and men.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary V Seeman
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Institute of Medical Science, Toronto, ON M5P 3L6, Canada
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Abstract
Perinatal mental disorders are common and can impact adversely both on maternal functioning and on foetal and neonatal outcomes. For the more severe disorders, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and severe depression, medication may be needed during pregnancy and breastfeeding, and there is a growing but complex evidence based on the effects of psychotropic medication on the foetus and neonate. In addition, the neonatologist needs to be aware of the co-morbid problems that women with mental disorders are more likely to have as these may also impact on the neonate. Close liaison with family physicians and primary care where there are concerns about mental health is important to ensure maternal mental health is optimal for the mother and her infant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hind Khalifeh
- Section of Women's Mental Health, King's College London, PO31 De Crespigny Park, London SE5 8AF, United Kingdom.
| | - Ruth Brauer
- Section of Women's Mental Health, King's College London, PO31 De Crespigny Park, London SE5 8AF, United Kingdom.
| | - Hilary Toulmin
- Wellcome Trust Research Training Fellow, Centre for the Developing Brain/Division of Imaging Sciences and Biomedical Engineering, King's College London-King's Health Partners, St Thomas' Hospital, London SE1 7EH, United Kingdom.
| | - Louise M Howard
- Section of Women's Mental Health, King's College London, PO31 De Crespigny Park, London SE5 8AF, United Kingdom.
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Bosch P, van Luijtelaar G, van den Noort M, Lim S, Egger J, Coenen A. Sleep ameliorating effects of acupuncture in a psychiatric population. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE : ECAM 2013; 2013:969032. [PMID: 23781273 PMCID: PMC3678454 DOI: 10.1155/2013/969032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2013] [Revised: 05/10/2013] [Accepted: 05/11/2013] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The interest of psychiatric patients for complementary medicine, such as acupuncture, is stable, but effect studies in psychiatry remain scarce. In this pilot study, the effects of 3 months of acupuncture treatment on sleep were evaluated and compared between a group of patients with schizophrenia (n = 16) and a group with depression (n = 16). Healthy controls were included in order to establish reference values (n = 8). Patients with schizophrenia and depression were randomly assigned to either a waiting list or a treatment condition. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Inventory was completed before and after the acupuncture treatment (individualized and according to traditional Chinese medicine principles) or the waiting list condition. Both acupuncture groups showed significant lower scores on the sleep inventory, which was not the case for the waiting list condition. Moreover, it was found that the effectiveness of the acupuncture treatment was higher in the patients with schizophrenia than in the patients with depression. Acupuncture seems able to improve sleep in this convenient sample of patients with long-lasting psychiatric problems and may be a suitable and cost-effective add-on treatment for this group, particularly if conducted group-wise.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peggy Bosch
- Donders Centre for Cognition, Radboud University Nijmegen, Postbus 9104, Montessorilaan 3, 6500 HR Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- LVR-Klinik Bedburg-Hau, Bahnstrasse 6, 47551 Bedburg-Hau, Germany
- Division of Acupuncture & Meridian, WHO Collaborating Center for Traditional Medicine, East-West Medical Research Institute and School of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Number 1 Hoegi-Dong, Dongdaemoon-ku, Seoul 130-701, Republic of Korea
| | - Gilles van Luijtelaar
- Donders Centre for Cognition, Radboud University Nijmegen, Postbus 9104, Montessorilaan 3, 6500 HR Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Maurits van den Noort
- Division of Acupuncture & Meridian, WHO Collaborating Center for Traditional Medicine, East-West Medical Research Institute and School of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Number 1 Hoegi-Dong, Dongdaemoon-ku, Seoul 130-701, Republic of Korea
- TALK, Free University of Brussels, Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Sabina Lim
- Division of Acupuncture & Meridian, WHO Collaborating Center for Traditional Medicine, East-West Medical Research Institute and School of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Number 1 Hoegi-Dong, Dongdaemoon-ku, Seoul 130-701, Republic of Korea
| | - Jos Egger
- Donders Centre for Cognition, Radboud University Nijmegen, Postbus 9104, Montessorilaan 3, 6500 HR Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University Nijmegen, Montessorilaan 3, 6525 HR Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Centre of Excellence for Neuropsychiatry, Vincent van Gogh Institute for Psychiatry, Stationsweg 46, 5803 AC Venray, The Netherlands
| | - Anton Coenen
- Donders Centre for Cognition, Radboud University Nijmegen, Postbus 9104, Montessorilaan 3, 6500 HR Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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