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Lived experiences of negative symptoms in first‐episode psychosis: A qualitative secondary analysis
Author(s) -
Gee Brioney,
Hodgekins Jo,
Lavis Anna,
Notley Caitlin,
Birchwood Max,
Everard Linda,
Freemantle Nick,
Jones Peter B.,
Singh Swaran P.,
Amos Tim,
Marshall Max,
Sharma Vimal,
Smith Jo,
Fowler David
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
early intervention in psychiatry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.087
H-Index - 45
eISSN - 1751-7893
pISSN - 1751-7885
DOI - 10.1111/eip.12558
Subject(s) - psychology , psychosis , psychosocial , sense of agency , lived experience , clinical psychology , intervention (counseling) , developmental psychology , psychiatry , psychotherapist , social psychology
Aim Exploring how negative symptoms are experienced and understood by individuals with lived experience of psychosis has the potential to offer insights into the complex psychosocial processes underlying negative symptom presentations. The aim of the current study was to investigate lived experiences of negative symptoms through secondary analysis of interviews conducted with individuals recovering from first‐episode psychosis. Method Transcripts of in‐depth interviews with participants ( n = 24) recruited from Early Intervention in Psychosis services were analysed thematically with a focus on participants' experiences and personal understandings of features corresponding to the negative symptoms construct. Results Descriptions of reductions in expression, motivation and sociability were common features of participants' accounts. Several participants described the experience of having difficulty interacting as like being a “zombie”. Some participants experienced diminished capacity for emotion, thought or drive as underlying these experiences. However, participants typically attributed reductions in expression, motivation and sociability to medication side‐effects, lack of confidence or active avoidance intended to protect them from rejection or ridicule, sometimes linked to internalized stigma. Conclusions Personal accounts of experiences of reduced expression, motivation and sociability during first‐episode psychosis highlight the personal meaningfulness and role of agency in these features, challenging the framing of negative symptoms as passive manifestations of diminished capacity.